Bible in One Year: Sunday, December 20, 2009 (Dan 4 - Dan 6) Memorise: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (Jn 10:11) Read: Genesis 22:6-9 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. When an individual is outstanding, it is possible for that virtue to run in the family. Abraham's family is an example. Abraham was outstanding in faith, obedience and sacrifice. Isaac, his son was also outstanding. He was outstanding in sacrificial giving. In my view, Isaac was more outstanding in sacrificial giving than Abraham his father. Why? Genesis 22:6-9 says Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son but his son was willing to sacrifice himself. Abraham bound Isaac and laid him on the altar. Is it easy for an aged man of 115 years to tie up a 15 year old teenager and put him on the altar when the latter knows he is about to be killed and roasted? Which teenager will not push his father out of the way and escape? It simply shows Isaac was totally surrendered. He was stronger yet he pocketed his strength and agreed to be the sacrificial lamb. It is one thing to let go your son and another to let go yourself. When the famine became so severe, some women were willing to eat up their children, but not themselves (2 Kings 6:24-29). It is easier to give up your son than to give up yourself. Isaac was also outstanding in prayer. In Genesis 25:21, he confronted the barrenness of his wife in prayer and succeeded in winning that battle. Are you outstanding in prayer? When negative situations challenge any member of your family, do you confront them in the place of prayer until you win the battle like Isaac? Moreover, our elder brother, the Lord Jesus Christ was most outstanding in faith, obedience and sacrifice. In John 10:18, Jesus says He is laying down His life and He will pick it up again - That is faith. He was most outstanding in obedience. According to Philippians 2:5-11 , the Lord excelled in obedience and submission to God to the extent of accepting death on the cross - which was most shameful. In addition, Jesus took prayer to the limits. Most of the times the Lord prayed, He did it alone. He separated Himself from the crowd just to pray. The large auditorium we have should be seen as greater opportunity to pray. Yet for many, it is an opportunity to talk. Luke 6:12 says Jesus prayed all night on the mountain. I have always wanted to be different. By His grace, the Lord is making me outstanding so that you can become outstanding in one or more areas. Decide to do what others have not done that will positively impact your life. ACTION POINT: Intercede for your converts. Pray that all of them will finish strong. Also, take practical steps to follow them up.