Legacy Lessons W/Vance K. Jacksonનમૂનો

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.” Genesis 17:1-5 KJV.‭‭

Notice, in the year before Sarah conceived and produced Isaac—Abram was Ninety nine years old. God did more in one year for Abram than he did all of his life. At ninety nine years old, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, He opened the womb of Sarah, and gave Abraham a Promised successor—Isaac—at one hundred years old. You don’t have to wait until you’re ninety-nine years old to experience God’s Promises. God used Abraham to serve as our example.

Abraham staggered not at the Promises of God. Abraham faithfully followed God, and he did not stagger because of his age. Abraham wholly followed God and not his wealth. Abraham did not idolize his success. Abraham followed God. Abraham obeyed God—and received a new beginning. At one hundred years old—God gave Abraham Isaac.

It’s not too late. God’s Timing is perfect. Choose to obey God. Follow His Timing. Follow His Instruction. For the Lord our God is the Lord of Legacy. You can’t force a God-given Promise—that’s manipulation. You can’t force Legacy upon an unprepared system or vessel. In fact, when you thrust legacy upon an unprepared system, structure, or successor—they’ll break under the pressure or resent the mantle that you carry. God prepares you for the Promise.

Ishmaels are idols. God doesn’t bless idols. ‘Ishmaels’ are temporary placeholders that are created to feed a temporary desire. When you manufacture successors and manipulate success—you’ll produce a temporary ‘Ishmael’. Ishmael are temporary “coping mechanisms” who are manufactured substitutes for the God-given Promise.

‘Ishmaels’ can take many forms. Whether it’s a business, a ministry, an idea, a position, or a platform—if you’re substituting something for what God told you to do—you’re manufacturing a product or platform in place of the Promise.

When Isaac is birthed—the manufactured ‘Ishmael’ will lose its place and priority in your life. Manipulation manufactures Ishmaels. Obedience produces Isaacs. The results may look the same, but only one is the Promise.

Manufactured success is temporary. Submission to God’s Voice lasts a lifetime. Obedience produces legacy. You may have sacrificed your time, your talent, your effort, to manufacture an ‘Ishmael’, but you can’t manufacture the Promise. What did God tell you to do? What assignment did He give you? Obedience produces Isaac. There is no substitute.