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7 I will set up my covenant with you and your descendants after you in every generation as an enduring covenant. I will be your God and your descendants’ God after you. Gen 17: 1-7, 15-16 CEB 
Rev. Frank Sherard There are a few things that are just basics when it comes to leading a church or as I’ve learned with and from my wife in the last couple of years, planting a church. First and foremost is building relationships. Our passage here shows us from the very beginning how important that basic concept is. God speaks to Abram and says, “I will establish (build) my covenant (promise) between me and you….” To promise someone anything, one has to be in relationship….together. AND, covenant is unique to scripture in that it’s an eternal promise….one that cannot be broken on God’s part. But, notice that the scripture goes even further by putting an exclamation point on that which is already eternal, not just a covenant, but and “everlasting covenant!” God is so moved to be in relationship with the people of God that God makes an eternal, ETERNAL promise with Abram and ALL those that come after him. That’s where this scripture becomes personal…..personal for you and me. God is moved to be in and build up a personal, eternal, ETERNAL relationship promise with me, with you, with each and every one of us. But, there is a kicker, isn’t there? The kicker? Covenant, as our scripture decries, is a two-way promise. While it’s an eternal truth that God cannot and will not break a covenant, we are the other side/part of the equation. We, like Abram, must be willing to cease to exist like God promised Abram if we do not hold up our end of the bargain. When we call upon God to be our God and to be God’s people we must be willing to put God first in every situation in our lives and know, I mean KNOW that God will NOT forsake us and will be our God. We have a choice, serve the world or serve God. As for me (and my house, prayerfully) I’ll “fall on my face” and serve God. Join me and let’s let God make us “exceedingly fruitful.” - - - Wonderful, Promising, God, help us to strive for deeper relationship with you. Show us the way to truly experience you love and grace in everyday situations. Amen. Click here to work through our Lenten Communal Prayer Frank has been a Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for over 20 years having served churches in Northwest Missouri and Louisiana. He currently serves as the Senior Minister for First Christian Church of Lafayette, LA and the Mentor Minister at Jerusalem Christian Church in Lafayette, LA. He has been married to his wife, Ashley, for 8 years and they have three beautiful little girls who keep them very busy. Rev. Frank is an alumni of Texas Christian University and is a very proud Horned Frog, the Sherard’s bleed purple! On top of TCU athletics Rev. Frank enjoys movies, he especially enjoys Star Wars and Star Trek.
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