This is a message from leading the way with Dr. Michael Youssef.

We pray that it will encourage you in your walk of faith.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Youssef or leading the way, please visit

ltw.org.

Today I'm commencing this new series entitled Counting Stars When You Can See None.

For when God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky, in the heavens.

Abraham had none, no children whatsoever. But also, as you look at Abraham's

journey of faith, you're going to see it is not a smooth sailing. You're going to find that he

faced all sorts of challenges. He faced difficulties. He faced doubt and fear in his life.

He faced his own demons. He faced sin and failure. He faced opposition of all sorts.

And he faced many a temptation to stop counting stars when God said to him, count stars.

But in the long run, the reason Abraham is the central figure, make no mistake about it, Abraham is the central figure in the Old Testament.

And the reason for that is because he kept on

counting stars regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the discouragement. He kept them

counting stars when he could see none. All he had, basically, is God's own word. The God of power and might spoke to him and he said, that's it, that's enough for me.

Here's what you got to understand.

He did not have a Bible, he did not have a Bible study, he did not have a small group

to go to, he did not have a discipleship program, he did not have a church. He did not have a preacher.

Maybe that's for the best. But all he had is the word of the almighty God who said to him,

Abraham, start counting stars. I know you have none right now, but you start counting.

So I want you to turn with me, please, to Genesis 12.

God commands Abraham.

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