Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Man Reaching Up

Scripture
Genesis Chapter 11:4-6
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Observation
Disobedience doesn't evade any man! God wanted His people to scatter and populate the earth but what did they do? They did exactly the opposite! They didn't scatter and to add to the chaos they decided to build a structure to reach the heaven. As if they could touch God! Religion is man reaching up to God but Christianity is God reaching down to man. Praise the Lord for that!

Application
Do I try and serve the Lord my own way? Do I make up rules and regulations that are not biblical? Do I have preconceived ideas of the gospel and God's plan for my life? Are my motives pure?

People Pleasing

Scripture Genesis 8:9-10
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.


Observation
Many people are people pleasers and will bend and conform only for the sake of how they will look in the eyes of others. The scripture says that Nimrod was a mighty warrior before the Lord. It doesn't simply say that he was a mighty warrior. This was God's impression! The only approval we need to seek is God's! All others thoughts and opinions are not important.

Application
Am I more concerned with what people are saying then what God thinks of me? Do I seek the praise and approval of man? Is that spiritually healthy?

Prayer
God I don't want to be ashamed of you and seek the approval of people over you. Let my desire to please you be fervent and the desire to please others fall by the wayside.

Monday, December 28, 2009

A Colorful Promise

Scripture
Genesis chapter 9
12And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
14And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
16And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
17And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

Observation
God's promises are steadfast and sure. No wavering and no doubt. Thousands of years ago God made a promise that He would not flood the earth again. Never. No IFS ANDS or BUTS!

Application
If God can be faithful to keep that one promise then why should I doubt that He will keep other promises throughout His word to me? His track record is proven. God does not lie.

Prayer
Lord help me to have childlike faith to simply trust you and your promises to me. Your promises are limitless and I don't want to tie your hands with MY unbelief.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Going Through the Motions

I don't want to spend my whole life asking what if I had given everything instead of going through the motions.

And God Remembered Noah

Genesis chapter 8:1a
And God remembered Noah,

As God remembered Noah God also remembers me. I am on God's mind. God didn't forget Noah and He hasn't forgotten me either. Noah had been on the ark for 7 months! I rarely hear people bring up the fact that Noah was hard at work because he surely was NOT on vacation. Maintaining and repairing the ark, feeding all of the animals, cleaning where the animals live. Scooping poop! I'll bet you he wondered when the end would come after scooping all of that poop for over a half a year. Perhaps it was then that Noah thought that God had forgotten him. I can imagine the lies the devil was telling Noah.

"The waters will never dry off the land and you will be here for eternity"

"God has forgotten about you for the past 6 months and do you think He thinks of you now? There is no hope! You will die on this smelly ark"

"You work on this boat all day and all night and you think God is sparing your life? Your life is ruined as well as the lives of your wife, sons and daughter's in law"

"The only thing you are good for is shoveling mountains of poop!"

In light of yesterday's post it is no wonder that the bible reading is relevant to me today. God has not forgotten me. God remembers me and God also remembers you no matter what the situation. God does not forget.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for remembering me. These words ring in my soul that you haven't forgotten me. Thank you for being a faithful and loving God who has been constant in my life in spite of myself. I don't have anyone that would care for me like you do. Thank You for your amazing love.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Safety in the Ark

I am quite (can't find a descriptive word) lately. I can't see the forest from the trees and it is revealing itself in every facet of my life. Yesterday I helped a friend clean out (part of) their home. I won't go into details- there are many that could explain- but it was the most repulsive living conditions I have ever seen. There were rat droppings everywhere and rat urine everywhere. I really tried to keep a Christlike Spirit while helping because this person really needed help. I really believe the Lord would have me to physically help instead of simply throwing money at the issue or turning a blind eye. After coming home I showered and took a badly needed nap since I was possibly the most physically tired I have ever been in my life. To add insult to injury I was really attacked by Satan in various ways- he was saying that I was going to be in that same situation if I didn't submit to the Lord in all things. Also that I would become a reprobate because I don't follow the Lord wholeheartedly. It has been quite the rollercoaster ride.

So I have accomplished my bible reading for the day but not in a way that is very beneficial. I read chapter 7 and there is not much that is standing out for me at present time so I am choosing verse 1.

Scripture
Genesis chapter 7:11
And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Observation
Noah is a type of Christ. Noah and the ark is compared to the safety and saving of lives and salvation.

Application

Prayer
Lord- this isn't my righteousness- but YOURS. Your grace has paved the way and I am resting in your mercy no matter what Satan says. I claim your peace in the name of Jesus.

When God Hurts

Scripture
Genesis 6: 6-8
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Application
I looked up GRIEVED in the Blue Letter Bible which gives the biblical usage of the word-

grieved- 1) to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest

Lately I might seem to be pulling all of the verses that are less then positive. (I was doubting myself as to not only picking the scripture about Noah finding grace in the eyes of the Lord) but I feel that all of the verses are beneficial together and speak to me at this point and time of my life. God looking at the wickedness of mankind and how it was evil continually makes me wonder how evil the people had been and how they would 'stack up' to today's generation. Does wickedness to follow after my own fleshly desires outweigh my desire to follow God? I don't want to grieve the Lord. Every day I choose to follow Him. As God had shown favor upon Noah God also has shown favor to me even in the midst of my shortcomings. Incredible.

Prayer
God~ let me find grace in your eyes. Let me be the light shining in the midst of this wicked generation. Let my desire for you surpass any other desire. I want to be consumed by you. I don't want to treat your grace carelessly.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Arm in Arm





Scripture
Genesis 5:24a
And Enoch walked with God

Observation
I am only focusing on the first half of this scripture but I feel it really has punch. Walking with God. The God of the Universe. The God who created me. The God who has every hair on my head numbered. Wow! Incredible. I remember walking arm and arm with my mother as a little girl. It is such a special memory and something that I wish I could do again.

Application
God is walking with me- besides me- am I aware of His presence, His care and His love?

Prayer
Lord, thank you for your precious gift of salvation! I am so thankful that you choose to walk with me daily and you have such patience with me. To think that you are the Creator of the universe that you walk with me is so LOFTY and I cannot fathom it! That you actually care for me is so incredible. Help me to keep you in the forefront of my memory and to know that through every situation that you are there. Arm in Arm.


Psalm 8

1 LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth

Merry Christmas!


Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! As Christians we celebrate the wondrous work that the Lord has done for us every moment and not only one day of the year! May you be blessed as you look upon the finished work that Christ came to redeem mankind!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

RESPECT



Scripture
Genesis 4:5
But unto Cain and to his offering he (God) had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Observation
This chapter is full of disrespect. Disrespect for God. The requirement of sacrifice was for Cain to bring an offering that was well pleasing to the Lord and he knew exactly what was required of him. But did he listen? No. He dissed God and offered something the Lord was not pleased with. When God requires of me, do I become angry and make excuses like Cain did?

Application
Do I diss God? Do I offer up useless things to Him knowing full well that the only thing He wants is ME? Do I ask for forgiveness knowing that I will sin against Him in the future? Do I sin 'on credit' knowing I am covered by His grace? Do I make excuses for my behavior? These are things that I am asking myself today.

Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Prayer
God help me to have my priorities straight. If you ask for me to give up a certain thing I don't want to offer up some measly counter sacrifice for it's replacement. Your grace is so limitless but I do not want to take advantage of it. Help me to be tender to your Holy Spirit prodding me to change and grow in You.

Bait and Switch


Scripture Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Observation
I might not be getting all that I bargained for when sin is alluring me to partake. Also, stolen Bread is sweeter then if I were to simply eat it without any secrecy and in public. The same is true for many temptations. What is it about the thrill of sin? The heart racing anticipation of things that are outside of Godly boundaries? Adultery might seem sweeter then a real relationship with a spouse inside the bond of marriage. But the end brings much sorrow and hurt that can only be mended with the Lord.

Application
Just as the boundaries that God set for Adam and Eve, the boundaries the Lord have set for me are for my own good. There might be a temporary excitement in desiring, seeking and even fulfilling the lust of my flesh but in the end it brings sorrow and trouble. The need to binge with food is only a temporary satisfaction. The devil is the master of bait and switch. He promises fulfillment but I am left unsatisfied and alone.

Prayer
Lord, I want to serve you and live for you but I find that I am constantly being diverted by things that seem to be more satisfying but in the end leave me with more sorrow and heartache. The fact that the fall of man (and Eve too) was due to the lust of food has really struck a chord in me as I realized it today. Lord I want to treat my body as your temple and eat in a way that is pleasing to you. I don't want gluttony to be a stronghold in my life and I thank you for a fresh page this very moment. Help me to eat in the present and capture each moment as they occur. I want to live for your glory.

Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Monday, December 21, 2009

SOAP bible reading schedule

I have found very few Bible Reading Schedules online so have decided to dedicate this post for that for a one stop place for reference and for printing out.

January
1 Gen 1,2 Luke 1
2 Gen 3-5 Luke 2
3 Gen 6-8 Luke 3
4 Gen 9-11 Luke 4
5 Gen 12-14 Luke 5
6 Gen 15-17 Luke 6
7 Gen 18-19 Luke 7 Psalm 3
8 Gen 20-22 Luke 8
9 Gen 23-24 Luke 9
10 Gen 25,26 Luke 10 Psalm 6
11 Gen 27,28 Luke 11 Psalm 4
12 Gen 29,30 Luke 12
13 Gen 31-33 Luke 13
14 Gen 34-36 Luke 14
15 Gen 37-38 Luke 15 Psalm 7

The Breath of Life



Scripture Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Observation
What strikes me most about this scripture is man's dependance on the Lord. Without Him we have no breath. No life. Nothing. Nada. Without Him we are just a lump of clay. Dirt. The picture above is pretty humiliating but I love what it says. We are like that dirt without Him. Lifeless and formless. How eye opening. When God breaths his breath of life into our nostrils we became a living soul. Praise the Lord!

Application
Every Day. Every Hour. Every second and every breath you allow me to breath the breath of life. Each and every breath you allow my lungs to expand and deflate! My life is a gift from you and I want to be thankful for every inhalation and exhalation.

Prayer
God, help me to not be dependant on my own works and accomplishments. Your breath of life in my nostrils is so valuable. Help me to live every moment to the fullest and give glory to you.

And it was Good





Scripture- Genesis chapter 1 detailing the creation of the heaven and the earth.

Observation- When God created he said that it was good. There was no bad- none at all. And (vs 31) after creating the world God looked upon his creation and said it was VERY good. How amazing that God didn't think it was so so. It wasn't tolerable. It was not only good- it was VERY good!

Application- God's creation tells of Him. God doesn't prove His existence to unbelievers. If we look around we can see God even in the small things. He made every star. Every droplet of water. Every vein on a leaf was handcrafted by Him. Creation shouts his glory so that all may see.

Prayer- Lord, help me to see you in the small things. Help me to see that you are in every detail of the creation and in every aspect of my life. You are a God who is concerned in the very details of creation and in the minutiae of my life.