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.

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.

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.

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.