Alone With Favor

Alone With Favor

Genesis 6: ⁹ This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. ¹⁰ And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

¹¹ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

 

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Generations had passed since the creation of Adam and Eve. Cain’s descendants were plentiful. They heard stories about GOD throwing humans out of the Garden of Eden. Cain was doubly cursed because he killed his brother over jealousy. No longer would the ground produce fruit for him. Cain possibly was trying to build his own Garden of Eden, which was not pleasing to the LORD.

 

Cain built an entire city. He showed that his ingenuity was a basis of not needing GOD. When GOD would walk with a few people, many would stay away, blaming HIM for being outcast. Noah’s great grandfather Enoch was taken by GOD because of his righteousness. Noah followed in his footsteps, but no one else on earth followed GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Noah walked with the LORD when it was not popular to do so.
• Noah’s siblings did not walk with the LORD and may have sought out the descendants of Cain to learn how to perform various industries.
• Humans stopped walking with GOD, possibly thinking they could overtake the Garden of Eden.

 

Searching all the earth, GOD saw that not one man or woman thought kindly of HIM, except Noah. They despised GOD and did not recognize that HE was the one who provided what little food they had. It was HIS building materials they used to engineer cities, cooking utensils and weapons.

 

The strong and mighty made people bow down to hierarchies that pointed to the rich and powerful. Corruption had reached its pinnacle and the way of life was to take instead of give. BUT GOD saw Noah and was pleased with him.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD repeat the genealogy of Noah to Moses?
• Have you ever tried to serve GOD around selfish people who could care less about HIM?
• If you are alone with your belief in JESUS, will you stand firm so HE can walk with you in unpopular decisions?

Guarding “Ships”

Guarding “Ships”

2 Timothy 3: Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. ² People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; ³ they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; ⁴ they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; ⁵ they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people. 

 

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Feeling lonely, I decided that being involved with any group was better than none. I decided to go out with coworkers. Maybe I can get used to doing some other things. “Let’s go out to the strip club!” was a suggestion “everyone” agreed to. “I guess so” I said reluctantly.

 

• I felt something was wrong with just going with the crowd, but I went.
• I knew I should not do what “everyone” else was doing, but I did.
• I joined in on stuff I later regretted joining in on.

 

Paul warns more than Timothy about the “last days.” He generally provides a stern warning about connecting to people who do not have JESUS in their hearts, but mimic the words. He prepared Timothy to not be naïve rather to know there will be some who will not follow GOD no matter how much he or she pretends.

 

My Observations

• GOD saw my sin and forgave me through my belief in JESUS’ resurrection.
• GOD is the only forgiver of sins.
• GOD wants the heart not the outward pretenses.

 

There are a few ships GOD wants me to guard. Friendships, relationships and partnerships. These are sacred to HIM because they affect how HIS Kingdom grows. GOD knows I cannot avoid the world or live in a bubble. In fact, HE wants me and you to infect the world.

 

BUT GOD also wants me to guard my heart and not allow the world to enter it with things that will take people away from HIS Kingdom. He wants my friendships, relationships and partnerships to be focused on HIS “real power” which is through JESUS. I am glad GOD protects me in this difficult world.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the list of the writer is so extensive?
• Have you ever been tempted to hang out with a crowd you knew was wrong for you, but you did it anyway?
• Will you seek the “real power” of GOD by allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to lead you to infect the world versus connecting with people you know will drag you down by the world today?

Bright Side

Bright Side

Philippians 2: ¹⁴ Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, ¹⁶ as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.

 

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“The problem with this place is…” was my normal statement. I could spot what was “wrong” a mile away. I also had fallen into a habit of complaining about “bad” service. I had experienced “good” service and compared it to those who could not roll out the red carpet to me. This gave me ground to “argue” about payment or even getting more out the deal.

 

• I had become a habitual complainer.
• I had become combative and argumentative.
• I could not tell my adversaries about CHRIST, but I won the argument, or so I thought.

 

Complaints and arguments dim the light CHRIST wants us to shine, according to Paul. As we navigate this world full of combative, demanding and selfish people, complaints and arguments go unnoticed. Only GOD’s light will show up different.

 

My Observations

• Growing up to walk in GOD’s light is hard for me but necessary.
• Reducing complaints so GOD can be seen is much better path for me, and is not easy to do, but necessary.
• Reducing arguments so GOD can be heard provides a rich environment for all, which is not always easy but necessary.

 

Protecting myself from bullies of all kind, overt and passive, led me to shameful tactics that included complaining about people and arguing against them. This combative approach toughened me up to face those who attacked me. BUT GOD’s light shining through me was dimmed at each “win.’ Someone has to lose win “I” win.

 

Also, the enemy found a way to perpetuate his complaints about each person. He doesn’t have to go before GOD complaining about a person when he has enlisted people to complain about each other. GOD’s light requires peace, love, joy, patience, and gentleness, to name a few. I am glad HE helps me reduce complaints and arguments, and hope someday they will be extinguished.

 

Challenge

• What stands out about the writers warning?
• Have you ever assessed how much you complain about people or “that” person?
• Is it easy for you to argue or to help someone see a “better” way?
• Will you seek to show GOD’s light by reducing your combat and looking for ways to help everyone “win” versus someone losing his or her life for eternity?

Seeing Beyond Distractions

Seeing Beyond Distractions

2 Corinthians 11: I wish you would tolerate me, even when I am a bit foolish. Please do! ² I am jealous for you, just as God is; you are like a pure virgin whom I have promised in marriage to one man only, Christ himself. ³ I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ—in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake's clever lies. ⁴ For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a different Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the gospel you received from us!

 

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“Why is he talking to me?” I thought to myself as the playground thug stopped me to ask very random questions. I was taking a different route home I usually did not take. He was being oddly nice for a change. Other thugs, who were within sight, began to giggle.

 

I expected being pushed or punched so I braced myself. After the brief conversation, they walked away. Someone said to me, “They were practicing picking your pocket. Didn’t you feel the guy rummaging through your coat?” I did not.

 

• When I get distracted I can be deceived.
• I was too busy looking at the problem to see the deception.
• Instead of staying on the path home, I went to a place where I let the deception happen.

 

Paul tried to soften the blow that people were being deceived into believing a false gospel of salvation. He was afraid that their minds would be corrupted and the pure devotion to CHRIST would be abandoned in trade of another lesser spirit.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to remain focused on JESUS as the only way to salvation.
• GOD wants me to accept the promise HE has for me, to be with me for eternity.
• GOD wants me to remain devoted to CHRIST as my Savior.

 

Distractions are in abundance these days. I mean anyone could raise up a cause and speak boldly about it and be justified in what is being said. BUT GOD wants me to surrender my life to the one and only truth, namely JESUS.

 

When I can name a human or a group of humans as having “the answer” I fall prey to being distracted from the purpose GOD created me for. I lose sight that I am here for one reason, that is to be pleasing to GOD. I then try to make GOD bow down to my path and decisions BUT HE laughs at the attempt. I am glad JESUS saved me from myself and those who try to steal GOD’s title of being the MOST HIGH.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the concern of the writer?
• What do you notice about the mind in this passage?
• Will you look beyond the distractions of your circumstances and be led by the HOLY SPIRIT, who was sent by JESUS to live inside those who believe in HIM as the one and only true Savior today?

Absolute Power

Matthew 27: ³² As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. ³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁶ And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

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“One day I will get big and be able to fight back” I said to myself as I stepped into the gym.  Tired of being pushed around, I was motivated to pile on the muscles necessary to pound someone in the face if provoked. When I stepped into a bar with my lifting buddies, I could tell something was different this time. I think we are about to get into a fight. I said to myself.

• Three were times I wanted to be the intimidator instead of being intimidated.
• There were times I wanted to be in power instead of “them.”
• There were times I wanted to be the one on top and have the rest on the bottom.

Intimidation was the weapon of choice the soldiers used when walking through the city with JESUS. They forced a man named Simon to carry JESUS’s cross. I saw the word “they” used in this passage a lot and never in a good context. It seemed like the soldiers had absolute power. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
• GOD says to me “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of GOD, that HE may exalt you in due time.”
• GOD says to me “I AM your strength in weakness.”

Power causes corruption and absolute power causes absolute corruption, except when speaking about GOD. HE does hold absolute power except HIS is based with love. HE is in control of all and wants all to be with HIM. HE never intimidates or bullies me into believing in HIS murdered SON. HE quietly cares for me and gently restores me. I am blessed by GOD.

• Are you seeking power?
• Do you want your way so bad that you desire a title?
• Will you seek GOD first and allow HIM to raise you up in HIS time, HIS way?