Nations and People Groups 1 of 6

 Nations and People Groups 1 of 6

Genesis 10: Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.

 

² The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. ³ The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. ⁴ The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. ⁵ From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

 

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GOD turned his conversation away from what happened to “who” started a nation or a people group. As GOD is presenting the information to Moses, HE describes the division of thought and from “who” the division derived.

 

My Observations:

• Japeth was the oldest son of Noah, who had sons that started nations that would be mentioned.
• GOD saw Japeth’s sons and kept HIS promise of not flooding the earth.
• GOD knew some of Japeth’s sons would become difficult rulers, and HE did not flood the earth.

 

Human logic contains sin that blinds us from understanding why GOD does what HE does. HE allowed groups of people to grow in disbelief of HIM and HIS ways. Each group of people formed their own language, probably to communicate ways to fight or hate each other.

 

At first one would see a list of names, but this list was more than a trace of parents, rather it was the beginning of divisions of people who would choose GOD or fight against HIM. Fortunately, GOD had a plan that could not be stopped. HE would raise a Savior out of the sons of Noah.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD switch to telling Moses about nations and people groups?
• Have you ever wanted to belong to a group to fit in?
• Is your fight against other people in line with HIS command to “Love one another?”

Keeping the Fire

Keeping the Fire

Hebrews 11: ²¹ It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshiped God.

 

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“Didn’t you try that years ago?” was the question posed to me in disbelief. I was asking some of the same people to get on board of something that took a long, long time to get ready. It took so long, that people forgot what I was working on.

 

• I felt embarrassed that it took so long to get started.
• I felt uneasy about asking the same people to be excited after so many years.
• I felt I needed to keep the same level of excitement as when I first started.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, continues the list of faith examples with Jacob, otherwise known as Israel. Jacob had been a liar and a sneak, but GOD changed his name to Israel, which means GOD preserves. At a very old age, Jacob remained loyal to GOD. He required a walking stick after wrestling GOD at a young age. He remained on fire until his death.

 

My Observations:

• Difficult times may make me want to leave GOD, BUT where would I go?
• Starting off with GOD can be exciting to me, but staying with HIM is more exciting to HIM.
• Being able to praise GOD at an old age is the goal HE wants me to have.

 

Remaining excited about GOD can be difficult. I mean, life can dish out some very rough circumstances. Loss of health, relationships and income, could leave people wondering “Where is GOD?” BUT GOD is there, always!

 

HE provides in ways I cannot see or understand. HE blesses me in spite of me. HE raises me up when I should be torn down. GOD and GOD alone should be praised all the time. I am glad HE cares for me!

 

Challenge

• Why did the writer choose someone sneaky as an example of faith?
• Have you ever gone through some rough times and wanted to give up on GOD?
• Will you examine your thinking about what HE really wants you to “be” and accept HIS love for you so you can praise HIM today and always?

Great Blessings

Great Blessings

Hebrews 7: ⁴ You see, then, how great he was. Abraham, our famous ancestor, gave him one tenth of all he got in the battle. ⁵ And those descendants of Levi who are priests are commanded by the Law to collect one tenth from the people of Israel, that is, from their own people, even though they are also descendants of Abraham. ⁶ Melchizedek was not descended from Levi, but he collected one tenth from Abraham and blessed him, the man who received God's promises. ⁷ There is no doubt that the one who blesses is greater than the one who is blessed. 

 

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A customer left a great rating about my service. I was honored to receive the rating and realized how much the good word meant to other people. My service was not as important as the rating received because other people believed in the ratings.

 

• I was the recipient of a blessing.
• My word about my company was not as powerful as my customer’s word.
• I wanted “my” word to be enough, but it took the blessing of a customer to get others to believe.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke highly of Abraham. He mentions that Abraham was “famous”, yet still gave Melchizedek one tenth of all he collected in battle. The writer goes on to mention that priests still follow this example, showing the greatness of the act. He then closes with speaking about greatness.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS has blessed me to be one of HIS servants.
• I can never be greater than JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be a servant, which will translate to HIM declaring me as “great.”

 

The first will be last and last will be first” is one of JESUS’ promises. HE sees “greatness” when I follow HIS example by serving those who do not look or act like me. Even when I fall, JESUS is great enough to pick me up and use me for HIS good.

 

Feeling blessed is different than being declared blessed. I mean, when JESUS mentions “blessed are the…” HE is talking about me and you. HE is greater than us and pours out HIS blessings on us. I gladly accept HIS blessings today.

 

Challenge

• What blessing is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever had a reference or a referral from someone who spoke highly of you?
• Will you speak highly of someone so he or she can see JESUS and accept HIS great blessings today?

Sending Encouragement

Sending Encouragement

Ephesians 6: ²¹ Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me, so that you may know how I am getting along. ²² That is why I am sending him to you—to tell you how all of us are getting along and to encourage you.

 

²³ May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christians peace and love with faith. ²⁴ May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.

 

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Feeling pretty good, I walked into the group. I had a smile on my face for no reason. “What are you smiling about” a person groused at me. “Didn’t you hear the news?” People led into raising complaints about what was going on. By the end of the day, I felt like complaining.

 

• I was infected by negative words.
• I was pulled down by the current situation.
• I could not see the positive because all who were around me were negative.

 

Paul concludes his letter with encouragement. He sent a letter and Tychicus to encourage those who would read it. Some of the words in the letter may have been a bit harsh, and needed context. Paul wanted people to grow up and change, but was perceptive enough to know they needed encourage encouragement.

 

My Observations

• Peace and love are great gifts to give others because these belong to GOD to hand out freely.
• Grace is much needed and can be given in healthy portions according to GOD.
• Encouragement is part of my walk with GOD so I should give it when I can.

 

Sometimes walking with GOD seems like only taking medicine. I mean, it seems hard and full of stuff that I “need” to do versus “want” to do. BUT GOD wants more than a medicinal relationship. HE wants us to be encouraged when things are rough.

 

Sometimes I need encouragement, and sometimes I need to encourage others and there are times when I need to have the HOLY SPIRIT encourage me through HIS word. I am glad GOD encourages us to keep going. I encourage you and hope this message blesses you.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the encouragement from the writer?
• Have you ever been encouraged by someone?
• Will you encourage someone to keep going with GOD today?

Demonstration

 

Demonstration

Acts 26: ¹⁹ “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. ²⁰ First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. ²¹ That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. ²² But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— ²³ that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

 

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Excited to learn a new skill, I watched intently. The person seemed to tie all kinds of knots with ease. “Okay, you try” he said. I tried and messed up. He showed me and I could finally tie a few knots. I put my skills to use in fishing, hauling things on a vehicle, and sending presents.

 

• There have been many people who have taught me life skills.
• There have been many people who guided me in the right direction.
• There have been many people who blessed me with good demonstrations.

 

Paul continues his explanation to king Agrippa. When JESUS blinded and healed Paul, he responded with obedience. Paul went everywhere preaching the gospel of JESUS. He taught people to demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

 

• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS as my Savior.
• GOD wants me to translate that belief into action.
• GOD wants me to demonstrate HIS love to others.

 

Demonstrating my repentance does not make me holier. In fact, the more holy I think I am, the more prideful my righteous acts become. GOD makes it simple. Give HIM the credit and I can have no ownership of the blessing HE bestows on another person through my deed. I am glad GOD demonstrated HIS love by forgiving me of all my sins.

 

• What are you demonstrating?
• What will people say about your actions today?
• Will you demonstrate to others the love GOD shown you today?

Abnormal Thinking

Luke 10: ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. ⁴ Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. ⁵ But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

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“What is all of that?” exclaimed one of the higher ups. “It’s all of the information printed out about various projects I am working on” I replied, referring to the large stacks of papers in folders I was carrying. I just wanted to be prepared for everything!

• There were times when I thought I had to be prepared for any eventuality.
• There were times when I worked hard at being prepared.
• There were times when it seemed logical to me to try to be prepared for thing to happen.

JESUS tells those HE sent out into the world, that there is no such thing as “being prepared.” In fact, JESUS makes them less prepared by telling them to leave anything they would depend on, home. HE further impresses on them to go out with a purpose, HIS purpose. And when they went out, they were not prepared to fight like wolves, but harmless as lambs.

• GOD wants me to depend on HIS protection .
• GOD wants me to allow HIS thoughts to become my thoughts.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of the world, trying to meet any expectation, rather allow HIM to shine through the change HE made in me.

Wherever I work, GOD will shine on that place and bring it peace a long as “peace” is accepted. HIS only desire is that I am at peace with myself and my relationship with HIM. The world will tell me that something is wrong with my relationship with GOD because I may not have human status or possessions that prove I am blessed.

BUT GOD holds the tally and HE says I am greatly blessed, so much so that I am filled to overflowing and must tell others about HIS love.

• Do you look at GOD as the great “punisher” or the great forgiver?
• Do you feel inadequate in life?
• Will you say GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS love for you is more that any human status?

Just like Me

Matthew 22: ³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

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One guy would break into our garage regularly. A group would let their dogs loose to poop on our lawn. The kid across the street would laugh at me and try to pick fights. I saw him throw bologna at me. I did not like those neighbors very much!

• There are some people who seem to grate on my last nerve.
• There are some people who tend to make me want to complain about them.
• There are some people who seem to get their way while I take a back seat!

JESUS says “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The problem is I like myself and I didn’t like them. HE was speaking about something higher than bologna being thrown at me. GOD wants something else from me.

• GOD wants me to love HIM with all my heart and with my soul and with all my mind so I can understand what HE has done for me.
• GOD wants me to love my neighbors as I love myself so I can stop being selfish.
• GOD wants me to know that everything said and done in the Bible was because of GOD’s tremendous love!

GOD so loved me that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that if I believe in HIM I will not perish but have everlasting life. For GOD did not send his SON to me to condemn me, but to save my soul through HIM.

My neighbors should receive my best even when they give their worst. This is sometimes hard but not as hard when I focus on loving GOD as HE loved me.

• Do you have difficult people around you?
• Can you stop looking at their difficulties and see a creation of GOD?
• Will you take the poison out of your heart and ask GOD to fill it with love for those who are hard to love?

How to Lead the People

2 Chronicles 35: ⁷ Josiah provided for all the lay people who were there a total of thirty thousand lambs and goats for the Passover offerings, and also three thousand cattle—all from the king’s own possessions.

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More money was going in the bank as I accepted my new post. I was now in management and now I had more money and an expense account. I took my team to lunch and put in on the account. Everyone was happy so I did it again and again.

Accounting called me and asked me what the lunches were for. “Good and welfare?” I said hesitantly. “You can’t do that” they responded. I quickly realized I had to spend my own money if I wanted to treat my team. It was a good move.

• I have learned that leaders need to be generous because GOD is generous.
• I have learned that leaders need to factor others in their ascent to the top because GOD raised us up.
• I have learned that leaders need to enjoy seeing their flock thrive not just themselves because GOD provided grace.

Leadership doesn’t mean more for me rather more for us! My team got me where I was and they need to be celebrated. We made it because GOD brought us to this point and our celebration needs to be pointed at HIM.

• Are you leading a group or family without celebrating them?
• Do you think your extra money is only for you?
• Can you remember that GOD raised you up so you can serve the people?
• Will you reach out to people and say thank you for helping me get to this point?