Influenced

Influenced

Genesis 9: ²⁰ And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. ²¹ Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. ²² And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. ²³ But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

 

============

 

Decades after the flood, the ark was still there as a reminder of what GOD had done. Some may have studied the design to be ready for another flood, not knowing GOD’s promise. They may have even stolen pieces of the ark to use in their own construction. After a while Noah’s grandson Canaan grew in power, not listening to the stories of the great flood.

 

Canaan had possibly become an influencer, convincing even his own father to participate in rituals and actions that ridiculed GOD. “Who told you that you were naked? “, was the question GOD asked Adam and Eve getting them to self-assess their act of disobedience. Canaan may have ridiculed this question from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Even when humanity was started over, misunderstandings of GOD took people away from HIM.
• Sin nature caused some people to move away from GOD by his or her own choice.
• GOD loved, provided and showed extreme patience, but humans saw GOD as a set of rules, keeping them from doing as they pleased.

 

“What about Ham?”, one may ask. He was the one who saw his father naked. But Ham may have been influenced by his son Canaan who possibly had spoken against GOD. Shem and Japeth did not seem to be influenced by Canaan or the culture he was building.

 

GOD saw and sees the cultures pull from HIM. HE shows incredible patience and HE meant what HE said about not destroying humanity with a flood anymore. HE allowed humans to do as they pleased for a season, knowing all would have to face HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD keep mentioning Canaan, even though Ham, Shem and Japeth had other children?
• Are there ways and timing of GOD that you disagree with?
• Will you surrender your possible influenced expectations of GOD so HE can guide you to the truth today?

Further From the Garden

Further From the Garden

 

Genesis 4: ¹⁹ Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. ²⁰ And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. ²¹ His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. ²² And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

²³ Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,
Even a young man for hurting me.
²⁴ If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

 

============

 

GOD created the heaven and the earth for humans. But when Satan rose up with pride to try to become GOD, he was thrown out of heaven. He had a quest to take over humans, so he tempted the first to sin, Now all humans born would have a sin nature. Their son Cain ended up killing his own brother over jealousy and insecurity.

 

Cain was extremely intelligent and built a city. He had a son named Lamech. This was a very resourceful family who never once consulted GOD, but was given a vast amount of intelligence.

 

My Observations:

• Industries were born to support being away from GOD.
• Human needs, mixed with rage and lawlessness caused people to want to take from each other.
• Rage, greed, and lust caused a set of humans to move further away from GOD’s original intent of a peaceful existence in the garden.

 

Various industries were born out of necessity from being banned from the Garden of Eden and from being cursed even further from growing vegetables. Housing, livestock, music, education, and metalworking were just a few industries now needed to sustain life without GOD. Even though they were using GOD’s created materials, they never consulted GOD or asked for forgiveness.

 

Soon other people intermarried and more and more selfish people existed. They learned to survive by harming each other. Killing was now a thing. Doing things without GOD was also now a thing. Human measures of success would now rule. JESUS knew this would happen and was prepared to die for the sins of those who “would” ask for forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about a conversation between Lamech, Adah and Zillah?
• Have you ever got tired of waiting on GOD and done some things on your own?
• What plans have you put in place to keep yourself from leaving GOD this time?

Patience

Patience

2 Corinthians 12: ¹¹ I am acting like a fool—but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special “apostles” of yours. ¹² The many miracles and wonders that prove that I am an apostle were performed among you with much patience. ¹³ How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!

 

============

 

Listening to his plea did not feel comfortable. He listed all the things he had done for the company but I was told to get rid of several people. “You have to make the hard calls if you want to be in this position” were the sentiments of my peers and other leaders.

 

• I sometimes took lessons from the impatient and applied them to other parts of my life.
• I sometimes looked at everything from the bottom line.
• I sometimes valued money over what was truly valuable.

 

Paul expressed his concern that the people had turned away from the following of JESUS to listen to others who may have been smooth talkers. Paul had performed many miracles that people were witnessed to. Only GOD could have allowed the miracles he performed, yet the people turned away. Paul started to get impatient.

 

My Observations

• When I get impatient, I have to turn back to GOD to ask “How come YOU are patient with me?”
• GOD wants me to serve others so I need to continue to ask HIM for patience.
• Looking at the progress of others can take my eyes off of the patience GOD wants me to have for them and myself.

 

“Have patience” is easy to say but hard to follow. I mean, when times are fast paced or anxious or stressful, using patience is the best thing to do, yet I found myself caught up in quick solutions that may not work. GOD’s solutions sometimes don’t come quick enough for me so I jump in with “my” plan, then I “tell” HIM to help “me” with “my” plan.

 

GOD patiently says “No” and guides me to a better plan. HE then shows me how impatient I have been with others and wants me to take a deep breath and slow down. HE then says, “Be patient with yourself so you can be patient with others.” This gives me the permission to mess up big and know HE patiently loves me anyway. I am glad GOD has patience with me and loves me dearly.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer is so upset?
• Have you ever worked very hard on something and were met with criticism or been overlooked for a promotion or devalued in some way?
• Will you turn your thoughts to GOD who has shown you infinite patience and ask for a small dose of HIS patience so you can continue with your purpose today?

Answered Prayer Doesn’t Mean I Am Following GOD

Exodus 8: ³⁰ Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord, ³¹ and the Lord did what Moses asked. The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. ³² But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

============

“LORD please help me feel better” was the prayer when I felt unusually sick. A few hours later I felt better.  Now I can go “hang out” like usual. “Hanging out” was my code word for getting into mischief. Nothing had changed.  I didn’t learn my lesson.

• Sometimes my requests are selfish yet GOD answers my prayers.
• Sometimes my selfish requests make me turn my back on GOD yet HE answers my prayers.
• Sometimes my turning away from GOD makes me think I can do things on my own power yet HE answers my prayers.

Pharaoh was told to let the Israelites go to worship GOD. He wouldn’t and GOD sent plagues.  He hardened his heart at every plague even though his prayers were answered to remove them.

There is an old saying “you better be careful what you ask for, you might get it.” I get nervous about GOD helping me get on the wrong path. HE knows the heart and knows how incredibly wicked it is. HE can dig deep and see the motive behind my prayer. Scary thing about this is HE has given me free will to “not” choose HIS way.

• GOD would prefer that I consult HIM on my requests.
• GOD wants me to align my desires with HIS plan to draw all people to HIM.
• GOD desires that I seek HIS counsel, HIS timing and HIS answer which could be “no.”

Before I ask GOD for something I really should ask myself “Why do I want this?” Then when the answer pops in my head I should compare it to what GOD says is right. If they match then I can proceed. I know it’s harder than this statement but it is a start.

• Are your prayers selfish?
• Have you asked GOD to resolve your situation?
• Can you ask GOD to take control of your desires?
• Won’t you seek what GOD wants for you?

Being indecisive hurts me

Genesis 19: ¹⁵ With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”

¹⁶ When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

============

In the distance I could see the green light.  “I wonder if I can make it” I thought to myself. Another thought popped in my head “No I can’t make it” unfortunately the second thought came a little too late for my raggedy car that would lung forward upon braking too hard. A third thought popped in my mind that said “Go!”

My hesitation caused the driver in the intersection to turn left in front of me and we had a head on collision.

Being indecisive about doing right makes me hesitate.

Being conflicted about moving forward makes me double-minded.

Being uncertain about going in a direction makes me question my faith.

Even when dire situations were presented I froze or made a decision that in retrospect could have been better. I sometimes wonder how I am alive. I wonder if I am being watched over.

GOD grabs my hand when I am about to go off HIS path.

GOD leads me in the path of righteousness when I want to drift from HIS way.

GOD protects me from HIS wrath even though I deserve HIS wrath.

GOD grants HIS mercy on me even though I do not deserve it.

When I hesitate to follow GOD it seems like I collide with life. I mean when my decisions don’t include HIS permission, I run into obstacles that perhaps HE puts in my way. GOD wants me to have faith in HIM and HIS plan. HE will provide.

Are you indecisive?

Are trying to go down multiple paths and are exhausted?

Can you make up your mind by asking GOD what does HE want you to do?

Once you choose your direction can you continue to add GOD to your plans?

I was lost

Colossians 1: ²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

============

A quick glance at my watch raised panic in my mind. The meeting was going to start in minutes and I couldn’t find the building. I started devising a plan that seemed to be futile and time was running out. I thought “If I could look at the buildings then maybe I could see something familiar.” Finally after looking at maps and driving in circles I found someone to give me directions. I felt peace easing my mind.

• Whenever life gets tough I try to develop plans that don’t include GOD.
• Whenever life gets difficult I try to create my own way excluding GOD.
• Whenever life gets painful I try to generate my own destiny, thinking I don’t need GOD for this situation, I can handle it myself.

In my mind, GOD was cramping my style. I mean HE wanted me to be “good” and to “trust HIM” yet HE didn’t seem to care because HE wasn’t handling the situation the way “I” wanted HIM to. At least that’s what my mind was telling me. BUT GOD acts and reacts much higher than I do.

• GOD saw I would not choose HIM yet HE allowed HIS SON to die for me to save me.
• GOD saw I would walk away from HIM many times yet HE chose to forgive me.
• GOD saw I would fight with HIS plans yet HE continues with HIS plans of love for me.

Whenever I fight with GOD and HIS mighty plan, I seem to get lost. Don’t get me wrong, I may seem to be doing fine from a humans’ perspective but I stop serving, praying and soon believing. I start believing I know better than GOD and after a while I leave HIM out of the picture completely. Then when life gets difficult I run back to HIM like a little baby.

GOD wants me to remain in HIM placing my faith and hope in HIS marvelous ways. Only HIS SON can remove my sins and declare me free from blemishes.

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you have a plan to get you out of your mess?
• Can you turn your life over to GOD and focus on HIS way?
• Won’t you believe in HIS SON who is the only one who can save you?

Am I drifting away from GOD?

Acts 26: ¹³ About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

 ¹⁵ “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

   “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ¹⁶ ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

============

Drifting seemed like a harmless thing to do when it came to this “GOD” stuff.  I mean everyone else seemed to be living full lives with their drinking and sexual exploits and I wasn’t a heavy drinker and my sex was held to a minimum. Comparatively I rated myself as “pretty good.”

My drifting turned into occasional visits to church, then no visits. I drifted into “deserving” to unwind after a hard week’s work so a few of us would go to the clubs which drifted into flirting and “going out” with a woman here and there. I still rated myself as “pretty good.” I mean I wasn’t trying to harm anyone and “everybody” was doing it.

• Drifting away from listening to GOD leads me into places “I” think are harmless but they are truly harmful to me.
• Drifting away from listening to GOD makes me assess myself as “pretty good” comparatively but I fail to take the time to admit I need HIM.
• Drifting away from listening to GOD puts me in a place where it requires HIS correction.

GOD wants a “hot” or “cold” person to work with and my drifting had put me in a “lukewarm” state which is impossible to change. What I mean is I thought I was “pretty good” and therefore needed no improvement yet I was “harmlessly” drifting little by little away from HIM.

After a while I was producing no fruit for HIS kingdom and found myself “needy” on occasion. I would scurry to pray to GOD when I needed HIM and would go back to living without HIM expecting everything to go well for me. GOD said HE wanted something different.

• GOD wants a full relationship with me, not one where I try holding onto my life.
• GOD wants my full attention, not distracted or chasing things that are against HIS will.
• GOD wants me to stand with HIM, not fold into the world and fight against HIM.

“Wait a minute… how am I fighting GOD?” you ask. The war inside of me starts where I am told by GOD to live for HIM in order to spread HIS message yet I choose to live the way I want to live. The only “drifting” I need to do is drift towards HIM not away.

• Do you find yourself drifting away from GOD?
• Has your time with HIM minimized because of school, work or a relationship?
• When is the last time you have produced “fruit” in “your” life?
• Are you purposefully living your life for GOD?