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?

Problem Defined

Problem Defined

Genesis 2: ¹⁸ And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” ¹⁹ Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

 

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During the creation, GOD saw a problem. Man was alone. All of the animals, birds and fish were brought to the man to see what he would call them. But nothing in all of creation was a suitable helper “comparable to him.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD saw a problem that HIS creation would be lonely even though HE was with the creation.
• GOD said. For the first time, “It is not good.”
• GOD wanted the best for HIS creation, so HE decided to make a “helper comparable to him.”

 

For the first time we see the name Adam mentioned. He was made with extreme intelligence and creativity. GOD made all the animals, birds and fish, but Adam named all of them. He did not need the tree of knowledge of good and evil, rather he needed some help.

 

Adam had enough on his plate, tending to the garden and naming the animals. This was not a stressful job, but a lot to do. GOD may have wanted the human to have someone to celebrate new observations and enjoy each other. Adam had plenty of time to do all that he had to do, because he was not made to die.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the first problem?
• Can you see how GOD wanted the best for HIS creation?
• Are you aware that GOD wants the best for you and HE wants you fully restored today?

Careful Thoughts

Careful Thoughts

Hebrews 2: ⁵ God has not placed the angels as rulers over the new world to come—the world of which we speak. ⁶ Instead, as it is said somewhere in the Scriptures:
“What are human beings, O God, that you should think of them;
    mere human beings, that you should care for them?
⁷ You made them for a little while lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
⁸     and made them rulers over all things.”

 

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Feeling alone I complained to myself “What’s wrong with me?” Everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves in life and I have “no one” who thinks about me.

 

• I was feeling lonely.
• I thought that “no one” was thinking about me.
• I wanted at least someone in the crowd to reach out to me for a change.

 

Continuing with the comparison of angels to humans, the writer, who is assumed to be Paul, explains a strange hierarchy. Humans, while frail and fragile, will someday be mightier than the angels. GOD will somehow place humans over all things.

 

My Observations

• GOD sees me and knows my thoughts.
• GOD does not want me to be alone in life so HE promised to never leave me nor forsake me.
• GOD has precious, loving thoughts about me and for me.

 

Thinking about people is GOD’s specialty. I mean, HE knows every hair on your head and mine. This means HE is concerned with every single detail about you and me. JESUS understands loneliness like no other human. HE voluntarily took on becoming the blame for all sin. HE had no one who could empathize with HIM or even be there for HIM even when HE asked.

 

HE was murdered even though HE could have rightfully called for help from thousands of angels. HE was raised from the dead and sent the COMFORTER to be with every lonely person who seeks HIM. I am glad GOD will never, ever leave me.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer pondering?
• Have you ever wondered who is thinking about you?
• Have you ever come up with the false conclusion that “no one” is thinking about you?
• Will you let go of the lie and believe that GOD loves you and cares deeply about you and is thinking about you even this very minute?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please provide this reader with the love and care he or she needs today. Thank YOU for caring for us and for thinking about us. amen

Remaining Hot For The Lonely

Remaining Hot For The Lonely

2 Timothy 1: ¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia, including Phygelus and Hermogenes, has deserted me. ¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he cheered me up many times. He was not ashamed that I am in prison, ¹⁷ but as soon as he arrived in Rome, he started looking for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant him his mercy on that Day! And you know very well how much he did for me in Ephesus.

 

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Feeling lonely in a crowd became more apparent when I looked at people with smiles on their faces as they greeted one another and I had no one to greet me. I walked around for a while and decided to call it a night. It was getting late, I thought to myself until I looked at the time and it was 5:30 PM. I went to my room anyway.

 

• I was lonely and the crowd made it feel worse.
• I wanted people around me who could see me.
• I desired to be noticed.

 

Paul takes a strange turn in his letter to Timothy. He expressed his loneliness while being imprisoned. He praised Onesiphorus for his diligence in visiting and the trouble he went through to find Paul. Other people may have been concerned about being associated with a “criminal” but Onesiphorus saw past that.

 

My Observations

• I can be lonely even when someone is sitting right next to me, BUT GOD is merciful and sends people to me.
• There are many people who are alone, misunderstood or by themselves for other reasons and GOD wants me and others to connect to them.
• Lonely people may not have the energy or ability to cure their own loneliness, BUT GOD sees the need and will supply the right people at the right time.

 

Part of loneliness was me and it was frustrating to admit that. I mean, I did not like meeting people because I did not have much to say, nor did I want to hear what was being said. BUT GOD intervened. HE wants to save every single human and wants me to do my part.

 

HE made people more interesting by showing HIS love to me. HE desires that the lonely, desolate and destitute be reached so HIS love can be shown. I will gladly reach out to those who GOD sends me to.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer sound?
• Have you ever been lonely?
• How does loneliness affect your relationship with GOD?
• Will you pray for a little strength and reach out to a person you know is experiencing loneliness today, even when he or she may have people around them today?

Loved Before or After

 

Loved Before or After

Romans 4: ⁹ Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. ¹⁰ Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

 

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After being ridiculed about my hair, glasses clothes and body shape, I wondered what was left to love. There were other groups who did not like my skin color either. I felt quite alone. “JESUS loves you” someone said. “How?” I wondered. No one else seems to love me. I thought.

 

• There were times when I wondered if I could be loved.
• There were times when I felt like an outcast.
• There were times when I believed the ugly labels some people placed on me.

 

Paul explains circumcision to a group of people who felt privileged for doing so. He explains what David wrote in a Psalm regarding people being blessed because their sin is not counted against them and are forgiven. This forgiveness was for everyone, Paul explains. He was trying to break their habit of trying to exclude people.

 

• GOD wants me to welcome anyone HE sends to me or sends me to.
• GOD wants me to show love to my neighbor regardless of how they look or act.
• GOD wants me to tell people HE loves them, no matter what sin they have done.

 

GOD’s love is not prejudiced. HE loves those who hate other people and who hate HIM. HE loved the world so much that HE died for it. JESUS, being GOD, saw all the sins I would commit and died for me anyway. HE loved me before I loved HIM. I did not have to change for JESUS to love me. HE changed me after I knew HIM.

 

• Are you around people yet feel alone?
• Do you feel like an outcast?
• Will you believe that GOD made you and loved how HE made you and is so pleased with you that HE, through JESUS, died for you and was raised from the dead for you?

True Citizenship

 

True Citizenship

Acts 22: ²² The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

²³ As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, ²⁴ the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. ²⁵ As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

 

²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”

²⁷ The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes, I am,” he answered.

²⁸ Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

 

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Feeling out of place became the norm for me. After a while, I accepted my misfit status and sat alone in many places. I did not like those who laughed at me or who talked negatively about me. I felt alone.

 

• There were times when I felt alone in a crowd.
• There were times when I felt I did not belong.
• There were times when I felt there had to be another place where I felt welcome.

 

Paul explained his background as a Jew, but when he said he was sent to the Gentiles by GOD, the crowd got angrier. The commander ordered him to be taken inside and flogged. Paul questioned this move, knowing the local law. Paul was a citizen and knew his rights.

 

• GOD wants me to know where I came from.
• GOD wants me to understand that this cursed world is not my home.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIS kingdom while I am still in this cursed world.

 

Before I was born, GOD made me. I mean, HE knew everything about me before I was ever born. HE chose me and I chose HIM. I believed in HIS SON JESUS as my Savior and HE added me into HIS kingdom as a citizen. The only kingdom that matter is HIS eternal one. I am glad to be part of GOD’s family and a citizen of HIS kingdom.

 

• Do you feel alone, even in a crowd?
• Do you feel like your life has a higher purpose than the one you are living?
• Will you become a citizen of GOD’s kingdom by believing that JESUS died for your sins and is now alive with all authority today and forever?

Isolated

Isolated

Acts 8: Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

³ As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

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After years of being the one who people sought after, I felt isolated in the new town. I did not know anyone other than my coworkers. And besides, who would go out to the not cool bars they had in this unheard of town. What was I going to do for “fun” now?

• There were times when I dreaded being alone.
• There were times when I felt isolated from “my” people.
• There were times when I was not able to be part of a social group and I did not enjoy it.

Saul consented the death of Stephen. Even more so, he started a great persecution of those who believed in JESUS as their Savior. Though people were scattered, he sent people to their homes, dragging them to prison.

• GOD sees me when I am separated from people.
• GOD knows I want to be around people but has a reason for separating me from the same old routine.
• GOD has a plan for me and is preparing me when HE separates me.

Isolation could be dreaded or embraced. I chose to embrace it. I wanted to clear up the misconceptions I had about this “GOD” being. I had to been to a lot of churches that spoke mostly about their brand and not about JESUS. Where to start?

GOD was gracious enough to have me read the book of John. When I saw in the first chapter that JESUS was GOD, I was shocked. It made me want to read this “bible” thing for myself. The isolation became welcome as it was a quiet place to learn about JESUS as part of the triune GOD. I am glad I went through the time of separation.

• Do you seek a crowd?
• Are you hungry for your social gathering?
• Will you embrace times when GOD separates you so you can quiet down and listen to HIM, while HE grows you?

Strife Overcome

Strife Overcome

John 16: ²⁹ His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! ³⁰ Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? ³² Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. ³³ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

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When I went to a certain neighborhood, I was chased out because of my race. When I got back into my neighborhood, I was chased home by a few thugs in an otherwise nice place. “Where can I go?” I wondered.

• There have been times when I searched for an accepting group and could not find it.
• There have been times when I felt unloved by enemies AND those who were supposed to love me.
• There have been times when I felt like no one cared.

The disciples said to JESUS “Now YOU speak plainly to us and we believe.” JESUS replied, “Now you believe?”, as if to say “What about all of the miracles?” JESUS did not scold them, rather HE warned them of things to come. “You will leave ME alone.” HE said.

• JESUS knows I have and will leave HIM when I seek “my” own way.
• JESUS still wants me to have peace so I can return to following HIS way.
• JESUS desires that I place my faith in HIM so I can “be of good cheer.”

Overcoming the world meant JESUS did not commit a single sin while HE was alive. HE fulfilled every prophecy and was now eligible to become the perfect sacrifice to pay off the tremendous debt to mankind. I cannot fathom how much pressure it was to know the sins of every human. I can’t even remember my own.

JESUS loved me so much that HE died for me. The FATHER loved me so much that HE allowed HIS only SON to die for me. The HOLY SPIRIT loved me so much that HE lives in me and watches me sin and begs for forgiveness for me. My strife is overcome.

• Are you feeling alone?
• Do you think on one cares about you?
• Will you turn your life over to JESUS so you will never be alone again?

You are not alone

You are not alone

John 14: ¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

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As I walked around the huge crowd at the convention, I felt lonely. Everyone was smiling and laughing and I could not join in on the festivities, because I did not know anyone. Finally someone summoned me over. “Want to get drunk with us?” I went with them just to meet people. There was laughter and flirting. I felt lonelier.

• There have been many times when I felt lonely sitting in a crowd.
• There have been many times when I was around a crowd who were bashing “those” people and I felt lonely for not partaking.
• There have been many times when I sat in groups that were supposed to be talking about GOD, yet they ended up talking about humans, and I felt lonely.

JESUS knew those who follow HIM would be the minority. HE spoke the truth and was about to be killed for it. HE then says to HIS disciples, “The world does not know the SPIRIT of Truth.”  “The FATHER will give you a HELPER” was a promise JESUS made to those who love HIM.

• The HOLY SPIRIT lives in me because I believe I needed to be saved.
• The HOLY SPIRIT begs for forgiveness to the FATHER when I sin.
• The HOLY SPIRIT gives me the words of truth because HE is The TRUTH.

When I had no purpose, the world looked like a “fun” place. Sex, drunkenness, and wealth seemed like a truth I could buy into. BUT GOD wanted something different. HE wants me to speak the real truth about HIS SON.

Though the world my laugh at the words of salvation and ridicule even the very existence of the Most High GOD, I still persist in HIS purpose. At times I may get weary, BUT GOD gave me The HELPER who does not leave or forsake me. I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT who comforts me.

• Are you alone?
• Do you believe in GOD while those around you do not?
• Will you draw your power from the HOLY SPIRIT today and keep going on GOD’s plan?

Not Alone

Not Alone

John 8: ¹³ The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. ¹⁷ It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.¹⁸ I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

¹⁹ Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

²⁰ These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

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Sitting in a room full of people, I felt alone. Everyone knew each other and no one knew me. I walked around for a while but that became tiresome. I decided to miss the evening festivities and dined in my room, alone.

• There were many times I felt alone.
• There were many times when I was around lots of people and still felt alone.
• There were many times when I had one viewpoint and the majority had another, so I felt alone.

JESUS was challenged by the church leaders stating “HE is bragging about HIMSELF and making up the story.” JESUS, being GOD, answered them back, letting them know how much they did not know about HIM. “You only see with the flesh and not the SPIRIT” JESUS implies. Then HE said “I AM not alone.”

• GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to stand firm even when it is not popular.
• GOD wants me to believe HE is with me and to help others do the same.

In the days of humans explaining away GOD, it seems quite illogical to believe in this higher being who controls everything. I mean there are explanations for human behavior, weather, volcano eruptions and why a building should remain standing. BUT GOD confounds those who think they are “wise.”

GOD laughs at those who think HE is not involved with everything and wants me to believe HE is. HE sends me to gather those who are in need of HIS love. HE lets me know I am not alone as HE sends me out with HIS purpose. I am grateful HE is with me always!

• Do you feel alone?
• Do you have a view of the love of GOD when no one around you speaks of HIM at all?
• Will you keep trusting in GOD and know HE loves you and is with you today?

One of you

Mark 14: ¹⁷ In the evening He came with the twelve. ¹⁸ Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”

¹⁹ And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?”

²⁰ He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. ²¹ The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

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Giggling in the coat closet, the class surrounded us. We were supposed to go in, kiss and come out with cheers, as stated by the rules of the game. Before I went in, the door to the room opened up and everyone scrambled to get back to their seats. One person changed the whole dynamics of what was going on.

• I have been affected by one person.
• I have had my course altered by one person.
• I have tried to go in one direction but at times only one person kept me from going there.

“One of you who eats with ME will betray ME” said JESUS to HIS disciples. These words changed the atmosphere from peaceful to anguish. One person’s behavior affected many, unfortunately in a negative way.

• JESUS wants me to affect people in a positive way if I can.
• JESUS wants me to spread HIS message of grace when I can.
• JESUS wants me to HIS disciple while I can.

The power of “one” begins and ends with me. I have to make a choice to spread GOD’s message of love and grace in places where there may not be anyone who will accept HIM. GOD wants me to have the courage to rely on HIS power to transform.

HE doesn’t need me to try harder, in fact HE’d rather me just be willing to sit in the presence of those who HE sends me to. JESUS says “one person can affect the world just as I did and that person is you.”

• What is GOD saying to you?
• Is GOD putting something big in front of you and you are scared to do it?
• Can you accept GOD’s plan for you and begin affecting people whit HIS love today?