Nations and People Groups 3 of 6

Nations and People Groups 3 of 6

Genesis 10: ⁸ Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. ⁹ He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” ¹⁰ And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. ¹¹ From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, ¹² and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).

 

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GOD seems to put a spotlight on Cush’s son Nimrod. There was a list before that did not mention him, but this special call out must have had significance. Nimrod had skills given to him by the LORD. He was a mighty hunter, but he was more than that. He was an influential leader who was strong. He could unite people to build cities like Babel and Nineveh.

 

My Observations:

• Nimrod may have been conflicted in his belief in the LORD.
• Nimrod wanted to prove Noah to be wrong in his curse, so he became an achiever.
• Nimrod’s conflicted nature may have known where he got his hunting skills, yet he refused to follow GOD.

 

Desiring to be back in GOD’s grace, people may have noticed Nimrod’s supernatural hunting skills. Some people may have even thought he was serving GOD. Unfortunately, the cities he built were not based on GOD’s love at all.

 

He used his leadership skills to unite people to think that they could take over GOD. He may have gotten so influential that the people believed in him more than GOD. They may have looked at GOD’s grace as weak and insignificant. Despite Nimrod’s influence, GOD still loved the people he led.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Nimrod and the cities he built to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted things to be better so you followed a human leader?
• Is today a good day for you to start your journey of following the LORD with all your heart?

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.

 

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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?

Influenced

Influenced

1 Corinthians 12: Now, concerning what you wrote about the gifts from the Holy Spirit.

I want you to know the truth about them, my friends. ² You know that while you were still heathen, you were led astray in many ways to the worship of lifeless idols. ³ I want you to know that no one who is led by God's Spirit can say “A curse on Jesus!” and no one can confess “Jesus is Lord,” without being guided by the Holy Spirit.

 

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Gutter after gutter, I bowled a 12 out of 300 on my first outing. You would think this was a disaster, but it was great to me! I was invited out by one of my fathers. Back in the day, the community had many influencers who wanted to see kids do something better with their lives. I just liked being there, no natter how bad I did.

 

• I would not say anything bad about this influencer even though I did not know his purpose.
• I would not say I had a terrible time bowling” because the influencer might not take me again.
• I would not say “Curse you” to the influencer, because this would show dissatisfaction.

 

Paul addressed a question about the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT. “No one who is led by GOD’s SPIRIT can say ‘A curse on JESUS!’” Also,” No one can confess “JESUS is LORD,” without being guided by the HOLY SPIRIT” were the words Paul used as an opener. He recognized that it took being influenced by the HOLY SPIRIT to turn away from following a lifeless idol.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to follow the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to avoid anything that curses HIS holy name.
• GOD wants me to be guided by the HOLY SPIRIT so I can be comforted, guided and trained by HIS love, perseverance and wisdom.

 

There is a part of GOD who get’s little recognition, namely the HOLY SPIRIT. I mean, when I believe that JESUS died to save me and was raised from the dead, HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me.

 

Ever since then, the HOLY SPIRIT looks at every word I say, thought I think and desires I hide in my heart. Instead of beating me up, HE asks the FATHER “Will you please forgive HIM?” The FATHER agrees and erases my sin. I am grateful that GOD saved me in the middle of my sins and gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me even when I mess up.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about being led by the HOLY SPIRIT?
• Have you ever felt like blaming GOD or have gotten so mad at HIM that you felt like not serving HIM or even cursing HIM?
• Will you consider being influenced by the HOLY SPIRIT who will lead you to true peace and a strong sense of love today?

Influential

 

Influential

Acts 26: ³⁰ The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. ³¹ After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

 

³² Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 

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Wanting to be more like this leader, I met his family. The wife was very poised and graceful and the kids were too. “How in the world did they get that way?” I asked myself. They were very influential.

 

• I have met some very influential people.
• I have met some people I wanted to be like.
• I have met some people who seemed to be connected to everyone in an influential way.

 

King Agrippa heard Paul’s final defense. He, the governor and Bernice discussed the situation and could not find anything wrong with what Paul was doing. Bernice is mentioned a lot. Her prominence must have come from her influential style. Paul appealed to Caesar, avoiding the influences of those trying to kill him.

 

• GOD wants me to be influential for HIM.
• GOD wants me to be persuasive for HIM.
• GOD wants me to be a life changer for HIM.

 

Influencing people happens whether I like it or not. I mean, I will influence people with what is in my heart. If my heart is greedy, I will always speak about money. If I lust for power, I will somehow work respect or taking over into the conversation. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

GOD wants me to have HIS love in my heart so I can persuade people to follow HIS SON. People make mistakes. I make a lot of them. HE wants me to overlook the mistakes and present the true solution. JESUS. I am grateful for the influencers HE sent to me.

 

• What are you trying to persuade people to do?
• Who has influenced you to be where you are?
• Will you stop following human influences and allow JESUS to guide you through the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Persuasion

Persuasion

Acts 16: ¹¹ From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. ¹² From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

¹³ On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵ When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

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“Want to go to the lab?” was the question posed to me by one of the higher-ups. “Of course” I said, knowing I had a pile of work to do. I was a bit stressed out knowing I had deadlines to meet and this day would only decrease the time I had to do it. But this guy was very persuasive.

• There were times when I was persuaded to follow someone.
• There were times when I decided to follow someone even though it meant a sacrifice.
• There were times when I told others about following a person.

Paul and others arrived at another city. They met with people and told them about JESUS. Lydia was persuaded to believe in JESUS. She then told her entire household and they were baptized. She then persuaded the disciples to stay with her and her family.

• GOD wants me to simply tell people about my relationship with JESUS.
• GOD wants me to believe that HE will stir the hearts of many.
• GOD wants me to be persuaded enough to tell my family, friends and neighbors about HIM.

Being influenced or persuaded by GOD is wonderful. I mean when HE convinces me to follow HIS ways, I feel excited. HE guides me to people and enables me to share my excitement of HIM. I am grateful HE persuaded me to reach others for HIM.

• Are you trying to persuade people for your own purpose?
• Do you seek opportunities to influence people for your own gain?
• Will you allow GOD to persuade you to follow HIM to where HE leads you today?

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation

Acts 15: ²² Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. ²³ With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings.

²⁴ We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. ²⁵ So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— ²⁶ men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. ²⁸ It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: ²⁹ You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

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“Please provide three recommendations” said the potential employer. I had worked jobs I really did not like so I struggled to think of who would recommend me. I had to swallow my pride and ask the bowling alley owner, the janitor foreman and the dorm admin for recommendations. “I hope they say something nice” I worried.

• There were times when I worried about what someone would say on a recommendation.
• There were times when I did not give my best so I could not expect a good recommendation.
• There were times when I did not have experience so any recommendation written about me could not show the expertise I brought with me.

Confusion broke out in cities where Gentiles resided. Some people, who did not believe in JESUS being GOD, were teaching rules to follow GOD. The apostles had to do something, so they wrote a letter with specific recommendations for the Gentiles to follow. They also chose people who could confirm the words written in the recommendation.

• GOD wants me to be a witness to HIS word.
• GOD wants me to provide verification to HIS salvation through my actions and words.
• GOD wants me to be sent with HIS recommendation of what to do.

There is a prime recommendation that JESUS gives. No, it is a commandment. “Love one another.” This commandment solve and resolves every issue I could ever face. Even when people do not love me, GOD tells me to love them.

HIS love for me was so strong that HE died just for me. When HE was raised from the dead, HE put in motion a series of unstoppable events. I am grateful HE chose me to be part of HIS plan.

• When people have problems, what is your recommendation for a solution?
• Do you point people to JESUS as your final destination?
• Will you use your skills to recommend solutions for people, ultimately bringing them to JESUS?

Well Connected

Well Connected

John 18: ¹² Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

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Advised on speaking to a specific person, I asked “Why should I?” “That person is well connected” was their reply. Confused about the statement, I asked “What does well connected mean?” They started naming all of the people this person knew. I still did not know what they meant by listing names, so I stopped asking questions.

• I had no idea at the time, people could become rich because of who they knew.
• I did not know, at the time, that people could be put in a position of power based on who they knew.
• I was unaware, at the time, that people could decide my fate, or at least they thought they could.

Caiaphas was the highest church leader at the time. He was threatened by the actions of JESUS, so he orchestrated HIS arrest. He used his connections to get government officials to bring troops in to arrest JESUS. He then sent JESUS to be interrogated by his father-in-law. He thought his plan was fool proof. BUT GOD saw through it.

• GOD sees when I am trying to control the situation.
• GOD wants me to let go of situations so HE can work.
• GOD desires to be in control and the more I hold on, the less HE will shine.

Little did Caiaphas know, his own declaration that “one man die for the people” is exactly what GOD wanted. He was trying to make an example out of JESUS so no one would challenge any church leader’s authority.

BUT GOD had the authority. JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be captured while maintaining HIS power as GOD. Caiaphas was never in control. GOD wants me to surrender control. This surrender only comes from the heart. I am glad HE is in control.

• Are you trying to use your connections to gain control over your life?
• Do you think you can control others?
• Will you release control and allow GOD to work out the situation today?

Influence the Influencer

Luke 1: Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, ² just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, ³ it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

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It was getting late and I was getting nowhere. A thought popped in my head. I ran to a person in the house and said “Will you ask if I can go to the party tonight for me?” This was my last ditch plea.

• Sometimes I want someone to speak on my behalf.
• Sometimes I want someone who has influence to speak for me.
• Sometimes I want someone to touch people I cannot touch.

Luke starts off this tremendous account of JESUS by telling Theophilus that he was a firsthand witness to what JESUS had done. Luke uses “Most excellent” to describe Theophilus recognizing his title in the community. Perhaps this in-depth account of reality would spark Theophilus to tell others in the community.

• GOD wants me to reach those who can reach others.
• GOD wants me to tell others about the great things HE has done in my life.
• GOD wants me to give an account of what HE has done in my life so others will tell their stories.

“Sit down, I have something very important to tell you” is the attitude in which GOD wants me to bring up HIS SON.  HE wants me to be very careful not to point to myself, making me look good in the process. HE wants people to see HIS SON so they can praise HIM and repair their broken relationship with HIM.

GOD wants me to go to those who have influence over many so they can tell others about the Great News of JESUS CHRIST. HE alone will guide me to those who truly believe and steer me away from those who have big crowds but point only to themselves. GOD’s message needs to be pure.

• Do you know someone you can influence to talk about CHRIST?
• Can you tell them to tell others about GOD?
• Will you be open enough to tell people your story so others will renew their relationship with GOD today?