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?

Greater Than

Greater Than

Revelation 13: ⁵ The beast was allowed to make proud claims which were insulting to God, and it was permitted to have authority for forty-two months. ⁶ It began to curse God, his name, the place where he lives, and all those who live in heaven. ⁷ It was allowed to fight against God's people and to defeat them, and it was given authority over every tribe, nation, language, and race. ⁸ All people living on earth will worship it, except those whose names were written before the creation of the world in the book of the living which belongs to the Lamb that was killed.

 

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“You are staying after school” were the words I thought I would never hear. I was minding my own business and was picked on by someone. Not knowing how to fight, I used my words to counter the attack. We got into a back and fort conversation that was escalating to a fight. The teacher intervened and I figured I was in the clear. “Both of you stay after school” she said. Then she pulled me to the side and said “You are bigger than this.”

 

• I did not know what she meant about being bigger when she allowed me to be punished.
• I thought innocence should be met with no problems.
• I was not prepared for an adversary who wanted me to fail.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, wrote some uncomfortable things that will take place regarding believers in JESUS. He wrote about the beast who was given authority to insult and curse GOD. All the people would fall to worship the beast who would openly curse GOD and anyone associated with HIM. But not everyone will bow to the beast.

 

My Observations:

• GOD allowed HIMSELF to be insulted.
• GOD allowed HIMSELF to be cursed and for the beast to harm people.
• GOD is greater than any insult, curse or fatal wound, because HE holds life, especially eternal life.

 

Life with purpose has to be looked at differently. I mean, when GOD is the purpose, insults, and injury take second place to HIS promises. HE knows there will be battles that are spiritual in nature. Innocent people will be blamed for declaring their belief in JESUS. BUT GOD sees.

 

JESUS dies because of HIS innocence. HE was blamed, insulted and killed. This spirit of hatred towards GOD still lives today. Politicians try to steal GOD for votes. Races try to make GOD into their image. BUT GOD knows who HE is and who truly believes in HIM. HE cannot fall to the level of the insulter because HE is greater than that!

 

Challenge

• What, from the writer, is scary to you?
• Have you ever been innocent, yet people come after you with twisted words, lies and insults?
• Will you be “greater than” the insults and know JESUS has yours and my name in HIS book of life today?

More Than a Visit

Luke 7: ¹¹ Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. ¹² And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

¹⁶ Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” ¹⁷ And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

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“Do you mind if my friend crashes on your couch?” was the question posed to me  one weekend. “Sure” was my answer. That weekend turned into a week which turned into a month. Soon the “guest” was eating up my food. “When is he going to leave?” I asked.

• There were times when I had unwanted visitors.
• There were times when I thought the “visit” was only going to be temporary.
• There were times when I wanted the visitor to go home.

Ancient doctors could claim to heal people when they did something and the patient got well, but no one had ever raised someone from the dead, until JESUS. When HE said “Young man, I say to you, arise” the dead man got up and spoke. The crowd said “GOD has visited HIS people.”

• JESUS became a human specifically to die in my place.
• JESUS gave up everything just to save me.
• JESUS has been placed above everything and has lifted me up eternally.

What the crowd did not understand was JESUS didn’t just stop by for a visit, HE came to HIS humans with a purpose, namely redemption. The thought HE was going to heal one or two people with magical powers.

Little did they know that JESUS would heal all of humanity with HIS death and resurrection. Those who believe in HIS sacrifice will be with HIM eternally. I am grateful for being saved!

• Do you think GOD leaves you when you have problems?
• Do you think GOD is doing some sadistic laboratory test on you to see things HE doesn’t already know?
• Can you stop thinking negatively about GOD and see the enormous sacrifice HE did for you today?