Valued Relationship

Valued Relationship

Genesis 5: ²¹ Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. ²² After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. ²³ So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. ²⁴ And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

 

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Six generations lived before Enoch was born. Adam, Seth, Enosh, Cainan, Mahalalel, and Jared. Hundreds of years passed. The garden was still there in plain sight with the angel guarding the entrance. Death was the sentence for all humans because Adam disobeyed GD’s instructions by eating from HIS tree instead of the millions of trees GOD had given humans. But humans began to pray by “calling on the name of the LORD.”

 

My Observations:

• Human mistakes can be overcome by calling on the name of the LORD.
• Walking with the LORD is special to HIM.
• GOD got so excited about Enoch, that HE spared him from death.

 

Okay, I am incredibly curious about what Enoch said and did. His conversations with JESUS must have been so exciting that HE took Enoch to heaven. Enoch would no longer have to walk on the cursed earth. He lived the shortest in this lineage so far, but actually lived the longest, because he never died.

 

I believe it was JESUS who walked with Enoch for three hundred years. They probably had exciting conversations that had nothing to do with punishment, good or bad offerings or needs. It was a valued relationship between Enoch and GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention that he took Enoch to Moses?
• Have you ever seen special treatment?
• Do you have a special relationship with GOD that excites HIM?

A Special Place

A Special Place

Genesis 2: ⁸ The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. ⁹ And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

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GOD continues giving Moses a recap of creation. HE explained that after HE created the container that would hold the universe, stars, sun, moon, sky, water and earth. HE created birds, fish, animals, insects and good bacteria. HE then created man and breathed a special breath in HIM which gave him a soul. Everything was very good! BUT GOD did something special. HE planted a garden that was more beautiful that other places.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made a special place even more special.
• GOD planted two extremely special trees, one giving life and one providing the knowledge of good and evil.
• GOD seemed excited about “being” with HIS creation, so HE made things that would be “pleasant.”

 

It seemed like GOD wanted a special relationship with humans. HE made so much for us and was very pleased with HIS creation. When HE placed the trees in the garden, it seemed like it was HIS way of showing the HE would be there with us. I can see the extreme lengths GOD went through to have harmony with us.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD made a special garden for humans?
• Have you ever wondered if you were special to GOD?
• Can you start with a thought that you are special to GOD so you can see more in yourself and others today?

Special Emphasis

Special Emphasis

Titus 3: I want you to give special emphasis to these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds, which are good and useful for everyone. ⁹ But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. ¹⁰ Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them. ¹¹ You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.

 

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Doing research, I took time collecting facts to counter what someone said. It took a number of hours, but I collected “my” facts and was ready for the argument. I felt it was the right thing to do and I was ready for any “battle.”

 

• I was prepared to fight.
• I was looking to “win” the argument.
• I wanted to be declared the winner by my opponent.

 

Paul explains to Titus that arguing is “stupid.” He lists arguments, quarrels and fights as something to avoid. He labels this as a waste of time by saying “They are useless and worthless.” He does give the right thing to emphasize, namely doing good deeds.

 

My Observations

• Arguing over GOD’s word seems useless.
• Winning quarrels versus doing good seems worthless.
• Fighting over what is right is worthless and I should emphasize what is good and useful for everyone.

 

Arguing, quarreling and fighting takes precious time. I mean, when I fight, I lay awake thinking of my next move and the countermove from his or her next move. This time could have been spent doing something good for someone.

 

GOD has a plan that includes finding those who have been blinded from HIS love. HE wants all to return to HIM by leaving their selfish, combative ways. HE wants me to focus on doing what is right and leave useless, worthless arguments alone. I am glad GOD gives me the right path, namely to serve those HE wants me to serve.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer give these warnings?
• Have you ever wasted your time trying to convince someone about something versus simply living the example?
• Will you focus your time on doing good for others so you will be pleasing to GOD and remain on HIS path, seeking HIS kingdom today?

Harvest List

Harvest List

1 Timothy 5: ⁹ Do not add any widow to the list of widows unless she is over sixty years of age. In addition, she must have been married only once ( or faithful to her husband. )  ¹⁰ and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

 

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After working hard during my second year at the company, I felt pretty good this time. In the first year I received an “average” rating, though I felt I did more than average. I worked hard the next year and received a higher rating, but there were those who received the highest honor in the company. I got jealous.

 

• I wanted to be recognized for my hard work.
• I got jealous of those who were recognized at the highest levels.
• I questioned, pouted and sneered at not getting the highest award.

 

Paul continues to provide advice to Timothy on how to care for widows. He tells Timothy to make a special list for those who have done service to the LORD practically all of her life. She would be obvious because she would have sown “good’ seeds into many lives and now it was her turn to reap a harvest.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to treat everyone with respect, but HE has a special list of those who serve HIM with all their heart.
• There are some people who have served the LORD well and need to reap a wonderful harvest.
• Service to the LORD is not a competition, rather it is done from the heart and will get its rewards from the LORD.

 

Taking care of those who have spent their lives taking care of others seems important to the LORD. I mean, there are some who seem to make service to the LORD so easy because it is natural and genuine. GOD sees their service and wants to pour out an abundance of thanks.

 

HE holds a special place in HIS heart for widows who have committed themselves to HIS service all their lives. No wavering, just service. These are not perfect people, rather faithful in all they do. I gladly honor those who have served the LORD faithfully.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer speaks bout “the list?”
• Have you ever seen someone who has been a consistent servant to the LORD, year after year after year?
• Will you recognize a widow or someone who comes to mind, who has dedicated their life to the LORD and has served HIM well so she or he may receive a harvest in this life and the next?

Setting Aside Something Special

Ezekiel 48: ⁸ “Bordering the territory of Judah from east to west will be the portion you are to present as a special gift. It will be 25,000 cubits wide, and its length from east to west will equal one of the tribal portions; the sanctuary will be in the center of it.

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³⁵ “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits.

“And the name of the city from that time on will be:

the Lord is there.”

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When I stopped by my friend’s house late, there was a plate of food wrapped in foil. It had all of my favorites on it. “I wondered when you would come by” said my other mother.

• There have been people who have set aside something special for me.
• There have been people who put some time into me.
• There have been people who watched out for me.

It truly is a great feeling to have someone do something special for me. I mean the thought and the effort behind the act is what makes me feel special, I wonder if GOD feels the same way? HE does.

• GOD wants me to set aside a special gift for HIM.
• GOD wants me to set aside a special place for HIM.
• GOD wants me to set aside a special time for HIM.

Just like I love feeling special, GOD wants and deserves the same, actually better. HE wants some time spent with just HIM and I where we can discuss the day and move on with HIS plan. When I do set aside a special thing, time and place GOD names it “THE LORD IS THERE.”

• Are you setting aside something special for GOD besides money?
• Have you set aside any time with HIM lately?
• Will you set aside a part of your living space to GOD where only you and HE can go?