Life Preserver

Life Preserver

Genesis 6: ¹⁷ And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. ¹⁸ But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. ¹⁹ And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. ²⁰ Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. ²¹ And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

 

²² Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

 

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Noah had to design a habitat to preserve all of life. He wasn’t given a timeframe for how long this habitat would be needed. It would have to perpetually provide food and recycle waste. From insects to birds to animals, Noah had to design a place that would house two of every “sort.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Noah the ingenuity to design and build a habitat to preserve all of life.
• GOD had in HIS plan a way to keep life going despite the declaration of total destruction.
• GOD declared salvation through small numbers.

 

There was no mistake made when GOD created a habitat that would sustain bugs, animals and humans, The Garden of Eden was perfect and the relationship between humans and wildlife was harmonious. Satan’s pride caused humans to fall. They would no longer desire to be with GOD, much like today.

 

GOOD found favor in one human, Noah. He would be given the task to preserve things that grew or that could procreate. Seeds would have to be collected. The bugs and animals would come to him to “keep them alive.” Noah had his hands full. He may have solicited help and was possibly met with ridicule. No one knew what was coming.

 

Challenge

• How do you think Noah felt when he heard the news that every living thing on earth would die?
• Do you see GOD’s plan of salvation in HIS declaration of destruction?
• Are you focusing on the task GOD has given you to preserve life eternally?

Invisible Slavery

 

Invisible Slavery

Colossians 3: ²² Slaves, obey your human masters in all things, not only when they are watching you because you want to gain their approval; but do it with a sincere heart because of your reverence for the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. ²⁴ Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve. ²⁵ And all wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things they do, because God judges everyone by the same standard.

 

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Despising my job had become paramount in my life. When I punched out on Thursday night, my weekend was supposed to begin. Instead of relaxing, I groused that I needed to be back at work Sunday night. “I hate this job!” I thought to myself when I heard of stories of people having “fun” while I was working.

 

“Slaves” is a difficult word to get over and so is the word “master.” Humans have used these categories to debase people and force people to do “work” while they lived a life of luxury. When Paul wrote this letter, acceptable categories of “worker” did not exist. He told those who did the work to do it for CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• Greedy people will always want someone to work for them, BUT GOD sees my heart when I work for HIM.
• Title seekers want to be in control of the workforce, BUT GOD wants me to recognize CHRIST as the real “boss” who owns my life.
• Micromanagers may hover over my shoulder as I clean a toilet for work, BUT GOD wants all my heart and HE sees my work and rewards it when I give it to HIM.

 

Relabeling work to acceptable titles has made “slavery” invisible and acceptable. I mean, I despised being a janitor because of the hours away from “fun.” But when I got a “career” job I spent double the hours away from “fun.” My job had me in an invisible slavery that made me money and kept me from speaking about JESUS.

 

GOD despises hierarchies, especially those created to hold another human “down.’ HE sees injustice and has a plan to repay all who try to keep others from reaching HIS plan. CHRIST is the only leader who deserves to be bowed down to. I gladly give all my work to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What words form the writer jump out at you?
• Have you ever had a job you did not like and did it only for the money?
• Until GOD moves you to something else, will you consider dong your “work” for HIM?
• If you manage people, will you consider the fact that GOD is watching you and will repay you with how you treated HIS people?

Greetings and Gratitude

 

Greetings and Gratitude

Romans 16: ³ I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in the service of Christ Jesus; ⁴ they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them—not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well. ⁵ Greetings also to the church that meets in their house.

 

Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first in the province of Asia to believe in Christ.

 

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“Why are you always smiling?” someone asked me in a mildly grumpy tone. I had to tell the truth. “I smile because of you.” I learned from someone, that a smile warms the heart and provides a nice entrance to any room. After a while, my team could feel how thankful I was, just by my smile.

 

• There have been people who greeted me with thanksgiving.
• There have been people who seemed grateful for me and made me feel good.
• There have been people who have worked hard for me and I needed to show my gratitude towards them.

 

Paul shows his gratitude in his greeting. This strange breech of protocol has Paul greeting people in the middle of the letter versus at the beginning. With few words, Paul greets Priscilla and Aquilla and tells everyone about their strong faith in the LORD. He also mentions Epaenetus, a bold person who was first to believe in JESUS in the province of Asia.

 

• GOD wants me to greet people with thanksgiving.
• GOD wants me to value what people have done for the LORD.
• GOD wants me to mention people to others and explain their service to the LORD.

 

Genuine people I have met seem to shy away from bragging. I mean, they are too busy being genuine, that they have no time to speak for themselves. GOD wants me to mention these people to others, in a thankful way. HE also wants me to mention their dedication to the LORD so they can be encouraged. I am grateful to all who believe and wonder if GOD sees them. HE does see you.

 

• Are you grateful for someone?
• Does your heart bubble over with joy when you see “that” person?
• Will you mention how grateful you are to those who are serving the LORD today?