Are You Walking With God?

Insight Into the Scriptures - Genesis 28-30 (NIV)

In verse 30:27 it talks about divination. Divination was later forbidden under the law. Divination assumed that there was knowledge to be gained about the activities and motives of the gods through the use of various indicators (such as entrails of sacrificed animals).

Blessings

As I was reading today's passages, I got a chuckle out of verses 28:6-9. Esau finds out that his father did not want Jacob to marry Cannaanite women. So what does the rebellious Esau do? Yes, he goes out and marries a Cannaanite woman. Does this sound like any of your children?

Genesis 29:20-30 (NIV)

"So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her."

So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter as her maidservant.When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?" 26 Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. 27 Finish this daughter's bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work." 28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. 30 Jacob lay with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years."

Thought for the Day

As I was reading the early passages about Jacob and how deceitful he was with Esau, I could not help but to think it was wrong what he did. But, now I see that God has a funny way of bringing things around again. This time Jacob was deceived by Laban. I could not help but to think if Jacob thought of his brother, and felt bad for the deceitful things that he had done to him. God is fair and just, if you are treating someone poorly, and you know in your heart that it is wrong, God has interesting ways of bringing that to light.

Patience is a hard "Fruit" to learn. Especially in today's world. It seems like we are pushed to do more with less time. Due to the demands that are put on us, we demand more and have less patience for life and people. Jacob's patience in waiting for Rachel was impressive, 14 years.

Right now in my life one lesson that God is teaching me is to not walk before Him, and try to hurry Him up. But to have the patience and walk with Him. It has been a hard lesson to learn, but I am really loving it, God is showing me a new side to Him. My patience for Him is also flowing out to the patience I have with other people. It is funny when you take care of your vertical relationship, your horizontal relationships follow.

If you are walking before or after God, I would encourage you to walk with Him, the blessings you will feel with amaze you.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

You are the most important person in my life, funny how it always seems like You receive the least amount of my time. Jesus, I want to walk with You, side by side. I want You to take my hand and lead me where You want me to go. Please Jesus I long to hear Your voice, I love You! In Your Name,

Amen

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Insight Into the Scriptures ~ Genesis 25 - 27

When Esau sold his birthright, he was selling his material inheritance. The inheritance was divided into the number of sons plus one. The eldest son then received a double share.

Genesis 25:29-34 NIV

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright.""Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?

"But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

Thought for the Day

Have you ever acted on an impulse without thinking about the outcome down the road? I know that I have many times, but I as I am getting older and I hope wiser too, I am learning to think about what this decision will cost me down the road a bit. This is exactly what happened to Esau.

Esau was hungry, and at the time he was only thinking about his immediate needs, he did not "Play the tape forward", he wanted to satisfy his needs NOW. Esau even comments that he is going to die, and what good would a birthright be if he were dead. I believe that in his mind he was convincing himself to sell the birthright, I doubt that he was going to drop dead on the spot, he could have waited a couple of hours to cook himself some of his own stew.

We need not to act on our impulses, we need not satisfy our immediate desire without considering the long range outcome or consequences of our actions. When we see something we want, our first thought is that we HAVE to have it, I can't live without it. Usually, when we do fall into the temptation it will give us short term satisfaction, but once the newness has worn off we will see how damaging it will become in the future. Just as when Esau ate and drank, I am sure he realized what he had just done, then "Despised" his birthright. Do not fall into the same trap as Esau did, learn to control you desires, figure out what it is you need to do to control your temptations.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Please teach me patience, please give me the spiritual wisdom to see beyond the temptation of the moment. Jesus, please give me the tools I need to combat the desires that I have. I long to live a Godly life that is pleasing to You. I love You Jesus and Your teaching, please be with me today, let Your light shine through me!

In Your Name,

Amen

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Insight Into the Scripture

When Abraham took Isaac to sacrifice him. They took a 3 day, 50 mile journey.

The passages where Sara died and Abraham wanted to buy the land for her tomb, he was not in his homeland, so if the land was given as a gift, later on the land could have been taken away from him. So he had to pay and paid an inflated price of 400 shekels of silver. 400 shekels equals about 7 1/4 lbs of silver.

When Abraham's servant met Rebekah at the well, she gave water to him as well as his camel. A camel that traveled as long as they did, could have drunk 25 gallons of water. Rebekah's pot could only hold 3 gallons.

As we are reading the Old Testament, some may think it is dry and not relevant in today's world. The tendency might be to stick with the New Testament. But, the Old Testament is full of God. Reading and studying the Old Testament is a wonderful way to understand God and His character.

Genesis 22:1-13 NIV

Some time later God tested Abraham.

He said to him, "Abraham!""Here I am," he replied.

Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.

"Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"

"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?

"Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Thought for the Day

I know that most of us have heard the story of God testing Abraham's faith. We know it, but do we really live it? It seems like as soon as we are in a trial in our lives or God is testing us, we want to escape the trial or maybe start to complain and become bitter. I know that when God tested me, I cried out "Why God, why don't You love me?" There were times that I became very angry and bitter.

The most important thing to God is your relationship with Him. God knows your potential, and testing you builds up your character, it strengthens your faith for larger plans He has for you. God wants to know that He is the most important thing in your life. Just as God gave Abraham, Isaac, then asked Abraham to give him back up. God may give you earthly items that you enjoy very much, but we should be willing to let them go in order to obey God. We need to have the faith that if God promises us something, He will provide for us. Just as God promised Abraham that he would be a father of many nations, He promises us that He will provide for our daily needs, but do you believe Him. This is something where God is working in me, I am extending my faith to trust that He will provide for me.

I have often tried to put myself in Abraham's shoes. Can you imagine walking for three days with your son or daughter knowing that God asked you to sacrifice him or her? I can imagine that Abraham was thinking "This is not happening, when does the angel come down and tell me it is a joke." Three days to think about what he had to do, only for God to stop him at the last minute. Where is your faith compared to Abraham's? Abraham was only a man, so we have the capacity to have faith as strong as his.

Just as a side note, this story is just rich with prophecy. Do you see the parallel of Abraham and Isaac to God and Jesus? Both had "Only" sons, where Abraham was spared his son, God did not spare His only son, He had to see Him die.

Do you also see the imagery of Jesus representing the ram? The ram took the place of Isaac, where Jesus took our place as the sacrifice?

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the story of Abraham and what a great example of faith it is. Jesus I want my faith to grow, I want it to be as strong as an oak, but Lord I am weak and I need Your help. Please Jesus work with me to increase my faith so that I can make You proud. I love You Jesus! In Your Name,

Amen

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Insight Into the Scriptures Genesis 19-21

The fact that Lot was at the city gates means he was most likely conducting business, which would mean he would be accepted in the city of Sodom.

When Lot's daughters took matters into their own hands and slept with Lot, both of them had children. One was the father of the Moabites and one was the father of the Ammonites. Both are considered enemy nations for most of their history. Coincidence???

As we have read, Abraham lied twice to the Kings about Sarah being his wife. (12:12, 20:2) He lied because he feared that he would be killed. Both times God intervened and did not punish Abraham. Why? I would love to hear your thoughts on our blog. One of my thoughts is that Abraham and Sara did not have a great relationship? I know that I could not give up Kim to anyone.

Genesis 19:1-8, 16, 18-19, 26 - NIV

"The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning."

"No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."

But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old— surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die.

But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."

Thought for the Day

At one time in my life I was so wrapped up into sin that I could not let go. I knew that it was wrong, and I knew that I should not of been there, but I could not let it go.

As I was reading the story of Lot I could not help but to think of myself, he was so deep in the clutches of sin that he did not want to let it go. Lot was living in Sodom, he was an accepted member of the city. Lot knew that Sodom was not a good place for him or his family to be in, but, maybe business was good, he was making alot of money there, so he chose money over God. We are told that if God could find 10 righteous people, God would not destroy the city (18:32) There were not 10 righteous people there, Lot was surrounded by sin, yet he chose to stay.

Lot was so engrossed into his sin, even when 2 angels told him to get out he could not do it. We are told that the angels had to grasp his hand and lead him out. Lot loved his sin so much that he could not bear to see it destroyed, he said it would kill him. (19:19) And as you know the story sin destroyed Lot's wife too, she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Sin is an addictive habit, we have to resist even the littlest of temptation. Once you give into that temptation, you have accepted it, then the next time that temptation comes around again, it is easier to accept. Eventually you become like Lot, where you are consumed by the sin and you can't let it go. If you are stuck in sin as Lot was, you need to get out! Jesus is waiting there to help pull you out. If you stay in that sin, it only leads to death. If you are not in sin's clutches you must fight everyday to stay pure. Pray the armor of God on each day (Ephesians 6)

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy that You have shown me time and time again. Jesus, I know that I struggle with sin, and I need Your strength everyday. Thank You Jesus for making the huge sacrifice on the Cross so that I can be with You forever. I love you!

In Your Name,

Amen

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Insight Into the Scriptures Genesis 16-18

Maidservants were considered both property and legal extensions of their mistress.

In verse 17:1 your Bible may refer to God as "El Shaddai", the meaning of this word is God Almighty.

Foot washing in verse 18:4 was a standard act of hospitality in a dry dusty climate.

I read an interesting point concerning Abraham. Back then it was not uncommon to worship many gods. (See Joshua 24:2,14). So Abraham was not monotheistic (Serving one God) He may have served many gods when Yahweh came to him, Yahweh was one of many Gods. If you look at the way Yahweh approached Abraham was quite smart. He made him a proposition, saying "I want to be your only God." God also took Abraham out of his country, away from his other gods where Abraham and He could be one on one.

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Chapter 18 is one of my father in law's favorite passages. Can you imagine bargaining with God? Well.... yes I have, but not at the personal level that He and Abraham did. Beyond the fun bargaining between the two there is a deeper message. God's passion for the righteous goes beyond His feeling for the wicked. He would have saved Sodom for only 10 righteous people.

Genesis 15:2-6, 16:1-4 - NIV

"But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.

"Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be.

"Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to Him as righteousness.Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her."Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress."

Thought for the Day

Most of the time God's time table does not follow mine. Usually my timetable is ahead of God's. It seems like I am always pushing Him to do what I want to do, not seeking His will at His time.

Right before I became very sick, I started a pastor's program at our church. I was so sure that this is what God wanted me to do, I mean why not, it is for Him and why would He not want me to be a pastor? But, almost to the day that I started the program I became sick. I was very confused. Then during my sickness I started to become better, so guess what? Yes, I started back up the pastor's program. Guess what happened again? Yes, I relapsed and became very sick again, so, I had to drop out of the program. My heart was broken. Finally, I stopped and figured out I had never sought God's will, His time table. I wanted it, so I pushed God, I did it on my own.

God promised Abram that he would be the father of many nations, in fact Abram acknowledged it. But, I believe that pressure from Sarai, and Abrams' doubt and impatience took the best of him. He took matters into his own hands. He did not wait for God, and even though it may have not taken away his blessing from God, it added stress and hardship in the future.

Right away Abram and Sarai's impatience started to cause problems. Sarai had ill feelings towards Hagar and then blamed Abram for her problems. Abram's response was "It is not my problem, it is yours. You take care of it.

In your life I would encourage you to wait upon the Lord, remember that His time table will rarely coincide with yours. I have learned to walk with Christ, not ahead or behind him, and I can tell you that the peace I have is amazing, life is so much easier.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, It is hard for me to wait sometimes, I want things right now, on my time. Please Jesus teach me patience. Lord teach me to walk with You, not ahead of You. I want Your will to be done in my life, I want to feel the peace that only can come from You by walking with You day by day. I love You Jesus, please be with me this weekend.

In Your Name,

Amen

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Insight Into the Scriptures Genesis 13-15

I am not sure if you caught this; King Kedorlaomer, had suppressed several kings for 12 to 13 years, and took Lot and his possessions in the 14 year. Abram defeated him in one night with God and 318 men.

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Do you see a trend that Abram is doing? Whenever God moved with Abram, or Abram felt a connection, Abram would build an altar. See verses 12:7-8, 13:4, 13:18. Abram would also return to these altars to remember what God had done.

Most of us are not nomadic like Abram moving from place to place, but, do you have a way of remembering when God moves in your life? I have a journal, it is a great way of recording when God moves and it is nice to return to it and remember the good times and reflect on the bad times too.

Genesis 13:8-13 - NIV

"So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."

Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD."

Thought for the Day

Lot was a good business man, and a righteous man. But, Lot when he had to make a decision took the easy way out and usually thought of himself. In the above passages when Lot had to make a decision where to go, Lot took the easy way. He took the land that looked better, he thought of himself first, not Abram, just Lot.

As you read on you will see that Lot's decision to take the easy way out backfires immediately. First, he is living next to wicked men that were sinning greatly. Secondly he was taken by Kedorlaomer and had to be rescued by Abram. And I am sure you have heard the story of him and his wife fleeing from Sodom.

When faced with a decision do you choose the easy road, or maybe the road that will have the most benefits for you? I know that I am just as guilty as anyone, I have taken the easy road before. Yes, God's road might be a bit more difficult and not as glamorous, but I can promise you His road will be filled with God type blessings

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, I know that in the past I have taken the easy way out. Jesus, I do not want to take the easy way out anymore. I know that Your way may be more difficult but, in the end Your blessings are amazing. Please Jesus give me the strength and wisdom to choose Your way. I love You Jesus, thank You.

In Your Name,

Amen

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Is Your Life Free Will or Gods Will?

Genesis 10-12

Insight Into the Scriptures

The tower of Babel was most likely a ziggurat; most of them look like pyramids. They stood as high as 300 feet. I find the Lord’s comments interesting in 11:6. He states that if He did not confuse their speech, “Nothing would be impossible for them.”

Notice verse 7, the word “Us” is used again, evidence of the Trinity?

As you are reading about great Biblical figures, take note of their strengths and their weaknesses. We can learn a lot about ourselves from studying them. It also makes me feel good about myself. These are great examples, and as you read, you will find out they are just as human as you or I and make the same mistakes and struggle with the same sins.

Genesis 11:31, 12:1-5 - NIV

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

I will make you into a great nationand I will bless you;

I will make your name great,and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

Thought for the Day

This passage of scripture is interesting. God had a plan for Abram. His plan was for him to go to Canaan, but in the middle, God allowed His plans to be interrupted. On the way they stopped in Haran, and settled there. In reading, it sounds like it was for Terah's benefit, right after he passed away, God called Abram.

God has a plan for you, He has a purpose for you, and nothing can stop that plan..... except YOU. God has given us all free will. Are you being obedient to God? Have you heard His Call? If you have, are you afraid to make the journey? Maybe it is unknown, not the easy path?

When God called Abram, He did not tell him where he was going, He just told him, "I will show you." Abram left his country, father, household and his people, he was obedient to God's call, and God Blessed Him. Are you choosing free will or God's will?

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, Thank your for Your examples of Your servants in the Bible. Lord, I want Your will in my life, but I am so human Lord. I am filled with doubts and fears. Please Lord give me the strength and courage to take those steps of faith for You. I know that You are on the other side of the unknown waiting for me, waiting to bless me.

Jesus, please be with me today, let Your love shine brightly through me. Let others see You in me, I love You Jesus. Thank you!

In Your Name,

Amen

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Does God Hate Gay People?

Let me start and say that I am a Christian and I love Jesus with every fiber of my being. I believe that the Bible is Gods spoken work to us on paper, it is the ultimate system for living. If you have a question about life, you go to the Bible to find out what God says about it. I say this so you will know my beliefs and values.

Today the Boy Scouts made a decision to accept any sexual orientation, in other words they made a decision that it is OK to be a homosexual and be in the boy scouts. 

When ever I think of Christians and homosexuals I get a visual picture of Christians holding up some hate signs that might say "Homosexuals are Going to Hell" in front of some capital building. Does God really hate homosexuals or the sin? I believe that all sexual sin is the same. Some years ago I had an affair on my wife. I was stuck in sexual sin..... I know that God still loved me, but He hated the sin that I was stuck in. Was my having an affair any different according to the Bible then being in a homosexual relationship?

I am not sure what position you take? I believe we need to teach the teachings of Jesus Christ, but on the flip side I believe hate and anger is the wrong avenue we should take. I believe that we need to love, be tolerant without losing our values. Love people to Christ. We need not cram our beliefs down everyone's throat, we need to respect everyone beliefs. When did we start to play God and be the judge and jury.... last time I checked that was Gods job. Our job is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself. 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

What are you thoughts?

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Scripture Reading Genesis 7 - 9

Insight Into the Scriptures

Can you imagine seeing rain for the first time? In verses 7:4 it says that "God will send rain" to this point Noah had not seen rain see (2:5). To put into perspective how much rain they received, it says that waters covered more than 20 feet over the mountains (7:20). Mount Ararat's highest peak is 17,000 feet!

I want to really encourage you to understand all you can about God. Seek Him. When you discover something about God's character, jot it down in your Bible. If you seek Him, He will revel Himself to you!

Genesis 9:20-27 - NIV

"Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father nakedness.

When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him,

he said,"Cursed be Canaan!

The lowest of slaves

will he be to his brothers.

"He also said,

"Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem!

May Canaan be the slave of Shem.

May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his slave."

Thought for the Day

When we are taught in Ephesians 6 to honor our mothers and fathers, whenever I have read this passage I think about children doing what their parents tell them. But, I believe that no matter what age you are, if your parents are alive, it is a Biblical command to honor them. And, if your parents are not living anymore, this is a Biblical principle that you can pass down to your generations. We are told in Ephesians that if we honor this command "That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

A good example of this is the above passage. Noah had too much to drink, and Noah got naked. I know that if my father became drunk and got naked I would most likely lecture him and be embarrassed. In other words, this was probably not the best thing for Noah to have done. Look at the reaction of Noah's children. Ham did nothing, he went and told his brothers, it does not say that Ham said to his brothers, "Hey, you have got to see Dad, what a goof!"

The Bible does say that Japheth and Shem laid a blanket over their shoulders, walked in backwards and covered their father nakedness. Their faces were turned so they could not see their father. Even though their father was in the wrong, they honored and respected him. Shem and Japheth were blessed because they honored Noah, right or wrong.

How is your relationship with your parents? Do you honor them? I am not saying do everything they tell you to do, but do you respect them? Do you spend time with them listening to where they are in life. What are they sacred about? What are their interests? If you are missing blessings in your life this may be the missing piece.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, Thank you for our parents, and I ask that you would bless the children of the ones that have gone to be with you.

Dear Jesus I ask that You will be with the Ford family tonight, please comfort them in their time of sorrow. I ask that You will be with our leaders of this country, please give them wisdom. We love You Jesus, and we know that You are in control no matter how out of control it seems.

Thank You Lord, we love You.

In Your Name,

Amen

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I Hate Money

I hate money. I hate what is does to people. I hate what it turns people into. I hate how people will kill over money. I hate how money turn people against each other... friends, family, business partners, and more. 

I hate how money stresses me out. You know the feeling... the rent is due and I do not have the money right now to pay it. Or the car is getting old and starting to break down and we do not have the money to fix it. I could go on and on how I get all stressed out about the bills that need to be paid and how we do not have the money.

But on the flip side I Love money. I like having the new car, the big screen TV, the designer jeans... it just make me feel good.... for a moment... then the visa bill comes and I hate money again. UGH!

When am I going to learn that all I really need is JESUS. I mean I like all those cool toys, but I have to work my butt off to pay for them, but if I refocused my thinking I would want less "stuff", more Jesus, and have more time to spend with Him, family, and things that REALLY matter in His  Kingdom, then trust that He will provide for my needs.

Jesus tells us this in His Word not to store up treasures here on earth but in Heaven: 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Ouch, that one hurt.

He also tells us that we cannot.... notice how He uses the word CANNOT? Not maybe, or if you try hard enough.... serve money and God:

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24

Am I trying to serving money and not God?

Jesus finally tells us that if we redirect our thinking He WILL take care of us!

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

So do any of you feel like I do? Frustrated? Trapped? Want to break these bonds and live a life on the edge for Jesus, having faith that can move a mountain?

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Struggle With Temptation?

Insight Into the Scriptures

In Genesis verses 6:3 God says that He is going to limit man's age to 120 years. I did a search on Google for the oldest living man, and yes, the oldest recorded living man was around 120.

Genesis 4:6-7

"Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Thought for the Day

Put yourself in Cain's shoes. Can you imagine if you were about to sin and God spoke from the heavens and said, "Jim, think about what you are doing, you are about to commit a sin, think about your actions." I think that it would deter me from committing that sin.

In reading these first few chapters I have found it interesting the birth of sin, and how it can become out of control to the point where God wanted to wipe out man.

The verses above says it all. Temptation is the beginning of sin, we are tempted, we have a choice to make; master the sin or give into the sin that is "Crouching at your door."

Men are visually stimulated (Sexually), it is just built into a man, but giving into that sexual temptation only leads to sin and sin leads to death. I am proud to say that I have mastered that sexual temptation, the way that I have mastered it.....I do not open the door that sin is crouching at. Since I am human and I am born with sinful nature, I will always be tempted, but the moment I feel the temptation approaching I yell NO to that temptation and focus my attention to Christ, a scripture, or my beautiful wife.

You might struggle with another temptation other than what I do, but the principle is the same. Temptation is not a sin, you will always have temptation, you need to master these temptations so they do not lead to sin.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, Thank You for giving us Your word, so that we can learn from the mistakes of Your people. Thank You for Your extreme mercy and patience with us.

Dear Lord I know that I am a sinful creature and I do struggle with sin. I desire to master these temptations, I want to control them and do not want them to control my life. Please Jesus give me the strength to control them. Thank you Jesus.

I ask that your Spirit would be with me today, please fill me up with You, please let Your light shine through me in this dark world. I love you Jesus!

In Your Name,

Amen

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Is Our Earth Suffering From Our Sin?

Is Our Earth Suffering From Our Sin?

#Earth #Earthday

Hearing about yet another Tornado that ravished the earth, I cannot help but to think Is Our Earth Suffering From Our Sin or sinful nature? It seems to me there are more natural disasters than I can remember. But I have heard that these are not the worse storms that we have ever had. Plus I have not been around for 2000 years, was it worse back then? Is it because our social media is stronger and more advanced then ever? Something happens and we see it in real time? Remember hearing when Christ returns the entire world would see it? When I was a kid it was unimaginable, but today it is a reality!

So where do we go from here? Well, whenever there are questions about life we should turn to the Bible. Here are two verses that I found:

"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8:20-22

"So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” To the woman he said, I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it, Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:14-19

So, what are your thoughts? Is the earth suffering from our sin, greed and sinful ways? 

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Is God Really In Control of Your Life?

Insight Into the Scriptures

Genesis was written by Moses around 1450BC. The purpose of this book is to record God's creation of the world and to show His desire to have a relationship with Man, and man's purpose. Notice in verse 1:26 it states "Let us make man..." Some say this is evidence of the Trinity back then. Also notice that when God created something, He blessed it. That is right, you are BLESSED!

Genesis 2:2-3 - NIV

"By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done."

Thought for the Day

These first three chapters are so full of good information, it is hard to know what to focus on. We could look at sin, it's effects on us, how to avoid it, and how to conquer it. We could look at how God intended man to live, not man with man, but man with woman and the future of man and woman. We can look at God's character, how He was walking in the garden, how He loves nature, and order. Yes, there are so many great examples, just here in the first three chapters, but I thought we would focus on rest.

We live in a world that demands more and more of us each day. It seems like the work is NEVER finished. We could work 20 hours a day and we would still have work that needed to be done. God shows us a great example, and even though some say that God's day could be much longer than our 24 hr. period, the point is that God, did rest.

Kim runs her little business that we have, and it seems like we are never finished. During Christmas she would start at 6am and not stop until 9 or 10 pm. It was crazy, she became grumpy, tired, and discouraged. At the start of this new year, both Kim and I made a decision to draw some boundaries, she  is going to get "Off" work at a certain time and we are taking a day off to rest in the Lord and enjoy our family.

If what I described above expresses how you feel sometimes, it is a great time to start fresh and new. You need to draw boundaries and rest, you can't say "I just need to get one more thing finished." There is always one more thing to finish. You need to take a day of rest, spend time with God, family, or your brothers and sisters. I know that when you do, God will honor your decision and Bless you even more. Do you trust that God is in control of your life and wants and will give you the best.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Lord, I know that the rest of this year is going to be amazing, I know that You are going to revel Yourself to me in ways that I never knew existed. Lord, I am making the commitment to draw closer to You than every before.

Thank you Jesus for who You are, and I know that no matter what happens this year, good or bad, You are right there with me and You are in control. I love You Jesus, please be with me today.

In Your Powerful Name,

Amen

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Are You In Christ?

Insight Into the Scriptures

Jude was written by Jude. Jude was the brother to James, both were half brothers to Jesus. Mary was their mother and Joseph was their father. Although Mary was Jesus' mother, God was Jesus' true Father.

Jude was written around 65AD to Christians everywhere. Jude is a "Sermon" letter verses the personal type letter. These letters were written when the person could not be there. The purpose of the letter was written to encourage Believers to stay strong in their faith and warn against bad influences.

Blessings

Even though Jude is a short chapter, there are some interesting points that I would like to bring to light.

There is an incident that is not recorded anywhere else in the Bible. It involves Moses' death (Deuteronomy 34) in verse 9 of Jude, it tells of Michael the archangel and the devil having a dispute over Moses' body.

When you read this verse notice how an Angel did not argue with satan, he did not engage or let satan pull him into a dispute. Michael's answer was simple, "The Lord rebuke you." Something we all could learn from.

Jude 1:3-4, 20-21 - The Message

"Dear friends, I've dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting—begging!—that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish. What has happened is that some people have infiltrated our ranks (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels. Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license—which means doing away with Jesus Christ, our one and only Master."

"But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!"

Thought for the Day

Jesus told the parable about how a little yeast destroys the bread. He was of course speaking of the Pharisees. The same holds true today, if you do not stay in the Word of God everyday, one person could shake your belief and cause you to question it. But, if you are firmly planted in Christ, NOTHING will move you.

Kim had this lady e-mail her and ask her about a ring that she was selling. She wanted to know the history of the ring, she then went on and told me that a "Pastor friend" had to throw away a ring because it caused an evil spirit to enter him. There was more to the story, but that was the main theme.

She responded, that, if you are IN CHRIST a demon can't enter you, now if you invite them into your life or seek them, that is a different story. She then brought up the example in the book of Job, where satan himself had to ask permission to "Affect" Job. God had to give satan permission. God would not give permission for satan to go into a person that was IN CHRIST. My next example was from the book of 1 John 4:4 "He that is IN you, is greater that he that is in the world." If Christ is IN YOU, together you are greater than anything on this earth.

Here is the sad thing about this story, her pastor friend believed that he had a demon enter him...... A PASTOR! There are many false teachers out there. Not everyone you see on TV is right with Christ. Not every pastor you meet is right with Christ. You might be saying, "Then how are we to know??" You need to be in the Word of God everyday, spending time, one on one with Christ everyday, that is how you will know. The Holy Spirit will speak to you. If you ever have ANY doubts, go to the Bible, that is the truth.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, Thank you for living in me, thank you for giving me the promise that if You are in me, there is nothing on this earth that can harm my spirit.

Holy Spirit I ask that You would pray on my behalf, for You to search my soul and know the best for me. I pray that You would come and fill me up today, fill me so full that I am overflowing with Your fruits.

Jesus, I pray that You would increase my discernment and You would increase my spiritual wisdom. I pray for those that are lost and have gone astray. I pray that You would place the right person in their life,to get them back on track, living a life of Christ.

Jesus thank you for this time of year, I love you Jesus, let there be more of You and less of me. In Your powerful name, Amen

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