Passing over Grace; don’t do it!

Passing over Grace; don’t do it! Exodus 12:1-14.

Leaving the palace of the Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron knew that they would never see the Pharaoh, or the palace, and all of its guards, again. God was finished giving chances and the warnings were over.

Though it was home to Moses growing up, he had no emotional attachments to it. The palace was beautiful, yet the people in the palace and what it stood for was vulgar and grotesque.

From this palace, the children of Israel were treated like slaves. In an attempt to bring spirituality and God into the lives of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, God’s offers were declined.

It did not matter how many miracles were preformed, the Egyptians would not recognize God as the only God; but called Him the “God of the Hebrews.” Therefore, Egypt could never become Israel’s home. The Israelites were visitors in a strange land, a godless land, a land of myth, pride, and greed.

The parallels Christians face is much the same. This world is not their home; they are visitors in a strange land, and society rejects God and Jesus Christ. Like the Israelites, Christians are to be prepared to leave; for God will lead them to a promised land.

Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Exodus 12:1-4(NKJV)

The Israelites were going to leave Egypt and move on to a land promised to them by God. Leaving would be a new beginning and time as they knew it was going to start over. Their exit from Egypt would be considered the first calendar day of the rest of their life.

It all began with a barbeque. Everyone was going to eat lamb and lambs would be killed in front of every family member. Once prepared each Israelite were to eat as much of it as they could and become more than full.

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Exodus 12:5-8(NKJV)

These lambs had to be special lambs. They had to be the best lamb of the herd and without a single blemish. At sunset the killing was to be done before every family member and then the blood was to be sprinkled above the threshold of each house and splattered on each door post.

Then with the barbequed lamb they were to eat bread without leaven, and bitter herbs. This was flat bread, not risen from the addition of yeast and the herbs were to make them cringe and pucker. It was not something you would choose to prepare for yourself.

Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head with its legs and its entrails. You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover. Exodus 10:9-11(NKJV)

So why were these instructions so important to follow? The instructions were mandatory and if a person wanted to leave the land of Egypt in safety they must take each instruction serious. In the same way Christians, who want to escape this lifetime and move on to their promised land, must do similar steps.

The steps are plainly written for our reading in the New Testament. Jesus, the Christ (savior), came to earth like an innocent lamb. He did not have a blemish and yet because of the cold hearted souls, He was put on a cross, suffering great pain, and died.

His blood spilled because we need to be saved from the death of our own souls. He took the penalty for sin that we deserved.

As the writers of the New Testament have detailed His death for all of us to read; we are to ensure that every family member witnesses this slaughter. Then the blood of the Christ is to cover our hearts. We are to have it sprinkled on the door posts of our heart and placed high on the threshold of our life so we do not trample it or tread on it without respect.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, is to be our feast and we are to consume the information about Jesus and become full. Every part of the Lamb of God is to be prepared and taken in. This is to be done not by one family member, but all believers.

With our lamb, we are to eat our daily bread “without leaven.” Just as a little leaven causes a whole lump of bread to rise, a little sin in our life causes undesired results in our life. Allowing sin into our life will produce a bad life and therefore, we are to care for our lives like it was a lump of bread and keep the leaven out.

The bitter herbs were not really desirable to eat and neither are the things we must do to complete our meal.

As a Christian there are times you will not partake with the rest of the world and you will be tied to complete obligations to family, church, and sharing the gospel.

At times we are to reject the sweet taste of fun for bitter service. Though serving is a wonderful opportunity, there will be times service will lead you to bitter places, bitter circumstances and bitter people. Yet a Christian must take this bitterness with the good.

The Israelites were also to eat their meal fully dressed. They were to be ready to leave; for when it was time to no one was to be left behind. Thus there is a similar prompting, in the New Testament teachings, for Christians to be ready. For in a twinkle of an eye, Christ will come for His people. Therefore, we too must be ready.

This leads us to a question. As a Christian, do you take the time to live according to the Bible’s instructions? Will you be ready and have completed the necessary steps to be included into people who will escape?

‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. ‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. Exodus 12:12-14(NKJV)

In this passage the only big difference from our day and then is the plague. God was going to send a death angel to kill the first born of every family that did not comply with the necessary steps.

Our threat is not a plague, but an ending point in time, where heavens doors will be sealed forever and the invitation to accept God’s gift of grace will be over.

No longer will a person be able to repent and be saved. No longer will God look upon the door post of the heart for the blood of Christ. The chance to be saved from your sin will be over.

This is what makes Passover such an important remembrance. It was a day when God passed over and even more, it is a warning that what God says will happen, is true.

If people refuse to repent and forsake their sin, they will not be ready on that Day of Judgment. Therefore, like Passover, the celebrations of the days that commemorate the importance of salvation are never to be taken off our calendar; nor should we stop from declaring their importance to our children.

The day of salvation and deliverance is coming; will you be ready?

Signs Follow the Church

Signs Follow the Church. Exodus 3:19 – Exodus 4:9.

Staring into the burning bush, Moses hears God tell him to walk into the danger of Pharaoh’s court, look him in the face and demand the release of the Israelites who worked building the Pharaoh’s treasure cities.

Moses is overwhelmed with God’s request; for Moses was wanted for murder of an Egyptian and the Pharaoh had ordered his death.

Though Pharaoh knew Moses as an adopted grandchild, the Pharaoh hated the prosperity of the Israelites. However, Pharaoh was benefitting from their hard work.

Moses would be a dead man walking into the court of Pharaoh and then Moses heard God say this.

But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.

And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.” Exodus 3:19-22(NKJV)

I’m certain that Moses keyed in on the phrase, “But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go.” That statement must have caused Moses to open wide his eyes, in spite of the bright light from the bush on fire; however, then Moses heard God strategizing.

Does it sound like a strategy to you? God knows the future; but to move the immovable providence of the Pharaoh, God was going to have to display His power and cause the Pharaoh to change his mind.

Can you see that God wanted Moses to have confidence in Him? God is able to move the unmovable. God is able to change the minds of others.

Revealing this to us through this encounter with the Pharaoh, God would have us all trust in His ability to intervene in our behalves. God wants us to trust in Him.

The one thing we must also recognize is that God wanted his people to leave with compensation for their work.

They were to leave with Gold and silver and the young children who suffered in fear of being killed were to wear the jewelry and carry the riches of those who enslaved their parents.

Does it not cause your heart joy to know that God wants to reward us for our faith and recompense us for the evil that befalls us?

God is fair, just, and will never leave His people or forsake His people. Therefore, if you are part of His people, you are to look up in your situation with faith. Moses was to accept what God asked for and in faith, act upon it.

Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” Exodus 4:1(NKJV)

Moses’ question reveals a very important aspect of who he was; he was just a normal person; he was having trouble catching up to the conversation.

God already said that the Pharaoh would resist even after seeing the mighty hand of God, which means that Pharaoh will listen.

People react much the same today. Jesus instructed the church saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18(NKJV)

However, though we are given the direction, like Moses some say, “What if they will not hear me?” Jesus said, decisions will be made; and the church is to get those decisions.

What people today need to understand is, they will be heard; Jesus said so. Therefore, don’t be afraid to share the gospel with others.

So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Exodus 4:2-5(NKJV)

In the great commission, Jesus gave to the church, this same miracle was referenced. The taking up of snakes is literal in the case of Moses. However, it was not a command to the church to tempt snakes to prove the miraculous power of God.

In the great commission, Jesus was referring to the fact that God takes great care in providing for the messenger. If God has sent you to speak to a people, we are not to fear the bad that could happen to us.

Furthermore the LORD said to him, “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. And He said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh.

“Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.” Exodus 4:6-9 (NKJV)

Many people wish they could do the miracles mention here in these verses. Some try to find miracles and others believe that miracles are a part of their faith. However, these are not to be thought of as miracles, they are to be thought of as signs. Signs follow the church.

We are told by the Apostle Luke in our day, signs are promised. Great earthquakes, famines, pestilence, and fearful sights will join themselves with great signs from heaven. These signs are what we are to point too; for what greater miracle can be than those Christ performed? The great commission does not say to go perform miracles and then people will get saved.

Too many people seek miracles, but signs will have a greater impact. This was recognized by the prophet Daniel, who told us more about end times than any other person in the Bible.

Daniel wrote, How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.

Introduction to Exodus.

Introduction to Exodus.

Exodus, the second book of the Bible, is a continuation of the story of God’s plan for a spiritual existence for mankind. In Genesis, we are told of the purpose for God’s creation the heavens and the Earth. He made humankind and watched as they would choose to sin.

Knowing what it takes to make people that can be given great responsibilities, God’s plan included redemption from their sin. However, the process will take the entire life of the earth to complete. We all live in a massive plan that God has set into motion; therefore, we must learn what He is doing and how this affect us.

In the book of Genesis, each generation had their own dealings with God and as families grew, so did social misbehavior. God took much time to show people the error of their ways and continually called them back to His plan for their lives.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were all men through whom God did a great work. Through their lives God began to build a people for Himself. Jacob had twelve children and God used famine to drive them into Egypt where they would stay for over four hundred years.

The children of Jacob would be known by the name God gave to Jacob, Israel. These children would become very blessed and very prolific as God made provisions so they had land, food, commerce, and much livestock.

Egypt held a safety for the children of Israel for they were relatives of a most famous Egyptian leader Joseph. The Pharaoh had placed Joseph to be the caretaker for Egypt. He helped them stockpile food predicting a famine that would grip the land for seven years. Then he oversaw the distribution of the food, the buying of livestock and property, making the Pharaoh one of the richest Pharaohs ever to live.

However, that was only for a time and with changing times God continues his work. Joseph grew old and passed away and the Pharaoh did also. Soon their memories would fade from the Egyptian civilization and the new Pharaoh completely forgot who they were. The pact Joseph made with Pharaoh would seem foolish to the new Pharaoh and jealousy would strain the relationship with the children of Israel.

In this study of the book of Exodus we will experience the departure of The Children Of Israel from Egypt, the hardships of following God, and learn what God desires from us.

Faith, trust, hope, love, and obedience will be themes we often visit as the Children of Israel are taught by the presence of God in their life.

Our current day is far removed from the days of Egypt leadership by a dominate Pharaoh, yet we will find that similar events happen to us all the time. We experience many of the struggles they did and God requires us to have faith in Him also.

Oh how terrible it would be to never study what God wants from His people and miss the mark that He has set for salvation. Yet even in churches, many people refuse to learn, refuse to study, and will not know that their very actions and attitudes displease God.

Without faith it is impossible to please God and pleasing God determines where we will spend our eternity. Faith is the cornerstone that we are to build our life on and His son, Jesus Christ, is the foundation for the kingdom that He builds.

In the children of Israel, God’s plan was for them to be a people separated unto Him. That same plan has been widened to include us; for God is building a kingdom and the kingdom of God will happen; however, the question is, “Will we cross over into the new kingdom? Will we make the exodus from our old life to follow after the life He wants us to lead?” Please join us as we apply the Children of Israel’s experience in Exodus without own life’s journey.

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Completing your Work.

Completing your Work. Genesis 48:1-11.

Now it came to pass after these things that Joseph was told, “Indeed your father is sick”; and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And Jacob was told, “Look, your son Joseph is coming to you”; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on the bed. Genesis 48:1-2(NKJV)

There was “one” who was close to Jacob and Joseph; the name of the person is omitted, but they watched over them to keep the family heading down a proper course. It was important that this event happened and the person was moved by God to ensure that this event did happen. As believers, we are moved by God to do His work; and part of that work is to help others compete their work for God.

Jacob had a commission from God to begin a people that would become a wonderful work of God. Before Jacob died, that commission needed to be passed along; therefore, this, “one,” person ensured that Jacob and Joseph got together.

Every believer must pray about their involvement in the lives of others to see how God would have them help. It may be a pastor, a missionary, an evangelist, or a teacher; they all need help completing their mission for God. This is a large role and comes with little glory; even their names are not always mentioned; but their rewards will be great.

Then Jacob said to Joseph: “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’ And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. Your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; they will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. Genesis 48:3-6(NKJV)

It would be wonderful for every father to have his children visit their deathbed for a last word. Jacob had many things on his mind and whom to pass on the family commission to be one of them.

When Joseph arrived, it became clear that he was the right son to complete the commission; however, Jacob was going to have to ask Joseph to let these two children become Israelites and allow God to continue the commission in Canaan through them.

This meant that they would not be raised in the Egyptian ways; but in the way that God had selected for this people. Jacob felt God was going to bless them in ways of leadership and that they would continue to keep the commission of God alive after his passing.

As for Joseph, Jacob knew he had great responsibility in Egypt and that leaving Egypt was not feasible for Him. Yet Jacob wanted the work of God to continue and the bloodline of Joseph to be a part of this nation God was building.

But as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”Genesis 48:7(NKJV)

When it comes to family, circumstances can stop a person from doing the work of God. People die, tragedies happen, and it can be a lonely experience. As for Jacob he lost his wife, Rachel along the way. This almost stopped him from continuing, but the calling of God was greater.

Even when he received word that Joseph, Rachel’s son, was dead; it made him consider and doubt what he was doing. Indecision followed Jacob; but he pressed onward knowing his experience and command from God was real.

Now standing before Joseph and seeing his two sons, revelation was again making him alive with hope. He could see the future and needed to bless the lads who would go on to keep the commission alive.

Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.” Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!” Genesis 48:8-11(NKJV)

Not only was God letting Jacob see his grandchildren, Jacob was receiving the knowledge from God on how and who to bless. Like his father blessed he and his brother, Jacob would now let his words define the life these boys would lead. What a great opportunity for the man who remains faithful to God.

We all would like to live lives free from complication; but when choosing to serve God, you will find that it is like walking up hill. You will get tired, face challenges, and even contemplate stopping.

Yet when reaching life’s end, it will all make sense. Even up unto this day, Jacob did not understand how it would all play out; yet, now he is delighting in the opportunity to take the load he carried and pass it on to someone else.

God’s work needed good people like Jacob and Joseph; and even good people like the “one” who brought them together for this meeting.

God is still building a kingdom and all Christians are asked to be involved; for Christ gave us a great commission to preach the gospel to every living person and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Today if this message finds you will no service to God in your life or if you did serve and stopped; then pray, giving your life to Him to direct and let Him get you involved. The kingdom of God is a great commission that must be completed.

The Family Legacy.

The Family Legacy. Genesis 47:26-31.

So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. Genesis 47:26-27(NKJV)

Promised by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph, the nation of people were thriving. What started with Jacob’s twelve sons and began to scatter abroad was concentrated by God into this one area of Egypt. God wanted them to grow together and not apart.

The only way to build this nation was for the family to stay together; this is a concept that people have long started to neglect in our world and continues to be set in the shadows.

The family unit is becoming diced and chopped up in our modern societies. I spoke with a family counselor about this very issue and the concept of a families influence on future generations was a very interesting topic.

Often in today’s societies, children grow up without parental influence, let alone family influences. These children seek to build their own identities and reach for the commercial influence of society to model to. However, when children have good models for parents, this search for identity is reduced.

It becomes drastically reduced when children are not only raised within a parented household, but a household that is a unit of a larger family. Uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews, and those they bring close to themselves, all interact to bring identity to each individual.

In many of America’s East Coast cities, families that emigrated from Europe still live in the sections of their city their families called home. As families, they influence each other and have regular interaction. This builds identity and comes with responsibilities for each family member to make the family proud.

This same concept was begun in the first church when Jesus told his disciples to dwell together and wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. When Gods spirit rushed in on them, the first church became as a family and we are told throughout the scriptures to dwell in unity as believers; therefore, the people of our churches can become our family.

This concept of family has to survive for our world to be a better place or unharmonious selfishness will overtake the hearts of the masses.

So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I will do as you have said.” Genesis 47:28-30(NKJV)

Jacob was a father of twelve boys and grandparent to many children. It was getting close to the end of his life and he wanted his influence to continue even after his death. In this request of Jacob, we can see that even a family burial plot brings identity to the family.

So what is so important about being buried in the same burial plot as your family? It sets a tone of connection and pride. If you are of the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, one day your destiny would have you to lay alongside them in the family grave plot in hopes that those who you leave behind will remember you as well as it remembers them.

The stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still being told today and every Jewish boy and girl is taught about their forefathers and identity passes along to each. The Jewish race is one of the largest and oldest in the entire world. When meeting another Jew, each has a tie back to their origin and with that a responsibility to make them proud. This is what family building is all about.

Along with this commitment of family origin is passed along the commitment to their own local families. Grandfathers influence fathers, who influence sons, who will influence their children. It passes along to each and so should the pictures, and stories, and the legacy of each. This builds family.

Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed. Genesis 47:31(NKJV)

Jacob, who God changed his name to Israel, bowed himself on the head of the bed; as the son who he committed this to swore to him that this would be carried out upon his death. This ritual should be the goal of every father who is reaching the age of passing.

Parents must think of their lives as able to influence future generations. Their wishes need to be passed on, to their family. For myself, I have taken one of my sons and spoken to him about what my desires are for my grandchildren.

After I pass, I want to ensure that all of the work I have committed into preaching God’s word be passed to them so they may hear the words of their Grandfather. I also desire that they continue to pass it from generation to generation, so that my influence might transcend this present day.

Every parent has things they must do to influence their families to do good. It is these that we are to be busy doing. It is the way to make the world a better place and build the kingdom of God.

Israel was not yet going to die, but he made pre arrangements for that time. Though he waited until he was old in years to do this, there is no reason why you have to wait.

Make those plans, speak to your families about unity, and help them to see their position in the family as a legacy to be remembered. Encourage them to work towards it and build your family unit.

The last thing the family counselor and I talked about was the importance of removing dysfunctionality suffered from their grandchildren’s knowledge. There is no reason parents need to repeat the sins of the past and those stories should be forever lost as secrets. “We need to pass on the good things we did, not the bad.” These were great words from a great man.

Broken, Dysfunctional, Families. Genesis 10:1-32

Broken, Dysfunctional, Families. Genesis 10:1-32.

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. Genesis 10:1(NKJV)

Have you ever traced you lineage, your bloodline, back through history? If you could go far back as possible, here is where you would end up. After the flood, this is the eldest account of mankind as we know it and from these three sons of Noah all people from every nation have come.

Now purity in our blood lines is fading away. It is possible to have relatives coming from each of these three boys; but there are still some who can trace back to just one son. The longer our world spins, purity of bloodlines are vanishing.

Jews and Arabs who trace their ancestry back to Abraham will find this passage extremely useful. They can trace backwards from Abraham to Shem, who had a descendant named Heber and Abraham’s family lines were called Hebrews.

Now Moses began with the eldest son Japheth and quickly writes about Japheth’s decedents without much detail; probably because they settled into remote regions and would be considered the Gentile nations. You can say that they put distance between themselves and the others and in the process they put distance between the God of their father, Noah.

The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. Genesis 10:2-5(NKJV)

Moses moving on elaborates more about the children of Ham for they became Israel’s enemies. It was Noah that said Ham would not be able to raise a godly family and they would become servants of his brothers.

And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Genesis 10:6-10(NKJV)

Ham was the son who Moses projected would not raise his children properly, for he had no respect for his own father. Moses projected that Ham’s sons would have families that would be as servants and to that Ham took great acceptation.

Noah’s families tension were high and how tense families handle their situation is important; for tension can rip a family into pieces. Ham began the tension by mocking his father, in front of the brothers. Noah increased the tension by saying Ham would not be a good father and seeing all this Japheth refused to get sucked up in the problems. Japheth’s answer was to leave altogether and he did.

The only son that stayed close to Noah was Shem. Noah’s family pretty much spit up and sorrow gripped their homes. Around the world sorrow grips the homes of many families because they refuse to talk through their problems and reconcile differences.

In any family, the Father is to be the bedrock and the mother a supporting spouse. The two are to be the examples to the children on how we should live before God. Parents teach how to humbly love God and how forgiveness is to be implemented within the family. It was only through the hardness of the hearts did this family split apart.

Ham, being rejected by his father, raised his own families with attitudes of survival and to strive for accomplishments. Though Ham mocked his father, he longed for his father to accept him. The longing became bitterness and in bitterness Ham set goals for achievements that his father might recognize. This attitude for achievement passed on to generations and the outcome was personified in Ham’s grandson, Nimrod.

Nimrod became a great hunter. He had a great mind, but a stubborn heart. He gained respect from his kindred who accepted him as a prince. Through politics Nimrod had great gain; however, when he came to power, he dominated people with his might; having them to work as slaves building the cities of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh.

Earlier we studied that God destroyed the world by flood to wipe out people that acted like Nimrod and in our passage the phrase he did it all “before the Lord” is indication of defiance of God. He knew right from wrong and selected to do what was wrong. In a way, Nimrod became a challenger to God much like Ham challenged his father Noah.

He enslaved people to build cities and when they were finished he wanted more from them. It is believed that Nimrod built the city of Babel that actually became a threat to God’s heaven and therefore his efforts had to be thwarted.

Nimrod was the first to set up his own religion and create idol worship; forcing his values on the masses. It is obvious that Lucifer corrupted Nimrod’s thinking and Nimrod’s rebellion was compared to the sin of witchcraft. Nimrod used satanic power, but Lucifer’s demons were behind it all.

Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city. Genesis 10:11-12(NKJV)

Such was the conquest of Nimrod that others had to leave to get away from his influence. They went out and built cities of their own. However, wanting to get away, they took with them the same tainted thinking and ways. From generation to generation sin spreads and though families split and they move away, they take with them acquired habits and attitude about God.

This is why, as Christians, we are to build godly homes and as parents, practice faith. If parents train their children in the ways of the Lord, when old they will not depart. Parents are central to the development of future generations and in humbleness they are to repent openly for every fault.

When parents have done wrong in their children’s eyes, they are to model repentance. When parents are wrong, they are to go to the child and repair the damage done; taking it to the Lord for His intervention into their hearts.

Now for people fleeing families that have split apart because of social dysfunction, it is important to realize that the only thing that has changed is the distance. The dysfunction that worked inside the family to cause the split is still a part of their lives.

It is at this time that people must humble themselves to learn a new way, allowing God to change their heart. They must surrender their heart to God so that He might soften it. This comes through becoming a part of a good church family. Clinging to others, confessing your sin, praying to God, and studying His word; for only then will change happen that will put your immediate family back on track.

God wants You to be Secure. Genesis 9:8-19.

God wants You to be Secure.  Genesis 9:8-19.

And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. Genesis 9:8-11(NKJV)

Again, this first book of the Bible holds another covenant that God must uphold. If God were to break one of these binding agreements, God could be accused of sinning. Yet God is holy and upholds every covenant.

The first covenant with mankind was the covenant in the garden. Mankind was to eat of any tree, bush, vine, and flower, but was to not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil or they would surly die.

The breaking of this covenant added a 100% mortality rate to humankind and each day the result of breaking that covenant takes the lives of people around our world.

Now the world was different after the flood. There was no longer a firmament and God knew that storms would appear on the horizon. The wind would be followed by dark clouds, lightning, thunder, and rain. This covenant was to ensure Noah and family that no matter how dark the storm, God would not destroy the earth.

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. Genesis 9:12-16(NKJV)

A rainbow is a sign that the skies are clearing. Though the storm darkened the sky bringing rain, sleet, snow, and wind, once the clouds begin to part the sun’s rays bend through the last rain drops putting on a spectacular show.

The bow is to remind us that storms are only temporary and though they may become violent at times, they will end. The bow does not guarantee that humankind will be safe from God’s wrath or judgment. However, the bow is sign of a covenant between God and the earth which stands as memory of how much God hates sin.

And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. Genesis 9:17 (NKJV)

It is possible that there was a fear of leaving the ark and God extended this promise to encouragement those to continue in their lives.

How do you react when the storms of life come blowing your way? Where many fear, God wants to ease your mind and have you to live confidently. You can have peace knowing that you are protected by God.

The use of a covenant is not an Old Testament tradition and covenants still stand with us today. Each of us must enter into a covenant with God for the remission of our sin. If we want to continue to heaven, we must have peace with God.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Mathew 26:26-29(NKJV)

It is not the act of taking communion that gives us remission of sins; it is the diligence to walk into the life that God has called us to. You might say that before accepting Christ as a personal savior, we were as Noah and family.

We looked out of the ark and worried about going forward. We feared life’s storms and viewed trails as bad. Yet God was not going to let us stay in the ark and He wanted to reassure us that we were going to be safe.

The largest storm we face is that of eternal separation from God and a covenant exists stating that we will die in our sin, unless forgiven by the shedding of innocent blood. Jesus became that perfect sacrifice and shed His blood that we might be forgiven and have eternal life. Therefore, we must take His promise and covenant, to begin our life new.

There are many people who have yet to come out of the ark to begin living their life as Christians. Some call these “Closet Christians” and if there is such a thing, these people would be those reluctant to tell others they are Christians. Basically these have yet to enter into a covenant that lets God be their Lord.

Paul wrote about this covenant that we must enter into saying, For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10 Therefore, the opposite equally can be true; if the mouth is not confessing, then the heart must not be believing.

And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread. Genesis 9:18-19 (NKJV)

Ark explorers are looking to find Noah’s ark to this day. Some have said to have seen it; however, it is believed that it is only visible when the ice melts enough to expose it and that has not happen often enough to document it.

How would you have like to be a son or family that decided not to leave the ark? You feared the possibility of storms and stayed behind while everybody left. You would have frozen to your death and that is the importance of covenants. God does not want us to perish but have everlasting life with Him through the Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Basic Instructions. Genesis 9:1-7

Basic Instructions. Genesis 9:1-7.

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Genesis 9:1-2 (NKJV)

The flood was over; Noah and his family were safe. God promised never to wipe out the earth again; at least, until God’s use of the earth is complete. A rainbow shown across the sky and though mankind was blessed with peace with God, God knew that sin was ingrained in their heart.

Though blessed with life and opportunity to be pleasing to God, mankind would evolve to be brutal carnivores. No longer would they just eat from the trees of the fields, animals would now be in their diet. It was no doubt that with the sacrifice of Noah, God introduced them to animal flesh as food.

Though God allowed animals to be food; death would instill in animals a fear of humans that would be for all of history. Not only would animals fear mankind, mankind would fear their own self. Death is not a pleasant end to life.

The rainbow was not a sign that God was at peace with the sin of mankind. It was a sign that He would never again destroy the earth by flood. God could never be at peace with sin for He is holy.

Mankind would have to overcome their own sin by repenting of it, turning from it, and surrendering to God’s leadership and authority.

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. Genesis 9:3-4(NKJV)

God wanted to maintain authority over mankind, for God is all knowing. This reasoning a person, coming to God, must understand. God knows what is good for us and God warns us of those things that could harm us. God is good to us and through we may not understand why God would have us act a certain way, we must always remember that He is looking out for our own good.

Many people think of Christianity as being a set of rules; things you can do and things that you cannot do. They see these rules as confining, restrictive and abounding throughout the Bible. Yet these are guidelines for our own good.

The eating of the blood of animals is a simple guideline to understand; especially in our day when we see that feeding the remnants from the slaughter houses back to cattle produces Mad Cow disease.

Life is in the blood. Everything that causes us to function goes through the blood and it is the blood that will carry infections through the body. Rabies, hepatitis, anemia, hemochromatosis, and a host of other blood related diseases, carried in blood, can be passed through improper food handling.

I had a friend who prepared a pig for barbeque. The following day he became violently ill and it was discovered that through a cut on his finger, infection had raced through his blood vessels to his heart. Examining his arm, you could literally see the scaring of tissue along the blood vessels going up his arm. His encounter with animal blood almost killed him.

And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Genesis 9:5-6(NKJV)

When it comes to the survival of humankind, God is very passionate. God does not want us to die foolishly eating unclean food or living unclean lives. He also takes great exception to deliberately killing people.

God lives with a desire to gather all people unto Him. He wants Heaven to be full of people, for He takes such great joy in His creation. Yet without enforcing rules of corporal punishment God knew that some people will not take life seriously.

God’s plan for humankind has to survive and as the enemy tries to bring evil crashing down on humankind, God has to make a way of escape. He wants us to be abundantly fruitful; where as our enemy wants death.

These instructions to Noah were for our own good and as people would develop, more guidance would be needed. We must accept that God wants to guide us and daily He wants us looking into His word so that we might find His guidance.

And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. Genesis 9:7(NKJV)

This is all God wants. He wants us to be fruitful in all of our ways. He wants us to have families and raise them to do well and love Him. He wants godliness to abound and spread throughout the earth, so that Heaven will be full and glorious. This is why we honor God and this is why God spared Noah and his family. This is why God seeks you.

The End of the Trial. Genesis 8:14-22.

The End of the Trial. Genesis 8:14-22.

And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. Genesis 8:14-17(NKJV)

After over a year of living in the ark, it was now time to go out and start a new life. The ark that brought them salvation from the storm and safety from the waves was now a closing chapter in their life.

They had their hard times, their good times, and at times they were fearful as the ship plunged up waves the size of buildings and their stomachs sank as if riding a roller coaster. When God destroyed the earth, the violent shaking of the earth would have been quite a site from space. Yet that time of their life had drawn to a close and now they would embark on a new time, a new world, and face new struggles.

And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Genesis 8:18-20(NKJV)

Watching the big door fall to the ground with a loud “thud” must have been impressive. And a breeze swept into the cabin so odorous. Birds began to fly out the top and mice crawled out the sides, running down the crevice where the ark met the mud.

There was a fresh feeling and the sun shinned brightly on them warming their bodies for the first time. They could see the clear blue of space and the white puffy masses of clouds floating where once was a firmament. It was not just a new day to leave the ark; it was a new chapter in the history of the earth. With one giant step Noah set food on the earth to begin a new journey.

In our lives there are new days and different adventures. Some of these times are radical transformations that leave us gasping at the tragedy that had just taken place. A wife looses a husband; a child looses a parent; and as tragedies go, there is that day a person takes their first step in to a new chapter of their life.

What do I do now? Is often the question a person asks and for some their response is to go back inside the life they came from. In misery people focus on what they lost and stay morning the card that life dealt them. Yet Noah went out and worshipped the Lord.

When building a alter was an interesting gesture and speak volumes to the need to have the Lord forgive them. If you think that they went through the trial with great faith, the alter shows us they were just people in need of forgiveness.

Anytime you get a family together, people say hurtful things and emotion can cause situations to become ugly. It is not that families dislike each other; irritability is a human condition that can come from many sources like cramped corners, un-conformability, tiredness, and health effects.

Though the families bicker, yell, and scream at each other, there is still love, yet communication break downs. In my imagination I can hear Noah grumbling because Mrs. Noah complained about the mess the monkeys make.

The doubting of God was also a part of their experience. I wonder how many times people worried they were going to die or they grumbled against God for putting them through such trial. Therefore, without building a house, Noah built an alter to make sacrifice for their sin.

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:21-22(NKJV)

The sacrifice was a communication to God of reverence; much like our prayers of forgiveness today, a sincere talk with God changes things.

Where Noah sacrificed the clean animals, God would later send His own son to be a perfect sacrifice. Both sacrifices were the shedding of innocent blood to cover sin. Yet, where Noah would have to sacrifice throughout his life, no longer do we need additional sacrifices for the sacrifice of Jesus was a perfect sacrifice. We need only sincerely pray for forgiveness.

Noah’s faithfulness to repent of sin before God showed the position of his heart. Noah’s righteousness was evidenced in his actions.

All of this was well pleasing to God; and where God made and kept His covenant with Noah, God makes another covenant that He keeps to this day. No matter the sin of mankind, He will not destroy the earth until the intended days are accomplished for the history to be complete.

God knows that we sin and that we are sin prone individuals; yet He made a way that we might be forgiven our sin and cleans from all unrighteousness.

This forgiveness is granted to sincere individuals that do not just give God lip service, but to those who make an alter of their live sacrificing it in respect to God’s righteousness.

No good works will give us peace with God; only accepting forgiveness through obedience to the sacrificial means God provided. Innocent blood must be shed for sin and Jesus became our sacrifice.

Is building your home more important than Jesus? Is getting on with your life first, before a relationship with God? If there is anything that we do which leads us away from reverence to God, it is pointless. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but loose his soul?

Noah worshiped God and was saved. Therefore, let us follow this example and worship God first and then begin our journeys.

An Impending Disaster. Genesis 6:11-18

An Impending Disaster. Genesis 6:11-18

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.  Genesis 6:11-12 (NKJV)

God’s beautiful earth was corrupt. Without doing it himself, Lucifer had persuaded people to disrespect the planet, disrespect each other, and disrespect God. Though we know our world is heading to much the same destiny, the depravity of that society was worse than ours today.

The governments of that day could not keep men from doing what was right in their own eyes and sacred boundaries, such as marriage, were shredded. The family unit was of no value, and only the strong, ruthless, and relentless people could survive. The image of God was turned into the image of sinfulness. This is the result when the need for God is taken out of a society.

Today large factions of people attack those who sustain their concept of Christ, God, and Godliness. They protest when they cannot get their own ways and tear at the fringes of established morals.

When a society accepts wickedness as common life, judgment is not far away. If it were not for praying individuals, threaded through today’s cultures, there would be no hope for mankind and quickly the earth would reach a similar end.

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Genesis 6:11-13(NKJV)

Though there were violent depraved people that made up the societies of that day; God had a remnant that was acceptable to Him. Noah, his sons, and their families were to be saved.

One must ask, “Where are all the other Godly people that came from the bloodline of Seth?” And the only explanation, derived from scripture, is those who did not corrupt themselves did not survive through the extent of the evil that men had inflicted on others.

The same happens today. Today in Orissa India there are 70,000 displaced Christian Families who have had to flee their villages while their homes, churches, and schools were burned. These have become refugees and in the process many have died.

It is a common story that happens throughout countries of the world. To name a few, countries as Indonesia, Laos, North Korea, Uganda, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, have Muslim and Hindu extremists that seek to exterminate Christians.

They do not like their influence and believe that the gods of their religion demands such action; of course we know they are manipulated by Lucifer to destroy the true God’s work.

The question to ask is, “How long until our whole world becomes corrupt and Christians are only a remnant?” Then when you can answer that question or see its relevance, beware for judgment is inevitable.

Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.  Genesis 6:14(NKJV)

King David wrote, The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Psalms 25:14

Many have dove deep into the study of the construction of the ark and yet some simple information on many items have been left out. Such things as what was this wood they translated “Gopher” and what type of pitch was used. It is evident that though we have some description of the material and size, the intended importance of the account is to emphasize the salvation provided by God to people who truly believed in Him.

And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.  Genesis 6:15-16(NKJV)

Never before had it rained and to consider the possibilities of a flood was a reality that brought Noah much mocking. Yet Noah would have to suffer ridicule as he would have to enlist the help of others; to build a vessel of this magnitude would take much help.

Using the measurements, models of this vessel have been made and found to be perfectly buoyant and able to withstand high seas without tipping over. Thus the scriptures would have us believe that God is able to give us information that can lead to salvation.

Is this not still scoffed today? No one has seen judgment; they thoughts of standing before God seem fantastic as does the other claims of the Bible.

And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.  Genesis 6:17-18(NKJV)

Similar to this offer by God, another form of fantastical salvation is offered to save form the pending destruction that threatens our generations. A cross, made of wood, was erected to hold a perfect sacrifice for our sin. A savior to save us from the destruction that God intends for the final destiny of a world gone bad.

Like Noah and his family, we are expected to take the threat and the method of salvation serious. We are to speak to our families, prepare ourselves by getting into the mode of salvation that God has offered.

It is obvious that they planet, its people, and its morals are being attacked from within and God is watching. His eye sees all and the number of days is specific. He has a plan for the righteous and He will destroy the wicked.

Are you one who needs to prepare? If judgment was to happen today would you find yourself inside the ark believing in the salvation of God or outside the ark, mocking the concepts of judgment. Again, the choice belongs to you.

The Battle of Perception. Genesis 6:6-13.

The Battle of Perception. Genesis 6:6-13.

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6(NKJV)

God confronted Himself with grief in His heart that He would have to do the opposite of create, He would have to destroy. It was not a case that He did not know this would happen; but having to end a chapter of history with a destructive action is not joyous to God.

So many people picture God to be a white haired, mean face, man and His voice as harsh, echoing, and earthshaking. They view Him as ready to smite, strike, and annihilate as if to gain pleasure from watching a person die.

They picture His outstretched arm, pointing people down a slippery slope that is a road to hell. This causes many to relate to God as mean, uncaring, and intolerant of any person who could be labeled a sinner.

As if God is getting revenge for their sin; this portrait has not set well with people. In response they reject the idea of God. However, to blame is His enemy who has fostered the lie that God is uncaring.

This word “repented” is a word that implies to suffer grief and the need to be consoled. It is remorseful and sorrowful; for God loved His creation and He loved man. He knew that to gain a people that He can adorn with responsibility, creativity, judgment, and choice, He would have to put them into the world with a bitter enemy, the devil. The choice would be their own to decide whom they would follow.

God knew that given the freedom to choose many people would choose to follow temptation and lust, but He also knew there would be many who would resist selfish gain and return to Him; yet, it hurt His heart to have to do what He was about to do.

There was no laughter, there was mourning and the destruction moved God to pity. Picture a God with a tear in His eye and head hung low;
this would be more accurate a portrait than the picture of a spiteful God which the devil has instilled into societies.

And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. Genesis 6:7(NKJV)

In order to keep the world balanced and make a place for future generations of Godly people, God knew that He would have to level the playing field. He would have to destroy Lucifer’s momentum and create a warning of the power that God truly has.

The story of this warning would stand until the end of time, where all souls would have to be separated and judgment again would be final. This warning that would instill in the minds of mankind that when they die, they must face the responsibility for their actions.

This warning would extend the truth that God is holy and sin separates mankind from God. And the largest lesson being, that God does not separate Himself from mankind; mankind chooses to separate them from God. God only acts on the choice for mankind.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 5:8 (NKJV)

Noah was one man, who chose God to be His Lord. He did not give himself fully to sin, but when he did sin, he repented for that sin. He lived according to the traditions of his fathers and Noah’s sacrifice was accepted by God. Noah was the last in the bloodline from Seth, the men who called on God.

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 6:9-10 (NKJV)

The prophet Isaiah wrote of our generation, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6(NKJV)

It is not uncommon for a man to sin and though sin separates us from God, God makes ways for our sin to be forgiven and forgotten through sacrifice. Isaiah had enlightenment from God that a Messiah would come from God and He would be the perfect sacrifice. All of those who chose to repent of their sin would have their sin laid on Jesus. His death would be a covering for all.

Daily we must remember the impact sin has on our lives and repent of those sins. When we do, like Noah, God can look at us as just and perfect people. The distinction being that we are sorry for our sin, have turned from them, and placed them under the blood of the perfect sacrifice.

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. Genesis 6:11-12(NKJV)

Jesus said,  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:37-39(NKJV)

Life was one big party and though they married, they married for the wrong reason. They were an advanced society and had no inhibition towards women and corruption in business. Exploitation was their strong suite and though God was known, He was not honored as God.

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:13(NKJV)

Not just part of the known earth, but all of it. Every man, every woman, and every child had bit into the fruit of corruption. Lucifer’s deception had blinded their eyes and when they had a chance to repent, they did not.

Does that not seem like the days we live in? Days of exploitation, corruption in business, and ethics that leaves us marred or broken. Even the concept of marriage is challenged and we must ask, “How long did God intend to offer His grace to forgive?” How much longer until time comes to an end and God gives to people their hearts desire and the penalty for choosing sin?

A time to Rest and Reflect. Genesis 2:1-7.

A time to Rest and Reflect. Genesis 2:1-7.

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Genesis 2:1-2(NKJV)

It would have been amazing to be standing at the side of ‘elohym looking out at the creation, watching the twinkles of the stars. God was looking past the beginning to a designed end that would yield a harvest of trustworthy souls who would escape the corruption that Lucifer would bring.

Stress from not knowing the outcome of a situation, can be a life consuming problem. Fear of the future or worry about its outcome causes health issues that people often pass off as normal life. Yet many die from heart failure, and sicknesses from a weaken immune system that was brought about by stress.

A therapist taught me to look past the problem and see myself successful on the other side of it. He had me dwell on my desires, channel my efforts, and envision achieving my goals. He interjected into this God’s intended purpose for my life and scriptural promises that all thing work together for good when you are align with God’s purpose for your life.

Though I knew of the promises and I have taught them to others, when it came to my problems, I was so concerned for a positive outcome that it stressed my heart. Added to an unknown heart disease, I almost died. The therapist was saving my life and his words I must apply to the rest of my life if I want to live to see my Grand Children.

There comes a time that we must stop, rest, and reflect on not only our work, but the intended end. God looked at His creation knowing that it would see tumultuous times, but He looked past that to the end result. The very advice of the therapist is what God did on this seventh day of creation.

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. Genesis 2:3-6(NKJV)

This day of reflection was more than a look past, it was a look forward. The solar system was made to be a time piece and the clock was placed into motion. God was staring into the heavens that tell the story of the events that would come upon the earth and in this time of rest, He saw that it was good and sanctified the day.

To sanctify means to set it apart from the rest. To make it special and a regular observance that should be a holy experience. It is a time that all people need to honor; for if we do not honor it, how can we reflect on what good will come as we all go through tumultuous times?

Everything that was made was a work of God’s hand. It did not happen by accident or because of a natural occurrence. The plants were there without rain, the trees grew without rivers, and the animals were there without reproduction. Even God reflected on His ability to keep the order of the universe and it was important to consider for He thrust a creation, in His own image, which was going to not only bring joy to His heart but sorrow also.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7(NKJV)

God reflected, on the previous day, when He first looked at the man He formed from dust. Hovering over the lifeless body; God dew nearer until He was face to face and He breathed a soul into the man. Once this occurred, there would be no end to the height of glory and the depths of despair that God and mankind would feel. The tumultuous future lay ahead. Yet, God could look past the pain and see the glorious day when humankind would be ushered into Heaven, a recipient of eternal life.

People become so wrapped up in life that they let what is outside dictate to what is inside them. It is when a person does not stop to reflect on their days to put their thoughts into reality that fears can build up and literally ruin life.

The Apostle Paul learned what whatever condition he was in, he could be at peace; for on his mind was the future in glory with God. Beaten and abuse, imprisoned in jails, and even when shipwrecked, Paul was able to bring every thought into captivity to the will of God. Though he was outwardly tired, he was inwardly resilient, serving God with passion.

Does your life have purpose? Sure it does; however, many do not take the time to reflect on their situation. Many wait until they are on their death bed to cope with the fact that they will pass over into eternity. Yet that is a reality for us all. We will all die; yet, if we have our thoughts in order, we will have no fear and eagerly look forward to seeing Jesus face to face.

Each week, if not each day, we need to stop from our motion; stop the commotion and become quiet with God and inwardly examine our future, our destiny, and what is important in between.

This is why God consecrated the seventh day. The Jews called it the Sabbath, but you can call it anything you want as long as you take the time to set your life in order, reconcile your fears, and face your future with delight, optimism, and eagerness. A life with God cannot be replaced, just as the health of your own live cannot be replaced.

Remember, stress kills and to see your future family and to be an influence for good in their lives, a person must take care of their own self. As God came face to face with Adam and breathed life into his nostrils, so will we become face to face as He breaths eternal life and welcomes us into His kingdom.