We began reading through the Bible on the 1st of January and we are continuing to encourage each other to continue every day. No matter what schedule you use, make it a daily committment to read His Word and pray and then share together what the Lord is showing you and what He is doing in and through you!
As I was reading Genesis 8 yesterday, verse 13 stood out to me....."On the first day of the new year....." It was a new beginning for Noah and his family as they were about to set their feet on the earth again after 10 1/2 months of being stuck on that boat.
But before they could begin that new journey they had to do three things.....vs 15 "...Leave the boat...." was the first thing. That would have taken some courage to leave their secure surroundings and step out of the boat! I feel like the Lord is telling me to "leave the boat", leave my security. Get out and meet new people!
Secondly the Lord told them in verse 17 to "Release the animals". Release is a big word and something that we find hard to do. Release our children....release those we have been training in ministry.....release our hold on certain things in our lives......! But you have to release something to see it grow and "be fruitful and multiply" like the Lord told Noah about those animals. They weren't going to multiply on the ark!!! They had to be set free!
Third, in verse 20, Noah built an altar to the Lord....he put Him first in his new beginning! Don't begin the new year without putting Him First!!!
What we worship is what is primary in our lives and worshipping Him will focus us on what is important!
Have a blessed Monday......see you on the blog!!!
(Check out Pastor Jerry's new blog...his link is on the list on the right!)
5 comments:
Funny thing I noticed... both Adam and Eve and Noah's children were commanded to get busy populating the earth. Be fruitful! Multiply! Children are somewhat celebrated in our society. When I was pregnant for the first time EVERYONE was excited with me. The second child came along and people were thrilled, as well. "They got a boy and a girl!" Many told me, "now you can stop". What a perfect family! As if a perfect family is getting a child of each gender. Hmmm. Then came number 3. Lots of comments like, "Wow, so soon! You are going to be busy." "Are you going to be done after this?" But wait... then came number 4. Few people seemed excited. Several could not even remember that number 4 wasn't number 3. And there were a lot of concerned looks. But hey, it's right there in the Bible. God's plan. He loves them each! Few or many in a family, He has a plan for each indivicual. He wants to make nations out of them. I pray each of my children will go on to win many souls for Christ in their own areas of talent and calling.
Often it seems like our culture is very quick to judge those who have many children (and 4 is definitely not even many!) God did not frown when so-and-so became pregnant with #24, so neither will I. If I ever find that woman. hehe
Just something that struck me today while reading.
The Tower of Babel was an architectural wonder. It was “a monument to OUR greatness!”
The whole world spoke a single language and used the same words (vs. 1) . . . unity. Seems like a good thing, right? Not when God is left out of the conversation.
The Tower of Babel was being built to call attention to their OWN achievements . . . to exalt THEIR identity . . . to give them self-worth.
There are many beautiful churches and cathedrals in America and in the world. Monuments to God or to man? Only God knows the heart of man. I’ve toured the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, and it is awesome! Talk about an architectural wonder and beauty and accomplishment!
So, are these structures wrong? Not as long as they don’t replace God. Our church buildings are to be places for the Body to come together . . . in out of the elements of our environment, both weather and our personal circumstances . . . to worship God and hear the Word of the Lord!
So I ask myself, what towers have I/we/America built? What tower gives me/us identity? “Our” ministry? “Our” achievements? Wall Street? “Our" possessions? “Our" children and grandchildren? None of these are wrong in and of themselves, as long as they don’t replace God in our lives. I’m challenged, are you?
Abraham and others built many altars as they traveled to the “place where God will show you.” These altars were for prayer and worship and as reminders of their encounters with God.
What is my altar?
My heart, my relationship with God and Jesus. My heart is my altar.
Out of my heart/relationship should flow how I live each day.
Out of my heart/relationship, my mouth speaks. (A true litmus test of my relationship with God!)
Out of my heart/relationship should flow verbal expressions of what/who I am worshipping.
Out of my heart/relationship should flow my talks with God, which we call prayer.
Out of my heart/relationship, I should share God with non-believers.
Out of my heart/relationship, should I pass on to the next generation and the next and the next God and all He has done in my life.
My goal for 2010 . . . that my heart/relationship truly be an altar for God.
I was really inspired by Jesus and his resisting the Devil. It was awesome how he replied with scripture. It's hard for me to fast a meal, I can't even imagine 40 days.
I had a conversation with a friend last night. The friend was troubled that man is taking the bible out of context. Taking one verse and "manipulating" it for their purpose.
I totally disagreed. I argued: "What if God gave that person that verse?" My friend said: "Well..." That's what I thought. I wish I had read Matthew 4 before last night. Jesus didn't quote whole chapters, just scriptures that helped in that moment.
When someone preaches on one scripture, yes you should evaluate what they are saying, but you should also try to see why they took that verse in that context.
Am I making any sense?
I have had a verse mean so much to me and I think you are totally right. BUT I know where your friend is coming from and many Bible Teaching Churches teach this....people have taken a verse and not read it in the context of what is being said or don't know the Bible and just use it to support what they believe. You are both right!!!!
Also, Sarah - I believe you need to have at least 25 kids!!!! The more kids, the more blessing!
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