Genesis 16-17  Sarai/Sarah was quite a character.  She was quite beautiful, we are told, but had a strong will of her own.   When it was clear that she was barren she convinced Abraham to marry her servant girl, Hagar, an Egyptian woman.  Hagar bore Ishmael when Abraham was 86 years old.

Hagar's life was not an easy one.  She became Sarai's maid.  She had no choice in marrying Abraham. She was treated harshly by Sarah ( bringing this on her own self).  She ran away, but returned after meeting the Lord. She raised Ishmael, but was again thrown out when he was 14, after he mocked Isaac.

Antagonism. Rivalry. Jealousy.... Hatred.  God made it clear that Isaac would be the heir and His covenant would be through him.  But, he also promised a future for Ishmael.

God established another covenant with Abraham.  The first covenant was for the land.. this one is for people.... descendants that would become nations.

Knowing how things turned out between the two sons of Abraham , it makes me wonder why God allowed it.  Of course, I wonder why God made any of us... knowing how we would sin and that His Son would die on a cross for our sins.   He has showed us the greatness of His love and grace and mercy.  He has revealed to us His wisdom and power, far beyond what we can grasp.  How wonderful it will be to spend eternity in His Presence worshiping our Mighty God.

Father, along with Abraham we believe and trust You.  We know You are the God who sees and who hears us.  Thank You for showing us mercy and grace. Thank You for being faithful to do all that You have said.  Be glorified and honored by every being in heaven and on the earth! Amen.

Genesis 13-15   Abraham went to Egypt, lied about Sarah, and was found out... then he returned to Canaan.  After a while he and Lot have to split up and he ends up in Hebron - thus he becomes Abram the Hebrew.   When a war breaks out and Lot is captured, Abram and his people go after him and are victorious.

Here is what strikes me... two kings greet Abram as he returns to his land - the king of Sodom and the king of Salem.  Melchizedek, the king of Salem "was a priest of the God Most High".   He blesses Abram and Abram gives him a tithe of one tenth of all the spoil.   The king of Sodom meets him and asks for his people back, offering the goods to Abram.   Now, Abram already had all the people and all the goods... he had already given one tenth to Melchizedek.  The king of Sodom had no right to anything... he had fallen in the tar pits and run away!  Yet, Abram graciously gave it all back to him, only allowing his fellow soldiers to take their share.  He would not be known as one to submit to the king of Sodom or be beholden to him.

Once again, we are reminded of the fact that we must always make choices that honor the "Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth."   Abram did this and was wonderfully blessed.  He chose to serve the Lord and to turn from evil.  A choice we make in everything we do and say.. and how we live..

Father, You tell us in Your Word to stand firm and resist evil by taking up the "full armor of God".  We can do this with Your Truth, Your Righteousness, and Your Peace.  We take up our shields of faith and the sword of Your Spirit, the Word of God.. praying at all times in the Spirit, and making petitions for the saints. May we truly live worthy lives, choosing always to honor and worship only You.  We ask for Your grace and for Your peace in the name of the One who loves us and whom we love, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Genesis 11 -12   Noah's sons and their families quickly dispersed and started multiplying as they were directed.  However, it didn't take long for them to forget that the Lord had spared them from destruction by the flood and some to forgot God altogether.  When they started to build cities and then a tower to reach heaven and "make for ourselves a name"... the Lord intervened once again.

" Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language... so the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city."  ( v7-8)

The narrative then switches here, as the generations leading from Shem to Abraham - 10 generations are recorded.  In chapter 12 we read of the covenant that God makes with Abraham as they enter into what will become God's promised land.

The nations were appointed.  The languages were appointed.  The scattering of people across the whole earth was accomplished.  God's plan was put into action.  One man, Abram, was chosen to start a specific nation in a specific location, with a specific language... for God's purposes - that  " all the families of the earth shall be blessed..." 

Father in heaven,  You are the One who holds all of creation in Your hands.  Your will be done!
Only You, Eternal, all wise God,  full of grace and mercy.. would and could set in motion a plan of redemption so great!  Thank You for being faithful and trustworthy. Thank You for this extraordinary gift of salvation.. perfect in every way.. We come to You because of Your grace, through faith, in the salvation that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Genesis 9-10  The Lord "blessed Noah and his sons.. "  A new society was begun with this small family.  A new covenant was given :

All animals were given for food now,  as well as the plants;
They were never to eat something still alive, with its blood.
They would be held responsible for bloodshed - blood for blood;
They were to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth;

As a sign of this covenant God set His "bow" in the cloud.  It is an" everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."  ( v16)

But, sin reared it's ugly head quickly enough in this new world.
Noah planted a vineyard, made some wine, and passed out drunk.
His son Ham "saw the nakedness of his father" and went to tell his brothers.
Shem and Japheth carefully covered their father with their faces turned away.
Because of this, Ham's lineage was cursed, starting with his son Canaan.

Chapter 10 gives the genealogy of Noah's sons.
Out of Ham's descendants we learn the origins of the Assyrians, The city of Babel; The Philistines;  The Canaanites, the Amorites and the Jebusites. All these will become enemies of God's chosen people.

On the other hand, the descendants of Shem will lead to Abraham.

All three of Noah's sons would establish cities and become nations.  They all had the same covenant and same opportunity, but choices were made.  Same for us.. we all have the same opportunity to put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins.  We have the choice to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him... or we can harden our hearts and go our own way.. the way of destruction.

Father in heaven, You are the God of mercy and grace and we hallow Your Name.  Thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, Your Son.  May we not harden our hearts but open them wide to receive Your Word and to live in covenant relationship with You forever. Amen.

Genesis 8 -
Noah and his family entered the ark, along with all the animals that God brought to him.  It was the 17th day of the 2nd month, seven days after they had entered the ark, that the "fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened." 7:11
The rain poured down for 40 days and nights. Every living thing outside of the ark were "blotted out".

For 150 days "the water prevailed." 7:24
Then God brought wind and the water began to subside. 8:1

"In the 7th month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the Ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat".  8:4  ( 5 months after they entered the ark)

On the 1st day of the 10th month - they could see the mountain tops. 8:5
40 days later, Noah released the raven.
He released a dove, who returned and 7 days later released her again.. this time with an olive leaf in her beak.  8:11
Seven days later, he released the dove again, and she did not return.
On the 1st day of the first month Noah removed "the covering of the ark" and saw dry ground. 8:13
On the 27th day of the 2nd month they were finally able to leave the ark. 8:14-19

A year of living in the ark.  The animals were released "with their families".
Noah immediately built an altar and sacrificed an offering to the Lord.

God makes a promise to "never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done." 

We know that there will come a time when this earth and heaven will be burned with fire. But, until then God has promised "seedtime and harvest... cold and heat.. summer and winter.. day and night".

A new beginning was given for Noah and his family.
Since that time we have had all that God promised.
We also know that it is true that "the intent of man's heart is evil"... for all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard of holiness.

Yet, even then, God had a plan.. to send His Son to be our Redeemer.. to once and for all bring an end to evil.

Peter wrote, " But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people out you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." ( II Peter 3:10-13)

Father, we look for these things,  diligent to be found in Jesus.. in peace, spotless and blameless.  We regard Your patience to be salvation..Thank You for the promises to Noah and for the promises to us.
May we do Your will and stand firm in the Truth as we wait for the coming of our Lord. Amen.

Genesis 5-7  Chapter 5 gives the genealogy from Adam to Noah and his sons.  Chapter 6 gives the reasons for the flood and chapter 7 gives the details of the flood.

10 generations - sons and daughters born to these families; plus the "sons of God" and the "Nephilim" intermarrying with these "daughters of men"...  the result - violence; evil; corruption;

The Lord found favor only with Noah. Noah heard the command of the Lord and obeyed.
Because of his obedience Noah and his family were saved in the ark.
All of the earth was covered by the flood water and only those in the ark were preserved.

I am a bit fascinated with the record of the generations of Adam - Noah.  Looking at the numbers, it appears to me that all of the ancestors of Noah were dead before the flood, except one - Methuselah, Noah's grandfather,  died the year of the flood.  When you consider that Methusaleh was the son of Enoch, who walked with God, and the grandfather of Noah, who found favor with the Lord.. it is interesting to think about this man, famous for living longer than all the rest.   But, what if he died in the flood? An unbeliever.   Perhaps he died before it happened.. he was 969 years old.. but we are not told.

The truth is.. we each have to decide to believe and obey.  It doesn't matter how wonderful our family is - our faith has to be an individual decision.  I am re-reading the Left Behind series.. which is fictional but filled with Scriptural truths.  The premise of the story is that the Rapture occurs and some who failed to put their faith in Christ are left behind. They quickly realize that they were wrong and turn to Jesus. The truth is that Jesus is going to come again and if we aren't His children, we will not be saved from the destruction to come.  Like in the days of Noah...

Father, You are holy and Your desire is for us to live holy lives, set apart for You.  May we know (and receive)  the salvation that is in Christ alone. He is the way, the truth, and the life.  May Your Word be preached to every tongue, tribe, and nation, so that many more will put their faith in Jesus Christ.   May we be ready for that day when Jesus comes again.  Amen.

Genesis 4 Cain and Abel  - a farmer and a shepherd;  both successful and fruitful in their work; both prepared an offering to bring to the Lord.

Cain's offering came from - the "fruit of the ground". 
Abel's offering came from- "the firstling of his flock and of their fat portions". 

"The Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard."  Abel's offering was a true sacrifice. It was offered in faith we are told in Hebrews 11:  "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks."

Cain's offering was not offered in faith.  He became angry and jealous. The Lord spoke to Cain and warned him that "sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." 

But, Cain didn't resist.  Instead, he plotted and killed his own brother.  Like always, sin gains nothing and loses everything. Cain, the proud farmer, is cursed so that he can no longer cultivate the ground.  He is sent out to be " a wanderer on the earth ".  Even then, Cain does not repent.

Cain goes out and builds a city.  He becomes a father and a grandfather and a great-grandfather.  His offspring become ranchers, musicians, and metal workers.  Five generations later, Lamech exceeds Cain's sinfulness by taking two wives and by killing two people and bragging to his wives about it.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this, " Lamech altered the plan of God and married two women. His family produced musical instruments and implements to make life enjoyable.  But in spite of this prosperous good life, evil was advancing ominously. ... So here is a picture of an affluent society defying God and His laws, seeking pleasure and self-indulgence. "

Meanwhile, Adam and Eve give birth to Seth.  It is during the life of Seth's son Enosh that "... men began to call upon the name of the Lord."  It is from Seth's line that faith is preserved and righteousness is possible.

Father in heaven, once again You lead us by Your Word to remember and to be encouraged to abide in You, to be obedient to the Word, to hold on to Truth and Life through faith.  Your will be done, Lord !  Keep us in Your Hand.  Increase our love and fill us with Your Spirit every day. Amen.

Genesis 3  "The Fall of Man" -

They went from obedience to disobedience.
They went from being unashamed to being ashamed.
They went from walking with God, to hiding from Him.
They went from having all the food they wanted.. to having to toil among the thorns and thistles.
They went from perfect family life to pain... in childbirth, in relationship, in everything.
They went from living in Eden, a paradise, to being driven out by God Himself.

All because of a lie. A lie that began with the serpent and was believed by Eve and allowed by Adam.

Sin entered the world and we all inherited it.
We all have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect will.


I Corinthians 15:45-49 says this:

"The first man,  Adam became a living soul, 

The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural;

then the spiritual.

The first man is from the earth, earthly;

the second man is from heaven.

As is the earthly, so also are those who are earthly;

and as the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly,

And just as we have borne the image of the earthy,

we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

In the resurrection of the dead, we will pass from what is perishable and corruptible.. and be raised "an imperishable body" - raised in power, raised "a spiritual body".  What a day that will be!

"But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable and the mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory". 

Father, may we "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that [our] toil is not vain in the Lord."  Fill us with Your grace and peace in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen. 

Genesis 2 The creation of man is an amazing thing.  The earth, the sky, the animals, the plants.. water and light.. time and space.. all prepared beforehand.. and "then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." 

God prepared and planned it all.  He caused life to begin on what started out dead and dark and empty.  Even here.. in the beginning we experience His heart - for He gives Adam a wife... " a helper suitable for him.." 

This beginning .. this grand story.. is the theme of His Story - life, love, provision... GRACE and more GRACE..  Because He chose to speak it into existence.

And the Word was with God.  And the Word was God.  And nothing that was made was made apart from Him... the Word "became flesh and dwelt among us.. " 

Father, fill our hearts with true Light, the Light of the world, Jesus Christ.  Let us experience Your love and grace.  May we abide in You and You in us today. Amen.

I have been writing this blog for almost 8 years!!  I have chronicled my way through the Old Testament ( some books twice) and the New Testament two and a half times.  I have only a few followers.. and I have no idea if they actually read this...  Perhaps, it is truly a time for change.

Lord, lead me.

Genesis 1 "In the beginning..."  It all starts with God.  Jesus said that He is the "Beginning and the End".  The foremost and the uttermost.  He is the Word as John wrote.. " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." John 1:1-3

God created the heavens.. the sky.. and the earth which was "formless and void.." and dark. The surface was covered with water and the "Spirit of God" hovered there.

It is in verse 3 that God speaks.. " Let there be light".   With those 4 words.. time begins.. a distinction is made.. and a judgement is pronounced.

Time begins - "there was evening and there was morning, one day."
A distinction is made - ".. and God separated the light from the darkness." 
A judgement is pronounced - " And God saw that the light was good; " 

"In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it." ( John 1:4)

Jesus, the True Light from heaven says this, " And this is the judgement, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."  ( John 3:19-21)

Father, Creator of heaven and earth and giver of Light, shine on us. Fill us with Yourself. Lead us in Your truth.  In the name of Jesus, the Word of God who became flesh, we pray. Amen.

Revelation 19-22  My mind gets boggled with all the details of the book of Revelation, and more so when I get to these last few chapters.... Such glory and beauty and wonder as John describes the bride of Christ.. the great city coming down from heaven!  A new heaven and a new earth.  The presence of God Almighty and the Lamb...  No more night.  No more tears.  No more pain.  No more sin.

Hallelujah!!!

The defeat of Satan and all evil beings will be accomplished at that time. Death and hell will be thrown into the lake of fire also.  The final warning comes from Jesus:

 " It is done.  I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.  He who overcomes shall inherit theses things and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death." 

Jesus is coming again.. and when He comes we must be ready, for it will happen quickly.  There will be no opportunity to repent or change our minds at that time.  We need to be alert and prepared, overcoming... living for Him and abiding in Him.

Father in heaven, we have washed our robes... in the blood of the Lamb.  He is our Savior and Lord.  Our hope and trust is in the sacrifice offered on that cross.. where Jesus died so that we might be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness.  May I be found faithfully following Jesus Christ, ready for that glorious day.  Draw me nearer and nearer to Your Presence I pray. Amen,

Revelation 17-18 These two chapters tell of the destruction of "Babylon".   This is a city, depicted here as an immoral woman who calls herself a queen.  She is a place of great wealth, a center of commerce, vital to all the merchants of all the nations.  Yet, she is a place of demons, corrupt and immoral in every way.

Here, we learn of the judgement that God has planned for this great city. Every sin will be punished.  Every evil will be paid back double.  "In one day" the plagues will come.  "In one hour".. all will be destroyed.  All who see this will stand back and weep... for the loss of this wealth... but not because of their own sinfulness and need for repentance.

Even the angel's explanation of these mysteries are mysterious to me.  But, the most important thing that I can know is that Jesus.. "the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." 

When all is said and done, I want to be on the Lord's side..

Father in heaven, hallowed is Your Name.  You are righteous and just and Your purposes and plans for this world will be perfectly completed.  Strengthen us with Your strength that we might stand firm, resisting all evil, clothed in Truth, Righteousness, Peace, and Salvation.  May we daily take up the shield of faith, the Sword of the Spirit.. Your Word.  May we stand steadfast in Your strength and grow deeper in love with You as we abide in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Revelation 16  The seven bowls of God's wrath are finally poured out on the earth.  This is God's righteous and true judgement upon the corrupted and evil of the earth.  They still refuse to repent, even when everything around them is being destroyed.

In between the 6th and 7th bowl there is a little message, " Behold I am coming like a thief.  Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame." 

Even in the absolute end of earth's existence , there seems to still be a choice - repent and give God glory, or suffer His wrath.
 We have this choice every day, don't we?  Thinking back to the 7 letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3, the message is powerfully clear:

Love Christ truly .. or be removed from His presence.
Persevere to the end, even to death... or lose the crown of life.
Stay in His Truth.. or face His sword.
Stay pure and hold fast to Jesus.. for all will be judged according to their deeds.
Obey completely.. for He is coming when we least expect Him.
Be victorious in Christ.. for His reward is worth every effort.
Stay humble and trustworthy.. not lukewarm, lest you are spit out..

Father in heaven, we desire to honor and exalt You always.  We praise the name of the Lord our God and give thanks and praise to the Son of God, the Lamb who was slain for our sins.  Let us move deeper in our love for You.. Let us grasp the height and depth and width of Your love.  May we hold on to Jesus, to His Truth and Righteousness, His love and grace.  May we be pure and humble and obedient, no matter what we are facing.  For nothing else is of worth, as Paul wrote.. we count it all rubbish compared to knowing Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Revelation 14  As the time for the final judgement draws nearer, John sees Jesus standing on Mount Zion, and with Him are the 144,000 faithful, chosen Jews.  On their foreheads, the names of the Father and the Son are written. They are called the "first fruits". and. .."purchased from among men"..  and they begin to sing a new song that only they can sing.   It must have  been an amazing sight to behold.  I hope we will be able to witness it also.

The gospel is preached by an angel.
The decree against Babylon is issued.
The condemnation of those who take the mark of the beast is declared.
And then the reapers are instructed to reap... " the harvest of the earth is ripe". 

Two sickles are used. The first to reap this great harvest.  The second to gather the "clusters from the vine" which are then thrown in the "wine press of the wrath of God. "

Chapter 15 introduces the 7 vials or bowls of God's wrath.  These will be the final judgements.  The time is marked by "the song of Moses"..

"Great and marvelous are Thy works

O Lord God the Almighty;

Righteous and true are Thy ways, 

Thou King of nations.

Who will not fear,

O Lord and glorify Thy name?

For Thou alone are holy;

For all the nations will come and worship

before Thee, 

For Thy righteous acts have been revealed." 

Father in heaven, You are great and marvelous.  You are righteous and true.  You are the Holy One and You alone are worthy of all worship.   You say, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!"  May that be our truth also:  To live and to die in Christ Jesus the Lord.  To sing the songs of the redeemed. To give glory to You always.  May we be alert and ready for the day that is coming, that we may be found faithful and blameless before Your throne. Amen. 

Revelation 13  I have to admit, I don't like this chapter...  the beasts.. the blasphemy.. the idol... and  the mark given to all people in order to just survive...   Plus there is that  whole mystery about the number 666..

Again I am just thankful that God has this all under His control.  He is commanding these events.  He is giving the dragon and the beasts the ability to do what they are going to do.  And, in the middle of this, He reminds us to persevere.. to have faith.. to concentrate on the Lamb and to make sure that our names are written in His book!


Father in heaven,  You are Sovereign and Your will is perfect.. All these things that will occur in the future are things that You have ordained and You will allow for Your purposes.  We do not need to understand, but we need to keep trusting and abiding.  Help us to do so, we pray.  In Jesus' name , amen.

Revelation 12  

The woman - Israel? 

The Red Dragon - Satan

The male child - Jesus

The Angel - Michael

These all play a part in this great drama of God's creation, redemption, and completion of life on planet earth.  There is a war coming.. one that we cannot fathom.  A war that will truly end all wars, for in the end, the earth will be completely destroyed. 

To me the most important message from this passage is that God already knows.. to the day.. all that is about to happen.  He has put His plans into effect and it will accomplish His good and perfect will. 

Satan has no power to stop God's plan. 

Mankind has no power to change what God has willed. 

Our only hope is to "overcome.. because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of [our] testimony."   We also must be willing to not love our lives.. "even to death".. for the sake of our Lord. 

Father in heaven, strengthen us by Your strength that we might stand firm and resist evil. We are weak but You are strong. Your promises are sure.  You will keep us and protect us when we hide ourselves in Christ. We cling to Your Word that we might abide in You. We desire Your will and Your  kingdom and Your glory.  Thank You for loving us and for showing us such mercy through Jesus Christ who died for us.  Thank You that we have a King and High Priest who is holy and pure,  and who is coming again soon.  Fill us once again with Your Spirit that we might be sanctified through and through.. preserved complete without blame at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Revelation 10-11
Mysteries and more mysteries!  A little book, seven peals of thunder, two witnesses, and the seventh angel sounding his trumpet..

The glory and power and greatness of God.. hidden to mankind, will finally be revealed to all.  His reign is "forever and ever".  The time is coming.. soon.


The thing that hits me most in these passages, is how important, how absolutely vital it is that we are prepared for that day.  He is coming! May we persevere.  May we remain faithful.  May we be sanctified fully, blameless to stand before Him...

Father in heaven, search our hearts and renew our minds.  May we be fully surrendered and fully Yours.  Let us hold nothing back from  yielding to Your will for us.  May Your Kingdom come.
We lay ourselves at Your feet and cling to Jesus, our Gracious Lord. Amen.