Revelation 2: 18-29  To the church of Thyatira Jesus identifies Himself as the "Son of God who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze.."   We might sometimes read of someone whose eyes are bright or shining.. with joy or with laughter; or we might see the shimmering of tears in eyes of those who are suffering.  But, Jesus' eyes are like fire.. which makes me think of anger.. or zeal.  His message to the church focuses on the one thing that is causing them to be impure.. "the woman Jezebel". 

Whoever this woman was, she was claiming to be a prophetess, but leading some of the people to stray away from the truth. She led them into immorality and idolatry.  And... she was being tolerated by the church.  Discipline had been applied.. but she did not repent. Therefore, Jesus was going to bring judgement upon her.. "Behold I will cast her upon a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence; and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds." 

Some of the church had held on to righteousness.. they practiced love and faith and service.. they rejected the false teaching.  Jesus encouraged them to  "hold fast until I come." 

The reward to those who hold on and overcome is a place of authority over nations.. and the gift of "the morning star".  The details of how those things will happen are mysterious to me...

So far these letters have addressed the most important needs of the church... love.. life.. truth.. and purity.  The church today needs to heed these messages just as much as the churches in John's day. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." 

Father in heaven, we are thankful for Your Word, for Your great love, for Your Spirit who leads us into truth and holiness.  Keep us in Your Hand.. that we might "hold fast" until Christ returns.  Give us eyes to see and hearts to receive Your Truth.. Grand us wisdom to know Your will and to walk in obedient and faithful love.  In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen. 

 Revelation 2: 12-17   To the church of Pergamum Jesus identifies Himself as "The One who has the sharp two-edged sword.. "  In John's vision in chapter 1:16  Jesus is said to have a "sharp two-edged sword" which came out of His mouth.  Later in Revelation 19:15 Jesus comes on a white horse out of heaven "and from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod or iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty."  

The sword is an instrument of judgement.. which comes from the mouth of our Lord.  Hebrews 4: 12 says, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 

In Ephesians 6:17 we are told to take up the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  Isaiah 49:2 talks about the Servant of God.. "and He has made My mouth like a sharp sword".. 

All of these references bring us to a understanding of Jesus.. the Living Word.. the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.  He came to speak truth.. to speak the Word of God.. the Word that judges nations and judges the thoughts of each heart.  Here, speaking to the Church, Jesus is passionate for them to hold on to the Truth.. even though they "dwell.. where Satan's throne is.." 

The church in Pergamum was sliding away from the whole truth.. they had allowed the "teaching of Balaam" to invade their church.  It was a teaching that would "put a stumbling block" before them.  They had allowed the teaching of the Nicolatians.. another stumbling block. These false teachers were leading the church away from purity and faithfulness.  It was promoting.. or at least allowing idol worship and immortality. 

Jesus calls His people to repentance.. quickly!  The consequence of false doctrines is judgement.. the "sword" of His mouth would "make war against them." 

But, to those who overcome.. there would be a mysterious and wonderful gift.. "hidden manna" and "a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it." 

We live in an age where the church has allowed in false doctrines.. many call themselves "christian" but are not staying faithful to the Truth of God's Word.  This will not stand, for the sword will come against them. We must be diligent against compromising the Truth of God's Word with the cultural mores of this world. 

Father in heaven, let the power of the Living Word fill us with Your Truth and give us wisdom to discern the lies of the enemy.  We know that many churches have allowed false teaching that condones immorality and idolatry.. Father bring repentance and restoration to Your people.  We take up the sword of Your Spirit, the Word of God and prayer. We take up the shield of faith and the belt of Truth. We put on the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes of peace. We ask that You help us to overcome. We look forward to the day when we will receive a white stone and a new name.. in the presence of our Lord Jesus.  Amen. 

 Revelation 2:8-11 To the church at Smyrna  Jesus identifies Himself as the One who is "the first and the last, who was dead and has come to life.."  He experienced death and life.. and this church needed the reassurance that they would do the same.. and because He was the "first".. He would be there with them.. and because He is the "last".. they were safely in His Hands.  

The church was experiencing much  "tribulation".  They were suffering.  They felt their "poverty".. deeply.  Yet Jesus called them "rich"!  They had something so much greater than what the world could give them.  They needed to know the extent of the riches of Christ.. the riches of His kindness and forbearance.. His patience and His glory.. His wisdom and His knowledge.  The riches of Christ were theirs to attain.. so that even when they were tested, they would overcome.  "Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life." Jesus tells them.  

We have not experienced this kind of tribulation or suffering.. yet.  It may come to America some day.. and we need to be ready for that. But, we know that there are many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering today... sent into prisons, beaten, or even killed.. sometimes by their own families, just for trusting in Jesus. How we need to pray for the persecuted church around the world!  

Father we ask that Your children would be reminded today that Your love reaches to the heavens and Your faithfulness to the skies!  When they feel forgotten and oppressed, remind them of the riches of Jesus that are theirs forever, preserved for them in heaven where they cannot rust or mold or be stolen away.  You are faithful, Lord, and You will do all that they need so that they will overcome and receive the crown of life. May our hearts be filled with Your love for those we do not know and cannot be with... hear our prayers for them, Lord God, and move with power to bring them into Your riches of Grace.  In Jesus' name we ask this, Amen. 

 Revelation 2 The message to the churches that were given to John came from Jesus.. "the Alpha and Omega.. who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."  He has a message for the specific churches mentioned in this revelation.. but also for the Church today. 

In each letter, the Lord identifies a particular truth about Himself..  a characteristic that will enable the church to persevere to the end.. 

The first letter is to the church of Ephesus.  Jesus identifies Himself as "The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden candlesticks."  The stars are the "angels of the seven churches".. the leaders.. pastors.. the messengers of the Lord.  The candlesticks represent the churches. ( 1:20)   Jesus is telling them that He is right there with them.. walking among them... "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance.. "  

The church of Ephesus was enduring.. but they had lost the "love" that they had from the beginning.. when they first came to Christ.  Jesus calls them to "repent" of this lost love. 

How do you repent of not loving God or others enough?  Jesus says to "do the things you did at first".  Go back to showing brotherly love, charity, good will, affection.. benevolence.  Jesus said that the church had not "grown weary" of the constant need to persevere in the presence of the wickedness around them.. but perhaps all their energy was spent on the battle and they lost sight of who they were... children of the Almighty God who was right there with them.. who had prepared a place for them in the "Paradise of God". 

Perhaps we are guilty of the same thing.. spending all our energy on "keeping the faith"  and neglecting the One who keeps us.. Who gives us His love to overflow into the lives of others. 

Father in heaven, fill us with the unending power of Your great love. Forgive us for not loving others as You have loved us. Help us to move deeper into Your love as we direct our hearts into Your Word and into the grace of our Lord Jesus. Thank You. amen. 

 Jude.. this letter is addressed to "those who are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ."  What a wonderful word of encouragement for those believers.. and for us.  We have been called.. invited to the table.. in the Kingdom of our God.. we are loved by our God who revealed Himself as our Heavenly Father, adopting us in to His family.. and we are "kept".. preserved - guarded, cared for.. held fast for Jesus.. "waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life" ( v21b)

Jude's letter warns about those who deceive.. those who have "crept in" to the church while living ungodly and disgraceful lives.  "Contend earnestly for the faith"..  is the rallying cry from this man who grew up with Jesus.. but who did not come to faith until he saw Him resurrected and glorified.  Jude learned first hand that Jesus Christ alone can save and can preserve a soul from the lies of satan, from sin, and from eternal death. 

Jude gives these examples as a warning... 

The Israelites who had been saved out of Egypt.. but destroyed in the wilderness for their unbelief.

The angels in heaven.. who "abandoned their proper abode".. and are in "eternal bonds"

"Sodom and Gomorrah" who "indulged in gross immorality" and were condemned forever. 

And those who were living within the church but living wicked lives.. "these men revile the things which they do not understand.. " 

All of these.. are under condemnation..  judgement came to them and will come to any who follow in their footsteps.  The ungodly will be convicted for their ungodliness.  The grumblers, the arrogant.. those who follow after their own lusts.. will be condemned.. 

So.. "keep yourselves in the love of God.. have mercy on the doubting.. save others, snatching them out of the fire.. " (v21-23) We do not ignore them , but building up ourselves in faith.. praying in the Holy Spirit, and keeping ourselves in the love of God.. we have mercy.. "with fear" lest we become polluted with the unholiness of those we try to minister to..

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our  Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. amen." 

Father in heaven.. keep us in Your Almighty Hand.. Amen!

 III John  This is a short and personal letter from John to his friend, Gaius, The focus, as in the other two letters that John wrote, is on walking in truth.  "For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth." (v3)

What joy it brings to us when those we love are following Christ.. "walking in the truth".  We rejoice to witness or to hear others witness of our loved one's faithfulness and love for Christ and for others.  John was so happy to hear that his dear friends were blessing others who had come to preach and teach the Word. 

But, John also has a word for the one who refused his letters.. Diotrephes.  This one was not walking in truth but acting wickedly.  He refused to accept John the apostle!  He forbid others to "receive the brethren".  He put people out of the church for providing hospitality to visiting pastors.

 "Beloved do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God." (v11) 

We need discernment regarding the people we meet.. knowing that some who claim to be Christians.. aren't really walking in the truth.  John also talks about Demetrius.. a man who "has received a good testimony from everyone and from the truth itself.. " (v12)  Do we have a "good testimony"?  When others view our lives.. can they tell we are walking in the truth?  I pray so... 

Father, may the light of Your Truth.. the Light of Christ.. fill our hearts and lives so that He is seen in all we do and all we say. Help us to walk in Your truth.. always, by the power of Your Spirit. Amen. 

 II John  Verse 3 "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love." 

Truth and love.  We must have both.. through Jesus Christ the "Father's Son."  

John warns us to not stray from either of these central characteristics of our God..  We are to love in truth.. we are to walk in truth.. we are to walk in love. 

The truth is that Jesus Christ came "in the flesh".  He was the Word who became flesh. He is the Son... the Beloved of the Father.  He is the "way.. the truth.. and the life.."   Jesus Christ.. our Lord and Savior.. the King of kings, the Lord of lords.  Let us never be deceived that He is less than what He is.. the Only Begotten of the Father.." He is the radiance of His glory, and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;" ( Hebrews 1:3)

By God's grace.. through His mercy on us.. we have a peace that is found no where else.. but in Christ, the Truth.  "Watch out".. John warns his readers.  There are deceivers.  Stay fixed on the foundation that Christ has given us.. for He is the Rock who will never fail us. 

And the truth is.. He has loved us with an everlasting love that will never fail.. and He has given us a command to love one another.  Let us "walk in obedience to His commands." 

Father , enable us to love more. Help us to stay firmly rooted and grounded on the Truth.. on Jesus Christ, Your Beloved Son.  We ask this in His beautiful name.. Amen. 

 I John 5 Believe.. " that Jesus is the Christ".. Believe.. "that Jesus is the Son of God".. Believe the testimony of the Spirit.. and of the "water and the blood".  Believe.. the witness of God.. "and the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." ( v1, 5, 8-11).  

Believe the witness within your own spirit.. that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to give us life...

Believe and have "confidence".. that He hears you.. that He knows you.. that He has overcome the world and gives you the faith to overcome the world too.  Have confidence that He will keep you from the evil one.. Believe that you are "of God".. and not of the world any longer.  

Ask for understanding.. for this is why Christ has come.. "in order that we might know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (v20) 

Father, thank You for this Word, this exhortation to step back from trying to do anything on our own.. and to just believe.  Help us in our unbelief.. fill us with the confidence to come to You for all that we lack.. trusting You to do all of Your good will in our lives that we might love like You loved us first. amen

I John 4  John wants his readers of this letter to "KNOW" the Truth..  he wants us to know this great love that the Father has given us...so that we can live the kind of life that we should live as children of God.  John wants us to know that love is a key part, a vital part... of this life in Christ Jesus.. for it was love that brought Jesus to earth so that we might have life.. eternal life. 

John teaches that a life changed by the love of God will love others.  In this way, we keep the commandments of God.   As we believe in the name of Jesus Christ and abide in His Spirit we become more like our Savior.. able to truly love others. 

John says that we need to "test the spirits".. to discern the truth about Jesus in whom we believe. We need to listen only to those voices that proclaim that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, that He is the Son of God, that He has overcome the world, and that He has given us this great love from the Father.  

We need to discern what this true love from the Father looks like.. for this love comes from God and no other source.  "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him." (v9)  There is no other love like this!  A love that gave all.. a Son who left His throne in glory and stepped into the form of a baby.. a child who grew up to become the Lamb that was slain.. " the propitiation for our sins."  

This is the type of love that the children of God have been given and must give.. an abiding love, a perfect love, a fearless love.. a generous.. practical.. and abundant love. 

Father, fill us with Your love. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear.. open our hearts and our mouths.. to receive this amazing love and to be obedient children who truly love one another in word and in deed.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen. 

 I John 3 "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us.. "  What "manner of love" the NKJ says.. His love is greater than any other love. His love has come freely from the One who established the heavens and the earth.  It has come as a gift.. undeserved and unearned.  It has come lavishly.. unrestrained.. of His accord.. a love that envelops us "that we should be called children of God".   He has named us His children.. He has claimed us for Himself.  

"For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."  The world cannot understand who we have become in Christ..  They do not understand that we have a hope that is "fixed on Him" which "purifies" us.  They cannot understand that we will not practice sin as they do.  They do not understand that they cannot keep sinning and claim that they know Him. 

John wants to make it perfectly clear that there is a clear distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil. 

The child of God does not abide in sin, but finds forgiveness in Christ who came to "take away sins". 

The child of the devil practices sin, allowing hatred and lies to fill their lives. 

The child of God has been given the great, lavish love of the Father and practices that love by loving one another, opening their hearts to each other when there is a need, loving "not.. with word or tongue, but in deed and truth." 

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 

The love that God, our Father has given to us is meant to transform us into His likeness.. people known for their love.. living a life of Truth...   a life that reflects the One in whom we abide.  

John tells us to "ask" Him for what we need, so that we can live this life of love.. keeping His commandments and doing the things that please Him.  John tells us to "believe in the name of His son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us." 

Father in heaven, there is no better Christmas message than this.. that Jesus came so that we might be forgiven our sins, cleansed, and filled with Your lavish love. We ask for this love to fill us even more this year.. May we abide in Christ and He is us "by the Spirit whom He has given us."  Amen. 

 I John 2  John tells us why he is writing this letter... 

"I am writing these things to you that you may not sin." (v1)  He goes on to say that he is "not writing a new commandment.. " because it has always been God's command, but "on the other hand I am writing a new commandment.. " because there is a change that has come.. " the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining." ( v7-8) 

He is writing.. "because  your sins are forgiven.. because you have overcome the evil one.. because you know the Father..  because you know Him who has been from the beginning.. because you are strong and the word of God abides in you.." (v12-14) 

" I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth." ( v21)  He wrote because some were trying to deceive them.. (v26) 

As children of God, followers of Jesus Christ,  we must walk in His Light and be filled with His Truth.  John emphasizes the truths that are vital to our walk of faith:

He writes so we won't sin.. but if we do we have "an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." We have found the true Savior.. Jesus who "is the propitiation for our sins.. also for those of the whole world." (v2)

The truth is that we "know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.."  To know God, John writes, is to keep the commandments.  The liar says he knows God, but he doesn't keep the commandments.. he hates. he lies.. he deceives... he walks in darkness.. he doesn't know where he is going.. he loves the things of the world.. he does not stay in fellowship with other believers.. he denies Jesus. 

When we know the Truth we know our sins have been forgiven.. we can overcome the evil one, we can be strong and the word of God abides in us. We know the Father.. we know the Son.. we know we have eternal life in Him.  We will be ready for His coming for we will walk in His righteousness. 

Father in heaven, let the Truth abide in us.. fill us with this blessed Word, that we might walk in faith, keep Your commandments, and be ready for that glorious day when our Savior comes back again. Thank You for Your grace and mercy.. thank You for the Advocate that brings us into Your love. In His precious name we pray.. Amen. 

 I John 1 "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life..."   The "Word of Life"  ... this is what.. who John proclaims.. taking our thoughts back to the Gospel account.. " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.." ( John 1:1,14)

John listened carefully to Jesus. He knew the sound of His voice, the expressions He made, the distinct pattern of His words.  He heard Jesus sing. He heard Jesus weep. He heard Jesus pray.. 

John saw with his own eyes.. Jesus walking on the water; Jesus touching the leper and the blind man; he saw Jesus on the cross and in the upper room, having come out of the grave.  John touched Jesus.  He laid his head on His chest in the upper room. He had his feet washed by Jesus's hands. 

John wants us to know how deeply personal his message is.. he is proclaiming something so real and so vital.. "the life was manifested.. "  The Word was made known.. made visible..exposed and declared.. in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.  He, who was hidden in the Father, became visible in the flesh, so that eternal life could be possible for us. You can sense John's deep love for the Savior in these words. 

The message of Christ Jesus is proclaimed.. "that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." 

Here is what makes John's joy complete.. "this fellowship" - this intimate partnership and communion of God with His children... with all who come to Christ through the message that He brought.. and the sacrifice He made. 

" And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all." 

God has sent the Light of the world so that we could see Him clearly. In the Light we can find forgiveness and cleansing from sin. In the Light we can find life. In the Light we see the Truth.  

Light exposes the darkness. Darkness is the place of sin.. the place of deception.. the place that is outside of the fellowship that Jesus came to give us with our Heavenly Father.. eternally!

Father in heaven, how can we thank You enough for the great salvation that has come through Jesus Christ Your Beloved Son!  Thank You for the Word who became flesh and dwelt on earth.. who gave us the good news that the Kingdom of God is near.. that it dwells within us when we come into fellowship with You through His blood.  May our joy be made complete.. as John's was.. as we see others come into that same fellowship with You.  Manifest Your love and grace in us, Lord, so that the good news will be proclaimed once again this Christmas season. In the Name that is above all names we pray. Jesus Christ is our Lord.. Amen. 

 Genesis 41-50    Pharoah's dream.. Joseph's destiny.   He goes from prison to 2nd in power for the nation of Egypt.. all in one day.  Only God would have such a plan.. only God would bring about His purposes for Israel in such an extraordinary way.  Through all that happens.. Joseph gives the glory to God. 

Joseph is 30 years old when this chapter of his life begins. He becomes a powerful leader.  He is given a wife and has 2 sons. And... his brothers come and bow before him.. just as he had dreamt so many years before.  

Joseph tested his brothers to see what kind of men they had become. More than anything, he wanted to see his younger brother Benjamin and his father Jacob.  He heard the confession of his brother Reuben (42:22); he listened to the plea of his brother Judah.  He held Simeon captive in exchange for the return of the rest of the brothers, including Benjamin.  Tears and more tears accompany the reunion of Joseph with his brothers and with his father. 

The book of Genesis ends with the death of Jacob and then the death of Joseph.  The history of a nation born within the nation of Egypt.. is given to Moses.  It is a hard look at people who, but for the GRACE of God, would not be remembered at all.  It would be 400 years before God would move His people out of Egypt and back to Canaan.. the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God's plans are hard to comprehend sometimes.. it seems like He always wants us to learn to wait.. and maybe that is the lesson we need the most.. 

Father, we wait for that day when You will move us.. to the Promised land.. the City that Abraham was looking for.. "which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God". ( Hebrews 11:10)  We are waiting to hear the trumpet sound... for the clouds to be rolled back like a scroll.. to be caught up in the air with our King, Jesus Christ. Help us to be alert and joyful.. ready and faithful... help us to be filled by Your Spirit and working as You call us to work, while we wait.  Let Your Name be hallowed, Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Genesis 39-40  Joseph.. this young man.. sold by his brothers, ended up in Potiphar's house. "And the Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man."  It was evident to Potiphar and to everyone else that Joseph was different.  The Lord's presence with Joseph was so evident that he was trusted with everything that Potiphar owned.. inside or outside of the household.   

Even after Potiphar's wife tried to entice Joseph and finally lied about him so that he ended up in prison.. Joseph continued to be a man of honesty and integrity.  ".. the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailor.... and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper."

Joseph persevered in the prison where he served the chief jailor.  When Pharoah's cupbearer and baker were imprisoned, Joseph was their overseer.  He was in the place that God wanted him.. for He had a purpose for Joseph that would come about through these circumstances.   Joseph was given the gift of interpreting dreams.. a gift that God gave him for this time and season of his life.  Joseph interpreted the dreams of both the cupbearer and the baker.  And.. both interpretations were correct.  The cupbearer was restored to his position and the baker was hung. 

Of all those we have read about in this history lesson.. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.. Judah and the other brothers.. Joseph  by far suffered more at the hands of others and yet was more faithful and righteous than any of them.   God blessed Joseph through all of this.. and Joseph knew the presence and grace of God. 

Father in heaven, we thank You for this example of a young man who could have had anything, but chose to be faithful to You. Thank You for the truth that we learn.. that those who call upon You and are careful to live for You.. even through struggles, will find favor by Your grace.  We need Your Presence in our lives too , Lord Jesus.  May we be so filled by Your Spirit that others will observe that You are with us. May we be diligent to walk in Your ways.. through whatever circumstances we find ourselves in today.  We ask for the power of Your Spirit to be at work in us.. to the glory of Your Name. Amen.

 Genesis 38 Judah moved away from his family.  He married the daughter of his friend Hirah, the Adullamite.  Shua had three sons with Judah, Er, Onan, and Shelah.  Judah arranged a marriage for his son Er with Tamar.  But, Er was wicked and "the Lord put him to death".  Onan was forced to marry Tamar, but refused to give her a son for his brother as tradition demanded, and the "Lord put him to death also." 

Judah didn't want to lose Shelah, so he pressed Tamar to go back to her father's house and wait until Shelah was grown up.  After a long time, Tamar took matters into her own hands.. she pretended to be a harlot, had sex with Judah, and took his seal, cord, and pledge as a promise of payment.  However... Judah couldn't pay her the promised kid from his flock, because he could not find her.  Only when he found out that Tamar was pregnant did the truth come out. 

Tamar had twin boys from Judah.. Perez and Zerah... "a breach" and "a dawning".  It is from Perez that the royal line of David and ultimately Jesus would come. 

Once again, it is from unrighteous people, who don't even seem to know the Lord at all, that God moves forward with His plan for His people and for all the nations.  I wonder if Judah repented?  He said, " She is more righteous than I.. "  recognizing his own failure to do what was right.   Was that the beginning of change in his heart and life?  Judah would later play a part in the situation with Joseph in Egypt.  He took  responsibility for his brother Benjamin.  He seems to take a key role of leadership within the family.  Perhaps.. his life did change for the better after all that happened. 

Father in heaven, the history of the nation of Israel is filled with unexpected events and people.  It is amazing to think that all of this was recorded by Moses as he led the nation out of Egypt and back to the promised land.  I am once again reminded that You know where we are.. where we have been.. and where we are going!  Your plans are perfect.. even with imperfect people.  How we praise You for the grace and lovingkindness that You have shown to us.. through many generations. Thank You for bringing me to this place.. at this time.. to know You, to worship You, and to love You with all my heart and all my soul, and all my strength.. Help me to grow in that love.. deeper every day, I pray... in Jesus' name Amen. 

 Genesis 37  Joseph.. 17 years old.. younger than most of his brothers and hated by them because he was Israel's favorite.  They had every reason to be jealous of Joseph.  His father made it obvious that he favored this son of Rachel's.  The special coat made it hard to ignore. 

 Joseph didn't help himself in this either.  He told his brothers about the dreams he had.. how their sheaves from the field had bowed down to his sheave... and how the sun, moon, and 11 stars had bowed down to him. They hated him even more after that. (Yet, it is important that they know these things.. for it all would be fulfilled later, and they would remember!)

When Joseph was sent to find his brothers and to report on them to his father, things got ugly.  They wanted to kill him. They ended up selling him to the Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver. The Midianites ended up with Joseph and sold him to Potiphar in Egypt. 

17 years old.  Betrayed by his own brothers, bought by his own relatives, and sold as a slave to an Egyptian. 

Israel was shown the bloody coat. They didn't actually say that Joseph was dead, but they allowed their father to believe it. They didn't know the deep loss that Israel would experience.. how he couldn't be consoled... what kind of men were these?  How could these become God's choice to form a nation?  Oh, how patient our God is.. to use such as these for His eternal purposes! 

Only two of Joseph's brothers are named in this passage.. Reuben, the oldest.. who persuaded them not to kill Joseph but to throw him in a pit.  He had every intention of rescuing Joseph and was distraught when he found out they had sold him.  The other is Judah, who suggested that Joseph be sold to the caravan.  All were part of this horrible act towards their brother. Someday they would understand the depth of their sin.. and the grace of his forgiveness. 

Think of the fear and sorrow that Joseph felt as his own brothers handed him over.. sold him as a slave.  He would have every reason to never forgive them.. but we know that he did.  God would work in Joseph's life in amazing ways.  

Father, sometimes Your plans are not anything that we would choose.. yet, You are still doing something so great and wonderful.. and You will accomplish Your purposes through them.  Thank You for reminding me that You never left Joseph alone.  You were with him as You are with us. When we are betrayed, when we are hurt, or when we are hated by others.. You have not stopped being faithful.  You have not stopped healing and loving us.  You have not forgotten us or Your good, good plans for our lives.  You are a God who shows us grace and helps us to be able to show grace and forgiveness to others.  Be glorified in our lives today, Lord God, as we cast every care upon You, for You care for us.. even as You cared for Joseph! Amen. 

 Genesis 35 God told Jacob to go back to Bethel.. the place where he met God before.  So, this time Jacob prepared his family.. " Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and has been with me wherever I have gone." 

God met  Jacob once again and gave him the promise of a nation and "a company of nations".. the land that was promised to Abraham and Isaac would be his.  Jacob set up a pillar to commemorate this encounter with God.  But then.. he left.  He traveled towards Bethlehem... and on the way, Rachel went into labor and Benjamin was born.. but Rachel died. Things did not go any better after he arrived at a place called "Eder"... for Reuben, his oldest son, took Bilhah, his father's concubine/wife and slept with her. 

 Jacob and his family traveled on to Mamre, where his father Isaac still lived.  Isaac was 180 years old when he passed away. Both Esau and Jacob buried Isaac in the same cave where Abraham and Sarah and Rebekah were buried. 

Chapter 36 tells of Esau's decision to move his family and belongings away from Israel. He became the "father of the Edomites".. The nation of Edom was located to the south and east of Israel. Most of this chapter names the descendants of Esau, those that ruled over many generations in that land.  In our day, this land is within the area we know as Jordan. 

Father in heaven,  You chose Jacob and You blessed him greatly.. but his life was not easy. It seems that every time things started to settle down.. something happened that caused more grief.   The trials would continue through the rest of Jacob's life.. and yet, we know that You were with him til the end.  Did he count it all joy?  Did he draw nearer to You through those times?  Thank You for his testimony of Your presence in his life and for Your answers to his prayers.  May we learn from this.. how to persevere and how to keep on trusting You through the difficult times in our lives. Be with us.. wherever we go.. we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

This is the text for the podcast aired earlier this month.. hope you don't mind a repeat!

  Psalm 9 is a song of Thanksgiving.. in particular, David is thankful that God is just.  His justice will not ever be thwarted.. it will never be perverted.. it will always be perfect in every way.  Like David we can say, "I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart." 

On this Thanksgiving Day holiday, many people will sit around a table and tell what they are thankful for.. family, jobs, a great meal... maybe some will go further and say are thankful for their "blessings" and some will be thankful even for their struggles.  But, what will be missing from many of these statements of gratitude will be the  Person that these thanks should be addressed towards.. We give thanks to the Lord!  For all things come from Him.. every breath, every heartbeat, and yes, every blessing. 

David tells exactly what he is thankful to God for... "I will tell of all Thy wonders.. I will be glad in Thee.. I will sing praise to Thy Name, O Most High.” (v1)    What he is most thankful for is God, Himself.  God, who is worthy of praise and exultation, for He:

Turns back the enemies.. (v3)

 He maintains the righteous cause..(v4)

He rebukes nations..(v5)

 He destroys the wicked..(v5)

 He blots out the names of those who do evil. (v5)

The Lord "abides forever".He has established His rule of justice.He will judge "the world in righteousness;"His judgement will be done with equity. (v8)

The Lord makes Himself a shelter for the oppressed.He is a stronghold when there is trouble. He is trustworthy. He will never forsake His own. (v9-10)

For all these reasons we give thanks. We will never be alone, never forgotten, and never too far away from Him that He will not hear our cries.  Our God is gracious and loving and just. 

Father, we give thanks to You with all our hearts!  Yes, we are thankful for the things right before us.. our homes and families and blessings, but, even more, we are thankful for You, the Most High God, who never fails, Who is perfectly just, and Who has provided such a great salvation for those who call upon the name of Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, who rose again, and who sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high forevermore! Glory and praise and thanksgiving to You, our Savior and King.. the righteous Judge ..  amen. 

Genesis 33  Jacob "lifted his eyes and looked and behold, Esau was coming and four hundred men with him.."   Jacob was still unsure of Esau's reception.. he had done all he could to provide a way.. but seeing Esau and his 400 men had to be intimidating.  But, when he came before his brother, humbly.. the reunion was so much more than either of them could have imagined.. " Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."  ( v4) 

Both sons of Isaac were able to put the past behind them to some extent. Yet, Esau went back to Seir and Jacob ended up in Shechem. 

Ch 34  Things did not go well in Shechem. The prince of that area saw Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah, and took her by force.  He wanted to marry her but he went about that in a violent, ugly way.  When her brothers, Simeon and Levi,  found out what had happened they were angry.  They practiced some deception of their own.. convincing all the men of the city to be circumcised so that they could intermarry, but then when their defenses were down, they went in and killed all the men of the city, took everything they could, and rescued their sister from Shechem's house.  

Jacob knew that this was going to stir up all kinds of problems from the Canaanites. So, under the Lord's directions, he moved his family to Bethel.. back to the place that he had met the Lord when he first fled from Esau. 

Jacob's life and the life of his children were far from perfect.. they were a mess, frankly.  Kind of like the rest of us... Yet, the Lord chose to continue his covenant with Abraham through Jacob.. now Israel.  A new nation was coming into existence through these messy, imperfect people.  This nation, God would call His own. His plan had not changed.. His purpose would still be accomplished.  So thankful for a God who deals with us in our messes and still works His will through our lives.. He is so good to us!

Father in heaven, thank You for all the grace that You continually pour out upon Your people.. even when we mess up, even when things don't look so good.. You work all things for our good.. for us that are called according to Your purposes.  Keep us in all holiness and righteousness, Lord God. Help us to walk in truth and in love, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.. for it is in His name that we come before You. Amen. 

 Genesis 32   Jacob and his family traveled from the north back to the place he was born.  The journey was similar to Abraham's journey from Ur.. bringing him to the place that God chose for him.  Jacob knew that he would need to face his brother Esau, so he prepared for that, not knowing what kind of reception he would have... Jacob's prayer shows us his heart.. " O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who didst say to me, 'Return to your country and to your relatives and I will prosper you.' I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which Thou hast shown to Thy servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan and now I have two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother.. " 

This side of Jacob we have not seen before this.. his humility, his vulnerability.. his dependence on the Lord.  Jacob sent gifts before him to appease Esau.. and he separated himself from his family, so that they might be spared, even if he was not.  When Jacob was alone, he had another encounter with the Lord.  This one was called a wrestling match. Jacob was desperate for the Lord's blessing, so he would not let go until a blessing was given.  Here his name was changed from Jacob.. to Israel.. "striver with God".

Father in heaven, You keep moving Your people back to the heart of Your land. You moved Abraham, You moved Jacob, and later You  moved a nation of people out of Egypt.. and later on the exiled back from Babylon.   In our day, You are stilling moving Your people.. out of the dominion of darkness and into the Kingdom of Jesus... into the place of Your heart's desire.  Move us deeper in and further up.. as C.S. Lewis wrote.. into the Tableland of Your Presence.. the Higher place which is solid ground, as the old hymn reminds us.  Lord lift me up! Draw me closer. Come and fill Your church with Your Spirit so that we are ready for the journey set before us. Thank You that You will not leave us alone, but You are faithful in all Your ways, to bring us to the eternal dwelling place.. Home.. with You forever. Amen! 

 Genesis 30-31  Jacob had 4 sons by Leah.. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Then, Rachel, jealous and barren gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to provide children for her.. Dan and Naphtali were born from this relationship.  Then, Leah gave Zilpah, her maid to Jacob to produce more children and she had Gad and Asher. Leah was able to have 2 more sons and a daughter.. Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Finally, Rachel was able to have a son and named him Joseph.  11 sons and 1 daughter later.. Jacob is ready to leave Laban's house and go back to Canaan.  

But, first he needed to work out his wages from Laban.  After 20 years he had nothing of his own, so he made a deal with Laban that he would take all the striped and spotted goats and all the black sheep.  He separated his flocks from Laban's and managed to gain much wealth.. "so the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys." 

All this lead to difficulty with Laban and his relatives. So, Jacob took his wives and his children and his flocks and left when the Lord said, "Return to the land of your fathers and your relatives and I will be with you."  The Lord spoke to Jacob and he also spoke to Laban, so that they ended up parting ways.  They established a covenant at Mizpah.  

20 years away from home.. away from Esau...  Jacob returns a wealthy man with 4 wives and 12 children. Is he a changed man? Perhaps not yet, but he will be. "Now as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him.. "( 32:1) God was orchestrating all of this according to His plan and purposes.  Jacob clung to God's promise to be with him.  

Father in heaven, we also cling to Your promises to be with us and to keep us.  You are our help and our strength. You bring us into families and provide for our welfare just as You did for Jacob.  May we not be afraid of what lies ahead, but remember that You know where we come from and where we are going.. and You are with us all the way! Thank You for the grace of Your Presence and guidance in our lives. Let Your will be done as we walk along the way that You send us.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 Genesis 29  Jacob met and fell in love with Rachel.. so much so that he worked 7 years for Laban so that he could marry her.  Yet, when it came time for the wedding, Laban deceived Jacob.. by putting Leah in Rachel's place.  Jacob did not even know until the next morning.  

Leah was the oldest daughter and Rachel was the beautiful one.  Leah was unloved compared to Rachel, but she also was able to produce sons for Jacob.  Reuben, "because the Lord has seen my affliction" ;  Simeon, " Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved"; Levi.. "Now this time my husband will become attached to me"; and then Judah.. "This time I will praise the Lord".   

Although Leah was not favored by Jacob, she was favored by the Lord. Grace.. poured out on an unloved wife... brought her to a place of favor as she was seen, heard, and comforted by the God who loved her.  

Father in heaven, sometimes life seems so unfair. But, even when things do not go as we want.. You have a plan and You are good.  May we learn from Leah.. to persevere.. to know that no matter what.. You see us, You hear us.. and Your plan for us is good.  May we join with Leah in praise to our God who loves us more than we can imagine!  If only Leah could have seen back then.. Jesus, the Lion of Judah!  How much more would she have rejoiced! Thank You for the kindness that You show even to the least of us.  Amen!

 Genesis 27-28:9  Jacob, the deceiver.. the supplanter.. took the birthright of his brother Esau for a bowl of soup and now would take the blessing of his father Isaac by deception.   Jacob and Esau would have been in their 40's when this happened. Esau already had two wives, but Jacob had none.  Isaac was blind and thought that he would soon die, so he sent Esau to hunt and bring back some wild game for him to eat.  It would be a special event.. to bless the oldest son. 

But, Rebekah had a different plan and commanded Jacob to impersonate his brother.  He willingly took part in this scheme and received the blessing of the oldest son.  

This whole idea of the blessing is interesting.. . Was it like a last will and testament?  Legally binding? The blessing spoke of abundance and power and authority over the family..  When Esau came back and attempted to get a blessing, Isaac had no more to give... Esau realized that he would lose everything and he wept.  He swore to kill Jacob after their father had died. 

So, Rebekah begged Isaac to send Jacob back to her family in Paddan-aram, so that he could find a wife from her family.  And so, this is what happened.  Before he left, Isaac said to him, "And may God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you; that you may possess the land of your sojourning which God gave to Abraham."   

Isaac accepted the fact that Jacob would be chosen to inherit the land.. even though he had always preferred Esau.  God had told Rebekah before the sons were born that this would be the outcome. Isaac finally knew it to be true, not by his choice, but by God's will. 

28:10-22  Jacob headed north towards Paddan-aram and spent a night at a place that he would call Bethel.. "the house of God". Here is the place that Jacob meets God.  He has an amazing dream of angels coming up and down from heaven on a ladder.. and the Lord standing above the ladder.  The Lord says to Jacob.. "I am the Lord the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants..." The Lord promises to be with Jacob and to bring him back to this land.. " I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you." 

Jacob built and altar in Bethel.. a pillar that he anointed with oil.. "And this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house; and of all that Thou dost give me I will surely give a tenth to Thee."  

Father in heaven, we see You grace extended even to one like Jacob who deceived his own father and ran from his brother.  You had a plan for Jacob from before he was born.. and You alone could bring him to be the man that he would become.. the father of a nation.  Thank You for showing us this place where Jacob met You, where You reached him and he came into a true relationship with You.  Thank You that You do the same for each of us who come to faith in Jesus.. You reach out to us and draw us into a true relationship through Jesus Christ, Your Beloved Son.  How marvelous is Your grace!  How wonderful Your works. Be glorified in our lives, Lord God, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Genesis 26  Isaac and Rebekah lived by Beer-lahai-roi,  the same place that Hagar met the Lord when she had run away from Sarah. "Thou art a God who sees".   When there was another famine in that land, Isaac moved his family to Gerar in the south... an area where Abimelech, king of the Philistines ruled.  There, the Lord spoke to Isaac and established His covenant as He had made with Abraham. 

Isaac had the same insecurities as his father.. and made the same false statements.. saying his wife was his sister, so that they would not kill him.  When he was found out by Abimelech, he was promised safety.  Isaac was very blessed in his sojourn there.. " Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundred-fold. And the Lord blessed him, and the man became rich and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy." 

But, there was a problem..  every well that he needed.. wells that Abraham, his father had actually dug, was being stopped up by the Philistines because the envied him.  Finally, Abimelech asked Isaac to move away and he did.. 3 times!  "Then he went up from there to Beersheba".   It was here that the Lord appeared to Isaac and spoke to him again, " I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you, I will bless you and multiply your descendants, for the sake of My servant Abraham."  It is here that Isaac built an altar and "called upon the name of the Lord.. " 

It was very evident to Abimelech that Isaac was blessed by the Lord.  He came to Isaac to establish an oath or covenant between them, that Isaac agreed to. Things were going well.. until Esau decided to get married.  He chose not one but two Hittite women.. Judith and Basemath.. " and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah." 

Oh, the grace.. the unmerited favor.. of our God.  He showed grace to Isaac.. just like He had to Abraham.. just as He does to us.. moving us to the places that He chooses and doing what He chooses to do in our lives.  We are not told much about Isaac's faith except for this one time when he builds and altar and calls on the name of the Lord. But, we see God's blessing on his life and know that God had a plan for his descendants that were far beyond anything Isaac could imagine... or had the power to do! 

Father in heaven,  You are a great and mighty God.. the God who sees and hears and forgives and blesses! You are the infinite grace Giver and we praise the glory of Your Name!  Thank You for the blessings that You have bestowed on us today. Thank You for comfort and peace in hard times.  Thank You for answered prayers and unexpected gifts!  May Your will be done in each of us today, Lord God.. and may the name of Jesus Christ be praised and exalted in our homes, in our churches, and in our communities. We pray this in His great Name. amen. 

 Genesis 25  Here at the halfway mark of the book of Genesis, we read about Abraham's death at the age of 175.  Abraham took another wife or concubine, Keturah, and had 6 more sons after Isaac. All of these sons were sent eastward, away from the land that Isaac received from his father.  It was Isaac and his brother Ishmael that buried Abraham in the cave of Machpelah.  Ishmael had 12 sons who were considered "princes".. and established 12 tribes...  away from the land of his brother Isaac.  Ishmael was 137 when he died. 

Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah and 60 when Esau and Jacob were born.  He prayed for his wife to have a child and she had twins. Nothing about this was expected or easy.. the twins struggled with each other from the womb to the tomb!  Esau was red and hairy.. an outdoors man who was a "skillful hunter". This made him Isaac's favorite for they both loved wild game.  Jacob was "peaceful" and stayed home, which made him Rebekah's favorite.  But, he was manipulative and deceitful.  What a pair to carry on the legacy of their grandfather, Abraham. 

The issue of the "birthright" is an important part of this story.  Esau was the firstborn.. by a few minutes at most, since Jacob had hold of his heel..  but, according to the custom of the time, he was the rightful owner of the birthright.  However, he was more than willing to give up his right to it.. for a bowl of soup. It did not mean anything to him, showing that he "despised his birthright".  Jacob, on the other hand, desired the birthright and used an opportune moment to take it from his brother in exchange for the soup.  Not only did the birthright mean that the oldest son would receive the majority of the inheritance from their father.. but there was, in this case, a spiritual dimension to this position.  Rebekah knew from before the birth of her sons that the older would serve the younger.. God told her this.  It was God's plan all along for Jacob to be the one chosen to carry on the covenant promises. There was no need for manipulation or deception... 

Father, sometimes we take things into our own hands that would have worked out much better in Yours. Help us to learn from the lessons of Your word.. to value what is right above what it is that we want.  You know the desires of our hearts.. You know our spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.  May we rest in You.. wait on You.. and trust You to accomplish what is Your good and perfect will.  Thank You for being so patient with us. Thank You that even when we fail.. You still bring about Your good purposes. How marvelous is Your mercy, Lord God!  How great Your grace!   Take our hearts Lord, and make them wholly Yours.. in all things.. we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Genesis 23  Sarah died at the age of 127.  Abraham bought a field with a cave from Ephron the Hittite so that he could bury Sarah there.  This burial site would later be the grave of Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah and Leah.  When Jacob died in Egypt, he made Joseph promise to bury him there too. So, Joseph and his brothers all traveled back to Canaan, along with many Egyptians, to bury Jacob there at the cave purchased from Ephron the Hittite.. "the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre" which Abraham bought. ( Genesis 50) 

Genesis 24 Abraham "was old, advanced in age"  when he sent his servant back to his home country to find a wife for his son Isaac. He did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman.  So, this faithful servant went back to Mesopotamia and found "Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor."  God answered the prayer of this servant so that he found Rebekah immediately.  The family allowed her to make the decision to go to be Isaac's wife. She returned to Canaan with the servant, met Isaac and married him that same day. .."and he loved her". 

It is really an amazing story of how God works in the lives of his people.  His is a grand story.. building a nation that he would call His own.. from Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and  Rebekah.. normal, imperfect, and yet chosen people who would be the beginning of Israel.. the family from which the Messiah would come. 

Thankful for the way God takes care of us.. bringing us together in families.. in communities.. to accomplish His plans for nations.  He brings us together in churches.. to build up one another in faith, that we might accomplish His will in our own hometowns.  We need to trust Him to lead us in every decision, knowing that He has a plan.. and it is good!

Father in heaven, as we remember the way You moved Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants, we see that You always brought about Your perfect will.. We know the nation of Israel is here today, because of what Abraham did in obedience to Your commands.  We know that You are not finished with Your grand story.. and that we have a small part to play. Help us to be faithful and patient.. obeying Your Word and doing Your will.. so that Your glory will be seen in all the earth.   Bring Your Kingdom Lord Jesus! Come and reign over all the earth we pray. Amen. 

Genesis 20-22  Abraham moved away from Mamre and stayed in Gerar.  Once again he told Sarah to say she was his sister and not his wife.. and once again she was given to another man, this time Abimelech.  Once again, the Lord intervened and the truth came out. And, once again, the Lord takes Abraham out of the situation and blesses him through it. 

It is after this that Sarah becomes pregnant with Isaac and at 90 years old, she becomes a mom. "God has made laughter for me.. " she proclaims.  When Isaac was weaned Abraham held a feast. At the feast Ishmael mocked  Isaac and this made Sarah angry and she demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. So, they were. Once again, God intervened in Hagar and Ishmael's lives, rescuing them from certain death in the wilderness. 

After this, Abraham moved again, to Beersheba and made a pact with Abimelech. "And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days." 

Then, "God tested Abraham.."  This had to be the greatest test of all.. for God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering.  Abraham did not hesitate, but prepared and took Isaac with him to the place he was told to go.  We know the story.. Abraham prepared an altar, started the fire, bound his son and raised his knife.. and only then did the Lord stop him and provide the ram.  "By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld you son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of your enemies. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." 

Father in heaven, we wonder at the way You worked in Abraham's and Sarah's lives.  We are amazed at Your command to Abraham to offer Isaac.. and that he obeyed without hesitation.  We wonder at our own lack of willingness to sacrifice things that mean a lot less than a son!  Help us Father, to hear Your voice and obey with all our heart.. laying down everything at Your feet.  You have a perfect plan and You are faithful in all Your ways.  I will trust You, Lord, in all things.. big or small.. as You help me to do so by Your gracious Spirit. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. amen. 

 Genesis 19 Lot recognized at once that the two men who came into Sodom were holy angels.  He bowed down to them and insisted that they come into his home.  He knew well enough the wickedness of the people around him. The fact that he stayed in such a town seems to show a lack of wisdom and  lack of a relationship with the Lord.  In fact, besides his willingness to protect the angels.. there is nothing in Lot's story that shows that he even had a relationship with God...

But,  Peter wrote this, " .. and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men ( for by what he saw and heard the righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgement." ( II Peter 2:6-9)

Lot tried everything he could, it seems to me, to stay where he was..  he pleaded with the men that surrounded his home; he offered his virgin daughters in lieu of the angels; he tried to get his prospective sons-in-law to come on his side; and even after the angels warned him again he did not move until they had to physically grab his hand and the "hands of his wife and.. two daughters"  and put them outside of the city!

The angels tried to get Lot and his family to safety in the mountains.. but again, Lot hesitated and asked to go to the small town of Zoar.  Only after Lot saw the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the whole valley did he wake up.  Sadly, his wife did not. 

Verses 27-29 tell us that Abraham came out the next morning and walked to the place where he had stood with the Lord.  He saw the smoke rising and knew that God had not found even 10 people who were "righteous".  I wonder if he ever learned what had happened to Lot.  "Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived." (v29) Only the kindness of God towards Abraham kept Lot from destruction with the others in Sodom. 

Reading the next section of this chapter, I  wonder if God ever regretted saving Lot.  He and his two daughters ended up in a cave in the mountains, where the two girls schemed to get their father drunk, sleep with him, and have children by him.  Their sons were Moab and Ben-ammi.. the father of two nations, Moab and Ammon.. both who became enemies of Israel. 

Father in heaven,  Your ways are far above our ways... Your thoughts so much greater than ours.  All of this that we read about happened for Your purposes and You are working through them to accomplish Your perfect will.  Sometimes we can be like Lot.. hesitating, stalling, and reasoning with You.. instead of immediately obeying and trusting You. Forgive us Lord!  Grab us by the hand and take us where You want us to go, Lord.. We know that Your plan is greater and Your ways are better than our own.  Help us to lay it all down, take up our crosses and follow You, Jesus.  Let the Name of God be glorified in our lives we pray.  Amen. 

 Genesis 18:1-15  The Lord and 2 angels visited Abraham at his tent.. home.. by the trees of Mamre.  They brought good news and bad news.  The good news was about Sarah.  The time had come that the Lord was going to fulfill His promise to Abraham.. Sarah would have a son within the next year.  As Sarah listened to this conversation, she laughed.  She was 90 years old!  She was past child-bearing.  Menopause was way past.. what were the chances of getting pregnant at her age?

But, the Lord saw Sarah and heard her laughter.. "Is anything too difficult for the Lord ?"  He asked her.  She denied laughing but the Lord was gentle with her.. "No, but you did laugh." He said.  Maybe He laughed too!  This event would change the world. The fact that she would give birth to a son was significant.. the fact that she would do so at the age of 90 was miraculous! 

V16-33 Then the Lord spoke to Abraham about Sodom.. the bad news.. He saw the sinfulness of those in Lot's hometown.  He heard the "outcry"... because of the great wickedness of the people.  Abraham tried to intercede for the city, probably because of Lot and his family... but there were not even 10 righteous people in that whole town. In the end only 3 escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his 2 daughters. 

Verse 19 ".. I have chosen him ( Abraham), in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him."  The Lord affirmed His plan for Abraham and his descendants, once again.  He was about to pronounce judgement on sin in a powerful way, burning a whole valley with fire and brimstone.. but He stopped to instruct Abraham first. Good news.. Isaac was coming..  Bad news.. Sodom was going to be destroyed. 

Father in heaven, You are righteous and just in all You do.  You have mercy on those whom You choose to have mercy on.. but, You also bring judgement upon those who refuse to repent.  You are an awesome God and we are right to fear You with great reverence and wonder.  We do not see things as You see them, nor are our thoughts like Your thoughts. Thank You that You have compassion on us.. and that You have made a way for us through Jesus, the beloved Son, that we might find salvation and forgiveness from our sins.  Help us to walk in Your ways, Lord.. to teach righteousness and justice to our children and our children's children.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Genesis 17 The Lord appeared to Abram once again when he is 99 years old. Many years had passed since the day that He made the first covenant promising the land to Abraham's descendants.  Ishmael is now 13 years old.  Sarai is still barren and almost 90 years old.  Yet, God tells Abram that he will have a son with Sarai.. in fact it will happen within the next year. 

God gives Abram a name change.. he becomes Abraham.. "father of multitudes."  Sarai becomes Sarah.. "Princess"..  Their son will be named Isaac - "He laughs".  God initiates a new covenant with Abraham.. He will bless and multiply Abraham's descendants  and Abraham will circumcise all the males in his household.  God promises to always be the God of Abraham's descendants.. and He will make them a fruitful nation. 

Abraham believed God and obeyed by circumcising himself and all the males in his household that very same day.  

Abraham wanted blessing for Ishmael too.  " Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!" he asked the Lord. And God promised to bless him and make him into a great nation too. But, the covenant would be kept with those that came from Abraham and Sarah.  Isaac would be the one to receive the covenant and promise. Once again we see God making a distinction between one person and the other.

Father in heaven, You are the Sovereign God, Almighty and Infinite in wisdom and power. You have moved throughout history to bring us to the place we are today... You know both where we have come from and where we are going.. We thank You that we are called by Your Name and belong to You. We believe that You have brought us to this day.. to this place.. for Your purposes.  You have circumcised our hearts.. that we might be fully Yours. May we walk in truth and righteousness before You today and every day. Fill us Spirit of God that we might be a holy people.. set apart for Your glory.  We worship and bow before You, willing to surrender all to You, even as Abraham did so many years ago.  Help us we pray. Amen. 

 Genesis 16  Sarai and Abram were getting older and they still had no children.  Sarai was desperate to have a child but she was barren.  She thought about another way.. she would give her maid, Hagar, to Abram so that he would have a son through that relationship.  It was meant to be a surrogacy, but when Hagar became pregnant immediately, she "despised " her mistress.  Things were not what Sarai had imagined at all..  and so, she blamed it all on Abram. 

Abram didn't take responsibility for Hagar or Sarai.. instead he told Sarai to do whatever she wanted with Hagar.   Sarai treated Hagar so "harshly" that Hagar ran away.  So now she was in an even worse situation.. she was pregnant, alone, a run-away, and without hope. 

But... God.. had another plan.. even for one like Hagar.  He "found" her in the wilderness..."Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from and where are you going?"   He called her by name.  He reminded her of who she was.. not Abram's wife.. but Sarai's maid.  Hagar might have thought she was better than Sarai, since she could have a child and Sarai could not.. maybe she thought she could usurp Sarai's position as Abram's first wife. She had overstepped her position.. forgot who she really was.. an Egyptian slave girl.  The Lord gently reminds Hagar of her need to submit to Sarai.. " Return to your mistress and submit yourself to her authority."  

The Lord asked Hagar where she had come from and where she was going. She confessed that she was fleeing from her mistress.. but she had no answer for where she was going.  She didn't know.. It would have been hard to go back.. but the Lord met Hagar in a personal and powerful way that day.  She called  Him "a God who sees".    He told her that she would have a son and name him Ishmael..( a name that means God hears) ...  so Hagar returned to her home and bore a son for Abram. 

Father in heaven, thank You for being a God who sees and a God who hears.. thank You for finding us when we have run away and don't know what to do.  Thank You for knowing exactly what to do to reach us when we can't find our way out the situations we put ourselves in!  Father, You have promised to draw near to those who draw near to You.. and we are so thankful that You do, but thankful even more that You find us first.. when we don't even know how to seek You or draw near to You. You know where we have come from and where we are going.. even when we don't know that ourselves.  You call us by name.. You bring us home.. Thank you Jesus!  May we submit to Your Spirit's leading and trust completely that You see us and You hear us.. and that You are always willing to draw near! In Jesus' name we pray Amen. 

 Genesis 15  Abram committed himself to the "Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth".   His relationship with his God was growing as he continued to call on the name of the Lord.  In this chapter the Lord makes a covenant with Abram. 

In the first verse the Lord said to Abram, " Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your very great reward." (NIV).   God proclaims Himself to be a shield for Abram.. a protector; a defense;  He also proclaims to be Abram's reward - his payment, wages, fare, compensation.. These words assured Abram that God was on his side and he did not have to fear anything else.. neither war.. or poverty.  God had a great plan for Abram and his descendants.. 

There was only one problem... in Abram's eyes.. he had no son. The only one who would benefit from Abram's blessings would be his own servant. The Lord made a promise to Abram then.. " one who shall come forth from your own body.. shall be your heir." 

Verse 6 "Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness."  Abram "believed".. he confirmed and established his permanent relationship with the Lord God Most High.  He took God's right hand.. so to speak.. committing himself to Him.  The Lord "reckoned"  or "counted" Abram's faith .. He considered as something of value and esteemed it..  "as righteousness".... justification; salvation; right. Abram took God's right hand..and they shook on it! God valued this commitment and considered Abram just. 

To celebrate and confirm the covenant between God and Abram a sacred ceremony is conducted.  Abram follows God's instructions and brings a sacrifice of "a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon".  The first three are cut in two and arranged in rows.  The birds were not cut in half.  During the night the Lord comes to Abram and tells him what would happen to the following generations of his family.  Then "a smoking firepot and a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces."  This confirmed God's covenant with Abram. 

Father, You made a way for Abram.. You established a covenant relationship with him.. You pursued him and he called on You.  There is something so precious and comforting in the way You bring us each to faith.. to have this intimate, personal relationship with Yourself.. just like You did with Abraham.  You are so gracious and merciful.. to call us.. to choose us.. to move us into a sacred partnership with Yourself.. our Lord, the God Most High.  Thank You, Lord. For saving my soul.. for making me whole.. for giving to me such a great salvation!  Be glorified in all the earth, Lord God! Let the name of Jesus be proclaimed! Amen. 

 Genesis 14 War... kings and armies gathered together to attack other kings and their cities.  In the midst of this conflict.. Lot and his family and all of his belongings are swept up into captivity.  But, Abram hears of this and takes his 318 men, along with his allies from Mamre..  and goes after his nephew.  He divides his forces, goes in at night, and defeats the enemies.  It is a miraculous victory. 

Abram rescues Lot, his family, and all of his possessions.  Then he returns home, meeting along the way two kings.  One, the defeated king of Sodom and the other, Melchizedek, the king of Salem.  One wants his people back and offers Abram the goods he had brought back.  The other brings bread and wine.  One returns to a wicked city filled with sinful people.. and the other blesses Abram, because he "was a priest of the most high God. "

Abram refuses to take anything from the king of Sodom.  But, he gives a tithe to the King of Salem. 

What seems amazing to me at this point is that Lot returns to Sodom.  He doesn't discern the character of this king or of the people that surround him. He returns to a place that would eventually be destroyed because of its wickedness.  Why would he want to stay there?

Abram makes a pledge to the Lord.. "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong.." from Sodom's king.  He wants no association with the wickedness of the city or its king.  God gave Abram discernment.  He was growing Abram's faith and trust in Him. 

We call Abraham a man whose faith was counted as righteousness.. but that faith was developed over years and through circumstances that Abram lived through.  Just like us.  We hear the Word of God.. we experience the work of God.. and we begin to know the "Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth."   God works in our lives to develop us into men and women of faith. Then, he counts it as righteousness for us too!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, have Your way in our hearts and lives today we pray.. in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Genesis 13  Abram, Sarai, and Lot returned from Egypt, back to Bethel.. to the same place that Abram had built an altar to the Lord.  Once again we are told, "there Abram called on the name of the Lord." 

Both Abram and Lot had acquired abundant possessions.. herds and flocks and tents.. They both had herdsmen that worked for them and the groups began to have some conflicts.  Abram graciously offered Lot whatever land he desired so that they could separate their belongings.  Lot chose to go toward the valley of Jordan.. an area that looked "like the garden of the Lord".  He traveled  eastward with all that he had and settled near Sodom.. which, we know, was a place filled with evil men. 

Abram settled in the land of Canaan.. and God once again promised him the land.. and descendants to fill the land.  "And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered." 

Abram once again searched out the land God was giving him and settled "by the oaks of Mamre" and built another altar there.  This became "home" for Abram. 

I'm struck again by the way that God separates one thing from another.. from the start He separated light from dark, day from night.. water from land.  Then, after the flood He separated the 3 sons of Noah and then separated the nations and languages.  Here, we see Him separate Lot from Abram.. He chose to bless this one man over all the others that were filling the earth.  We know that God is not done with separating.. One day He will separate the goats from the sheep.. the wheat from the chaff.. the believers from the world.. Our infinite and unchanging God is at work.. and we wait expectantly to see what He will do next!

Father in heaven, You are the God who is still blessing Abraham.. filling the earth with his descendants.  As Paul wrote in Romans that "not the children of the flesh.. but the children of the promise" who are regarded as descendants of Abraham.. And in Galatians he wrote.. " And if you belong to Christ then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."  We marvel at this blessing.. to be part of the Your promise given those many years ago..children of promise, Abraham's offspring.. because of Jesus Christ who is our Lord and King.  Sometimes we feel so few in number.. outnumbered by those of the world.. but Your promise is true and You are still separating out for Yourself a people to call upon Your Name... a people that are without number! Thank You Lord! amen. 

 Genesis 11: 10-32  This chapter lists the descendants of Shem..  10 generations from Shem to Abram. Each generation produced many sons and daughters and the earth was beginning to be filled with people once again.  Although Shem lived over 500 years each succeeding generation had a shorter lifespan.  Terah, Abram's father lived to be 205.  The passage tells us more about Terah .  He had 3 sons.. Abram, Nahor, and Haran. .."and Haran became the father of Lot."  

Haran had 3 children before he died.. Lot, Milcah, and Iscah.    Abram and Nahor both married.  Abram married Sarai and Nahor married Milcah, who was the daughter of Haran.  Terah took Abram and Sarai and Lot and left Ur and moved to a place named Haran.  It appears that Nahor and his family stayed behind. It was there in Haran that Terah died. 

Chapter 12 Everything that came before this chapter has been background information.. now we get to the point... Abram is in position for what God wants to do in him and through him.  The first thing He wants to do in Abram's life is to move him.. move him further away from Babylon and the influence of the Chaldeans.  He asks Abram to leave.. but to walk in faith.. "Go .. to the land I will show you." 

God makes a promise to Abram.. " I will make you a great nation and I will bless you;  I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed by you." 

Abram and Sarai and Lot left Haran together and traveled to Canaan.  The first place they stop is Shechem.  Here the Lord appears and says, " To your offspring I will give this land."  Abram built and altar and worshiped the Lord there.  Then he went further to Bethel, still in Palestine, and "there he built and altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord." (v8). A deeper relationship with God was beginning to form. 

If only Abram had stopped there!  But, there was a famine and so Abram and all his troop went to Egypt. Abram was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him and take Sarai, for she was a beautiful woman, so he made her say that she was his sister.  Pharaoh did take Sarai, but when a plague struck his household he found out that she was Abram's wife and sent her back to him and sent them all away. 

And that is how Abram ends back in Bethel. 

Father, You order our steps.  We want to walk in faith and trust You to place us where You want us to be and to do the things you want us to do.  Lead us in Your paths of righteousness and truth.  Thank You for the lessons we learn through Your people.  Help us to heed Your commands and continually seek Your face.  We ask this  in Jesus' name. amen. 

 Genesis 11:1-9  As the descendants of Noah multiplied and moved apart they formed people groups and eventually nations.  Up to this point the Bible tells us, "the whole earth used the same language and the same words".   But, that was about to change.  When Nimrod and his clan reached the land of Shinar.. which became Babylon.. they decided to build a great city with a great tower.. one that would "reach into heaven." The stated purpose of their building was to "make for ourselves a name".  Instead of continuing to move forward and keep on filling the earth as they were commanded to do.. they wanted to stay in this place and rule.  

"And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men had built."   That the Lord would intervene here shows us that this was a pivotal time in history.  His intervention would change the "whole earth".  The first thing He did was "confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."  The second thing He did was to scatter "them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth;"  

Just think of that!  One day you are all working together on this incredible city and talking together about the greatness of your project.. and the next you are speaking a language that your brother cannot understand.. and you find yourself in a completely different location than you started out! 

"And they stopped building the city.. " 

God's intervention stopped this infamous tower.. but we know that men went on to build more.  The city was called "Babel" - confusion.  It became Babylon.  Out of this city came a fierce and evil nation...  and an enemy of God's chosen people. 

We read in the book of Revelation that there will come a day when Babylon will  fall for a final time... "for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (18:5) Babylon is associated with all that is evil.. with immortality, sensuality, demons, and arrogance.  She wallows in her wealth.. but her fall will be great. 

Revelation also reminds us that God calls His people out from the place of evil. He calls us to Himself and frees us from the dominion of darkness.  He alone can bring us into the Kingdom of His Son... a Kingdom that will never fall!

Father in heaven, we thank You again for making a way when there was no other way!  You have intervened in our lives.. bringing us out of darkness and into the true Light by Your rich mercy and unending grace.  Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord who has purchased us by His own blood, precious blood, shed for our salvation. Lord, lead us ever closer to Your promised Land and deliver us from all evil. We ask this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 Genesis 10-  Some people hate to read genealogies.. and some find them fascinating.  This chapter is all about the sons of Noah.. Shem, Ham, and Japheth.   It tells us the names of their children and grandchildren.. and the generations that followed. These families became the source of all the nations that we know today.  We all can look back at our ancestors..to some extent.. but if we could go back far enough we would find Noah in our lineage. 

Verse 5 tells us that the descendants of Japheth went to the "coastlands of the nations".  We recognize a few names listed here... Magog.. Tarshish.. Kittites.   These are northern tribes ( north of Israel) and may have extended into Greece and Cyprus.  

Verses 6-20 tell about the descendants of Ham.  Ham had 4 sons and their descendants inhabited the eastern and southern areas of Mesopotamia.  Arabia, Egypt, northern Africa.. are some of the nations that rose up from the sons of Ham.  Verses 8-9 give us a side note on Cush's son Nimrod.. "he began to be a mighty one in the earth."  His name is significant for it can be rendered "rebellion".  Nimrod seems to have established one of the first tyrannical powers.. Babylon is named as a center of his kingdom.  Nineveh was one of the cities that he built. The Canaanites are descendants of Ham.  

Verses 21-31 give us the descendants of Shem. It is from this group that Assyria, Turkey, Lydia, and eventually Israel will come.  Another side note is presented here.. verse 25 "Two sons were born to Eber: one was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan." 

So, what do we learn from this chart of the nations? Once again we see the Lord making distinctions.. separating nation from nation.  He wrote this story and He acted in these lives to bring about His purposes.  Just as He has written our nation's story.. and He works in each of our lives to bring about His eternal purpose.  I was thinking about my own lineage.. to the fact that my parents' parents and their parents' parents.. and back and back and back.. all came together to form a family.. and the end result was "me".  It's really an amazing thing to think about.. God has brought me into this world.. to be part of His plan.  He has a purpose, not only for me, but for my children and grandchildren.. and on and on.. until the day of His choosing.. when all of history will have been written and time will be no more. 

Father, thank You for loving me and making me Your own.  I hope that some day I will meet those who have gone before me.. that they will have known Jesus as their Lord and Savior.. and will tell me their story of salvation.  Oh what a day that will be!  May we all sing Your praises together for eternity! Amen. 

 Genesis 9:1-17  God made a covenant with Noah and his sons.. and with everyone that followed.  In verse 10 it tells us that this covenant includes "every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth." 

God pledges to never again cut off all flesh "by water of the flood".  The earth will not be destroyed by a flood ever again. The sign of the covenant was the "bow in the cloud".  God tells Noah that when He sees the bow, He will remember His covenant between Him and all living creatures.  God sets the bow.. the rainbow in the clouds.. and He remembers His own pledge to not flood the earth again. 

The Lord also established certain laws for mankind after the flood.  He told Noah and his family to be fruitful and multiply.  He told them that they would have rule over all the animals. He told them that they could eat meat and not just plants.  And, He told them that He would "require" the "lifeblood" from every animal or man that took a human life. 

Verses 18-28  Noah's three sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  From these three sons all the population of the world would come. It doesn't take long until sin rears its ugly head.  Whatever it was that Ham did when he came across Noah, drunk and naked in his tent... was unacceptable and sinful.  Noah reacts to this violation by issuing a curse upon Ham's offspring, starting with Canaan, his grandson.  

Noah also issued a blessing.. upon his oldest son Shem and upon Japheth, his third son. ( More on that later!)

Noah lived another 350 years after the flood, so he was 950 years old when he died.  He was the last of any man to live such a long life. 

Father in heaven, teach us to walk in Your ways, to do Your will, and to seek Your face.  Help us to raise our children to love and praise You. Help us to be faithful in all we do, to give You first place in everything. Thank You for the Word that reminds us that You are a God who makes and keeps covenant with Your creations.  You will not forget any of Your promises!  We bless Your Name and cling to Your Truth.  In Your grace and goodness we rest ... for You are faithful!  Be glorified in all the earth we pray. In Jesus' name Amen. 

 Genesis 7-8  Noah and his family, along with the animals that God sent.. entered the ark on the second month and 17th day of Noah's 600th year.  It was 7 days later that the rains began, the floods came, and the whole earth was covered by the water.  40 days of rain!  

We know the amount of damage that Hurricanes Helene and Milton just did to our state and to North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.. and that was only a day or two of rain.. In Noah's time the waters covered even the highest mountains.  There was no dry ground left in all of the earth.  No one outside of the ark survived.  

For about a year, Noah and his family lived in the ark with all the animals.  Chapter 8:4 tells us that it was 5 months after the rain began that the ark landed on Mount Ararat.  Three months later, they could begin to see the tops of mountains. 

Finally God spoke to Noah.. and they were able to leave the ark. "Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you.. that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." (v17)

The first thing that Noah did was to build an altar to the Lord and offer burnt offerings.  God was pleased with Noah's offering and gave him a promise to never curse the ground on account of man.. and "I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done." (v21) 

God also made this promise:  "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." 

Father in heaven, all of creation is in Your hands.  You know the heart of men.. You know that evil has invaded Your creation.  Yet, You have provided salvation for those who will repent of their sins and follow Jesus Christ the Lamb who was slain that we might have forgiveness from our sin.  You have provided a Way for us to have life. Thank You. Help us to walk in Your Truth, to overcome those things that keep us from true faith and righteousness.  Fill our hearts with Your Spirit we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.