Psalm 90 "Even from everlasting to everlasting Thou art God." This prayer of Moses reminds us that God is Great! He established all of creation, He is eternal, and He in omnipotent. In contrast, we are dust. We are like grass that sprouts in the morning and fades away in the evening. Life is short. "We finish our years like a sigh." We need to learn to "number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." How do we do that?
v 14 - Seek Him in the morning and find contentment in His loving kindness. Sing for joy and be glad in Him. Every day, no matter what.
v16 Praise Him. Marvel at His Work and His Majesty. Pray for eyes to see His Hand in your life and that Your children will see His majesty.
v17 Pray for God's favor. That God will use the "work of our hands" for His eternal glory.
v 4 "For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by." Where did yesterday go to? I am always amazed how quickly the days and weeks, and months fly by. That is how a thousand years is to God. When we number our days, when we weigh them, allot them, count them, may they each be lived for God's glory.
Find us living in faith, in communion with You, Lord God, every day. Teach us to seek You, praise You, see You, marvel at You, and work for You every day.
This is how we present to You a heart of wisdom. Daily walking with You, abiding in You and You in us. Oh how we need to learn this lesson of committing every day to You. Teach us I pray. amen
Genesis 6 Man, left to his own devices becomes corrupt. 10 generations from Adam's fall and the whole earth was corrupt (v12). Violence, wickedness, and evil had permeated the perfect creation that had once been "good" in the sight of the Lord. God decided to destroy all flesh. Every living, breathing thing would be destroyed, except for those whom He would save in the ark. One man, Noah, walked with God. One man found favor in His sight. We are told that Noah was righteous and blameless. He did everything that God commanded him to do. (He numbered his days and had a heart of wisdom.)
Father, we live in a corrupt world also. There are many violent and wicked men. Your Word tells us that another time of judgement is coming. This time it will not be a flood, but fire. Heaven and earth will pass away. Only those who come into Your Ark, into the place of safety, into Jesus Christ, will be saved. Oh to find favor in Your sight as Noah did, to walk in Your righteousness, to be obedient to all Your commands, and to be safe in Your arms. I ask that You will open our eyes to see how much we need to be ready, for the day of Your coming is drawing near. "Jesus, Messiah, Name above all names, .. rescue for sinners, Ransom from Heaven" You alone are our Ark of safety. Bring us fully inside... into You. Thank You for the free gift of salvation by Your Grace. I enter in by faith and find refuge. I ask for mercy on those (loved ones... You know their names Lord) who wait outside, who don't see the coming destruction, that You would grant them repentance, that they would see their own corruption and confess their sins and turn to You. That they might also enter the ark of salvation, Jesus Christ, and be transformed, made truly alive. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Genesis 4 Cain is the firstborn of Adam and Eve. This is after the fall and the curse of painful childbirth. Perhaps this is why Eve proclaims "I have gotten a man child with the help of the Lord ".
Cain was "tiller of the ground". This was his love. He desired this above anything else, even above God. He chose to bring an offering to the Lord from his fields. Something he did with the sweat of his brow and his own hands. This is not acceptable to the Lord. Cain becomes angry that the Lord does not respect this gift. His anger leads to jealousy, which leads to murder. The result for Cain is judgement. He is cursed with the loss of his ability to cultivate the ground. He becomes "a vagrant and a wanderer". Then " Cain went out from the presence of the Lord". He starts his own city. He becomes the father of a clan. They do great things - Jabal institutes tent-dwelling and livestock, Jubal institutes the arts, "the lyre and pipe"; Tubal-cain is a forger of implements of bronze and iron, tools.
But it never says that they worshiped God again.
Cain had a choice and his wrong, sinful choice led to a society of godless people. One person's choice affects more than just himself. God warned Cain, and He warns us. " If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." (v7) Cain's "countenance fell" because of his anger. He lost control of his conduct and his attitude. He let sin in the door. He let it devour him instead of mastering it. He only had to confess and repent. To choose God's way over his own. But he refused. Even after he killed his brother, he never repented. He just complained about the punishment.
Abel is the second born son. He is a keeper of sheep. He brought an offering that God respected, a firstling of his flock. He worshipped properly. This brought about his brother's jealousy. He is murdered by his brother Cain. And his blood cried out to God. Hebrews 11:4 speaks of Abel, " 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."
And in Hebrews 12:24 Abel's blood is compared with the blood of the new covenant, the blood of Jesus which "speaks better than the blood of Abel."
Chapter 4 ends with the birth of Seth. Abel is dead, Cain is an outcast, but God gives Adam and Eve another son. It is from his line that we have Noah, Abraham, David, and finally Jesus. Eve considered Seth a replacement for Abel, appointed to her, from God. Gen. 5:3 "When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth." Seth carries on the likeness, the family resemblance of his father Adam.
This begins a long line of descendants who carry on this image. And it is in this generation that "men began to call upon the name of the Lord."
Chapter 5 gives the lineage of Adam, made in the image of God, through until the life of Noah. 10 generations. All having many sons and daughters. All living hundreds of years. Massive reproduction! Unique among the many are Enoch, who walked with God so closely that God took him, and Noah. Noah's father, Lamech, made an interesting statement about his son, "This one shall give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the Lord has cursed." There was something special about Noah right from the beginning of his life.
Father, thank You for Your Word that reveals all Truth. Thank You for helping us to see what the life of faith looks like and what the life of sin leads to. Help us to always choose to live for You, in obedience to Your Word, in relationship with You. Help us to walk with You like Enoch did. We call upon Your Name, the only Name by which we can be saved. Help us to abide in You and know that You abide in us. Through Jesus, the True Vine. Amen.
Cain was "tiller of the ground". This was his love. He desired this above anything else, even above God. He chose to bring an offering to the Lord from his fields. Something he did with the sweat of his brow and his own hands. This is not acceptable to the Lord. Cain becomes angry that the Lord does not respect this gift. His anger leads to jealousy, which leads to murder. The result for Cain is judgement. He is cursed with the loss of his ability to cultivate the ground. He becomes "a vagrant and a wanderer". Then " Cain went out from the presence of the Lord". He starts his own city. He becomes the father of a clan. They do great things - Jabal institutes tent-dwelling and livestock, Jubal institutes the arts, "the lyre and pipe"; Tubal-cain is a forger of implements of bronze and iron, tools.
But it never says that they worshiped God again.
Cain had a choice and his wrong, sinful choice led to a society of godless people. One person's choice affects more than just himself. God warned Cain, and He warns us. " If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." (v7) Cain's "countenance fell" because of his anger. He lost control of his conduct and his attitude. He let sin in the door. He let it devour him instead of mastering it. He only had to confess and repent. To choose God's way over his own. But he refused. Even after he killed his brother, he never repented. He just complained about the punishment.
Abel is the second born son. He is a keeper of sheep. He brought an offering that God respected, a firstling of his flock. He worshipped properly. This brought about his brother's jealousy. He is murdered by his brother Cain. And his blood cried out to God. Hebrews 11:4 speaks of Abel, " 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."
And in Hebrews 12:24 Abel's blood is compared with the blood of the new covenant, the blood of Jesus which "speaks better than the blood of Abel."
Chapter 4 ends with the birth of Seth. Abel is dead, Cain is an outcast, but God gives Adam and Eve another son. It is from his line that we have Noah, Abraham, David, and finally Jesus. Eve considered Seth a replacement for Abel, appointed to her, from God. Gen. 5:3 "When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth." Seth carries on the likeness, the family resemblance of his father Adam.
This begins a long line of descendants who carry on this image. And it is in this generation that "men began to call upon the name of the Lord."
Chapter 5 gives the lineage of Adam, made in the image of God, through until the life of Noah. 10 generations. All having many sons and daughters. All living hundreds of years. Massive reproduction! Unique among the many are Enoch, who walked with God so closely that God took him, and Noah. Noah's father, Lamech, made an interesting statement about his son, "This one shall give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the Lord has cursed." There was something special about Noah right from the beginning of his life.
Father, thank You for Your Word that reveals all Truth. Thank You for helping us to see what the life of faith looks like and what the life of sin leads to. Help us to always choose to live for You, in obedience to Your Word, in relationship with You. Help us to walk with You like Enoch did. We call upon Your Name, the only Name by which we can be saved. Help us to abide in You and know that You abide in us. Through Jesus, the True Vine. Amen.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Genesis 3 "The Fall of Man" is the title given to this chapter. It is the sequence of events from which the rest of scripture plays out; the telling of the story's dramatic plot that all of history tries to solve; which climaxes in our Savior's death, resurrection, and someday His glorious return. There is a detailed retelling of the drama through the actions of the main characters.
The crafty Serpent tempts. He lies.
The woman is deceived. She breaks the commandment.
The man is persuaded. He sins.
God is righteous. He does exactly what He said He would do.
Satan always acts the same. He lies and deceives. He tries to convince us that what God has said is wrong. He is cursed to always eat dust. (Since we are dust, that means he is after us.)
The woman saw the fruit, delighted in it, desired it, ate it, shared it, and paid for it. Pain in childbirth, longing/ desperation for a husband, dominated by him.
The man listened to his wife, hid from God, and ushered in death.
God cursed the serpent and the ground. He gave consequences to the man and the woman for their disobedience. They were removed from the garden that He had planted and returned to the place of Adam's creation, to the place where he was formed from the dust. Out of the garden where there was life, into the wilderness where they would eventually die.
Yet, God clothed the man and woman. He covered them with the skin of an animal. And He gave a promise that one day the "seed" of the woman would bruise the head of Satan. A promise that is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of God.
It is all here. All the drama of our lives and every life before us, and those who will follow after us.
We are all deceived by the cursed serpent. We see the "tree" that we think is delightful. We desire after that which God has told us not to desire. We share it with others, leading them to the same fate. We hide from God's presence. We are destined to return to dust. We dwell in a wilderness instead of a garden. Until we turn to Jesus. Until we are covered by His blood, by His righteousness, clothed by the Father's grace.
Oh we need You, Lord Jesus! Every hour we need You. We need Your Truth, lest we swallow the enemy's lies. We need Your life, for we are just dust. We need Your covering, for we are naked and afraid. We need Your will to be done, not our own. For Your will is good and holy and right. We need You. Thank You for rescuing us from sin and death through Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for our redemption. Bless Your Holy Name forever and ever. Amen.
The crafty Serpent tempts. He lies.
The woman is deceived. She breaks the commandment.
The man is persuaded. He sins.
God is righteous. He does exactly what He said He would do.
Satan always acts the same. He lies and deceives. He tries to convince us that what God has said is wrong. He is cursed to always eat dust. (Since we are dust, that means he is after us.)
The woman saw the fruit, delighted in it, desired it, ate it, shared it, and paid for it. Pain in childbirth, longing/ desperation for a husband, dominated by him.
The man listened to his wife, hid from God, and ushered in death.
God cursed the serpent and the ground. He gave consequences to the man and the woman for their disobedience. They were removed from the garden that He had planted and returned to the place of Adam's creation, to the place where he was formed from the dust. Out of the garden where there was life, into the wilderness where they would eventually die.
Yet, God clothed the man and woman. He covered them with the skin of an animal. And He gave a promise that one day the "seed" of the woman would bruise the head of Satan. A promise that is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of God.
It is all here. All the drama of our lives and every life before us, and those who will follow after us.
We are all deceived by the cursed serpent. We see the "tree" that we think is delightful. We desire after that which God has told us not to desire. We share it with others, leading them to the same fate. We hide from God's presence. We are destined to return to dust. We dwell in a wilderness instead of a garden. Until we turn to Jesus. Until we are covered by His blood, by His righteousness, clothed by the Father's grace.
Oh we need You, Lord Jesus! Every hour we need You. We need Your Truth, lest we swallow the enemy's lies. We need Your life, for we are just dust. We need Your covering, for we are naked and afraid. We need Your will to be done, not our own. For Your will is good and holy and right. We need You. Thank You for rescuing us from sin and death through Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for our redemption. Bless Your Holy Name forever and ever. Amen.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Psalm 91:4 "... and under His wings you may seek refuge." God is big enough to cover all of us that come to Him for shelter. He is strong enough to protect from anything that seeks to make us terrified. He is kind enough to rescue us when we call and to be with us in trouble. He even says that He will honor a person, "because he has known My name". Dwell in His shelter today. Abide in His shadow. Call Him your fortress and refuge and trust in Him.
This is His desire, His will for us.
Father, let Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. In me, as You have desired.
Amen.
Genesis 2
Starting in verse 4 there is an expanded explanation of the creation of man. Some details are given.
v5 the shrubs and plants had not sprouted yet.
No rain had been given yet.
v6 A mist rose from the dirt and watered the surface.
v7 God used the dust from the ground to form the man.
God breathed life into the man. Something He did not do with any other creature.
v8 God planted a garden.
God placed the man in the garden.
v9 God caused the trees to grow in the garden, including the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
v10 God made a river to flow out of Eden, the land of His garden.
v11-14 That river divided into 4 major rivers.
v15 God commanded the man to take care of His garden.
v16-17 God restricted the man from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but all the others were freely given.
v18 God brought all the animals to the man to name.
v20 The man took on the name Adam.
V21 God knocked the man out, took his rib and created a woman from it, closed up the wound, and presented the woman to Adam.
v23-25 Marriage is established.
Work, law, and marriage all flow from this passage. We were given a purpose, to take care of God's creation. We were given restrictions, to obey and live, or to disobey and die. And we were given relationships, purposeful and sacred relationships, to help one another.
Your thoughts are deep and Your works are wonderful, Father. Teach us truth and help us to walk in it. Always.
Thank you. Be glorified in our lives today,
Amen
This is His desire, His will for us.
Father, let Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. In me, as You have desired.
Amen.
Genesis 2
Starting in verse 4 there is an expanded explanation of the creation of man. Some details are given.
v5 the shrubs and plants had not sprouted yet.
No rain had been given yet.
v6 A mist rose from the dirt and watered the surface.
v7 God used the dust from the ground to form the man.
God breathed life into the man. Something He did not do with any other creature.
v8 God planted a garden.
God placed the man in the garden.
v9 God caused the trees to grow in the garden, including the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
v10 God made a river to flow out of Eden, the land of His garden.
v11-14 That river divided into 4 major rivers.
v15 God commanded the man to take care of His garden.
v16-17 God restricted the man from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but all the others were freely given.
v18 God brought all the animals to the man to name.
v20 The man took on the name Adam.
V21 God knocked the man out, took his rib and created a woman from it, closed up the wound, and presented the woman to Adam.
v23-25 Marriage is established.
Work, law, and marriage all flow from this passage. We were given a purpose, to take care of God's creation. We were given restrictions, to obey and live, or to disobey and die. And we were given relationships, purposeful and sacred relationships, to help one another.
Your thoughts are deep and Your works are wonderful, Father. Teach us truth and help us to walk in it. Always.
Thank you. Be glorified in our lives today,
Amen
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Psalm 91 My mom's cousin, Betty, 90 years old, recently memorized this psalm. I can see why. It exalts God for all He is and all He does for those who put their trust in Him. This is one I need to meditate on often and have in my heart and mind forever. Psalm 145 has been a wealth of instruction, comfort, and hope to me as I review it often, especially at night before I sleep. I need to add this to my memorization of the Word.
God is: Most High; Almighty; my Refuge; my Fortress; my Deliverer; my Protector; my Shield; my Dwelling Place; my Rescuer; " My God in whom I trust!"
I can: Dwell in His shelter; abide in His shadow; hide under His wings; find His faithfulness to be a shield; make Him my Refuge; call on Him and know He will answer; know that He will rescue me because He loves me; I will behold His salvation.
Because of Who You are Father, I can come to You and not be afraid of the terror by night. I don't have to fear arrows of war or pestilence, or destruction. I do not have to fear evil. You are my shepherd and Your rod and staff comfort me. You guard my ways. You give Your angels charge over me. You alone will satisfy me with life. You have provided Your salvation. Help me to dwell in Your shelter, Most High God. To live, settled down and at home in Your Presence. Moment by moment, day by day, every day of my life. Amen
Genesis 1 Sometimes, when I can't fall asleep for whatever reason, I have an opportunity to meditate on the Word. Often I recite the Scriptures I have memorized, like Psalm 145 or pray for anyone who the Lord brings to mind. But last night I was still awake after doing those things and I found myself contemplating Genesis 1. Just want to share some thoughts here.
Isn't it interesting that God created the heavens (plural) and the earth(singular)?
Was there never light before God said, "Let there be light."? There had to be since we are told that He is Light and in Him there is no darkness, right?
God separated light from darkness, making day and night before the sun was formed.
It wasn't until the 4th day that God made the sun and moon and stars. AFTER the earth had already begun sprouting vegetation! ( Science likes for us to think that the sun is the source of life since plants cannot grow without sunlight, but this proves them wrong again.)
Since we are told that these lights are for "signs and seasons and days and years" - measuring time - Is it at this point that "time" actually begins?
Why is it that God blesses the fish and birds, but not the beasts and cattle and creeping animals?
Since God made man in His image and gave them the job of ruling over the fish, birds, cattle, and every creeping thing - is that what we will rule over in the eternal future?
Any thoughts?
Genesis 2 "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed and all their hosts." By the 7th day God was finished with the work and He "rested". He "shabath" -ceased, put away, celebrated, desisted.
He blessed the 7th day. He sanctified it. He declared the 7th day to be clean, holy, special. Different from the the rest of the days. Set apart. This established the definition of a week. 7 days. 6 of work and 1 of rest. Of putting away and ceasing and resting. A day to celebrate. A day to come away and be separate from our work and to be with Him.
Father, our world has forgotten that we need to come away to You. The busyness of our culture leaves little time for true rest. But not just our culture but the whole world seems swept up into everything but You. Help us to truly come apart to You and rest in You. Help us to walk in the Light of Your Truth and live in obedience to Your word, every day. Teach us what pleases You. Amen
God is: Most High; Almighty; my Refuge; my Fortress; my Deliverer; my Protector; my Shield; my Dwelling Place; my Rescuer; " My God in whom I trust!"
I can: Dwell in His shelter; abide in His shadow; hide under His wings; find His faithfulness to be a shield; make Him my Refuge; call on Him and know He will answer; know that He will rescue me because He loves me; I will behold His salvation.
Because of Who You are Father, I can come to You and not be afraid of the terror by night. I don't have to fear arrows of war or pestilence, or destruction. I do not have to fear evil. You are my shepherd and Your rod and staff comfort me. You guard my ways. You give Your angels charge over me. You alone will satisfy me with life. You have provided Your salvation. Help me to dwell in Your shelter, Most High God. To live, settled down and at home in Your Presence. Moment by moment, day by day, every day of my life. Amen
Genesis 1 Sometimes, when I can't fall asleep for whatever reason, I have an opportunity to meditate on the Word. Often I recite the Scriptures I have memorized, like Psalm 145 or pray for anyone who the Lord brings to mind. But last night I was still awake after doing those things and I found myself contemplating Genesis 1. Just want to share some thoughts here.
Isn't it interesting that God created the heavens (plural) and the earth(singular)?
Was there never light before God said, "Let there be light."? There had to be since we are told that He is Light and in Him there is no darkness, right?
God separated light from darkness, making day and night before the sun was formed.
It wasn't until the 4th day that God made the sun and moon and stars. AFTER the earth had already begun sprouting vegetation! ( Science likes for us to think that the sun is the source of life since plants cannot grow without sunlight, but this proves them wrong again.)
Since we are told that these lights are for "signs and seasons and days and years" - measuring time - Is it at this point that "time" actually begins?
Why is it that God blesses the fish and birds, but not the beasts and cattle and creeping animals?
Since God made man in His image and gave them the job of ruling over the fish, birds, cattle, and every creeping thing - is that what we will rule over in the eternal future?
Any thoughts?
Genesis 2 "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed and all their hosts." By the 7th day God was finished with the work and He "rested". He "shabath" -ceased, put away, celebrated, desisted.
He blessed the 7th day. He sanctified it. He declared the 7th day to be clean, holy, special. Different from the the rest of the days. Set apart. This established the definition of a week. 7 days. 6 of work and 1 of rest. Of putting away and ceasing and resting. A day to celebrate. A day to come away and be separate from our work and to be with Him.
Father, our world has forgotten that we need to come away to You. The busyness of our culture leaves little time for true rest. But not just our culture but the whole world seems swept up into everything but You. Help us to truly come apart to You and rest in You. Help us to walk in the Light of Your Truth and live in obedience to Your word, every day. Teach us what pleases You. Amen
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Psalm 92 Praise the Lord every day! Declare His worth and honor His Name. The psalmist writes this song for the people to sing praises to God.
Give thanks! For all we have comes from His Hand.
Sing praises, for He is the Most High.
Declare His loving kindness and His faithfulness.
Be glad, rejoice in everything He has done. His works are great and His thoughts are deep. He never changes and will forever reign above any other power. His enemies will all perish. He is always right and always strong.
In His Hand, the Hand of the Gardener, the Vine and his branches flourish. "They will still yield fruit in old age. They shall be full of sap and very green."
Father, I desire to be fruitful all the days of my life. I want to live in a way that always honors You and brings glory to Your Name. My request is that I will abide in Christ every day, all my days, and that He abides in me. That I might still yield fruit in old age.
"Take my life and let it be, Consecrated Lord to Thee. Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise."
Amen
Genesis 1 The Creation. Father, teach me through Your Word. Speak Your Truth into my life and heart as I begin once again from "the beginning". May I have ears to hear and eyes to see. May I remember and obey all that You reveal from Your Living Word. Amen.
Day 1 - "God created the heavens and the earth". Out of nothing God created everything. At first the earth is "formless and void". It was dark and empty with water covering its surface. Yet the Spirit of God was moving there. God spoke and said, "Let there be light" and light came. He separated light from darkness.
Day 2 - God made the heavens, the sky or firmament. He separated waters from above the sky and below the sky. He called this expanse heaven.
Day 3 - God separated the waters below the sky so that dry land appeared. He called that earth and the waters were the seas. He also called for the earth to produce plants. Each yielding seeds.
Day 4 - God made great lights to separate day from night. He set them in the expanse of the heavens. Their purpose was to give light, to govern time ( days, years and seasons), and to be "for signs".
Day 5 - God called for the waters to teem with living creatures and for birds to fly through the heavens.
This time we are told that "God blessed them, saying,' Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.'"
Day 6 - God calls for the "earth to bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts". Then He said, "Let Us make man in Our image according to Our likeness;" So "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them.... Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
God also tells them that the plants and trees that have fruit are for their food, and the food for all the animals.
And "it was very good" in His sight.
O Most High, Your works are great and Your thoughts are deep. We give You thanks for all You have provided. You created all things from nothing and You alone are worthy of our praise and our thanksgiving. It is by Your blessing that we can be fruitful and multiply. It is Your work, by Your power, from Your grace, and to Your glory. Keep us mindful of this today. We praise and worship You. Amen
Give thanks! For all we have comes from His Hand.
Sing praises, for He is the Most High.
Declare His loving kindness and His faithfulness.
Be glad, rejoice in everything He has done. His works are great and His thoughts are deep. He never changes and will forever reign above any other power. His enemies will all perish. He is always right and always strong.
In His Hand, the Hand of the Gardener, the Vine and his branches flourish. "They will still yield fruit in old age. They shall be full of sap and very green."
Father, I desire to be fruitful all the days of my life. I want to live in a way that always honors You and brings glory to Your Name. My request is that I will abide in Christ every day, all my days, and that He abides in me. That I might still yield fruit in old age.
"Take my life and let it be, Consecrated Lord to Thee. Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise."
Amen
Genesis 1 The Creation. Father, teach me through Your Word. Speak Your Truth into my life and heart as I begin once again from "the beginning". May I have ears to hear and eyes to see. May I remember and obey all that You reveal from Your Living Word. Amen.
Day 1 - "God created the heavens and the earth". Out of nothing God created everything. At first the earth is "formless and void". It was dark and empty with water covering its surface. Yet the Spirit of God was moving there. God spoke and said, "Let there be light" and light came. He separated light from darkness.
Day 2 - God made the heavens, the sky or firmament. He separated waters from above the sky and below the sky. He called this expanse heaven.
Day 3 - God separated the waters below the sky so that dry land appeared. He called that earth and the waters were the seas. He also called for the earth to produce plants. Each yielding seeds.
Day 4 - God made great lights to separate day from night. He set them in the expanse of the heavens. Their purpose was to give light, to govern time ( days, years and seasons), and to be "for signs".
Day 5 - God called for the waters to teem with living creatures and for birds to fly through the heavens.
This time we are told that "God blessed them, saying,' Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.'"
Day 6 - God calls for the "earth to bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts". Then He said, "Let Us make man in Our image according to Our likeness;" So "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them.... Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
God also tells them that the plants and trees that have fruit are for their food, and the food for all the animals.
And "it was very good" in His sight.
O Most High, Your works are great and Your thoughts are deep. We give You thanks for all You have provided. You created all things from nothing and You alone are worthy of our praise and our thanksgiving. It is by Your blessing that we can be fruitful and multiply. It is Your work, by Your power, from Your grace, and to Your glory. Keep us mindful of this today. We praise and worship You. Amen
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
John 15 -16 Abiding in Jesus, the true Vine. Staying in relationship, attached and bound together so closely that His life flows into ours. This is God's will for us. It is what we pray for when we pray "Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven". It is in the abiding that fruit is produced. It is the fruit of the Vine, not ours. It is the glory of the husbandman, the gardener, God the Father, not of the branch. Abiding in Him involves faith and commitment. We must be thoroughly attached. Grafted together and as one with Him. Jesus tells us that we are to obey His commandments, His Word. And we are to love one another. Love like He loves. Love enough to lay down our own lives for another. It is a love beyond our own capacity to love. It must come through our connection to Him.
This is the place of True Joy.
But it is also the place of persecution.
For when we abide so closely with the Jesus. When we are branches attached to the Vine, whatever He suffers we do too.
The world hated Him. It will hate us too. Many Christians in other countries face this every day. Many have been kicked out of their families. Many have been thrown into prison. Many have been killed. Just for naming the name of Jesus.
We can't imagine this. But as our culture continues to turn from the principles of Truth and godliness, we can see the writing on the wall. Just the issue of gay marriage is enough to see how the lines are being drawn. Christians are being labeled bigots. We are not. We are disciples of Jesus Christ.
Father, help us to bear witness of Jesus faithfully, every day. Holy Spirit, lead us continually in the truth. Abide in us and us in You. Steadfastly. Eternally. I pray this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
This is the place of True Joy.
But it is also the place of persecution.
For when we abide so closely with the Jesus. When we are branches attached to the Vine, whatever He suffers we do too.
The world hated Him. It will hate us too. Many Christians in other countries face this every day. Many have been kicked out of their families. Many have been thrown into prison. Many have been killed. Just for naming the name of Jesus.
We can't imagine this. But as our culture continues to turn from the principles of Truth and godliness, we can see the writing on the wall. Just the issue of gay marriage is enough to see how the lines are being drawn. Christians are being labeled bigots. We are not. We are disciples of Jesus Christ.
Father, help us to bear witness of Jesus faithfully, every day. Holy Spirit, lead us continually in the truth. Abide in us and us in You. Steadfastly. Eternally. I pray this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)