Genesis 11:1-9, Nothing is Impossible

Nothing is Impossible

Genesis 11:6 The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing is impossible for them.

The population of the earth grew and families began to spread across the earth. The people devised a plan to keep together, but their heart's were evil, so God took action. He created division among them by introducing different languages. Instead of working through this problem, they divided into people groups separated from each other. They could not overcome the evil in their hearts to join together and they were scattered across the face of the earth.

Man can accomplish great things. Together, the sky is the limit. Nothing will be to great for us to solve or create. Through unity of mind and heart, we will overcome. But, there is great division among us, and we are hampered in our efforts. What is it that causes division? That's a silly question, it's our differences. In the areas in which we disagree, conflict arises. "But, isn't there more?" you may ask. Yes. Sin stirs up the pot. It takes differences to the next level and creates further disunity. Selfishness, fear, and hatred keep people and groups apart. They refuse to work things out.

A and K, do you have someone you can't get along with? Are there tasks that seem impossible to manage? Are you in over your head? Begin to solve them by checking your life for areas of sin. Then, rid yourself of footholds, areas which Satan can use to tempt you and distract you from the solutions. Then, patch over issues where there is division (Matt 5:24) and begin to work together, for there is nothing to great for you to handle when walk with God (Matt 19:26)!

~Dad

Genesis 10, Life Begins Again

Life Begins Again

Genesis 10:32 These are the clans of Noah's sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood.

There are interesting tidbits of information in the verses of this chapter. The nations of the land of Canaan where Abram arrived and whom Israel destroyed because of their wickedness are listed here. Also, we get a glimpse of history when it talks about Shem's descendant, Peleg. It says he lived when the earth was divided. Some believe this to be the time when the giant land mass separated into the continents which we have today. Listed here too is the man Nimrod, who was a mighty hunter before the Lord. He started the city of Nineveh. Also in the end times of Revelation it mentions the battle of Gog and Magog. Magog was the son of Japheth, Noah's son.

So, K and A, what can be learned from this chapter? More than you or I can imagine. But here are a couple that I see;

When God made a reset for mankind, he promised that life would continue until the "End Times". Seed time and harvest, summer and winter, man would cover the face of the earth. Its not that God would sit idly by, quite the opposite. He promised to be actively involved. Notice that after Ham was cursed, his descendant Nimrod was know to be of God.

That leads to my second point. God does not hold a grudge, he relents. He will not always accuse, nor harbor his anger forever; nor does he treat us as our sins deserve... (Psalm 103:9 & 10) God is willing to forgive and to allow us to begin again. Read that Psalm it is powerful! He removes our sin and has compassion on his children. I pray that you never disappoint God. I pray that you do not grossly sin against him like David and many others... Choose to remain faithful and do not be tricked by the devil and schemes and so be caught in sin! But if you do, remember that God allows your spiritual life to reset, and you can be made pure and holy... You will suffer the consequences of your sin and be forever sad about what you have done, but glad that he forgives and allow life to begin again.

~Dad

Genesis 9:18-29, Shameful Nakedness

Shameful Nakedness

Genesis 9:21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.

We do not know why Noah got drunk. Some commentators say this was possibly the first time wine had been made and the effects of it were not known. I cannot say this since the Bible gives us no clue. But we do know that this is the first time wine is mentioned, and it is shown to be a problem from the beginning. Drunkenness is a sin. Other scriptures tell us that, and they say that the drunkard does not have eternal life! And here, Noah, a righteous man found out what evil can come from it. May we learn from this lesson and never repeat it.

Today, being naked is lauded by society. It is found everywhere. The internet is easy access to all that is evil and puts it all on display. Search any topic, and it pops onto the screen in all its vileness. The popular stars, the movies, music, tv, ads, magazines and society in general, all promote showing as much skin as possible. They say that the church has been too prudish, that we have vilified the naked body. So, the church felt bad and now they too are open to watching and showing and displaying nudity. With the church yielding to the pressures of the world, society has furthered its advancement. Topless beaches are common. Parades are marched in promoting nudity. And soon billboards will show it as well like they do in Europe (There is one close to doing it in Harrisburg.)

We learn from these verses that one son saw his father and felt something. We do not know for sure what it was, but we do know that it was so sinful that it brought down a curse on

one third of mankind. The other two not only covered their father, but they did it in such a way as to not view him while they were doing it. This was before their brother was cursed. They knew they must not look at his naked body.

A and K, I plead with you to recognize what God thinks of this issue. Your generation laughs at the prudish stances given by the church of the past. I have heard both of you laugh at the conservative church of today, "oops they saw my elbow". Dresses are short, tops are cut low, and pants are tight. Clothes are showing more and more. What are you choosing to wear? Who are you enticing by what you display?... I hear them at work. They love it and want more or should I say less. So you have a responsibility to dress with propriety as the Paul says (1 Tim 2:9).

But remember too, that you have a responsibility to evaluate what you see. Ham saw his father's nakedness and was cursed. What sites do you visit online? What music do you listen to, what movies or programs do you see. Never forget Grandpa's rat poison object lesson. Just because there is a lot of good doesn't mean the bad wont get you. Over time you will die, both physically and spiritually.

Ahh but, there is another road. The road that is straight and narrow. Most of your "friends" wont be there, but it was the choice Shem and Japheth took. Cover your nakedness and choose to view the glorious things of life. Then you will not be ashamed when you stand before God and man.

~Dad

Genesis 9:8-17, Remember the Rainbow

Remember the Rainbow

Genesis 9:16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

The rain has passed and the floods have subsided and dryland appeared. Noah and the animals got out of the ark viewing the pristine new land. Noah and his family worshipped the Lord and offered a sacrifice to him. In response, God made a covenant between himself and the earth and all living creatures, including man. God promised never to destroy all creation with a flood. Earlier he had promised to sustain the earth until the Last Day.

When the rain stops and the clouds break, the sun shines through the clouds and refracts through the moisture and a rainbow appears in the sky. We can look at it as a scientific wonder and be awed at what Mother Nature can produce. But how disrespectful could we be? There are no acts of nature outside of God's hand, and there is no Mother Nature! God is the master of ocean and earth and sky. Song: (Choir Version, Piano Version, Black Version)

Daughters, when you look at the rainbow, don't seek an imaginary pot of gold. And don't just look at the magnificent colors, or even the amazing thought of a double rainbow for they all miss the main reason why God gave us the rainbow. Rather, think of the power and majesty of God. Think of his promise to care and protect you. And, think of his love that he covenanted with you. When you see the rainbow, remember God.

~Dad

Quick note: Be Beautiful

Quick Note

Be Beautiful
In Sunday school or lesson was on the beatitudes. They can be looked at on different ways. These superlatives are opposites to the ways of the world,but God's ways normally are.

Look at them in total as a progression of a Christian's life. But also live each individually throughout your walk with God. Read them backward in phrases to help you comprehend them.

Example: vs 1... if you want to own the kingdom, then you must be poor in spirit... Not every one who thinks their worth little will inherit it but all who are heirs to the kingdom realize they are unworthy.

Daughters, consider your life. The root word of beatitude is beauty. True beauty comes from the inside. Be beautiful, live out the beatitudes!

~Dad

Genesis 9:1 - 7, Part 3: Precious Blood

Precious Blood

Genesis 9:4 But you must not eat meat that still has its lifeblood still in it.

God believes life is precious. He allows us to eat meat for strength and nourishment and even our enjoyment. Ahhh, to taste a good piece of beef, it's what's for dinner. But do not mistake his allowance as a sign he doesn't care about life. He does. The set of verses from four through six reveals this part of God's heart.

Blood is the life of a living being. Without blood, oxygen and energy would never make it to the cells within the body. Those cells would die. Eventually the whole body would die, and life would cease. Since blood is so crucial to the life of a being, we can understand why God cherishes it so. Jews are very particular with how animals are processed for food. They must bleed out properly, or the meat is not kosher and therefor unacceptable. It is true that God loves animals but even more so with man. God demands an accounting for life. We must not kill, murder, another human being. God holds us accountable, so our life is to be taken (vs 6). Jesus said the same thing when he said those who kill by the sword will die by the sword (Matt 26:52 Rev 13:10), . God says life is precious, for we are made in his image, the image of God.

In Old Testament times, the blood of a sacrifice was precious. God required that nearly everything used in worship be cleansed by blood. It was used extensively during the time of sacrifice and offering. Today, there is a greater, more precious blood that cleanses, the blood of Christ. It was spilt for our purification. His sacrifice is greater than that of an animal. It cleanses and purifies from sin completely. We can be made whole again, if we have faith in what Christ has done for us. Then as Christians, we must become like Christ. This becomes possible when we allow this precious blood to flow through our veins. It becomes our lifeblood. As it flows through all our being, we receive the strength and energy necessary to walk like Christ.

A and K, apply the precious blood of Christ to your heart and soul. Let it flow throughout your entire being that you may become like Christ. Care for the lives of those around you, the precious creations of God.

~Dad

Genesis 9:1 - 7, Part 2: Food for You

Food for You

Genesis 9:3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

For nearly 1000 years, God did not allow the eating of meat, only vegetables. But after the flood, God said that he was changing things. Animals would now fear man, and the dread of him would overcome them. It was at that time when God said that all animals, like all green plants,  could be consumed as food. For some to say today that we must be vegetarians is absurd. God made a specific statement permitting animals as food. We also know that using furs or killing animals for their skins to make leather is fine with God as well. Remember, It was God who clothed Adam and Eve in animal skins after they had sinned. We can use animals as pets, cage them for eggs, smoke them on a spit, make them work for us, and put them on display. Animals are for our benefit.

Our society has vilified the use of animals. Movies and TV programs have personified animals to the point many believe animal are equal to humans. Many believe that animals have souls, and others equate them with God and worship them. We must see life from God's prospective. Like all of creation, animals show God's magnificence. Just like the rest of his creation we protect and care for them. We must not torture them nor derive cruel pleasures from them. God will hold us accountable.

Daughters, God created animals for us. They can be our companions and bring us a sense of security, but we must remember that they are second to people. They were not meant as a substitute for people. Today people have relationships with their pets, passionately kissing them, having sexual relations with them and even marrying them. This is sinful, a perversion of God's way of life (Lev 18:23). Societies have been destroyed by God for this.

Be wise. Develop a proper Biblical perspective on caring for animals. Check out this verse from Proverbs 12:10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Even though we can use them for food and work or entertainment, that doesn't give us the right mistreat God's creation. Ladies, enjoy you pets but don't go overboard.

~Dad