Back to the Beginning: Genesis 22

Genesis 22 has more suspense than any modern day movie. Click on the link and read it for yourself.

I wonder about the emotion not written in this chapter of Genesis. Let's allow our imagination to paint a picture for a moment.

Imagine Abraham's thoughts when God spoke the fatal words, "Abraham, go... take you son, your only son, and sacrifice Him on my altar." This child, the only hope Abraham had of being the father God promised he would be. What in the world?

Abraham didn't spend too much time thinking about it. He got up early, loaded the supplies, and up the mountain the two traveled to make the sacrifice. Only something's missing from the supply list and Isaac noticed.

"... the fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

How do you answer the question? "Well, son, you are the lamb. You are the sacrifice." Did Abraham gulp back the lump in his throat and breathe deep? Were there tears welling... waiting to drop any second?

He answers, "God, himself will provide the lamb."

Take some time, read the rest of the story again. Read how Abraham flings his knife high to take the life of his only son. Read how God cries out, "STOP!" While you are reading imagine Abraham's face as he looks down at his son strapped to a wood pile. Did the boy squirm, ask questions, struggle? Sigh with relief as God provides a lamb and the boy's life is saved.

Now... move forward. Jesus is there... nailed to a pile of wood. Physically struggling, bleeding, crying out to God. He's the Sacrifice, the Lamb to be slaughtered and there's no one to cry STOP this time.

Abraham was right you know. God did provide a Lamb. He provided a ram to take Isaac's place. He provided Himself to take ours. No other God in all the world has done this. Sacrificed himself to save His children. I am humbled by the very thought of it.

Lord, never let me forget the depth of Your great Sacrifice.

Let me never forget to be filled with thanks and awe.

Amen.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 21

No Bible near by? Click on the link to read today's verses. Genesis 21

Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah...

Consider the ways the Lord has been gracious to you. Count them, make a mental list...

...and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised.

God is a promise keeper, never breaking His word. Look around, where do you see His promises fulfilled in your life?

Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter...

Rejoice today in the Lord. Give thanks for his gracious love and the promises He's kept. The fulfillment of promises to come. And laugh. Go ahead, find a reason to laugh out loud today. Not a giggle or grin, but laughter that has you gripping your sides and tears running down your face. Breathe hard with the shear joy of the moment.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

 Father God, thank You for Your grace and every promise kept and still waiting to be fulfilled! Fill me with joy because of Your great faithfulness.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 19:30-20:18

Moving forward through the beginning, today, we find ourselves in Genesis 19:30-20:18. Open up your Bible or read online by clicking the Scripture reference.

Then God said to him in the dream,

"...it was I who kept you from sinning against me. ..."

Genesis 20:6

Wow! There just seems to be no end to the shocking stories in Scripture.

Today we find incest and potentially adulterous lies. Wow!

The root of today's shocking sins is fear. Fear there will be no husband to continue their father's line. Fear of being killed, because there was no fear of the Lord. Fear leads us to all sorts of shocking things we would never dream of doing otherwise. Especially when our own fears or the fear of man are greater than our fear of the Lord.

I know I've sinned based on fear. Fear of being found out. Fear of losing relationships. Fear of being embarrassed. Clearly, in my life, my fears at some points have far outweighed my fear of God.

But here's the rub. The one thing Believers need to remember. God says it Himself... when we sin, any sin, we sin against Him.

The Creator of the universe, the Founder of all that is right and wrong, moral and immoral, is the One we injure when we sin. It may seem like we are only injuring ourselves or others. Or like Abimelech, in our own integrity we may not even consider it sin. But God as Creator takes it all personally.

He is God of everyone, whether we acknowledge Him or not. And because He is the God of all: Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Wiccans, atheists, agnostics, and any other people groups you can think of, He is the One we offend when we break His law.

Sin is sin. God defines it. And that's that.

Heavenly Father, may my fear of You far outweigh my fear of man

or fear of missing out on something I want. Help me to remember

You are God of gods and Lord of lords. There is no other.

Forgive me for the sins I've committed against You.

Amen.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 19:1-29

Today's reading: Genesis 19:1-29
Click the reference above to read online at BibleGateway.com.

There are no two ways about it. This is a shocking story.
The behavior of the men of Sodom... Shocking!
Lot's attitude toward his daughters... Shocking!
Lot arguing with the angels trying to save his family... Really?!
God's judgment raining down sulfur and fire... destroying whole cities... Shocking!
Lot's wife turning to a pillar of salt... just for looking back... Shocking!

We live in a world today where shocking events happen everyday. We're immune to most of them. They have become part of the fabric of our culture. For one, the ways we've strayed so far outside of God's plan for marriage and sex. What's happened to modesty? reverence for marriage? sexuality in general?

Shocking...

But make no mistake. God sees. He knows. And His judgment will one day rain down.

His Word says His judgment begins with His people today, now.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God;

and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who

do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 ESV

If we become hardhearted to His judgment and deaf to His Word, we will end up exactly like Lot's sons-in-law believing the whole thing to be a joke. Being left behind and destroyed.

Father God, tender the hearts of Your people to sin.

We've taken what You call a narrow path and made it a broad road.

Holy Spirit convict our hearts in a way we know You are not joking.

I pray Your people humble themselves before You and repent.

In Jesus's holy name, let it be so.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 18:17-33

Today read Genesis 18:17-33 as we continue our way through the beginning. Open up a Bible or open up the link.

"... For I have chosen him, that he may command his children

and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing

righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham

what he has promised him."

Genesis 18:19

In these words to Abraham, I hear a call to all Believers: 

"... Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all

that I have commanded you. ...

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Abraham was chosen to lead his children and his household in the way of the Lord by doing what was right and just.

We too, as Believers, are chosen to lead our children, neighbors, friends, and co-workers in the Lord's way, and do what is right and just in His eyes.

Abraham was willing to risk his life before God in order to seek justice on behalf of the righteous who may have been residing in Sodom and Gomorrah. 

We too, are to be willing to risk our lives before God in order to seek justice on behalf of other Believers. Interceding. Giving. Standing up for truth.

Because of Abraham's faithfulness, we have the promise of salvation which came through Jesus's life, crucifixion, and death. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit residing in us to help and guide us in fulfilling His call on our lives.

As boldly as Abraham, we need to walk faithfully before our heavenly Father, so others won't miss the promise.

Lord, thank You for the call to make disciples,

so others might know Your promise, love, and salvation.

May I be faithful to Your call on my life.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 17:15-18:16

Today's passage: Genesis 17:15-18:16
Read His Word in your Bible or click the Scripture address above to read online.

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself,

"Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old?

Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old bear a child?"

Genesis 17:17

Sometimes God's promises and ways are so shocking, so far beyond our imagination, all we can do is laugh. Abraham rolled on the ground laughing when God told him he would have a son with Sarah. Sarah laughed too, when she heard the promise. 

It was so outrageous to Abraham he asked God to let Ishmael be the son of promise. But God would not use what man dreamed up to replace what He had in mind, what He had planned from the beginning. We could never conceive what God has in store for us. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

Abraham may have laughed initially, but ultimately he believed God. He is the father of our faith. So like him, we may come across some outrageous promises in His Word which make us laugh. Or a command we think preposterous, absolutely crazy. But when it comes right down to it, as Believers, we must choose the path of faith. Follow our father of faith. And believe. Trust Him to keep His promises, and obey His Word even when it doesn't match up to our own understanding.

The world thinks He's foolish, but His children are fools for Christ!

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men,

and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Corinthians 1:25 ESV

Father God, thank You for remembering I'm made of dust,

frail and finite, limited in my understanding, and pouring out grace

on me when Your ways and promises seem way out there to me.

I choose to follow the example of Abraham on his faith journey.

I choose to believe You, even when it makes no sense to me.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 16:1-17:14

Today's verses: Genesis 16:1-17:14
If you have limited time today, read His words not ours. Click the link above to read on BibleGateway.com.

"My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant." --The Lord

Genesis 17:13

What an amazing picture of grace. God placing His covenant -- His promise for relationship -- in the flesh of broken unfaithful man.

Abram listened to the voice of Sarai rather than God. Sarai in her impatience and doubt came up with a plan to hurry God's promise along. Abram the father of our faith chose to trust his wife's way rather than wait on God.

Hagar, a servant, became pregnant. Then she became proud. Despised the one who made the way for her to be honored with carrying the master's baby. Sarai became jealous. What she set up, planned, conceived in her own understanding, came back to bite her. (Can anyone relate?)

Abram avoided responsibility, She's not my maid, she's yours. Do what you will. Never mind she was carrying his child! So Sarai followed her husband's advice, because getting the upper hand sounded pretty good to her about now. 

Hagar ran away when Sarai began to mistreat her. She ran from the order of the day. Illegally leaving her mistress. Leaving the only ones who would care for her and her child. 

And in all this fleshly unfaithfulness we see God... who sees us... knows us... reaches down and makes a way for blessing!

His new covenant is literally in every Believer's flesh. Through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, we receive the promise of eternal life and the blessing of the Holy Spirit who is with us each and every moment of every day.

How faithful are you in your flesh to Him? Do you continue to count on His faithfulness? even when you fail?

As you go about your day today, consider His faithfulness in trusting you to keep His covenant of relationship. Be mindful of being a witness for His great grace. Trust Him, wait on Him, obey Him, rather than leaning on your own understanding. He is worthy of our trust!

For to set the mind on the flesh is death,

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 ESV

Father God, what amazing grace Your love pours forth.

Open my heart to be faithful to You alone.

May I be worthy of Your trust in me.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 15

We move on to Genesis 15 today. Take time to click on the link... read God's Word.

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.--vs. 6

Abram is considered one the heroes of our faith. Not because he moved when God told him to, or because he prayed more than others. He wasn't without sin, nor did he have some supernatural strength like Samson. He was a man who followed God, not much different than me... or you.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Romans 4:1-3

The works of Abraham did not make him righteous. Not even his willingness to sacrifice his one and only son. Abraham was righteous, in right relationship with God, because he believed.

It is so simple and yet so hard. Faith, believing what we do not see, is our righteousness. And what about when the waiting seems forever, and what we believe might not happen? Remember, Abraham died before the promise God gave to him became a reality. A reality we are still living today.

So make a decision to keep believing... keep trusting God will bring His promises to pass. He will you know, for God is the ultimate Promise Keeper.

Father God, like Abraham, bless me with the faith to continue to shoo away the spiritual birds of prey who long to steal my belief in You: doubt, discouragement, impatience, lies of the enemy, complacency. Bless me with perseverance to believe Your promises and stay the course no matter the threat or what I think I see coming.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 14

We find ourselves in Genesis 14 today. Click on the link to read the verses.

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

    Creator of heaven and earth.

 

And praise be to God Most High,

    who delivered your enemies into your hand."--vs. 18-20

These verses always catch my attention. Who was Melchizedek besides the king of Salem, and how did he become a priest of the Most High God? The same God Abram worshiped. And then we read in Hebrews these words...

He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.  For it is declared: 

“You are a priest forever,    in the order of Melchizedek.” 

Hebrews 7:13-17

Jesus and the King of Salem were cut from the same cloth. Priests who were different because they were not sons of Aaron... not Levites.

Take a look at the how Melchizedek ministered to Abram. He brought bread and wine, symbols of Communion... a foreshadowing of things to come. It reminds me... the entire Bible, front to back, Old Testament and New points to Jesus.

Jesus is our High Priest.

 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

 God Most High, You planned to send Your Son for us from the very beginning.

Help me to see Him in all Your Word and in all my life.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 12:10-13:18

You'll find the Scripture reading for today in Genesis 12:10-13:18. (Click on the link to read the verses.)

So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”--vs. 8-9

Oh, that we could be like Abram.

...recognizing when the land cannot support everyone

...acting instead of reacting

...generously offering what should be ours

...allowing others to take the best

...trusting God will provide when the land looks dry

Lot took the best land... the easy, well watered way. Abram took what was left. And the leftover dry land became the fertile ground of God's promise.

Do you feel like you are always getting the leftovers? Is it possible this is the very place where God's promise for you becomes reality?

Father God, may I trust Your provision in such a way

as to be generous, open-handed, and loving with others.

Amen.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 11:10-12:9

Today's verses are found in Genesis 11:10-12:9. (Click on the link if you don't have your Bible near.)

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. --vs. 31

Terah the father of Abram (Abraham) had a journey to make. He took his grandson Lot, Abram and his wife, and set out for Canaan. Yet, he didn't complete the journey. Something happened and I wonder... Why did He stop? Why settle in Haran? Why not keep going to the place you intended to go?

Maybe the journey was tougher than He realized. Could it be the land was harsh or food was scarce? Maybe they were too weary to travel one more step. No matter the cause, Terah settled for Haran. He never reached Canaan.

When it comes to my faith journey, there are times I've done the same. I'm Terah settling for a place along the way instead of pressing on to the end. Because sometimes the hills are just too steep and taking another step seems impossible.

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2Timothy 4:7-8

The only journey worth finishing. The one where settling is never the option. Is the journey of faith.

Consider where you are in your journey of faith. Have you settled somewhere along the way? If so, rise up and get going! He is waiting at the finish line to place a crown of righteousness upon your head.

Lord, don't allow me to get stuck on my journey of faith.

Continue to prod and prompt. Reveal when I've settled in one place too long.

Your Word tells me You will finish what You began in me.

Keep me focused on You and where You want to lead me next.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 NASB

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 11:1-9

Today's reading is found in Genesis 11:1-9. (Click on the link to read the verses.)

Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth. --vs. 4

At first glance building a tower doesn't seem so bad. Our cities are full of sky scraping buildings and I always marvel at the workmanship of something so tall. The building wasn't the problem, it was the builders... the reason behind the building. They weren't building a tower to heaven to see God more clearly or point others to Him. No, the builders built for two reasons: to make a name for themselves and to protect their community.

If you look closely it seems pride and fear are the very motivation behind the construction. I'm struck by the thought that I'm a lot like the builders at times. I find myself motivated to make a name for myself. I want to protect my family and community, to keep them together. And what does all the work get me? Nothing but babble. Pride and fear lead us to a place where understanding ourselves and others is impossible.

Is there some place in your life where misunderstanding seems to be the norm? Ask God to reveal His plan for construction in the matter and let go of your pride and fear.

Lord, reveal pride and fear in my life. Move my heart to glorify You in all I do

and trust You with those I love.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 10

Continuing the beginning: Genesis 10
Click the link to read online or open up your Bible.

These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.

Genesis 10:32

One family.
Noah's family.
Became many nations.

A picture of God's abundant grace and faithfulness to His covenant.
Men's hearts had not changed. Every intent still evil.
But God's heart does not change either.

After the flood of His wrath.
He blessed all with grace.

From this one family.
Comes Jesus.
Who endured the flood of God's wrath once and for all.
That we might know the sheer magnitude of His grace.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits --- to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also... It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ... 1 Peter 3:18-21 NIV

Father God, open my eyes to Your amazing grace in a world where men's hearts are only intent on evil. Open my heart to the good news of Your grace poured out through Jesus. May I be a picture of Your abundant grace to those who are lost.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 8:20-9:29

Genesis 8:20-9:29
Open up your Bible or open up the link above to read God's Word today.

In the story of Noah, we've seen God grieved. We've seen His grace toward Noah, whom He favored. We saw His wrath poured out and Noah remembered. Today, we see Him soothed by the aroma of sacrificial worship.

Don't miss the magnitude of the sacrifice Noah placed on the altar he built to the Lord, after disembarking the ark.

All the animals of the earth were destroyed. The only living land animals remaining were in the ark. As an act of worship, Noah took from his limited supply of clean animals and clean birds and sacrificed a portion to God.

Do you give sacrificially to God? Or is your worship limited by a spirit of scarcity? a fear of not enough?

What Noah offered to God could not be readily replaced, he had all there was. Wouldn't it have made more sense for Noah to wait a few months... years... before killing the clean animals? Assuring an ample supply, just in case?

No. Noah had some serious personal experience with God's provision. Trusting Him over the years of building the ark, the gathering of animals and supplies, the flood, the waiting and wondering. Noah knew God would never leave him without enough; he had first-hand knowledge of His faithfulness. He deserved to be worshiped wholeheartedly!

And God's response to the sacrificial worship, an offering poured out from a heart of trust:

The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself,

"I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent

of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again

destroy every living thing, as I have done. ..."

Genesis 8:21 NASB

Wonder at that for a moment... 

One man's sacrificial heart of worship, soothed the wrath of God, who still knew the hearts of man were evil, yet moved Him to make a covenant, a promise, with all of mankind.

Just imagine if those who called themselves followers of Jesus practiced, embraced, sacrificial worship. What kind of blessing would we be to God? How might the world, as evil and dark as it is, be changed?

Take a lesson from Noah.

Trust the Lord with all your heart.

Bless Him with sacrificial, fear-less, worship.

Lord, remind me with each raindrop and every rainbow

of Noah's act of sacrificial worship which soothed Your heart,

and blessed all of mankind. Bless me with the faith of Noah.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 8:1-19

Genesis 8:1-19
Read today's verses by clicking the link above.

But God remembered Noah...

Genesis 8:1

After pouring out His wrath on the earth in the form of a flood... God remembered Noah...

God's primary focus for the flood was to blot out evil. His intention to destroy all but eight of the people He created.

In a world of evil, when God decides to dole out judgment on the rebellious, those who walk with Him in righteousness suffer, too.

Noah and his family bobbed along in the ark full of animals, while others drowned. They had no control over their destination. They waited. And wondered. When will it be over? When will things get back to normal?

Have you suffered because of another's sinful behavior?

Have you wondered and waited when life could get back to normal?

Sometimes, when God deals with the sin of others, even the faithful suffer from the fallout.

I find comfort in these words, God remembered Noah... Living in a world again corrupted with evil. Filled with darkness. The consequences and suffering of sin leave no one untouched. But in it all... He remembers those who belong to Him.

Whatever fallout you may be dealing with today, find comfort, He remembers you... 

Father God, thank You for remembering those who belong to You.

Remind me what You pour out on others in judgement, is for me a refining fire.

An opportunity to exercise my faith and trust in You.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 7

Today's reading Genesis 7.

[Click the link above or open your Bible to read His Word.]

...the water of the flood came upon the earth.

...all the fountains of the great deep burst open...

Genesis 7:10, 11

We had a flood at the church this week. The freezing weather burst pipes in the children's wing. Two to three inches of water filled classrooms... offices... closets...

It's hard for us to imagine the magnitude of the devastation the earth endured from the flood. But we'll get a small glimpse of it over the coming weeks as we watch the cost of repairs to the Readiness School, Sunday School classes, and children's church add up. The disruption to lives. Already parents whose children attend Readiness School will have to make other arrangements for the week. Extra work for employees to get things back in order.

The year I graduated from high school my family's home flooded due to rains stirred up by a hurricane. Two feet of water filled the entire house. My family displaced from home for weeks. It took months to repair the damages. Many items, irreplaceable, lost forever.

Water. A necessity for life. Can also claim life. Cause irreparable damage.

A great flood was God's means to pour out His wrath on the earth. On the evil we had let run rampant. But in the pouring out of His wrath, He also cleansed the earth with the flood.

In all afflictions -- floods, earthquakes, plagues, famines -- God's purpose is cleansing, purification, refinement.

"...Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;

I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. ..."

Isaiah 48:10 ESV

We not only experience community-wide afflictions, but personal afflictions as well. I'm facing a personal one of sorts this week. In the struggle, I turn to God in prayer. He used His Word and His Spirit to move me closer to Him. Refined my walk with Him. My trust in Him. My view of what He deems most important.

...put no confidence in the flesh...

...reach forward to what lies ahead...

Philippians 3:3, 13 NASB

Seeking Him in my personal grief, these words remind me where to put my hope and confidence: In Him, not in people. And to keep an eternal perspective.

"Surely I am coming soon." Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20 ESV

In the middle of floods and quakes, physical or emotional, we can't see what He is up to. But we can be sure of one thing. For those who love Him and trust Him, who pursue His purpose, it is for good. A refinement of our hearts to focus on the right things.

Noah and his family were tucked safely in the ark.

We who believe, are tucked safely in Christ.

Father God, I pray for wisdom and discernment for decisions made during times of affliction. May we know You, Lord, as our Ark who saves, cleanses, and purifies through the storms of life.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis 6

Moving on to Genesis 6.
[Read today's verses by clicking the link or opening up your Bible.]

In six short chapters, God's view of the world changed radically...

God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.

Genesis 1:31 NASB

to...

The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth,

and He was grieved in His heart.

Genesis 6:6 NASB

The sin and rebellion of Adam and Eve led to increasing corruption and generations of wickedness filled the earth. Every intent of their hearts was evil. And it all grieved God.

According to Merriam-Webster's, grieve means to suffer, be in distress, be sorrowful. It's hard to believe we can make the All-Mighty Sovereign Creator suffer, cause His heart to be filled with grief. He was so distressed over the state of mankind He decided to wash it all away. Cleanse the corruption of the earth with a flood.

But there was one bright light among all the darkness on earth: Noah.

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Genesis 6:8 NASB

What made Noah different than all the rest? What caused Noah to be favored by Him?

...Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:9 NASB

All the rest of the world was doing their own thing.

Following their own hearts, going their own way their way.

Which filled God's heart with sorrow,

but Noah, he did all that God commanded.

In our everyday ways and our everyday choices, we have the power to bless God by walking with Him or grieve God by doing things our way.

And I wonder... Am I walking with Him? are you?

Walking with God means to allow Him to lead you His Way. We come into relationship with Him through Jesus. We come to know His Word and obey it. We seek Him and spend time with Him in prayer. And we love others as He calls us to, not as we think we should.

Let's choose this day, and everyday, to walk with God and put down our own way. After all, His way leads to favor and grace. Our way leads to corruption and destruction.

Father God, remind me I have the power to please You or grieve You in Jesus's name.

Today, I choose to walk with You. Teach me how.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis

Click on the link to read Genesis 5.

 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son  and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” Genesis 5:28-29

Lamech took one look at his son and knew there was something special about him. Noah was destined for greatness, but I wonder what his father would have thought of the work it took Noah to build an ark. It doesn't seem like building an ark would be a way to relieve people from the pain of toil and hard work. The plan God had for Noah doesn't really point to relief from work by the world's standards.

I'm learning the ways of God aren't the ways I would take. The God we serve is imaginative, upside down, even weird according to the world. We serve a God who:

turns a man's heart in the belly of a fish...
saves an entire race of people through an orphan turned queen...
provides great strength in the growing of hair...
makes the youngest shepherd boy a king...

chooses to wrap Himself in flesh and bone to come to earth...

arrives as an infant... lying in a manger...

He walks a road carrying a cross and dies so we might live...

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has not changed His weird, backward ways and He never will. His plans only make sense to us when we leave our expectations and worldly views behind.

Has God been urging you to follow Him in some way that doesn't make sense to you? Like Noah, is He calling you to build some ark for the saving of others? Maybe now is the time to take the risk and start hammering.

Whatever Your plan, whatever Your call,

may I trust You are at work for the good of Your people,

and Your glory.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis

Next stop... Genesis 4

(Click on the link to read today's verses.)

Sin's desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it. 

These were the words God spoke in warning to Cain, before his anger turned to action. Before he did the unthinkable. Before he took his brother's life. A message of grace to give Cain a way out. He didn't take it... the way out. Instead, Cain made his issue with God an issue with Abel. And a life was taken. 

God extends the same grace to us. The time you were so angry at the loved one and when you called to tell them, they didn't answer the phone. Or maybe it was the time God intervened on your internal ranting about your spouse to remind you "love covers a multitude of sin." Whatever the circumstance God often pours out His grace-filled warnings and we have a choice.

Will we choose life and relationship or will we choose death? Because you don't have to stop breathing to experience death. When relationships are damaged death occurs. It's our choice. 

Have you received a warning lately? Heed His warning and choose His way. His way always, always leads to life.

Father God, help me to remember sin is contrary to what You desire for me.

Thank You for the grace You pour out, the warnings You give, and the Way

You've made for forgiveness. May I choose to forgive others,

as You have forgiven me.

Back to the Beginning: Genesis

Today we read Genesis 3.
(Click on the link if you don't have your Bible handy.)

But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:9

Interesting isn't it? The omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (everywhere at the same time) God would ask the question: "Where are you?" Didn't He know? Why ask a question when you already know the answer?

Perfect Adam living in a perfect garden fell from perfection with one bite. And since that moment God's been asking man, "Where are you?" 

Have you considered lately where you are in relationship to Christ? Are you closer to God today than last week? last month? last year?

It is hard to know where you're going when you don't know where you are. 

What can you do today to draw near to God? Make your answer be today's mission.

Father God, forgive me for the times I've hidden from You,

wandered from Your truth and from Your way.

Thank You for taking away my guilt and shame through Jesus,

so I no longer have to hide. I'm here, Lord. I want to be near You.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Back to the Beginning: Genesis

On to the second chapter of Genesis.
(Click the link to read today's verses.)

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.  And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3

I remember the first computer my dad brought home. By today's standards it was huge, clunky, and took forever. I remember people discussing the benefits of computers on every office desk... in every home office. 

They said it would make us more efficient... it did.

They said with it we could accomplish more, faster... we do.

They said it would turn our five day work week into four... it could have... but it didn't.

Did the technology not live up to its potential? I am pretty sure it surpassed everyone's imagination. The problem doesn't lie in the invention. We're the one's with the issue. We don't know how to rest. Instead we work, work, work! The computers made us faster, more efficient, and gave us a way to cram more work not only into the week, but weekends as well.

We were created to work, but like all created things we've become unbalanced.

And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested...

When is the last time you rested? I'm not talking about falling into bed worn and weary from a long day's work. I'm talking about Sabbath rest. God didn't need rest. He never gets tired, weary or burned out... but He knew we would. 

From the very beginning He showed us a more excellent way and we would be wise to follow in it. Let's make time for rest in the new year. 

One day a week to rest in Him. Set a date... mark your calendar... celebrate the Sabbath.

Lord, teach me to practice and celebrate the sabbath

in a way that is pleasing to You, and draws me closer to You.

How is the sabbath to be sanctified?

The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.

---Westminster Shorter Catechism, the London edition of 1658 

Back to the Beginning: Genesis

Let's begin at the beginning: Genesis 1
(We encourage you to find your Bible. There's something special about a holding the book in your hand, but if you can't click on the link to read today's verses.)

It's the continuing of Beyond the Gospels, but it is also the beginning. The beginning of the Bible... the beginning of a new year. Maybe you are joining us for the first time, or maybe you are continuing the journey. No matter, I'm thinking this is a good place to begin.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2

Consider 2017. Beginning a new year holds the same potential the creating of all creation had. There are places without form... voids needing to be filled... darkness smothering deep places. We consider a new year with both dread and excitement in the not knowing.

What will God do this year? What trouble, hardship, pain will I face? What blessings are in store for me?

Through it all you can be sure of one thing... God is hovering. Webster's defines hover as to hang fluttering in the air, to remain suspended over a place or object, to move to and fro near a place. 

Whatever the year brings God is hovering. Hanging over every moment in the coming year... suspended over the place you are. And He's moving... moving to and fro near you. He's stirring up whatever will bring you and yours closer to Him. 

He is faithful to never leave us void, without form, or in darkness. He is faithful. And this my friends fills us with faith. So let's greet this new year with joy because the One who created the world overcame the world so that you might be saved!

Father God, I am grateful for a new year and all its potential.

Fill me with the faith to trust Your presence and work in all that comes.

Replace any fear or anxiety of the unknown with joy, hope, and peace

because You are still about the work of creating in me.