Genesis 1-11 & Psalm 4

Genesis 10-11

Yesterday we read in Genesis 9:25 that Noah cursed the descendants of Ham (the Canaanites). Did you recall some terrible places that God destroys later in Genesis in the list of Ham's descendants (Genesis 10:6-19)?  Places like Sodom and Gomorrah (10:19)?  I know that passages such as this with long lists of genealogies can be a bit boring; however, it is important to read through to aquatint ourselves with Bible locations and families.  

The story about the Tower of Babel is common enough that we know the jist of the story.  This is a good place to practice looking at the details of the story.  Why would God be concerned with the people building a Tower to Heaven?  Perhaps it is the pride that is involved: "Come let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches for the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves" (11:4).  Perhaps God is concerned that they will forget God in their power?  How often do we observe people who when in tough times they turn to God; but, when times are going well, they forget God and go about their own power?  

We again come to list of "begets" or the genealogies.  Genealogies are important also for keeping a timeline in the Bible.  When ancient writings contain genealogies, dates are able to be determined using those genealogies.   In this instance, we can learn that Abraham (Abram) who is the central figure of faith in the Old Testament (the Father of the Hebrew People) is born just 9 generations following the Flood.  Remember Shem is one of Noah's sons.  We can even add the number of years if we follow the genealogy.  Approximately 292 years after the Flood, Abram was born!  

Psalm 4

This Psalm is probably written shortly after King David's problems with Absalom and his army of 10,000 that were spoken about in Psalm 3.  Have you ever faced times that were frustrating or when you were just angry?  Of course, we all have.  In the midst of those frustrating times, it is not our first nature to pray to God and ask Him to take away your distress.  Just like a hot-headed teenager who punches a wall, we would like nothing more than to relieve our distress ourselves.  But David offers us a much better approach in Psalm 4:1--"Take away my distress...hear my prayer."  That's a better way!  Give it to God.  In addition to this, heed the warning of Psalm 4:4: "Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you.  Think about it overnight and remain silent" (NLT).  This will take some great discipline; however, it will be the true ticket to allowing God to take away your distress.  Not to mention, it may allow you to see how insignificant your anger really was at the time!    

Genesis 6-9 & Psalm 3

Genesis 6-9

This is the account of Noah and the Great world-wide flood.  This is a historical event according to Jesus (Matthew 24:37-39) and according to ancient world cultures who retell of a flood that covered the entire world (Ancient Chinese, Ancient Muslims, Ancient African Tribes all retell of this historical event!  

The people God created were becoming so corrupted by sin that God found only one man who still worshipped Him-Noah.  Notice that God considered the sinful people to be "consistently" sinful in 6:5  (New living Translation) or "only" evil (NIV).  So God decided to destroy them all and start over.  But God used His patience and gave them 120 years to shape up (6:3).  

Noah was an upright and righteous man, blameless in people's sight and (according to the New Living Translation) "consistently" followed all that God said.  God sees what is consistent.  We sometimes beat up ourselves over one sin (and we probably are okay to do that so long as it doesn't take our attention from God).  Rather, God observes the consistency of our lives.  Do we consistently honor Him and obey Him?  Or do we consistently ignore Him?  This was the premise for God's decision to wipe out all the earth!  

Once the flood had resided (over one year after it had begun), God issued a promise to Noah's family--"Never again will I destroy the earth with water."  This promise is marked by the rainbow after a rain.  They were then told to have lots of children to repopulate the earth.  Today's text ends with the imperfection of Noah.  He drank too much of the wine he made in his vineyard and became drunk.  This does not show the allowance of the Bible for drunkenness.  However, it shows the shame of drinking too much as Noah passed out naked and it was shameful for him to be seen naked by his son Ham.  

 

Psalm 3

Have you ever faced a situation when you felt like all and everyone were against you?  It seemed like the world was out to get you?  When it seemed like God was not listening to your cries out to Him?  If so, then you possibly can understand what David was enduring in Psalm 3.  The setting of the Psalm is when King David was running for his life because his rebellious son named Absalom was seeking to kill his father so that he could become king of Israel (2 Samuel 15). Absalom had gathered an army of about 10,000 soldiers to hunt and kill David.  In that time, David wrote Psalm 3.  His trust in God for protection and peace is incredible.  Next time you feel the world caving in on you, read Psalm 3.  

Genesis 3-5 & Psalm 2

Genesis 3-5

We begin by being introduced to our enemy, Satan.  But as satan is still able to, he uses God's own creation against him.  The serpent is not evil (contrary to some people's fears of snakes). However, the devil is shrewd and he tempts Adam and Eve by using the animal they themselves would have named!  The dialogue between Eve and the devil to me seems to sound all too familiar.  Doesn't it remind you of the conversation in your head when you are being tempted to sin?  You hear the little voice saying to you about your favorite sin, "You know you would love to do this..."  Then you begin to debate, "No, I can't!"  Then the questioning begins, "But it wouldn't hurt anyone will it?  No one has to know..."  Until before you know, you find yourself in shame because you have done the one thing you knew you shouldn't be doing.  And then, do we do as Adam did?  He began to blame Eve for she was the one who was tempted.  Then he blamed God for creating Eve in the first place.  Nevertheless, he never took the responsibility for his own actions.  And as we see in Genesis 3:16-17, there are serious consequences to sin.  God loves us, but he also hates sin.  And sin must be punished.  Can you recall ways your sin has brought about consequences that you have had to deal with?  Was the sin really worth it in the long run?

Chapter 4 introduces to us Adam And Eve's first children, Cain and Abel.  The children learned early on in life that giving an offering to God was very important.  How are you training your children to give offerings to God?  As Abel offers his offering of meat and Abel offers his offering of grain, God accepts Abel's but not Cain's.  We don't understand such a rejection do we?  Although the details are not presented completely, we must assume that God has given some sort of instructions on giving to Him.  Perhaps Cain gave with the wrong motive?  Perhaps Cain had sinned in his heart when he gave for in 4:7, God told Cain that "sin is waiting at your door waiting to attack and destroy you."  This is the posture of sin in our lives, it is always lurking for the attack!  We too must be careful.  Whatever the reason, God rejects Cain's offering and this drives Cain to sin-murder.  

Psalm 2          

This Psalm has two meanings.  First, it was written by King David who ruled Israel for nearly 40 years as one of the most God-fearing Kings Israel had ever seen.  This Psalm reflects upon David's coming to power.  Secondly, it reflects on Christ's coming to power in heaven as God's Son.  It is what we call a Messianic Psalm.  This means it is written as a prophecy looking forward to the coming Messiah.  As the nations rage and the non-believing kings of the earth plot for more power, God laughs because he knows he is truly in control and truly all-powerful.  Since we know that today, heed the warning in verse 12--"Submit to God's son...what joy for all people who find protection in him!"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Genesis 1-2 & Psalm 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I know that this first blog is hitting a day late...all of the New Year's festivities found me sleeping all day.

Genesis 1-2

Genesis 1-2 are well known chapters in the Bible.  Some of the most memorable events for Christians and some of the most debated among non-Believers.  We find that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  That is presented in the simplest of ways as if to say, "DUH!  Of course there is a God."  There is no discussion, no debate.  We move on.  The earth, as God first created it, was formless and empty.  And as we read the rest of the creation account in Genesis 1, we see that God took six days to create.  The first 3 were to create form from the formless.  The next 3 days were to fill what was empty.  And on the last day, God rested!  This is important for us to ponder on.  If the creator God took time to rest from his labor, then it might be a good idea for us to learn from His example.  Rather than look at days off as an opportunity to do the things that need to be done but you never have time to do them, maximize opportunities to rest!  We need it!  

Chapter one of Genesis is written as factual..."this happened, this happened, then this happened, etc."  But chapter 2 takes a completely different approach.  Genesis 2 is written as a personal account.  Adam becomes the central figure and the creation event is told from his point of view.  It becomes less factual, more relational.  Notice the reference to the two trees in the Garden of Eden.  The "Tree of Life" and the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil".  Two trees possessing so much power and opportunity.  Genesis 3:22 will teach us that if you eat from the "Tree of Life", you will live forever and never die.  And as we learn from Genesis 2:17 & 3:11-12 that when you eat from the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" you will know not only good but also evil.  This causes man to die.  It introduces the first sin.  And it drives a wedge between man and God.  Since Adam and Eve had no prior experience with death nor evil, perhaps this is why they chose the power of knowledge over eternal life!  

Psalm 1

I love the Psalms.  I once heard from a wise friend that when he struggled with reading his bible and "feeling" close to God, that he would read from the Psalms and it always brought him back into an attitude of worship!  Interestingly enough, we read Psalm 1 on the first day of our One-Year challenge!  Six simple and short verses, yet filled with so much wisdom.  Psalm 1:1 offers us counsel of who we make company with.  We need to spend time with non-Christians in hopes of sharing the Good News with them; however, too much time can produce the opposite effect if we are not careful.  God blesses those who notice the boundary and keep it!  Secondly, the one who makes boundaries when spending time with non-believers also is blessed when He spends time in God's word.  The "Law of the Lord" is common Old Testament language for God's Word, or the Bible.  Meditating on God's word is more than just a quick reading.  Meditation involves you reading the sentence and thinking on it, wrapping your life around the verse, and applying it to your life.  The person who does these two things will be firmly and deeply rooted and not easily blown astray.  Hold tight to this promise this year as you read your Bible.  

Are You Going To Take The ONE YEAR Challenge?

In 2009, I will be preaching through the whole Bible: Genesis-Revelation.  52 Sundays...through God’s Word.  To compliment that, I am issuing a church-wide challenge!  I don’t care if you are a Senior in high school or a senior in life, in Super-church or in the nursing home.  I am calling the challenge the “One-Year Challenge”.  So here it is: I challenge all of you to read the Bible this year...all of it!  Genesis-Revelation.  365 days...66 books.  Are you up for the challenge?  We are providing all of the necessary tools....the plan, the helps, even the Bible if you need it!  

You can download and print the One-Year plan on the top of this page.  There is also a guide to help you understand the plan in detail.  The are also printed plans on the information table at the church.  If you need a Bible or would like a NIV Bible, they are also available free of charge on the information table.  

Are you up for the challenge?  If so, then click the "comment button" below and let me know that you will be taking the One-Year challenge!  Check back after January 1st daily to read comments and questions that I post about the Scripture of the day!  I hope that this will provide both a resource for you to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the Bible as well as an accountability to stay up to date with your own reading!  I look forward to reading all of your comments as we read God’s word together this year!  

Read My Bible Blog

                                                                     

The Bible is God's story of our life with God!  The Bible is God's word for man and it is our own spiritual journal. We come to the Bible seeking knowledge, understanding, and transformation.  Though these sixty-six diverse books reveal a great deal about God, about our world, and about ourselves, this is not the only reason to read the Bible. God’s Spirit uses our reading of Scripture to reshape our hearts and minds so that we become evermore Christlike. It is this reshaping, this renewing of ourselves, that has brought many of us to this one-year Bible reading journey.  We will learn more about God on this journey, but even more, we will come to know God better.