God first

Forgive the larger than lately post, it’s been a while, so consider it six posts in one…or something like that. Hey, sue me…I’ve been busy.

Isn’t that how it always is: we get really busy and what’s the first thing we cut out of our lives in order to make some extra time? We cut out reading the Bible, prayer, service, or even church; not intentionally, but since we’re not giving first to the Lord, we end up giving second…then later…then last…then, tomorrow….then, not at all.

Then we say, “I’ve been really busy,” or “I just haven’t had the time lately,” then “I’ve never murdered anyone, I’m a good person.” Yes, we are busy, time is short, and we are not Satan himself, but those are traps.

Since we are to love God first and most above all things, and our relationship with God affects our eternal soul, on a list of priorities He should be at the very top of the list…written in LARGE letters across the first three slots…with the next three slots left blank for emphasis, because nothing comes close. So, worldly obligation and earthly time are not sufficient reasons to…um…dis God.

But, if you let God fall off your list of priorities (out of mind, out of heart, out of life), it’s no big deal, right; after all, it’s not like you’ve ever murdered anyone, you’re a good person. Hmm, I don’t know about the rest of you, but this sounds familiar to me, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). When we discard God’s will/standard in favor of our own, we end up destroyed in a flood along with all the others who gave themselves over to the world.

Now, I’m not saying that if you “Come into the ark” with God as He commanded that life is gonna be a bowl of cherries. I’m sure it was an extremely arduous task living in the ark for an entire year with all those animals, tossed about on the waves, waiting for God to unfold yet another miracle. Wow, that must have been Hell…uh no, not quite…not even close. While I’m sure it may have seemed impossibly difficult to Noah and his family, an objective analysis tells us it was no doubt easier than treading water for a year.

Anyway, I have read through Genesis 11. From a father’s point of view, I guess it’s important to note that Noah was the father and spiritual leader of his family, humbly and faithfully following the Lord. Noah put God first, he married a woman who put God first, he raised children to put God first (and they did), and his sons obviously married wives that put God first. That’s how I want to do it.

They were different from those around them, and if they weren’t already ridiculed for their beliefs, they were definitely ridiculed for building the ark. In the end, their faith found favor with God and when judgment came, they were given what no one else was: life.

Thou Shalt Not Lie...even on 4th and inches

I can't lie. I have been reading, but no blogging due to NFL football.

The Patriots and Cowboys are kicking butt, the Colts rock even though they lost, and while the Broncos disappointed, they aren't nearly as bad as the Ravens…or the Dolphins.

To add to all that, my fantasy football team has had alternating one game streaks for the entire season, so far. 1 on, 1 off…1 on, 1 off…and so on. I guess I should look at the good side; at least I haven’t lost 2 in a row, and since I started with a win, I’ve always had a “winning” season.

There’s actually a message from God in all this: man is not in control, and regardless of statistics, history, experience, or luck, only God knows what’s coming next…according to His plan.

21, 42, button hook sailor tight..Amen.

It ain't easy

It is really difficult to read the Bible sometimes. The world can be such a distraction. The last couple of days I have read chapter 9 in the book of Genesis, but I’ve gotten so distracted with other things that I did it almost like a homework assignment. I keep forgetting to pray and put myself in the right frame of mind and spirit. It is so much easier to not be a Christian.

“The problem with Christianity is not that has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult and left untried.”
- G. K. Chesterton

Wait for it....

According to Genesis 8, Noah was in that ark for over a year. Yet, he didn’t go running for land when he saw it. He waited for God’s guidance. I know for a fact that I don’t have that kind of faith or patience.

Lord, without destroying all of mankind, teach me to trust you and wait on you.

(Yeah…while Noah was obviously faithful and righteous in God’s eyes, after watching all things on the face of the earth destroyed “outside the ark,” you can bet Noah knew which side his bread was buttered on.)

October 31st

I did read further through the Bible today, but very little. Instead of addressing my meager studies, I'd like to address October 31st.

With respect to the holiday many celebrate on the 31st of October, I’m not sure where it came from, but I can see where it is now, and I can tell where it’s going. There is nothing inherently evil with costumes or candy, and celebrating the day is quite harmless for many.

I offer simply a prayer that instead of taking a day off to celebrate death, fear, darkness, or evil, we use this day especially to proclaim and celebrate the God of life, hope, light, and good. There is only one way, and we have a hard enough time following Him without making it a point to consciously celebrate His antithesis…even if it is just for one day a year.

“…and the Lord shut him in.”

In case you’ve ever wondered how the ark survived the flood; Gen 7 says it was a miracle.

God ensured Noah and his family was safe and secure by shutting them inside the ark Himself…supernaturally. Much like a parent putting their child in a car seat or on a bicycle, or tucking them into bed, God attended Noah and his family in the ark; but unlike a parent who must then walk away, God stayed with Noah the entire time.

I’m thankful that God is on the job, because I don’t think I could stand by my child’s bed all night or run everywhere along side their bike. I have faith that God holds my children safely in His hand, much like He held Noah. He brought Noah through the flood, He can bring us through this and every day.

Noah's Ark, God's Noah

Genesis 6, the account of Noah and the Ark has always struck a chord with me. As I have gotten older, I am still amazed. Why didn’t God just call it a day? He saw the evil in man’s heart and deeds, but he did not just wipe all of mankind out of existence. He saved Noah and his family. Why? What did Noah do that made him so special? Why was he saved?

Simple, he built the ark.

Noah trusted God and built the ark. Plenty of times in the Bible, we see accounts of people quibbling with God over His will/plans, but we see no such account with respect to Noah. God said jump, and Noah didn't even bother to ask how high.