Genesis 14:12

"They also took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and departed. for he was living in Sodom."
 
We see in this portion of scripture warring kings battling over lands and peoples, for setting free and bringing into submission of those around them. Like many, we believe Abram and Lot only sought only to live a life of peace, unmolested  from outside forces. But then as is today, these kings may have very well represented a spiritual battle ongoing for the souls of men. The likes of fear, doubt, discouragement, uncertainty, mistrust, pride, self sufficiency, hardened hearts and unsubmissiveness  wage war against believer and worldling alike. These all seeking to undermine the Lord's work, we recognize the ploys of the enemy, knowing that we have the tools in Christ as we ask Him to do battle in the heavenly places on behalf of His children  and those around us. The Lord would use Abram to rescue Lot, all to His glory.
 
Pastor Russell

Genesis 13:8-9a

So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you?"
 
Though an elder to his younger nephew Lot, Abram sought not to pull rank or assert authority over his deceased brother's son. Rather with all courtesy and respect he sought an amicable resolution. It wasn't if I don't like it nobody else will or it's my way or the highway, but instead let's take it all into consideration. Abram realized the God was in control and he wasn't about sweating the small stuff, choosing to go with the flow instead of doggedly insisting having it his way. At times we can get so wound up and inflexible we miss what the Lord has, choosing to have it our way and really missing out, instead of allowing Him to have His best way. Shall we go with the flow of His Spirit?
 
Pastor Russell

Genesis 11:6

The Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have the same language. And this is what they began to do, now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them,"
 
Just a few short generations before, the stories of God's judgement and the miraculous deliverance of Noah and his family stayed fresh on the minds of the people. However, man's own attempts to unite in heart, purpose and intent stretched out to have a name as good or equal to the Lord, or even surpassing His greatness. The Lord in His mercy, would eventually come and confuse the language, their work and scatter the people across the land, He all along hoping that the people would turn back to Him and call upon His name. The Lord is still today hoping that people would turn to Him, that He may pour out His love and grace on those who still seek to do it their own way. Pray, that events of the day may incline hearts back to Him.
 
Pastor Russell

Genesis 8:10, 12, 15-16

"So he waited.... Then he waited.... Then God spoke to Noah, saying go out of the ark, you and your wife and your son's wives with you." 
 
Many months had gone by and now we finally see the Lord giving Noah the go ahead to leave the ark. In previous verses, we saw that Noah found favor with God, and that he was careful to obey all His words, and in this we are truly amazed at Noah's faith and trust in the Lord. But even more astonishing was his patience. Cramped, smelly quarters, lacking freedom of movement, boredom, snappy animals (four and two legged) may have been just the tip of the iceberg that could test the patience of even the best. Like Noah, as well as you and I, we could be sorely tested as we wait on the Lord. Open doors, closed doors, ministry opportunities, frustrations because things aren't going as we want, even fear, malaise or not wanting to go tests our patience. "But God remembered..." (Gen 8:1). And God as He did with Noah He does for us, granting all of His grace for us to wait, listen and obey as He wills His perfect plans for our lives.
 
Pastor Russell

1 Peter 2:5

"and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;"

As we look at one verse that describes the man Noah, we find that the Lord not only preserved he and his family, but called him a preacher of righteousness. An important attribute as God had called him not only to the task of building the ark, but telling those around him of His righteousness. The Lord called Noah to proclaim the excellencies of God, along with the impending judgement to come. While we are not told of multitudes of converts or mega-church ministry, we see in Genesis that Noah simply did all the Lord directed him to do. Child like faith in obedience brought Noah and his remnant family through the flood, escaping judgement. We should all look to Noah, as to be preachers of God's righteousness as we see the day drawing near.

Pastor Russell

Genesis 6:8

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."
 
We ended our study on a high note on Wednesday with the word telling us of how Noah found favor or grace in the eyes of the Lord. Previous verses painted a glum picture of how wickedness and evil prevailed throughout the earth, yet Noah found favor with God. It's amazing how the Lord, in His great love, will seek and search out people whose hearts are turned towards Him. In good and bad, in easy and hard, the Lord never changes, He looks from heaven, He sees our hearts and desires to strongly support those whose hearts are completely His. Lets all purpose to not be drawn away but focused in oneness of heart and mind and intent upon the Lord.
 
Pastor Russell

Genesis 4:26

"Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord."
 
Following a short list of of Cain's children, we find included at the very tail end of the chapter, at its break, a notation telling us of a time when men began to call upon the Lord. So encouraging this bit of information  that God was still in the picture. Man, though fallen, yet still yearning His touch, His fellowship, His filling. Somehow knowing that it wasn't his hard work or his accomplishments mixed with a bit of good luck or good fortune that brought satisfaction, but wholeness could only come in a relationship with the true and living God. Men today, still long for fulfillment that can only found in Jesus Christ. Today in all circumstances, whether good, bad or uncertain, discouraging and even scary, we can all choose to call upon the name of the Lord, and seek His perfect plan in all things.
 
Pastor Russell

Mathew 20:18-19

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and they will hand Him over to the gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up."

Before entering the city, our Lord pulled His disciples aside and gave to them, a one sentence summary of what was to go on this week of His passion. His appointment with the cross would not be denied, but not before being filled with dicey dialogue with the religious leaders, ministry to the needy, broken and condemned, sleepiness and even denial by those closest to Him. Yet on that faithful Sunday morning of His resurrection, the resounding shouts of joy, relief, anticipation and wonder filled the air. With the cries "He is risen" sounding and continuing to sound for us today, His completed work on the cross is for all men.

Pastor Russell

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