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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