When Ishmael was 13 years old, Abram 99, God appeared to him to confirm his covenant. He renamed Abram ~ Abraham (father of many) and Sarai ~ Sarah. He remind Abraham that he had not forgotten about their covenant. He added that every mail who is over 8 days old must be circumsized. God said that if any man chose not to become circumcised would be cut off from the people. The Lord told Abraham that Sarah will have a son, because he will bless her, they were to name him Isaac. Isaac would carry on the covenant between God and his father... that Ishmael would be the father of 12 rulers. On that day they were circumcised.
Chapter 18 interwine two ideals... Abraham was approached by three men, who he prepared food for. The Lord came to Abraham and told him to Sarah would have a son in her old age. Sarah was in the door way of the tent and laughed at God's plan When he questioned why Sarah laughed ~ she lied. **Now I wonder how God felt about this?** Still in yet he blessed her and she became pregnant. **That leads me to believe that He is indeed a gorgiving God! He could have changed all of His plans that very moment, but He didn't!**
The other story here starts where the three men gegin to leave. The people were outcrying to God and he came to answer the cries. However, the three men turned toward King Solom and only Abraham stood in front of the Lord. So, the Loard wrestled weather or not to tell Abraham of his plan to rid the ciry of wicked and sin... and He does tell Abraham. In turn, Abraham pleds to Him no to do so, even if it's just 10 rightous men that are found in the city. **This shows the goodness of Abraham. Even though he knows people are wicked, he doesn't want to harm those who are good. That is AWESOME!!! I love that.**
***** I take from this that NO MATTER what sin is around you, take from it the GOOD!*****
Monday, March 1, 2010
Genesis 15-16: God's Promise
WOW.. I am so sorry it's been forever!! However I have quit a bit of stuff to put out. While I was on R&R, I did write what I am going to post. So, I will be updating tonight and tomorrow finally get us through Genesis and into Exodus. Sounds like a plan? Alrighty... Here we go..
Abram made a covenant with God. He was questioning not having children. however the Lord assured him that he would have children of his own blood and that he would possess all the land he dwelled in. He let him know that his people would suffer for many years, in slavery, but they would gain from it **I guess it's like the phrase...'No pain - No gain' huh?** The Lord's covenant was as follows, "To your descendants i give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river of Euphrates...." **by the way, that is not far from where we are... small world - right?**
At this point, Sarai hadn't had any children. She was getting frustrated so she suggested to Abram to have a child with her maid servant. And he did. When Sarai found out Hagar was pregnant, she became jealous. She argues with Abram about the pregnancy and he told her to do what ever she wanted to about the situation. Ans she did! Sarai became ugly and mistreated Hagar. hagar ran away because of the cruelty. While she was away, an angel appeared to her. the angel told her to go back; said that the child's name would be Ishmel and that because of her misery, Ishmel would be wild and no one would care for/about him. **Remember Abram is 86 now**
*****I think it's important to note that because of Sarai's hatefulness to another, God has punished her by planning Ishmel's behavior... he's future. So now she's influenced the lives of all around her. It's kind of like that saying 'you reap what you sew' or when your parents say to you 'you better be careful, your children will come back and treat you the same way; only 2xs worse' ~ I wonder if this is where that stems from? hmmmmmmm?*****
Abram made a covenant with God. He was questioning not having children. however the Lord assured him that he would have children of his own blood and that he would possess all the land he dwelled in. He let him know that his people would suffer for many years, in slavery, but they would gain from it **I guess it's like the phrase...'No pain - No gain' huh?** The Lord's covenant was as follows, "To your descendants i give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river of Euphrates...." **by the way, that is not far from where we are... small world - right?**
At this point, Sarai hadn't had any children. She was getting frustrated so she suggested to Abram to have a child with her maid servant. And he did. When Sarai found out Hagar was pregnant, she became jealous. She argues with Abram about the pregnancy and he told her to do what ever she wanted to about the situation. Ans she did! Sarai became ugly and mistreated Hagar. hagar ran away because of the cruelty. While she was away, an angel appeared to her. the angel told her to go back; said that the child's name would be Ishmel and that because of her misery, Ishmel would be wild and no one would care for/about him. **Remember Abram is 86 now**
*****I think it's important to note that because of Sarai's hatefulness to another, God has punished her by planning Ishmel's behavior... he's future. So now she's influenced the lives of all around her. It's kind of like that saying 'you reap what you sew' or when your parents say to you 'you better be careful, your children will come back and treat you the same way; only 2xs worse' ~ I wonder if this is where that stems from? hmmmmmmm?*****
Friday, January 22, 2010
Genesis 12-14... Calling Abram!!
Moving on to Abram and Sarai, who later become Abraham and Sarah…
The Lord told Abram to leave the land that he lived in at the time, where his father chose to live. He listens, with out hesitation, took Sarai (his wife), Lot (his nephew), and anyone else who wanted to go and followed God’s command. By His command, Abram finds himself in Bethel. There he builds an altar (the first tale tale sign that Abram is committed and believes in the Lord’s words).
He then travels to Egypt, nearly 1000 miles. While he is there, Abram tell Sarai to act as his sister, because of her beauty; he fears that he will be killed if the people in Egypt know that she is his wife. However God’s not too pleased with Abram’s decision of deception and plagues the house of the Pharaoh. After leaving, he and Lot have to make a decision since their flock and riches are so abundant. There ensues a conflict. Rather than arguing, Abram is selfless and allows Lot to choose which land he wanted. Selfishly, Lot chose the land with water wide and cities filled with sin.
That choice bites Lot in the bohinney! He is captured by the king of Sodom. But! Abram and 318 of his trained servants come to rescue and concurred Sodom. Afterward, the king tried to bargain with Abram offering him riches… which he doesn’t take and reminds us that God is who make him rich… NOT THE RICHES OF MAN!
The Lord told Abram to leave the land that he lived in at the time, where his father chose to live. He listens, with out hesitation, took Sarai (his wife), Lot (his nephew), and anyone else who wanted to go and followed God’s command. By His command, Abram finds himself in Bethel. There he builds an altar (the first tale tale sign that Abram is committed and believes in the Lord’s words).
He then travels to Egypt, nearly 1000 miles. While he is there, Abram tell Sarai to act as his sister, because of her beauty; he fears that he will be killed if the people in Egypt know that she is his wife. However God’s not too pleased with Abram’s decision of deception and plagues the house of the Pharaoh. After leaving, he and Lot have to make a decision since their flock and riches are so abundant. There ensues a conflict. Rather than arguing, Abram is selfless and allows Lot to choose which land he wanted. Selfishly, Lot chose the land with water wide and cities filled with sin.
That choice bites Lot in the bohinney! He is captured by the king of Sodom. But! Abram and 318 of his trained servants come to rescue and concurred Sodom. Afterward, the king tried to bargain with Abram offering him riches… which he doesn’t take and reminds us that God is who make him rich… NOT THE RICHES OF MAN!
Genesis 11... Stop Your Babbling!
Welcome back! Recap… We, God’s creation, have another opportunity to make a fresh start. God commits to never again washing away all that is sin on Earth. So even though Noah was chosen as the one to be ‘saved’, he indeed NOT perfect. He was in faith, but not in mind. Because of his weakness, Ham (Noah’s son) was cursed, and so were his descendants. In
Chapter 11 we see that descendants of Ham try to build a tower to he heavens ~ WRONG ANSWER! ~ God was disappointed in man using one language of unity for ignorance and pride. So, he made them speak in different languages so that they couldn’t finish building the tower. The tower is call Babel, meaning confusing (because God confused man).
*****Just a little tid-bit someone brought to my attention… Have you ever thought of the word “babbling or babble”? hmmm looks like it went all the way back to here… the dictionary say, “to utter in an incoherently or meaninglessly repetitious manner”.. in other word… CAN NOT UNDERSTAND YOU – pretty cool huh?*****
Chapter 11 we see that descendants of Ham try to build a tower to he heavens ~ WRONG ANSWER! ~ God was disappointed in man using one language of unity for ignorance and pride. So, he made them speak in different languages so that they couldn’t finish building the tower. The tower is call Babel, meaning confusing (because God confused man).
*****Just a little tid-bit someone brought to my attention… Have you ever thought of the word “babbling or babble”? hmmm looks like it went all the way back to here… the dictionary say, “to utter in an incoherently or meaninglessly repetitious manner”.. in other word… CAN NOT UNDERSTAND YOU – pretty cool huh?*****
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Genesis 9-10... The Rainbow
Hi Friends, sorry for the delay. However, God's been doing wonderful things in my life. Although I've not been able to share His word with you all, I've been able to witness to new people in my life... as well as have been embrassed with new ideals HOW WONDERFUL!...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After Noah was blessed, God made a commitment to every living thing from that day forward. Have you ever looked up a Rainbow and thought "how pretty"... or "I wonder why"... well over the years I'm sure someone along the way has put a scientific spin on it. Let us vow to remember that the rainbow that is 'so pretty' is GOD'S REMEMBRANCE! So that we the people can look up and remember the commitment of LIFE; spiritual life on Earth!
It's important to remember that this is where our lineage begins; with Noah, his wife, and 3 sons. You'll see in the image attached how far and wide 'from Mesha toward Sephar' that the lines of descent were spread.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After Noah was blessed, God made a commitment to every living thing from that day forward. Have you ever looked up a Rainbow and thought "how pretty"... or "I wonder why"... well over the years I'm sure someone along the way has put a scientific spin on it. Let us vow to remember that the rainbow that is 'so pretty' is GOD'S REMEMBRANCE! So that we the people can look up and remember the commitment of LIFE; spiritual life on Earth!
It's important to remember that this is where our lineage begins; with Noah, his wife, and 3 sons. You'll see in the image attached how far and wide 'from Mesha toward Sephar' that the lines of descent were spread.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Genesis 6-8... Saved
Then we see where God is the displeased that he has created man on earth. He first shortens the Spirit that lives within flesh from 700+ years to 120 years. But then he became very sad at all of the violence, lust, and corruption on His Earth and chose to destroy it all!…..until…..
Noah! Noah was perfect in his generation. Therefore, God chose him to build an ark. In that ark Noah had to take two of every living thing on Earth, male and female. After everyone (Noah’s wife and 3 sons and their wives) and everything was on the ark, it rained for 40 days and nights. Everything during those days was destroyed.
Noah, his family, and all of the animals stayed in the ark for 150 days before God remembered them. He then made the water recede, but that takes time! After 40 days/nights Noah sent out a raven and a dove to see if the Earth was dry. However the dove came back…so Noah tried again after 7 days… the dove came back with an olive leaf.. so Noah waited another 7 days and the dove did not return.
So, God told Noah and all the living things to go out of the Ark and multiply on the Earth. Noah then built an alter to the Lord and offered burnt offering on it. When God smelled the aroma he made a promise to Noah and said that he would never again destroy every living on the Earth, no matter how evil.
*****This is an important story remember. This is the new beginning for people… you’d think we might be able to get it right the second time. However, it is important to think about the prospects of THE RIGHTEOUS WILL ALWAYS BE TAKEN OF, even if you are the only one, it won’t go unnoticed. Also, finish what you start. Had Noah not finished the Ark or not listened to God’s plan, he wouldn’t have survived.*****
~Food for knowledge: I don’t think there is mention of where the ark started, but it ended up in the mountains of Ararat, which is in the country now known as Turkey… the mountain is still named Mount Ararat ~
Anyother ideas? lessons?
Noah! Noah was perfect in his generation. Therefore, God chose him to build an ark. In that ark Noah had to take two of every living thing on Earth, male and female. After everyone (Noah’s wife and 3 sons and their wives) and everything was on the ark, it rained for 40 days and nights. Everything during those days was destroyed.
Noah, his family, and all of the animals stayed in the ark for 150 days before God remembered them. He then made the water recede, but that takes time! After 40 days/nights Noah sent out a raven and a dove to see if the Earth was dry. However the dove came back…so Noah tried again after 7 days… the dove came back with an olive leaf.. so Noah waited another 7 days and the dove did not return.
So, God told Noah and all the living things to go out of the Ark and multiply on the Earth. Noah then built an alter to the Lord and offered burnt offering on it. When God smelled the aroma he made a promise to Noah and said that he would never again destroy every living on the Earth, no matter how evil.
*****This is an important story remember. This is the new beginning for people… you’d think we might be able to get it right the second time. However, it is important to think about the prospects of THE RIGHTEOUS WILL ALWAYS BE TAKEN OF, even if you are the only one, it won’t go unnoticed. Also, finish what you start. Had Noah not finished the Ark or not listened to God’s plan, he wouldn’t have survived.*****
~Food for knowledge: I don’t think there is mention of where the ark started, but it ended up in the mountains of Ararat, which is in the country now known as Turkey… the mountain is still named Mount Ararat ~
Anyother ideas? lessons?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Genesis 3-5... Freewill
So the serpent (or the snake) was a conniving little booger. He convinced Eve that she would not die from eating from the tree, but that hers would be open to EVERYTHING. By not being perfect, Eve took from the tree and she and Adam ate the good fruit.
*****hmmm interesting… so why didn’t God step in and intervene? Well, in my opinion, God gave man/us ‘freewill’. Man is born with the knowledge of good…to always do the right thing. It’s with half-truths.. little lies.. and other’s sin that we engulf ‘evil’.*****
Well, now they’ve done it… they set the path – right? Now Adam and Eve saw that they were naked.. were ashamed.. and covered themselves. When God came to visit he realized what they had done. He made the snake with no legs, so that it must slither on the ground. God then made Woman desire man and man rule over woman. At the same time, he made Adam work for his food (tilling the ground) in order to survive and woman feel the paid of baring children. God no longer ‘gave’ Adam and Even everything.
*****wow! Pretty powerful – huh? So we see here, obviously God is not afraid to show WHO is really in control! Still in yet, he allows man to make his own decisions. (Going back to freewill) So, even though he has a plan and tries to steer us in the right direction, he lets us bump our heads a little. Some seem to get back on track.. others not so much.*****
Eve then conceives the firstborn, CAIN (don’t forget who is first and second born – k.. we’ll see a pattern later… so might want to do a little family tree or something here). Next came ABEL. When making an offering to God, Abel’s was respected… Cain’s was not… but why?!? You say.. well Cain was a tiller of ‘ground’… important to mention because Adam was created of dust, when God was reminding Adam of his sin in The Garden, he mentioned that he created of dust and will return to dust.. Abel on the other had was a sheep herder. Hmm…later Cain kills Abel and God is NOT too happy. He marked Cain for the rest of his life.
Cain moves on though.. he has a sons, built cities, etc. later Adam had another son SETH. He too continues to have children and there you have it.. the earth began to have many many people. Whew!…
*****-k- so not many lessons here.. but I just wanted to go in to the story a little bit. Remember though that God’s plan was that the second-born was to be respected. This’ll factor in later, in other chapters*****
*****hmmm interesting… so why didn’t God step in and intervene? Well, in my opinion, God gave man/us ‘freewill’. Man is born with the knowledge of good…to always do the right thing. It’s with half-truths.. little lies.. and other’s sin that we engulf ‘evil’.*****
Well, now they’ve done it… they set the path – right? Now Adam and Eve saw that they were naked.. were ashamed.. and covered themselves. When God came to visit he realized what they had done. He made the snake with no legs, so that it must slither on the ground. God then made Woman desire man and man rule over woman. At the same time, he made Adam work for his food (tilling the ground) in order to survive and woman feel the paid of baring children. God no longer ‘gave’ Adam and Even everything.
*****wow! Pretty powerful – huh? So we see here, obviously God is not afraid to show WHO is really in control! Still in yet, he allows man to make his own decisions. (Going back to freewill) So, even though he has a plan and tries to steer us in the right direction, he lets us bump our heads a little. Some seem to get back on track.. others not so much.*****
Eve then conceives the firstborn, CAIN (don’t forget who is first and second born – k.. we’ll see a pattern later… so might want to do a little family tree or something here). Next came ABEL. When making an offering to God, Abel’s was respected… Cain’s was not… but why?!? You say.. well Cain was a tiller of ‘ground’… important to mention because Adam was created of dust, when God was reminding Adam of his sin in The Garden, he mentioned that he created of dust and will return to dust.. Abel on the other had was a sheep herder. Hmm…later Cain kills Abel and God is NOT too happy. He marked Cain for the rest of his life.
Cain moves on though.. he has a sons, built cities, etc. later Adam had another son SETH. He too continues to have children and there you have it.. the earth began to have many many people. Whew!…
*****-k- so not many lessons here.. but I just wanted to go in to the story a little bit. Remember though that God’s plan was that the second-born was to be respected. This’ll factor in later, in other chapters*****
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