What An Example We Have in Noah

 Recently in reading the account of Noah in Genesis 6, I was struck by the words "only blameless" and "blameless in his generation". Those words had never sparked my mind before. 

It was like a light bulb going on when I realized that Noah was considered blameless. There's only one other person I think of as blameless and that's Jesus.

As I dwelt on that concept, I remembered Noah's sons. Yes, they supported their father by helping him build the ark. Which at the time, probably appeared to be a useless, senseless thing. No one else is recorded building such a large vessel. According to the Bible, there is no record of rain happening. After all, at that time, the atmosphere and earth worked together in perfect harmony. While there were rivers, they didn’t live near a coastline where a large ship would have made sense. So, when you look at this, these men were good sons, good men. 

But they weren't blameless. If they had been, the Bible would have said that Noah and his sons were blameless men. Yet, it didn't. In fact, from the verses that follow the flood account (Genesis 9:18-27), we see that Noah's youngest son disrespectfully looked on his father's naked body.

That's when I realized that even with their fallen state the sons were still invited to join Noah on the ark. And, they followed their father to safety by entering that ark. They didn’t know what was coming. They were told, but they truly didn’t understand until they experienced it. That ark became a place of refuge and safety as the rain fell and water consumed the ground and ended the earthly life of extended family members, some they considered friends. I’m sure there had to be disbelief as they saw their father's words unfold before their eyes.

They were saved from the wrath of God upon the whole earth. So in a sense, the ark was their salvation.

Just as Noah directed his family to join him on the ark, Jesus presents salvation from God’s approaching wrath. Noah’s sons were not blameless. Neither are we. We each have our failures and tendencies to do the things that do not bless God. Yet, like Noah, Jesus calls us to join Him. Each of us, in our shortcomings is being asked to accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Everyone has this offer. 

My hope is that all eyes will be opened to the need of entering the safety of Jesus’s gift to the world. In reading the Bible, we see there is another upcoming moment of God’s wrath. What side of the unfolding realization do you want to be on?



The Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Years ago, after my grandmother passed away my siblings and I found a love letter buried deep in a chest of stored treasures. The man apologized and told her he would never hurt her again. His name was not my grandfather's name. My heart broke for her. She had known love and lost it. And, it meant enough to her that she kept the letter all those years. My dad had been right.

"The truth always comes out," he shared with me somewhere along the line.

Do you have a truth you're hiding? Do you think someone else is hiding a truth?

To hide a truth is to be part of a lie. The word "lie" sounds so wrong, but it can look good. Lies can even look right, while being completely wrong. Lies can look like the better way to go. They are by nature deceptive, so of course they can be hard to recognize. And, in today's culture, hiding the truth has become easier. It can be smothered beneath the weight of lies, thus making it to hard to find.

So where and how do we find truth? What is the truth? How do we know when we've found it? Or, maybe, you think there are no lies in your life.

The first thing to do is ask God to show if there are any lies in us. God is truth. He is the light that shines out on the darkness and exposes the truth. (1 John 1:5-7) He will show the truth. He will expose lies.

While waiting for an answer, an open mind is key. Try not to explain it away. Sometimes the truth is hard to receive and accept. (John 1:5; 8:12) But you can do it.

The next thing is to focus beyond us. So much deception has been published and placed on the airways, it makes it difficult to know the truth. Each side believes they know the truth, but only God Almighty knows what is true. Let us all pray and ask God to show the truth sooner than later. Let's ask that He expose the lies that have deceived so many. Let us thank Him for the truth He is going to show.

After all, the truth always comes out.

What? I'm Wrong?

Have you ever been so certain that you were right that you put everything you have into some action or some way of thinking? Then you see it fall apart in front of you? What do you do with that? For years I took pleasure in being right. If I was told I did something wrong, I'd reasoned and gave excuses for my actions. I don't remember ever saying I was wrong. It was extremely hard to admit I was wrong.

Then one day I witnessed someone admit a wrong. She immediately went her way without any embarrassment or shame on her face. It baffled me.

So, I decided to try it. The next time I was accused of a wrong then I would admit it. That is, if that time ever came. Sure enough...it did. My nerves were on fire and my stomach was doing flips. Taking a deep breath I said those tough words quickly, almost spitting them out.

To my surprise, an amazing thing happened.

A weight was lifted from my shoulders. I felt a freedom I did not know was missing. 

It had been so hard to say those words because I felt it would show I was weak. I thought it would lower how others looked at me. Sometimes there was a disbelief that I could be wrong. No way. Sometimes I've even thought I had heard the Lord direct in one way, but I was wrong. Like so many others, I wanted to be right, but it turned out to be my own thoughts. Scripture tells us about this. Proverbs 21:2 says that man sees his own way as right. To admit wrong, feels like it will break something inside of us. That's why we still act and think that anything we do is the right thing. (See Judges 21:25)

But, I'm here to say that is a lie from the enemy of God.

There is freedom and hope in admitting a wrong.

To this date I admit wrongs done. Sometimes to myself, sometimes to a person, sometimes only to Jesus. Each time I express guilt, the freedom grows.

I know it's not easy. Sometimes the best things in life are not easy to do. Sometimes we have to take a deep breath and dive in. Saying you're wrong can be one of those. I can't make you do it, but I can tell you, you'll be glad when you do. There's nothing like the freedom you get when you admit being wrong.

How Much Would You Pay?

In the past, I have mistakenly believed that if I do what God wants of me then things will go well. That if God is in it, there will be no confrontations, no resistance, no battles to fight. That things will fall into place without any problems. But I was wrong.

The more I study and read the Bible, the more I see that sometimes God puts us right in the middle of problems. 

Take King David, for instance. Samuel anointed him as king, but before he could officially take his place David found himself running for his life and hiding from the king's army. Basically, his own people. Even still, he behaved in ways he felt honored God. He had to fight to gain the respect of the people as he conquered lands for his nation. In the end, he is known as a great man of God and a great king.

How about the apostle Paul? After finally being accepted by the apostles and fellow believers, he was then called to reach the Gentiles. Oh, my. Talk about working between two sides. His years were filled with beatings, prison, shipwreck, and finally living under house arrest in Rome. To the human eye, this looks like failure. But, in the end, his letters written to the churches he visited make up most of the New Testament. His ministry is what many of us lean on in our daily walk.

Lastly, I want to talk about Israel. As was prophesied in the Old Testament, God called His people to return to the land once known as Israel. He told them He would make the land theirs again. But it wasn't handed to them on a silver platter and was far from pristine condition. It took lots of hard work to renew and refresh the ground. And, they had to battle for the old city of Jerusalem where the temple once stood. They knew God wanted them there, but they still had to fight for the final product God promised. This fight continues to wax and wane with time.

Have you ever been put in the middle of a mess? A place where you had to fight for God?

It's something to think about. These days are wild and crazy. What if God is putting us in the middle of a mess? What if we have to fight some battles? How much would you pay or fight for if God places you where the battle is long and hard? With each of the situations above, they had God to direct them. So do we. He is our guide and hope in whatever mess we find ourselves.

Hope in the COVID Storm of 2020

This has been quite a year. Last year I would not have guessed that a plague-like disease would attack and affect the entire world. 

I really don't want to focus on the negative here. But let's just say there has been plenty that has happened that greatly saddens me. I know each of us could give a laundry list of issues. It's definitely been a storm of epic proportions.

Last Christmas season, I attended a meeting in which the leader instructed us to ask the Holy Spirit for a word to help us in the coming year. He gave me the word, "HOPE".

I have leaned on and claimed this word so many times in the last year, it isn't funny. I needed it to get me back on track. I needed the peace it gave me. I needed it when it was clear that truth was being pushed aside for deception. I needed it when I wondered why God was allowing this plague to go on so long.

What a storm!

Normally, when the church talks about being prepared for storms, I think of those that affect us personally. And in the midst of those disruptions of my normal life, it is difficult to look beyond my personal woes or needs. But there are times when storms, especially physical ones, affect many others. Think of hurricanes and tornadoes. Was there such a storm in the Bible?

Yes.

In Mark 4, the disciples and the boats that followed them were all affected by the same storm. It came on them suddenly. Some of them were experienced navigators in that sea...they knew the way the lake waters could act in a storm...they knew their boat. Yet, this storm was different from others. From the passage, we know that it brought fear of death to those in the boat with Jesus. Can you imagine the fear the people in the other boats experienced? They didn't have Jesus with them.

And those with Jesus? They knew Jesus had power to heal. And He spoke with an authority about God in a way they had never heard before. But this storm pushed all that aside and brought on a fear of destruction. All they knew of Jesus, all they had experienced with Him was thrown overboard. 

They didn't understand that God was watching after them and would protect them. They didn't get that Jesus had more ministry ahead of Him. They didn't trust that no matter what happened God would be there with them because they had Jesus on board. In the end, these men got through that storm with Jesus, and faced many other encounters.

Just like these men, we will get through our current global storm. I know I speak for many when I say that I don't wish this storm to ever happen again. The questions we have to think about right now are...Is Jesus in my boat of life? Have I kept everything I know about Jesus with me or thrown it overboard? Do I trust Him in this storm? Do I trust Almighty God to do what is right (no matter what that is)? 

Hope is for all who believe in Jesus. Where are you placing your hope?

Expectations versus Reality

As we head into yet another Christmas season of celebrating the coming of God as a baby to mankind, I have a different perspective to offer. One I hope will make us all think.

At the time of His birth, life was rough. The Roman government could be cruel and unjust to those who were not citizens of the Empire. 

But, the people had a hope. Prophecy from Daniel told them the timing was right for the Messiah to come. They were looking for Him. They expected a dramatic change once He arrived. They thought He would obliterate the Romans and let the Israelites rule the land again.

But that's not what they got. They got a baby born to the wife of a carpenter in a small thought-of-as-insignificant town. A baby who grew up in a place that had a bad reputation. A baby whose life was no different from theirs - he worked a job, lost a father, and had to support a family. There was nothing from the time He arrived that met with the desire and want of the people of God.

Yet, this was God's plan. God came and showed His presence in a powerful way by healing, teaching and spending time with many people. He reached out to the rejected of Israel, to those who thought they were unworthy of God. Even some gentiles and Romans received His attention. He taught anyone who would listen -- explaining the heart of the law. 

He wasn't the warrior they wanted. And when He left, life was still tough and cruel. The Romans were still in charge, and in fact, things got worse for those who picked up where Jesus left off. This was what God wanted.

Do you have a trouble you want to disappear? Do you want God to come in and take away the pain? Do you want God to be a warrior somewhere in your life?

What if...He wants to spend time with you and show you some things? What if...He has other plans through this time? What if...He wants to use this time to reach people in ways He hasn't been able to reach them before?

Life has been tough this year. We have all been affected in various ways. God is here, let's listen. Let's allow Him to birth in us a renewed joy for His presence that comes like the birth of a baby.

Being Asked To Do The Unusual

Have you felt God asking you to do the unusual? Is it something others might think is crazy, or you think would drive others away? Is it hard to see what purpose would be served? Or, does it feel like He's asking too much of you?

Well, God is in the business of doing the crazy. Sometimes God calls us to do something that breaks tradition.

Don't believe me?

Look at John the Baptist.

He was the son of a priest. And not just any priest. His father, Zacharias, was chosen to enter the Holy Place to burn incense before God. His birth was even prophesied at that point, with many witnesses on the other side of the curtain.

At his birth, with bystanders all around, Zacharias sings a song of blessing and prophecy over him. (Luke 1) Those listening would have heard that John was the one who would announce the arrival of the Messiah. That's big.

With that heritage and call on his life, he would have been expected to learn the law in the temple, dress and eat a certain way, and basically follow in his father's footsteps. Did he? 

No.

Instead of wearing robes and eating priestly food - he wore camel skin and ate locusts and honey. Instead of working, teaching and learning in the temple area - he went to the wilderness and grew in the Spirit. Instead of baptizing people in the temple area - he went to the Jordan River and from there his ministry took flight.

What do you think John was thinking? Do you think he had an easy time stepping away from the norm? As he spent time with God in the wilderness, I'm sure it became easier and second nature to him. But the first step had to be tough to take. 

For me, one of the odd things God asked me to do years ago was to stand up when the rest of the congregation was sitting. The church was not accustomed to people standing when we were scheduled to be sitting. Standing was just not done. But the song being sung was worshipful, and God pressed me to stand. So I did. I was hesitant. I was nervous. And, most of all, unfortunately, I wondered what others would say. 

John got to the point that he didn't care what the temple authorities, who were watching him, thought. In fact, he called them vipers. (Matthew 3) The importance of what John did was to bring the heart of the people back to God - getting them out of the ritual centered habits and opening their hearts to receive the Word of God. He represented the Old Covenant and turned over the reins to Jesus the one who brought the New Covenant. 

I can't say that standing up in church during a spirit-filled song fits into a greater plan of God's... BUT... who knows? Each time He has asked, it has become easier. Now, it is more second nature to me and I don't worry what others will think or say.

Is God calling you to stand or to do something different from anything you've ever done? I hope you realize you are not alone. Do it, even if you're shaking in your boots. Who knows...maybe that one simple act is the key to something bigger in God's plan.