Friday, June 11, 2010

WALKING WITH GOD

[3]
ENOCH

Read Genesis 5:1–32; Hebrews 11:5
     “Enoch walked with God then he was no more, because God took him away … Enoch was commended as one who pleased God."    Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5b NIV
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     Very little is said in Genesis about Enoch. We read about him again in the New Testament and find that Enoch was a powerful preacher who prophesied, "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones…” speaking of a yet future day. (Jude 14b)
     Enoch is mentioned again in Hebrews, as one whose faith was counted for righteousness. Then one day, as Enoch walked with God, he was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. (Hebrews 11:5a)
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     Our lives may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but God honors those who place their faith in Him. We, like Enoch, can look forward to eternal life and perhaps even the Lord's return in our lifetime. (1Thessalonians 4:17)
     Lord, give us the faith to trust You in every decision we make, so that we will bring glory to Your name. Help our children to walk as “children of light–finding out what pleases the Lord.”(Ephesians 5:8b,10)  Make us like Enoch who walked with God.
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     "… before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."   Hebrews 11:5b–6 NIV

Monday, June 7, 2010

LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE

[2]
ADAM AND EVE

Read Genesis 1:26–3:24
     Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,”… male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26a, 27b NIV
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     God created the heavens and the earth and all the living things that inhabited its boundaries. Then He created the first man in the likeness of Himself and He called him Adam. Adam named all the animals and found none among them that could cure his loneliness.
     So God made from Adam's side a woman, and Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. (Genesis 3:20) Both husband and wife were fashioned in the image of the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
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     Dear Father, that little word "us" is our first glimpse of the Trinity, all present when You created the first married couple in Your image – body, soul and spirit. Sadly, those first wonderful days together were overshadowed by sin.
     Thank You Lord, that You made a way to restore the family resemblance we once had to You. I pray that you will continue to work in my heart through Your Holy Spirit, and may that transformation be visibly reflected in my attitude and countenance – that others will see Jesus in me.
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     "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will."    Romans 12:1–2 NIV