I WILL REMEMBER...

[5]
THE RAINBOW

Read Genesis 8:1–9:17
     "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember…" Genesis 9:16 NIV

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     Having never before experienced a rainstorm, much less a worldwide flood; Noah and his family spent more than a year inside the ark with animals of every description. After seven months, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.(Genesis 8:4) When the earth was completely dry, after another five months, Noah and his family finally stood on solid ground.

     Before anything else, Noah built an altar of worship to the Lord. God promised Noah and his sons, "Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood– This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come…" (9:11–13) And then they saw it–a beautiful, indescribable glow of colors stretched from earth to Heaven and back to earth again!

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     Lord, I am thankful that You see every rainbow in the world, and none of Your promises will ever be forgotten. Today I am claiming Your promises of protection, wisdom, and victory for our family. In the midst of difficult circumstances, help us to trust and obey just like Noah. I am depending on You to bring our family safely through this life into Heaven. May each one come to know You in a personal way, trusting in your promises for all of life’s challenges.

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     “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39 NIV

A GODLY EXAMPLE

[4]
NOAH
Read Genesis 6


     The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain… but Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.   Genesis 6:6, 8 NIV

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     Noah lived in the most wicked generation this world has ever known–not a single family followed God. We are told that "The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." (Genesis 6:5) Yet Noah’s testimony was so strong that his wife, his sons and even his daughters-in-law respected and followed him in obedience to God. This should give us encouragement and hope for raising a godly family in our own ungodly culture.

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     Sin is not only a travesty to us, Lord, for You said that Your "heart was filled with pain." I know that my impatient, unkind and angry thoughts are all a source of grief to You. I also know that You are my only source of healing, forgiveness and strength. Help me to come to You faithfully every day to find cleansing and forgiveness. Only then can I be the wife, mother and friend who will please you and uplift the ones I love. Help me to live a consistent Christian life so that our children will want to follow You.

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     The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation."    Genesis 7:1 NIV