28th Week Genesis 9-13 (Click on Title for Video Intro)

Click on Title for Video Introduction

Monday, Genesis Chapter 9

Genesis 9

Verse 16

Jeanie Boldt

July 13, 2006

Verse 16:  Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

THOUGHT

The Lord made several statements in the covenant. The one that has touched me in the final part promises a rainbow enjoyed by mankind when it rains as a sign to all that God will keep His promises. Do any of you have a Rainbow Story? Aren’t they special? We love to color them. In fact it is one of the first things we teach little ones. There are special dolls, Rainbow Brite, My Little Rainbow Pony, Rainbow Care Bear and on and on. I even sing the girls a song about the colors in the rainbow. It is a bridge of beauty that joins heaven and earth. 

Rainbows still remind us of God’s faithfulness to His Word. Whether we look at the rainbow or not, God looks upon it and remembers His promises.  Tanya had just turned 3 years old. Her dad, she and I were vacationing in the mountains of CO near Aspen.  Harry had taken a nap so we took a little walk up in the mountains to an area that had swings and play equipment. Heather Dawn was very much alive with us also in my stomach. Well, you know how quickly storms can appear. Gosh, this came so fast that we had no time to return to the hotel so we sought shelter under some equipment. I have to admit, I was a little nervous because of the unfamiliar area and being alone with a little one and me just 3 months from delivery. Well, we prayed for safety, and as quickly as the storm came, it went. The aftermath — A BEAUTIFUL RAINBOW!!! I shared with Tanya that it was a sign from God that He was watching over us and was protecting us. She knew at that young age that He was faithful and would take care of us.

PRAYER

God, our Father and Protector, we love the beauty of  Your promise. Thank You again for Your faithfulness. You have continued to care for us and watch over us ever since. We pray that everyone can feel the truth of Your promise and the faithfulness of Your being. Consider our ‘Pot of Gold’ to be the day that we meet Your SON AND OUR SAVIOR face to face.  AMEN

Tuesday, Genesis Chapter 10

Genesis 10

Heather Williams

July 17, 2006 

THOUGHT

I don’t really have a specific verse to share. I’m going to have to admit, I don’t have a lot to say on this chapter. It is very interesting to read the genealogy and very important to have the historical record and support for the accuracy of the Bible. One thing that stuck out to me was Nimrod. He was the only one that they spoke more about than just his ancestry. It mentioned that he was a mighty warrior. I don’t think Nimrod is mentioned anywhere else but here in the Bible. I think it’s really interesting that God wanted those two sentences in here about him. There must have been something special about him. 

In addition, this made me think about family and our family trees, especially after spending the weekend with family. It’s so neat to look back and be able to track the genealogy of families. I’m so blest to come from the family I do, and I’m excited to see and get to know the newest members of our family. It’s our responsibility to raise them to be great fruit from our tree. That’s a lot of responsibility to you parents!

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for the amazing parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and the rest of the family you have blest each of us with. I’m so thankful for the family tree you have provided for me.  Most of all, I’m thankful that through this family I came to know You. It is because of them that I am a daughter and member of Your family. Lord, allow each of us to be a witness and disciple to each of our family members, especially to the youngest fruit on our tree. Help us to reflect Your love, so that they may come to know You. In Your Name. AMEN

Wednesday, Genesis Chapter 11

Genesis 11

Verses 1-9

Heather Williams

July 19, 2006 

Verses 1-9

THOUGHT

The story of Babel is a very familiar Bible story. I don’t remember the first time I heard it, but I know it was a long, long, time ago. The funny thing is I don’t remember this happening so quickly in the Bible. The thing that I thought was weird this time when I read it was that the tower was an amazing feat. It was really a human wonder. This had to have been an amazing tower. It was probably a wonder of the world. The thing was that the intention and motivation behind it wasn’t good. It was being built as a monument to the people.  They were calling attention to their achievements.

It’s not wrong to achieve. We all strive to achieve in life, and achievements are great. But they are all blessings.  As soon as our focus gets stuck on these achievements, and we find our identity and self-worth in them, they turn bad. Nothing good or bad should take God’s place in our life. We should continue to build and develop ourselves in many ways, but we shouldn’t ever think that we or anything else has replaced God in our lives.

PRAYER

Father God, we confess that we are prideful. We confess that we often focus on our own lives and achievements and find our self-worth in them. We recognize that You are the Lord of our lives and every blessing or achievement we receive is because of You, not us. Help us to strive to do our best in life.  When we achieve great things, Lord, we pray that we would recognize Your work and blessings in all achievements.  Lord, be the center of our live.  Be our reason that we live.  Be our life, Jesus. AMEN

Thursday, Genesis Chapter 12

Genesis 12

Heather Williams

July 19, 2006

THOUGHT

The thing that struck me from this passage was Abraham’s faith. That’s the faith and obedience that I admire.  We see in the first few verses, that God calls Abraham. He promises him blessings, but at no cost.  Abraham had to move out in faith to a new land. In verse 4, Abraham gets up and takes his family with him and leaves. Then again we hear in verse 10 that Abraham trusts in God and hears his call again. He faces the obstacle of a famine, but doesn’t lose faith. He trusts in God, and God leads him to Egypt. He goes. No questions asked. Abraham’s faith is admirable. He is so close to God that he can hear his calling, has the faith and trust to listen to it and obey it. That is what each of us is called to do- 1)have faith 2)trust in the Lord and 3)obey. It seems simple enough, but is it?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. We learn from Abraham the power of faith. Lord, it looks so simple, but seems to be oh so hard for us. We confess that at times our faith is lacking. Lord, I pray that each of us would seek You, and that by seeking You and through that relationship, we would hear Your voice. I pray that each of us would learn to trust and have faith in Your voice and be willing to obey. I pray for faith, trust and obedience.  We love You, Lord! In Your Name. AMEN

Friday, Genesis Chapter 13

Genesis 13

Heather Williams

July 20, 2006

THOUGHT

The part of this story that spoke to me this time was Lot’s decision. Here we see arguments and disputes going on. Abraham makes a decision that they should go separate ways. He becomes the bigger man and offers Lot the choice of where he wants to go. Lot makes a decision to go to a land that sounds great. However, just like all great things, they often come with bad things or consequences. This great land happened to be right next to Sodom, which was a sinful city. His greed and wanting the best for himself caused him to make this choice which led to more problems than good. 

Life is full of choices. We need to evaluate every option and listen to God’s leading. When we stop following God and start following ourselves, we often back ourselves into that awful corner that’s hard to get out of. The funny thing was that my notes in my Bible asked the question ‘Have you chosen to live or work in a “Sodom”?’ I had to chuckle. What city in the US could be more of a Sodom than NYC?!? Don’t get me wrong sin exists everywhere, even in the Midwest — even in Iowa (I know shocking).  There is something about being in a city like NYC. There’s a lack of Christians and definitely a lack of Christian values and morals. I have to admit that it is tough. Not that I’ve taken a 180 degree turn, but I don’t have as many Christian friends or a Bible study that I’m really bonded too or a church I’m super connected too. All of these things have made it harder than easier in my walk with the Lord. I’m trying to reach out to those in need of Him, but it’s been hard. Just remember to seek God when you are faced with life’s many choices. Make wise decisions.

PRAYER

Lord of all, we come before You humbly this evening. I confess that I have often been like Lot and made decisions in my life that were based on my needs and wants, without even taking into consideration what You may think. Those decisions have not always worked out the way they were supposed to. Lord, help us to be proactive and to seek Your wisdom in each decision we make. We are faced with many choices each day we walk this earth. Lord, guide our decision-making process so that our footsteps will follow Your path. Help each of us as we evaluate our lives and the Sodom that may be in our lives based on our decisions. Help us to stay strong, grow in You and focus on You. Rid our lives of our Sodom. In Your Name. AMEN