Jan 29: Genesis 9

We’re continuing in Genesis today with chapter 9. 

1. This chapter has some interesting things for us. First, at the end of the chapter God tells Noah that a rainbow will be the sign of God’s promise to all creation to never allow a flood to destroy the earth again.
2. Also, did you notice that after God told Noah to make lots of babies, God told Noah he could eat meat? Does that mean that before the flood everyone was a vegetarian? We’re not sure but it’s interesting to think about.
3. After God told Noah they could eat meat he told them to make sure it’s “lifeblood” was gone. God insisted on this point and even said if anyone (human or animal alike) disobeys this rule God would punish them. God made special mention to avoid killing another person. But did you catch why? God made it very clear in verse 6 that it’s because of the great value he places on each human being. We’re made in his image and so God values us over all the rest of creation.

There’s a lot of cool things for us today in our reading. The first was a simple rainbow, something we take for granted probably. Next time you see a rainbow remember God’s promise and know he’s looking at that rainbow too and thinking about how much he loves you. And God tells us how each person has great value to him because we’re created in his image. Of all of creation only humans are created in the image of God. In fact, most of the guidelines God gives us to live by are to protect us from hurting ourselves and other people around us because we’re so valuable to him that God even wants to protect us, even from ourselves. Do you ever struggle with depression or low self image? Next time you’re having a tough time remember how highly God values you. 

Jan 28: Genesis 8

We’re reading Genesis chapter 8 together today. 

1. In this chapter we read about how Noah and his family were in the boat for a long time but we see how God remembered Noah and ended the flood. 
2. Did you notice that Noah obeyed God in every step and all along God protected and provided for Noah and his family? Even after that water had went down and Noah could see dry ground he waited for God to tell him to leave the boat. Surely, Noah was tempted to go out on his own but he waited for God’s command.
3. As soon as Noah was safely on dry ground he took time to worship God and thank him. Then God promised to never again allow the earth to flood completely.

The account of Noah and the flood is a great lesson for us to remain in touch with God for every step in our lives. Noah is also a great example of patience and trusting God. Are you having a tough time waiting for God on something right now? Or do you have difficulty in trusting God to take care of you and your family in what you’re going through? Follow Noah’s lead, stay in constant communication with God and trust that he knows better than you do.

Jan 22: Genesis 7

We're continuing in Genesis today, chapter 7.


1. This chapter is pretty straight forward but there are a couple things to point out.
2. First, you may have noticed that Noah took a pair of every animal but then seven of the "clean" animals. Strange, right? But the "clean" animals were for Noah and his family to eat and to use to worship God.

3. Did you notice in verse 16 that it was God who shut Noah and his family in the ark along with all the animals? Pretty cool that God took a personal interest in securing Noah and his family inside.

This chapter is self explanitory but we can still fin d application for us today. God gave Noah some really odd instructions that everyone would have thought were insane. But God didn't leave Noah alone to carry out his orders. Instead, God personally got involved and sent him the animals and secured them into the ark safely himself. When God asks us to do something he always promises to help us. Whatever God is prompting you to do (that maybe you're scared of) know that he will be there to help you as you go.

Jan 20: Genesis 6

We’re jumping back into the book of Genesis for the weekend with chapter 6. 

1. In the early lines of this chapter we read about the “sons of God” and their offspring, the “Nephilim.” What are these two groups? We’re not sure. Some scholars believe the “sons of God” are fallen angels and the “Nephilim” are the offspring of their union with humans. Other scholars still aren’t certain. So we can’t know for sure but it’s obvious that they were bigger and stronger than other humans, which is why they were called the “heros of old.”  
2. If the “sons of God” are indeed fallen angels then it makes sense that God would be angry about them marrying within the human race. God created human beings in his own image and values us above everything else he created. So, it’s logical that God would go to extreme ends to protect us and the “purity” of our kind. 
3. As God watched the depravity on earth it broke his heart so much that he regretted creating us and so he decided to wipe out everything he created on earth. But then God noticed Noah. . .
4. Noah was a good man who wanted to follow God. God spoke to Noah and told him about the flood that was about to happen and God told Noah to build a huge boat. The interesting thing is there had never been a flood before or even rain at this point on earth. So, Noah must have been pretty confused but he obeyed God.
5. God gave Noah exact specifications for this boat and told Noah he would send him two of each type of animal and start the world over with Noah’s family. Wow, talk about a serious message from God. 

The “story” retold in this chapter is one that a lot of people have a difficult time believing, and it is rather unbelievable so I understand. But assuming it’s true (and I believe it is) what would you do? Would you obey God and do something that has never been done before? Imagine how much criticism Noah must have received when he told people it was about to rain? They had never seen rain so they must have thought Noah was crazy. Would you be obedient to God, even when everyone else laughed? I bet there is a step God is whispering to you to take right now. Will you be obedient? Noah must have felt really uncomfortable and rather foolish for obeying God but we still talk about him today. We can’t hope to live a life worth watching without taking risks for God. 

Jan 15: Genesis 5

We’re reading Genesis chapter 5 today. Let’s jump right in:

1. This chapter is kind of weird because it’s just an account of Adam’s lineage up to Noah. 
2. The interesting thing is how old everyone was. These people lived a super long time. Adam lived to be 930. In this chapter we read about Methuselah who is the oldest man recorded in the Bible; he lived to be 969.
3. We’re not entirely sure why people lived so long but we will notice that after the flood (which we will read about tomorrow) people stopped living so long. There are some theories and maybe the best is that God made human beings to live forever with him but because of sin we eventually die. 

Maybe you’re wondering right now why God didn’t allow people to continue to live so long? Honestly, maybe God gave us a blessing by shortening our lifespans. Take a moment to think about it; would you really want to live over 900 years with all the pain and suffering in the world? Probably not. However, this should also be a reminder for us to do something positive with our life in the short time we’re here. God decided that the main way he would positively change people’s lives and the world is by using those who follow him. That’s why Jesus said we should be about; loving God, loving people and by that we will turn the world upside down.

Jan 14: Genesis 4

We’re reading Genesis chapter 4 together today. Below you’ll find a couple things to think about:

1. In this chapter the first murder was recorded. Adam and Eve had two sons; Cain and Abel. Cain and Abel took offerings to God from their work and gave it to him as a way of worshipping God. However, Abel took his best and Cain gave God his left overs. So, God accepted Abel’s gift because it showed his heart was turned towards God. God rejected Cain’s gift because it showed he was more concerned about himself. God even told Cain if he had done what was right then he would gladly accept the gift. 
2. Then Cain kills his brother Abel because he was jealous that God favored Abel’s gift. Sounds insane right? Well, it kind of is. If Cain would simply have given God his best next time then God would have accepted his gift too. Instead, Cain’s solution was to kill his brother then lie to God about it. This is why God banished him from his people.
3. Now you might be thinking the same thing I am: Where did all these other people come from in this chapter? Honestly, we don’t know. We can only assume this event took place a long time after the first three chapters in Genesis. And what about the “mark” placed on Cain? We have no idea what this was either. Any suggestion given would be pure speculation.

In reading about Cain and Abel’s gifts to God we learn he doesn’t want our leftovers. God wants us to think of him first; this is the first description of bringing an offering to God mentioned in the Bible and is one of the reasons we still do that in church today. Us giving at church is one more way we worship God. But notice God didn’t want to be “tipped out” by Cain. Rather God accepted Abel’s gift because it was a sacrifice. Abel could have given God the old sheep who were about to die but instead he choose to give God his best newborn sheep. God accepts our gifts to him when they’re not an afterthought because then he knows we really want to worship him.

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase; “I’m not my brother’s keeper”? This is the phrase Cain used when God asked Cain about his brother that he had killed. So, next time you hear the phrase think about this story and the principle we learned. God deserves our best and won’t settle for anything less.

Jan 8: Genesis 3

Today we’re reading Genesis chapter 3 together. Here are a couple thoughts on it:

1. The narrative of this chapter is really the narrative of all our lives. In the first few lines we read how Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating fruit from a tree he told them not to. 
2. A lot of people (by “a lot of people” I mean some guys) like to point out that Eve was the one who ate the fruit first and then made Adam eat it too. However, that’s just dumb. If we read the story again we see that Adam was standing right there beside Eve all along and was just too weak to stand up for his wife.
3. The next part of this chapter is also indicative of our lives; Adam and Eve hide from God because they disobeyed him. Aren’t we still like that today? We mess up and then we hide, thinking we can hide from God. We hide in many different ways. Some of us hide in our “disbelief” by thinking if we don’t believe in God then we can’t be accountable to him. Some of us hide in our anger or even cynicism. Sadly, some of us hide from God in our “righteousness” by all our “good” works we think we can hide our failures from God. 

At the beginning of this chapter we read about the “fall” of humankind when Adam and Eve ate the fruit God forbade them to eat. The interesting thing is “why” they ate it. They ate the fruit because the serpent (Satan) told them if they did they would be “like God.” Adam and Eve ate the fruit for the same reasons we rebel against God; we want to be God. We want to be the god in our lives. We don’t want to listen to someone else. We want to call the shots. That’s basically why Adam and Eve sinned and by eating the fruit threw all of creation into a messed up spiral that God has been working towards redeeming. Where in your life are you trying to be “god”? Adam and Eve hid from God when they sinned. Where are you hiding from God today? In our reading today we read that God sought Adam and Eve out and then restored their broken relationship. That’s exactly what he wants to do with you and I as well. Wherever you’re hiding God wants to reconnect with you despite your past. Ask God to show you where you’re hiding and give you the courage to stop hiding.