Genesis chapter 13

Sometimes, it is easy to get so wrapped up in what you are doing, in work, in family, in doing things for the church, that you fail to see what is going on around you. You don't appreciate how things look from the outside and you don't realise the impact what you are doing is having on others. Or maybe it is a case of wanting to protect what you have, to look after it, nurture it, no matter what is going on outside.

Here, Lot and Abram had become so rich, had so many flocks, tens, servants and so on, that there was not enough room for both of them. The servants had taken to fighting amongst themselves - Lot's servants against Abram's servants, as each one tried to get the best land, the closest position to the water and so on. Yet there they were, surrounded by enemies on all sides, and they spent their time bickering amongst themselves.

Isn't that just like the church at times? Everyone being so busy to protect their position, their ministry, their roles that they don't realise how it looks from the outside, how non believers see it and how it gets reported in the press? There has, for instance, been a huge thing over here in the local press because someone in the congregation of a local church wrote direct to the Bishop complaining about the minister of the church. There has been such a fallout from this, with the publicity (obviously concentrating on the back biting and infighting in the church) and several church members leaving and going to another church instead. What I do know is that when the minister came, he started making changes and some people did not like it….I don't know exactly what happened apart from that, I don't need to know.

But what a reflection on the church it has all been, when all that gets reported in the press is the fighting. And then all this kerfuffle about gay bishops and the Lambeth conference. I know exactly what I think about having gay bishops and so on, but don't intend to go into that now, but all the press could talk about was the looming row in the Church of England over this very question of gay bishops.

What a message that was giving out about the church, concentrating on the disagreements, the upsets, the negative things. Where is the love we are supposed to show? What about all the work the church is doing in this country and overseas? The people being helped, the starving, the homeless, the hurting? I guess good news makes bad press.

And here with Lot and Abram, it was a similar thing. I bet all the Canaanites and Perizzites could see was the two lots of shepherds quarrelling over who got to the water first, who got that piece of land over there to graze their flocks on and so on. They were a family, uncle and nephew, and yet they were fighting all the time (or at least the servants were).

In the same way as Lot and Abram settled their differences, we in the church also need to settle our differences. It's not a case of one denomination being better than another, of one church in a town being the best one, we are all servants of God, and we have all been called in one way or another. Just because I go to an evangelical/charismatic church doesn't make me better than my neighbour, who goes to a Church of England church or vice versa. Each person is different, unique and will have different ways of worshipping, of giving praise to God. It's not a case of one way being better than another, of God only listening to our prayers if we say them in this way, or that way, of a service only being done right if we use the Book of Common Prayer, and so on. God sees into the heart of each one of us, and we need our hearts to be right with God, not man. We need to love the sinner but hate the sin, let our faith work through us, the love of God to shine out from within and to really be disciples of Jesus here on earth, not people whose disagreements are always being reported unfavourably in the press and who are continually gossiping about others, trying to maintain the status quo or improve our standing in the church.

Genesis chapter 12

The thing that struck me here was Abram's faith, and how it is such an example to me. Firstly, he just upped and left everything when God called him. There was no hesitation, no worrying over whether he was doing the right thing, whether or not he was imagining God has spoken to him or not. He just packed everything up and went, taking his wife, servants and family plus all the livestock, everything. Then he also made altars everywhere, as a reminder of all that God had done for him and as an act of worship.

I want a faith like that, one where there is no room for doubt, for worry, for stress, where I instinctively know when God is speaking to me and trust him implicitly, even when I don't know what is going on. I want to have altars in my life to remind me to worship, and as a recognition for all God has done for me.

Yet what a difference when Abram got to Egypt, and told Sarai to lie and say she was his sister, not his wife. OK, technically, she was his half sister, since they had the same father, but really, Abram was just trying to save his life since as Sarai's husband, his life would have been in danger because Sarai was so beautiful that Pharaoh could have killed Abram to get Sarai and Abram's riches. This shows the exact opposite of what happened when Abram packed up and went to Canaan. There, he just obeyed and trusted. But here, he relies on his own skills, his own scheming to keep out of trouble and just look at the mess that got him into. He was prepared to allow his own wife to be taken into Pharaoh's harem and to accept gifts for this as her brother.

Isn't that just like us? We have moments of great faith and then the next day, it can be completely the opposite picture as we try to do things on our own, without even bothering to ask God what to do, and end up getting in a right mess. I think there's a difference between asking God for help and guidance and in not thinking for ourselves. God gave us minds, abilities, skills and we have our own judgment. It is not a case of asking God for guidance on everything (should I have another cup of coffee, is it OK to go take a shower now, can I go shopping tomorrow, or whatever) but of seeking guidance in the things that matter. And yes, finding a parking space may well matter so I'm not criticising for asking for help in things like that. Different things are important to different people at different times.

But it is a case of always being on the same wavelength as God, of trusting in Him no matter what our personal circumstances. Not always an easy thing to do, and you only have to look at Abram to see that. One day he trusts God completely, packs up his bags and moves his entire family miles away because says so, and the next day, he schemes, plots and lies, completely ignoring God in the process.

Just like we do, as I do. It's easy to trust God when things are going well, when we have that well paid job, when the children are doing well, when whatever we do turns out well. But what about when there's no money for the bills, when we lose the well paid job, when the children misbehave and get into trouble with the authorities or fail their exams, or when we or a loved one or close friend is diagnosed with a life threatening illness? It’s not so easy to trust God in the bad times, yet we are called to do this.

I think the example of David is a great encouragement here, because there he was anointed king of Israel by Samuel, and yet he was on the run for his life from Saul for years. And yes, there were days when he was down, despondent, but each and every time he turned to God. You only have to read the psalms he wrote to realise this. He was a man after God's own heart, even though he messed up, committed adultery and had someone killed. His heart was right with God, just as Abram's was, even before he became Abraham, the father of many nations. And I think that is an example I need to follow, to make sure my heart is right with God and to be always looking to Him, to trust Him no matter what is going on around me.

Genesis chapter 11

Here, fairly soon after a catastrophic flood that destroyed everyone except Noah and his family, men have turned away from God. Noah walked with God, he was considered righteous and presumably taught his children about God so they would walk in his footsteps. Yet here we are, several generations later, and men decide to build a great tower to make a name for themselves, to show how important they are, how successful, how wealthy. It is not a case of building a monument to God, to thank him for all that He has done. No, it is a tower to impress people with the strength and might of the men who designed and built it, to show off their abilities and all they can do.

So God comes down to take a look. He doesn't just look from heaven and see what is going on, He comes down and takes a closer look, to see right into each man's heart, to examine their motives, their reasons. He sees that the men are building this tower to impress others with their achievements and takes action accordingly by giving each one a different language, because if men can't understand one another, how can they work together to build a tower?

In the same way, we each build towers, monuments, in our own lives. We may wear designer clothes, have a big house in its own grounds, the latest and most expensive car, a high powered city job or run a very successful business, be a world famous artist or writer, but all that we have comes from God. He is the one who gave us the ability to write, to paint, to be good with numbers, be a whizz on the stock market, the skills to be an engineer, businessman/woman, and it is to Him the thanks are due. Yes, we may well have done the work, studied hard and passed the exams, gained the qualifications, married into money, scrimped and saved over the years and now are sitting back enjoying the money in the bank, but God is the one we should be thanking.

So when I sit back and congratulate myself on something that I think I have done well, I need to remember that God is the one who gave me the gifts, God is the one who gave me the ideas, the skills, and without him, I have nothing.

Genesis chapter 10

The bible is full of chapters like this which are a list of names, details of who had which sons and so on. You look at this and your eyes glaze over at times (or at least mine do!) but they are full of interesting little snippets of information scattered here and there. For instance, there is the snippet here about the son of Cush, Nimrod, being a great warrior, a mighty hunter before the Lord. Some think he may be the founder of the Babylonian Empire.
Then there is the detail about Peleg, the son of Eber, who was the son of Arphaxad, one of the sons of Shem. If you read Luke 3, it gives the genealogy of Jesus where in verses 35 and 36 we are told:

….the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech….

Showing that Jesus was descended from Shem.

I think the thing that is amazing here is that this book was written by Moses, but there was no way Moses was around in the time of Shem, Noah and the flood. So God would have given these details to Moses. God remembered who was the son of whom, how many children so and so had, what became of their sons and daughters , every detail was remembered and pertinent facts given to Moses.

It just shows what care and attention God takes over each one of us, how concerned He is with every aspect of our lives, and how He remembers us.

The names of all believers are written in the Lamb's book of Life, and having just read in Malachi about the book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name.) it is amazing to think that my name is written up there too, maybe with details such as daughter of…., who went to ….. and did such and such. We are not just names and numbers amongst millions, billions of other people, to God we are unique, each one different, each one special and each one loved.

Genesis chapter 9

I love this symbol of the rainbow being a reminder of God's promise that never again will there be a worldwide flood that destroys all life. It is a sign not just for Noah and his family, but for every generation, so it is for our ancestors, our parents, our siblings, our own families, husbands, wives, children, grandchildren and so on. A promise for eternity. It is a reminder today of exactly what God has promised, a reminder of the sinful ways of the earth that led to the flood in the first place, and a reminder of God promising never to do the same again.

The thing here, though, is that because God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, He knew then , when he spoke to Noah, just how the world would turn out, and that eventually, it would be just as bad, if not worse, than in Noah's day. You only have to take a look around to realise that the world is not a good place to be at times. There is the rising crime rate, the gun crime, the knife crime, homosexuality is seen as a normal way of life by many, abortion is ever increasing and seen as just another form of contraception, children are abused by the very people supposed to be taking care of the, the sex trade is flourishing, there are more people held in slavery nowadays than when it was abolished, and more Christians have died for their faith in the last 100 years than in the whole 1900 years before then. But God knew this when He made the promise to Noah. He knew how we would turn out, He knew about the innocent being harmed or killed, the wars, the genocide, the famines, the greed of those in power, and yet He still made the promise.

I just think this is such an awesome symbol of God's love, that He knew how we would turn out and still He promised He would not destroy the world by flood again. Would I tell my sons that they would never be grounded again, knowing full well that later today, tomorrow, next week, they would be fighting, losing their tempers and physically hurting each other? I don't think so, even though I love them to pieces, because they have to have ground rules, boundaries across which they should not step.

It makes me wonder why God promised this. I mean, knowing just how the world would turn out…. But then He would also have known that there were many who would turn to Him, who would become Christians, acknowledging His Son as their Lord and Saviour. As Peter says in 2
Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

We are being given the time to turn to God. And I am so thankful for this, because I know my family is not yet saved.

Genesis chapter 8

I love the way Noah waits on God. I mean, there they are, having been cooped up in the ark for months on end and the rain stops, the waters gradually recede until they can see the land. What a temptation that must have been, to just jump out of the ark and step onto the ground. OK, it might not have been much of a temptation at first, as the land was drying, when they could see it was all muddy and that they would likely get stuck in the mud at the very least. But what about when it looked like it was completely dry, when the earth started drying up and cracking? Then they must have thought it was safe to go out. But no, they waited on God to let them know, through the birds, whether it was the right time to leave the ark.

It is easy to jump in, to think we know the time is right, that we are ready, and yet God knows whether the ground is soft, squishy and muddy, too wet to walk on in safety, or if it is completely dry, a safe path to take. Noah was careful to wait on God, and this I think is an example to us all. I know there are times when I think I know what God wants me to do, and want to rush in and get the job started. But sometimes, it is a matter of waiting, of having patience, and letting God set the timetable not me. Not necessarily an easy thing to do these days, in this fast paced world where everything has to be instantaneous.

Genesis chapter 7

Only Noah was found to be righteous. Not Shem, Ham and Japheth and their wives and children, not Noah's wife. Just Noah. But because of Noah, they were all saved.

I often wonder what will happen to my family, because they do not believe, and yet reading this, maybe the way I live my life, as badly as I do at times, maybe my example will help to save them, just as Noah's lifestyle saved the lives of his wife and children. Does the way I live my life reflect my faith, let the glory of God shine through? Or does it show people how I can say one thing and yet do another?

We need to make sure as Christians that our walk and out talk line up. It is no good saying one thing, and doing another. Like those pastors who preach against adultery and are then found to have had numerous affairs.

After all, Noah messed up as we'll find out in the next chapter when he gets drunk. It’s not a case of always doing right, because after all, what person can say they ever did that? The only one who can is Jesus. But it is a case of trying to do God's will at all times, of setting our sights above the things of this earth, not behaving like everyone else, drinking, taking drugs, sleeping around, being filled with gossip, pride, selfishness, anxiety, but instead being filled with the Holy Spirit, letting His peace fill our whole bodies and minds and hearts.

Genesis chapter 6

There must have been millions of people on the earth by this time, and yet only Noah found favour with God. He was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time and he walked with God. Just like Enoch, who walked in close fellowship with God.

The thing that strikes me here, is that a close walk with God is essential , vital. Yes, there will be times when we mess up, when everything goes wrong and we don't know which way to turn, but if we have a close walk with God, we will know that we can turn to Him, place everything in His hands. It’s a case of knowing instinctively what God would want us to do in any given situation, of having such a prayer life, knowing God in such a way that like the four creatures in Ezekiel 1:19-21 When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels

I want that in my life, to know instinctively what God wants me to do no matter what, to be able to move in the Spirit, knowing I am walking in the will of God and doing what he would have me do. I bet that was how Noah and Enoch lived their lives. Spending their days gong about their everyday business and yet being in continual communion with God, instinctively knowing His will for them at any given moment in time.

I have such a long way to go, there are so many things that I let get in the way of this, and often, it needs to be a conscious decision to let god into my life, But it shouldn't be, it should be instinctive, natural, the one thing that I do automatically above all else. So it is a case of getting my priorities right, of getting the perspective right, of getting my heart right with God and I need to work on it. As Paul says:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Because when we start to do that, then everything else will fall into place naturally.

Genesis chapter 5

Whilst this is a seemingly boring list of Adam's descendants, I love how the bible throws in little snippets of information that really make you wish you knew more of the story. Here, for instance, are a few verses concerning Enoch, who became the father of Methuselah when he was 65. He walked with God for 300 years after that and then he was no more, because God took him away.

Imagine that! He had such a close walk with God that instead of dying, like everyone else, God just took him up to heaven to continue the conversation in person! I just think that is amazing, and that is the sort of walk I want. Not the hurried few minutes here and there, my mind busy elsewhere, but a deep and lasting relationship where God knows what I am thinking (which I know He does anyway) and I know what God is thinking, when we spend time just being together, soaking in his presence.

Yet it is so difficult in this busy world to find the time, to stop and make a conscious decision to spend time with God instead of finishing off that piece of work , doing that chore, watching that tv programme or reading that book. There are only so many hours in a day and there is so much to do, so many things that need my attention, it is a case of really having to focus, to get my priorities right, because after all, what could be more important than spending time with God, the Creator of the Universe, the Lord God Almighty, Jehovah-Jirah? Because surely, if I get that right, if I make God my priority, then everything else will flow from there.

Genesis chapter 4

It doesn't actually say in the bible why Cain's offering was not acceptable to God. I think, though, this is a case of Cain's heart not being right with God.

Amos 5: 21-24 “I hate all your show and pretence— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living."

It’s not something that just happened with Cain, either. Throughout time, many have been guilty of giving half heartedly to God, of paying lip service to worship on a Sunday morning, their minds busy elsewhere whilst their lips are singing. God doesn't ask for part of us, a snippet on a Sunday morning, a few minutes here and there during the week. He wants all of us, body, mind and soul:

Mark 12: 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Maybe Cain had been having a really bad day. Maybe his crops had failed, he'd run out of seed and fertiliser, maybe he'd just had enough of scrimping and scraping in the ground to make a living, to grow food and provide for his family. We all have days like that. When whatever we do just takes far longer than we expect, when we hit problem after problem, when everything that could go wrong does, the car breaks down, we're late for a meeting, we forget a deadline, the children are being really obnoxious and disobedient, we are left to do everything ourselves and no one even considers offering to help, etc. But it is how we deal with days like that which distinguishes us from nonbelievers, or should do.

We need to take everything, no matter how big or small, to God, to turn to Him in prayer when we are having that rubbish day and when things go really well. God is not just God of our good days, but He is also God in our bad times. Conversely, it is not just a case of turning to God when things go wrong but of giving Him the praise and glory when things go well. We need to get our hearts right with God, to put Him first in our lives, not second, third, or even further down the list.
Cain didn't do this. He allowed his mood to colour his reactions, let his temper take over, with the result that he killed his own brother. A temper is a very powerful thing, and we can do things when in a real temper that we would never dream of doing normally. When we lose control like that anything can happen. But if we are walking with God, talk with him daily, spend time in prayer and bible study, then this is less likely to happen, because our thoughts and mind will naturally be set on the things of heaven and not of this world. If Cain had been closer to God, maybe things would have turned our differently.

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Genesis chapter 3

Interesting to see how man blamed the woman, and she blamed the serpent. No one standing up and accepting responsibility for making the decision to eat the apple in the first place. It reminds me of two of my boys who aggravate each other something rotten. The 17 year old has been known on many an occasion to say "he made me do it" after he has just hit his 11 year old brother, blaming his younger brother when he loses his temper and resorts to physical violence.

We each have to take responsibility for our own actions. You can’t turn around and say that Eve was the one who made you eat the apple when you had to make a conscious decision to reach out your hand, take the apple and have a bite. Eve was not the one involved in that decision making process, even though she may have been the one trying to persuade you to eat the apple. It was your choice. Similarly, Eve can’t blame the serpent for her choosing to believe his lies and take a bite of the apple.

Both the man and the woman, Adam and Eve, had a close relationship with God, probably far closer than most of us. Yet they were both tempted by the thought of being like God, of knowing good and evil, being all powerful all seeing, all knowing. They gave no thought to what they could lose, only to what they might gain. Sometimes, the price we pay to gain something is not worth it and you only have to look at the price Adam and Eve paid to realise that.

The other thing I never really appreciated before, is that it says in verse 6 "she also gave some to her husband who was with her." It's not a case of Eve wandering around in the garden all on her own, no way. She was with her husband, they were together, so when the serpent spoke to Eve, Adam was right there beside her listening to every word. What a cop out to try and blame Eve when he knew exactly what had been going on and what had been said. He is just as much a party to the sin as Eve was and pretending ignorance, closing his eyes and his mind to the truth is not going to change matters.

It is easy to put the blame on others, to try and make ourselves look good, be the innocent party and whitewash our actions. But really, we are each just as guilty as both Adam and Eve every single time we sin and every single time we try to excuse it by blaming someone else, our circumstances, the economic situation, our lack of this, our need for the other, the weather, the time of year/month/week/day, our employer, our unemployment, the man in the moon, etc.
We need to get real with ourselves, others and God, and admit when we have done wrong, take responsibility when we mess up and stop trying to blame anyone and everyone else.

Genesis chapter 2

I really struggle at times to take time off work. Life seems so busy, there are accounts to do, tax returns, letters to writes, payrolls to run, Vat Returns to complete - I lead such an exciting life! Then there are the weekly church notices, which recently I have been doing on Sunday morning, getting up extra early so I have enough time to do them. All this doesn't include the time I want to spend on Photoshop, creating, designing, just messing around and what about spending time with the family, taking the children out for the day? There are tags to make, papers to create, places to see, photographs to take, where does the time go and how can I fit everything in?

Yet look at what God did in six days - he created:

1. Heavens and earth, day and night;
2. Sky;
3. Land and seas, vegetation;
4. Sun, moon, stars;
5. Fish and birds;
6. Animals, man and woman.

And on the seventh day, God rested.

On the seventh day He rested (I'm repeating that because I don't think I ever really read this and take it in!). He didn't try and squeeze in another set of accounts, or try and tidy up the office, he didn't carry on and try to finish off that job for Mr A or Mrs B. No, he rested. He might have just fooled around with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, read a book, done a jigsaw, gone out for the day, or just sat in his chair not doing anything in particular. Whatever it was he did, he was resting, just resting. Not thinking about his "to do" list, or what was going to happen tomorrow, or about how he should have done this, that or the other whilst creating everything. Nope, he just rested.

And whilst there's a little voice telling me that he deserved to rest after all that work creating the heavens and earth, sun, moon and stars, seas and sky, and so on, it also tells me that I'm not working hard enough, that I don't deserve time off, time away from the computer, because after all, what have I done that could possibly compare with what God did? Well, the voice is right in one respect, how can what I do possibly compare with what God did?

But God gave us a day of rest, he thought it so important that it was one of the Ten Commandments. So the voice telling me to carry on working can go take a running jump, because my God has said we need to rest,. And if we spend all our time working, how can we possibly have the time to fully appreciate all that God has blessed us with?

Genesis chapter 1

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

In the beginning, there was nothing except God and then he created the heavens and the earth.

It always amazes me how people think the universe just happened, and that there is no Creator, no design. It surely takes a much bigger leap of faith to believe there is no God who created the Universe, than it does to believe there is a God?
I reckon people deliberately block their minds to the thought that God exists, that He is real, because then they would have to rethink their lives, the way they act, the things they do and say. After all, if God exists, and the bible is true, then the end of the world is coming, there is going to be judgment and there is a heaven and a hell…. It is easier to ignore all this, to refuse to accept that God exists than it is to change your way of life, your behaviour. And yet the consequences of doing this, of refusing to accept that there is a God who loves each one of us so very much, are catastrophic. I mean, who would really want to spend eternity in the lake of fire? Not me for sure, but that is what people are facing when they reject God.

So, going back to the creation, this is what was created on each of the six days:

1. Heavens and earth, day and night;
2. Sky;
3. Land and seas, vegetation;
4. Sun, moon, stars;
5. Fish and birds;
6. Animals, man and woman.

And on the seventh day, God rested.

That, I think just shows the importance of having a day of rest. Not just because God did, but because it gives us a rest, a break from work. Our bodies have time to recover from whatever we have been doing through the week, and we can spend the day with family, friends, go out for the day, stay in, read a book, mess on the computer, just veg in front of the tv, whatever. We can also take time out to praise God, to give Him the thanks for all that has gone on in the week, and to just worship.

Holidays are over

Well, we returned from holiday late Saturday, I spent 2 days washing all the dirty laundry (where did it all come from?!!!) and the boys are now back at school so I am getting into a routine again. I have shamefully neglected posting here these past two weeks, so am about to start with Genesis. Feel free to grab a bible and read along. I'd love to hear what you think about this book.

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