Sunday, January 13, 2013

Sunday Psalm: In Honor of Noah

Psalm 46

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:1-11 (KJV)

Saturday, January 12, 2013

TAKE TIME: January 14-19 Assignment


Introduction:  After the Worldwide Flood, Noah's sons and their wives had several children. Just like God told Adam, He also told Noah's sons to have children and populate the earth. Unfortunately, just like at Creation it wasn't long before Noah's family decided that they did not want to obey God. This brought judgment at the Tower of Babel. The events following the Flood proved that the Ark could save people physically from death but that a Savior was needed to save them spiritually.

We will be interrupting our reading of the book of Genesis in order to read the entire book of Job. Job probably lived just a few years after people separated into family groups at the Tower of Babel. Some Bible scholars say that he lived about the same time as Abraham, and like Abraham, they believe Job was descended from Noah's son, Shem. (See Genesis 10:23 and Job 1:1 to see the family and genealogy of Uz.)

Reading Assignment:
  • Monday - Genesis 8:20-9:29
  • Tuesday - Genesis 10:1-11:9
  • Wednesday - Job 1:1-2:10
  • Thursday - Job 2:11-3:26
  • Friday - Job 4:1-5:27
  • Saturday - Job 6:1-6:30

Memory Verse

And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. Genesis 9:11
Prayer Journal (ACTS)

  •  Adoration - Take time to praise God each day that He always keeps his promises (or covenants).
  • Confession - God already knows about each sin but confess any as they come to your mind and ask Him to help you not sin that way again.
  • Thanksgiving - Thank God for His protection! Thank Him for keeping you physically safe each day and for spiritually keeping you safe for eternity. (Did He answer any of your prayer requests from last week? If so, thank Him, even if the answer was "no.")
  • Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:
  • Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
  • References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
  • What does this passage teach about Jesus?
  • Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Our mouths can get us into a lot of trouble. Noah's grandchildren were disobedient to God so He punished them by confusing human languages in order to discourage them from helping each other do wicked things. Guard your tongue and use your words to only please God. Pay special attention to the words that come out of your mouth and avoid wicked speech like arguing, gossiping, and lying. If you find yourself sinning with your words confess this immediately. (There is no need to wait until your next prayer time!)God made man to have dominion over the creation (not worship it in the place of worshiping Him).

As a positive action, choose at least one of the following ways to use words this week:

  • Help an organization that translates scripture into other languages or provides it for people who speak another language. (Perhaps you could volunteer your services if you live nearby?)
  • Give a tract to someone and tell them about Jesus.
  • Encourage someone who is discouraged. This is a wonderful way to use your tongue!


What can you do this week to properly care for your home, the people in it, and any animals you have in order to show proper respect to God and the things He put under your jurisdiction?

Journal Through the Bible: Week 1, Saturday

Source

Genesis 7:11-8:19

Does God make any promises in this passage? If so do they apply to me?
Not specifically, but God remembered a promise that He had already made to Noah (8:1) and kept him, his family, and the animals on the ark safe as a result.
Again, I am the direct result of God keeping His promise to Noah!

Are there references to Jesus in this passage?
As mentioned yesterday, the ark is a type (meaning picture or symbol) of Jesus. Those who find grace in Him are kept safe and enjoy the benefits of new life. I am reminded of II Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (emphasis mine)
 This sounds a lot like the provision that God made for Noah and company in the ark.

Are there references to future events (in the future for us, that is) in this passage?
Not specifically, but perhaps God, the original and perfect conservationist will populate the New Earth with redeemed humans and kinds of animals also.

Does God make any commands in this passage? If so, to whom? And are they commands that I also must obey?
God told Noah to leave the ark and take the animals out also so that the earth could be repopulated (8:15-17).
We are still reproducing upon the earth today.


Did you find anything else of interest to you? Please share!

Read Through the Bible in 2013: Jan 14-19

Take Ten


1/14/2013         Job 18, 19 John 16, 17
1/15/2013     Job 20, 21 John 18
1/16/2013     Job 22, 23 John 19
1/17/2013     Job 24-26 John 20
1/18/2013     Job 27-29 John 21
1/19/2013     Job 30, 31 Matthew 1


Introductory information for the Gospel of Matthew can be found here.