I did not particularly enjoy this class, but it did have a few nuggets that I found very enjoyable and fascinating. This presentation by Ken Ham is one of them. If you have any interest in Genesis and creation, give it a watch. And don’t mind the absolutely terrible video quality…I, unfortunately, have zero control over that.
Hello all, and good morning! Below you will find this week’s memory verse.
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
For more details on this read the context and study it! Enjoy!
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
I am amazed at the entire story of Joseph! God had a plan for his life, and even though it may have seemed quite opposite in Joseph’s eyes, God executed that plan with the perfection that only He has. Joseph’s brothers hated him (Gen. 37:4) and wanted nothing to do with him, so they plotted against him (Gen. 37:18) and sold him away. Now, if i were Joseph, i would loose all hope at this point, but that is not what we see in Joseph. All through his life, from his brothers selling him to being accused of rape and thrown into prison, Joseph is faithful that God will deliver him and protect him from harm. I believe that it is that faith that Joseph had in God that eventually placed him in a position of great authority (Gen. 41:41) and gave Joseph the opportunity to save the lives of many people and through it all forgive his brothers for what they had done to him!
God blesses those that put their trust in Him for everything! This is evident in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and now Joseph. The Lord provided for all of these men and blessed them for their strong faith, trust, and love in and for Him. That is the kind of faith that i want: strong, bold, and steady faith!
Wow. Never again will i skip 3 days of reading God’s Word, and for 2 reasons: 1) instead of an excellent 20 minutes of being in His Word, it’s an incredible 1 hour and 20 minutes of being in His Word, and 2) each day that i missed is always seemed a bit off. Almost like something was missing, and it was; i hadn’t eaten yet! Things just seem out of place when i skip out on God, i think it’s a friendly reminder from Him, that He is in control. Thank you, God, for that reminder!
So after all of this reading you would think i would have a sermon to write, bu surprisingly, I do not. Genesis continues to intrigue me with all of the blessings from God. he truly blessed Abraham and all of his descendants, so far at least, that i have read. to me, these men are examples to follow. Their faith and obedience to God is so deep and focused, that is the kind of faith that i want to have, the faith of Abraham. Then, in Matthew, i read the passages that spoke of the miracle’s of Jesus. From giving sight to the blind and life to the dead, He did it all. And it is incredible to me that people still doubted His message after being witness to the greatest man to walk the earth!
And then i came to proverbs:
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,[b]
And strength[c] to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
This is just incredible to me. God’s timing could not be anymore perfect and right on with where i am at in my life day to day and relationally with Him. God is good and he continues to speak to me and encourage me through His Word. I could go verse by verse here if i were teaching youth group again but I’m not (currently) so I’ll try to summarize my thoughts. Trust in God always (even when it is hard to do so), and show mercy to everyone because God has shown His mercy to us. In everything that we do, every decision that we make, seek after God’s heart before coming to a conclusion, do this continuously and you will notice each part of your life become easier because you have consulted the ultimate helper, GOD! Even when you can’t afford to do so, give to the Lord, He WILL provide for you if you show Him that you have faith in His ability to do so (even if it seems impossible)! And lastly (for today), accept God’ punishment and grow from it. Become a better person because of it…do not use it as an excuse to do things your own way, that will only take you deeper into the trap.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your Word! Thank you for meeting with me and speaking to me as if you were sitting next to me. God i ask that you be with us right now, continue to show us the path that you have laid before us. God i want to give you more of me, use me how you see fit to the glory of Your Kingdom. God continue to bless us and provide for us. I pray for wisdom in handling the blessings that you have given to us, guide me in this task Lord. God, please continue to meet with me here, please help me as i strive to make this a part of who i am and who i am to become. Amen.
Aaron Aiken 