Chronological: Questioning Truth—"He Said"

Questioning Truth— “He Said”

Genesis 3-5

What a contrast from Genesis 2 to Genesis 3. 

In Genesis 2 God Almighty is speaking with authority and power. Then in Genesis 3 creation speaks and immediately begins to question God and Truth. 

Genesis 3: 1 “And he said… Has God indeed said?” 

Genesis 3: 4 A blatant lie is stated. “You shall not surely die.” 

When you start to question what God says, don’t try to answer it on your own. Rather, go back to the source! Go back to Scripture. What did God REALLY say? 

We know the consequences of blatantly disregarding Truth and disobeying God’s word. Adam and Eve were ashamed before God, there was separation from God. Their relationship changed. 

Genesis 3:8-9 God still wanted a relationship with mankind, but now sin had to be dealt with—for God is holy. 

Adam and Eve and to live with the consequences of their disobedience to God. For questioning Truth started a pattern—that had deadly consequences. 

Cain the firstborn worked in the fields. Where as, his younger brother Abel was a shepherd. Both knew that they had to give an offering to the Lord, however, one did it truthfully, the other did not. Rather than seeking the truth of why the sacrifice was rejected by God, Cain chose to follow his own voice and killed his brother. 

Once again there are consequences to sin. Abel was dead. Cain was sent to wonder about and his livelihood would no longer support him. Genesis 4:13.

Look at the decedents of Cain. Genesis 4:16-24. The sin of Cain had long-term effects as his great, great, great, great, great grandson was prideful in his murdering and he knew what happened to Cain and it was of no consequence in Lamech mind. He said— Genesis 4:23, 24. 

In contrast, Genesis 4:36—“Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”

Genesis 5 is the genealogy of Adam. Several times throughout the Bible, we read genealogies. Why is a list of names important? Because when God says something—it is trustworthy. The genealogies throughout Scripture show us the line in which the Lord Jesus Christ would be born. God in His mercy and grace, was planning a way of redemption. 

Genesis 5 begins with Adam and ends with Noah and his 3 sons. Look in the middle of this genealogy at Genesis 5:24. A testimony to one who listened to “God said” rather than “he said”. “Enoch walked with God” That was the relationship that Adam had in the garden before sin entered the picture. The relationship Enoch had with God was possible, because Enoch believed and listened to the truth of God’s Word. He obeyed God.

Enoch walked with God. What a great testimony in the midst of others who are choosing to follow the ‘he said’ rather than what God said. 

Read Genesis 3-5 and take note of who people were listing to—God or Satan. God said. He said. 

In your life, are you listening to “God said” or “he said”? In our world today, the ‘he said’ is louder as people have ignored God and His truth for generations. However, God’s Word can still be heard—if you choose to hear it and obey it. 

What legacy will you leave—one who listened to the “he said” like Cain and Lamech? Or a legacy of one who listened to “God said” like Enoch? 

God said. He said. You have a choice to make. 

Chronological: The Beginning "God Said"

Today, I started a new Bible study. I'm going to be studying the Bible chronologically, starting in Genesis. 

The Beginning "God Said"

Genesis 1-2

As I read these two chapters, two word stood out. "God said." In those two words, we learn a lot about God. 

First, when God speaks there is Reason. He speaks to accomplish something. 

When God speaks there is Result. His Words produce something. They have a desired effect. 

When God speaks there is Reaction. There is a response. 

Reason.

Genesis 1:1 

In the beginning, God created. 

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:5

God created—for Himself. He the Almighty created everything with beauty, interaction, perfection—and He deserves our praise and honor. 

Result.

And it was so. And it was good.

Genesis 1:3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 25, 31.

There is a chronological sense to Creation. God created in an orderly fashion so that the needs of each next day's creation would have its needs met. There is order and planning. A specific reason for each specific act of Creation. It was not haphazard, with out any planning.

Reaction.

What God says—happens. His speech produces exactly what He wants. He speech is powerful, because He is God! He is the creator of all. He is the sustainer of all. God says it—it's reality! 

Psalm 104

From Genesis 1-2, what do we learn about God? 

• He is the Creator of all.
• There is authority and power in His speech.
• He is mighty.
• He is worthy of praise.
• He cares about mankind. 
• He supplies all the needs of Creation. 
• He is orderly and does nothing haphazardly. 

God said. 

How should those two words and the truth of Genesis 1-2 impact my life? 

1. I have confidence in knowing that God's word is powerful.

2. Knowing that God has authority, and His words have power— I should obey what He says.

What else has God Said, that deserves my attention? 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 

God said. 

Two words with a mighty powerful result–that should impact my life as I realize the power and authority of God Almighty. 

Will I allow those two words to impact my thoughts, motives, actions, and words today? 

Thanks Living: Actively grateful!

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.  2 Corinthians 4:15

Grace:  "the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues"

Thanksgiving: gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)

Abound: to make abundant or excellent, to cause one to excel

Glory: good opinion concerning one, and as resulting from that, praise, honor

Actively grateful language to God! Thanksgiving isn't just a simple word, it's to become an ACTION!   And what produces the true action of thanksgiving? Realizing the grace of God and sharing His grace to others. The more God's grace is made known and the more people accept God's grace then the ultimate reaction is thanksgiving and worship to God giving God the honor and glory! 

Actively grateful! Thanks Living is not something that is hidden or just saying "thanks" now and then. It's to be an ongoing ACTION of worship and praise to God!

Thanks Living: If I am mindful...

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Colossians 3:17

Whatever: everything (anything) whatsoever

Word: the act of speaking

Deed: the idea of working; doing

Do all: whatsoever

Name: relying or resting on the name of Christ, rooted (so to speak) in his name, i. e. mindful of Christ

Give thanks: to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude 

Father: one who imparts life and is committed to it; a progenitor, bringing into being to pass on the potential for likeness

Through: of one who is the author of the action as well as its instrument, or of the efficient cause (because the possibility both of glorifying God and of giving thanks to him is due to the kindness of Christ)

If I am mindful of Christ, then my attitude and action will be done in accordance with His will. And my heart-set and mind-set will be filled and overflowing with gratitude to God, the Father. 

If I am mindful...... 

There are times, when being mindful of Christ is easy, and then other times, not so much. During those "other times", my focus changes from Christ, to ME—and that is a dangerous occurrence. For when "Me, myself, and I" take the lead, I not only am telling God He doesn't know what He's doing, I am setting myself up for disappointment, discouragement and heartbreak. 

If I am mindful......

Creating a habit of relying and being mindful of Christ—how exactly is that done? First and foremost, I must acknowledge that God is real, and that He sets the standard. I must accept God as Lord and Savior. Then as I begin to know God, learn who God is, learn His ways, learn His characteristics, then that solid unwavering trust is developed and then the desire to obey Him impacts my actions and attitudes. 

If I am mindful—

That means, when I get frustrated with someone, I stop and pray—that creates a change in attitude. Then I must act on that change in attitude! 

That means, when I don't want to do something, I stop and pray —that creates a change in my attitude with then will translate into action. 

That means, when "Me, myself, and I" want to make the decisions, I stop and pray—that creates a spirit of humility allowing God to once again become "number 1" and my attitude and actions will change in accordance with His will. 

If I am mindful—

That means, each and every actions and attitude must first be "approved" by Christ. If Christ disapproves—there must be a change on my part. 

If I am mindful—

I will not only have the desire, but the determination to act and respond Christ-like in each and every situation. 

If I am mindful—then I'll want to express my gratitude to God by having the right actions and attitude. That means that Thanks Living is to be evident in each chore, in each interaction, in each and every thought. 

If  I am mindful........ 

Another post on Colossians 3:17: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/06/do-all.html

First NOTICE then React

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 29. Here is what I learned.

The voice of the Lord makes the hinds bring forth their young, and His voice strips bare the forests, while in His temple everyone is saying, Glory! Psalm 29:9 (AMP)

God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.

We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9 (MSG)

The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9 (NLT)

"In his temple doth every one speak of his glory." Those who were worshipping in the temple, were led to speak of the greatness of Jehovah as they heard the repeated thunder-claps. The whole world is also a temple for God, and when he rides abroad upon the wings of the wind, all things are vocal in his praise. We too, the redeemed of the Lord, who are living temples for his Spirit, as we see the wonders of his power in creation, and feel them in grace, unite to magnify his name. No tongue may be dumb in God's temple when his glory is the theme. The original appears to have the force of "every one crieth Glory," as though all things were moved by a sense of God's majesty to shout in ecstasy, "Glory, glory." The Treasury of David 

When something gets our attention, we usually act on it. We take notice, and then react, or we take notice and ignore it. But we do notice! 

When God does something, and gets our attention, we need to first NOTICE it, and then we need to react. Our reaction should be one of praise and honor to God. 

This morning, I heard a noise outside my window, when I looked out, there

Two of the skunks running to safety.

were three little skunks playing. I watched them for a bit as they played tag around the tree. When I stepped out on my balcony to take a picture, the flash startled them. Two of the skunks ran for cover, the other simply keep exploring the area. Two kinds of reactions. Two were scared and knew where to go for safety. The other felt safe enough to keep having fun. 

When God gets my attention, could be with a thunderstorm, a sunset, a blessing, or a tragedy—first do I NOTICE? Secondly, how do I react? Do I ignore Him and what He is doing? Or I run and hide.... seeking safety? Do I praise God because of Who He is, knowing that I am safe in His care? 

To create a positive day, when God acts, I need to first NOTICE then react with praise and honor to Him simply because of Who He is. 

More Apt

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 28. Here is what I learned.

Because they regard not the works of the Lord nor the operations of His hands, He will break them down and not rebuild them. Psalm 28:5 (AMP)

Because these are people who have no respect for You, O Eternal, they ignore everything You have done. So He will tear them down with His powerful hands; never will they be built again. Psalm 28:5 (VOICE)

Because they have no idea how God works or what he is up to, God will smash them to smithereens and walk away from the ruins. Psalm 28:5 (MSG)

Regard: verb
1. to look upon or think of with a particular feeling: to regard a person with favor.
2. to have or show respect or concern for.
3. to think highly of; esteem.
4. to take into account; consider.
5. to look at; observe.

How often do I ignore what God is doing? Worst yet, how often do I ignore God altogether? That may seem like a harsh statement. But think about it. Each time I don’t trust God in what He is doing, each time I sin, each time I don’t give God glory...... each time..... ignoring God has consequences. 

Instead of ignoring God, I am to consider, contemplate, take notice. I’m to have respect for Him and what He is doing. If I’m respecting God and what He is doing, I am more apt to resist temptation to sin, I am more apt to trust God in all situations, and I’m more apt to give Him glory.

Ignore God or contemplate God. Both have consequences. Both will have an impact in my life. Both will cause me to react to my circumstances. The choice comes down to which consequence, impact and reaction do I want? I’d have to say that I’m more apt to be happier with the consequences, impact and reaction resulting from contemplating God! 

More apt...a tendency toward contemplating God will result in trusting, obeying, and rejoicing in who God is and what He is doing. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I’m “more apt” to contemplate God and what He is doing

Determined Action

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 27. Here is what I learned.

And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Psalm 27:6 (AMP)

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God. Psalm 27:6 (MSG)

As I read Psalm 27:6 this morning, I couldn’t help but think of the videos I’ve seen in Boston after the it was announced that the second person responsible for the Boston marathon bombing was captured. The streets were lined with people shouting, clapping, and singing our National Anthem. It was a joyous occasion, and the joy could not be contained. 

That is an example of what Psalm 27:6 is describing.... I should be breaking forth with shouting, singing, to the Lord for His deliverance, protection, and love. 

Sacrifices and shouting of joy. Offering anthems that will raise the roof! Why am I so silent and quiet when it comes to praising God and displaying my joy? 

I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy... to the Lord! This a determined action.. I WILL. And if I take time to consider how GREAT God is... and the GREAT things He has done... a natural reaction will be to want to SHOUT and raise the roof of joy to the Lord. 

To create a positive day, I must make a determined action to offer my sacrifice of shouts of joy to the Lord!