Bible Reading Plan - Genesis 7, Matthew 7, Ezra 7, Acts 7
Safe from the Elements
The story of Noah is such a great reminder that when we live righteous it gets God's attention and He really does take care of us. Yesterday we read in Matthew 6:33, " But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you". There is something so powerful about seeking God and His righteousness. In Noah's case being a righteous man spared him from death and allowed him to carry on the dream of God.
Genesis 6:6-8 says, "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD". God was sorry he made man because of the wickedness he found in their heart. As God looked though he found favor in Noah because he was righteous and this is what spared him and his families life. Genesis 7:1 says, "Then the LORD said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation'".
The Ark is symbolic of the church and it is this Ark that kept Noah and his family safe from the outside elements. The Ark did not save Noah, righteousness did as it was because of this righteousness that got him into the Ark. The same is true today. The church (ark) does not save you but it helps keep you safe from the elements of life. It is in church that you learn to apply God's word and live through adversity. It is God's grace that saved us and according to 2 Corinthians 5:21 we become the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus.
People ask me all the time, "why should I go to church" my simple reply comes from the example of Noah, It will help keep you safe from the elements. It will teach you how to have a strong marriage and protect your marriage from elements that will try and tear it down. It will teach you how to have a strong family through principles that will protect them from elements that will come to tear it apart. Church will teach you how to be successful in finances and many other concerns that life brings.
One of my pastors use to say, "church does not save you, but it will help keep you saved". The more life I live the more I understand how true that statement is and that it helps keep me safe from the elements just like the Ark did for Noah. So make church a part of your life for 2010.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Genesis 8, Matthew 8, Ezra 8, Acts 8
Dream Big
Ben
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Thursday, January 07, 2010
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1 comment:
Very true, the church is also were we are challenged the most, other believers will do that. I don't think I would grow spiritually if I wasn't a part of the church (the gathering of saints that is, I know I am the church =D)
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