Okay, I confess. I am a procrastinator. I do not know why I start these things and then not even keep up with them. It’s hard! Afterall I have a family and a household to take care of and run.
Author Archives: shannonrainwater
The First Sailor part 2
The reading today (actually yesterday) was from Genesis 9-12. It is the recording of the account of Naoh and his three son getting off the Ark and ending with Abram getting kicked out of Egypt because he decieved Pharoh about his wife Sarah.
Interesting notes:
1. God commands Noah and his sons to go out and be fruitful and multiply. 9:1
Does this imply that they were NOT being “fruitful” within the Ark? I mean they were in there for a long time with the rest of the world drowning. You would think that after a while on board a boat certain desires would be unbearable. Afterall, they were the first sailors in the world. This would give room for the myths and legends that Noah had extra sons that were on board the Ark. Why couldn’t the sons have children also? I think it was probable but highly unlikey. It would have been mentioned in the Bible if it were so. God simply said to them after the Ark came to a rest and the time for them to go out is to go and have babies.
2. Fear into the animals: 9:2-4
I always thought that the animals feared man ever since the banishment from the Garden of Eden. But here it states that God puts the fear in to them after the flood. It is interesting when you think about this because of the trouble that Noah must have had getting them in the Ark. Of course the Sunday School answer would be that God led them but also Noah probably led them. Afterall he was a “perfect man” (more on this later) and the animals trusted him and did not fear him.
In this verse we also learn that the animals are now food for man. Makes since that God puts the fear in to them before He pronounces them as food. You know, it has to do with the whole curse on man to work.
Update
I have been trying to figure out whether or not to continue using this or try and find a new website. I really want to sell items and promote gospel awareness.
God, has really been teaching me things. I have had a renewing of my mind. When one thinks of getting revenge, that person has been wronged. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek and I never knew what that meant. I didn’t want to know. I wanted that person to know that they wronged me and it hurt. I didn’t want to hurt the other person or anything like that but to simple let them know that they are in the wrong and they needed to change.
What does it meaen to turn turn the other cheek? Let the incident go?
I love teaching elementary kids. They can teach me some of the greatest lessons on life. One day there was a scuffle on the playground and I was inquiring about what had actually happened.
“He hit me first.”
“Well, he took my pencil”
“You pushed me in the hall yesterday”
Each one was blaming the other. Not because they were in a fight but they were blaming each other because they were caught. Our tendency is to act the innocent and blame the other for the wrong doing. We can not help this.
Faith
After last weeks snowstorm I have resumed my “normal” routine. This morning God has been showing me things about faith. Now I kinda knew what faith was… things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen… but I never really pondered upon it. I have always heard the term used in a manner to describe a Christian such as: “Oh he has found faith” or ” He lost his faith”. But if we really examine the Word of God to know what it means it might just blow you away just as it did me.
Faith requires our ENTIRE trust in the Lord. What I mean is when we say we have faith it is like we have just given control of our lives to God. It is an action that is contrary to our nature. At first it is harder to give up control but just like any domesticated animal, then over time we accept it. But, because of our fallen nature we tend to want to take back control. In the Christian maturity this seems to be less often. Faith in this manner requires an action. If we were to truly give God total control, we will see Him do things in our lives that only He can do. The Bible tells us that we need only the faith the size of one of the smallest seeds known, the mustard seed. Once we see God working in our lives from our faith , our faith grows and it gets a little easier to put faith into action. It is not always easier and we don’t always want God to be in control of our situations but when we see God working in our lives it should spur us on and increase our faith.
For those who are not saved (“saved” definition coming soon) faith is the action one must exercise to see God. It is the agent that one MUST have in order to receive grace. (“Grace” definition coming soon.)
Please I enjoy reading comments. If you have one, submit it!
Faith
After last weeks snowstorm I have resumed my “normal” routine. This morning God has been showing me things about faith. Now I kinda knew what faith was… things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen… but I never really pondered upon it. I have always heard the term used in a manner to describe a Christian such as: “Oh he has found faith” or ” He lost his faith”. But if we really examine the Word of God to know what it means it might just blow you away just as it did me.
Faith requires our ENTIRE trust in the Lord. What I mean is when we say we have faith it is like we have just given control of our lives to God. It is an action that is contrary to our nature. At first it is harder to give up control but just like any domesticated animal, then over time we accept it. But, because of our fallen nature we tend to want to take back control. In the Christian maturity this seems to be less often. Faith in this manner requires an action. If we were to truly give God total control, we will see Him do things in our lives that only He can do. The Bible tells us that we need only the faith the size of one of the smallest seeds known, the mustard seed. Once we see God working in our lives from our faith , our faith grows and it gets a little easier to put faith into action. It is not always easier and we don’t always want God to be in control of our situations but when we see God working in our lives it should spur us on and increase our faith.
For those who are not saved (“saved” definition coming soon) faith is the action one must exercise to see God. It is the agent that one MUST have in order to receive grace. (“Grace” definition coming soon.)
Please I enjoy reading comments. If you have one, submit it!
Faith
After last weeks snowstorm I have resumed my “normal” routine. This morning God has been showing me things about faith. Now I kinda knew what faith was… things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen… but I never really pondered upon it. I have always heard the term used in a manner to describe a Christian such as: “Oh he has found faith” or ” He lost his faith”. But if we really examine the Word of God to know what it means it might just blow you away just as it did me.
Faith requires our ENTIRE trust in the Lord. What I mean is when we say we have faith it is like we have just given control of our lives to God. It is an action that is contrary to our nature. At first it is harder to give up control but just like any domesticated animal, then over time we accept it. But, because of our fallen nature we tend to want to take back control. In the Christian maturity this seems to be less often. Faith in this manner requires an action. If we were to truly give God total control, we will see Him do things in our lives that only He can do. The Bible tells us that we need only the faith the size of one of the smallest seeds known, the mustard seed. Once we see God working in our lives from our faith , our faith grows and it gets a little easier to put faith into action. It is not always easier and we don’t always want God to be in control of our situations but when we see God working in our lives it should spur us on and increase our faith.
For those who are not saved (“saved” definition coming soon) faith is the action one must exercise to see God. It is the agent that one MUST have in order to receive grace. (“Grace” definition coming soon.)
Please I enjoy reading comments. If you have one, submit it!
How you respond at the crisis of belief will determine whether you follow God or yourself from then on.
How you respond at the crisis of belief will determine whether you follow God or yourself from then on.
How you respond at the crisis of belief will determine whether you follow God or yourself from then on.
The Love of God
This morning’s quiet time was a rather strange time. I planned more reading of God’s word and writing during the holidays but as my track record would have it, I never did. I spent the entire time on myself. This morning however, was like trying to workout after being out of shape for a few months. It was sore but rewarding.
I am on day 5 of unit 3 in Experiencing God bible study. It is the last lesson on the relationship part between God and me. A Real, Personal, Practical relationship. It was always my thought that I had to be the one initiating a relationship with God but the Bible tells of a different process. From Genesis to Revelation it is God who has sought out the relationship with man. He sought out to clothe Adam and Eve after they sinned. He sought out Hagar to see where she was going. He answered Solomon’s request for discernment. After He sent the 12 disciples out he gave them authority. He sought out Peter and freed him from the jail. He sought out John when he was worshiping during His exile.
Doing the will of God is easy if we recognize that God is already leading the way. We just need to recognize what He is doing and be obedient. The constant presence of God is the most practical part of your life and ministry.- H Blackaby
Bible Grounds 