10 Years from now I will.......

This past week we talked about the decision Esau made to sell his birthright and how that affected not only his life, but countless generations to follow.  "Ten years from now" is the context we view our lives when we consider "What is our bowl of stew."  In other words, am I willing to trade God's plans, blessings, and future for my life for a temporal bowl of stew that is placed in front of me.  Although Esau didn't know exactly what his future held, certainly he would have been told about God's promises to Abraham.  Yet, he traded all that away for the immediate satisfaction of a bowl of stew.  Remember our discsussion about the promises of God and how they apply to us?  Will you turn from those in order to taste a temporary pleasure?

Our appetites apply to much more than food.  Power, respect, love, recognition, acceptance, things (women's shoes) are all areas which can become inflamed and cause us to turn away from God's promises for temporal satisfaction.  Let's encourage one another to keep God's overall context for our lives in focus as we stand firm against trials and temptations.

Austin reminded me just how much our food appetites can affect us; remember the Betty White video?  Ah.... the pleasure of a Snicker bar....!

Promises Promises

This Sunday we will focus our discussions on Abraham's call and the life he led serving God.  In thinking of Abraham, I'd ask you to consider what promises were made to him and what were his responses.  How did these responses change the course of his life?  What promises has God made to me and am I confident that he will fulfill them?  Are there any promises in scripture that I think God will not honor?  Look at the life of Abraham which starts in Genesis chapter 12; consider his faith and commitment to trusting in God.  Come prepared to discuss the wonderful change in our lives which results from God's promises to us.

P.S.  When we think of God's promises do we quickly refer to Jeremiah 29:11?  Is that an appropriate place to start?

The Genesis Debate

This Sunday we will look more into the biblical and scientific claims of creation.  Was the creation formed in six sequential days, each 24 hours long?  Or, was creation six sequential ages of time of unspecified but finite duration.  Perhaps the creation days are presented as normal days, but the picture of God's creating in six days and resting on the seventh is figurative.  Click on the video to see some of John Piper's views on creation, including these issues.  Derek will be leading us in our study and will present the arguments from leading evangelicals on each of these views.  What will your conclusion be?

What have we learned?

We learn that God takes pleasure in his creation.  Why?  (1) His works are an expression of his glory (Psalm 19); (2) His works praise him (Psalm 148:3-5,7); (3) His works reveal his wisdom (Psalm 104:24); His works reveal his power (Isaiah 40:26); and, (5) His works point us beyond themselves to God himself (Psalm 104:31-34).

We learn that we have been created in God's image.  We are hearers, rulers, and sons and daughters.  Although our earthly image reflects God's glory, our destiny is to bear the image of Christ.  I Corinthians 15:49:  "and just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven."  Let us not forget our focus as we press on to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus!

We learn that God declared the sabbath day holy.  And, Jesus promised rest for our weary souls. (Matthew 11:28-30)  "Our hearts are restless 'til they find their rest in thee." St. Augustine

Psalm 104:31

Psalm 104:31 says, "May the glory of the Lord endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in his works."  There are two questions that come to mind:  (1) does God rejoice in his creation?; and, (2) if yes, why?  Perhaps the first question is easy to answer; but will you consider why this may be true.  I would suggest there are a number of reasons which we can discuss on Sunday.  Two Psalms which may be helpful in this regard are Psalm 104 and Psalm 19.  You might want to read these before Sunday.

Also, take a look at Austin's post in the comment section from Nov. 7th.  There are some great questions to consider; come prepared to discuss and grow!!!!  See you Sunday.

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight

This week we will focus on God's creation set forth in the first two chapters of Genesis.  Try to read through these chapters a few times before Sunday. 

When considering the beauty of creation, I'm reminded of a Hymn written by Anne Steele:  vs. 1 says:

Thou lovely source of true delight
whom I unseen adore, unveil thy beauties to my sight
that I might love thee more,
Oh that I might love thee more.

Will you ask God to unveil his beauty in creation to you this week that you too may love him more?  I trust yes!

Listen to this great Hymn sung by Indelible Grace by clicking play to the right!  A copy of the lyrics can be found here: 

http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblegrace-cd/indeliblegrace-8.html

Genesis Starts this Sunday

Come join us as we start a new study in the book of Genesis!  This Sunday we will start a twelve week study of the book of Genesis and will start by discsusing the general themes and stories throughout this book. 

Some ideas you may want to contemplate are:  (1) When you consider the book of Genesis, what themes come to mind?  (2) What role does God's grace play in this book and where do we see it demonstrated?  (3) How does the beginning of Scripture as set forth in Genesis 1: 1,2 relate to the end of Scripture found in Revelation 22?

This is NOT a dry text; rather, it's full of God's redemptive plan for our lives and includes fascinating stories that relate to us on a daily basis.  I have no doubt that our relationship to the Creator will be drawn closer if we will commit to the faithful study of God's word.

Moses, the author of this book, talks about creation and God's glory in Psalm 90:2, "Before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Schedule and Themes

Here is a list of the ideas and themes we will be studying in the coming weeks.  Maybe you want to take a look at the text before each Sunday in order to offer your thoughts and insight.

Week 1:  Introduction to the book of Genesis.  God's theme of redemption and grace.
Week 2:  God speaks in creation:  Gen. 1-2.
Week 3:  Science's view of creation:  proof of a divine creator.
Week 4:  Sin enters the world:  fall and the flood.
Week 5:  God calls Abraham:  a man of faith.
Week 6:  Sin manifests its effect on God's creation:  Jacob and Esau.
Week 7:  Jacob:  the life of a deceiver.
Week 8:  Joseph part 1.
Week 9:  Joseph part 2.
Week 10:  Judah:  a story of sin and reconciliation.
Week 11:  God fulfills his promise:  the death of Jacob and Joseph
Week 12:  Conclusions and summary.