November 2024 – Page 3 – A Work in Progress….

November 10, 2024

God’s Plan…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 6:13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

One of my favorite stories to tell is how I met my husband. It involved 14 interviews across the state, a conversation with a sort-of-friend from college whom I hadn’t talked to in years, a job offer I wasn’t really excited about, a follow-up conversation with said friend, when I’m sure she didn’t really care, a mention of a guy she knew in college who was from the town where I ended up and she *thought* he went back there to teach, finally meeting said guy and saying as first words, “I’ve been looking for you” to this man whom I’ve now been married to for 27 years.

Genesis 6:14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.

My point? Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He seems to be telling us to do things that make no sense–though I’ll admit in my case what He was telling me made no sense because it was absolutely not what *I* had planned for my life. But here I am, all these years later, with a beautiful family, friends I love, and a career that I have really enjoyed, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Genesis 6:15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the plans You have for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jer 29:11). Forgive us when we balk at Your plans–because we are scared, because we have other ideas, because we aren’t listening. Help us to seek You and see You, to listen for You and actually hear You. Help us to root ourselves in You and be open to Your plans for our lives. Amen.

Genesis 6:16 Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks.

Have a blessed day.

November 9, 2024

I refuse to be swallowed up in despair…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 6:9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.

Much of my devotional reading and studying this week has served to remind me that 1. God is with me. Always. 2. He is still sovereign, still on His throne. His love is still eternal. 3. I need to focus on staying in the present moment instead of fretting about the past or the future. 4. I can put love, kindness, and goodness into this world daily. Those little acts go a long way to showing others Jesus’s heart.

Genesis 6:10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Here’s the thing: This world is not my home. I cannot get too comfortable here because I’m not staying for eternity. (Thank You, Jesus!) I cannot shut my eyes to the problems of the world. I have an obligation to try to make things better, to try to walk others home and ease their burdens, but I cannot allow myself to be lost in the despair that can so easily overtake us at any given moment because of so many different situations.

Genesis 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.

Precious Savior, Help me cling to Psalm 71:14, “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Help me to project Your love, goodness, hope, grace into this world. Help me not to allow myself to be swallowed up in despair, no matter the situation. Help me never to forget You reign eternal. Thank You. Amen.

Genesis 6:12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.

Have a blessed day.

November 8, 2024

Reason for hope…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

Today’s verses are not filled with good news. “[T]he thoughts of the human heart [were] only evil all the time,” “The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth,” and “his heart was deeply troubled” show that humanity had hit rock bottom in what seems like a very short span of time. With the flood, He intends to wipe out everything and start over. That’s a lot.

Genesis 6:6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.

But even in this troubling time there is reason for hope. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (v8). He didn’t *earn* favor. It was God’s gift to him. And because we know the story, we know the promise of the rainbow–that God will not wipe out humanity again. That is reason to hope.

Genesis 6: 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”

Precious Savior, Thank You for reasons to hope. Sometimes life seems dark, people are disappointing and selfish and self-serving, hope is in short supply. But You are always a reason for hope–Your love, Your grace, Your mercy. Thank You. Amen.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Have a blessed day.

November 7, 2024

A little bit of good…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 6:1 When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them,

Lord, These are interesting times in which we are living, but they aren’t unique. Help us to live each day with the sole purpose of shining Your light, pointing others to You. Help us to try to put a little bit of good into the world every single day. That’s doable. Help us to try.

Genesis 6:2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.

Father, You are still on Your throne. You are still sovereign. You are still love incarnate. Thank You. Help us not to lose sight of who You are and who You are to us and in this world. Personally, I claim You as my Rock and my Fortress, my Savior and my Salvation. Now and forevermore. Thank You.

Genesis 6:3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

Precious Savior, This world is not my home. Thank You for the reminder not to get too comfortable here. Help me to encourage and uplift others while I’m here, to point them to You. Help me to root myself in You and draw closer to You with each breath. Amen.

Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Have a blessed day.

November 6, 2024

The present moment…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 5:21-24 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Today’s verses begin with two mentions of Enoch walking faithfully with God. That phrase, walking faithfully with God, puts me in mind of a Ram Dass quote that I love: We’re all just walking each other home. Enoch spent 365 years walking home with God. How beautiful that must have been.

Genesis 5:25-27 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

One of the things I have a hard time doing is staying in the present moment. I fret about the future and the past all the time, but the present moment is often ignored. Walking each other home, walking with God, is all about the present moment. Right now. Jesus, Help me stay rooted in You in this present moment.

Genesis 5:28-31 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder of the importance of staying in the present moment. Thank You for the reminder of the importance of faithfully walking with You as we walk each other home through this life. Help me not to worry about the past, which is over, or the future, which will take care of itself. Help me to stay in this moment as I faithfully walk with You each step. Amen.

Genesis 5:32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Have a blessed day.

November 5, 2024

Yesterday and today and forever…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 5:9-11 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.

Today is Election Day. And with the presidential election on the ballot and, in my state, some key state positions that could directly impact my livelihood, it feels like an important day, a nerve-wracking day. But today’s laundry list of who lived how long has helped to put today back into its proper perspective.

Genesis 5:12-14 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). No matter how the day turns out, no matter what happens or doesn’t, I can rejoice because the Lord created this day. Period. I’ve done the one thing I can to affect this election. I’ve cast my vote. Now all I can do is trust in the Lord, trust in the process, know that the sun will come up tomorrow, and seek to give God praise and glory. Always

Genesis 5:15-17 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

Precious Savior, Sometimes I get so hyper focused on what’s directly in front of me that I forget that it is only a piece of the whole. Thank You for the reminder that You are the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8). Thank You for this day that You have made. Help me to rejoice and be glad it in. Help me to draw closer to You. Amen.

Genesis 5:18-20 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

Have a blessed day.

November 4, 2024

A new chance, a fresh start, with new mercies…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 5:5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

Today’s scripture had me going down a rabbit hole about life spans in the Bible. Unfortunately, I found no satisfactory answer to why these early descendants lived so long. Some suggest it was because their bodies were closer to perfection. Some posited lack of access to drugs and alcohol or a better diet. I came across no answer where I thought, “THIS is the reason. This makes sense.”

Genesis 5:6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh.

But here’s the long and the short of it: We all have a set number of days on this earth and none of us know how many days we have, so all we can do is make the best of the time we are given. Some days that means doing everything in our power to help those around us and shine God’s light. Some days that means just trying not to make life harder for others.

Genesis 5:7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters.

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know every hair on our heads, every breath in our bodies. You know from the moment you knit us together how many days we have. Thank You that each day is a new chance, a fresh start, with new mercies from You to help us through the day. Thank You that You are with us on the mountain tops just as surely as You are with us in the valleys and everywhere in between. Help us to glorify You always. Amen.

Genesis 5:8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

Have a blessed day.

November 3, 2024

Legacy of praise…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 5:1 This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God.

Seth, to me, falls into a similar category as Lamech: I know I have read this scripture before, yet I do not connect the name Seth as a son to Adam and Eve. So I’m left pondering the meaning and message here: What is the point of my life if, when I’m gone, I won’t be remembered?

Genesis 5:2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.

Sorry about the deeply fatalistic turn there, and know that this is not an angsty, nihilistic reflection. I think that if I make my life all about me–about my legacy, my contribution–I’m going to be disappointed because, eventually, I will not be remembered. However, if I make my life about God–about His goodness and mercy, His grace and compassion, His presence in my life–that legacy of praise will live on because I am pointing others to Him, a worthy pursuit for all.

Genesis 5:3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.

Precious Savior, I think we all want to leave some sort of lasting legacy. Thank You for the reminder that this life is not about us, it’s about You, about drawing closer to You, about learning to seek You and see You, about pointing others to You and illuminating Your glory. I am Your masterpiece. We all are. Help us to act like it and to not forget why we are here. For You. Amen.

Genesis 5:4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters.

Have a blessed day.

November 2, 2024

Placing our trust…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 4:23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.

Interestingly, today’s verses play into yesterday’s thoughts. Lamech brags here about killing a man for injuring him. He says that if Cain is avenged seven times, he, Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times. But we all know Cain–I think it’s safe to call him infamous–but how many folks who didn’t specifically study Old Testament history know the name Lamech immediately?

Genesis 4:24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

Lamech is bragging about his own power, but he is, essentially, persona non grata–or perhaps more accurately persona ignotus–for most of us. This, to me, seems to perfectly illustrate the fact that if we put our trust in man, nothing good, nothing lasting can come of it.

Genesis 4:25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that no matter how established man thinks he is, Your way is always best. Help me to put my hope, my faith, my trust in You alone. Help me to root myself in Your word, Your love, Your grace. Always. Amen.

Genesis 4:26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.

Have a blessed day.

November 1, 2024

My wayward heart…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 4:19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.

The name Lamech is not a notable one in the Bible. If you had asked, I would have sworn I had never heard it before, even though I’ve read these very verses before. Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah…the big ones, I know, but Lamech? Nope. Not familiar.

Genesis 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.

And that fact surprises me when I look at the descriptions of his three sons: Jabal, father of those who live in tents and raise livestock; Jubal, father of all who play string instruments and pipes; Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. These seem to be foundational, society-building functions: those who live in tents, raise livestock, play instruments, forge tools. I’m surprised that these men, who “fathered” incredible growth, aren’t more important in the Bible. But maybe that’s part of the issue–humans are impressed by shiny, new, revolutionary. God wants us to draw closer to Him. The two don’t easily coexist.

Genesis 4:21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know my heart, that You know how easily I can be swayed by shiny and new. Thank You for knowing that my wayward heart needs time to sit with You daily, to talk to You, to read Your word, to ponder You universe. Help me to stay connected to You, rooted in You. Always. Amen.

Genesis 4:22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.

Have a blessed day.