Patience Required

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“{God said to the Serpent} And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall strike him on the heel.” – Genesis 3:15

We lack patience in our hurry up – fast food society.  We often take for granted the things that have happened over the course of history to bring us to the place we are today, and the reality that we are a culture a civilization developed over thousands of years.  Albeit` more innovation, industrialization and technological development has happened in the last 100 years than has happened in the entirety of mankind prior to that, we are still a society built on faster, better and cheaper.  I realized this weekend as I walked the aisles of numerous department stores with my beautiful bride that we are addicted to “things” that the retailers and manufacturers tell us to be addicted to.  The latest smart phone, the latest tablet, the latest TV, camera or game are all developed with a full understanding of your desire for more and your inherent competitive spirit and lack of patience. 

Patience is waiting thousands of years to see a statement come true.  Holding onto the belief and an understanding of what was to come without giving up.  Passing on these belief’s and the faith from one generation to another and another and so on, without any hard facts or proof as to when it might come to fruition.  From the moment that God inspired Moses to write the book of Genesis and capture the beginning of time onto papyrus to the point that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem was a period of well over a thousand years.  From generation to generation the word was passed and taught in the family and in the synagogue.  Yet generation to generation would pass away without seeing the prophesy fulfilled in their lifetime. 

In the beginning, God had already ordained that only through the woman’s seed, not the man’s, would the Serpent (Satan) be overcome.  Prophetic words of the virgin birth, the incarnation of the Messiah from the Holy Spirit with the woman’s seed.  Her offspring to overcome the authority and power of the evil one in this world, while at the same time suffering at the hands of that same evil, even to the point of death.  We can look back and see how this played out through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but looking at it from the perspective of a Jewish person in that day.  They had been patiently waiting and waiting and studying the scriptures over and over again; wanting to see their Messiah.  Most missed it when it did happen, even though they were steep in the knowledge and wisdom of the scriptures.  I see many parallels to where we are today. 

We have heard the stories and read the scripture that Jesus Christ will return and usher in the new heaven and the new earth.  It has been passed on from generation to generation for two thousand years as we wait patiently for His return.  Many have walked away, discouraged, having lost their faith and belief that it will happen; while others have tried to force it upon us through false Messiah’s and false claims of the end is upon us.  We are not too different than the Jews of that day; and I worry that many will not know Him when He does return.  I mean truly know Him, in a way that is unmistakable and truthful.  If they did not recognize Him when He walked amidst their presence, would we recognize Him here today.

Do not grow weary in waiting for the Lord’s timing.  We must all take a step back and realize that His plan is perfect, and since the beginning of time, He has known exactly what it would take to overcome the original sin which took place in the garden.  From the moment that the serpent convinced Eve to eat of that apple and pursue worldly desires, God’s plan for reconciliation and mankind’s return has been in play.  It will play out in His timing and our job is to not lose faith, but trust in His plan by exercising patience and righteousness through His love.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012 
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Where are You?

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“But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” – Genesis 3:9

If you are a parent you have undoubtedly been walking in a department store or grocery store at some point and looked around to see that your child is nowhere to be found.  Maybe it’s just me, but I think many have been in the situation when your child decides to play hide n seek while you’re shopping.  They hide under clothing racks, behind displays, or in the next aisle as if it is a game.  More than once I have been found calling for one of my children “Where are you?  This isn’t funny.”  To them it is a game and most times they are found or come back giggling and full of the joy of winning the hiding contest.

Adam and Eve were given a paradise to live in and enjoy.  God’s specific instructions in Genesis 2:16-17, ““You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil . . .”  Having been seduced and tempted by Satan they both disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit.  When God walked amongst the beauty of the garden He called out, “Adam, Where are you?”  I can picture the man and woman, hiding behind a tree or a bush, or boulder with their hands covering their faces, naked, ashamed and afraid.

God wasn’t asking, “Where are you?” because He didn’t know where they were physically.  We must remember that God is omnipotent (all knowing) and omnipresent (ever present).  He knew exactly where they were, and what they had done.  He knew the fear and shame they felt and the embarrassment that had led them to hide from Him.  He was asking “Where are you?” in the context of spiritually.  Adam had been created for a purpose to rule over Paradise, populate and prosper from what God had given Him.  The act of disobedience was only an outward expression of the lustfulness and idolatry that had fallen upon his heart and spirit.  I envision God’s question as more of a loving Father with disappointment saying to His son, where are you in relation to the plan and purpose I designed you for? 

God is asking you and I the same question each and every day, “Where are you?”  He is not asking where you are physically, for He already knows that.  He knows exactly where you are at every moment – in the bar, in the movies, at the party, in an affair, in church, in school or work, at home, in the midst of criminal activity.  There is nowhere to hide from His awareness.  He is asking you and I; are you walking in My plan for your life, are you living for the purpose I designed you for and carrying yourself in the manner I have demonstrated through the life of Jesus Christ.  Are you loving and serving others as I have loved you?   God is pursuing you, He wants a stronger relationship with you, to where your understanding and strength comes from Him.  His desire is that you follow the path He has designed for you and that will provide you with the optimal life and the most benefit for His Kingdom.  You are God’s child, and if you’ll listen, He is calling to you; “Where are you?”  It’s time to stop hiding from Him and come live within His plan without fear of rejection.  His loving grace is greater than anything you might have done or will do.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Jesus – From the Beginning

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“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” - Genesis 3:15

  This week we will embark on a quest for a deeper understanding of ”Why was Jesus born?”. For over 2000 years people have looked at this man and made judgment against him in one way or another.  The most understood reason for His birth was the salvation story, and has been captured in the hearts of billions of people over the span of time.  This story is told in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; and has become the foundation for the Christmas celebration held each year around the globe by believers and non-believers.  I propose that regardless of their beliefs or lack there -of, the story is known by all.

Question 1 for us to think about this week:
Was Jesus an afterthought or part of God’s sovereign plan from the beginning?

   God created the perfect man from the dust when He created Adam (Genesis 1:27) – “God created man in his own image.”  Once the woman and Adam were deceived by the serpent (Satan) and did exactly what God had told them not to do, the origin of sin had been formed in mankind forever more.  As humans, God has given us instructions on how to live a righteous and full life in Him, but He also gave us the free will to make choices.  This indeed was part of His original plan of creation, for He wanted man to choose to love Him, not to be forced.  He had given Adam a simple law to live by (Genesis 2:17) not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Satan had already turned from God and fallen from heaven (Isaiah 14:12) because he wanted to reign higher than God Almighty and refused to humble himself before the Lord (my interpretation).  In his intent on ruling over God, he persuaded the woman and Adam to eat from the tree, and we all know the choice that was made.

   In God’s sovereignty, He knows all things now and forever.  He gave Adam and the woman a perfect place to live, to praise and worship Him, to live forever in His grace.  They chose a different path and in making that choice, set in motion God’s ultimate plan of salvation.  As referenced in Genesis 3:15, we see God clearly telling Satan that there will come a day when he will be crushed under the foot of God’s chosen child born of a woman.  We find in (Galatians 4:4), “God sent His son, born of a woman, born of law.” and by faith we know that by Christ’s resurrection, He alone has defeated Satan.  Resisting the temptations of Satan throughout His life, He became the spotless sacrifice for all of mankind after living a life of perfection.   After 3 days in the depths of Hell, He came forth and ascended to the Father, crushing Satan’s hold on mankind in the process.

Answer to today’s question:
In God’s sovereignty, Jesus Christ was part of His plan from the beginning.
 
© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com