When the early inhabitants of Babel built a tower, they displayed a unity in purpose that caught God’s attention. He declared, “There’s nothing impossible to them when they achieve this level of unity.” He therefore sought to deter their progress and ability … they had expressed a desire to reach Him through their own efforts.

We take note of the power and potential of this level of unity. When used for good purposes, unity can achieve noble feats.

God doesn’t condemn unity. He commends it when it is used in righteous goals.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! [Ps. 133:1]

\READ/HEAR: Gen. 10,11

Noah, when drunken from a grape harvest, lay naked in his tent. His two sons, Shem and Japheth, had standards of modesty which forbid them from looking upon their father’s nakedness. Cleverly, they covered him by backing up with a blanket into his tent. Their father and God both commended this act, thereby giving us insight into a standard of modesty to emulate.

Modesty is taught and modeled in the home, God’s university for holy living.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 8,9

When we wonder HOW Noah had the patience and ingenuity to gather all the animals God had commanded to be brought into the ark, we read that they just came. They were obviously directed by God’s Spirit to travel to Noah and submit to boarding the ark to fulfill God’s plan of preserving them for after the flood. Can you imagine the relief Noah felt when he saw them autonomously arriving at the ramp?

Herein lies the lesson of God’s provision. He doesn’t call us to do something without His help. He will provide the necessary elements for its success. It’s His joy to give us from His Kingdom.

The key is responding in obedience to what He wants … His will.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 5-7

God told Cain he must “Rule over sin.” He didn’t. He rose up, gave in to the sin nature within him and slew his brother, Abel.

If we don’t rule over our sin, it will rule us.

James says every man is drawn away by his own lusts and desires. If and when he gives in to them, not ruling over them, he is opening himself up to committing sin which will reap devastating circumstances.

It is essential for children to learn the lesson of ruling over their own spirit at an early age. Their parents will have spared them great grief.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 3,4

When I was in music school, I was a member of the BGSU Men’s Chorus. In fact, I was selected to be the student conductor. We sang a powerful song called “The Creation” by Willy Richter. Hear it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDm_piNp_lI

There is no song or painting or experience here on earth to match the impact of the sun’s light that God gives us every day. We are children of the light. And yet, the light of the sun is no match for the light and glory that will shine from the Lord Jesus Christ when He is finally revealed in all His splendor.

Take a good look at the next sunrise you experience and let Christ’s light and love SHINE THROUGH YOU!

READ/HEAR: Gen. 1,2

Many of the trials a Christian experiences are actually at the hand of the Lord. He is refining and purifying His people. What is He after? A pure offering, a life that emits a pleasing aroma – every attitude, every word, every response – all showing forth the essence of King Jesus.

He was tempted in every point, yet without sin. That’s our goal. He can then display us to the world as a people that truly show forth His name and His righteousness.

“The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.” [Heb. 12:6]

READ/HEAR: Mal. 3,4

Through Malachi, God chastened the priests who gave unacceptable offerings … defiled food, blind and diseased animals. They were offering God what was not their best and keeping it for themselves.

God gave and continues to give His best to us because of His love. We should therefore offer to Him our best; the best part of the day, the purest and most sincere praise, a diligent prayer life, a vigilant desire to witness to the lost.

To whom or to what are you giving your best?

READ/HEAR: Malachi 1,2

We are warned against slandering or speaking evil of one another. When we do, we set ourselves up as judge … we compete with God, and we will never win. He reserves the right to judge. Our judgement is SO LIMITED. We have no way of seeing or knowing what He does.

When we have a dispute with someone, we are instructed to confront them in love and talk it out.

Additionally, speaking evil of someone is akin to murdering them. We will be held accountable for every word. Let them be health and life, not death and destruction.

READ/HEAR: James 4,5

James warns against favoritism in the church. God’s Kingdom principles should be on display in His House for all to experience. When we prefer some saints above others based on clothing, income, station-in-life etc., we are cutting against the grain of God’s loving, accepting nature.

Each person is His. We are His. Therefore, the mutual love we have received must be reflected equally among His people.

See each person as a special gift … enjoy the adventure of unwrapping their veneer to see the giftings and attributes God has invested in their lives.

Church is an adventure.

READ/HEAR: James 2,3

This term from James chapter one refers to God as the Creator of the lights of the sky … sun moon, stars, galaxies etc. He not only created all things but is generous and gives good gifts to men.

How many wealthy people do you know that are as generous? God owns it all and is very pleased to give us His best, that being His Only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus.

When we have Christ, we have EVERYTHING. Without Him, we have nothing.

It’s time we got our eyes off of material possessions and on the truly good gifts.

READ/HEAR: James 1