Genesis 19 - 21 (18th Jan) - Jason

Chapter 19: Where we plant ourselves determines what we become.

We see the friction of decisions that Abraham and Lot made chapters ago since settling into the land. Lot chose a well watered area (see Gen 13: 10) while Abraham chose to live near the trees of Mamre (Gen: 13: 18). Lot chose to live dangerously, where his nearest neighbours were the Sodomites and the Gomorians (Sound like Martians). He pitched his tents too near danger.

Abraham debated with God, in other words, he was a man that was close enough to know of God's plans before they were decided. Whereas God had to send messengers to warn Lot. Lot was blind to the danger being not as close to God as Abraham was. He was too near the prowling lion of sin and such was the result, he was sucked into their carnality as well. Lot should have nothing to do with these people, instead living close to them, he called them his friends, "No my friends" (Gen 19: 7) He even offered his virgin daughters to the men to have sex with, when he should have said no.

Generational repercussions.

One of my accountability partners from Melbourne told me recently how decisions we make at an early age are spiritual ones. Ones that allow us to bear fruit today. Decisions that allow us to DECIDE to bear fruit today. For eg: To become a christian at a young age, to pray in tongues, to work in the Spirit. They changed who we have become, but they have bigger repercussions. Our family.

Lot was close to God, however, his wife looked back and was turned to salt. His daughters grew up near depravity, slept with their own FATHER. Looking back its such an interesting as God was interested in giving Abraham many children as his inheritance, a focus on generations, on the offspring. In some of our lives, spiritual fruit, spiritual children.

Chapter 21: Fruit and everlasting fruit; laughing with YOU!

Gen 21: 6 "..God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will LAUGH WITH ME."

Here we see Sarah laughing and everyone sharing her joy. Issac's birth is no doubt a miraculous birth and a promise from the Lord, and all of Abraham's household benefited from his decision to be rooted firmly where God calls him to be. Truly the whole world and all nations today laugh with Sarah, she is an UNFORGOTTEN mother. Whereas, Lot's children borne of his 2 daughters is such a painful thing to go through, to not have people laugh with you.

Today i was made to reflect on this passage especially the preceding chapters of Genesis 13. Where i am reminded by Lot's decision, is God our provider (Lot and the well watered land), is God our banner, our mediator, our righteousness. Are we defending God's integrity today, or are we defending our own. In life, in ministry, in relationship. Where are we pitching our tents today seems to be my word from this time with God. To know that decision to plant ourselves brings us closer from the now to the forever.

Genesis 16 - 18 (17th Jan) - Quanwei

Through these 3 chapters, this is what we can conclude & learn from the Lord:

In spite of what happened to Hagar, the Lord promised her that He will increase her descendants greatly & yet at the same time still wanting her to submit to Sarah. (v.9-10)
I believe if any other woman in her shoes, it will be hard to react the way that Hagar did.
For the ladies, imagine your mistress asking you to sleep with her husband in order to bear children & then receiving bad treatment, it will be hard for anyone to still serve the mistress.

But yet when someone experiences the reality of God deeply (v.13) , even our ways will become God's ways in our lives out of obedience.

Then in Chapter 17, the Lord confirmed His covenant with Abraham that he will be the father of many nations & even gave him a new name (v.4-5). And that this covenant will be for further generations to come! What a God we have! His blessings & covenant is not only just during Abraham's time but also for the generation right now in our time! Let us be faithful & trust that our God will make us fathers & mothers of our future generations to come!

However also through this, we can learn from Sarah in the area of faith where she doubted & laughed when the Lord said that she will give birth to a child herself for Abraham (v. 10-12). It tells us that when the Lord speaks, He will keep His words & promises for us no matter what...Amen!

Lastly in chapter 18, we can see that Abraham is a man who dares to stand in the gap for his people when the Lord decides to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah because of their sins (v.20-21). He so-called dare to 'bargain' with God in order that the cities will be saved. Imagine you're standing before God & 'bargaining' with Him from fifty people to ten people (v. 26-32).....I believe it will really take alot of courage & boldness like Abraham did. But i guess it's also the simple faith that Abraham has before God to dare to ask.

Let's us live a life of faith, boldness & obedience for our God & Lord Jesus! Amen!

Isaiah

Genesis 12 - 15 (16th Jan) - Josh

A PROMISING GOD

Abram's life is amusing. He is both a timid man and a man of faith. I can imagine the dilemmas in life he is constantly in!

He was afraid to be killed by Pharaoh lied about his wife, and astoundingly, staged a courageous rescue mission to save his nephew Lot, and made huge life decisions on hearing God's word and migrated from country to country!

Yet, it's not surprising! In daily life, we all face scenarios that challenges us. Like Abram, we struggle between living under mortal timidity and acting out of spiritual faith.
Today as I read, one truth that helps me face the battles with certainty.

1. God is a God of promises
God guided Abram by .. not commandments, not rituals, not merit..etc. It is by promises. Abram heard God's promises at every stage of his life. He moved according. He moved into provision, success and favor.

2. God's promises are independent of my character
God didn't watched and see if Abram did 100% right in His sight, in fact, Abram disobeyed God (12:1-5) by leaving WITH HIS possessions, and he acted in cowardice and selfishness that endangered his wife (12:10-20). Yet God spoke to Abram. Every word spoken was a blessing, a promise. God kept assuring Abram. Does God not know Abram's disobedience? Of course! And that reveals the extend of God's love. He extends the grace of promises, knowing that we are insufficient.

Doesn't that liberate you to simply live for God?
Isn't it a relief to know that God doesn't need our perfect understanding, clever wit, fascinating gifts to lead us? He requires a simple faith to believe and act.

As you move in the 15th day in the year of victory, how is God leading you today?
Hear His voice and move into His promises. Do not let your past failures stop you from moving into His promises. The God who led Abraham will lead you in triumphant procession - always

Job 40 - 42 (15th Jan) - Alvin

Well, we have come to the end of the book of Job. Just a few thoughts:

For the last 3 chapters, it’s quite interesting isn’t it? How God went to great lengths to talk about the Leviathan and the Behemoth. 2 mystery creatures that none of us really know their true identities. But it just emphasizes the wisdom of God and His sovereignty. And in the last chapter, we see how God restores Job, and He did not just restore, he doubled Job’s blessings.

As for the whole book of Job, there are a few key lessons for us.

1) God is sovereign.

The problem with Job’s friends was not that their theology of God was wrong. In fact, many of the things they said were actually right. But they missed out one glaring point, that God is sovereign. Isaiah 55:9 tells us that His ways are higher than our ways. Job’s friends tried to reason out why such affliction had happened to Job and concluded that it was because Job has sinned.
This is a common mistake that all of us have. We picture God with our own human understanding and conclude that if God is fair, He will only deal affliction on those who are evil. This is not true. And Job went to great lengths to show his friends otherwise, that the wicked can also be prosperous. You can refer to Psalm 73 also, where the Psalmist was also wondering why the wicked can prosper.


We need to understand that God operates in ways we do NOT understand. But yet we also see that God does not contradict His character. If you notice, God did not bring the affliction, but Satan did. Hence all that the friends said were actually not wrong; our God is a just God. However God allowed Satan to test Job and to demonstrate that it is possible for a man to walk upright and blameless before God even in difficult times. And now the book of Job serves as an encouragement to millions of Christians over the centuries.

2) We can be blameless before God.

If you read the words of Job, you will notice that though they are hopeless and even depressing, Job never once cursed God. In fact he was angry because his friends questioned his integrity and Job was fed up because he knew he did NOT sin before God and never did even in the time of testing. It is incredible. I asked myself, could I ever stand before God and be so certain that my ways are not offensive and sinful before Him, yet Job was so certain of his uprightness before God.

He went on to justify that it is not true that the upright will not see suffering and that the wicked will not prosper, in fact they do. If there was anything that God holds against Job, it was his questioning and his contenting with God. Job started to behave quite self-righteously (though it is true that he didn’t sin) and wants to question and challenge God for an answer to his plight.

We must remember one thing; God is not obligated in any way to answer us. Yet God in His mercy did. =)

3) Be Compassionate.

Job’s friends are good friends. Don’t forget that they wept with Job in the beginning. What went wrong was they allow their own self-righteousness and arrogance to guide them in their advice to Job. They assume Job had sinned because they thought they knew God and all of God’s ways. And when Job defended himself, their words became more and more piercing, and at one point, they became false accusations when they accuse Job of being merciless to the widows and the poor. Strange thing was, why didn’t they spend the time interceding for Job throughout his plight but instead concentrated on trying to convince Job that he has sinned when none of them had any evidence that Job really did?

It is a good reminder for all of us when we minister to people. DO NOT ASSUME. But more importantly, it is about being compassionate. Being there for them. Praying with and for them. When people are going through difficult times, the last thing they need is someone to make them feel guilty. (Yet it’s something that we often do, myself too without knowing) Be sensitive.

Agape

Job 38 - 39 (14th Jan)

Job 38
The finale finally comes-God speaks…He answered Job out of the storm…Hmm, God seems to like water…after the flood, now storm…
God did not answer Job directly, instead He asked Job a series of questions that no human could possibly answer. Amazing, right? God knows Job, just like God knows us. He handles each of us differently, using different approaches. With this approach of God on Job, Job finally responded by recognizing that God’s ways are best. God used Job’s ignorance of the earth’s natural order to reveal Job’s ignorance of who God is. Since Job was not able to explain some common events in nature, how could Job possibly explain or question God?

In Job 39, after asking Job about nature, God questioned Job about the animal kingdom. Interesting, right? Poor Job, physically so tired and unwell, still need to crack his head to think. God’s intention was to show how awesome God is and how limited was Job’s knowledge about things around him. God was not interested in Job’s answers, rather, God wanted Job to recognize and submit to God’s power and sovereignty. Only then could Job hear what God was really saying to him.

****Suffering causes us to trust God for who He is, not what He does.

Job 35 - 37 (13th Jan)

Job 35

I am sure Elihu must have waited for a loooong time before he was given the chance to speak. It shows Elihu having great patience…something to emulate. But he sure has great stamina to speak…hen duo kou sui… it just flowed like waterfall. Though he claimed that Job’s attitude had become arrogant as he tried to defend his innocence, we can learn a lot about God through his speech too.

Whatever circumstances, trials, problems or challenges that you have in life, rest assured that God has and will always be there for each of us. God is still concerned even though he doesn’t intervene immediately in every situation. God executes justice! Don’t lose Hope! Wait upon God! Don’t Quit when tested! Persevere till the very end and enjoy His blessings---in the case of Job, God blessed Him doubled as much as he used to have.Elihu continued…waterfall still flowing…heez

In Job 36,

Elihu talked about how incomprehensible God is and there is no way we can completely fathom God! That is why He is the God Almighty! Though we can know God by reading His Word, praying, worshipping…we can never know enough to answer all of life’s questions, to predict the future or to manipulate God for our own benefit (Pls read Eccless 3:11). So each time you do not get an answer to the “Why? How come?” Pls stop asking as He may not give you the reason or answer to some of your sufferings and trials. There were many things in my life that I wish to know the reason…but after some time, I know that God will never tell me…perhaps even if He really explains, I may not fully understand…so I eventually stopped asking…

In Job 37,

Elihu continued to talk about nothing can compare to God. God is awesome, all powerful, and majestic in all ways. When He speaks, we must obey as disobedience is sin and we reap the consequences of our own choices if we choose to do otherwise-that is a risk to take! Do not speak for God, take Him for granted, or to interpret His silence to mean that God is not there or does not care. Do not play God!Elihu concluded by saying that faith in God is far more important than Job’s desire for an explanation of his plight. He came so close to helping Job, but…just after this, God speaks. A great relief for Job.

Job 32 - 34 (12th Jan)

Game over. The 3 men stopped answering Job. Job was good. He was righteous (v1). Then a new player came and took over. A young punk who was angry (v2-5). There is a hokkien phrase that says that young bird do not know what is a catapult. Elihu was like the young bird and angrily, he went to Job's house and knocked on his door.

'Knock knock'. Job, very slowly got himself up and slowly walked towards the door. Afraid that whoever knocking at the door may be impatient as there was a continuous 'knock knock', Job with his faint voice shouted, "Sorry, who's there?" Came the reply, "No, I'm not Solihu, I'm his brother, Elihu here." Never mind, if you don't understand what I'm saying.

Because Job replied 6 chapters to his friends, Elihu also don't want to lose out. So he gave 6 chapters of his reply. Elihu just can't wait to speak. He is like a bottled - up champagne (Chapter 32:18,19). In order to find relief, he had to speak (v20).

Funny guy. After opening his mouth to speak so much in chapter 32, then in chapter 33:2 he said, he was about to open his mouth. He probably spoke with his mouth closed before that. Ha. He spoke so much and still he kept asking Job to listen to him (Chapter 33:1, 31, Chapter 34:1, 10, 16). What's so ironical, is that he asked Job to be silent and then ask him to speak up and answer him (v31-33)

Today is on Elihu words, it may not be very encouraging but I just want to bring out a little verse in his speech which act as a reminder for us. Chapter 34:21 - God's eyes are on the ways of men, He sees their every step.

So, know that in everything we do, God is watching us. He knows all and what you did last summer ;p.

Job 29 - 31 (11th Jan)

Chapter 29 - 31 is the continuation of Job's 6 chapters reply.

From Chapter 29 - 31, I only have one thing to share with you guys out there. It is found in Chapter 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl." Many times I talked to guys and there is 1 common thing they will struggle with. It is "lust".

In Matthew 5:28 "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Guys, let us make a covenant with our eyes that we will not look at a girl lustfully. Let us respect girls. They are God's unique and beautiful creation. Do not degrade them. Pray and ask God to forgive us and to cleanse our eyes and our minds. Whatever we see, thoughts will formulate in our mind. Do not let the thoughts be subject to lust.

Girls, you too, must help your brothers around you. Do not dress scantily or dress to kill. Please watch your dressing. You may stumble your brother in Christ and may cause them to lust over you. Especially when you go church, you go to worship God and not to attract guys. Let me tell you girls, it is not good for a guy to lust over you, you just do not know what will go on in the mind of a guy. It is better not to know. You will not like it. So dress decently.

Girls, I believe all of you would like a good and decent boyfriend and as your husband. Then dress decently. Decent gals attract decent guys.

Job 24 - 28 (10th Jan)

Chapter 24 is the continuation of Job's response to Eliphaz from Chapter 23. But very interestingly as I read Chapter 24, Job mentioned about the night, the activities in the night. Come to think of it, it is just like my old days where I play in the night and sleep in the day and life was empty and meaningless. Of course I've repented and changed.

Many people think that it is fun having nights out clubbing, disco dancing, etc. Think about it, all vices, illegal drugs exchange, smuggling, etc, most happened in the night, not during broad daylight. Sometimes, we get ourselves into joining the devil in the night without you knowing.

I used to teach ‘Music that influences lives’ in Post Encounter, I shared about the kinds of music played in clubs and discos, or even karaoke. When the people sing and dance to the music, they are dancing and singing to the spirit behind the music. Dancing is a posture of worship with your body expression. As you dance to the song that express sexual connotation or songs that express wrong values, you are dancing (worshipping) the spirit behind the music. Same goes to singing. So watch the place you go, the entertainment we seek, and the people we mix. We may be drawn into the devil's playground subtly without you knowing.

V17 – "For all of them, deep darkness is their morning, they make friends with the terrors of the darkness."

Chapter 25 the last round, Ting! Ting! Jobs friends gave up. Don’t know what to say. Since everybody say something and went 2 rounds, now left Bildad to complete the round. Probably he ran out of words, so it was just a short reply, 6 verses only.

But Job's reply was the longest this time. Seeing Bildad only spoke 6 verses, Job replied with 6 chapters, from chapter 26 – 31. All his skill and the ‘wu ling mi ji’ all come out. Like one of Stephen Chow's movie. Ha.

Job, once again exalted the Lord in Chapter 26. In Chapter 28, he explained about wisdom. “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? (v12)”. The answer is found in v28, “the fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

If you want to have Godly wisdom, you need to have the fear of the Lord.

If you want to have understanding? Flee from evil. There are some other verses you can refer to.

Psalms 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his percepts have good understanding.”

Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but the fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Always remember Job 28:28. Remember it always.

"The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

Job 21 -23 (9th Jan)

Job 21 is about Job's reply to Zophar. You can see Job was getting impatient (v4).

Job 22 is Eliphaz replying Job. You may find that these few days are just conversations between Job and his friends. Job's friends' words to him brought discouragement but we also can learn from some of the things they said- Eliphaz exalted the Lord in Job 5:9-11, 15-17 and some good advise from him in Job 22:21-22 to submit to God.

Job 23 & 24 is Job's reply. We can see the intimacy Job had with God (v10 & 12). When God tests us and if we stand through the test, we will come forth as gold (v10). He reminded us to walk closely in the way of God and never turn away (v11). Job treasured every word from God (rhema - spoken word of God).

So family, take time to seek God's word and write down those words He speaks to you. Treasure these words and know that He has spoken. He loves you.

Job 17 - 20 (8th Jan)

Chapter 17 is a continuation of Job replied from Chapter 16,

In Chapter 18, it was Bildad's turn to reply Job. Bildad is like a very sarcastic guy. Look at his respond in v2. "When will you end your speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk." This reminded me of this chinese phase one of my 12 (you will know who) always says. He like to say, "Wah, better don't talk anymore, if not 'yue miao yue hei'." "More cat more black" :p heh.

Chapter 19 was Job reply. Job seems like pulling out his hair in replying Bildad. see v2. "How long will you torment me". That's whay I said Job can't stand it. he was being tormented. He even counted the numbers of time Bilda reproached him v3. There is one thing he said that really encourages me.It is found in v25. "I know that my Redemeer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."

Understand this, in the end Jesus WINS. So, we need to know that we already have the victory. This is the year of victory. Let's live victoriously in every area of our lives.

Chapter 20 is Zophar again who replied Job with his own understanding (v3). Nothing to mention about him anymore. Talk some more, more cat more black.

Job 14 - 16 (7th Jan)

Follow up from yesterday, from Ps Fei's blog, Chapter 12, 13 & 14 was Job replied to his friend Zophar.

After Job replied his friends, it was back to Eliphaz comments again in Chapter 15. It is like the 3 friends are taking turns in a triple tac team bullying Job alone. Eliphaz words were really mean. Every word he spoke was directly against him. Poor Job. Kena all the bombardment.

But I like Job's reply in Chapter 16 - 17. It was like Job wanted to have a counter attack in v2-4. He said, "Miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end?" So people, when you comfort someone, don't give a long-winded speech.

When people feel down, it will bring them great agony to hear a person keep talking and talking non stop.

Learn to listen and follow what Job said in v5, "But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief."

Encourage people with your words. That's what friends are for. v20-21 stated, "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend."

Job 10-13 (6th Jan)

Hey family, I really enjoyed reading His words since 1st January 07… Hope all of you are catching the same excitement as me :o) Though kinda challenging, especially since school has started, returning to work and waking up early to prepare breakfast for my lovely 2 - Joash and Janna, I am glad by His strength I am able to squeeze out whatever time I have to maintain the consistency of reading His Words… now having panda eyes due to lack of sleep, but each time when I managed to finish what has to be read for the day, I can’t help but to beam with joy…

As I read Job, I am very much encouraged by the fact that (Job 1:6-12) Satan is limited by God’s power and can do only what he is permitted by God. Because Satan can do nothing without God’s permission, God’s people can overcome his attacks through God’s power. Awesome, right? Satan cannot see into our minds or foretell the future…that’s why he did not know if Job can overcome the trials and affliction but God knows.
Adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms.

As I read Job… the adversities plagued upon him is so much and intense. I really salute to his tenacity to press on (though he did become impatient and upset, blaming God)… but he did not reject and curse God.

When faced with trials, try asking God –What can I learn and how can I grow?

I know its easier said than done…this is the attitude that God wants from every child of His.

By our strength - Impossible. By His strength, POSSIBLE.

Interestingly, as I read Job’s reply in Job 10, I can’t help but to feel that though Job was suffering, his words were so poetic and his way of putting the words were so beautifully phrased…

v10 - Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese,

v11 - clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? … even when he was angry.

For us, when we are angry, don’t think we can respond with such poetic and beautiful structure of words… heez…

In Job 11, the last of Job’s friend - Zophar
Zophar was even more unfriendly and arrogant in his words to Job, accusing Job of sinning against God due to his plight and saying Job deserved to be punished. Sad , right? My heart goes out to Job… sob, sob. Zophar was indeed very, Super-duper insensitive and shows no brotherly love and compassion… I am sure he is the last person that Job wants to see if given the chance.

In Job 12 -14, Job’s reply to Zophar
This time, Job was sure heated up, he responded to Zophar with great sarcasm. Job once again emphasized that his 3 friends had misunderstood his suffering. Job stressed that he did not sinned against God to end up like this. Job was very adamant about asking God for an explanation to his plight.

Job 6 - 9 (5th Jan)

It is easier to stand through the test of faith under normal circumstances but it is not easy if God were to take everything away from us including our health and yet still staying faithful and praising our Father in heaven. Worse still, when your friends start to accuse you or say things about you that you didn't do while you are going through the trial period. Hoping to have words of comfort from people around, but all Job got was discouragement and distrust of his friends.

Remember this, in all things, all circumstances, whether good or bad, give thanks to God always.

Job 6 & 7

After the not so encouraging words from Eliphaz, Job replied him in chapter 6 & 7. Sometimes I rather people keep their mouths shut then to say for the sake of saying and made you more discouraged and confused.

So, ask God for wisdom before you bring a word to someone that needs encouragement.

Job 8

After Job explained to his friend in chapter 6 & 7, another friend of Job's friend, Bildad, interrupted Job and started commenting about Job's way. Started with the first sentence in verse 2, it sounded like Bildad just didn't believe in Job's explainations. Bildad also brought God into the picture and worst of all, something that I really don't want to hear and never want to hear, Bildad said that because your children sinned against God, He destroyed them. (I think Bildad better keep quiet so we can read less 1 chapter. :p).

Job 9 & 10

Job replied his friends by praising God and proclaiming His power and wonderful name of God. Many of you asked me about dinosaurs. the word 'Rahab' in chapter 9:13, according to my concordance, is a sea monster, a monster of the deep (Job 7:12). Yes, dinosaurs did exist and then extinct.

When you feel down, remember that God is there. When you are faithless. He is faithful. His love and faithfulness endures forever.

Job 1 - 5 (4th Jan)

Dear Family,
Why is there a sudden change of chapter? We are now in the book of Job. The reason I've put it this way is because I'm bringing you to read the bible chronologically. Which means, after the flood and followed by the Towel of Babel, then came Job. In fact Job was the first bible book written.The author is unknown. Some suggested that Moses wrote it. Time line 2000 - 1800 BC.

Job 1
Job was blameless and upright; feared God and shunned evil (v1, 8, Job 2:3). Job went through his first test. God allowed Satan to take everything away from Job except his life. With all taken away, Job still praised the Name of the Lord (v21).

Job 2
Job went through a second test where God allowed Satan to afflict Job with painful sores on his whole body. He was challenged by his wife to curse God but he didn't. He said, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (v10)"
Many times in our life, when we face trouble, we will start to ask God why this happened and why must it be like that. Indirectly, we blame God subtly without us knowing. The battle is very intense. We need to be on guard and alert at all time. Each time when we face trouble, remember, we have the victory in Christ Jesus who always lead us in triumph.

Job 3
After 3 of Job's friend came and accompanied him in silence for 7 days and 7 nights(Job 2:11-13), Job finally spoke. He cursed the day of his birth but yet, He did not curse the Lord.

Job 4 & 5
A response from Job's friend, Eliphaz. If I were to be Job, I will be confused by his friend. One moment, it was encouraging (v4 & 6)and standing with me through the dark moments, and the next moment, started grumbling and being sarcastic.

Genesis 8 - 11 (3rd Jan)

The recent downpour in Singapore for about 2 to 3 days has already caused some places to have knee-height and some waist-height flood. It was worst in Malaysia when we went up to Muar. Can you imagine what will happen if it starts raining heavily for 40 days and nights consistently? We may end up in Star Cruise.

Genesis 8
For about a year, Noah and his family spent their time in the ark with the animals waiting for the water to subside and ground to be dried up (Gen 7:6, Gen 8:3-16). This ark must be very big to be able to store up enough food for all the animals and humans for a year.
After Noah came out, he built an altar to the Lord with burnt offering of clean animals and birds. Sure the BBQ smelled good and it was a pleasing aroma to God (v20). Then God said that never again will He curse the ground or destroy the living creatures He has done (v21).

Genesis 9
God blessed Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply (v1). It is God’s will for us to be fruitful and multiply. Right from the start in Gen 1:28, God commanded Adam too. Sure the BBQ smelled good, God allowed men to eat meat (v3). No wonder, if men were to eat meat before that, the ark will only be humans and dogs.
Then God established His Covenant with men that never again will all life be cut off by flood and never again will earth be destroyed by flood (no Star Cruise liao). Each time you see a rainbow, remember God’s Covenant to all of us because of His faithfulness and love for us.

Genesis 10
Forming of the nations of Noah’s sons.

Genesis 11 - Tower of Babel
During that time, everyone only spoke in one language. They wanted to build a tower that will reach the heaven and their purpose was to make a name for themselves. Also they will not be scattered to other parts of the earth. They can stay ‘under one roof with Moses’ in future. Singapore flats are getting taller and more. But we people aren’t speaking the same kind of language or rather, not having the same goals and purposes.

God said, “If as one people speaking the same language they begun to do this (their goal and purpose), then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them (v6).” So God came down to confuse their language and scattered them all over the earth (v7 & 8). Those that spoke Mandarin, God placed them in China, those that spoke Malay, they were placed around us. Those spoke Tamil, they were placed in India. The list goes on including those spoke in Singlish.

Can you imagine if everyone loves one another and love our neighbors with common purposes and goals for God, there will be peace on earth.

Genesis 4 - 7 (2nd Jan)

Hi family,

Hope the first day reading was good for you and hopefully my brief summary helps you to understand a little more.

Question time: What was the first thing Eve did when Adam came back from the field?

Answer: Count his ribs.

Oh yah, there weren't any mentioned of any creation of cars. But there was a car mentioned in Gen 3:23, 24. - "When God drove them out of the garden."

Ok, back to today's summary.

God bless.

"The lame will walk"

Gen 4 – 7, 2nd Jan 2007

Genesis 4 - Cain & Abel
Adam and Eve's first son, Cain, followed by Abel. After the Lord God drove both Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, no longer could they enjoy the full provision they used to have. They had to struggle for themselves and their family. Cain became a farmer, while Abel was a shepherd. It was not mentioned why God rejected Cain’s sacrifice, but both Cain and Abel knew what God expected. Only Abel obeyed.

Throughout history, Abel is remembered for his obedience and faith (Heb 11:4) and he is called “righteous” (Matth 23:35). Perhaps Cain’s attitude was improper, or perhaps his offering was not up to God’s standards. Prov 21:27 says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable – how much more so when brought with evil content!" After Cain’s sacrifice was rejected by God, God gave him the chance to try again (v6 & 7a). God is indeed gracious, always wanting to give us a second chance.

Dear family, the next time God prompts you or if someone suggests you are wrong, take an honest look at yourself and choose God’s way instead of Cain’s - which lead to the murder of his own brother, Abel - first tragedy mentioned in the bible. Cain was severely punished for this murder. God’s punishment is meant to correct us and restore our fellowship with Him. When you’re corrected, don’t resent it. Instead, renew your fellowship with God. The Lord God yearns to have our continuous fellowship with Him.

Genesis 5 - Genealogies of Adam
The bible contains several lists of ancestors, called genealogies. Genealogies were included to confirm the bible’s promise that the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be born into the line of Abraham. Genealogies also point out an interesting characteristic of God. People are important to Him as individuals, not just as races or nations. Therefore God refers to people by name, mentioning their life span and descendants.

For example, Enoch (v21-24). He walked with God. He was the second person mentioned in the hall of faith after Abel (Heb 11:4 & 5). He did not experience death and was commended as one who pleased God.

Dear family, continue to walk with God and please Him only. May your name be in the book of faith.

Genesis 6 - Noah
Sin became very evident among the people. The people’s sin grieved God. Our sins break God’s heart as much as sin did in Noah’s day. Because of sin, the lifespan of a man gets shorter (v3). God wanted to destroy all mankind on earth because He was grieved (v6 & 7). Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of God - his faithfulness and obedience to God (v8 & 9). So God commanded Noah to build an ark to save his family from the flood that God will send to destroy mankind.

Genesis 7 - The rain & the flood

Noah and his family entered the ark. Pairs of every animal joined Noah in the ark; seven pairs were taken of those animals used for sacrifice - the “clean” animals. Scholars have estimated that almost 45, 000 animals could have fit into the ark. Also many people used to say that it was flooded for 40days & 40 nights. But it was not. It rained for forty days and night (v4 & 12). The flood came in and every living thing on the face of earth was wiped out. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days (v24). Everything on the face of the earth were destroyed.

Hmm... ever wonder how Noah tamed all the animals to enter the ark? (Dinosaurs cannot enter) Well, read Genesis 1:26.

God bless

Genesis 1-3 (1st Jan)

Dear livingstones family,

Happy Blessed New Year! We are in the Year of Victory! Let's Go Deep into the Word of God this year by reading through the Bible. As much as possible, I'll blog the summary of the chapters we are reading. So enjoy reading and understand His word. Pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom to His Word.

May the Lord bless you and enlarge your territory. May His hands be upon you and deliver you from evil one.

God bless and with lots of love,

Livingstones Papa & Mama

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Genesis means 'Beginnings' or 'origin' and it is written by Moses.

Genesis 1 - The Creation (recognise the Power of God's Word. He spoke! Everything fell in place. Cool right? Our GOD is cool!)

In the beginning - The heavens and the earth.

1st day - Light (light & darkness)

2nd day - Sky (sky & water)

3rd day - Land with vegetation (land & sea)

4th day - Sun, moon & stars (day, night, seasons, days & years)

5th day - Fish & birds (thank God, I can go fishing)

6th day - Animals, man & woman (we are supposed to be vegetarians!!! Lions too!! - v29, 30)

7th day - God rested (God made it holy - Gen 2:3)

Genesis 2 - The lonely man and the making of the woman

v16, God commanded the Adam, "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, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

v17 onwards is the making of the woman. (Notice that in Gen 1:26, God created man & woman. So Gen 2 is the account of what happened from the beginning to the 6th day.)

"WO!! man" I thank God for my beautiful wife. Adam has made the right choice. Hey guys, you should all thank God for Adam.

Ladies, you are God's wonderful masterpiece. We men were made from dust (v7). You ladies were made from His wonderful creation, the man's ribs, and He fashioned it into His masterpiece, the beautiful ladies. Ladies, we guys appreciate you (v18).

Thank you especially to my wife 'Fei', she's a wonderful wife and a super mother. Thank you for Janna, my beautiful daughter, she is the joy of my heart.

Of course, all my spiritual daughters too, I really thank God for you. You are all a blessing to me.

Guys, don't be jealous. I really appreciate all of you too, from the bottom of my heart.

Genesis 3 - The fall of man

People always asked, if God is so good, why will He let sin comes into the world, why He let this happened to me or why that? All I can say is, "Nevermind, I forgive you Adam. Now I'll just want to walk right with God."

Guys, don't blame the women for the fall of man. We are at fault. Notice in v2 & 3, the command that Eve told the serpent wasn't the same as the command God given to Adam in Gen 2:16. People blame Eve because she changed or added in or some say she lied about the command. She added 'touch it' (v 3). Also notice, there was another word she added, 'fruit'.

Why I say, don't blame the ladies is because, v6b 'she also gave some to her husband,who was with her, and he ate it.' So my conclusion is this, 'some' men are actually not good communicators.

Why? God commanded Adam before He created Eve (Gen 2:15-22).

So it is a responsibility for Adam to communicate to Eve. He certainly didn't communicate clearly. Probably he said this to Eve, "Don't go near that tree hor. The fruit cannot be eaten. Just don't go near, k? God says one."

Next, not only 'some' men are not good communicators, they like to keep quiet and just don't bother much about what's going on. As i say, 'some' men only. Please don't throw stone at me.

Satan's weapon of temptation is to cause us to fall. He tempted us with (1 John 2:16)

1. Lust of the flesh - Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food (v6)

2. Lust of the eye - It was pleasing to Eve's eyes (v6)

3. Pride of life - Eve desired to gain wisdom (v6), so she would know the knowledge of good and evil.

Because of the fall, we are separated from God. But God still shows mercy and love to Adam and Eve by clothing them. This is the beginning of God's redemptive plan. Now we can reach our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ.

God, I want to thank You for Your love for all mankind that You are willing to sacrifice Your one and only Son to die for our sins.

Hey, I'm a dad and I will not sacrifice my son, Joash for you. It will really pain me if I need to or have to. Like sending him to war to protect the rest of the citizens in the country.

Talking about pain, in v16, God said that He will greatly increase the pain of childbearing for the women.

I really feel sorry for that. I experienced the pain when Fei Fei gave birth to both Joash and Janna. Ha, how can I experienced the pain? Well, she was feeling so painful that she squeezed my arm and pulled my sleeve. At the end, she transmitted the pain to my arm and the sleeve of my shirt- lengthened.

Anyway, to my wife, dear, thank you for bearing with the pain. I love you.

Guys, we will never be able to understand this pain.

God bless

Ps Lawrence Tan