The Long Game

There’s an expression people use when they are plotting something that will take a while to come to fruition. They say, “I’m playing the long game.” 

This means that what you see now doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it means. If you give it time, all will be revealed. 

Have you ever played the long game?

In this passage we see God playing the long game. At face value it seems like maybe God is “afraid” of the potential of man. That is not the case. 

God knew that left alone on the path they were on, they would turn from Him. He did not want that for us. He wants all people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those who were building the Tower of Babel were not on the path to eventual salvation, so God acted on our behalf. He played the long game. 

Many people will never understand that. They get caught up in the moment. They think, “why would God do that? They did not mean any harm.” But they do not know the destruction that would have been caused if that tower would have been “completed.” 

Trusting God with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding means waiting patiently for God to do what He’s going to do in your life. Remember, He plays the long game. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 11:5-7

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lordsaid, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 11

Genealogies 

If you’re like I used to be, you always want to skip over genealogies when you’re reading the Bible. However, years ago, God opened my eyes to the importance of genealogies. Now when I see them I immediately want to figure out how this tracks to Jesus. 

In today’s genealogy, we can track Jesus back through Noah’s son Shem. If you go to Luke 3, you will see the part of the genealogy that 
Shows how Jesus line came through Shem and his descendants. 

The next time you want to skip over a genealogy, first do a little study to learn how this may relate to Jesus. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 10:21-25a

21 Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

22 The sons of Shem:
Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.

23 The sons of Aram:
Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek.

24 Arphaxad was the father of Shelah,
and Shelah* the father of Eber.

25 Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg,

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 10

*-Called Cainan in the Septuagint, which is a Greek version of the Hebrew Bible.

Covenant And A Rainbow

Rainbows inspire! Throughout my 60+ years walking the earth, rainbows have held a special place in the lives of the numerous people I’ve met. I grew up thinking there was a “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow. I longed to figure out how to get to the pot of gold.😏

Ultimately, I realized that there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. However, there is a priceless promise within the rainbow. God has promised to remember humanity and all living things on the earth when He sees the rainbow in the sky. He entered into a covenant with Noah, his sons, and us.

What are we to make of that covenant? How do we respond to the rainbow when we see it? I offer this thought to ponder.

Allow the rainbow to be a reminder to you of the faithfulness of God. Allow it to inspire in you an intense desire to serve others. Let the rainbow move you to seek to share the gospel and make disciples. In a word, allow the rainbow to lead you to agape! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 9:13

13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 9

God Remembers

In this passage we are reminded of an important characteristic of God; He remembers. When God makes a covenant with you, He will always keep His part. If a covenant is broken between you and God, it’s your fault. 

I have met countless people who forget the faithfulness of God and it has led to countless problems, none of which are caused by God. 

Think about that.

What has God promised you? Wait for it! What truth has God shown you? Believe it! What has God told you to do? Do it?

As we read the story of Noah and how God remembered Noah, be mindful that when God gave instructions to Noah with the specifics of how to build the ark, Genesis 6:22  says, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”

How do you respond to God when He speaks to you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 8:1

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 8

Called Righteous

We serve a righteous God. He is blameless of any wrong doing. The number of people who blame God for their place in life is staggering. Those same people would be bent out of shape if God removed free will and turned us into mindless people.

That’s the beauty of God and walking with God. We get to choose how we want to behave. He does not force us to follow Him, we get to follow Him. Of course, when we choose not to follow Him, we must pay the “I don’t follow God” consequences.

In Noah’s time, he was the only one found righteous. Because of this, God spared Noah and his family from the  “I don’t follow God” consequences, in this case  the flood. This confirms the faithfulness of God. 

How can we be righteous in God’s sight? It starts with accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. As a result of our heartfelt acceptance of His redemptive sacrifice, we are seen as righteous in God’s sight. We then must live a life that shows we belong to Jesus Christ. 

I encourage you to take time out of your day and allow the Father to show you areas in your life where you need to seek His righteousness. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 7:1

The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.”

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 7

But Noah

I love God! He is just, fair, merciful, and gracious, to name a few of His characteristics. As we read Genesis 6, we see that God is disappointed in his creation of mankind. He plans to wipe them all out. 

But Noah!

The Bible tells us that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. 

Why?

Because he did right. In the midst of everyone around him doing wrong, God was faithful to him and used Noah to repopulate the earth. We are ALL descendants of Noah!

Before you do what the world does, be mindful that God is watching and He will reward you if you endure and do not lose faith in Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 6:8

8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 6

Old As Methuselah

When I was growing up, a popular way to describe how old something was, was to say, “that’s as old as Methuselah.” Before I read Genesis 5 I never understood why people said that. When I finally read Genesis 5, the light bulb came on. But I kinda wish people would have made more references to Methuselah’s father Enoch. 

Enoch is the first person described as walking with God faithfully. That’s the example I want to set. I don’t care to be the richest, kindest, coolest, generous, or any number of positive adjectives you could say. I simply want to be described as a man who walked faithfully with God.

What legacy are you seeking to leave? I pray your desire, like mine, is to walk faithfully with God. If it is, you must make daily communing with God your number one priority. Without that as the priority, too many other things will keep you from walking faithfully with God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 5:24 & 27

24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

27 Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 5

Cause To Pause

In my travels around the sun, I’ve encountered many people. The ones that give me cause to pause are those who do not hold themselves accountable for their actions. These are people who do the wrong thing. Then when they it is pointed out they get angry as if they could do no wrong. 

This lack of individual accountability is on display in this passage. Instead of Cain taking a step back, inquiring of the LORD about what he can do to provide a worthy offering, he kills his brother. Think about that. Cain ended Abel’s life because Abel understood the assignment.

Do you do that? Are you a person who gets upset when someone does a better job than you? I have seen far too many people get upset in these situations. Their mentality is one of entitlement. They have convinced themselves that their efforts should always be applauded. 

NEWSFLASH: That’s not God-like! 

Spend time today taking accountability of your actions, present and past. Ask yourself the difficult questions. Seek the Father and ask Him to point out areas in your life where you have felt entitled to something you did not earn. God is faithful and He will help you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 4:2b-5

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 4

A Gracious God

Most of us have read about the fall of man as described in Genesis 3. The passage I want to highlight is verse twenty-one. This is a perfect display of the graciousness of God. 

Adam and Eve have disobeyed Him. They hid from Him because they were naked. In their shame of nakedness, they covered themselves with fig leaves. This covering was inadequate. Therefore, God made them better garments. 

Let that sink in. Adam and Eve were disobedient to God. He dealt with their sin, then loved them by providing something for them that was better than what they had. 

We may never fully understand the significance of our sin, but we can praise a gracious God who forgives our sin, cleanses us from all unrighteousness, and provides for every need. 

Thank You, Lord, for doing for me that which I could never do for myself. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 3:21

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 3

Clear Instructions

As a father, Army officer, coach, and teacher I have learned the importance of giving clear instructions. I’ve also learned that sometimes the clearest of instructions are still not followed. Typically when that happens, there’s a problem that will require much care and attention. 

In this passage, God gives the man clear instructions. But He doesn’t stop there, He also gives the consequence for not following these clear instructions. With such clarity, nothing could possibly go wrong, right?

Has God given you clear instructions in an area of your life? Do you find it difficult to follow these clear instructions? If so, you’re in good company. Far too many of us struggle, at times, to follow God’s clear instructions for our lives. 

Take time, today, to ponder times in your life where you were given clear instructions. How did you respond in those times? If you don’t always follow clear instructions, consider why that’s difficult for you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 2:15-17

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 2

Radah

In this passage the Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It means to have authority or dominion over something. However, it does not carry the negative connotation of “oppression.” It is a respectful rule as God’s representative here on earth. 

Take a moment to understand this command. Mankind was created and given the mission to have respectful authority over all things of the earth. God has confidence in His creation. God has confidence in YOU.

Please note that mankind’s radah does not extend to one another. We are not to exercise radah over one another. Rather we are to live in harmony with agape for one another. 

Could you imagine a world in which mankind exercised radah over all creation and exercised agape with one another? I’d like to live in that world. How about you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Today’s Reading:

Genesis 1

Do You Know Him

The COVID pandemic was a difficult time for many people. However, something good that came out of that season of life was a rap I wrote called “Do You Know Him.”

The message of the song centers around observing people who know OF God but have never taken the time to get to know Him. The reality is, if people knew Him, then their pursuit of unrighteousness would stop immediately. It is virtually impossible to truly know God and desire to do evil. 

It’s one thing to fall into temptation. It’s completely different when you willfully pursue it. In this passage, John teaches that there is a difference between doing good and doing evil. 

The key? Do you know God or do you not. 

Well, Do You Know Him? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

3 John 11

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

Today’s Reading:

3 John

Situational Obedience

This passage is a reminder of the connection between love and obedience. Jesus taught on multiple occasions our love for Him would be manifested in obedience to His commands. 

Unfortunately, far too many of us have situational obedience. We obey God when the obedience fits into our narrative. However, if obedience does not lead to the outcome we prefer, then we say, “God knows my heart.” 

Yes, He does know your wicked, disobedient heart, and He will reward you accordingly. Of course, that’s not what we want to hear in America. We have convinced ourselves that we know what’s best and we spend our days dabbling in our walk with God while we put most of our energy in the pursuit of our dreams, what we want. 

Take time out today and allow God to search your heart and reveal to you those areas that do not honor Him. Then get rid of them. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

2 John 6

6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Today’s Reading:

2 John

An Overcomer

I am unsure how many times I’ve read this passage, but today it hit different. John is teaching us that our love for God propels us to places that non-believers will never go. 

Every person faces struggles. The difference is, those who love God will one day overcome those struggles by stepping into eternity with Him. Those who do not love God will increase their struggles by stepping into an eternity separated from God. I don’t want that for you or me!

If you say you love God, then your life should be one of loving obedience to His word. Salvation is not a business transaction in which you get to go to heaven because you said a prayer and gathered with people weekly. Salvation is manifested in a love for God and others that must serve in humility. It manifests in a love that seeks to be obedient to the Father. 

You know your heart. If it’s not seeking to love God through faithful obedience, you are living a life with a struggle that you can never overcome. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 John 5:1-5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Today’s Reading:

1 John 5

Edict Of Love

One definition of an “Edict” is an official order or proclamation given by someone in authority. We see this played out in the book of Esther when Haman convinces the king to sign an edict giving permission to destroy the Jews. Of course God thwarts that through the lives of Esther and Mordecai. 

This passage gives us an “edict of love” from God. Love is not optional. We cannot say that we love God while at the same time saying that we hate our brother or sister. Love is complete. 

God so loved the world. He does not love this group but not that group. Therefore we should do no less. 

How can you show love today? Go do it! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 John 4:19-21

19 We love because he first loved us.20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command:Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Today’s Reading:

1 John 4

Love Is An Action

How often do you tell people you love them? How often do your actions tell people you love them? This is the end of the matter: God so loved the world that He gave!

If we follow God’s love in the Bible, we will see that His love is always in the form of action. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commands.” Our love is manifested in obeying God.

As you go about your day, seek ways to put your love in action. This is how people will know that you belong to Christ. Let them see you love sacrificially. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 John 3:16-18

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Today’s Reading:

1 John 3

Commanded To Love

One day Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment. He answered, “Love the Lord your God…” He then said the second commandment is just like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself…”

It’s not a stretch to say that we are commanded to love. So the question becomes, “are you obeying God’s greatest commandments.”

Love can be tricky because in the US we have a distorted definition of love. We only have one word for love so it can get over used. 

But if we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our love, we will have no problem obeying God’s command to love because we will be looking outside our own desires to the desires of the other person. This is the highest love. It’s the love Jesus displayed on the cross and it is the love that we must live daily. 

Take time out of your day to think about how you love. Is your love focused on you and what you want? Or is your love focused on the needs of others? Putting others first is challenging but it’s always worth it. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 John 2:3-6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we knowwe are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Today’s Reading:

1 John 2

A Good Person

In the United States “casual Christians” talk about about being a good person. They say things like, “I’ve done many good things. I deserve to go to heaven.” The problem with that mindset is they believe God owes them eternal life with Him. 

NEWSFLASH: He owes us NOTHING!!

In this first chapter of 1 John, we see that we are all sinners in need of salvation. John shares with us that Jesus is our Savior. Because of His sacrifice, we can have a right relationship with God the Father. We simply need to confess our sin and receive Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. God is faithful and just. He will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

1 John 1:8-10

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Today’s Reading:

1 John 1

Next Level Patience

I have a friend to whom I frequently say, “just be patient.” They are doing their best to remain patient, but sometimes life gets to them and their patience wears a little thin. 

This NEVER happens with God. He has next level patience. 

Consider that the God of all creation created man. But man turned from Him and was disobedient. Instead of completely wiping man from the earth, He set in motion a plan to redeem His creation back to a right relationship with Him: Next Level Patience. 

Think about times you’ve been impatient. How did you handle it? Did you show grace? As God has given me more opportunities to be patient, I have learned that being patient is a gift from Him. It means I am more like Him. No person has the patients of God. But we should aspire to be that patient. It’s needed. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Today’s Reading:

2 Peter 3

Do Right Anyway

Today’s passage is good! I encourage you to read it multiple times. Let it marinate. 

God is just. He’s not bound by man’s cultural norms. He isn’t beholden to what man thinks is right. He is a sovereign, holy God who has no unrighteousness in Him. 

On our absolute best day, we are still infinitely far from God’s righteousness on His “worst” day. We’re no match.

But here’s the good news. In Christ, we get to be called righteous. This is not because of some good deed we did. It’s only because, by faith, we accepted what Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin.

As you read this passage, notice how God responds to the one who seeks Him first. Notice that the one who seeks Him is surrounded by unrighteous behavior, yet they do right anyway. That’s what we should do. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

2 Peter 2:4-9

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Today’s Reading:

2 Peter 2