Short Reflection from Genesis 16-33

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU-F) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟞:𝟡

"Then the angel of the LORD said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.’"

God had a plan for Hagar even when she was mistreated by Sarai. It's a great lesson and a reminder that God will take care of us in all situations.

Hagar ran away to escape, but God told her to come back and submit herself to Sarai. She tried to solve her problem. Well, God was not with her plan, for God had a better plan. Years later, God would let her go away in peace.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟠

"And Abraham said to God, 'Oh that Ishmael might live before You!'"

Abraham decided to do what he thought was right and begot Ishmael. He thought and wanted God would be pleased with his project Ishmael. Well, nobody can influence God, not even Abraham. God continued with His project Isaac. However, God, in His abundant mercy and grace promised to not abandon project Ishmael.

Don't try to influence God. Submit to Him. Make sure the Lord's project is your project!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟠:𝟛𝟚

"Then he said, ‘Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it on account of the ten.’"

Bad people may mock a good man. Non-Christians may ridicule us. Secular Government may persecute us. But the truth is they are alive because of us. At the same time, we are alive for their sake, to rescue them!

When all the Christians are raptured up on the last day, God's judgment will be seen upon the earth again!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟚-𝟛

"And he said, "Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." They said however, "No, but we shall spend the night in the square." Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate."

Oh! What an example of hospitality! @Damei B-R-U kaine hospitality tho gaihak kum ding e!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟘:𝟛

"But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, 'Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.'"

God would do anything to protect Sarah even if Abraham failed to do so.

It's a lesson to learn that God is better than anyone and anything!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟙:𝟞-𝟟

"Sarah said, 'God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.' And she said, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.'"

God has a way of surprising those who have waited upon Him. I know He shall surprise me with many things! 😇

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟚:𝟚

"He said, 'Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.'"

Is there still anything in you that you cannot give up for God? Abraham gave up everything!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟛:𝟙𝟛

"He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, 'If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.'"

We love free stuff, huh? Abraham wouldn't take anything for free! Be careful with free stuff!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"He said, 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.'"

A good prayer we can imitate praying recalling this episode! 👍

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟝:𝟛𝟚

"Esau said, 'Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?'"

Esau never tried to learn what Jesus would be saying centuries later that man does not live by bread alone.

Don't think for temporary gain, live for things that last... God's kingdom lasts forever btw!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟞:𝟚𝟜

"The LORD appeared to him the same night and said, 'I am the God of your father Abraham; 𝕕𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕣, 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.'"

God wants us to fear nobody but God. Also, God is watching over us, nothing can harm us without His permission. Trust Him.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟟:𝟚𝟘

"Isaac said to his son, ‘How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?’ And he said, ‘Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me.’"

He dared to use the name of God to sin against his brother, father, and God. Such a sinful man like anyone of us!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟝

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

What a promise of God for Jacob, even when he fled away from his brother!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟡:𝟛𝟙

"Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren."

How good the Lord is to notice the discriminated ones! If we are mistreated, let's cry out to God more than we would call anyone!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟘:𝟜𝟛

"So the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys."

A ridiculous story of Jacob's family but God still blessed Jacob and prospered him.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟙:𝟛𝟜-𝟛𝟝

"Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel's saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the tent but did not find them. She said to her father, ‘Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is upon me.’ So he searched but did not find the household idols."

Even his wife had become a deceiver. Your gf/bf will influence you. You better hang out/marry someone who is better or as good as you, not worse than you!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟚:𝟙𝟘

"I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies."

Indeed, fear and great trouble often help us to see who we really are in the universe of God! We don't need to humble ourselves just in tough times, we must humble ourselves before Him each time we come to His throne of grace!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟛:𝟜

"Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."

Sometimes it happened that what we were dreadful of was met with extraordinary kindness! Fortunate Jacob! Very lucky, huh!?

Short Reflection from Genesis 1-15

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU-F) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[6:41 am, 31/12/2021] S.R:

 Guys,

This year 2021 ends today. Tomorrow, we start putting up our updates.

Do you have any Bible Reading Plans for 2022? And which book would you like to read and post in this group? I shall be posting a line of reflection or two from each chapter of Genesis in the next 50 days.

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙:𝟛𝟙

"God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."

The first chapter of the book of the Bible repeatedly made a point that God is good by demonstrating the mighty works of God in the creation and declaring by God Himself.

Never doubt the goodness of God. And if you are a Christian, everything is working for your own good, by the amazing Providence of God! (Rom.8:28)

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚:𝟚𝟘

"The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him."

You may love your cat or dog, but remember that only human is a suitable helper! Or else, you are farther from reality than most people!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛:𝟙𝟡

"By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."

Because of this, everyone dies sooner or later. However, there's forgiveness, redemption, second chance that's impossible to fail, in Jesus Christ. Those who die in Christ (Christians) will be raised back to life at an opportune time to live in this world and also a new world!

We aren't hopeless like the rest of the world!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜:𝟙𝟝

"So the LORD said to him, 'Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.' And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him."

The Lord still exercised grace upon Cain, the wicked murderer. Apostle John in his first epistle wrote of Cain as the primary example of an unbeliever, the seed of the serpent, the child of the devil!

This reminds me that there's grace for everyone including for the hell-bound sinner. He might still go to hell, but if he calls upon God for protection, God is gracious to hear.

It is written God heard Pharaoh's prayer/desire through Moses’ intercession. There's a chance that God can bless an idol worshipper if he asks a Christian to pray for him. He still will remain an unbeliever and may go to hell, but God can and may hear to bless him on earth for he desires and asks of God.

This story confirms the goodness and amazing grace of God to protect and provide for our needs!

 

[6:15 am, 05/01/2022] S.R: 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟝:𝟚𝟡

"Now he called his name Noah, saying, 'This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed.'"

What an ironic name! 😬😂 After the birth of Noah, and when he grew up to be a responsible man, God killed everyone!

However, Noah, indeed, has become the great ancestor of the Messiah who truly has rested the curse of God!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟞:𝟙𝟚

"God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth."

It was, so God destroyed the earth. It is again, and God will destroy this earth again.

But like God saved Noah through an ark, God will save us through Jesus Christ, who is the real ark.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟟:𝟟

"Then Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him entered the ark because of the water of the flood."

The only way to be saved was to enter the ark, not just Noah, but all those who want to be saved. Outside the ark is the killing water.

A perfect picture of salvation in Christ. No matter whom you love or are closed with if they don't live in Christ, the water of death will take them away!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟠:𝟚𝟙

"The LORD smelled the soothing aroma; and the LORD said to Himself, 'I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done.'"

Had the Lord not promised this, there would have been a series of visible judgments. Sometimes, we are the victims, other times we are the perpetrators! One day, God shall take account of all our deeds, thoughts, and desires! Blessed are the ones who humble themselves before God every night begging for God's power to overcome temptation and indwelling sins. Though they may never overcome in this life, God shall forgive all their sins, and grant them what they desire when He appears!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟡:𝟚

"The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given."

Indeed, animals and every living creatures owe man their lives for Noah saved their species. Good chapter and verse to refer to when discussing the difference between humans and animals!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟘:𝟡

"He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.'"

@Gaan AirTel and @Joseph Kahmei, nang nei pu (daddies) khang suang Nimrod rui suchui mai (better) tipui jat the ni?

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟙:𝟛𝟘

“Sarai was barren; she had no child.”

Well, Sarai was made barren by God for a demonstration of His glory!

Our barrenness in life is under the sovereignty of God. In joy in sorrow, in riches in poverty, in all circumstances, let's keep our hope and trust in God!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟚:𝟙𝟙

"It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman.’"

Wow! Sarai was a beautiful woman. Nowadays, celebrities are made to look more beautiful than they actually are, and even common people have been fooled to think that celebrities are more beautiful than them. The truth is clear: it's the popularity that makes celebrities seem to look beautiful; while a lot of beautiful women may be just in next door!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟛-𝟙𝟜

"Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.  The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward’"

When that part of the world was terribly wicked and God was about to bring terror and destruction, He had a prosperous plan for Abraham.

If we remain walking with God, even if there is a pandemic, tsunami, anarchy, or persecution, God is surely having a plan for us. It may not be as immediate as in the case of Abraham. He never saw it. And it still is yet to be fulfilled in a magnificent way!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"They also took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom."

Abraham is not only godly, not only a man of faith but a courageous gut. He went to fight and won!

We need more leaders who are warriors!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟝:𝟞

"Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness."

Believed ➡️ Righteousness.

And Righteousness will produce Good works in life.

Noteworthy "Chapter 1 verse 11" of the books of the Bible

One of my favourite scripture portions in the bible is Romans 1:11, especially the phrase “that I may impart to you some spiritual gift” in “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—” Romans 1:11 [NKJV]. It has been my philosophy, my guiding principle, my goal for all my online activities, namely the social media, especially on the Blog and WhatsApp.

However, I used to forget the chapter and verse of this scripture. So, one day I decided to take a thorough look at it to never forget it again. I also looked up chapter 1:11 of all the books of the Bible. Here are some interesting 1:11 I found it to be relevant/connected to what I was thinking that day:

 

“May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you!” Deuteronomy 1:11

“Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.’” I Samuel 1:11

“Then God said to Solomon: ‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—’” II Chronicles 1:11

“‘O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.’ For I was the king’s cupbearer.” Nehemiah 1:11

“But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” Job 1:11

“There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:11

“‘To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?’ Says the Lord. ‘I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.’” Isaiah 1:11

“All her people sigh, They seek bread; They have given their valuables for food to restore life. ‘See, O Lord, and consider, For I am scorned.’” Lamentations 1:11

“For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:11

 

“Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:11

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:11

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” Ephesians 1:11

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,” II Thessalonians 1:11

“who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.” Philemon 1:11

“For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” James 1:11

“for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” II John 1:11

“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” III John 1:11

Bible Reading Reflection from Revelation 15-22

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟙𝟝:𝟠

"And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished."

No one has seen God and lived. No mortal man has the capacity to behold the glory of God. Even the Seraphim covered their eyes.

And yet, there are some who claimed to have seen God! They really have no idea about the glory of God.

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟙𝟞:𝟡, 𝟙𝟙

v9. "And men were scorched with fierce heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has the authority over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory."

v11. "and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and they did not repent of their deeds."

They didn't repent! Rather, they blasphemed God!

We see the precursors now already. When something bad happens, people are already saying, "Holy S*** or "Jesus Christ"

Even OMG! Huh!

Blaspheming God instead of praying!

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟜

"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and elect and faithful."

War is coming! Yes! Christ will defeat them. And we will be on the winning side! We are known as

1. The called

2. The elect

3. The faithful!

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟙𝟠:𝟟

"In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’"

Supreme Court doesn't [cannot, will not] give enough justice. Even we, ourselves, do not know how to give enough justice. When God judges the world, it will be proper and satisfying. No one will want more or less!

Even the guilty will not say anything. Remember that guy in the parable of the wedding feast? He was just speechless: no protest, no excuse, not even begging for forgiveness. A time will come when people realize that they ought to be condemned and sent to hell.

Interesting world we live in here now. We love to justify ourselves. We don't own responsibility. We want only excuses, forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Peter was not praying for deliverance, forgiveness, or grace. Rather, he requested to be crucified upside down.

Paul engineered the stoning of Stephen to death. Paul was quite willing to be beheaded.

A time will come when everyone will submit to God's will to perish or to flourish!

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟙𝟡:𝟡

"Then he *said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he *said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’"

How wonderful that there are some blessed people in the midst of severe judgment! This vision is given as if to calm us and reassure us that God is not out of control. He is wrathful, but not with everyone. He is in perfect control that there can be a party in heaven and torment in hell without losing His composure! 🙂

Well, how blessed is the one who is invited to that marriage supper of the Lamb!

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟛

"And the 𝕤𝕖𝕒 𝕘𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕦𝕡 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕕 which were in it, and 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕟𝕕 ℍ𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕤 𝕘𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕦𝕡 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕕 which were in them, and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds."

Many people who committed suicide thought that suicide was the ultimate painkiller, the ultimate solution to the problems of life, the ultimate escape, the ultimate peace at last! Really?

Dead is not the end. Death itself will give up the dead on the last day of judgment. There's a life beyond death. Death itself will die and cease to exist.

The ultimate solution to the problems of life, the ultimate painkiller, peace, and escape is Jesus Christ! He is the only Way!

In Jesus, we have the sufficiency of His grace to endure all things in this world and even in the coming judgment!

Sure, Death, the consequence of sin wrought by Satan shall accomplish nothing in the end. For Death will give up in the end to everlasting life in hell or heaven!

What a loser is Satan, huh! 🙂😂👍

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟙:𝟚𝟛-𝟚𝟜

"And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. And the nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it."

There will be no sun. Good news for Delhiites. Summer is hot. I won't be sweating, dehydrating there! And no humidity! 😎

 

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝔼𝕃𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟚:𝟚𝟘

"He who bears witness to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

It is the desire of Jesus to come soon. It was the desire of John as well. I also join with them, and say, "Come soon, Lord Jesus!"