7. Before it Rains

It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

 

Noah had some pretty sturdy faith didn't he? We know that God will not cause a world-wide flood any more; the rainbow signifies that. (Genesis 9:11-13). But let's say for a moment you were in Noah's place. God is telling you to build an ark because He's going to cause such a rain as to flood the entire earth. What would your response be? "That's interesting God, but it has never rained here and well...it won't. It's just not going to happen. People will laugh and mock me. Where will I get all that wood anyway? You can't be serious. Who will help? Umm, I'm sorry. If you need it done you may want to ask someone else. Rain? Nah." (There is an assumption that there wasn't any rain before the flood. Genesis 1:6-8 states, "...'Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water.'...God made this space to separate the waters above from the waters below. And God called the space 'sky'." Genesis 2:5,6 states, "there were no plants or grain growing on the earth, for the Lord God had not sent any rain...But water came up out of the ground and watered all the land.") You see, we are of such little faith.

 

There are two life applications in this sentence alone.

1) God is telling you to build an ark. The world is fast coming to an end and He wants you to be prepared. He doesn't want you to look at those around you and be timid because they aren't preparing. They may not see the world's worsening condition or hear the prompting of the Lord. When the "rain" comes, it will be too late. When Jesus is descending from the clouds, it will be too late to claim His Word and repent. He's giving you your time now.

2) Go out in faith. If you feel God is directing you somewhere in life, or God is telling you to do something...start preparing. Be ready because when God says "GO", you don't want to be left in the rising waters.

 

Each of the life applications share one theme: Faith.

 

Do you have faith in your God and Creator? 

6. When the Teacher is Silent

The teacher is always silent during the test.

 

I've taken many tests in my day. All my teachers were sure to be quiet while I was taking my test to give me the atmosphere I needed to work out the problems and to see if what I have been taught truly sank in.

 

There are many different ways to look at this single sentence...and I want each of you to dwell upon it and see what it means to you.

 

Some of you may be going through a test right now. You are praying to God and asking for help and He is SURELY listening to your every plea, but He knows this is what it takes to stengthen your faith. Perhaps He is giving you this test to see how much you love Him, and how much you have truly studied His Word. He is always there and will help you if you ask. He is the ultimate Teacher. Learn from Him, absorb His teachings, and study His Word.

5. Delayed Deliverance

God often delays deliverance in order to gain a greater victory.

I firmly believe this with all my heart. I have seen it play in many ways. In regards to my school situation (some of you may be aware, and others not) but I have wanted to go to a school by the name of Fountainview Academy for quite a number of years now. Each time I hear God saying, "Wait." This is my third year applying and I have been accepted. One hurdle conquered but now a bigger one awaits. My mom was adamant that I am not to go. Now God could have softened her heart right then and there and it would still have been a great victory! I would have been thrilled to the greatest extent. God didn't do that. Fountainview starts on Wednesday (today is Monday) and my mom has still yet to give me consent. Everything right now seems impossible to the mere sinful human mind, but with God...ANYTHING is possible. If God were to give me victory tomorrow and a miraculous change in my mom's stubborn heart were to surface...WHAT A VICTORY!!! I have gone through much pain in waiting and seeing God's direction and then my mom's defiance. Would that not be a much greater victory? Would that not bring forth a much greater testimony? God knows all things and only wants the best to come forth. And even if He doesn't work it out this year...imagine the victory that will result in the future. (:

Character - The Dating Game

Today, let's take a look at our character.

Imagine this with me:
You're on a game show. It's a dating game show. You are sitting behind a screen along with many other people (I will take it from a girl's perspective, but it can go in either direction). Many other girls are sitting behind that screen to the left and right of you. You're all wearing a number. No names are given. There is a man on the opposite side of the screen as you are (or in a guys case...a woman). He is your perfect match - the one you want for a boyfriend and ultimately a husband and companion. You know this because his character is read out to you. The showman goes through all the girls characteristics and then he gets to you. Number 18. He begins to read your character. You cringe at some of the things he says because you know it is true...but you're afraid it will turn the guy you want, with the "perfect" personality, away. "Number 18: She has _ hair, is _ years old, she is kind, loves to talk,..." then you hold your breath "She lies, listens to (bad) music, judges those she finds lesser, is proud of her talents, and loves glorifying herself. She wears a lot of makeup, very short and tight clothing, tends to have a lot of jealousy, is selfish; she doesn't like taking her time to help others; she is often in a rush; rarely does she spend time with the One who created her." You relax a little at the end, "She has many friends who look up to her, she smiles a lot with a grin that can capture anyones attention, and she knows right from wrong. She doesn't (or rarely) swears and goes to church every weekend." The rest of the characteristics of others are read. You overhear another lady's personality, "She is a Christian - not by name nor by voice, but by actions. She loves to take the time to call those who are sick; she participates at church quite frequently. She loves her family and is known for being kind to those who hurt her. She has a heart of gold. When she sees someone "lesser" than her she does not notice - she prays for them. She does not view herself as great, but as meek and not worthy. She does not lie, cheat, steal, swear, hate, nor is she one to be jealous or proud. She puts others before herself. She wears modest clothing to not draw unwanted attention to herself - her body is God's. Her makeup, if she does wear any, is suttle. People go to her for advice and encouragement. She is slow to anger and is honest in everything she does. She is God's daughter; she is perfect." Resentment builds in your heart as you realize you have lost the prize.

I realize we don't all have the same struggles and characteristics of Number 18, but we have many and in MOST cases, more. If God were to read out your life, personality, and character to those most important...would you be ashamed? Would God honestly say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant"?

Poem: You Picked Out My Tree

You picked out my tree
And cut it to shape.
You wanted to be free.

To do your own thing
And go your own way;
Pushing away the King.

I called you, "Dear son.
How I've loved you so;
Ever since you were young.

When you fall I'm there
Helping you stand up,
Giving you all the care.

My child, please hear,
I want you to know
You do not need to fear."

You said, "Go away.
You don't understand.
I'm too bad and astray."

Positioning me
My body and all
Nailing me to the tree.

You heard my adieu,
"Father fogive him
For he has not a clue."

The thunder clattered
And lightning quarreled.
Not one person chattered.

Continuing sin,
You lived out your life
Flouting the Voice within.

Your mother was killed
One day on the street.
Sorrow was then instilled.

You cried out, "God why!?
All she did was good.
Why did she have to die?"

Then you remembered
That scene on the cross.
My body dismembered.

"Oh Lord," you did say
"Whose fault but mine own.
Forgive me, please, I pray.

For by transgression
My heart became hard,
Which led to aggression."

Your tears now flowing,
I embraced your hand,
"You did this not knowing.

I died on that cross
With nails in my hands
So you would have no loss.

When you misconstrue,
Fumble, or feel low,
Come and I'll bring you through.

I love each and all
And have come to save
Those who answer my call."

4. Moments with God

In happy moments, PRAISE God.

In difficult moments, SEEK God.

In quiet moments, WORSHIP God.

In painful moments, TRUST God.

We have all surely gone through difficult and painful moments, and we are told again and again to "Wait on Him. Trust Him. Seek Him and He will not flee from you." We do just that because it's hard and we want help. We need assurance that everything is going to be okay. But what about in the happy moments? Do we praise God for His goodness and blessings? Or do we get caught up in the moment and forget about God? So many times I find myself forget that God is blessing me in all aspects in my life. When things go well I sometimes neglect God because..well "I got this!". Even in our hardest times He is blessing us by preparing us for the future and refining us to be His perfect creation.

Today, I challenge you to take the quiet moments that the day provides and just talk to God. Worship His greatness. Paise his excellency. Talk to Him like you would your best friend sitting beside you. Share with Him what you need help with. If you can't seem to find a quiet moment...go outside and make time for your Creator. You give your ears and time to so many indiviudals during the day, and often to Satan, but how often to you turn your ears and lips over to God? (:

3. Influence

What a man is has more influence than what he says.



These words just shout truth. It is easier to speak 10 sermons than it is to live just one. I was at camp this past week; Camp Frenda. I did so many crazy things throughout the week such as Rockclimbing, Canoeing/Kayaking/Bodyboarding, Waterskiing/Wakeboarding, and Horseback riding. When Sabbath came around it was our day to rest. I was sitting on the beach when I noticed a girl sitting by herself on the picnic table. I approached her and asked to sit down. She nodded in consent so I asked what she was reading. 2 Timothy. We'll call her Natalie. I found out quite a bit about her. She was my age and had been attending the camp for a couple years now. She told me she was born and raised Hindu. (What? At a Seventh-day Adventist camp? Monotheism v. Polytheism?) Natalie is an only child and has a foster mom. When she first attended the camp she really enjoyed the campers and the friendly counselors, she loved the different activities she could get involved in, but most of all...she was fascinated by the worship services. They were and currently are lead out by a fellow by the name of Maxwell. At each service he would lead out in music (guitar) and singing. One particular worship service when Maxx was singing, Natalie began to cry. She felt the Holy Spirit so near and God right at her side. She then gave her life to ONE God and believed. Natalie, to this day, still looks up to Maxwell and the way he lives out his life for Christ. She has some struggles at home though. Her foster mom is an athiest so it is hard for her to have worship and to pray. She has yet to be baptized because she wants to do it at Camp Frenda when she is a counselor herself (so in a couple years). This is the pinnacle of being an influence in the way you live.

May we also keep "Natalie" in our prayers as she is continually praying for her foster mom.