Contend @promiseseeker

In #promise3 God tells us that his Spirit won't "contend" / "strive with" humans forever (Genesis 6:3). After a bit of mulling around on this I guess what it boils down to is that the divine gift of life cannot exist except for the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Some translations say "My Spirit won't "remain" with mankind / humankind / human beings "forever because they are mortal / corrupt". For God to be present in the mortal, in the flesh, in our world, this can only happen if our humanity doesn't get in the way.

I think this promise points towards what a gift even 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day of life is let alone 120 years. 

How grateful we can be that God made a way for us to dwell with him and he in us, that life may go on, and that he gives us as long as he does.

#eachbreathisagift #genesis #humanity #mortality 

#bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews 

Rain @promiseseeker

So usually rain / water in the Bible is a good thing. Not here.

 #promise4 has Genesis 6:7,13,17 and 7:4 where God says he will send rain to "put an end to all people."

Clearly not ALL people otherwise we wouldn't be here (#promise5 will tell us more about that). 

My takeaway from this today is that despite using water for destruction, it actually gives life. And although the state of the world grieved God, it was still possible to "find favour" (Genesis 6:8) in God's eyes. This gives me hope that in spite of the state of the world today we too can still find favour with God.

#genesis #rain #favour #hope #water #bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews 

Enter @promiseseeker

"But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark..." Genesis 6:18

#promise5 You will ENTER...

In the face of certain destruction, God says to Noah "You will enter...". You will enter safety, you will enter protection, you will enter peace, you will enter community (with his wife and children), you will enter hope, you will enter rescue, you will enter freedom, you will enter redemption, you will enter... And you will survive. By His grace, by His mercy, you will enter.

What is God saying you can enter today?

#enter #enterin #salvation #freedom #hope #security #future #bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews 

Never again @promiseseeker

"Never again..." Genesis 8:21 x2

"Never again..." Genesis 9:11 x2

"Never again..." Genesis 9:15 x1

#promise6 appears five times in quick succession as God says never again will he destroy all life. God promises an everlasting covenant with a rainbow to serve as a reminder. 

No matter how messy life may get. No matter how far we might have strayed. No matter how many times we deny him. No matter how frequently we reject him...

Never again will we get what we deserve. Instead we'll receive grace, mercy, love and welcome.

#neveragain #hope #genesis #everlastingcovenant 

#bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews 

Blessed to be a blessing @promiseseeker

Blessed to be a blessing.

““I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.””

Genesis 12:2-3 NIV

One of my favourite worship songs growing up was Abundant Life Church's (now @lifechurchhome) "Blessed to be a blessing". I love how God's promises aren't just to big us up individually but to spread and share His love, grace, blessing. Our generosity with what God blesses us with can be someone else's blessing. 

But we don't have to give out of our own resources. We give and we bless from what we have received.

#blessedtobeablessing #whathoesaroundcomesaround #genesis #blessed #blessing #promise7 #inittogether #sharingiscaring 

#bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews 

Great name @promiseseeker

No one wants to be forgotten, ignored, overlooked or left behind. We all want to be known, to be significant, to be recognised. Hidden in the middle of #promise7 is #promise8 - "I will make your name great."

What does it mean to have a 'great name'?

In leaving his country behind, Abram would have lost his name, his significance, his power. But God is saying 'don't worry about that. I've got you. Trust me, follow me, and I will make your name great. Don't worry about what you're leaving behind, I will give you an even greater name.'

In the previous chapter we see mankind trying to make their own name great - not cool - but here God says it's his job to make names great. When God makes our name great it will give him glory. (I like Mike Riccardi's blog on this http://mriccardi.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/i-will-make-your-name-great.html?m=1)

So don't stress about trying to make a name for yourself, trying to raise yourself up or climb the ladder. Faithfully trust and follow God and He will make your name great for His glory.

#greatname #godsincharge #significant #genesis #abram #trustgod 

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#bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews #instapray 

Great nation @promiseseeker

Still camping out in Genesis 12:2. Here God promises to make Abram into "a great nation". 

When God took Abram from his own people, he promised to make him head of another people.

I love how all these promises are in response to God's call to Abram. Because God doesn't call us away from stuff without promising in return. The promise for us might not be to turn us "into a great nation" but it will be what we need and more. 

In leaving his country, his home, his people, his inheritance, his future (as the world saw it) behind, Abram stepped into God's promises and blessings which took him beyond what he could have imagined or expected. God doesn't ask us to sacrifice for no reason. I fully believe he asks us to sacrifice because what he gives in return is always better.

How do we access God's promises? Faithfully respond to his call with obedience... The rest will fall into place.

#promise9 #genesis #call #obedience #greatnation #faithfulgod

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#bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #biblescripture #biblepromises #promise #promiseseeker #godspromise #godspeaks #godneverlies #promises #truth #scripture #bibletime #shereadstruth #biblereading #godsword #goodnews