Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 120
May 28, 2013
May 24, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 24, 2013
“Normally the daily problems we face aren’t the end of the world. Yet, even if they did bring the end, we would see Jesus face to face. Either way, we win.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
“I want you to walk with me in the garden of your heart, where I have taken up residence.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
May 23, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 23, 2013
“Search for deep treasure as you go through this day. You will find me along the way.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
May 22, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 22, 2013
“Our carefully designed plans and dreams may not come to fruition as we hope or pray.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
Joshua 1:8b NASB
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
One Good Thing Every Day: May 21, 2013
“Unless fulfillment is sought from God, your soul will not find true happiness.” from A Jane Austen Devotional
“…we can cease sacrificing who we are for the sake of another’s ego-needs or our own desire for protection from negative reaction.” from Joan C. Webb’s It’s a Wonderful Imperfect Life
“Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.
May 20, 2013
One Good Thing Every Day: May 19, 2013
“Practice the discipline of walking consciously with Me through each day.” from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
As I read this quotation from Sarah Young’s devotional, it brought to mind a profound passage of scripture easily overlooked.
After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth. (emphasis mine)
Within the genealogy from Adam to Noah in Genesis 5, the pattern “and then he died” dramatically pauses with the mention of Enoch.
He becomes a father, and his focus in life changes. He begins walking with God and continues the duration of his earthly existence. But, his epitaph reads differently. “And then he died” is replaced with “then he was no more, because God took him away.”
Poof! He simply vanished from the face of the earth.
The skeptic of the time might say he wandered off in spiritual senility, abandoned his family, and died alone. The believer notes the miraculous interruption in God’s pattern.
Enoch lived radically on the cursed land, and God spared him from death. God further blessed Methuselah, who still holds the record for longest-life-lived. Lamech, having learned through the life of his grandfather and father, prophetically acknowledged the role Noah would play in the survival of the human race. But, that is another story.
The story of Enoch reminds me of the importance of a consistent faith-walk for future generations. My faith means nothing without taking the necessary steps. I follow the road traveled by my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents. The path ends with me unless I guide my children and grandchildren using God’s Word to show them the way to go. Who knows what my great-grandchildren will accomplish with such a heritage!
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
