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“God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil — evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6, The Message)

God had made humans in His own image and after His likeness. The potential for immense good was resident within every creature, and it broke God’s heart to see divine inspiration squandered, and human potential corrupted. Yet, it was this apparent disregard of goodness, justice, and mercy by the very people that God had created, that He regretted having created us. Moreover, God was about to hit the “reset” button on the world that He had called “good” at the dawn of Creation.

Yet, even in the midnight of divine reckoning, God does not extinguish the flickering hope of reconciliation. In the case of today’s scripture, God’s immutable righteousness required the “reset”; as His unfathomable mercy allowed a “restart” through the faithful obedience of Noah and his family members.

God continues to seek us — even in our rebellion. God continues to loves us — even with a broken heart. How can we resist such love? – Luther

Tagged God's mercy, the book of Genesis

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“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1, NIV)

This recollection of God’s first encounter with Abram (later called Abraham, the father of the faithful) reminds us that we must first go in obedience to God before God will show us the promise.

Most of us prefer it the other way round, as if to say to God: “Show me and I will go”; while God is saying to us, “Go and I will show you.”

It may be a strange thing to our family, friends, and neighbors to see us commit to something without being able to describe the end-state or the desired outcomes; but obedience ahead of evidence is how God dealt with Abram — and it is how God deals with us.

Whenever God’s spirit moves you to move — move! God will be with you every step of the way and, in time, you will see the promise. – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break Sunday (tomorrow). Have a great day in worship and rest. Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

Tagged obedience, revelation, the book of Genesis

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Labor Day

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:1-3, NIV)

The first U. S. Labor Day holiday was observed in 1882. The first “Labor Day” holy day ever was at the Creation!

The U. S. Labor Day was the idea of the American labor movement, and was “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.” God’s “labor day,” (a. k. a. “the Sabbath”) is His idea, and is a day of physical rest from one’s work; and a time of reflection on God’s blessings.

The U. S. Labor Day holiday comes ’round once a year. God’s holy day comes up each week. Each is an opportunity to rest, to reflect, and to be refreshed. Each is a gift. Don’t leave either unopened! – Luther

Tagged Labor Day, the book of Genesis