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Look not behind thee

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On February 20, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Of the four things that the angelic visitors in the house of Lot, told Lot and his family who were with him, when they had led them by their hand, outside the wicked city of Sodom, the second was “look not behind thee”

God was going to destroy the worldly wicked city of Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin was grievous before God and Lot and his wife and two daughters were asked to leave the city and escape to the mountains. In other words, they were to sever any tied they had with the city so much so as to not even look back.  They were to give up their old habitation and have no more allegiance to the wicked world they were living in.

Points to ponder:
Those who are followers of Jesus Christ, must not look back at the wicked world we live in. Jesus’ words were very clear and explicit to illustrate this profound truth – for he said, No man, who has put his hand to the plough, if he looks back, is not fit for the kingdom of God. i.e., Anyone who has committed their lives to Jesus Christ, and who have put their hand in the service of God i.e., to the plough for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-38), must not look back. For if you do so, you are not fit for the kingdom of God. So the question is “Are you fit for the kingdom of God?”

Genesis 19:17 (KJV)
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Luke 9:62 (KJV)
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Escape (Run) for thy life

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On February 19, 2015

In Christian

Of the four things that the angelic visitors in the house of Lot, told Lot and his family who were with him, when they had led them by their hand, outside the wicked city of Sodom, the first was “Escape (run) for thy life”

Sodom was known for its sexual sins and its pride, arrogance, inhospitality and defiance against the ways of God. It is from such a place like this that God is warning Lot and counseling him to run for his life and escape the impending judgment of God.

Points to ponder:
In these words, “Escape for thy life”, there is a message for each one of us today, just as it was relevant to Lot and his family. The world we live in is similar to the wicked city of Sodom. We live in a world that boast arrogantly and in defiance to the ways of God, rife with sexual sins. The Bible counsels us to flee / run (escape) from sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6:18) for in the end it brings death (Proverbs 5:3-5) and this applies to any kind of adulterous relationship, including one with the world (James 4:4). We are in this world, but we are not of it (John 17:16) and so we ought not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but instead escape for our life, by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), as that of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Escape for thy life.

Genesis 19:17 (KJV)
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Led by the hand

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On February 18, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

The angelic visitors in the house of Lot said to Lot, “Arise, take your wife, your two daughters, who were in his place and leave, lest they also be consumed along with the wicked on whom God was going to pour his judgment upon” The Bible records that Lot did not necessary heed immediately for he lingered on. As Lot lingered, the Bible says that the men (angelic visitors) laid hold of his hand and of his wife and his two daughters and led them out of the city, declaring that the Lord be merciful unto Lot. In other words, Lot was led by the hand to safety.

Points to ponder:
Many a times, like Lot, we also linger on, instead of immediately heeding to God’s voice, but because of the great mercy of who, we do not get what we deserve and find the hand of the Lord leading us by hand, out of the dangers of sin, into safety and salvation. Jesus declared as his final saying from the Cross, “Into thy hands, I commend my spirit” as his own hands were pierced by nails to a wooden cross. Only in the hands of the Lord God is true safety and Salvation and so let us pray that the hand of the Lord leads us by taking hold of our own hands. Are you being led by the hand of the Lord?

Genesis 19:15-16 (KJV)
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Up and Out

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On February 17, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:12-14 records how the angelic visitors, who were sent to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, told Lot that if he had anyone besides himself (his sons in law, his sons, his daughters and anyone else) in the city who would need to be saved, from the impending doom, he would need to make haste and have them come to his place. Lot goes out to speak to his sons in law, and said, “Up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.” Instead of heeding to the voice of God through Lot, his sons in law mocked him and refused to listen. From this account we can learn at least two things:
1. God’s offer of salvation extends to the family of the righteous.
2. Refusing to heed to God’s warnings, (especially when it comes from those who love us), can have deadly consequences.

Points to ponder:
Before we jump into pointing our fingers on the foolish sons in law of Lot, let us recognize that God’s offer of salvation is to each one of us and sometimes we act a lot like Lot’s sons in law, refusing to heed to God’s warnings through his people. We ought to get ‘Up’ from the miry pity of sin and get ‘Out’ of the place of sin in our lives. Blessed is the man who sits not (meaning who gets Up) in the seat of the scornful, nor stands (meaning he/she gets Out from) in the way of the sinner (Psalm 1:1). Let our motto be “Up” and “Out”.

Genesis 19:12-14 (KJV)
12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.
14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

Jesus Christ – The President of all presidents

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On February 16, 2015

In President's Day

Presidents day is celebrated on the third Monday in February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America and the term “Presidents Day” was informally coined in order to remember and honor all the presidents, not just Washington.

The term President has come to refer to the head of an elected nation – someone in authority over all in that nation, but did you know that the word President has its root in the Latin word praesident which meant “sitting before“.

The Bible says that God has put all things under the feet of Jesus and has made him head (ruler, authority) over all things to the church – God’s elected holy nation (Ephesians 1:22; Romans 11:7; 1 Peter 2:9). Jesus is the head over every ruler (principality) and authority (power) (Colossians 2:10). Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame and who sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus is the President over all presidents, sitting before every ruler and authority, reigning Sovereignly over all.

Points to ponder:
While we remember and honor the various presidents of this world, let us not forget to remember and honor Jesus Christ – The President; The President of all presidents to whom all the earthly presidents bow and will bow. Is Jesus your President?

Ephesians 1:19-23 (KJV)
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Are you being blinded (like the men of Sodom)?

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On February 13, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:11 records that when the wicked men of the city of Sodom threatened and pushed hard to break the door of the house of Lot, so that they could get in and satisfy their lustful sexual desires, the angelic visitors in Lot’s house, smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. From this instance, we must learn that while the men of Sodom were smitten to be physically blind, what is of more importance is that they were already spiritually blind i.e., they were now doubly blinded.

Points to ponder:
The Bible says that the god of this world i.e., the devil, has blinded the minds of those who believe not in Jesus, lest they see the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:4). These are those who weary to find Jesus Christ – the door (John 10:7, 9). Are you being blinded – and I am not asking physically, but spiritually? If so, pray that the Lord God, opens your eyes of your heart (Ephesians 1:18; Acts 16:14) so that you are enlightened with the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Genesis 19:11 (KJV)
11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Lot offered a lot, offering his own

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On February 12, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Lot’s offer of his two daughters to the evil men of Sodom to be possibly stripped naked, shamed and killed, in exchange for the protection of the angelic (not of this world) visitors, who had come under the protection of his house, could certainly be deemed odd, baffling, and ridiculous, especially to a parent. Contextually though, Lot’s offer was an expression of his hospitality, which was regarded in high esteem, in his day and age. This may be very difficult for many to fathom and/or even accept in this day and age which is characterized by people being a lot more individualistic over being hospitable.Lot offered a lot for an offer such as this today would be be perceived as “over-the-top” and brand the offeror as a bad and possibly evil Father. Yet we see from the Scripture that Lot was declared as righteous and saved (2 Peter 2:8) from the impending wrath of being burned when the Lord rained down brimstone and fire (Genesis 19:24), consuming the iniquity of the city (Genesis 19:15).

Now if you would allow me to show you that Lot’s offer of his own is akin to what God did for each one of us. We are like the wicked and evil people of this world (the current city of Sodom) doing what we deem is good in our own eyes. Naturally by our physical birth, we are conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) which makes us foreigners (visitors) in the house (roof) of God (Ephesians 2:19). In order to protect us from the impending wrath of brimstone and fire in hell, God did not just offer but acted and gave his own – his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), who was stripped naked, shamed and crucified (killed).

Points to ponder:
God offered (Genesis 3:15) and gave his own Son, Jesus Christ, in exchange for our protection from brimstone and fire in hell (John 3:16). If you deeply think of this – it would certainly seem odd, baffling and ridiculous that the God of all creation would offer him only Son in exchange for us, mere dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). You know what that shows us. That demonstrates to us, the great extent of God’s love for us and in other words gives us proof that God offered a lot (all of himself), by offering his own (for us).

Have you believed in God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent for whosoever (any person of this world, no matter how wicked they have been) believes in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life? God offered a lot, offering his own – Are you willing to offer a lot, offering your all? (Don’t let this question go unanswered!)

Genesis 19:8 (KJV)
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

John 3:16 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 1:12 (KJV)
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Ephesians 2:19 (KJV)
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Brotherhood with the sinful does not pay off

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On February 11, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When the evil men of the city of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that he bring out the two angelic visitors, so that they could have sex with them, Lot steps out of his house and put’s himself in harms way. He then addresses the men as “brothers” pleading that they don’t do such an evil thing. He goes so far as to offer his own daughters to be violated, so that his visitors who had come under the protection of his roof be spared of such evil. But the people respond to him and state that he is a foreigner (implying he was not one of their own i.e., not a brother) and now he had come to judge them, turning judgment to bitterness and casting down righteousness (Amos 5:7), threatening to deal worse with Lot himself, as they pushed forward to break the door of Lot’s house. The angels put their hand out and pull Lot back in, out of harms way, and shut the door.

Lot putting himself in harms way is certainly commendable but the way he deemed the wicked evil men as his own brothers is not. In fact, such recognition (or acceptance) is not reciprocated as the wicked evil men deemed him to be no more than a foreigner. From this account, we can learn that brotherhood with the sinful does not pay off. Reasoning with the wicked (ungodly) is futile.

Points to ponder:
The righteous can have no fellowship with the wicked. A yoke of brotherhood between the righteous i.e., those who have believed in Jesus and accepted him (Romans 3:22) walking in the Light (John 8:12; 1 John 1:6-8) and the unrighteous i.e., those who have rejected Jesus and who continue to walk in darkness, after the flesh, is not only improbable but impossible, for what communion can the righteous have with the unrighteous or light have with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14) for darkness is dispelled at the very onset of light. Are you calling the sinful your brother? Remember there can be no such relationship, if you and I are in Christ, for if we say that we have fellowship with Jesus and yet not follow him (John 8:12) but instead walk in darkness, we lie and the Truth (John 14:6) is not in us (1 John 1:6).

Genesis 19:6-10 (KJV)
6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

Sin does not discriminate by age

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On February 10, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:4-5 states that before Lot’s family and the the angelic visitors who had come to the house of Lot retired to bed, the men of Sodom, both old and young and all the people from every quarter surrounded Lot’s house and demanded that he brings out the angelic men so that they could indulge in their carnal wickedness against God’s messengers. These verses indicate all men, irrespective of age were wicked, bringing to light a very important fact – that sin or sinfulness does not discriminate by age. From the mother’s womb to the grave, all of mankind is sinful and all need a Savior.

Points to ponder:
Let us be careful not to exclusively treat an age group (say teenagers) as being prone to a more sinful lifestyle than any other age group. The devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom (irrespective of age) he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) and so we ought to be alert and of a sober mind, no matter how old or how young we are. Be on guard … sin does not discriminate by age!

Genesis 19:4-5 (KJV)
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

(Are you and I like) The righteous Lot

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On February 9, 2015

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 19:2-3 gives us a glimpse into the character of Lot. Lot certainly saw the physical things of this world and chose it, which made him move toward Sodom (Genesis 13:10-11). He seemed to have been elevated in status as well among the ungodly, with authority to be able to sit at the gates of the city of Sodom (Genesis 19:1). Taking all this into account, one can easily deduce that Lot was a worldly man. Yet, he sought out the well being of the angelic visitors, for the people in the city he dwelt in were wicked – something that vexed his soul daily (2 Peter 2:8). In fact, you can see with the persistence of Lot, the angels change their mind to stay at his house instead of in the street. We also see here that Lot refers to himself as a ‘servant’ (Genesis 19:2) and hospitably opens his house for these angelic visitor. He even prepares a feast for them. The Apostle Peter calls Lot to be a righteous man with a righteous soul (2 Peter 2:7-8) who was vexed by what he saw (in seeing) and heard (in hearing) of the wicked’s lifestyle and unlawful deeds.

Points to ponder:
We may have made some choice in life that make us be in allegiance with the world, but if the world in which we dwell start to become wicked, it needs to vex our souls. We cannot turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the wickedness around us. The soul of the righteous vexes when it sees and hears of the unlawful deeds and wicked lifestyles of men. Just as Lot was deemed righteous, would you and I be? In other words, do the wickedness around you vex you?

Genesis 19:2-3 (KJV)
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

2 Peter 2:7-8 (KJV)
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds😉

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