FOUND ALIVE

      “We could have been rich.” Stella Peterson kept mumbling to her self as she sat moping in the food court at the mall. She was not having a good day, in fact she was having a lousy day and it wasn't because her brother Harold had been kidnapped and held for ransom. “So, what's your problem?” came a familiar voice. It was Daisy Smith who happened to walk by and see Stella pouting.

      Before Stella could answer, Daisy said “By the way, is your dad around? I was hoping to stop by your house later to talk to him about Harold.” “Don't bother stopping by.” Stella said in return, “He won't be around for awhile. He went on a camping trip to the mountains.” “Huh?” Daisy responded, “But what about Harold?”

      “He took Harold with him.” Stella said, “In fact, Harold’s the reason they went.” “But I thought Harold was kidnapped?” Daisy said somewhat surprised at what she heard. “He was!” Stella snapped, “And as far as I’m concerned they should have left him kidnapped.

      “How did he get Harold back?” Daisy asked wanting to know, “I know your dad didn’t have the formula.” “He made one up?” Stella said with a sigh. “What?” Daisy exclaimed, “Your dad doesn’t know anything about Chemistry. His formula could have created a dilemma worse then, then…...” “Don't worry.” Stella interrupted, “The kidnapper's never got a chance to see it.” “Then how did he get free?” Daisy asked

      “The FBI found him first.” Stella said. “Marvelous.” Daisy said, “How did they do that?” “I guess the kidnapper's were stupid like my brother.” Stella said, “Do you remember the ransom note they sent? Well apparently the kidnapper used one of his magazines to cut up and make all the words.”

“Yeah,” Daisy said shaking her head, “I remember hearing about that.”

      “Well,” Stella continued, “When the FBI peeled off all the words and letters, they found an address label on the back side of the word 'live.'” “And that led them right to Harold was.” Daisy finished. “More or less.” Stella added, “It did lead them to the kidnapper’s place, which in turn led them to Harold, but I still don’t see what the big worry was.”

      “Stella!” Daisy gasped when she heard that, “He’s your brother.” “But if they would have just left him where he was,” Stella said, “they would have been paying us to take him back in a few weeks.” “The kidnapper said you would never have seen him alive again.” “Oh.” Stella said looking down at her feet, “No wonder Dad made up that fake formula.”

      After a long pause, Daisy started to leave but as she did Stella blurted out, “I still think they would have payed us ten million dollars to take him back. We could have been rich.”

      Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God. Hebrews 9:27 (TEV) – We all die. Thankfully Harold was found and his kidnappers didn't get a chance to kill him and so Harold's death was postponed again but you know what? We all die. I do not know of any one of us who can escape that fact. Sarah, Abraham's wife, couldn't either. But even with the story of one's death there are things that can be learned. Let us look at Sarah's.

      Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, "I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight." The Hittites answered Abraham, "Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead." Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. And he said to them, "If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place." Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, "No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead." Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, "But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there." Ephron answered Abraham, "My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead." Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites

Genesis 23:1-20 (ESV)

      Here is some thing we can learn from this story. Even though Abraham had a good reputation among the people and as a result could have had any place he wanted for free, His integrity would not let him take advantage of the situation and he willfully paid a fair price for the land he wanted. He wasn't in it for gain. Jesus said in Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? (ESV) It is not earthly things we need to seek after. Colossians 3:1-2 says If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV) In our story above Stella was only interested in what she could possibly get out of her brother's kidnapping, her mind was set on earthly things, she had no integrity.

• Proverbs 3:3-4 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (ESV)
• Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (ESV)
• Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• When something bad happens to others do you look to profit from it?
• In what ways doe your integrity show?

THE UNWANTED LETTER

     “How many of you like to get mail?” Randy Smith asked as he opened up the men's Thursday night Bible study. “I know I do, unless of course the mail is a bill asking me for money.” Upon hearing that a chuckle arose from the guys in the room. “Speaking of bills,” Randy continued, “Has anyone seen Bill? He's usually here early checking over the snacks.”

      “Randy.” Came Bill's voice. He was shacking like crazy and stuttering as he spoke, “I….I….I...” he said. Is something wrong, Bill?” Randy asked, “You're shaking worse than a ...” “I got a letter in the mail.” Bill said cutting Randy off. “A letter in the mail!” Randy exclaimed, “That's great because you can help me with...” “NO!” Bill shouted.

      “What?” Randy said taken aback, “You've helped me before.” “NO!” Bill shouted again, “You don''t understand.” “Come on Bill,” Randy said, “It won’t be that hard, and you’re among friends, you don’t need to keep stuttering and shaking. Why don't you tell us about your letter.”

      With his head bowed low, Bill started to read the letter. “Dear Bill,” he read. “Sounds like a normal opening.” Randy injected. “If you ever want to see..” Bill continued. “There’s a lot of things I would like to see.” Randy added. “Your Son again.” Bill said. “The sun is outside right ... “ Randy started to say but then stopped and asked, “Bill, how did they spell sun?”

      “S - O – N” Bill spelled out. “What?” Randy said, “What kind of letter is that?” “A ransom letter.” Bill said. “A ransom letter?” Randy said a bit confused. “They said I would never see Harold alive again if I didn’t give them the formula.” “You're sounding serious.” “John McDonald said, “Are you sure this is for real?”

      “I'm scared.” Bill said. “What did they say they wanted?” Dr. Henderson asked. “The formula.” Bill answered, “The one that created the Peterson disease.” “But you don't have that.” Tim said, “We couldn't even replicate it in the hospital lab.” “What am I going to do?” Bill asked, “I’ll never see Harold alive again.”

      “Why wasn't I informed about this.” Sergeant Halfway piped up. “Did the letter say why they wanted the formula?” “No” Bill said, “It just ended with a big Ha, Ha, Ha.” “Did the letter say who it was from?” Sergeant Halfway asked. “No.” Bill Said, “Not only that but the letter was made form words and letters from Magazines, so the FBI can’t even cross check the hand writing.”

      “FBI!?” Sergeant Halfway shouted, “How did they find out about this before I did?” “Your fellow officers have been trying to get a hold of you all day.” Bill said, “Is your radio on?” After making a quick check, “Sergeant Halfway gulped, “It is now. I better get to the station and see if I can help.” “And I think, instead of talking about letters tonight.” Randy added, “We should simply pray.”

      The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.

Genesis 21:1-3 (ESV)

       God had promised Abraham that he would one day have a son with his wife Sarah, a promise that he kept but then came the test. How much did Abraham really Love Isaac, Would he trust God to see him through, and would he see his son alive when all was done?

      After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. … And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." ...

Genesis 22:1-19 (ESV)

      There are some things we can learn from this story, there are things we can look at and ponder such as…

• We will be tested
  • Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." (ESV)
  • Psalm 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. (ESV)
• Obedience is required
  • Deuteronomy 32:46 he said to them, "Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. (ESV)
  • Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)
• Faith Will Be Needed
  • Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (ESV)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. (ESV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• In what ways have you been tested?
• In what ways do you trust the Lord to see you through times of testing?

HELP

      Knowing what their dad was up to, Harold and Stella Peterson starting roaming the streets in Pupperville looking for somebody that was normal. After several hours of trying to find some normal people they met up at the Pizzeria to see if the other had found someone. As they sat down in a booth, Papa Purple came over to take their order. “I see I finally have some normal people.” he said “What'll it be.”

      “How about something normal.” Stella said. “This town is driving me crazy.” “Tell me about.” Papa Purple said sarcastically. “This morning I heard my mom calling “Here Kitty, kitty, kitty. Here Kitty, kitty, kitty.” Stella went on to tell, “And we don't even have a cat. It turned out, she was looking for her lost lions for tonight's circus act.”

      “I didn't really mean you had to tell me about it.” Papa purple said. “But if you are, what can you tell me about the circus or was that not real?” “Not real.” Stella said. “I wish we could find some normal people.” “I'm normal.” Papa purple said, “well, sort of. I guess it depends on who you talk too.”

      “Earlier, I was over at the church building and I saw Daisy walking around sining Amazing Grace.” Harold said. “I thought she sounded normal until I tried to talk to her. I asked her if she was normal and she said she could write a song about normal and call it 'Normal People Need Him Too' by Fanny Crosby. She thought she was Fanny Crosby and when I told her she wasn't she told me I needed to get my eye sight checked.”

      “There's not a normal person in town.” Stella said. “You're normal.” Papa Purple said. “Of course I am.” Stella said, “The doctors cured me.” “Well, why don’t they do something about the rest of the people?” Papa Purple asked. “They can't” Harold answered, “They’re too busy preparing to go to the moon. The doctors all think their astronauts.”

      “What about the nurses?” Papa Purple asked next. “You DON'T want to know.” Stella said. “And my grandma thinks she's Princess Leah.” “And the preacher thinks he's Billy Graham.” Harold added, “And the fire department thinks they're all NASCAR drivers.” “What about your Dad?” Papa Purple interrupted, “Isn't he normal now?”

      “Yeah.” Harold said, “He over at the church praying for everybody.” “And we've been looking for somebody to pray with him.” Stella added. “Say, what about you?” Harold added “You could pray with us. By the way, why haven't you caught the Peterson Disease?” “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Papa Purple replied, “And why am I in this crummy pizza joint. Great Chefs like me belong in Paris.”

      “So much for pizza.” Harold sighed, “Let's get to the church building.” “I'm right behind you.” Stella replied.

      Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

Genesis 13:12-13 (ESV)

      When we first learned of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot had chosen to go live by them and we were told of their wickedness. Later we learned how Abraham went to the rescue of Sodom and Gomorrah when Lot was captured. Guess what? Troubles brewing again for Sodom, Gomorrah and Lot and it Lot is going to need to be rescued again.

      Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, … Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know." So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? ... Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

Genesis 18:16-33 (ESV)

      God makes a choice to let Abraham know what He is going to do. Abraham, of course, knows that Lot is down their and he is concerned that God would destroy him so, Abraham starts negotiating with God to keep Him from destroying the righteous and God agrees not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people could be found.

      Abraham is not the only one in the Bible to intercede, to try and help someone else. Moses did in Exodus 32:31-32 where we read So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people have sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written." (ESV) Even Jesus did many times. One time He did was in Luke 22:31-32 where He interceded for Simon (Peter) "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (ESV)

      God's word tells us we are to help other by praying for them and to help ourselves by praying for ourselves as well.

• 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him. Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. (NCV)
• Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. (NCV)
• Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God’s people. (NCV)
• Philippians 4:6-7 Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (NCV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• How have others helped you by praying for you?
• In what ways do you help other by praying for them?

CAN I REALLY BELIEVE IT

     Somethings are hard to believe and Robert Grey was having a hard time believing that January was over half gone already. Robert was also having a hard time believing what he was reading. As he sat in his rocker paging through the book he had received for Christmas he kept shouting out “No Way. That can't be true. I don't believe it.”

     “I don't think I can believe it either.” came a voice that sounded like it was ready to burst into crying.” It was Bill. “You don't even know what I'm reading?” Robert said “I'm not talking about what you are reading.” Bill said, “I'm talking about – what are you reading?” “Oh,” Robert said, “It some book I got for Christmas called 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not.' These stories are too hard too believe.”

     “So is.... So is.....” Bill started to say and then he did start crying. “This can't be good.” Robert said to himself and put down his book. “Bill, is something wrong.” After asking the question three more times, Robert finally got a broken reply. “It’s Harold and Stella and that funny virus they made.” Bill said through his crying.

     “But there better.” Robert said, “There's no reason to be crying now.” “But they're not better.” Bill said still crying. “They're back in the hospital and, and, and, and they are worse than ever.” When Robert heard that his heart sank. “Gulp, Tell me you're just telling me a story to see if I'll believe it or not?”

      “I wish I was.” Bill said, “But I'm not.” “How bad is it?” Robert asked feeling as if he might start crying too. “They don’t seem to know anything now.” Bill said. “And on top of all of that, they have been running high temps and shaking violently. They looked so bad I couldn't even stay and watch them.”

     “With tears starting to stream down his eyes, Robert finally asked, “What does the Doctor have to say?” “ He thinks that this is the end.” Bill said. “You mean they're about to die?” Robert asked with a very concerned look on his face. “No,” Bill said, “The end of the virus. The doctor thinks they will soon be better.”

     “I think that's good news.” Robert said, “But didn't they say that before.” “Yes.” Bill said, “But, I can’t see how it is possible. They look like they are dying. I just can’t believe it, even though I want too.” “We can always try.” Robert replied, “We can always try.”

     Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." - Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV) – To be a great nation meant having many descendants but there was a problem, Abram had no children so we read again. The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. - Genesis 13:14-16 (ESV) – That is a lot of offspring but again, Abram had no children and while we are not told so in these verses, Abram and his wife are getting up there in years. Could Abram believe God, could he believe the promise?

      After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. And He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for yourself, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites."

Genesis 15:1-21 (ESV)

     Why was it hard for Abram to believe? Why is it hard for us to believe? Others in the Bible found it hard to believe.

• Gideon - Then Gideon said to the LORD, “If you are pleased with me, give me proof that it is really you talking with me. Judges 6:17 (NCV)
• John the Baptist - John the Baptist was in prison, but he heard about what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to Jesus. They asked him, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?“ Matthew 11:2-3 (NCV)
• Thomas - The other followers kept telling Thomas, “We saw the Lord.“ But Thomas said, “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side.“ John 20:25 (NCV)

     Proverbs 3:5 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. (NCV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• What keeps you from believing?
• How willing are you to believe God?

TAKEN WITH THE WRONG CROWD

     It was New Years morning and kids were still zonked out around the McDonald's farm house form the New Years eve party the night before but since the animals didn't party, they were up and needed taken care of so John put on his warm clothes and headed out to the barn. “Hopefully someone will wake and come help me.” He thought to himself.

      As he sat next to one of the cows to milk her, he started singing “Old McDonald.” As he sang he started to notice the animals were joining in on cue. “I sure have some smart animals.” he said out loud. “Of course we are.” came a reply in a deep voice. As he continued singing, and animals kept sounding on cue, John suddenly stopped, “Wait a minute,” He said “Animals don't talk. Who's in here with me?”

      The next thing John knew, Harold Peterson fell out of the hay loft landing next to him. “Ouch” he said sitting up and shaking hay out of his hair. “What were you doing in the hay loft?” John asked

seeing Harold would be alright. “Oh, I was just following Tracy to see what she was up to?” “She should be up tp helping me with the chores.” John said.

      “I kind of figured that but she wasn't acting normal?” Harold said. “What do you mean?” John asked. “Well,” Harold said, “I've never known her to like to sew but all she kept talking about to night was sewing.” “Sewing?” John said “Tracy doesn't like to sew. Are you sure she was talking about sewing?”

      “Well, I'm not 100 percent sure.” Harold said, “But see kept muttering something about how she was suppose to get some flag sewn. And on top of that, I heard her tell one of the other kids that she was Betsy Ross.” “I take it you never payed attention in History class at school?” John said. “Betsy Ross was the person who sewed the first flag for the United States.” “Paying attention cost too much.” Harold said and then after a short pause added, “Oh, no. She must have the disease too.”

     “But how would she have got it?” Harold asked, “It was Mindy and Cindy who helped my sister escape from the hospital.” “To make a long story short,” John said, “After Mindy and Cindy helped Stella escape they brought her here to the farm and hid her in Tracy's fort.” “Didn't Tracy know she was sick?” Harold asked, “She should have known better.”

      “I think she did know better.” John said, “At least she claimed to know better. Tracy told me that she tried to talk them out of it.” “But she helped them anyways.” Harold added. “Bad company corrupts good morals. Or something like that. I think that's in the Bible.” “Yeah, I'm sure it is.” John said, “By the way, can you take over the milking for me? I need to go find Betsy, I mean Tracy, and get her to the hospital.”

 

      And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD. - Genesis 13:10-13 (ESV)

      Sometimes we see things we know are not right and yet we go along with them, like Tracy going along with Cindy and Mindy, Like Lot going along with Sodom.... After all, he needed to take care of his family and possessions.... Of course, there were consequences for his choice. The first of which is found in Genesis 14

      In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).... four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. After his return the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. (ESV)

      Lot was living in the city of the wicked and while Abram rescued them because of Lot, he would have nothing to do with them and their stuff – he preferred to take God's side and gives a tithe to God's high priest Melchizedek.

      One can only wonder why Lot was in Sodom. The Bible says...

• My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin, do not follow them. - Proverbs 1:10 (NCV)
• Don’t follow the ways of the wicked; don’t do what evil people do. - Proverbs 4:14 (NCV)
• But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. - 1 Timothy 6:9 (ESV)
• Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." - 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
• Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. - Romans 6:13 (ESV)

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Will you follow the crowd even if you know you shouldn't?
• Would you lead others astray?

GOING SOMEWHERE?

     It was early December and John McDonald was out in the barn doing chores or at least he was suppose to be doing them. Seeing how Christmas would soon be here, his mind kept wandering, wondering about travel plans. Three times he accidentally knocked over the milk bucket and once he sat on a pitch fork. Still he had a hard time paying attention to what he was suppose to be doing.

     “What do you think we should do?” He asked one of the cows and he heard what he thought was the cow say “I, I, I don't know.” “Huh!” John exclaimed and fell backward off his milking stool, “Cows don't talk.” Looking around the barn he quickly spotted Harold Peterson sitting on a bail of hay. “I thought you were in the hospital.” John said, “Does this mean your well. Does this mean you are yourself again?”

     “I, I, I, I’m scared.” Harold said, “I have to leave.” “You've never been scared before.” John said, Why should this time be any different.” “This time, I have to take all that I have and go.” Harold said, “I'm moving.” “I don't remember your parents saying anything about moving.” John said, “Where are you going?” “I don’t know.” Harold said, “And that's why I'm so scared.”

     Something wasn't making sense and John was starting to wonder if Harold was all right. “You're not going alone are you?” he asked. “No.” Harold said, “I’m bringing my wife with me.” “Wife!” John exclaimed as he choked on the gum he had been chewing, “Since when have you been married?”

     “Sarah and I have been married for a long time.” Harold said. “Harold,” John said, “Did you escape from the hospital? “Harold?” Harold questioned, “I'm not Harold. I'm Abraham.” “As in the father of Isaac?” John asked. “No.” Harold replied, “We don’t have any kids yet, but God has promised to make me a great nation.”

     Hearing that made John think of what he heard Martha say in church the previous week and started to put two and two together. “You must still be under the influence of that potion that exploded in your lab.” He said. “I don’t know anything about a potion or a lab.” Harold said, “I just know I’m suppose to pack everything up and leave and I’m scared.”

     “Well, I think I may know of someone who might be able to help you.” John told him “Just go to the corner of Elm and Mary street and you will find a big building there with the letters H-o-s-p-I-t-a-l on the front.” “Thank you kind sir.” Harold said, “Who should I ask for?” “Just ask for Doctor.” John said “And if you wait a few minutes I'll even take you there.” “Thank you so much for your help.” Harold said “I'll wait. I'm in no hurry to move.”

     Dr Seuss has a book titled “Marvin K Mooney Will You Please Go Now” In which Marvin K Mooney is told to go now. So, what do you do when someone tells you to go? What if it was God telling you to go? What if He promised great things? Abraham, the guy Harold thought he was is just such a man but God hadn't changed his name yet. He was still being called Abram.

      Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.

Genesis 12:1-9 (NASB)

     Leaving all you have known for a place and a promise could be scary. Here are some great promises to those who follow God's bidding.

• If God calls us, He'll be with us - Genesis 26:24 The LORD appeared to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. I will bless you and give you many descendants because of my servant Abraham.“ (NCV)
• If we run out, God will take care of us - 1 Kings 17:13 “Don’t worry,“ Elijah said to her. “Go home and cook your food as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread from the flour you have, and bring it to me. Then cook something for yourself and your son. (NCV)
• If in trouble God help is bigger - 2 Kings 6:16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us.“ (NCV)
• If weak, God will give strength - Isaiah 41:10 Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (NLT)
• If suffering, God is still there - Isaiah 43:2-3 When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! (MSG)
• Remember, You're important to God - Matthew 10:30-31 God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. (NCV)

     If you grab yourself a Bible and read the stories around these verses they will make even more sense but even with these snippets, you can see God will take care of us it we will follow Him , do as He asks and go where He wants us to.

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Where might God ask you to go?
• Would you be willing to go as Abraham did?

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM

     It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the church was packed. “I pray that all of you had a very thankful thanksgiving.” Randy said as he got ready to deliver his morning sermon. Looking over the sanctuary he was pleased to see so many visitors but he was concerned that one family appeared to be missing but then, in came Stella Peterson yelling out “WHERE DID HE GO?”

     “Why can't we have a normal service around Thanksgiving.” Randy mumbled to himself and then said, “Excuse me, Stella, but we are in the middle...” “I AM NOT Stella!” Stella said interrupting him, “I am your queen, Jezebel. Now you will tell me where Elijah went or I’ll have your head cut off.” “Oh great.” Randy mumbled, “Why are you pretending to be Jezebel?”

     “How dare you insult me.” Stella Said, “I never pretend. “Look around you, Stella.” Randy said, “This is not Israel.” Looking around Stella says “Where did they all come from and what are they doing here in my court?” “This is not your court.” Randy said, “This is a church and they are here to worship God.”

“WHAT!” Stella yelled out, “Kill them all, we will serve Baal and Baal only.” and then took off on the run. “WOW!” Randy said as he turned his attention back to the audience, “She almost seemed to believe she was Queen Jezebel. Anyways, back to this morning mess...” “Excuse me!” sad Martha Peterson interrupting him mid sentence. “Have you seen Stella?”

     “You just missed her.” Randy said, “She was in here pretending to be Queen Jezebel.” “Jezebel?” Martha said, “Which way did she go? I’ve got to catch her and get her back to the hospital.” “Hospital?” Randy said, “What's wrong?” “ Last week she tried to sabotage Harold’s lab that he had been using to make all those potions with.” Martha answered, “And something went wrong.”

     “What do you mean?” Randy asked a bit concerned. “ She mixed a strange concoction together.” Martha went on to explain, “And it exploded all over her and Harold.” “Well she seemed her normal self when she was here.” Randy said a bit confused. “I thought you said she was pretending to be Jezebel.” Martha said. “Yeah,” Randy confirmed, “But isn't pretending normal for her?”

     “Normally yes.” Martha said, But this time she’s not pretending. The explosion messed up her mind and she really thinks she is Jezebel at least for the moment.” What do you mean by that?” Randy asked. “Every so often she starts thinking she’s someone else.” Martha told him, “And she keeps wondering where everybody came form.”

     “Oh.” Randy said, “What about Harold?” “Last time I saw him he thought he was Moses and he kept asking where all the people came from too, but he’s still in the hospital.” Martha said. “well good luck catching her.” Randy said and then turning to the audience he said, “Let's all pray for Harold and Stella right now.”

     Joshua said, "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite. Joshua 3:10 (NASB)

     When reading the above verse, one question you may ask yourself is “Who are all these people?” followed by “How did they get there?” Not only here but many times in the Bible names show up and you may wonder the same things. Genesis 10 and 11 helps us to understand some of where these people came from. Several of the names mentioned in Joshua can be found in verses 15-17. Remember the Philistines and the giant Goliath that David fought? You can find their origins in these verses as well.

     Wedged into these list of names is a unique story. A story that tells us why and how these peoples, these nations spread out.

     Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth." And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:1-9 (ESV)

     People were growing in numbers and they wanted to build a tower and city toward heaven – not necessarily what they were supposed to be doing. Therefore, God mixed up their languages and as a result they quit and scattered.

    We are told in Acts 17:26 that God made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,(NASB) We may not always want to believe it but all the people on the earth are related to one man through Noah to Adam. Science has even confirmed this even though evolutionist like to spread out the time scale.

     The following link is a great article covering the origins of nations and how the grandsons of Noah spread out from the tower of Babel - http://creation.com/the-sixteen-grandsons-of-noah

      Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you able to trace your lineage back to one of these?
• Are you willing to believe we all came from one man?

HAROLD’S IN CHARGE

     It was a quiet and peaceful afternoon and Robert Grey thought he would lay back in his easy chair and do what old people do – if he could only remember. “Maybe I'll just take a nap.” He thought to himself, “Or maybe I'll go answer the door.” for someone was pounding on the door. That someone didn't wait to be let in and let herself in. It was Stella Peterson and she came in growling.

     “Is there something wrong, Stella?” Robert asked, “You're interrupting my nap.” “YES!” Stella snapped, “And it begins with a capital H.” “Oh great.” Robert sighed, “I thought Harold was going to keep his promise.” “Huh?” Stella said, “What promise?” “Your dad said he promised to never make another potion.” Robert said.

     “Oh, that promise.” Stella said “I take it he didn't keep it?” Robert asked. “Only if he wouldn't have.” Stella said “Not only is he keeping that promise but he’s been keeping all his promises.” “And that’s a problem?” Robert asked a little confused, “I thought that would be wonderful news.” “Don't you get?” Stella growled, “Mom and Dad now think they can trust him.”

     “Yeah?” Robert said. “And now they put him in charge when ever they go somewhere.” Stella continued, “And I hate it.” “Who used to be in charge?” Robert asked, “I was, Grandpa.” Stella said, “And I could do what ever I want. Now, Harold is making me follow the rules.” “Well good for him.” Robert said happily, “It sure is nice to see how much Harold has changed.”

     “GOOD?” Stella yelled out, “That’s probably the worst thing you could say. He’s driving me crazy.” “what's wrong with following the rules?” Robert asked. “Well,” Stella snorted, “Nothing if your somebody else, but I’m suppose to be above the rules.” “Since when?” Robert said in a harsh tone. “Since I said so.” Stella snapped, “After all I am the best girl in the world.”

     “Sounds to me as if YOU have a problem.” Robert said. “That’s what I said, Grandpa.” Stella responded, “And I need to get rid of it.” “Maybe yo should start by praying for God’s help.” Robert suggested, “And then you can make a plan to do something about it.” “That won't exactly work.” Stella said, “Harold and God are good friends now.”

     “Stella!” Robert said sternly, “Harold is not your problem.” “YES HE IS!!” Stella shout back, “And And I’m going to get rid of him myself. I know, I’ll rig his science lab to destroy him. Than it will look like an accident.” “Oh NO you don't” Robert said as he headed towards his granddaughter but she was to quick and ran from the house with a sinister laugh. “So much for mu nap.” Robert said, “Looks like I have a problem to try and stop.”

      But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. 

James 3:8-9 (TEV)

     How many of you have a tongue? Tongues can taste some wonderful things and somethings that are not so wonderful. Tongues can say some wonderful things but they can also say some really awful things. By our choice we use our tongues to bless and to curse. In Genesis 9 we find one man's choice brings the choice to curse and bless by another.

      The sons of Noah who went out of the boat were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These three sons of Noah were the ancestors of all the people on earth. Noah, who was a farmer, was the first man to plant a vineyard. After he drank some of the wine, he became drunk, took off his clothes, and lay naked in his tent. When Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked, he went out and told his two brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe and held it behind them on their shoulders. They walked backward into the tent and covered their father, keeping their faces turned away so as not to see him naked. When Noah sobered up and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said, "A curse on Canaan! He will be a slave to his brothers. Give praise to the LORD, the God of Shem! Canaan will be the slave of Shem. May God cause Japheth to increase! May his descendants live with the people of Shem! Canaan will be the slave of Japheth."

Genesis 9:18-27 (TEV)

     Canaan was cursed while his uncles were blessed and all because of Ham's choice a choice to honor or dishonor his father. In the puppet story Stella had a choice, one to obey of disobey her parents by obeying or disobeying her brother Harold who had been put in charge. We all need to make choices. We can see the need for choices in the Bible and see how some have chosen in the sample verses below.

• Joshua 24:15 "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD." (MSG) – We can't serve to master. If we try we become unstable
• Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, "Don't make me leave you, for I want to go wherever you go and to live wherever you live; your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God; (TLB) – Choosing to stay with God can have an impact way into the future – Ruth became part of the lineage of Jesus.
• 1 Kings 3:9 Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. For who by himself is able to carry such a heavy responsibility?" (TLB) – We all wish we could have wishes come true. Solomon was allowed to have a wish come true and he choice wisely. Would we?
• Psalm 119:173 Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will. (TLB) - Could we say the same thing?
• Luke 10:42 Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her. (NCV) – Martha had been complaining but Jesus reminder her that Mary had made the right choice. Would we?

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Do you have problems with other people doing what is right?
• What kind of choice would yo make if you were Stella or Ham?

NO MORE POTIONS

     He had been dreading this day for some time now and while he had secretly hoped it would never come, it had. With all the complaints he had been receiving, Bill Peterson knew he needed to confront his son Harold about all of these potions he had been making. “I just hope I can convince him not to make anymore potions, Robert.” Bill said as he hung up the phone.

     “WHAT!” Came a shout from behind him. “And I was making another potion just for him.” It was Harold. “Don’t tell me your making another potion.” Bill said as he looked over Harold. “Why?” Harold asked, “Is there something wrong with that?” “Harold!” Bill said, “Stop and think for a moment.” After a short pause, Harold looked at his dad and asked “What am I to think about?”

     “What all of your potions have done.” Bill said. “Okay, let me think.” Harold said and then asked “How do you think?” “Never mind, Harold.” Bill said, “Just try and remember what your potions have done so far.” “Well,” Harold said thoughtfully, “The first one didn’t do any thing. The science lab blew up before I could finish it.”

     “Right.” Bill said, “You blew up the science lab. And don’t forget how the next one gave everybody itchy freckles.” “Oh, yeah.” Harold giggled, “That was funny. I don’t think I'd ever seen so many spots.” “And your last one almost killed your grandpa.” Bill added. “I guess that wasn’t so funny.” Harold said rather somber like. “Something must have went wrong when I mixed the formula together.”

     “What did you put in that one anyways?” Bill asked. “Sorry, Dad.” Harold grinned, “A good scientist never reveals his secrets.” “You’re not a good scientist.” Bill said. “I will be after I make this next potion.” Harold piped in excitedly. “No, Harold.” Bill said, “Every potion you have made has caused problems.” “So?” Harold said as if that was not a problem.

     “Would you please stop trying to make them?” Bill said, “The whole town is complaining about them.” “I suppose I could.” Harold said with a sigh. “Promise?” Bill asked. After a long pause, Harold finally said “I Promise. No more potions.” “Good.” Bill said, “I'll let your grandpa know and everyone else.”

     “I guess the world didn’t need my newest potion anyway.” Harold said. “What was your newest potion going to be?” Bill asked. “Oh, it was just suppose to give adults the energy of a three and four year old.” Harold said. When Bill heard that he wondered if he had stopped Harold too soon. “Um, Harold,” He said, “Maybe you could finish just this one.” “Sorry!” Harold said with a smile, “I promised and a promise is a promise. Well, I better go get rid of all my stuff before somebody finds it all.”

      Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." - 2 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)

     Has everything really gone on the same since the beginning of creation? Many people, especially evolutionists, believe in uniformitarianism, the idea that what is happening now is how things have always happened and always will. They purposely forget God's word and what it says and the promise that God made there in.

     For God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. … In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth had dried out. Then God said to Noah, "Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him. Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by families from the ark. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. … I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. - Genesis 8:1-9:17 (ESV)

     As Joshua is coming to the end of his life he says “It’s almost time for me to die. You know and fully believe that the LORD has done great things for you. You know that he has not failed to keep any of his promises. Joshua 23:14 (NCV) God keeps His promises and when you look at the promises God made after the flood you can look around yourself and see that each promise has been kept

     Knowing that God has kept His promises in the past and continues to keep them today let's us know that He will keep His promises in the future for He has promised that next time the destruction of the earth will be even greater and not by water.

     Here''s Something To Ponder

• What promises has God made to you?
• How well do you do at keeping your promises to Him?

ALMOST WENT TO HEAVEN

     Randy was excited about his sermon he had prepared for this special Sunday morning. Unable to contain his excitement, he headed to the church building early and paced up and down the aisles in the sanctuary. “When will they get here? When will they get here?” He kept muttering to himself. Finally he heard a door open and the sound of footsteps.

     “ Hello” Came a voice echoing through the church building, “Is, is is izzy, izzy, SHEW Body here?” “Bless you.” Randy said as he met up with the voice. It was Robert Grey and Randy was excited to welcome to finally see someone. “I'm glad to see you back with us.” he told him. “Not as glad as I,I, am, am, ah, ahh, ahhhh, CHOW.”

     “Are you alright Robert?” Randy asked as he reached out to shake his hand, “You keep sneezing.” “Yeah.” Robert said as he grabbed Randy's hand, “The sneezing is just a left o, ooohh, ohh SHOW, SHOW, over symptom from drinking Harold’s potion.” “Why did you ever drink that potion in the first place?” Randy asked.

     “Because Harold said it would make me live forever,” Robert said, “Or at least a long, long, long la, la, la, LABLOUIE, time.” “And instead it almost killed you.” Randy said in return with a chuckle. “Don’t remind me.” Robert said with a shake of his head, “I never want to go through that again. I thought I was going to go to heaven already.”

     “So,” Randy asked, “If Harold came out with another potion would you leave it alone?” “I wouldn’t even think twice about it, it, it ,it, ka, ka, KABOOMY, BOOMY.” Robert said with another sneeze. “Sounds to me,” Randy said, “That, that was the problem the first time.” “Huh?” Robert questioned with a dumb look on his face.

     “You failed to think twice before taking that last potion.” Randy said. “That's for certain.” Robert said in agreement, “If I had, I could avoided the hospital. It was so bad I thought I was going to dah dahh dahhhh FIGULATOR, die. Did I tell you I almost went to heaven.” “Yes>” Randy said and then asked, “Can’t you sneeze with a normal achoo?”

     “Another side affect from the potion.” Robert said. “Will you get over it?” Randy asked. “Doctors don’t know.” Robert said, “And right now I’m not that worried about it. I’m just glad to be rid of all those tummy aches. I guess we all have to live with the consequences of our actions – or die form them.”

     “You can say that again.” Randy said with a smile thinking about his sermon. “This sneezing isn’t catchy is it?” “I, I, I, Beeper bopper DOO DOO, don’t know.” “Well,” Randy said backing away from Robert, “I think you better leave just in case it, it, it, is e WHIZ E WHIZ E.” “Too late.” Robert said but I'll still leave. Good bah, bahhh, baahhhhh ROOOPY, ROOPY, bye.”

     As Robert left, Randy sat back down at his desk, put his face in his hands, cried and sneezed weird sneezes.

     And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." - Genesis 1:28 (ESV) The command to multiply and fill the earth was not only given to Adam and Eve but to all men. But sin had entered the world and everything was going down hill as a result so starting in Genesis 6 God did something about it.

      When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years." … The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. … Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them." Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. … In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. … And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. Genesis 6,7 (ESV)

     Death came to the world and yet the promise of life, eternal life came as well. We find that promise in both the Old and New Testament.

• Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (ESV)
• John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (ESV)

     It is through Jesus that death is destroyed and life is given.

• 2 Timothy 1:10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, (ESV)
• John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (ESV)

     Let's add

• John 8:51Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." (ESV)
• John 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (ESV)

     Here's Something To Ponder

• Are you willing to ignore what happened tot he people in the days of Noah?
• What are you willing to do to live?

LIVING ON AND ON AND ON

     Daisy was spending an afternoon volunteering at the local hospital helping out where ever they needed her. As she made her way down one of the halls pushing an overloaded cart she literally bumped into Mrs. Gray whom she couldn't see over the cart. “HMPHF” Helen growled. “I'm sorry.” Daisy said immediately.

      “I'm okay.” Helen quickly assured Daisy, “I'm growling at Harold.” “Oh.” Daisy said and started to push the cart along the way and then whirled around “Harold!” she shouted, “Mindy didn't try and kill him did she? She was pretty angry at him last week.” “No.” Helen said, “But if I catch him I might.”

      “Not you too.” Daisy said, “Don't tell me you drank Harold’s latest potion.” “I'm not that desperate.” Helen said, “At least not yet, I have plenty of years ahead of me.” “Huh, What are you talking about?” Daisy asked. “Robert went and drank another one of Harold’s potions.” “Not another one!” Daisy exclaimed, “What’s the potion for this time?”

      “He claimed it was suppose to make a person live on and on and on so they could have more time to do things.” Helen said “And Robert drank it.” “It didn't work did it?” Daisy asked, not sure how she would know. “Just the opposite.” Helen told her, “It almost killed him. That's why I'm here. Robert is in the hospital.”

      “Where in the world did Harold come up with the idea for this potion?” Daisy asked. “I guess he got the idea from watching science fiction shows on television.” Helen said. “He learned how to make people live longer from science shows?” Daisy questioned. “Actually,” Helen corrected here, “ They were science fiction shows. No one really lives forever.”

      “Well, Harold believed what he saw and tried to repeat it.” Helen said, “And then once he copied their formula, Robert decided he wanted to avoid dying and drank it all.” “And now he's in the hospital.” Daisy said shaking her head. “What was in that potion?” “Don't know.” Helen said, “In fact Harold didn’t even know. I just wish He’d stop making them.”

      “What if everybody else would stop drinking them?” Daisy asked. “Yeah, I suppose that would work too. “ Helen said with a sigh, “I know I sure learned my lesson with all those freckles.” “Don't tell me you drank that potion too?” Daisy asked in shock. But Helen never answered instead Helen said, “ I think I heard Robert yelling for me.” and took off.

     Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—

Genesis 3:22 (ESV)

      Somewhere in the Garden of Eden was a tree that if eaten would give life, would make it so man would live forever. Interesting enough is that man was not told he couldn't eat from this tree, even though he didn't. Starting in Genesis 4:17 through 5:32 we find that men began to multiply and fill the earth and that they lived......long.

• Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years.
• Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
• Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.

      When you look at the age of people today, nobody live to be that old. Something changed. Even though these ages are not forever they are long after the flood. Interestingly enough there are legends outside of the Bible that attribute long ages to people in days gone by.

     Death is a part of life, we don't live forever, the Bible tells us...

• Sin came into the world because of what one man did, and with sin came death. This is why everyone must die—because everyone sinned. Romans 5:12 (NCV)
• Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God. Hebrews 9:27 (TEV)
• None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue those who practice it. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NLT)
• Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)
• So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (ESV)

      Too often we live as if we will live forever, we fail to number our days.

Here's Something To Ponder

• Does death cause you to fear?
• God does offer a plan for life after death, are you willing to follow it?