Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.[Genesis 8:20]
How often we call upon the Lord in our hour of need. But then when He answers our prayer, we all too often forget about Him.
When Noah and his family finally stepped onto terra firma once again, Noah did not forget about the Lord. The first thing he did was to build an altar to the Lord and offer sacrifices. It reminds me of the ten men with leprosy who came to Jesus, asking to be healed. Jesus healed them, but only one came back to say thank you. Jesus asked, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17).
We are often like those nine. We are quick to ask God for help, but what about when He answers? Do we give Him glory? Do we say, "Lord, thank You for the answer?" Or, do we thank our lucky stars or say it was good luck?
Noah remembered God. He called on the Lord and brought a sacrifice before Him. And we can do the same. One way is by reading the Bible before we go to sleep at night. And when we get up in the morning, we can make time for the Word of God.
Another way is by giving thanks to God before a meal. We call it saying grace. I think it's a really great thing to see a family bowing their heads in prayer in a restaurant. What a testimony that is.
We can also remember the Lord with faithful giving. Proverbs 3:9–10 says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
Noah made time in life for the things that matter. We should do the same.
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Today's Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 25:1 For the service, David and the army commanders selected some of the descendants of Asaf, of Heman and of Y’dutun to prophesy with lyres, lutes and cymbals. The list of those doing this work, according to the type of work performed was:
2 Of the descendants of Asaf: Zakur, Yosef, N’tanyah and Asar’elah; the sons of Asaf were with Asaf, who prophesied according to the direction of the king. 3 Of Y’dutun, the descendants of Y’dutun: G’dalyahu, Tzeri, Yesha‘yahu, Hashavyahu, Mattityahu — six, with their father Y’dutun, who, accompanied by the lyre, prophesied thanks and praise to Adonai. 4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukiyahu, Mattanyahu, ‘Uzi’el, Sh’vu’el, Yerimot, Hananyah, Hanani, Eli’atah, Gidalti, Romamti-‘ezer, Yoshb’kashah, Maloti, Hotir and Machzi’ot; 5 all these sons of Heman, the king’s seer in matters pertaining to God, were there to exalt [God]. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all with their fathers Asaf, Y’dutun and Heman to sing with cymbals, lutes and lyres in the house of Adonai, serving in the house of God under the direction of the king. 7 Their number, together with their kinsmen who had been instructed in singing to Adonai, was 288, all well trained. 8 Whether great or small, teacher or talmid, they cast lots for their term of duty.
9 The first lot for Asaf fell to Yosef,
the second to G’dalyah; he, his brothers and his sons numbered twelve;
10 the third to Zakur, his sons and brothers, twelve;
11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and brothers, twelve;
12 the fifth to N’tanyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;
13 the sixth to Bukiyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;
14 the seventh to Y’sar’elah, his sons and brothers, twelve;
15 the eighth to Yesha‘yahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;
16 the ninth to Mattanyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;
17 the tenth to Shim‘i, his sons and brothers, twelve;
18 the eleventh to ‘Azar’el, his sons and brothers, twelve;
19 the twelfth to Hashavyah, his sons and brothers, twelve;
20 the thirteenth to Shuva’el, his sons and brothers, twelve;
21 the fourteenth to Mattityahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;
22 the fifteenth to Yeremot, his sons and brothers, twelve;
23 the sixteenth to Hananyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;
24 the seventeenth to Yoshb’kashah, his sons and brothers, twelve;
25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and brothers, twelve;
26 the nineteenth to Maloti, his sons and brothers, twelve;
27 the twentieth to Eli’atah, his sons and brothers, twelve;
28 the twenty-first to Hotir, his sons and brothers, twelve;
29 the twenty-second to Gidalti, his sons and brothers, twelve;
30 the twenty-third to Machzi’ot, his sons and brothers, twelve; and
31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-‘ezer, his sons and brothers, twelve.
26:1 The divisions of the gatekeepers:
Of the Korchim: Meshelemyahu the son of Kore, of the descendants of Asaf. 2 Meshelemyahu had sons: Z’kharyahu the firstborn, Y’dia‘el the second, Z’vadyahu the third, Yatni’el the fourth, 3 ‘Eilam the fifth, Y’hochanan the sixth and Ely’ho‘einai the seventh.
4 ‘Oved-Edom had sons: Sh’ma‘yah the firstborn, Y’hozavad the second son,
Yo’ach the third, Sakhar the fourth, N’tan’el the fifth, 5 ‘Ammi’el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, and Pe‘ultai the eighth; for God blessed him. 6 To his son Sh’ma‘yah were born sons who ruled over their father’s clan, because they were strong, brave men. 7 The sons of Sh’ma‘yah: ‘Otni, Refa’el and his brothers ‘Oved and Elzavad, valiant men; also Elihu and S’makhyahu. 8 These were all from the sons of ‘Oved-Edom, they and their sons and brothers, men of ability and strength for service, sixty-two from ‘Oved-Edom.
9 Meshelemyahu had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen. 10 Hosah, from the descendants of M’rari, had sons: Shimri the chief, for although he was not the firstborn, nevertheless his father made him the chief; 11 Hilkiyahu the second, T’valyahu the third and Z’kharyahu the fourth; all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.
12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their chief men, had duties, just as their kinsmen did, serving in the house of Adonai. 13 Great or small, they cast lots according to their clans for every gate. 14 The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemyahu. Then they cast lots for his son Z’kharyahu, a sensible adviser, and he was allotted the north gate. 15 ‘Oved-Edom was allotted the south gate and his sons the storehouse. 16 Shupim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallekhet Gate at the highway that goes up, with corresponding guards. 17 For the east there were six L’vi’im, for the north four a day, for the south four a day, for the Storehouse two and two, 18 while for the courtyard to the west there were four at the highway and two at the courtyard itself. 19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, consisting of descendants of the Korchim and descendants of M’rari.
20 Of the L’vi’im, Achiyah was responsible for the stores in the house of God and the stores of holy articles. 21 The sons of La‘dan, the descendants of the Gershuni belonging to La‘dan, the heads of clans belonging to La‘dan the Gershuni: Yechi’eli; 22 and the sons of Yechi’eli: Zetam and Yo’el his brother, over the stores in the house of Adonai. 23 Of the ‘Amrami, of the Yitz’hari, of the Hevroni, of the ‘Uzi’eli, 24 Sh’vu’el the descendant of Gershom, the son of Moshe, was in charge of the stores.
25 His kinsmen: from Eli‘ezer: Rechavyahu his son, Yesha‘yahu his son, Yoram his son, Zikhri his son and Shlomit his son. 26 This Shlomit and his kinsmen were in charge of all the stores of the dedicated things that David the king, the clan heads, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated. 27 From the spoil won in wars they had dedicated these things to repair the house of Adonai. 28 Also included was all that Sh’mu’el the seer, Sha’ul the son of Kish, Avner the son of Ner and Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah had dedicated. In short, if anyone had dedicated anything, Shlomit and his brothers were in charge of it.
29 Of the Yitz’hari: K’nanyahu and his sons were assigned to be over Isra’el in regard to outside business as officers and judges. 30 Of the Hevroni: Hashavyah and his kinsmen, 1,700 valiant men, had the oversight of Isra’el west of the Yarden in regard to all the business of Adonai and the service of the king. 31 Yeriyah was chief of the Hevroni according to their generations by clans. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the Hevroni were sought out, and there were found among them strong, brave men at Ya‘zer in Gil‘ad. 32 King David appointed 2,700 of his kinsmen, valiant men and clan leaders, as overseers over the Re’uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of the M’nashi for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.
27:1 The people of Isra’el, registered according to their clan leaders, were drafted for army duty under captains of thousands and of hundreds, and officers serving the king, in divisions of 24,000 each, for month-long terms of duty covering all the months of the year.
2 Over the first division, for the first month, was Yashov‘am the son of Zavdi’el; there were 24,000 in his division. 3 He was from the descendants of Peretz and was in charge of all the army captains during the first month.
4 Over the division for the second month was Dodai the Achochi; Miklot was the chief officer of his division; there were 24,000 in his division.
5 The third army commander, for the third month, was B’nayah the son of Y’hoyada the chief cohen; there were 24,000 in his division. 6 This is the same B’nayah who was one of the thirty heroes and was over the thirty; his son ‘Ammizavad was in his division.
7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was ‘Asah’el the brother of Yo’av, with Z’vadyah his son after him; there were 24,000 in his division.
8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhut from Yizrach; there were 24,000 in his division.
9 The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was ‘Ira the son of ‘Ikesh from T’koa; there were 24,000 in his division.
10 The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Heletz the P’loni, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.
11 The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibkhai the Hushati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.
12 The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Avi‘ezer from ‘Anatot, from the Ben-Y’mini; there were 24,000 in his division.
13 The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Mahrai, the N’tofati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.
14 The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was B’nayah from Pir‘aton, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.
15 The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the N’tofati, from ‘Otni’el; there were 24,000 in his division.
16 Over the the tribes of Isra’el:
leader of the Re’uveni: Eli‘ezer the son of Zikhri;
of the Shim‘oni: Sh’fatyah the son of Ma‘akhah;
17 of Levi: Hashavyah the son of K’mu’el;
of Aharon: Tzadok;
18 of Y’hudah: Elihu, one of David’s brothers;
of Yissakhar: ‘Omri the son of Mikha’el;
19 of Z’vulun: Yishma‘yahu the son of ‘Ovadyah;
of Naftali: Yerimot the son of ‘Azri’el;
20 of the descendants of Efrayim: Hoshea the son of ‘Azazyahu;
of the half-tribe of M’nasheh: Yo’el the son of P’dayah;
21 of the half-tribe of M’nasheh in Gil‘ad: Yiddo the son of Z’kharyahu;
of Binyamin: Ya‘asi’el the son of Avner;
22 of Dan: ‘Azar’el the son of Yerocham.
These were the commanders of the tribes of Isra’el.
23 But David did not include in the registration those twenty years old or less, because Adonai had said he would increase Isra’el’s numbers like the stars in the sky. 24 Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah began a census of these, but he did not finish, and wrath came upon Isra’el because of this; moreover the number was not entered into the Annals of King David.
25 In charge of the king’s supplies was ‘Azmavet the son of ‘Adi’el. In charge of the supplies in the countryside, the cities, the villages and the fortresses was Y’honatan the son of ‘Uziyahu. 26 In charge of farmers working the land was ‘Ezri the son of K’luv. 27 In charge of the vineyards was Shim‘i the Ramati, while Zavdi the Shifmi was responsible for the produce from the vineyards for the wine-cellars. 28 In charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the Sh’felah was Ba‘al-Hanan from G’derah, while Yo’ash was put over the storehouses for olive oil. 29 In charge of the herds of livestock feeding in the Sharon was Shirtai from the Sharon, while Shafat the son of Adlai was put over herds in the valleys. 30 Ovil the Yishma‘eli was put over the camels, Yechd’yahu the Meronoti over the donkeys 31 and Yaziz the Hagri over the flocks [of sheep and goats]. All of these were responsible for King David’s property.
32 Y’honatan David’s uncle was an adviser, a man of understanding and a secretary. Yechi’el the son of Hachmoni took care of the king’s sons. 33 Achitofel was an adviser to the king. Hushai the Archi was the king’s confidant; 34 and after Achitofel were Y’hoyada the son of B’nayah and Evyatar. Yo’av was commander of the king’s army.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Therefore, brothers, just as you learned from us how you had to live in order to please God, and just as you are living this way now, we ask you — indeed, united with the Lord Yeshua, we urge you — to keep doing so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Yeshua. 3 What God wants is that you be holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4 that each of you know how to manage his sexual impulses in a holy and honorable manner, 5 without giving in to lustful desires, like the pagans who don’t know God. 6 No one should wrong his brother in this matter or take advantage of him, because the Lord punishes all who do such things — as we have explained to you before at length. 7 For God did not call us to live an unclean life but a holy one. 8 Therefore, whoever rejects this teaching is rejecting not a man but God, indeed, the One who gives you the Ruach HaKodesh, which is his.
9 Concerning love for the brothers we do not need to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other; 10 and you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do it even more.
11 Also, make it your ambition to live quietly, to mind your own business and to earn your living by your own efforts — just as we told you. 12 Then your daily life will gain the respect of outsiders, and you will not be dependent on anyone.
13 Now, brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who have died; otherwise, you might become sad the way other people 14 do who have nothing to hope for. For since we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, we also believe that in the same way God, through Yeshua, will take with him those who have died. 15 When we say this, we base it on the Lord’s own word: we who remain alive when the Lord comes will certainly not take precedence over those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise; 17 then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
Harvest Ministries with Greg LaurieP.O. Box 4000
Riverside, California 92514-4000 United States
Phone: 1-800-821-3300
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