Another Good Un'

John 12:31
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I  will draw everyone to myself."

You may recognize the picture above as being the cross @ Rapha....
On more than one occasion, I've had men tell me that when they come back from a weekend pass, the moment they round the curve and see that cross, there is a sense of coming to a safe place. They've been out in the world. They've seen it with  new eyes...fresh vision, and they can clearly see the darkness they use to be engulfed in. That spiritual darkness that clouds the mind, stirs the flesh, and places bondage and chains upon the heart. Seeing that cross gave them a sense of coming back to a place where they first met Jesus.

Last night's Bible study @ Rapha was another doozy.
Ever since we moved the start time to 8 p.m., the number of men attending has gone up.
We had fifteen who came last night, and (Heavens to Betsy) they even brought their Bibles. How cool was that?

Topic for the evening: "LEARNING TO SIMPLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS" / Genesis 6.
Noah: only man left on earth who was referred to as being blameless and righteous.
Why? Because Noah walked with God. That meant that Noah followed God's directives and instructions in his daily life. Not because he had to...but because he wanted to. There was a relationship established with God and Noah. 

The earth had become corrupt. Humanity had rejected God to the point that there was only one left who listened to and followed God. I shared with the men that this was a picture or example of the incredible love that God has for us. If Noah could become connected to, and follow this God, then it stands to reason that such was available for everyone. But "everyone" did not desire this. They followed their sin nature and gave it what ever it wanted, rejecting God and sealing their own fate.

God gave Noah some very clear instructions on what He wanted done.
1.) Build yourself a boat....
2.) It is to be made of Cypress wood/ waterproofed inside and out.
3.) The boat is to be 450' long....75' wide.....45' high.
4.) Put three levels inside the boat...upper...middle..and lower decks.
"There...now go do it."

Nowhere do we read where Noah asked, "Why?"....Or complain that such a task was too hard. Noah simply "Nike'ed" it....He just carried out the instructions. By doing so, Noah saved himself, not to mention his entire family.

So at the end of the study, I invited the Holy Spirit to come and open our hearts. To show us where we really stand with God. Are we truly in a relationship with God? Or are we fooling ourselves by simply playing the religion game? Or maybe we've never really thought about what it means to be saved by God.
Five of those who were present were saved.
They confessed and repented...
God saved.
Beautiful.
Please pray for these five who have begun this journey with Jesus.
It was a good night.

God on you...
mbb