Genesis 9:18-29

Thank God for a church that doesn’t skip over Scripture passages that are difficult or uncomfortable. Thank Him for the training and preparation that equip our pastors to teach us well. Many passages of Scripture are self-explanatory, but I’m confident all of us needed help to make sense of this passage of Genesis.
 
It is easy to feel sorry for the Canaanites as victims of genocide and land expropriation when reading the biblical account of the Israelites’ invasion of the Promised Land. But it’s important to realize that God used Israel to judge the Canaanites for participating in practices detestable to Him that can, perhaps, be traced all the way back to their ancestor, Noah’s son Ham. Acknowledge before the Lord that He is the only righteous judge.
 
After the Flood, human beings were seemingly given a fresh start with “righteous, blameless” Noah as patriarch. But, because he carried Adam’s sin-stained DNA, Noah proved to be a sinner also. God strongly lays out the theme of humans’ need for a Savior even in the early chapters of the Bible. In prayer, confess your membership in Adam’s club and your absolute inability to be holy and righteous on your own. With Good Friday only 18 days away, take time to thank our Savior Jesus for taking on your filthy rags and giving you his white robes of perfect righteousness instead.
 
Pastor Dave noted that the examples of Adam and his son Cain and Noah and his son Ham demonstrate how quickly man can fall into the basest sin. It is not true that sin starts small and gets worse only over a long time. Pray 1 Peter 5:8-9 for yourself and for all of us: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith …
 
Calvary Family
 
Thank God for our new youth pastor, Deryk Machado. Lift him up in prayer as he begins his ministry at Calvary later this week. Pray that he will get to know students and families quickly and establish a good rapport with them. Ask the Lord to guide him as he plans how to disciple our junior high and high school students.
 
Also lift up Calvary’s young adult group known as 1829, which is forming again under the leadership of Shannon and Julie Estell. Pray that the group will jell around challenging teaching and godly fellowship.
 
Remember to pray for our sister church in Pszczyna, Poland. Please pray for Kamilla Chylka as she provides leadership for the preschool Sunday School and for the women’s group. It has been a time of transition in these ministries, with one long-time servant stepping down and a new elder’s wife joining. Tomasz Chylka’s most recent letter will be posted in full on our website later this week.
 
Anna Sanchez requests prayer for her brother, Tom, who was recently diagnosed with cancer in a kidney and a mass in his chest. Pray for wisdom for Tom’s doctors as they formulate a treatment plan and for courage and comfort for Tom.
 
Pat Whalen requests prayer for her 100-year-old mother-in-law, Marie, who has been experiencing fainting spells and seems to be weakening. Ask the Lord to be gracious to Marie as she approaches the end of life on this earth.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea