Are we the Righteousness of God?

Genesis 6 thoughts

Still lingering in Genesis 6 Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord and says that he was a just man perfect in his generations, Noah walked with God.
Another version says he was blameless!! What the heck?
Let’s look at these two words.
I was astounded that God would establish His covenant with humanity, through one man Noah? Why him? How did he live his life that God established His covenant with that one man? 
“Although the Bible does not explicitly mention a covenant until Gen 6:18 (when God announces that he intends to establish a covenant with Noah), many believe that God made a covenant with Adam (cf. Hos 6:7; see NIV text note there). They refer to this covenant with Adam as “the covenant of works” or a “covenant with creation”. Others, however, while not denying that God had a relationship with Adam involving mutual obligations, distinguish this from a covenant, which involves additional formalizing elements such as a sworn and/or enacted oath.” (Tree of life reference.)
So Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Hebrew word chen (חֵן), meaning “grace.” he found favor, not like ” he’s my favorite” but more like God looked upon him and was pleased, sort of like when you teach your child something, then suddenly, you see her walking it out, such as making her bed, cleaning her room, scripture says when you listen to your mom and dad, life will go well for you, so I’m guessing, the same rule applies to us with our Father yes?
When we follow the good and safe instructions, we open ourselves up for God’s goodness to come in. 
Let’s say your son has a bad habit of wandering off into the street, eek! You tell your child no, that’s not safe, it’s my job to keep you safe, and your job to be a good listener, that’s laying groundwork for the next stage.
Finally, after having to watch him constantly and carefully, he no longer walks towards the street, and then, the parents can give him more freedom, that’s receiving goodness and favor yes? Listen, obey,.and things will go well for you.
Scripture goes on to say that Noah was BLAMELESS!! What does that mean, to be blameless? When we have this fleshy, natural(unnatural) hell bent towards doing wrong?
תָּמִים blameless. 
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: tamim
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-meem’)
Definition: complete, sound, wholesome, having integrity.(Bible Hub) 
So God established His covenant with Noah. Why? Well, in short terms, we blew it in the Garden, BUT GOD, He wasn’t caught off guard or saying “OH MYSELF WHATEVER SHALL I DO?”
He already had the cure to our sinful nature, JESUS, and all these covenants were leading somewhere.. where? JESUS.
Reading scripture through God’s eyes vs our broken condition gives whole new insight into Him, and His intentions for humanity. It’s like our eyes are veiled.
Ever remember seeing those glass square building blocks people use in their home to build a wall? I’ve seen them more in dentist offices. I think they are like 6×6. Although they are glass, you cannot really see through them, because of how they are constructed. You can see images through them, but there is no clarity, it’s like that.
If we WANT to see through, it’s gonna take another way, like going around, or going up a ladder to see what’s really happening on the other side of that wall.
So change  the mindset, try seeing things through the lense of God and His intent for mankind. He is MERCIFUL, full of COMPASSION. Slow to anger, nd ABOUNDING in love. He loves to be with us, He wants us to get to KNOW HIM. In getting to know Him, you will understand His requirements, God has requirements beloved. He’s not  flakey, “Oh I think I’ll throw some blessing on so and so today, just for craps and giggles” 
Anyway…
So God established His covenant with Noah, because of how he lived his life, he spent time with the Lord, understanding how He is, what moves His heart, what are His ways? 
He listened, and as we see in the first mention of listen, it means to OBEY!  How we gonna obey if we don’t A. Know God intimately? 
Spend time understanding Him, pay attention to how He responds, what His heart is for His creation? 
So often times I hear believers say, “use me God” or “move through me God” 
“Let Your will be done in and through me Lord” yet lack any discipline to get to know Him through, prayer, worship and reading the word.
I’ll assure you, if you have a destiny and a calling on your life, which all believers do, you ain’t gonna get there until you start at the bottom, there’s no shortcut. You HAVE TO establish a good, solid foundation, like building your house on a solid foundation, remind you of anything? Jesus said everyone who hears his words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Then he went on to say everyone who hears his words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand .
Either we develop a habit of getting to know God, spend time with Him DAILY, or we don’t.
Look through scripture, although God still moved through broken man and still does, God is looking for people who have chutzpah, integrity of heart, some grit to stand true to His instructions. We need to stop acting like children who are hell bent on wandering into the street, so God can advance the Kingdom THROUGH us. Self included. 
So I leave you with these questions: what are you hoping will happen? And what do you intend to do about it?
There’s a God part, and an us part. God made a covenant WITH us, so that means we have a part.
If you give God mediocrity you’re going to get mediocrity back.

Joy Starts Here

Do you long for more joy in your life? Do you desire to grow in your capacity to face the challenges of life with strength? This 8 week class will help you develop new tools for growing joy and capacity in your life. Come learn how to build relational joy and resilience in your home, school (work), and church community based upon neuroscience and spiritual principles!

REGISTER

When: Monday Nights
October 9— November 27
Time: 6:30pm— 8:00pm
Where: River of Hope Church
3300 University Ave SE, Minneapolis
Cost: $200 (payment plans available)

The Agape Force

Agape First has officially launched a group for parents of prodigals! We are building an army of pray warriors committed to seeing our children bow their knee to Jesus. The Agape Force is going to be a force to be reckoned with–a force of love that will help to set the captives free.

WHEN:
Tuesdays, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

WHERE:
River of Hope Church
3300 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Worthy Is the Lamb!

Worthy by Nate Oyloe

‍Last year, I recorded this song, Worthy. But for one reason or another, I never released it…it just never seemed like the right time. Until now. 

With the ungodly legislation passed by Minnesota lawmakers, the words of this song seemed especially apropos. Regardless of what is happening in culture, I will continue to make myself ready for Jesus, My Bridegroom King. And, I will give myself to helping others prepare themselves as well. Why? Because Jesus is worthy of a prepared Bride!

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

-Revelation 19:6-7

Therefore, we don’t lose heart. The Lion is coming for you and me! What a glorious day that will be!! And, Beloved, it will be worth the wait. 

I hope you enjoy the song. Listen on any major streaming service like Spotify, Youtube or Apple Music.

Worthy

by Nate Oyloe