Abram’s Early Years

Genesis 12-13

There was in the land of Haran a man God chose to bless.
He called Abram to up and leave to a place he could only guess.
Abram took Sarai and went to Bethel. There he pitched his tent,
But a famine in Canaan caused him to think to Egypt he was sent.

As he and Sarai drew near to Egypt, we see his failure of faith.
Abram feared that he would be killed for Sarai’s beauty and grace.
He decided right then to call her his sister, a truly foolish sin,
For Pharaoh, thinking she was free, desired to take her for him.

And so one day some men showed up with a great herd of sheep;
“Pharaoh sent these herds for you, and Sarai is his to keep.”
Sarai was taken to Pharaoh’s harem, but before there was time to marry
God sent plagues disturbing Pharaoh and suddenly he became wary.

“Why did you lie and call her your sister,” said Pharaoh so displeased.
“Take your wife and all your possessions. I want you now to leave.”
So Abram left and went back to Bethel. His shame could not be ignored.
When he arrived he built an altar and called on the name of the Lord.

While there at Bethel Abram prospered as did his nephew Lot.
Their two herds took all the land. There wasn’t an empty spot.
Abram proposed they separate: the mountains or plains toward Sodom.
Lot selfish choice of the plains was bad, for it very nearly got him.

So Abram settled in the hills of Canaan and Lot on Sodom’s rich plains.
Soon we’ll see a big problem for Lot, for the men of Sodom were strange.
But Abram in the hills of Canaan a wonderful blessing received.
His was the land in every direction if he obeyed and believed.

How often we too are just like Abram with times of joy and tears.
Sometimes we obey and others we fail because of our sin and fears.
But God, who is gracious, calls us to Bethel and there we kneel to pray.
He reminds us then how much we are loved each and every day.

So if you have drifted down to Egypt and walked on sin’s false road;
If your mind is burdened with guilt and your heart is about to explode;
Turn to Bethel, fall on your knees; call on the Lord above.
Confess your sin, restore your heart, and bask in your Savior’s love.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel

                                                      Genesis 10-11

The sons of Noah and their descendents are named in Genesis ten.

It chronicles how so many were born as man’s new start began.

The lifespan then was hundreds of years, so quickly their numbers grew.

God had commanded for them to be fruitful so society could renew.

Though God had told them to fill the earth, His Word was sadly rejected.

Deciding His plan had little worth they failed to obey as expected.

Instead of spreading across the land creating the various nations,

They decided proudly to build a large city to serve as their central station.

God came down, observed their city, and knowing their devious heart,

Disbanded this human “one-world” committee making them live apart.

Suddenly when they spoke to each other, the other could not understand.

Unable to communicate, they had to abandon their plan.

With their failure to converse, their vain ambition fell short.

They grouped together around their speech for fellowship and support.

In this way the people spread to form an important foundation

For division of power and boundaries inherent in separate nations.

There is a message in this account that those who are wise will heed:

When power is placed in a single hand, there is danger indeed.

Many today, like the Babel group, endorse a one-world plan.

But if you suppose you can out-think God, you’re really a silly man.

The Tower of Babel will always be a symbol of man’s pride.

Ignoring God’s Word human wisdom becomes his pathway guide.

I have learned that following my path often leads to destruction.

The greatest insight comes, dear friend, by seeking God’s instruction.

                                             © Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Noah and the Flood

Genesis 6-9

By the time Noah was born, the sin condition was bad.
There was wickedness all around making God’s heart sad.
Jehovah regretted making man and placing him on the earth,
For evil flourished in every clan, grew stronger with each new birth.

God decided to cleanse the world of man and his sin disposition, but
Noah and family would be spared because of their spiritual condition.
God summoned Noah, spoke to his heart; gave him a strong commission
Telling him how to build an ark for a very specific mission.

“Build it 450 feet long and its width shall be 75 feet.
If you make it 45 high, the blueprints you shall meet.
Prepare it inside with three strong decks, store up plenty of food,
Make sure you build some living space for your loved ones too.”

Noah listened and obeyed his God. He did what had been commanded.
As he built he preached to man with warnings severe and candid.
Shortly after the boat was built, God sent animals two by two.
Noah moved his family in aware man’s time was through.

As Noah’s family walked the ramp, many laughed at them,
And just before the lightning flashed, the Lord God shut them in.
Right then upon the seventh day, the rain began to fall,
The fountains of the deep broke forth til water covered all.

For forty days and through the nights, the rains continually fell.
There was safety inside the ark but outside was living hell.
All flesh died that lived on earth, every animal and creeping thing.
Even the mountains were submerged, couldn’t see a living thing.

For forty days and forty nights rain fell upon the boat.
They spent one hundred fifty more while in the ark afloat.
Finally that day arrived when all could leave the ark.
Man and animals came outside to give the world a new start.

God blessed Noah and his sons, gave them laws to guide.
He promised that water never again would be a killing tide.
Whenever it rains, we need not fear. This is how we know:
God reminds us we are safe every time we see a rainbow.

Centuries later God helped again, sent us another ark.
Jesus became the ark of salvation, if only we take part.
Are you in the ark of safety? Have you trusted Jesus alone?
This is how to be forgiven and assured of a heavenly home.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Cain’s Wasted Life

Genesis 4

Adam and Eve left the Garden never to live there again.
For hundreds of years they would remember how things once had been.
The entrance to the beautiful garden by an angel was sealed.
Adam now lived a much harder life toiling in the field.

God was faithful, forgiving their sin; all was not forlorn.
They pressed on following Him and soon two sons were born.
Both of them chose a vocation, learning to do their part,
But when it came to respecting God, Cain had a stubborn heart.

Adam taught both his boys about the worship God planned,
And how it required a sacrifice that foreshadowed salvation’s plan.
Abel respectfully brought a lamb showing he was devout.
Cain showed little respect for God’s plan not caring what it was about.

God accepted Abel’s gift, but Cain’s was quickly rejected.
God warned Cain of sin’s intent and said he should not accept it.
But Cain allowed his anger to boil, with evil he was filled;
In senseless rage he attacked. That’s how Abel was killed.

Later when God confronted Cain, he responded with a pout.
God said to him, “Why do you lie? Your brother’s blood cries out!
You can no longer till this soil. Plenty is changed to dearth.
You shall become a vagabond wandering across this earth.”

The Lord God put a seal on Cain so he would not be killed.
His was a life lived in vain, miserable and unfulfilled.
Instead of showing honor to God, he chose to fight and yell.
His choices led to murderous sin and the road that leads to hell.

What is learned from this passage today? What should be our reaction?
Don’t let anger lead you astray; be godly in all your actions.
The spirit of Cain is the sin of rebellion, a type of sin’s strong leaven,
But if you surrender your all to Christ, you’ll live with Him in heaven.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Entrance of Sin into the World

Genesis 3

Adam and Eve lived in the Garden where all was peaceful and bright.
All of creation reflected God’s splendor. What a beautiful sight!
In the Garden were two special trees. The first was the Tree of Life.
It gave glorious health and strength to the first man and wife.

The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was also there to see.
God’s will for them was to leave it alone and therefore they agreed.
Many fruits were available to eat, a bountiful sight to see.
They simply had to make their choice from resplendent variety.

Now the serpent was a cunning foe, who desired God’s creation.
He, who failed to usurp the Creator, was filled with rage and frustration.
He wanted this Garden for his own; looked around with jealous eyes.
His strategy was to serenely imply disobedience would be wise.

He came to Eve with voice so smooth, suggested forbidden fruit.
Evil lurked to devour Eve and deception was its root.
He said to Eve, “Go ahead and try it. I promise you will not die.
God doesn’t want you to be like Him. What He told you is a lie.”

Eve examined the fruit so appealing; decided to partake.
She took the fruit to Adam exclaiming, “Look what I just ate!
It’s delicious. You should try it. I think you’ll enjoy the taste.”
So Adam also ate the fruit and sealed mankind’s fate.

Instantly both of them knew it was wrong. Everything had changed.
Realizing they were naked, they suddenly felt ashamed.
Later when God came into the Garden at the close of day,
They were embarrassed because of their sin and tried to run away.

All of us know the story’s end, the result of sin’s dark stain.
Eve would give birth amidst great pain and Adam would toil in vain.
This is the offspring of sin’s grand deed and how it destroys each life.
Sin steals all God planned for you, breeds discontent and strife.

Hidden in God’s word to the serpent was hope for man’s sorry state.
From Eve’s seed there would come a Savior, his sin problem to abate.
This first reference to our Lord and to His salvation plan
Is the beginning of hope restored for fallen, sinful man.

What about you? Are you saved? Have you given your life to Christ?
His death on the cross was for redemption. He fully paid the price.
If you place your faith in Him as Savior, Lord, and friend,
He will give you peace on earth; heaven will be your end.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Account of Creation

Genesis 1 and 2

In the beginning our awesome God created the heavens and earth.
No animal life had yet been made, nothing had given birth.
First God said, “Let there be light” and the darkness flew away.
The darkness God defined as night and the light He defined as day.

Then He created the heavenly expanse giving it shape and form
Commanding the waters to leave the land making that the norm.
So on the first day God made light; on the second He formed land.
He was pleased with what He’d done by the Word of His command.

On the third day through His word vegetation covered the earth.
There appeared grass and trees and herbs with seeds ensuring new birth.
On the fourth day God created the sun, the stars, and the moon.
When the moon was in the sky, day would be coming soon.

On the fifth day the seas were filled with an abundance of living creatures.
Even today we’re still amazed at their various forms and features.
On dry ground He created the birds that fly throughout the sky
Telling them to find their mate, be fruitful and multiply.

On the sixth day animals were formed all across the land.
They must have watched as God took dirt; fashioned it into man.
Man ruled over all creation even though created from sod;
He was destined for special relation; made in the image of God.

All this took place in the first six days. The angels were impressed.
Thus God formed a pattern to stay: the seventh day is for rest.
This truth has stood through the years giving man health and peace,
For as we worship the Lord we revere, worry and stress are released.

One final Gift God gave to man: He brought to Adam his Eve.
This helpmate presented to him was beautiful beyond belief.
Did you notice that Eve was made from a rib in Adam’s side?
Jesus suffered a wound as well that we may become His bride.

What a plan! What a purpose! What a glorious deed!
First God created and then He died in order to meet our need.
Surely He is worthy of all the praise we can give.
Let us therefore proclaim it by the manner in which we live.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Origin of Man

Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created,” a truth man placed on trial.
Considering the Bible to be outdated, he lives in confusing denial.
The scholars with all their silly schemes have left him so befuddled,
He now believes his origin began in a primeval puddle.

Once an amoeba, then a frog, we made it to monkey status--
Must not have been many leopards around, for certainly they would’ve had us.
From monkey status we evolved in various forms and stages.
The theory of evolution asserts it took a billion ages.

Many there are who believe this lie, which came by the devil’s hand.
He wants you to reject your God and ignore the Savior’s plan.
Since all truth begins with God and all of creation is His,
One must place their trust in Him believing that He is.

Reasons to believe are many, but let me share just two, for
He’s given compelling evidence to show His Word is true.
The first thought I want to cite is the argument from design.
Consider how the earth revolves around the sun on time.

If we circled the sun today just one degree too close,
This planet where we live and play would look like burned up toast.
But if the orbit was farther out even by one degree,
This frozen planet would be devoid of animal, plant or tree.
.
Another reason to believe is the uniqueness of the Bible,
For God recorded prophecies proven to be reliable.
As time passed they were fulfilled, not one but several hundred;
A record so astonishing it ought to make you wonder.

Where else do you find such evidence? Not in the writings of Homer,
Nor in the words of Nostradamus—some of his were boners.
Only in scripture can you find predictions that pass the test
Proving that His words of truth rise above the rest.

Consider carefully as you ponder the curious origin of man,
For it’s clear for all to see God carried out His plan.
He’s Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer Supreme,
Forgiver, Restorer, Care-giver extreme.

This loving God who created you in your mother’s womb
Has an eternal purpose beyond the grave or tomb.
He calls you now to walk with Him trusting in His care;
To live on earth sold out for Him and forever over there.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved