Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

 

(The oldest tree in the world is a Great Basin bristle cone pine (Pinus longaeva) in the white mountains of California in Inyo National Forest. This gnarled old tree has been named Methuzelah and is estimated to be about 4,845 years old, which dates back to roughly the same time period as Noah’s ark. The exact location of the tree is kept a secret to protect the tree from the public though it looks similar to the pictures shown here.)

Moments fly like snow drifts in the wind…

Vibrant, glistening, fresh and new

Then melted to begin again…

The eyes blink

A generation extinct

Yet stays in memories then fade…

Cycling, God, made!

–Marla Shaw O’Neill, December 8, 2015

Adam, the first man, lived to be 930 years old (Genesis 5:5). Seth was 912. Five generations later, God took Enoch when he was 365 (Genesis 5:24). Enoch’s son, Methuselah, died at 969 (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah’s grandson Noah, ten generations after Adam, lived to be 950 (Genesis 9:29).

All of these men were born and lived many years. But after the Flood, life spans dropped. Why? That’s a good question. Noah’s son Shem lived to be 600 (Genesis 11:10-11). The next three generations died in their 400s (Genesis 11:12-19). But six generations later, Abraham lived to be 175. So, Adam was 930; ten generations later, Noah was 950; ten generations later, Abraham was 175 (Genesis 25:7). One can only imagine…maybe it was because their physical bodies were still close enough to the Garden’s influence and God’s provision of food and water that death was slower coming. No one really knows. It would be an interesting study.

But like that old serpent who whispered in Eve’s ear, “Surely you won’t die.” He caused just enough doubt in Eve that she forgot about her loyalty to God. And taking a bite, die she did. Physically and spiritually…only through the blood of Jesus can we be restored to eternal life. Will you listen to that old serpent whisper in your, ear? Or will you choose to listen to God? I choose Jesus, he is the way the truth and the life!

(Worldwide, the average life expectancy at birth was 71.0 years (68 years and 6 months for males and 73 years and 6 months for females) over the period 2010–2013 according to United Nations World Population Prospects 2012 Revision,^[3] or 70.7 years (68.2 years for males and 73.2 years for females) for 2009 according to)
[The World Factbook.]
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 The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^{[b] 16} In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^{[c] 17} Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[d]