“The LORD then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.'”

Genesis 7:1

The world was proclaiming that there was no stability in the family, no harmony in the home, that family was not worth anything, and homes were falling apart. However, in those times Noah proved them wrong. He and his household were the exception. Noah protected the unity of his family, because all of them came under his authority and obeyed him. None of his sons perished; the three of them and their wives were saved. This happened during one of the most difficult moments in human history, when moral values were deteriorating, when people were saying that it was impossible to have unity in the family, when there was total confusion as to people’s sexual identity, and when promiscuity was the norm.

In the midst of the crisis, God raised up a man who was different from the rest and who, above all else, was determined to protect his family values. Although he seemed to be going against the grain, his lifestyle prevailed to such a degree that God used him to judge the world through the flood. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

In a time when it did not rain, this man named Noah started to build a huge ark. People approached him and asked, “Noah, what are you doing?” He would respond, “I am building an ark that will be the only thing that will protect us when the flood comes.” Upon hearing him, they would leave him, thinking that he was crazy. They laughed at him and mocked him. When Noah finished building the ark, God told him the hour had come for him and his family to enter the ark. God gave the people a week to come to their senses and get into the ark. But their hearts were so hardened that they did not understand. A week later, the flood came and destroyed everything. Noah and his family were the only ones that survived.

History repeated itself, when Jesus was hanged on the Cross and died with His arms open. He became the powerful redeemer of everyone who believes in Him and accepts Him as Savior. This is the same as being given the chance to enter the ark to be protected from divine judgment that will come upon all humanity. Although the Cross of Calvary is foolishness to some, for us it is the power of God. All you need is faith in Jesus, and we are made righteous before God. It does not matter what you might have done in the past. When you have given your heart to Jesus, He has already absorbed all of your iniquity and has broken the curse through the Cross of Calvary, because His death replaced yours. Jesus made you righteous and no iniquity of the past will be taken into account in your life. Ezekiel 33:12 says, “The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it. The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.” Everything will be forgiven. Your sins were taken to the Cross of Calvary and cancelled by the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
I have known the Lord Jesus for more than ten years. During this time many challenges have led me through a process of forming my character. One of them was the one I had to face with my youngest daughter, Liseth, who is now 21 years old. After graduating high school she enrolled into a public institution to study Technology in Fashion Design. She stood out as one of the best in design and creativity of her class. But after two semesters I started to notice a great change in her personality; she became rebellious and manipulating. She colored her hair in different colors and started to wear bizarre earrings. She would leave the house and not come back for several weeks. All of this began to weigh heavily on my heart. However, through Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ preaching I began to believe the truth regarding the power of the blood of Jesus.

Each time he gave the challenge to give a covenant to the Lord, I committed myself to give it for my daughter. However, her behavior only got worse. She started come home high on drugs; she took ecstasy, marijuana, and cocaine, among other drugs. But I did not lose my faith. I attended the church prayer watches, I participated in intercession, I fast and prayed. Sometimes, I would get weak and the enemy tried to attack me with sickness, but the Lord would lift me up and give me new strength to keep believing for the miracle. When she wouldn’t come home at night, I would go into her room, kneel down, and pour out my heart with groans before the presence of God. After intensely seeking the Lord for three years, the Lord did the miracle. At the end of the 2011 Women’s Convention, she was touched. The Father sent His angel. She went to church and gave her heart to God. Today, she is totally free from the chains of drug addiction and immorality. All the glory and honor be only for our God!” (Gloria Ines Nino Amaya)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“The Cross of Jesus has given protection and salvation to my household.”

Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume Four.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

• Old Testament: Amos 1-2; Job 31:1-23
• New Testament: John 16:12-24; Revelation 5