In Genesis 20 we again find Abraham in a similar situation to before. Last time Abram lied to the king of Egypt, and now he finds himself Lying to Abimelech another leader from the Negev. There are several lessons we could learn from this passage. First, we are not always guaranteed to get it right the first time, or the second time! Looking out for himself, he goes back to the sister/wife story to save his own skin. He should have known this would not have ended well for his wife. Second, Abraham assumes, “There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife” v. 11. Have we not heard that assumption is the lowest form of knowledge. Many times, we make assumptions about others and are wrong. Many times, others make assumptions about us and are equally wrong. Once again, God steps in and saves the day by appearing to Abimelech and inflicting some type of “barrenness” on all the women in his area.
In Psalm 20 we read a short psalm of David where he praises God for saving Him and protecting him. Verse 4 can be a misleading verse if we read it as if God gives us a blank check. “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” We must remember that we must align our hearts and our will to the Lord’s first. We must seek to live according to his laws. Even then, we are not guaranteed that we will get what we want. Often God knows better, and His plans are greater than our own. Verses 6-7 remind me of Genesis 20 and the situation with Abraham and Abimelech. “Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Even though Abraham messed up again, God came to his rescue, because God had plans for him and protected those plans of the man, He had anointed to be the father of the Jewish nation. People place a lot of trust in things today, the government, organizations, businesses, individual people like friends and families. They may let us down from time to time, but God never will.
In John 20 we have the account of the empty tomb. The empty tomb is the evidence that we can trust God. Mary is the first to visit the tomb on the third day. She finds it open, and the body of her Lord is gone. She runs to tell Peter and John who race to the tomb to see for themselves. The fact that women were the first to see the resurrected Jesus and give testimony to it is a fact that tells us that the gospels were not made up. If they were, it was a very weak testimony that gave women the first claim to see.
While Mary is in shock and filled with questions Jesus tries to have a conversation with her and she doesn’t recognize that Jesus is the one talking to her. Not until he calls her by name, “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher)” v. 36. In all the time that Mary spent with Jesus before his death, Jesus may have conversed with her and called her by name many times. Now doing the same again made the connection for her. Only in our relationship with God will we learn to distinguish the voice of God when He speaks into our lives. How important is it to develop and maintain our walk with the Lord so that when He speaks to us, we like sheep will recognize the great shepherd’s voice.
In the last part of John 20 we find the conversation between Jesus and Thomas. He had missed the first meeting with the disciples and would not believe unless he saw Jesus for himself. Jesus was pleased to offer him the evidence he needed to see. Jesus offered his wounds to touch and see for himself. If we are searching for truth, the best thing we can do is to keep looking for it. When we face doubt, the worst thing we can do is nothing. If we stand still and refuse to look for answers our doubt will grow. If you are facing doubt, keep searching and seeking the Lord and He will supply the evidence that you need to believe.
What else to you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Add your thoughts below.
Genesis 18 opens with the statement, “The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day” v. 1. The next verse tells us that three men had come to visit with Abraham. Their identity would slowly be made known as you read the next two chapters. Abraham quickly offers these three a typical biblical show of hospitality. He offers them water and a fresh meal prepared just for them. This will be a stark contrast to the way the 2 angels are treated when they enter the town of Sodom in the next chapter. Abraham entertained these men without really knowing who they were, but he showed them kindness. We may not find ourselves entertaining angels, but entertaining people that have a need that we can meet. An act of kindness shown may bless them and it may come back as a blessing to us. The Lord blesses Abraham and Sarah, despite Sarah who “laughed to herself” v. 12 about the prospect of having a child in the next year. Sarah may have long given up on the promise that God made to them, and with 25 years having passed she scoffed at the idea taking place now. Have we forgotten who the Lord is and what kind of miracle working Savior He is?
The Lord reveals to Abraham what he is about to do with Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities of the plain. Abraham bargains with him, “What if only 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, and 10 righteous can be found there?” vv. 26-32. Abraham is concerned for his nephew Lot and his family. He doesn’t want the Lord to sweep away the righteous with the wicked. God is a just God and will not punish the righteous for the sake of the wicked.
Psalm 18 is a psalm of David where he celebrates the Lord’s hand in delivering him from King Saul and the enemies he faced on the run. “He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me” v. 17. David recognized it wasn’t his own wit or strength that gave him the victory, it was the Lord. David also states that it wasn’t because of who David was that God provided the rescue, it was his righteous acts that gave him the help from God. “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me” v. 20. Too many times Christians can fall in the trap of thinking these same two thing. It was our own wisdom or strength that secured our victory. Many Christians think they can do no wrong because they are “Christians” and they stop focusing on their righteous living like they once did.
In John 18 we read of Jesus trail before the Jewish Sanhedrin and before Pilate. The trials and questioning is not about anything Jesus did. His miracles, he healed, preformed demon exorcisms, or his teaching. His trail was grounded on who Jesus claimed to be. He had given hints all through the Gospels and made people wonder if He indeed was the Christ. Now the religious leaders demanded an answer. Powerless to execute capital punishment, the Jews are forced to take Jesus to Pilate for the results they want. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” v. 33. Jesus admits it so and Pilate finds no reason to charge him with a crime and desires to let Him go, but the Jews insist that he not. Who do you say that Jesus is to you? Some call Him a teacher, a prophet, a wise sage, but Jesus tells us in the Word that He is much more. Jesus is the promised Messiah, and Savior of the World.
What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? Write you thoughts below.
H.G. Wells wrote the Novel “The Invisible Man.” Harry Potter has his cloak of invisibility. And many sci-fi shows like to brandish the power to cloak their spacecrafts to make them invisible. As cool as this might sound, do you ever feel that you are invisible? Maybe you just wish someone would see you. Recognizing you or giving you a little attention. We all might have times in our lives when we feel that way. The good news is that there is a God who sees you.
In Genesis 16, We see an impatient Sarai who has waited 10 years since the time God had promised a son. Sarai hatches the idea that maybe Abram should take her maidservant Hagar and try a child through her. Oh course, Abram quickly agrees. “He slept with Hagar, and she conceived” v. 4. Naturally, Sarai becomes jealous and starts mistreating Hagar because her own plan worked. Sarai causes Hagar to run away and she runs to the desert where an angel appears to her with a message. “The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery” v. 11. Ishmael means God hears. Verse 13 says, “She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” It should be comforting that in times when we feel invisible or are facing something that we didn’t even stir up, there is a God who sees us.
Psalm 16 is a psalm of David with a similar theme to Hagar’s plight in Genesis. David cries out to the Lord to keep him safe. Verses 9-11 seem to show us that David knows despite his circumstances and situation God sees Him. “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” May the promise of Scripture give you hope and aid you in trusting in the Lord in times like David faced.
In John 16 Jesus continues His Olivette discourse. He continues teaching on the Holy Spirit and tells the disciples what they might not wait to hear, times will get tough before they get better. Jesus even tells them that some of them will be put to death and it will be seen as a service to God. Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, will convict the world in three areas. Sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirt will teach us what is wrong and sinful, the Holy Spirit will teach us what is also right in the absence of Jesus, and finally the Spirit will act in judgment because Satan will be condemned for his actions.
As Jesus explains in detail about his soon coming absence and then appearance. The disciples probe Jesus with more questions. When they final understand the disciples respond with “Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God” v.30. The grief and confusion the disciples faced now became confidence and joy knowing that Jesus was a God that saw them and all things. Don’t let us forget that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, sees us and He knows what will take place in our future even though we do not.
What else do you see in these three chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? Add your thoughts below.
What things do we rush through in life? What do we try and speed through to get them done? What things do we enjoy and desire to spend time on? Chances are if you are making a list in your mind right now, the things we want to dwell on are the things that we love and find enjoyment. How does our walk with God fit into these two categories? Do we long to rush through our time with God in order so that we can dwell on other things in our life? Or, do we long to spend time with God and in His word more than other things?
God again comes to Abram in Genesis 15 and tells Him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” v. 1. Abram speaks up and asks what type of reward he may receive, Abram longs for a son. Earlier God promised Abram that he would have many descendants, but it hasn’t happened yet. Abram is getting impatient. If you know the story, it will take 25 years for Abram and Sarai to have the promised child. God wanted Abram to dwell in his promise and to be obedient to God. Abram had to trust God would reward Him in God’s proper timing. Our world is probably even more impatient now. The use of technology makes us pace the kitchen floor waiting 2 minutes for our popcorn, or the few seconds it takes for our phone and apps to connect on a video call on the other side of the world.
God again comes to Abram in a deep sleep and reminds Abram that it will a while before all the things God spoke to him about will come to pass. “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and ill-treated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterwards they will come out with great possessions” vv. 13-14. Then God tells Him “In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here” v. 16. Many will explain the fourth generation as through ha typical life span of a human, 100 years and that would match the 400 or 430 years in Egypt as slaves.
In Psalm 15 David asks, “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?” v. 1. The rest of the psalm answers that. It is those who fear the Lord, those who do right, and live a just life in relationship with their neighbors and others. One day we will dwell with God, not in the sanctuary or temple, but with God in Heaven.
In John 15 we see a similar theme of dwelling. Jesus calls his true disciples to “remain in me” v.4. I love the King James word “abide.” Jesus tells us three times to remain or abide. First, “remain in me” v. 4, second, “my words remain in you” v. 7, and finally “remain in my love” v. 9. This aspect of dwelling all has to do with our relationship with God. Yes, the Bible does not speak much about our need for a “relationship” with God, that is a more modern phrase, but the Bible does speak much about our “walk with God.” When two people go for a walk together they can communicate, both talk and listen, they can interact with one another, learn from each other. All this is true of our walk with God. The last part of the chapter Jesus reminds his disciples that when we remain in Him the world will hate us. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” vv. 18-19. We have a choice, we can either remain in God’s love or the world’s love. Where will we choose to dwell?
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes pop out at you? Write your thoughts and observations below.
What things in your life trouble you most? Is it a circumstance you face, a relationship, financial or material needs, a physical illness or perhaps something new you are facing with an unknown future? What takes your peace away from you? One thing that can make these difficult circumstances better is knowing that we do not face them alone. If we are blessed to have family, friends, a church to lean on can make these times more bearable. There is greater comfort knowing that whatever we face as disciples of Jesus that the Lord is with us, and that God can rescue us from anything we face.
In Genesis 14 we find the story of Abram who rescues Lot from a battle where he is caught in between some rival kings. Abram rounds up 318 “trained men born in his household” v. 14. Abram goes all out to rescue His nephew Lot from trouble and the Lord gave him success in his efforts. In almost 30 years of ministry, working in a church, I have seen many people in need. One common theme is that bridges often have been burned in families and there is no help available for those in need. Be thankful for the family that you do have. If you do not have a family that you feel you can call a blessing, why not turn it around and be a blessing to them or create that type of family going forward.
After the battle is over Abram is greeted by The King of Sodom and the King of Salem, named Melchizedek. These two kings can be contrasted against one another. Melchizedek is an interesting person which we know little about from Genesis 14, but psalm 110 and Hebrews chapter 5 and 7 speak more about. Melchizedek is said to be priest of El Elyon “God Most High.” Abram strangely gives him a tenth of the spoils he collected in the rescue. This is the first time we see the use of a tenth given in the Bible. The King of Sodom asks for the people back but tells Abram he can keep the goods. The King of Sodom comes out next and asks for the people back that he rescued but tells Abram he may keep all the goods. Abram informs the King of Sodom of his oath – “have taken an oath” v. 22 “I will accept nothing belonging to you” v. 23 Not even the smallest items? – “a thread or the thong of a sandal” v. 23 Abram wants only to have others know God was the source of Abram’s blessings and possessions and no one else. – “you will never be able to say ‘I made Abram rich’” v. 23. Many believe, including myself, that Melchizedek is a theophany of the preincarnate Christ whom Abram pays a tenth to. You can dig into that deeper in Hebrews if you wish.
Psalm 14 starts off with an often-quoted verse by many Christians who want to take a swipe at atheists. David writes “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” v. 1. I’m not sure the best way to win the ear of an atheist or for them to hear the gospel is to start with name calling. Also, this misunderstands the meaning of the word “fool” in the biblical sense. Most often a fool was a morally deficient person. If a person does not believe that God exists, there is no higher authority in their lives than themselves. They will say and do what they want to, which is what the word fool in Scripture describes. The next few verses David reminds us all with some “hard truth” (as our student pastor recently said) that we are all sinners, “there is no-one who does good” v. 2, and not many people seek the Lord “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” v. 2. David resolves the psalm again with a reminder that God will bring salvation and restore the fortunes of his people. “Let Jacob rejoice and be glad” v. 7.
In John 14 we have the beginning of a long discourse of teaching from Jesus on the Holy Spirit. The chapter begins with Jesus telling the disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” v. 1. The disciples were trouble because what Jesus had revealed to them in the previous chapter. He was going to be with them only for a little while longer. Even worse, those who claimed to never leave Jesus would deny Him three times before the cock crows. Jesus uses a beautiful wedding analogy in verses 2-3. Jesus was going away to prepare a room in his father’s house. In the first century Jewish culture the betrothal of an engaged couple would be a typically longer period. The groom would go and build a home or a room in his parents’ home and prepare it for he and his soon coming bride. After the wedding ceremony the groom would take his bride back to the home that he had prepared for her. The disciples ask questions and try to understand what Jesus was referring to. Thomas questions Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” vv. 5-6. This exclusive statement by Jesus has no doubt caused many relativists to push back and reject Christianity then and now.
In Jesus teaching about the Holy Spirit in this chapter we first learn that the Holy Spirit will act as a “Counselor” v. 26, not like a mental health professional, but a defense attorney who will defend us in times of need. Second the Holy Spirit will “teach and remind you of everything I have said to you” v. 26 when they teach and write the Gospels and Epistles. Third, and most importantly the Spirit will bring peace to them. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” v. 27. This is not an absence of war or conflict, but rather an inner peace that Christ’s followers will have despite the trouble they will face (John 16:33).
What else do you see in these verses as you read them? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Write your thoughts below.
In Genesis 11 we find the people trying to make a name for themselves. Their attempt is without God and full of pride. In Genesis 12 we find the Narrative of Abram beginning with a call from the Lord. God tells Abram, if he will obey and follow His leading “I will make your name great” v. 2. What a contrast we find in these two chapters. God not only promises to make a great name for Abram, but he also promises that He will become a great nation that will be a blessing to all the other nations. Are there things in our life we attempt to do on our own and in our own power? If God is our creator, He knows us best, why do we fight Him and following his ways for our lives?
After Abram moves with his family to the land of the Canaanites, God also makes another promise to Abram. “To your offspring I will give this land” v. 7. Think about this promise, it was not one that Abram would enjoy himself, but one his “offspring” would see down the future. Hundred of years later, God would keep his promise and the Israelites would come to inherit the land. The idea of “paying it forward” comes to mind here. Abram’s obedience would not benefit anything to him personally in this promise but He was wise enough to follow through for the sake of his family far into the future.
The last part of Genesis 12 we find Abram being not so concerned with others, especially his wife Sarai, and he tells Sarai to lie about his relationship with him in order to save his own life. God acts to protect the promise and strikes the Egyptians with serious diseases. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. We may be strong in a particular area of life but weak in another. When are you tempted to not trust the Lord most often? If you can identify your weaknesses this will go a long way in guarding against them and learning to lean more on the Lord.
Speaking of lying, Psalm 12 is a psalm of David. He speaks about those who lie to each other. “Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception” v. 2. David desires people to not be taking advantage of by a lying tongue. He asks for God to act and stop those who would lie. The Lord responds, “’I will now arise’, says the Lord. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them’” v. 5. David speaks about how the vile act of lying is “honored among men.” Lying is often seen as the smallest of sins committed by people. Humanity makes little of it. “Who does it hurt if someone lies?” many will ask. A great many people have been put in jail for lying and many honest people imprisoned for the lies of others. We must learn to love the truth and speak it to others. Truth honors God.
In John 12 we have two stories of honoring Jesus. First Mary takes some “pure nard, an expensive perfume” v. 3 and pours it on Jesus’ feet to anoint Him. Going further she takes her hair, which was considered a woman’s glory and wipes Jesus’ feet with it to clean them. What can you and I give, our best, to worship and honor Jesus with? This act is so moving Jesus proclaims, “’Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me’” vv. 7-8. We should seek to honor Jesus when we can with what we have.
The second story in John 12 of honor Jesus comes with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus rides the donkey as prophecy tells us into the city and the people shout “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes I the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” v. 13. But not everyone there was pleased to see Jesus come into the city like that. The last part of John 12 is a commentary of the rejection of Jesus by many of the Jews. John quotes Isaiah 6:10 which speaks of those in Israel that would reject the message. Why would the Jews, specifically the religious leaders who knew the Scripture reject Jesus as the Christ. The answer is found in verse 43, John writes, “for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” We can either seek to elevate ourselves or have God be the one to make us into who He wants. We can either honor and worship the Lord or we can honor and praise ourselves.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you? Add your comments below.
Genesis 7 is the continuation of Noah and the flood. When there are really well-known stories in the Bible that you read, I would urge you to pay very close attention to the details that you read. Many times, the details get changed unintentionally because they are repeated so often by people like the “telephone game” you may have played when you were younger. What things do you see that you may have forgotten or read too quickly. Verses 1-2 explain that Noah was to take seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean animals on the Ark. Verse 9 explains that these animals “came to Noah and entered the Ark.” I’m sure Noah was glad he did not have to go search for them all. Genesis 7:17 says that it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. All throughout the Bible the number forty is often used as a “testing” period in someone’s life. Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus fasted for 40 days before he was tempted by the Devil, and Elijah ran for 40 days to Mount Horeb away from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:8). What testing times have you had in your life? How did you weather them? God used the Ark to protect Noah and his family. How will you allow God to protect you during testing times?
Psalm 7 continues this same theme of protection. David calls God his “refuge.” He calls out to God to deliver him from “all those who pursue me” v. 1. David then does an interesting thing; he asks God to examine him. “O Lord my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands – if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe – then let my enemy pursue and over take me” vv. 3-5. David is asking for justice from God no matter who is at fault. No doubt this is a rare character trait of many people today. People often only want justice when it benefits them all the while ignoring their own failings. The flood in Genesis 7 was God’s righteous judgment on the world for their wickedness.
John 7 records the time Jesus went to the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths as it was also called was a time where Israel remembered and celebrated how God provided for them when they left Egypt and went into the desert. They would celebrate it for a week by building “booths” to live it for the week. Jesus had already stirred up some hate from the Jews to the point where they were looking for a way to kill him. Jesus’ own brothers were goading him to go to the Feast of Tabernacles. Why? Not because they wanted his ministry to grow, the Scriptures say “For even his own brothers did not believe in him” v. 5. I’m sure Noah had his nah sayers, but Noah still had his family. Jesus own earthly brothers did not believe in him. Jesus stayed at home and away from Jerusalem.
However, Jesus did delay his going but instead decided to go in secret. He went and began to teach the people. The people are amazed at his teaching and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having studied?” v. 15. The people start putting two and two together and realize this is probably the same man that they are trying to kill for healing on the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders sent the temple guards after Jesus but His teaching is so good that they cannot find it in themselves to arrest him.
The key verse in John 7 is verse 37. The scripture tells us that it was the “last and greatest day of the Feast.” The Jewish tradition tell us that a Rabbi or Jewish leader would take a jar of water and pour it out on the ground while they read from the account in Exodus where God provided the water for Israel from the rock. It is at this point where Jesus exclaims, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” v. 37. Jesus is claiming to be the living water from the Old Testament that was provided for Israel in the wilderness.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? How has God provided an ark and protected you in past times? Write your comments below?
I forget who said it, but someone once told me a great definition of a sacrifice; “Sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love more.” In Genesis 4 is the first recorded sacrifices given to God. Cain who worked the soil brought “some of the fruits of the soil” v. 3. Abel “brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock” v. 4. The passage tells us that God looked with favor on Abel’s but not with Cain’s. What’s the difference? Was it the type of sacrifice brought, crops vs. animal sacrifice? From the wording and some help from the New Testament we can see it was not the type it was the quality of the sacrifice that caused the Lord to not look in favor of Cain’s sacrifice. The words “fat portions” and “firstborn” lead us to think that these were the choice animals of Abel. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel “offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.”
Then we have Cain’s reaction. He kills his brother in anger, not for anything his brother did to him but for what he failed to do himself. Do we ever lash out at others for something that we did or did not do? Is our reaction based on jealousy or covetousness when we were the ones who did not offer our best? It was not a competition between Cain and Abel, God’s response tells us this, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” v. 7. Then God says “sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Sin is personified as a wild beast ready to attack us. God tells us we must “master it.” This phrase relates to discipline. We can master certain talents, skills, or wisdom. Here we are encouraged to master the choice to give in to sin and fight off the temptation to do something that is not right.
Cain is driven from the area in which he killed Abel. He contests that those who find him will kill him. You might ask, “who is going kill Cain, his parents?” Genesis 5:4 tells us that Adam and Eve had other sons and daughters. What many do not understand about the Scriptures is that many times they only highlight certain people or stories. They do not tell the whole story especially related to the genealogies.
Psalm 4 has some words of advice that Cain as well as we could learn from. Verse 4 tells us a similar thing that James does, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Our first responsibility is to master our response to our anger. It’s okay to be angry, especially when we are wronged. Even Jesus got angry when people treated him or his father’s house wrong. David encourages us to “search your heart and be silent.” The next verse he tells us, “offer right sacrifices and trust the Lord” v. 5. My previous pastor used to tell me, “You can’t stop the birds from flying around in the air, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair.” Simply put, we cannot control what other people do but we can control what is related to ourselves.
John 4 is the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Jesus asks for a drink from the well and a conversation begins. Jesus tells the woman that she could have “living water” from him if she only knew “gift of God” v. 10 and who he was. Then Jesus tells her “I who speak to you am he” v. 26. The woman wants to divide with Jesus about the proper place to worship. The Samaritans claimed it was in Samaria while the Jews said it was in Jerusalem. Jesus reminds her that the right place is Jerusalem but that one day it won’t matter where the Father will not be worshiped in either place. Worship is closely related to sacrifice. Who or what do you worship? Is it a job? Family? A Celebrity? A Musician? Hopefully the Lord comes first on that list.
What words and phrases and themes do you see in these verses? What speaks to you in the time and circumstances that you are in now? What things get you angry enough to tempt you to do something you should not? Is the Lord what you worship and what you love more than anything else?
Genesis 3 describes the fall of humanity. Sin is real and so are the consequences. People often make little of sin. We compare ours to others, we minimize our own and point the finger at everyone else. After God confronted Adam and Eve in the garden, the blame game started. Each one pointed the finger at the other. Adam not only blamed Eve, but he even threw some shade toward the Lord with “the woman you put here with me…” v. 12. If you have ever been around children, you know this is par for the course, but sadly adults do not respond much better. Each one had their own consequences, each consequence was different, but related to who they were and the role they had. We must learn to confess our sins. It starts with acknowledging that we are sinners (Romans 3:23) and we need to act where we cannot.
Satan is also real. Here he is disguised as the “serpent” whose sole plan is to mislead and cause doubt to enter the picture. The first four words from his mouth were, “Did God really say” v. 1. According to the latest Barna worldview survey’s, most people who identify as Christians do not believe in a literal Satan.
If Adam and Eve could not fend off the temptation of the servant what hope is there for us? Although we are like Adam and Eve; descended and designed in like manner we have hope. The solution for us all, one Adam and Eve would not see, was hinted at in the Garden when God pronounced his judgment on the serpent. “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heal” v. 15. A future single male descendant of Eve’s would crush the serpent one day. We know now looking back that Jesus was this promised deliverer.
In Psalm 3 we read a psalm of deliverance. David wrote it when he fled from his son Absolom who was trying to take the kingdom away from his own father. In the midst of trouble, David would call on the Lord and trust that God would be “a shield around me” v. 3. Even when David was in the minority and only had a few hundred men, when he was protected by the Lord, he was confident in God’s deliverance.
One of the repeated words and theme in the Gospel of John is the word “believe.” It is used 98 times in the fourth gospel and only 56 times in the remaining 26 New Testament books. John 3 is a much beloved chapter in the Bible. It contains John 3:16 where Jesus tells Nicodemus “that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Let’s not forget the grace gift that God gave to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. He “made garments of skin” for them and covered their nakedness. The implication is that an animal had to be sacrificed to provide the skins for them. This was just the beginning of the sacrifices that would have to be made for everyone going forward who sought forgiveness. Jesus came to give us the ultimate grace gift by giving his life on the cross for our sins. Jesus death on the cross was the final sacrifice that was made for the sins of all humanity.
What else sticks out to you in these chapters? What words or phrases catch your eye? Add your thoughts below.
Life is a mix of work and play. We see both of these elements in Genesis 2. Some people are work-a-holics, while others are just plain lazy. We must find a proper balance. The Sabbath was a day of rest. God does not need the rest, but it was an example set by God for humanity to follow. We are living in the New Testament times and not under the Mosaic Law. We do not have a legal obligation to follow the Sabbath today, but we would be wise to observe a Sabbath in our lives on a weekly basis. On the other side of the coin, God created man and placed him the garden “to work it and take care of it” v. 15. You likely had New Years Day off and today you are back to work. Work is good for the human soul. It was a part of God’s plan before the fall, before sin (although sin made it more laborious). Work gives us a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and a healthy pride in what we have done. Work accomplishes good things for us and others. The Evangelist Jonathan Edwards who worked tirelessly to preach the gospel across America still made time for a Sabbath. While traveling on the Connecticut River he recorded,
“At Saybrook we went ashore to lodge on Saturday, and there kept the Sabbath; where I had a sweet and refreshing season, walking alone in the fields.”[JW1]
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.
Some skeptics object to Genesis 2 as a contradictory second creation account. Rather it is continuation of the creation account but zoomed in from a 30,000-foot up view down to the gardenview. Genesis 1 looks at the creation of the universe and Genesis 2 homes in on the creation of humanity. It ends relating marriage to the creation account with the often quoted “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” v.24.
Contemporaries push back on this narrative. Is Adam superior to Eve because he was created first? Isn’t the creation story a patriarchal story of oppression? Does Adam name his own wife as an exercise of power, after all, Eve is called a “helper” v. 20? The answer, “no” to all these accusations. Sixteen times God is called Israel’s helper (Ex. 18:4, Deut. 33:7, etc.) and He is not the lessor in that relationship. Both men and women are equal in value but differ in their roles in the family and the church which follows the creation narrative.
Psalm 2 opens with a question, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?” The question of who would dare challenge the authority of God and his power. God dares any nation who would come against his “Anointed One” v. 2, The psalm is full of language that points not only to an earthly king in Israel but also to Jesus. The New Testament connects Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25-26, Acts 13:33, and Hebrews 1:5.
The themes of weddings and authority continue in John 2. Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding. He turned water into wine. Not just any water, it was “the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing” v. 6. Think of that as water unfit to drink, meant for washing hands and other ceremonial items. Jesus took something impure and made it into “choice wine” v. 10 that people would brag about and enjoy. This first miracle was a statement about Jesus’ mission and ministry. Second, Jesus purifies the temple and rids it the money-changers by creating a whip and driving out those who had made the temple into “a market.” What has the contemporary church made the church into? Are we guilty of turning it into anything that would displease Christ? When Jesus is questioned about his actions the subject of authority is raised upon Jesus. “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” v. 18. Jesus looks ahead symbolically to the cross where his physical body would be destroyed but God would “raise it in three days” v. 20.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words and phrases catch your attention as you read? How does the theme of authority flow through each of these chapters individually? What questions do you have from these chapters? Add your thoughts below.
[JW1]Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991. pg, 197.
Posted by John Weldon 
DId God Really Say... 