Genesis 11:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

⁴ Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”




The tower of Babel was a great human achievement, a wonder of the world. But it was a monument to the people themselves rather than to God. We may build monuments to ourselves (expensive clothes, big house, fancy car, important job) to call attention to our achievements. These may not be wrong in themselves, but when we use them to give us identity and self-worth, they take God's place in our lives. What "towers" have you built in your life?



Joe








 

Genesis 8:6-16

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

⁶ After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark ⁷ and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. ⁸ Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. ⁹ But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. ¹⁰ He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. ¹¹ When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. ¹² He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
¹³ By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. ¹⁴ By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry.
¹⁵ Then God said to Noah, ¹⁶ “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.




Occasionally Noah would send out a bird to test the earth and see if it was dry. But Noah didn't get out of the ark until God told him to. He was waiting for God's timing. God knew that even though the water was gone, the earth was not dry enough for Noah and his family to venture out. What patience Noah showed, especially after spending all that time in the ark! We, like Noah, must trust God to give us patience during those difficult times when we must wait.




Joe





















 

Genesis 7:14-16

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

¹⁴ They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. ¹⁵ Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. ¹⁶ The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.




There seemed to be no problem gathering the animals - God took care of the details of that job while Noah was doing his part by building the ark. Often we do the opposite of Noah. We worry about details over which we have no control, while neglecting specific areas (such as attitudes, relationships, responsibilities) that are under our control. Like Noah, concentrate on what God has given you to do, and leave the rest to God.







Joe














 

Genesis 6:6-8

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)


 

⁶ The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.



THE PEOPLE'S SIN GRIEVED GOD. OUR SINS BREAK GOD'S HEART AS MUCH AS SIN DID IN NOAH'S DAY. NOAH, HOWEVER, PLEASED GOD, ALTHOUGH HE WAS FAR FROM PERFECT. WE CAN FOLLOW NOAH'S EXAMPLE AND FIND "FAVOR IN THE EYES OF THE LORD" IN SPITE OF THE SIN THAT SURROUNDS US.






JOE










 

Genesis 3:6-7

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

⁶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.



One of the realities of sin is that its effects spread. After Eve sinned, she involved Adam in her wrongdoing. When we do something wrong, often we try to relieve our guilt by involving someone else. Like toxic waste spilled in a river, sin swiftly spreads. Recognize and confess your sin to God before you are tempted to pollute those around you.






Joe













 

Genesis 1:3-2:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

^1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”

And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. ................................................................

^2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

 

 

How long did God take to create the world? There are two basic views about the days of creation: 1) each day was a literal 24-hour period; 2) each day represents an infinite period of time (even millions of years).

The Bible does not say how long theses time periods were. The real question, however, is not how long God took, but how He did it. God created the earth in an orderly fashion, and He created men and women as unique beings capable of communication with Him. No other part of creation can claim that remarkable privilege. It is not important how long it took God to create the world, whether a few days or a few billion years, but He created it just the way He wanted it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 22:20

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

²⁰ He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!




We don't know the day or the hour, but Jesus is coming soon and unexpectedly. his is good news to those who trust Him, but a terrible message for those who have rejected Him and stand under judgment. Soon means at any moment, and we must be ready for Him,





Joe


















 

Revelation 16:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

¹⁵ “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

 

 

 

 

 

Christ will return unexpectedly, so we must be ready when He returns. We can prepare ourselves by standing firm in temptation and being committed to God's moral standards. In what ways does your life show either your readiness or your lack of preparation for Christ's return?

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 3:20

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

²⁰ “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.






Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts. Jesus wants to have fellowship with us, and He wants us to open up to Him. He is patient and persistent in trying to get through to us - not breaking and entering, but knocking. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to Him. Do you intentionally keep His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door?





Joe




















 

Revelation 2:23

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

²³ ... Then all the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.




We cannot hide from Christ, He knows what is in our hearts and minds, and He still loves us. The sins we try to hide from God need to be confessed to Him.





Joe









 

Revelation 2:19

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

¹⁹ “I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.

 

 

 

 

 

The believers inThyatira were commended for growing in good deeds. As a church, we should grow in love, faith and acts of service. Because the times are critical, we must spend our days wisely and faithfully.

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 2:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

² “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.

 

 

 

 

 

Over a long period of time, the church in Ephesus had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy in a city noted for immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Artemis. We also are living in times of widespread sin and sexual immorality. It is popular to be open minded toward many types of sin, calling them personal choices or alternative lifestyles. But when the body of believers begins to tolerate sin in the church, it is lowering the standards and compromising the church's witness. Remember that God's approval is infinitely more important than the world's.

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 1:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

 

 

 

 

The Christian church was facing severe persecution. Almost all believers were socially, politically, or economically suffering because of this empire-wide persecution and some were even being killed for their faith. John was exiled to Patmos because he refused to stop preaching the gospel. We may not face persecution for our faith as the early Christians did, but even with our freedom few of us have the courage to share God's Word with others. If we hesitate to share our faith during easy times, how will we do during times of persecution?

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation 1:3

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

³ God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near




When John says, "the time is near," he is urging his readers to be ready at all times for the Last Judgment and the establishment of God's Kingdom. We do not know when these events will occur, but we must always be prepared. This will happen quickly, and there will be no second chance to change sides.




Joe

1 John 5:21

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

²¹ Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.




An idol is anything that substitutes for the true faith, anything that robs Christ of His full diety and humanity, any human idea that claims to be more authoritative than the Bible, any loyalty that replaces God at the center of our lives.





Joe






















 

1 John 5:14-15

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.




The emphasis here is on God's will, not our will. When we communicate with God, we don't demand what we want; rather we discuss with Him what He wants for us. If we align our prayers to His will, He will listen; and we can be certain that if He listens, He will give us a definite answer. Start praying with confidence!






Joe

 

1 John 5:12

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.





Whoever believes in God's Son has eternal life. He is all you need. You don't need to wait for eternal life, because it begins the moment you believe. You don't need to work for it, because it is already yours. You don't need to worry about it, because you have been given eternal life by God Himself - and it is guaranteed.





Joe

























 

1 John 3:17-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

¹⁷ If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
¹⁸ Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.




These verses give an example of how to lay down our lives for others - to help those in need. How clearly do your actions say you really love others? Are you as generous as you should be with your money, possessions, and time?




Joe














 

We all know of the love God showed to us in John 3:16 (see below)...

John 3:16

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.



But....how about the love He shows us in 1 John 3:16 (see below)....

1 John 3:16

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.



Real love is an action, not a feeling. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving. The greatest act of love is giving oneself for others. How can we lay down our lives? By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return. Sometimes it is easier to say we'll die for others than to truly live for them - this involves putting others' desires first.




Joe



















 

2 Peter 3:14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

 

¹⁴ So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

 

 

 

 

 

We should not become lazy and complacent because Christ has not yet returned. Instead, we should live in eager expectation of His coming. What would you like to be doing when Christ returns? That is how you should be living each day.

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Peter 5:8-9

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)



 

⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.




Lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert. Peter warns us to watch out for Satan when we are suffering or persecuted. Feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our troubles that we forget to watch for danger, we are especially vulnerable to Satan's attacks. During times of suffering, seek other Christians for support. Keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil. Then, says James. "he will flee from you." (See James 4:7 below)

James 4:7

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

 

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.





Joe







 

1 Peter 2:2-3

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

² Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, ³ now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

 

 

 

One characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up - to be like a big brother or sister or like their parents. When we are born again, we become spiritual newborn babies. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow. How sad it is that some people never grow up. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby, and it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. Once we see our need for God's Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase, and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for God's Word?

 

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James 3:8

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.


If no human being can control the tongue, why bother trying? Even if we may not achieve perfect control of our tongues, we can still learn enough control to reduce the damage our words can do. It is better to fight a fire than to go around setting new ones! Remember that we are not fighting the tongue's fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God's love, and we won't react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt, and we won't lash out.



Joe

James 2:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.




We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God. But such actions show that our commitment to God is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of our faith in Christ.





Joe










 

James 1:22-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.



It is important to listen to what God's Word says, but it is much more important to DO what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. Do you put into action what you have studied?




Joe

James 1:12-15

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. ¹⁴ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. ¹⁵ These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.


Temptation comes from evil desires inside us, not from God. It begins with an evil thought and becomes sin when we dwell on the thought and allow it to become an action. Like a snowball rolling downhill, sin grows more destructive the more we let it have it's way. The best time to stop a temptation is before it is too strong or moving too fast to control.



Joe

James 1:2-3

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance




James doesn't say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes that we will have trials and that it is possib;e to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face face pain, but to have a positive outlook ("consider it pure joy") because of what trials can produce in our lives. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance.




Joe

Hebrews 13:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁴ For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.



We should not be attached to this world, because all that we are and have here is temporary. Only our relationship with God and our service to Him will last. Don't store up your treasures here, store them in heaven. (see Matthew 6:19-21 below)

Matthew 6:19-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

 

 

 

 

Joe