Genesis: Myth or History? When was the last time you read Genesis? Why is it so important? Genesis cannot simply be myth or symbolism because without it, the New Testament, and especially the Gospel, loses the foundation on which it stands. Without the Fall there would be no need for Jesus' sacrifice. Without a broken world there would be no need for a healed relationship with God. Why Genesis matters to the New Testament is because the New Testament answers the brokenness found in Genesis. We discover a Savior who reconciles the world to His Father. We find a relationship with God restored. In Revelation we see the entire world and heaven itself healed and brought back to perfection. The sin and death that began in Genesis are finally and completely defeated. Everything that was broken in Genesis begins to be restored through Christ and reaches its completion in Revelation. If sin never entered the world through a real historical fall, what exactly did Christ come to reverse? The gospel is God's answer to a real catastrophe that began when sin entered God's good creation. Let's look at some of the direct references to Genesis we find in the New Testament. How did Jesus and the apostles understand Genesis? Jesus Treated Genesis as History Jesus approached the stories in Genesis as a record of God's acts. Jesus Himself lays the foundation for marriage in Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9. In these explanations He references Adam and Eve. If Adam and Eve were just symbolic there would be no historical foundation for two people becoming one flesh. This union is symbolic of our union with Christ. Jesus also viewed the children of Adam and Eve as real individuals. He spoke of their son Abel as the first righteous martyr (Matthew 23:35, Luke 11:51). Abel was one of two people specifically named when Jesus scolded the Scribes and the Pharisees for killing the wise and the prophets who had been sent to them in times past. The Scribes and Pharisees stood in the long line of those who had rejected God's messengers. Jesus also referred to the Flood, who so many today believe was only a local event or simply never happened at all. When Jesus describes His second coming He compares it to the Flood. The near end of humanity during this time is compared to the destruction of the enemies of Jesus in the future. Jesus teaches that the way people responded to Noah's warnings will be similar to the way people will ignore the signs of His impending return (Matthew 24:37-39, Luke 17:26-27). In Luke 17:28-32 Jesus compares Lot fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomora to the coming judgment of the world. He uses past events once again to reveal the future. This judgment is culminated in the book of Revelation when the world is judged for their sin. These parallels continue in the writings of Paul. Paul Explained the Gospel Through Genesis Romans 5 is almost impossible to understand without Genesis 3 when Paul tells us, "Through one man sin entered the world..." or for example in 1 Corinthians 15, "As in Adam all die..." Adam is not an illustration there. After Adam's fall the world began to crumble into chaos. Only the blood of Jesus, the God-man, could bring humanity into right relationship with the Father. Adam is the reason Christ is called the second Adam. As Paul builds his argument, you see that it is one man through whom death entered the world; one Man who brought life. Through one man humanity was condemned; through one Man humanity was redeemed. If there is no first Adam, then his point cannot be made. The Apostle Paul built his themes on a historical Genesis. He saw the incredible arc of history where Adam was the man who sinned and destroyed God's perfect world all the way to the second Adam, Jesus, who restored the world through His death and resurrection. Paul's doctrine was built around this contrast between the two (Romans 5:12-21, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 1 Corinthians 15:45). When the Bible intends a vision, parable, or symbolic picture, it usually gives the reader clues. The opening chapters of Genesis are instead written as the beginning of Israel's history, and the New Testament authors consistently build their theology on that historical foundation. Paul goes on to discuss other important events in Genesis in light of Christ and the church. In Ephesians 5:31-32 Paul explains that marriage, instituted in Genesis 2, is symbolic of the marriage of Jesus to His church. In this mystical union, just as a husband and wife become one, so the church will be united with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Marriage is not merely an illustration Paul invents. It is rooted in the reality of the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 and ultimately points forward to Christ and His Church. It is not just in Paul's writings that we see these figures in a historical light. Other New Testament authors also viewed Genesis as history. The Other New Testament Writers Agreed Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the Hall of Faith Heroes. The author of Hebrews talks about the faith of many figures in Genesis: Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Noah, and Sarah. All are held up as examples of great faith for us today. They were real people, who led real lives and from whom we may learn a lot about faith and trust in God. Others in the New Testament, such as James continue to treat these people as real people. In James 2, James references Abraham. Abraham was justified before God by his faith and his works that proceeded from that faith. Abraham's offer of Isaac on the altar was the ultimate act of faith and foreshadowed God offering His Son on the cross. The apostle Peter also refers to Old Testament figures from Genesis. In 1 Peter 3, 2 Peter 2, and 2 Peter 3, Peter specifically talks about Noah. Peter compares baptism to the saving work of the Ark during the flood. He discusses the flood, Sodom and Gomora, the deliverance of Lot, and God's destruction of the wicked. In 2 Peter 3:5-6 Peter says, "For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water." If we believe that Scripture is the inspired Word of God, then Peter clearly presents the Flood as a real occurrence, not merely symbolic. Jude also reminds his readers of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, the judgment of the rebellious angels, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 5-7). For Jude, these were not symbolic stories but historical warnings for the church. Over and over in the words of these authors we see the importance of the foundation of Genesis. Genesis Explains the Entire Story of Redemption What we see is that Genesis explains why humanity bears God's image. The Fall explains the necessity of salvation. Death explains why resurrection matters. The curse tells us why creation groans. The promise made to Abraham shows why Gentiles are also included. Even the institution of the Sabbath day of rest points towards our ultimate rest in Christ. The end of the Bible explains why Genesis matters to the New Testament. Where Genesis introduces the problems of humanity, in Revelation we see their resolution. Genesis begins with no death, no curse, perfect fellowship with God, and humanity ruling creation. Revelation ends with no death, no curse, eternal life, perfect fellowship, and redeemed humanity ruling with Christ. It is the story in between that we live in at the moment. When we see the bigger picture of the Bible from beginning to end, and the importance of Genesis to all of it, then we can understand where Jesus and the New Testament authors were coming from. Their reality was that Genesis was a reality. From Eden's Tree of Life to New Jerusalem's hope there is a thread that runs throughout Scripture. It was not mythological story telling but real events that altered the course of the world. Why Genesis Matters to the New Testament Jesus is not merely the One who affirmed Genesis. He is also the fulfillment toward which Genesis points. He is the promised offspring who crushes the serpent, the greater Noah who brings salvation through judgment, the true seed of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed, and the second Adam who restores what the first Adam lost. If Genesis is removed, the gospel loses its beginning. But when we understand Genesis as Jesus and the apostles understood it, we see the entire Bible as one unfolding story of God's redemption through Christ.

Created in the Image of God We are created in the image of God, imago Dei in Latin. (Genesis 1:27). Such a beautiful and profound statement. Yet it is a difficult concept to understand. No other of God's creations are said to have been made in this way. We are image bearers of God whether we are a Christian or not. All of us have been created by Him to reflect Him. Being made in the image of God is one of the Bible's most important teachings. It explains why every human life has value, why sin has such devastating consequences, why Jesus came to redeem us, and why Christians are called to become more like Christ. Understanding what it means to bear God's image helps us understand both our purpose and our hope. What Makes Humans Different? God is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. While there is only one God, He exists as three co-equal and co-eternal persons. Although you and I have three parts as well, body, soul and spirit, (1 Thessalonians 5:23) it is not a parallel to the Trinity. The Trinity is three persons, not three parts, whereas humans are one person with distinct aspects. We have a fleshly body that decays and returns to the ground. At the resurrection our mortal bodies will be transformed and united with our spirit and soul, just as Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead. The soul is who we really are. It includes our emotions, our wills and our minds. It is immortal. It is not the material part of you. God alone is eternal by His very nature. We become immortal only because of His actions. God is eternal but our soul had a beginning. And lastly a spirit that should be in relationship with God. As God is spirit this is how we become like Him. For the redeemed, the spirit returns to God in peace; for the unredeemed, separation remains. A man whose spirit doesn't belong to God is considered spiritually dead (Ephesians 4:18). One whose spirit belongs to God is considered spiritually alive (Colossians 2:13). It is because of God's mercy and the Holy Spirit working in us that we are brought to life in Christ (Titus 3:5). Have you ever felt this inner longing for the presence of God? How We Reflect God's Character Another way we reflect the image of God is through our characteristics. By God sharing His own breath with us at creation, we are unique in all of His creation. Even though we live in a fallen world, humanity still has a universal sense of what is right and what is wrong. This comes from God. We are creative beings. God created everything that exists but in our finite way we also create—art, literature, and music. We can love and do so in a very altruistic manner. We can sacrifice ourselves for those we love. We have been created to live in relationship with others. Just as God desires relationship with us, we are told that it is not good for man to live alone (Genesis 2:18). In Eden we had a perfect relationship with God but now that is marred by sin. The very reason Jesus died on the cross for us. God has free will and so do we. Nothing constrains God from doing what He wants (Job 36:23). Our free will is not omnipotent like God's. We live with certain rules because of our physical nature. We can, however, choose evil over good if we desire. The fact that God cannot lie or sin is not a limitation of His free will but is a fact of His very nature. How Sin Distorted God's Image In the beginning, with Adam and Eve, our image perfectly reflected the image of God but when sin and death came into the world that image was altered. It is harder to see that likeness now than it was back then. In fact, it is impossible to see it clearly without the saving action of Jesus on the cross. Jesus restores us to that first image. When our sins are forgiven God doesn't remember them any longer. But remember, we all bear God's image. Whether we are handicapped, of a different racial, political, or ethnic background, or even a different sexual identity, we are all still made in the image of God and thus have value. We should extend love to all. This doesn't mean being accepting of sinful behavior, but remembering that we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We should try to see God in the faces of those around us. Jesus Is the Perfect Image of God Jesus is our perfect example of an image bearer. He lived in total obedience, perfect love, and complete humility. As Colossians 1:15 tells us, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Hebrews 1:3 explains that He "is the express image of His person." Jesus says in John 14:9 that if we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. Becoming More Like Christ After our salvation, how can we understand being an image bearer of God? How do we live as an image bearer? Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3:18 that we are being transformed in the same image as Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. And in Romans 8:29 Paul tells us we have been "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." We see the truth in this as we grow in sanctification. Sanctification is the process of being set apart or made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit. We see more fruits of the spirit in our lives. We find it easier to reflect God to the world. Do you see your fruit growing? Do you see more patience, more love, or more faith? Our purpose as image bearers is to show the glory of God to the world. We are to live in relationship with God and with others. We don't just receive the free gift of salvation and the love of God to keep to ourselves. This gift is to be shared with those around us. We live to serve as He came to serve. We have been created for His glory. Idolatry and the Image of God It is interesting to think about the ancient religions of the time. In these religions, idols of gods were fashioned and worshipped. These idols were in the image of their human makers or sometimes animals. They were actually without any power. As Jeremiah 10:8 tells us, "A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine." But our God created us in His image. When we create idols we are attempting, in a mixed up way, to imitate God. It shows that we don't understand God. A created idol was believed to contain the essence of the god that it represented. It didn't necessarily look like the god but it contained the god's power and authority. Are we not also a temple that God has filled with His Holy Spirit for those who love Him. The indwelling Spirit certainly does not make us divine, but it empowers us to live in union with God through Christ. But how distorted of an image of God we become when we put ourselves on a throne to be worshipped. Selfishness, pride, ego all point to idolatry of self. Our culture constantly encourages us to focus on ourselves. How many 'selfies' do we really need? We are far from the image we should be. We look for the God who we are supposed to reflect. Yet the promise we have, if we follow Jesus, is that we will have a transformed life becoming the image of the Son of God (Ephesians 1:3, Romans 8:32). All of us are image bearers of God. This is how we were made. No image or idol can be a representation of God because you and I are His image bearer. Not perfectly, of course, but in part. Because we have been made in this way we have value above all of creation. We are the closest the created world will see to what God is really like. Our Future Hope: Becoming Like Him At the end of the age, when we go to meet God, we can have the same hope that John expressed in 1 John 1:3 when he says, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." We were created at the beginning in His perfect image, became fallen and sinful, His image marred. Through Christ we are being transformed into His likeness, and one day, as John promises, "we shall be like Him." As Christians, we should be constantly growing in the image of God. We should be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1). When we look in the mirror hopefully, prayerfully, everyday we will see growth in sanctification. Every day we will see more of God looking back at us than the day before. Everyday our lives will give more glory to the God who loves us. Dear Heavenly Father, Remind us that we are your image bearer, as are those around us. Help us to grow to be more like your Son. Increase our obedience, humility, and love. We thank you and praise you for our special place in creation. In your Son's name, Amen

How Do We Stand for Truth in Love? Christians are called to pursue righteousness, but Scripture also warns us against self-righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22, Romans 10:3). We are commanded to stand for truth, yet we are also commanded to love our neighbor. How do we do both? Pursuing Righteousness Begins with Christ What does righteousness really mean? As a Christian it is something that we receive as a gift from our faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). We have no righteousness in ourselves but the righteousness of Jesus that God sees when He looks at us. This is justification. Although Christ's righteousness is credited to us when we believe, Scripture also calls us to pursue a life that reflects that righteousness through the work of the Holy Spirit. But how can Christians pursue righteousness without becoming self-righteous? We do this by remembering where our righteousness comes from—God. We remember our own need to grow in righteousness, humbly accept correction from others, and only correct others out of true love and concern. The Danger of Self-Righteousness When we are self-righteous, we believe we have it all figured out. We are following all the rules, being nice, and saying all the right things but our hearts have not been changed. We think righteousness is something we can cultivate on our own by our actions. We forget that it is God's gift. Self-righteous people are often quick to point out the sins of others while failing to see their own. When we pursue righteousness, we will see the Fruit of the Spirit grow in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). This is sanctification. Our patience, kindness, and faith will increase as we become more like Christ. It is an ongoing process until we go home to be with the Lord. We are learning to live according to who we already are in Christ. This should be our heart's deepest desire. Pursuing righteousness doesn't just mean being nicer or having some vague emotional experience of God. Righteousness is being in a right relationship with God and seeing it increasingly reflected in the way we live. But is it the same as spirituality or piety? No. To be spiritual is to seek meaning and awareness of something greater than yourself. You don't have to be a Christian to be spiritual. Piety reflects our religious actions: prayer, Bible study, giving to the poor, and attending worship services for example. Growing in righteousness and sanctification should be our goal as Christians. It is the evidence of a transformed life in Christ. Scripture shows that boldness is sometimes necessary to live that out. Righteousness Requires Truth and Love In Ephesians 6:19-20 Paul says to pray that he can boldly proclaim the Word of God. But boldness is never a license for arrogance, insults, or personal attacks. The goal is always repentance, restoration, and faithfulness to God—not winning an argument or humiliating another person. In Ephesians 4, Paul speaks at length about growing in the "unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God" and that we are to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:11-16). Because the truth of Christ often confronts our failures it is essential that we speak to others only in love. Will that truth always be accepted? No, but we will have done our duty. Why Being Nice Is Not Enough And what about being nice? Isn't that what Christians are called to do? Actually nowhere in the Bible are people told to be nice. Niceness is what you do in society to get along with others. It is nice to be nice. However, sometimes love requires difficult conversations that mere politeness avoids. When we are nice to people we rarely challenge them. We are accepting of anything because niceness requires it. Biblical Examples of Courageous Truth To be righteous is sometimes different from being socially "nice" or polite. Of course we are to be gentle and humble with people but in the face of great sin we are called to be courageous people. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees he called them "white washed tombs" and a "brood of vipers" (Matthew 23:27;33). It is one thing to speak hard truths. It is another to speak harshly. Jesus' severe words were directed toward hardened religious hypocrisy that was leading people away from God. They were not careless insults spoken out of irritation, pride, or a desire to belittle others. Our goal should never be to wound people with our words, but to lead them toward repentance and truth. The difference is not simply the tone of the words, but the heart and purpose behind them. Biblical correction is meant to defend God's truth, expose deception, and call people toward repentance. Look at Elijah before the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27). What did he do? Strong words were required in this situation. He made fun of their god, insinuating that their god was spending too much time in the bathroom to listen to their requests. John the Baptist was beheaded for publicly condemning Herod's marriage to his sister-in-law (Mark 6:17-18). The disciples even confronted one another when necessary. Paul confronted Peter in Antioch about his religious hypocrisy for withdrawing from fellowshipping with Gentiles because he feared criticism from the Jews (Galatians 2:11-14). Others were plainly called out for sinful behaviors or for interfering with God's work. Peter confronted Ananias and Sapphira for secretly withholding a portion of the money they got from selling property while pretending to donate all of it to the church (Acts 5:1-11). Peter also confronted Elymas the Sorcerer and called him a "child of the devil" for trying to interfere with the Roman proconsul from believing the gospel (Acts 13:8-11). Correcting Others with Humility You might wonder though, how can we be humble and gentle and still call out sin? This takes great care. Have we prayed that God would guide us? Are we calling out sin because we think we are better than others? Our goal is never to attack a person's worth or dignity, but to address sinful behavior with humility, truth, and love. Always we should acknowledge our sinfulness and reliance on God's grace for forgiveness. We aren't telling others we are better than they are. But we cannot compromise with sin. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Galatians 6:1 Let's look at one situation we might find ourselves in. We go to a party and notice that those around us, many who are Christians, are getting drunk. We prayerfully consider what to do. We leave, and then one on one, with only those Christians we have a relationship with, gently talk to them about the responsibility we have to show Christ-like behavior. Or what about at the workplace where bad language is common. Perhaps this is a sin we find ourselves tempted by. Again remove yourself politely from the conversation. If you are asked why you did, be honest, not confrontational. Don't expect non-Christians to view things like you do. But if a Christian is using bad language and is feeling judged by you just explain that you feel it is a sin and one that tempts you, so you try to stay away from it. Pastors have a different role (2 Timothy 4:2). They may see members of their congregation behaving in blatantly un-Christian behavior. They might then address the sin generally to their church in a sermon while depending on the Holy Spirit to bring conviction on that person. Are they living with someone they are not married to? Perhaps a sermon on the sins of unmarried sex would be in order. Or if they felt led they might have a private conversation with the person. Will people still think we are nice? Probably not. Will they accuse us of being judgmental? Probably so. And yet the Bible repeatedly tells us to be truthful. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit will lead us to truth. When we confront sin we may have our old sins thrown in our face. "Well, you used to do "X"", they will say. Then we admit, "Yes, I committed that sin in my past but God has forgiven me and with the Holy Spirit's help I am trying to never do that again." Scripture also gives us clear instruction about who Christians are responsible to correct. Who Should We Correct? In 1 Corinthians 5:12 Paul makes an important distinction, "For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?" Judging, in Paul's sense of spiritual accountability, is not for those outside of the faith. God will do that. But for those of us in the faith we are constantly reminded to take correction, to listen to exhortation, which means to be admonished to live righteously, and to be submissive to those in authority over us (Hebrews 13:17). This underscores the importance of relationship, not only with God, but with each other as a community of believers. We are never better than others, just forgiven. True righteousness never puts itself above others. It points people to Christ, whose righteousness alone makes any of us acceptable before God. Growing in Righteousness Together Have you ever prayed that God would help you grow in righteousness? If you pray that prayer, you must be willing to have a teachable spirit and receive correction as readily as it is given (Proverbs 9:8-9). This can be difficult to accept because none of us like criticism. But when we truly love one another in Christian community we don't just correct one another but we lift each other up and encourage each other. The more we grow in righteousness, the less room there is for self-righteousness. Our goal is always the same: not to prove our own righteousness, but to reflect the righteousness of Christ to a watching world. As we grow in humility, accept correction, and lovingly encourage one another, we become more like the gentle Savior we follow.

Where Do We Turn for Healing? People today have the same needs that they did when Jesus walked the earth. But do we think about Him when we are in the midst of our problems or sin? We serve a God who offers us healing, both spiritual and physical. Do you need healing? Who do you go to when you need to be healed? Do you look to Jesus? Do You Want to Be Made Well? Jesus asks us the same question today, "Do you want to be made well" (John 5:8). Think about that question for a moment. Who would possibly not want to be made well? In this story, the man by the pool of Bethesda had been unable to walk for 38 years. He had lain by this pool with no one to help him enter the healing waters. He had "no friend" he told Jesus. Yet in his hopelessness, Jesus approached him with a surprising question. The Healing We All Need Although Jesus would heal the paralyzed man's body in John 5, His question reaches much deeper than physical illness. Every person carries wounds that cannot be seen. Sin, guilt, bitterness, fear, and hopelessness all leave us in need of a different kind of healing. We all need to be healed, either physically or spiritually, or sometimes both. And so our Savior, who is "a friend who sticks closer than a brother", offers him hope (Proverbs 18:24). But before he does, He asks that question. Deep in this man's heart what was stirred by that question? Perhaps he had given up to the point where he had lost any real desire for healing. Maybe he was blaming others for his troubles. The other sick people at the pool who got in the water ahead of him, the lack of friends, and the extent of his illness all became reasons he remained unable to walk for 38 years. Or maybe he knew that there really was no hope without an intervention from someone who was bigger than his problem. Jesus’ question forced the man to confront a hard reality: change can be frightening. If you have been in a bad place for many years, whether physically or spiritually, it becomes our familiar place. It becomes who we are. Jesus was asking him essentially, "Do you want change?" Oh and change can be hard. If the man became well, his whole life would be altered. Don't be too hard on him if he hesitated in his heart. But we are just speculating. Scripture doesn't say anything about his heart, but there are hints. We do know that the man never said yes or no. He offered explanations for why he hadn't been healed but he rather ignored Jesus' direct question. But Jesus knew his heart. He knew the outcome before he ever saw the man. The Power of Christ's Word After Jesus heard the man's story He told him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk"(John 5:8). Now look at what the man does. He is immediately healed and with no hesitation picks up his mat and walks. So, this man who presumable knew nothing about Jesus, did exactly as he was told to do. He didn't say, "But sir I can't." When Jesus spoke those words, he must have felt them all the way to his bones. He didn't hesitate because he knew he was well. His obedience was as immediate as his healing. The man trusted Jesus for his physical healing. You and I, when we know Jesus as our spiritual healer and our Redeemer, we can also trust God completely and immediately. He also gives us a command. He tells us to love and this we must do because we owe Him everything. Unlike the man that day, we know exactly who Jesus is — our Redeemer and healer. If we aren't a Christian, maybe we are still asking the most important question we will ever ask, "Who is this Man?" Do we really want to wait a life time to find out? Seek Him out, don't wait 38 years or even one more moment, but look to the One who offers hope and healing. Jesus Cares About More Than Physical Healing Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple. This would be the first time in 38 years the man could do such a thing. Being paralyzed in the first century Jewish world meant being restricted from the inner areas of the temple. As a healed man, going to the temple would have been done either out of religious obligation or thanksgiving for his healing. We are not told which it was. But it was in the temple that Jesus saw him and spoke once more. “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (John 5:14). There is an implication in what Jesus says some interpreters believe. It seems that his physical ailment may have been brought on in some way by sin in his younger days, although Scripture never explicitly says so. What is clear is that Jesus was concerned about something even more serious than the man's physical health: his spiritual condition. After being reminded of his physical healing, Jesus firmly tells him, "Sin no more." Whatever may have caused his problems so many years ago might tempt him again. We often see the same pattern in our own lives. We should remind ourselves after receiving our physical or spiritual healing to be thankful and praise God for who He is. Both come naturally at first but over time we begin to take our blessings for granted. This leads to foolish complacency and spiritual drift. We start to forget our blessings and the very sins that caused us so much heartache. Perhaps these sins were even the source of our physical suffering. Sadly, old sins may begin to tempt us again. But if we return to sin and abandon God, Jesus says a worse thing could happen to us. Sin often brings a heavy price. Look back at where the healed man was when Jesus spoke to him. He wasn't out enjoying all the things his newly healed body could do. He could have been anywhere, but he was in the temple. When we are at church or in private moments of prayer, does Jesus remind us that we have been healed? Does the Holy Spirit convict us of sin and warn us, "Don't go there?" How Will You Answer Jesus? He asks us the same question as He did the paralyzed man. "Do you want to be healed?" And what is our response? If we have lived many years only for ourselves it can be frightening to realize that if we say yes to Jesus, everything in our life will change. Maybe we are complacent in our sin and don't really want to be healed. But if we want a life of true joy then we will not even have to say, "Yes." Jesus knows our heart. When He asks, it is not with the lips that we respond but our heart. The Healing That Lasts Forever Even if we are never healed from a physical infirmity in this life, Jesus offers healing spiritually, and ultimately physically, that will last for an eternity. He calls us, "Do you want to be made well?" and like the paralyzed man, our response should be immediate. The paralyzed man didn't walk because of his own strength but the power of Christ working in him. This power is given to us today. We can walk in the light of Christ but only through His Holy Spirit. That should give us real hope. Our weakness and inability to do for ourselves leaves us open to Christ working in us. Our friends can't save us. Our own determination can't save us. Only Jesus, precious Jesus, can save us. The old hymn writer Louisa Stead expressed that trust beautifully. Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (1882) 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord." Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

The Slow Drift of Spiritual Complacency Spiritual complacency rarely happens overnight. Most Christians do not wake up one morning and decide to drift away from God. Instead, it happens quietly through small compromises, neglected habits, and the assumption that yesterday's faithfulness is enough for today. That is exactly why Scripture repeatedly warns us against becoming spiritually complacent. To illustrate this let's look at a story of a married couple. A man and woman, very much in love, were married. Both cared for each other's needs, both sought forgiveness when they wronged one another, both were thoughtful and both sought only the best for the other. Slowly, very slowly, things began to change. Since each one knew that they were loved they started to take each other for granted. They grew a little lazy, a little sloppy, a little complacent about their relationship. They didn't always say "I love you", they didn't always apologize for small wrongs, they didn't always remember to be thoughtful. He thought, "She knows how much I love her." She thought, "He knows how much I care." Until one day they woke up and realized that they didn't anymore. That is what complacency can do to a human relationship. That same slow drift can happen in our relationship with God. Before we look at one of Scripture's clearest examples, it helps to understand what complacency really is. What does complacency actually mean? It means a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. It means you are so self-satisfied that you see no need to try harder. If complacency can slowly destroy a marriage, imagine what it can do to our walk with God. Scripture gives us a sobering picture in the church of Laodicea. Complacent About God What does being spiritually complacent do to our relationship with God? The church at Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3 is an example of a complacent church. The people weren't bored with God, but then they weren't excited either. The people felt like they had it all. They were financially comfortable and in their world, money bought happiness, or so they thought. Christ did not simply expose their problem. He also told them how to overcome it. God tells them though that things are not the way they perceive them to be. He tells them they are "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked". God's solution is for them to be zealous and repent because if they don't, the ones that He loves, He "rebukes and chastens." Are We Zealous? To be zealous is to show great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. Are we enthusiastic in our pursuit of a better relationship with God? Do we show great energy in pursuing a holier life, a fruit filled life for Jesus? Are we desperate for Jesus? How many people do you know that you could actually name that act like this? Without repentance we can't properly seek a holier life. Without repentance there can be no true zeal. We can all make the journey from complacency to repentance and hope. The marriage at the beginning of this article illustrates exactly what Jesus was warning about. They wanted a good relationship, one that would last, and so they worked energetically toward that goal. As time passed though they became self-satisfied. They had a good marriage and it would always be that way, or so they thought. They forgot how much effort they put into each other in the beginning. Like the church at Laodicea they felt that they "had need of nothing." In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 it says, "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Then in verses 17 and 18 we read that people may say to themselves that it was their own power and strength that produced this wealth. They are reminded that it is God who gives us the ability to produce wealth. The chapter continues to say that to forget God, to bow before other gods (sometimes we try to make ourselves god), has a price. Like nations in the past, if you continue in your disobedience and complacency, you will be destroyed. Notice the common thread running through each of these warnings: prosperity and self-satisfaction often lead people to forget God. The Danger of Self-Reliance Complacency has a lot to do with self-satisfaction. Notice that self seems to come up a lot. We live in a society today totally focused on self. What makes me happy is the only important thing. That people notice my accomplishments. That people applaud me and my talents, my money, and my abilities. Zephaniah 1:12 says this about complacency, "And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil.’" Is this us today? Have we so forgotten the Lord that we believe He will "do nothing"? In verse 17 we find out what happens to those who were complacent. Zephaniah tells us that Gd will bring a terrible distress on people. He says their blood will be poured out. Zephaniah warns where complacency leads nationally. Proverbs shows the same principle on a personal level. The Complacency Of Fools Proverbs 1:32 (NIV) says very concisely, "the complacency of fools will destroy them". Complacency leads to destruction. In Luke 12:13-21 Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool. He has it all and he wants more. He is all about partying and enjoying his riches. But then... God tells him he will die and what will happen to all of his stuff? What does it profit him to have riches for himself but none of the riches of God? As Matthew 6:19-21 points out, the treasures of Heaven are not destroyed by moth or rust and can't be stolen by thieves. If complacency is the disease, what is the cure? We Need Zeal What we need is the fervor, the energy and excitement, the zeal of a young person in love. They don't care what other people think. They will get down on one knee in front of a crowd and vow their everlasting love. Would we make a vow like that to our King in front of a crowd? Do we seek our Lord with all that is within us? Is our one desire to serve Him faithfully? The church at Laodicea shows us exactly what happens when that zeal disappears. The spiritually poor, blind and naked church at Laodicea; money had become their God. They were so self-reliant they forgot the One who gave them life everlasting. They had become foolish. The complacency of fools is still dangerous today because it slowly replaces zeal with self-sufficiency and dependence on God with dependence on ourselves. Only God provides our real needs. Jesus said the Laodiceans were like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold and He would vomit them out. But to those believers who repent and are zealous He promised they will share in His kingdom. Spiritual zeal is not emotional excitement for a moment. It is a heart that continually remembers who God is and refuses to take His grace for granted. Today, as then, Christ calls us to repentance. He calls us to a zealousness for things of His Father. He calls us to show the world what a life devoted to Christ really means.

How God Uses Wilderness Experiences Many people say they want God to use them. Few realize how God often prepares those He intends to use. Throughout Scripture, that preparation frequently begins in places of waiting, hardship, loneliness, and dependence. Before there was a call, there was often a wilderness. You and I probably won't be called to go out into the desert before our work for God begins, but we may still have a wilderness experience. God may lead us to a place where we will learn dependence on Him instead of ourselves. God will seek to teach us something new about Him and our relationship to Him. We may even discover He is preparing us for a mission. Not every hardship is a punishment from God, and not every wilderness experience is the result of personal sin. Sometimes God uses seasons of waiting, uncertainty, or difficulty to shape our character, deepen our faith, and prepare us for what lies ahead. The very things we would choose to avoid are the things God may use to strengthen us. Waiting in the wilderness can come in different forms. Abram was called from his home to a new land by God. After he arrived, God promised he would become the father of many nations, but as he grew older and older that promise seemed further and further away. But God did the miraculous. As an old childless man with a barren wife, God brought out of that their son, Isaac. The fulfillment of God's promise caused Abraham to recognize that God is always faithful to His Word. What He says, He will do, even if it seems impossible to us. Abraham's preparation by God led him to become the father of the nation of Israel. God Prepares Us In the Wilderness Joseph spent years as a slave and in prison because of his jealous brothers. During this time he remained faithful and obedient to God. We have to remember that Joseph didn't know the end of his story. For all he knew this would be his life forever. But during that time of hardship he learned many things. God had a plan in his suffering. Most importantly he learned that God's timing was always the right timing. He eventually rose to a place of great power in Egypt just at the time that Joseph's brother's and his people needed his help. His brother's betrayal was meant for evil but God used it for good. Can you remember a time when something bad happened in your life that God in some way turned around and used it for good? Have you seen God's timing working in your life? Perhaps in hindsight you can see how waiting for something helped you grow in your relationship to Him. Joseph was not the only servant God prepared through years of waiting. In the story of Moses, we discover that he had fled into the wilderness after killing an Egyptian. There he becomes a Midian sheep herder for 40 years. Moses, who was raised as a brother to the pharaoh with all the power and wealth that that implies, had now been reduced to a common laborer. One of the many lessons he learned during this time was humility. Psalm 25:9 says, "The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way." Certainly of all people it could be said that God taught Moses His way. In fact, in Numbers 12:3 we are told that Moses was the most humble man on earth. God prepared him for his purpose—the deliverer of His people. Do you think that Moses ever imagined God would use him as He did while he was in the wilderness? Different people. Different circumstances. Yet the lesson is remarkably similar. God often prepares His servants in seasons of insignificance before He entrusts them with greater responsibilities. What is our purpose? These experiences help us to know. Even nations sometimes have wilderness experiences. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years before they entered the promised land. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 explains why. Here God told them it was to teach them humility and what was truly in their heart. Would they obey Him or not? God explained that man does not live by bread alone but more importantly he lives the Words that come from the mouth of the Lord. When we have done without things and experienced trials of loss, have we learned the importance of humility? Have we learned to listen to the Lord's Words? Wilderness experiences are not limited to failures or national discipline. Even those already chosen by God often waited years before His promises came to pass. When David was promised to become king as a young man, why did he have to wait so long? Why did he have to spend years on the run from Saul? Because during this time God was once again teaching one of His saints important lessons. He learned to be strong and wait on God's timing (Psalm 27:14). God taught him that He would hear his cry after patient waiting (Psalm 40:1-3). In Psalm 5:3, David says that when he laid his requests before God, he could wait expecting His reply. And like many before him, David learned to ask God to show him the path he should take. He learned that God would teach him if he asked him. David found his hope in the only place that really mattered, God (Psalm 25:4-5). David was prepared by his experience to be the great King he would become. This pattern of waiting in the wilderness continues in the New Testament. John the Baptist's Wilderness Preparation John the Baptist spent about 30 years in the wilderness. It was a time of preparation for him for his mission. This time was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3). The people accepted him as a prophet after almost 400 years of silence (Matthew 21:23-27). He was the first to recognize Jesus as who He really was. His baptism of Jesus was the official beginning of Christ's ministry. John, like those before him, learned his purpose and to rely on God. Free from the distractions of the world, John was able to focus solely on God. How often do the distractions in our own life keep us from understanding what God would have us do? Jesus in the Wilderness Jesus also spent time in the wilderness. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1). Here Jesus relied on His Father for strength, He remained fully committed to His mission, and He showed us the importance of obedience. When He returned from the desert, He was "full of the power of the Spirit" to set out on His earthly mission. As our role model, He showed us how to respond to temptation. Having endured temptation in the wilderness, He understands every temptation we face, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Paul's Time in Arabia Finally, the example of Paul shows us the importance of preparation. After his experience on the road to Damascus and his conversion, Paul explains that he spent three years in Arabia being directly taught by "revelation from Jesus Christ"(Galatians 1:12). Paul was very learned in Old Testament scripture, but now He learned how that same scripture predicted the coming of Jesus as the Messiah. His mission, he discovered, was to preach Jesus to the Gentiles, becoming the greatest missionary of the early church. What have we done to prepare ourselves for God's work? Have we studied, prayed, and set time apart just for God? What Can We Learn from the Wilderness? If these great men from the Bible, including our Savior, spent time in the wilderness, can't we also expect to? When we do, will we make the most of those seasons and ask God what we need to learn and what we need to do? How sad it would be to go through these times and learn nothing. None of them stayed in the wilderness forever. Neither will you or I, even though sometimes we may feel like we will. God's plans, greater than ours, cannot be rushed. Although every experience is different, God prepares us in the wilderness to trust Him more deeply and serve Him more faithfully. God did not teach each of these servants the same lesson, but He prepared each one for the work He had uniquely called them to do. God's preparation often feels like waiting, but waiting is not in vain because it serves a purpose. God is molding and making us into the people He would have us become. We thank Him and praise Him for it. Pray with me, Dear Father, In my pain and weakness, in my sin and sorrow, help me to know Your will. Help me to learn what You want me to learn. Give me the strength of the Holy Spirit to take the path You desire for me. Teach me humility. Remind me of Your faithfulness. Don't let this time be wasted by me, but let me be renewed in my love for You and obedience to You. In your Son's name, Amen

What Does it Mean to Be Spiritually Awake or Asleep? A good night's rest is something many of us don't experience. Sleep is necessary and good unless you are in a dangerous situation that requires you to be alert. Bad things happen when we fall asleep on the job. We may not hear alarms going off when we are asleep. In battle, an asleep soldier is a vulnerable soldier. Sometimes we literally fall asleep in church. Some of us look spiritually awake but we are really in a deep sleep. We have lost that sense of urgency about our faith we once had. We fail to see the danger that being asleep can bring. Christians are called to remain spiritually awake because Christ is coming and there is a spiritual battle taking place. As a Christian, are you asleep or awake and what does it really mean? When Scripture talks about sleep in a symbolic way, it often refers to being apathetic about your faith. It implies that there is a lack of knowledge about what you should be doing. Sometimes it is a way to refer to death. The opposite is to be awake. An awake Christian is one who is repentant, spiritually mature, and obedient. Why Do Christians Fall Asleep Spiritually? As Christians, when we become spiritually asleep, it often happens because we have slipped into living like the world. We have become conformers instead of non-conformers. Conformers just want to fit in so life will be easier. We should ask ourselves, "Are we different?" Perhaps it is because religion has become routine to us. It's just something we do because we grew up doing it. Church on Sunday is what your friends do or what your community thinks 'nice' people should do. Routines often become boring to us. Spiritual sleepiness can happen because we have forgotten the importance of prayer. Prayer itself can become a thoughtless routine. We forget that we are speaking to our living and holy God. We forget not just to speak to Him but more importantly to listen. When we don't know God's Word because we have failed to read and study it, we become more vulnerable to 'falling asleep'. We don't hide His Word in our hearts. This is necessary, Scripture says, because when we know His Word, it helps us not to sin against God (Psalm 119:11). What Does Spiritual Wakefulness Look Like? But spiritual wakefulness is more than simply avoiding sin or recognizing danger. A spiritually awake Christian is someone who is actively walking with God. They seek His will through prayer and Scripture, remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and desire to live in a way that reflects Christ. Spiritual awareness allows us to recognize the battle around us and faithfully serve God in the place where He has called us. Paul Reminds Us it Is High Time to Be Awake Romans 13:11-12 Paul tells us, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." What time does Paul say it is? High time! In other words it is urgent. It is long overdue that we wake up. When we miss an alarm going off, we're late for work. Paul recognizes how much work we need to be doing for God. Why does Paul say we need to urgently wake up? Because "our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." The day of the Lord's return and the fulfillment of His kingdom is closer now than the day we first believed. Paul and the other disciples lived expecting the Lord's return. If they believed that 2,000 years ago, how much closer are we now to that day? This is our hope and our expectation. Jesus Himself used this same picture in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:5. Their bridegroom was delayed and some of them became drowsy and fell asleep. Only those who remained vigilant with oil in their lamps knew when the bridegroom came. It is difficult to be ready, if not impossible, for an important event if you are asleep. Our Lord Himself tells us to be ready in Luke 12:40 because we don't know when He may return. In Mark 13:33 Jesus reminds us to "watch and pray" or as some translations say, "stay alert." Being spiritually awake is more than simply watching. It requires us to prepare ourselves for the work God has given us to do. When you awake, what is the first thing most of us do? We cast off our sleeping clothes and put on the clothes we will work in. Paul says the same. "Cast off the works of darkness" or the sinful ways of your past. Replace them by putting on "the armor of light." This is our battle mode. The light of Christ shining in our lives is our defense against evil. No sleepy soldiers here! The call to stay spiritually awake was not unique to Paul. Spiritual sleep is dangerous because it leaves us vulnerable in a battle that we may not be aware is already taking place. The Enemy Who Seeks Our Destruction We battle a spiritual enemy that is seeking our destruction. For this reason Peter explains in 1 Peter 5:8 that we need to be alert and sober-minded, because the devil seeks to devour us. The devil is aggressively trying to deceive us and cause us to be fearful. He wants to create chaos in our lives. His goal is for us to abandon our faith. He wants us to stay asleep because then we are no threat to him. This is one reason being faithfully involved in your church community is so important. The encouragement of other Christians helps us remain faithful. Sometimes, though, we fail by falling into sin because we have forgotten to put on our armor. In Thessalonians, Paul explains what that armor is. Putting On the Armor of Light Paul repeats this warning in 1 Thessalonians 5:6. We are to watch, stay awake, and be sober, not asleep like others are. Paul continues to warn not to sleep and to stay away from sinful activities which are often done under cover of darkness. But you and I belong to the day. Why? Again, because we are children of light. As children of the light, we are spiritually alert and sober. He continues to tell us we are protected spiritually by "putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thessalonians 5:8). A breastplate is a piece of armor that protects your heart. It is symbolic of protecting your spiritual life. Our faith in God is the foundation of our relationship to Him. Out of that faith proceeds love; love for Him and love for others. A helmet is to protect your head, symbolically your mind. Our hope of salvation is not wishful thinking but joyful expectation of the day we live eternally with our Savior. This is what protects us against the temptations that the devil attacks us with. Jesus gives this same warning to an actual church that had grown spiritually sleepy. In Revelation, the church of Sardis is told to "Be watchful" or "Wake up" and "strengthen what remains" (Revelation 3:2). There is clearly urgency here. They have faith but it is weak and their works are few. Outwardly the church appeared alive, but spiritually it was dying. Does this describe some of our churches today? I think so. Scripture does not warn us to wake up simply to frighten us; there is a blessing for those who remain watchful. The Blessings of Being Watchful John tells us in Revelation 16:15, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” When He comes He shouldn't find us in our old night clothes, but instead we should be clothed with Christ, ready for the day and the work at hand. Because we don't know when the Lord will return, we should always be awake: waiting, watchful, and prepared. Any of us can experience spiritual drift when we stop remaining spiritually awake. A spiritually awake Christian may still struggle, but they will remain sensitive to God's voice, quick to repent, and willing to follow where He leads. Faithful Servants Who Stay Awake Let us pray that we are armored up and prepared for any battle. Like a good soldier our prayer is to stay alert for danger. Our goal is to stay awake so we can be faithful servants of the God we love. We serve a God who never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). He calls us to do the same.

Understanding Suffering As long as people have been alive, they have questioned, "Why do people have to suffer?" Why can't we live in a world free of any kind of pain—spiritual, emotional, or physical? As Christians we have answers to this that others do not. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture explains why suffering exists, how God uses it, and what hope believers have in Christ. In this guide we will explore what the Bible teaches about suffering and point you to additional studies that examine these topics in greater depth. The Origin of Suffering The Bible explains that the world was free of suffering and pain until one pivotal moment when a decision was made that turned the world upside down. In one stroke the world went from perfection to death. It went from bliss to agony. Adam and Eve believed Satan's lies and ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3:1-24). From that point on, their relationship with God and His creation was damaged. That moment when they put their desires above God, mankind was doomed. Why Christians suffer is the same reason all of humanity suffers. God knew exactly what humans would choose and had prepared a lamb, slain from before the foundation of the world, as a sin offering (Revelation 13:8). This lamb, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would enter the world as a human baby, live the life of a sinless man, and die on the cross taking the sins of the world upon Himself. His shed blood provided the way for us to come back to our Father. He took our sins and our punishment on Himself so we could live forever with God. His suffering brought us back into communion as it had been in the beginning. And when He rose from the dead after three days the world knew this was no ordinary man but God incarnate. Although Christ's sacrifice provides the ultimate answer to suffering, Christians still struggle with another question. If God has redeemed us, why does He still allow suffering in our lives today? Does God Have a Purpose in Suffering? When Christians suffer there is a purpose. We may not know exactly why we suffer in this life but we know that "All things work together for good for those that are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). This promise is for Christians, not for those who are in the world. When we suffer we learn to lean on God for all our needs. We learn to give our problems and worries to Him "for My burden is light" he tells us in Matthew 11:30. We learn to listen when we pray, not just beg for help. We learn to obey God because sometimes we suffer as disobedient children who need correction. Suffering brings us an awareness of God's providence. He doesn't just set the world spinning and leave us to our own ends as the Deists believe. He cares for us and sets things in motion to accomplish His will. We can look at the life of Joseph in Genesis as an example. Jealous brothers placed him in slavery, yet he gained a position of influence in his master's house. An attempt to lure him into a sexual relationship by the master's wife ended with him in prison. There he was known as an interpreter of dreams. The Pharaoh heard of him, and after correctly interpreting Pharaoh's dream and saving his country, he is elevated to a position of prominence only second to Pharaoh himself. In this position he was able to save his people from starvation and eventually reunite with his family. Only God could orchestrate such a series of events. In all of this Joseph was faithful. His suffering fulfilled God's plans, not just for him but for his people. And so God has a plan for our suffering, even if we don't realize it. Yet understanding that God has a purpose in suffering still leaves another important question. Does He actually care about the pain we experience? Does God Care When We Suffer? Absolutely, God cares when we suffer. Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. When God sent His Son, Paul tells us He suffered as we did. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus because His friend died and just like us He was deeply grieved by that loss. He suffered betrayal at the hands of Judas who handed Him over to the authorities for money and even His beloved Peter denied even knowing Him. He suffered physically by being beaten and hung on a cross. He suffered mentally when His disciples could not even stay awake for a few hours to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because He knows suffering he can truthfully say "He is near the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18) He truly knows your pain. He is there with you and will never abandon you in your hour of need. How Do Christians Find Hope and Peace There are many stories of people who suffer terribly and yet have peace. It is His peace, "Peace I give to you," He tells us (John 14:27). We only have to ask and believe. This peace and hope for a future is anchored in Christ. Through Christ we can abound in hope even when we suffer. As Christians our trust is in God's faithfulness and His love. He is truth. When He says He will never forsake us, we can believe it, because we have seen it in our own lives, the lives of those around us, and the lives of His saints we read about in His Word. Our steadfast faith enables us to endure trials with hope. We understand that suffering in this life may never go away but we know that there will be a future time when there is no sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:4). Jesus has promised us a home with Him for eternity. As an old hymn says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." He is the rock on which we stand. What Can We Learn From Those Who Suffered The Bible leaves us with so many examples of those who suffered. These examples are there for a reason. God knew we would be discouraged. He knew we needed to see that even His greatest servants endured suffering and in doing so can teach us how to "suffer well." Our greatest example besides the suffering of Jesus, is that of Job. Job who was a righteous man endured loss almost beyond comprehension. All of his children were destroyed, his livelihood taken away, and even his health. All he had left was a wife who told him to "Curse God and die" (Job 2:9). But he did not curse God. He questioned God and had to endure his friends who basically told him he must have done something to deserve what happened when he knew he did not. In the end, he was rewarded for his faithfulness, receiving a double portion. We see still other examples: David who fled for his life for years from Saul who wanted to kill him and later in life his own son tried to take the throne from him. We see a man punished by God for his sins, who later becomes known as a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22). In the New Testament we read about Paul who is transformed from a man who hunts Christians down to the greatest missionary who ever lived. In the midst of this he was beaten, jailed and eventually executed for his faith. What we learn from these examples of suffering is faithfulness. We learn to praise God in the midst of our pain. We see that out of their suffering something greater came. We understand that they were and we are role models for the world. Does God Remember the Faithful? When we suffer and are faithful to God He remembers us. This is foretold in Malachi 3:16 God promises to honor and reward those who are faithful to Him in an unfaithful world. The world may seem to receive many rewards, they may seem to suffer little, but the time for his saints to be rewarded will be in eternity. He says so beautifully that he has a "Book of Remembrance" of the good and honorable things done by His beloved people. He promises not to forget us even though we may sometimes feel that he does. We don't look at life like the world does. We know that suffering is not meaningless. It produces fruit and that that fruit will be rewarded, not the fruit of being a good person per se, but the fruit of love for others that flows from us because of our changed hearts. And this is what God promises to remember. How Should Christians Respond? Christians should respond to suffering by praying honestly to God. Share your burdens with Him knowing that He cares deeply for you. Obey Him even though it may be so difficult to show love to someone who is mistreating or persecuting you. Showing that love is how we share Him with the world. Our job is to do good. So no matter what happens our purpose is to reach out to those who hate us with goodness, for by doing this we heap burning coals on their head and you will be rewarded (Proverbs 25:21-22). This is how we overcome evil with good, Paul tells us in Romans 12:21. This kind of grace leaves God to be the judge. It can win a person over to Christ out of sheer disbelief in our ability to give grace as it was given to us. What God expects when we suffer is obedience and love. The End of Suffering Don't forget that your life is just a whisper, only a fleeting thing but eternity is forever. Keep a perspective of joy in the Lord no matter what comes your way. We don't rejoice in the bad things that happen but we have joy knowing that He is always with us and one day we will be with Him. We will be invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb as His beloved bride, the church (Revelation 19:7-9). Our hope is in Beulah Land with Jesus who takes delight in His people and promises to care, protect, and dwell with us forever. Why Does Suffering Exist and Our Hope God allows suffering to exist because sin entered the world, but God has not abandoned us to suffer alone. Through every trial He is working to draw His people closer to Himself, strengthen their faith, and prepare them for eternity. The Bible repeatedly reminds us that suffering is not the end of the story. Jesus entered our suffering, conquered sin and death through the cross and resurrection, and promises a future where pain, sorrow, and death will be no more. Until that day, Christians endure suffering with hope, knowing that God remembers the faithful, walks beside the brokenhearted, and will one day make all things new. Continue Your Study of Suffering If you are struggling with suffering, grief, persecution, or unanswered questions, the articles below explore these topics in greater depth and provide biblical encouragement for difficult seasons of life. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/why-christians-suffer-hope-beyond-the-pain —What we can learn from suffering https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/god-s-plan-in-suffering —How God used Joseph's hardships to accomplish His purposes. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/god-cares-about-your-suffering-even-when-people-don-t —Finding comfort in Christ's compassion. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/abound-in-hope —Discovering hope that endures hardship. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/steadfast-faith-enduring-trials-with-hope —When we are faithful to God we can endure with hope. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/job-and-jesus-finding-hope-through-suffering-and-faith —We have role models for suffering. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/a-book-of-remembrance —When we suffer, God remembers our faithfulness. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/what-does-god-expect —God expects our obedience and love in the midst of difficult times. https://www.journeywithhope.com/post/covenant-marriage-and-the-hope-of-beulah-land —We can expect to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb and that brings hope.

Man or Woman, You Are Important in the Body of Christ Jesus loves and cares deeply for each of us, whether we are a man or a woman. He has a task for each of us. No part of the body of Christ is more important than another according to Paul (1 Corinthians 12:15-26). We often ask, "What is our purpose?" God uses each of us to glorify Christ and serve His kingdom. The early church included many women who are specifically spoken about in the book of Acts. Each woman had a role to play. Although we are sometimes given few details about them, they were important enough to be named. The book of Acts introduces us to several remarkable women whose faith strengthened the early church. Mary, the Mother of Jesus In Acts chapter one, we read that the disciples gathered together with other believers numbering in total 120. There were men and women present including Mary, the mother of Jesus. An important task was at hand. The replacement for Judas must be decided. This was a matter placed before the entire gathering. Mary was an active participant, as were the other unnamed women present that day, in matters important to the early church. Women Receive the Holy Spirit In Acts 2, Peter addresses the crowd after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and quotes the Old Testament book of Joel in verses 17 and 18. “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (NIV) It is not just the sons who will prophesy, not just the men, but it will be the daughters and the women as well. The Spirit of God will be poured out on both men and women. Tabitha's Faithfulness In chapter nine of Acts, Peter travels to the city of Lydda. This city is about 22 miles northwest of Jerusalem and today is called Lod. Near Lydda was the town of Joppa and here there had lived a woman named Tabitha (in Greek she was known as Dorcas). She had died and friends were sent to Peter to ask him to come and revive this woman known for always doing good and helping the poor. When Peter arrived, he found the widows that she had provided clothing for weeping by the side of her body. Peter commanded Tabitha to get up. She opened her eyes and arose from her death bed. Her charity and faithfulness caused those around her to reach out to Peter. When Peter raised her from the dead her faithfulness spread, because this event was crucial to many becoming believers in Joppa. Women Face Persecution Also in chapter nine Paul, who is still known as Saul at this point, was in Damascus looking for both men and women who followed The Way, as the early church was referred to. His intent was to drag them off to prison in Jerusalem. Both men and women risked their lives to follow Christ. Mary, Mother of John We read in Acts 12 how Peter was miraculously freed from prison. When he left, he went to Mary's home where believers were meeting. This Mary was the mother of John (also called Mark). This was the same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. Rhoda's Excitement When Peter knocked on the door of Mary's home, and her servant Rhoda answered. She was so excited to see Peter that she shut the door in his face and hurried back to tell everyone that Peter was here. They thought she was crazy until Peter's knocking caused them to open the door and to their amazement find him standing in front of them. Peter relayed his story of his escape from prison and asked them specifically to "tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this." Peter specifically wanted both the brothers and sisters to hear this miraculous story. Lydia's Hospitality Acts 16 tells us about Lydia of Thyatira. Thyatira was a Greek city, now in modern Turkey. Paul had traveled to Philippi (a Roman colony in Macedonia in Biblical times, but today located in Greece.) Paul had had a vision to preach to those in Macedonia. It is believed that this was the first time Paul preached on European soil. While there, he preached to women who had gathered at the river located outside the city gate. Lydia was one of these women. She was a businesswoman, a dealer in purple cloth for which the city of Thyatira was famous. Obviously, she was a woman of some means. God opened her heart and she believed, then she and her whole household were baptized. She persuaded Paul and his companions to stay at her home. Paul's vision to preach to those in Macedonia obviously was Holy Spirit-inspired to reach out to this woman, Lydia, whose heart had been opened by God. Damaris Believed Acts 17 finds Paul preaching in Athens explaining to them that His God was the "unknown god" that they had erected an altar to. The crowd had gathered at the Areopagus where philosophers and thinkers would get together and discuss ideas. After preaching, several believed, and one woman specifically named was Damaris. There has been much speculation as to who Damaris was. Heather Farrell, in her blog "Women in the Scriptures", says this about Damaris, "Despite the debate about who Damaris was, a wife, a mistress, a Greek, a foreigner a philosopher, or just an ordinary woman, the one thing we know for sure about her is that she was a believer. In a city swirling with many different types of religious and intellectual philosophies Damaris heard and recognized the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She believed." Priscilla Teaches Apollos Finally in Acts 18, Paul went to the home of Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth located west of Athens. Just as Paul was a tentmaker, so were they. Eventually Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquilla were left in Ephesus, another town in modern Turkey. Priscilla and Aquila were instrumental in training Apollos (who was from Alexandria in Egypt) about Jesus. Apollos was then a successful missionary to Achaia in Greece where he proved from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Always mentioned together as Priscilla and Aquila, Priscilla is usually mentioned first which is possibly an indication that she was more influential in her community. Women of Acts Although these women came from different places and backgrounds, together they paint a remarkable picture of God's work in the early church. These women were from all walks of life. Some were wealthy business women, some were servants, some played an important role in early church decisions, some were known for their charity and kindness, some were working class people, some were prophets and some held house church meetings in their home. These women lived all over the Roman world and their faith helped spread the gospel. They risked their lives alongside men to become believers. As Paul says in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Women have always played a vital role in the church. God views Christian men and women as one in Christ. God uses us all for a purpose. Christianity, more than any religion of the time, gave a voice and a place for women alongside men. These women are role models for us today. They are worthy of study. How will God use you?

Hearing God's Call Have you ever wondered if God is calling you to do something? Many Christians spend years waiting for God to reveal His will, hoping for a sign, an unmistakable feeling, or even an audible voice. But what if Christ has already given every believer the calling they have been waiting for? The question is no longer whether God is speaking. The question is whether we are willing to obey. When we are the obedient, submissive, Spirit-filled children He calls us to be, He won't have to audibly speak to us as He did in the Old Testament to people like Isaiah. He won't need to ask who is willing to do His will. His people will already be willing to obey Him. What does God expect? We know that our purpose on this earth is to love Him and others first and foremost. God has revealed His will for us through His Word. In ancient times, though, it was different. Does God Still Call People Today? In Isaiah we read the prophet's famous words to God, "Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). This came after seeing an awe inspiring vision of the holiness of God and hearing the question from Him, "Whom shall I send?" We remember hearing the story of Samuel as a young boy responding to God's audible call in the night (1 Samuel 3:4-10). We have read about Abram (Abraham) being called by God and his answer, "Here I am" (Genesis 22:1). Moses gives the same response when he hears God calling from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4). But what about today? Why don't we hear His voice like the saints of old? Is He calling us to do something? How God Speaks to Believers Today Yes, Jesus calls us today. We don't need to hear His audible voice because the Holy Spirit lives in us as His followers. The Spirit we are promised will show us what is true (John 16:13). The Spirit will give us power to go into the world and tell the world about Jesus (Acts 1:8). The Spirit gives us not just power but also love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Without the Spirit living in us we would not be able to do God's will. God's Will Has Already Been Revealed And what is that will? First God's will is that we repent, trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, and love God and others. His will is for us to pursue holiness. We are to give thanks no matter what happens (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We should do good because God created us in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). And as Jesus told the disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21). God's will has been revealed to us. God no longer waits for us to answer. If Christ has already commanded us to love, forgive, serve, and make disciples, what are we still waiting for? His expectation is that we will be obedient to the commands we have been given. We don't have to wonder about what kind of life God calls us to live. In fact, in Ephesians 5:17 Paul tells us, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." In other translations, instead of "do not be unwise," they say not to be foolish, unthinking, or careless. I don't know about you but I never considered myself to be foolish just because I didn't know God's will. But I believe the issue is that in our minds we make God's will something secret and difficult to know, but it is not supposed to be. When we are filled with God's Spirit and seeking to live as we have been told to, it won't be impossible to discern the will of God. Since God has already revealed His will, then the question is no longer whether He is calling us. The question becomes whether we are willing and equipped to obey that call. God Guides Us Through His Word In Psalm 119:105 we are reminded that God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path." If you are truly seeking His will, you will be guided by reading and studying His Word. He doesn't expect you to go through life foolishly stumbling along with no guidance. He has given you His Word so you can know what He asks of you. The author of Hebrews prays that God will "equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Have we prayed this prayer? Have we asked to be equipped with everything good? Using Your Gifts to Do God's Will If we have been given a skill or a talent, have we prayed that God would show us how He wants us to use it? I know so many people who have skills the Lord could use but they refuse. Perhaps they are afraid. Maybe they just can't see how God will use them to do His will. So often we limit God. We think our limitations are His, but that is so wrong. Even those who clearly knew God's calling still depended on God's strength and the prayers of other believers. In Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul asks the church at Ephesus to pray for him. Specifically, he asks them to pray that he will be able to go boldly when He tells the world about God. He tells them he is an "ambassador in chains" and he knows that boldness will be required for him to accomplish God's will. Why? Because Paul knows that boldness will bring more chains and eventually death. He knows God's plan for him and he needs the prayers of other believers to help him accomplish it. How often do we ask others to pray for us for strength and the ability to use our gifts and talents to accomplish God's will? As the body of Christ one of our responsibilities is to encourage each other. Life can be hard. Accomplishing what Christ wants us to do can be harder still without the prayers of our fellow believers. How to Know God's Will: Obeying Your Call The days of waiting for a personal call like Isaiah, Moses, or Samuel have given way to a greater calling that belongs to every believer. Now we live our lives as people who are slaves to righteousness, forgiving others as we have been forgiven, loving as we have been loved, and immersing ourselves in His Word so we will be rightly guided by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God doesn't just come upon us for a time as was the way in the Old Testament. Today He lives in us and through us when we are God's children. We grow in obedience and wisdom throughout our lives by listening with a keener ear to the Holy Spirit. He even intercedes for us in prayer when we don't know what to say. With whom have you shared Jesus and His message of forgiveness and life? If the answer is no one, pray for that boldness that Paul himself asked for. Seek to do God's will by living an obedient life. Let's not wait for another call to come to us but obey the one we have already received.

How Much Faith Do You Have? Would Jesus say that you have great faith or little faith? As Christians we all want to have more faith. You would naturally assume that His disciples would have had the most faith of anyone but this was not true. Jesus scolds the disciples several times for having little faith. We read about these examples in Luke 4:14-20 and 12:28 and in Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; and 16:8. In the examples in Matthew, each one has something to do with not having faith that God will care for us. The disciples didn't have enough faith to believe that God would provide for their basic needs. They didn't have enough faith to believe that Jesus would save them from the storm. Peter didn't have enough faith to believe that if Jesus told him to come to Him on the water that he would be able to do it. They possessed too little faith to believe that Jesus could provide bread for the multitudes even though they had seen Him do this before. Little Faith In spite of the little faith of the disciples Jesus was there for them. He still supplied their needs in spite of their little faith. How often does this happen to us? We worry over our daily needs, we fret over the storms that come our way, both literal and figurative, we are fearful that we can't do something that Jesus has asked us to do and even though we have seen Him be faithful to us countless times we question if He will be there the next time. Great Faith And what of those with great faith? Only twice does Jesus mention the great faith of people, once in Matthew 8:10 and again Matthew 15:28. Both of these were connected to healing. Both of these were non-Jews. One was the Roman centurion and the other the Canaanite woman. Neither of these people probably knew any scriptures, none were trained in the law of Moses, but what they did have was great faith. They knew Jesus was the Son of God and capable of doing anything. More Faith Than Anyone In Israel The Roman centurion is even said to have had faith, according to Jesus, more than anyone in Israel. The centurion was a commander. He knew a leader when he saw one. He knew a leader only had to say the word and the thing would happen. If you read carefully, you will see that the centurion did not ask Jesus to heal his servant. He just presented the situation to Him. By faith the centurion knew that if Jesus wanted to heal his servant, He would do it. Jesus continues in Matthew 8:11-12 to say that many will come into His kingdom from afar. Many will be part of His kingdom that people don't expect. They may not be learned, they may not know all the religious traditions, but what they will have is great faith. Humbly And With Faith When the Canaanite woman comes to Him in Matthew 15, she also does not ask for healing. She presents the situation, but with total faith that if He wants to heal her daughter by ridding her of demon possession, He will do it. He doesn't answer her immediately. She must wait. She pleads for help, kneeling humbly before Him, and her unspoken request is granted. She had to wait, but her faith did not waver. Does waiting make us doubt? Faith Of Others Sometimes it is the great faith of others that makes the difference. In Matthew 9:2, we are told, When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Notice that Jesus saw "their faith". Not only were the man's sins forgiven but he was healed as well. Thank God for the faith of those who helped bring him to Jesus. Do you have friends who care enough to bring your problems to Jesus with you? There is a power in that. In Luke 5:20, we read another story of a paralyzed man brought to Jesus by his friends. So determined were they to get their friend to Him that they lowered him through the roof of the house down directly in front of Jesus. What does Jesus say? When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Again, Jesus saw "their faith". Once more the man's sins were forgiven and he was healed. Oh how precious to have friends so persistent, so helpful, so dedicated. Jesus Marvels Twice in the New Testament, once in Mark 6:6 and also in Matthew 8:10, the Lord is said to have marveled. To marvel means to be filled with wonder or astonishment. In Mark 6:6, He marveled at the lack of faith in his hometown. Without faith few miracles happened there. In Matthew 8:10, it was the centurion's great faith He marveled at. Would it be possible for us today to astonish Jesus with our faith? He promises that we can be full of faith and power just as Stephen was (Acts 6:8). Great Faith Or Little Faith Faith is a gift from God that comes from hearing His word. Faith reveals who God really is and the deep and powerful message of life that He brings to the world. Great faith is possible. We can ask God to "Help my unbelief" and lack of faith (Mark 9:24). Remember the promises of Christ. Remember God's great faithfulness. Remember He is truly our loving Father.

Why God's Word Is Our Greatest Weapon Why don't Christians read and study the Bible? As Christians, we know the Bible is our instruction manual for life. It is our loving guide. We intend to read it, but life slowly crowds it out. Over time, good intentions turn into spiritual drift. Our reasons are many. When we really think about them, some are honestly just excuses. Scripture repeatedly tells us the importance of hiding "God's Word in our heart that we may not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). Jesus famously quoted scripture to the devil when he was being tempted in the desert. It may be hard to admit but Satan encourages our excuses. When Paul discusses our spiritual armor to defeat evil, the only offensive weapon he mentions is the "sword of the spirit" which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). If our spiritual sword is our only offensive weapon and we refuse to use it, what hope do we have in our spiritual battle against Satan. The Biggest Excuse: “I Don’t Have Enough Time” for Bible Study The most common reason people give for not studying is "I don't have enough time." We live in a busy, hurried world. We balance work, family, and social activities. We find time for what we think is really important. Sadly, social media takes up vast amounts of time for many of us. The average American today spends over 2 hours a day on social media. Sports and video games are similar distractions for many people. Sometimes the obstacle isn't unwillingness but simple exhaustion. Even then, a few minutes spent in God's Word can strengthen us more than we expect. How to Make Time for God’s Word in a Busy World Why can't we incorporate God's Word into what we already do. Before we leave for work or begin our day, whether by yourself or with your family, take a few minutes to read a small portion of God's Word. If you're with others, spend a couple of minutes talking about what it means. If you are alone, meditate on what you have read. “The Bible Is Too Hard to Understand” – Practical Solutions "It's too hard to understand." If you don't understand it, take a few minutes out of your time spent on distractions and read some good online commentaries that can explain it to you. Beware of AI overviews. They may be biased and sometimes incorrect. Be sure to check where your information is coming from. And when you read, read Scripture in context. Try not to read just one verse. Often when we read scripture out of context it becomes easy to misunderstand. Most Bibles have headings which will help you read the verses that pertain to each other. The translation may use words that we have heard many times but really never fully understood: words like atonement, covenant, or propitiation. Bible dictionaries, online or bound, can help tremendously when we are reading difficult texts. Why the Bible Still Matters Today – Finding Personal Relevance "What does this have to do with me today?" One way we know that God's hand is in His Word is that stories from thousands of years ago are still able to speak to us. I firmly believe that the more we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us while we study, the more we will be able to understand. God's desire is not so much that we become Bible scholars but that we are obedient to what we read. Our heart is what needs to be changed by the work of the Holy Spirit. That heart change was needed long ago and is needed now. Human beings are not much different today from ages past. They dealt with many of the same temptations, the same family dynamics, and the same doubts and fears. Another thing I believe to be true is that if we slow down and read carefully we may be surprised by how the Bible speaks to us. Many people who have read the Bible their entire lives recognize that the same passage at different times in their lives speaks differently to them. It's sort of like watching a movie that you loved at twenty and seeing it again at sixty. It often doesn't say the same thing to us. It's easy to fall into the trap of, "I've heard that story a hundred times." We don't really listen anymore or read carefully. We overlook that turn of phrase that we may not be familiar with. We assume we truly understand it. We can trust the whole Bible to speak to us. But do we really know the characters in our Bible stories? Do we understand, to the extent possible, what their lives were like? Things happened to them that shaped them into who they are. How did their relationship to God change over their life? The more carefully we observe the people and circumstances in Scripture, the more clearly we see ourselves and God's work in our own lives. When the Bible Makes You Uncomfortable: Conviction and Transformation I often hear people say that, "The Bible makes me uncomfortable. How can anyone be as good as it says we are supposed to be?" First, we have to know that our goodness is not what saves us, only Jesus can do that. Even the most righteous Christians will still, on occasion, fail and sin. The Bible makes us feel uncomfortable because it asks us to repent. It asks us to turn from sin and become a new person. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and convicts us of our sin. Conviction is never God's final goal. His goal is transformation. Our life, as Christians, is a life of growth in our faith and in the Fruits of the Spirit. We grow in love, faith, patience, kindness, and all of the other evidences of our transformation by God's Spirit. Yes the Bible may make you uncomfortable, but it will also remind you of God's faithfulness to you. It will remind you of His love for you. God knows us and God sees us, and this brings us hope and joy. As we grow closer to God, we will naturally want to try to know more about who He is. Digging deeper into His Word helps us do that. Understanding these excuses is only part of the issue. Many people also struggle because the Bible feels unfamiliar in its setting and in the way it is put together. We can turn reading into real study as we understand this. Why Don't Christians Read the Bible? Understanding Real People One of the reasons people struggle to understand Scripture is that they forget it happened in real places among real people. Learning a little geography and history can make passages come alive in surprising ways. A little historical background can turn what once seemed confusing into something clear, making Bible study far less frustrating. As a self-confessed geography nerd, I believe knowing where people lived is important to our understanding. Were they close to the ocean, in a desert, or among massive forests of cedar trees? What was their culture like? Some knowledge of history helps us as well. When I first started reading the Bible, I remember being so confused by the terms Israel and Judah. I didn't know that after King Solomon died Israel split into two kingdoms: the kingdom of Israel in the North with its capital in Samaria and Judah in the South with its capital in Jerusalem. The ten tribes, often called the Lost Tribes, were in the North while the South was made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Jesus was prophesied to come from the tribe of Judah. Understanding Different Bible Genres Makes Study Easier When we study the Bible, it is also important to remember that it is made up of different types or genres of literature. We read and understand these types of literature differently. We already do this in everyday life. We don't read a poem the same way we read an encyclopedia or newspaper article. Realizing these differences helps remove one of the most common reasons people avoid studying the Bible: the fear that they won't understand it. Let me briefly summarize them. Narratives like Genesis develop the characters and stories of people. Books of the Law discuss covenants and specific rules of religious behavior. The book of Proverbs is an example of Wisdom literature. It provides short statements that help us know how to make good decisions and act wisely. Each type of writing serves a different purpose in how God communicates with His people. Poetic books like the Psalms are songs to God for His praise and worship. Prophetic literature, such as Micah or Zechariah, announce future judgment and hope to the people. The New Testament continues this same variety of writing, but with a focus on Christ and the early church. In the Gospels we have accounts of Jesus' life from the different perspectives of the writers. Here it is especially important to pay attention to the audience. Who is being spoken to? The epistles are letters written by the apostles to specific people for very specific reasons. These books are better read as a whole so we can understand the entire argument that is being put forward. To really understand them we need to keep in mind what these words would have meant to their original audience and then how we can apply them today. Apocalyptic literature, like that found in Revelation, and in portions of Daniel and Ezekiel, is literally an "unveiling" of future events. It contains much symbolic and artistic imagery. Overcoming Obstacles: Be Diligent and Keep Your Sword Sharp Whatever reason we have had to avoid Bible study in the past, whether lack of time, discouragement, fear of misunderstanding, or simple familiarity, we should ask God to help us overcome those obstacles. We are to be diligent and to present ourselves as "a worker who is not ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15). We may be rightly exhausted as we go about our daily lives but diligence requires effort and that is what we are called to. Imagine life 2,000 years ago without all of our modern conveniences. Imagine how difficult the labor must have been. Yet Jesus and the apostles speak to us, as does the Old Testament, about the importance of Bible study. Why don't Christians read the Bible? Certainly as we approach the return of the Lord, the battle we face will grow more difficult. We need to keep our sword sharpened and ready to face what may come. We keep our sword sharp not simply because we expect a battle, but because through God's Word we come to know the One who loves us, redeemed us, and has promised never to leave us. The hope we find in God's Word is what we are to share with a hopeless world. Helpful Bible Study Resources: BibleGateway BibleRef GotQuestions BibleHub