We were not created to live alone. Jesus attached us to a victorious army, the Church. To fulfill God’s mission here on earth, we must work with others in the Body of Christ, until the day of His return.

Jacob did not believe it when Joseph’s brothers told him that Joseph was alive. The truth can often be hard to believe, while lies are more easily accepted. Why does the Bible call Jacob “Israel” later in life? We must learn to listen to our inner spirit (our discernment, God’s direction), and not only trust what we can see in front of us. Putting your faith in truth (in God) revives your spirit.

You can’t receive what God has for you if you are bound by fear and doubt. The Word says to “fear not”, for God is with us. He will strengthen, uphold and protect us. You better believe God’s Word, because all things are possible to those who believe.

Let’s talk about the time when Isaac was facing a famine. God directed his steps in the direction he should go. He fulfilled his promise to Abraham through Isaac and blessed the nations of the earth because of Abraham’s obedience. Each generation has challenges; you must learn to stand on your own two feet. Place your struggles in God’s hands and He will direct your path. You can find success through struggle when you trust God.

No one is named as the author of Genesis, but we hold to the idea that Moses is the author of the first five books of the Bible. Let’s talk about how we came to that assumption. Many people refer to the first five books as the Torah or the Pentateuch. The theme of Genesis is origins. Where did the heavens and earth come from? What about the origin of man and sin? This is all discussed in Genesis, the foundation on which the other books of the Bible are built.

His ways are higher than our ways. We will never understand everything about Him, but we must walk in faith, living in His perfect will. We were created to overcome through the power of Christ that lives in us. Do not be conformed to this world. The victory is already ours.

Make next year your best year by not worrying about everything! When the melodrama on this earth ends, we win! Jesus will rule from his throne in Jerusalem. Be anxious for nothing! God’s grace is far greater than your worst sin.

In the Book of John, the author wants to establish that Jesus Christ is God’s eternal and divine son. The theme of John’s book is that in Christ we have light and life. Christ is the light that shines in every generation. John records eight distinct miracles and establishes that Jesus was both God and man, the Word made flesh. He ties together several things that happened throughout Scripture so the reader can understand the same God was there in the beginning (in Genesis), He spoke to Moses (in Exodus), and He continues to be with us today. Jesus came that we might have life in His name.

There’s one thing hell hopes you never find out…your true identity in Christ. The world doesn’t want you to know your true identity; once you discover who you are through Christ, you become a force that hell cannot stop. We often forfeit our uniqueness in an effort to be accepted by others. The devil is a master deceiver who wants to steal your identity. You’re an essential part of God’s plan to build the Kingdom on earth. Stay grounded in the Word.

Have you joined us in reading through the Bible this year? Matthew, Mark and Luke are considered Synoptic Gospels. What does this mean? John is not a Synoptic Gospel. What do we know about the authors of these books? Many details about their lives are shared throughout Scripture, in addition to references on how they came across the information they relayed in their various books. Many verses share eyewitness accounts, but there were various methods used to garner information for what would become the most widely-read book in the world.