Scripture Study with Bibi: Genesis 1-8

"However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts."  - John Calvin

Last week, we covered some introductory points about the Bible. This week, we shall examine the period beginning with Creation to the end of the Flood (Genesis, chapters 1-8).

To gain a better perspective of the sequence of events, and understand the characters, locations, etc., that were involved, I urge you to read the chapters thoroughly prior to completing the exercises.

I admit that this is not a deep study of the Bible, nor did I intend for it to be. My goal is to provide a thumbnail overview of Scripture. Even so, I pray these concise studies will inspire you to pursue even further learning.

Before we start, permit me to provide a bit of background information about the Book of Genesis. This will enable both the new and the seasoned Bible students to begin on equal footing.

The Book of Genesis was written and put together by Moses while in the Wilderness of Sinai. It is also known as the book of beginnings. One can see why this so by reading the opening statement (Genesis 1:1).

In Genesis we encounter the written record of several "beginnings," including the beginning of: the heavens, earth, plant, animal, and even human life. Also included, are the beginnings of human relationships, laws, customs, etc.

Genesis is the first of five books of the Bible commonly known as "the Pentateuch" (from two Greek words meaning "five books"). These books are traditionally accepted as being written by Moses, the Israelite leader and are part of the Old Testament.

Let's begin our study with prayer: Dear LORD, as we meet together to learn, grow, and change in study, help us move into a deeper understanding of your truth. Amen

Now, for the assignments:

1.) First, read Genesis, chapter 1. According to your reading, write in order the six (6) formative or influential periods, and what was done in each.

2.) In recent years there has been a surge of individuals interested in tracking their family history in order to learn more about their roots. Genesis, chapter 2, provides the story of Adam and Eve, our first ancestors.

What does Genesis, chapter tell us about the creation of man? What does it tell us about the place that was assigned to him (Adam)? What command was Adam given by God? How was the first woman (Eve) brought into the world?

3.) Genesis, chapter 3, discusses the fall of Man. What led to this, and what were the consequences of it? Also, within this chapter is a promise that points to the Messiah. In what verse can it be found?

4.) Genesis, chapter 4 contains the story of Cain and Abel. After their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had to struggle for survival in the world. It was in this state of affairs that Eve first gave birth to a son, Cain, and then his brother, Abel.

Abel became a shepherd, and Cain a farmer. Describe the major event recorded here between the two brothers. What do you think was the reason for this? What lesson can we gather from the story of Cain and Abel?

5.) Genesis, chapter 5 contains the written account of Adam's lineage, specifically Adam and Seth's. It is an abbreviated family history connecting Adam to Noah. The emphasis here is on connections or ties rather than chronology.

What were the names and ages of the six descendants who lived longest? How are Methuselah and Noah related?

6.) We know that the perfect paradise of Adam and Eve, as provided to them by God, was no longer available to them. Humanity began to multiply at a rapid rate and it's bad characteristics along with it. 

What was the consequence for the wickedness of humanity? (Genesis, Chapter 6, verses 1-7).

What was God's command to Noah? (Genesis, chapter 6, verses 13-22)

7) Read the story of the Flood in Genesis, chapter 7). Why did the Lord tell Noah to take seven pairs of certain animals and not of others?

8.) After the flood water subsided, Noah, his family, and the creatures disembarked from the ark (Genesis, chapter 8). What was the first thing that Noah proceeded to do? What was God's promise to Noah?

This concludes our studies for now. Next time, we will resume from the close of the Flood through the call of Abraham (Genesis, chapters 9-11). I encourage you to read ahead in preparation. Until then, have a blessed and safe weekend!

Scripture: Psalm 31:19; Psalm 145:9; Psalm 34:14; Proverbs 25:26; Psalm 5:4

Closing prayer: Dear LORD, strengthen me with the hope of my salvation and the many other blessings you provide with your continuous presence in my life. Amen

May you all be blessed!

Bibi

Video - Sheila Walsh: The Turning Point

Prayer is a powerful means of communicating with God. Surprisingly, many don't use it for a variety of reasons. Inspirational writer, speaker, and Bible teacher, Sheila Walsh discusses her experience with the power of prayer in her own life. If you find yourself up against a wall, or feeling that you can't possibly live up to God's expectations, help is always within reach. Listen up!   ~Eve

"What Is Your Request..?"

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  - Matthew 7:7

We see in the above verse taken from The Sermon on the Mount, that fewer words were ever spoken more wonderfully; yet they are confirmed every day by devoted disciples of Christ (Psalm 116:1).

By way of our asking, seeking, and knocking we reveal our desires; and desire is the key of heaven. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6).

We must not hold back from asking for whatever we truly desire. Neither should we keep from seeking what we know is infinitely precious. 

And we can always, with full confidence, knock at the door that stands between us and the object of our loving affection. "What is your petition?... It will be given you" (Esther 7:2).

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 21:22; John 14:13-14; James 1:5; Colossians 3:17

Prayer: 

Father, I ask for thy tender kindness, which is better than life itself. 

Son of God, I seek thy grace, which in weakness makes me strong. 

Holy Spirit, I knock at the door which is always opened to the humble and broken heart. 

May all they mercies and my frailties compel me to never stop asking until You have given, to seek without fail until I have found, and to knock without fear until it has been opened. Amen.

Grace and blessings,

LeeAnne

Scripture Study with Bibi: A Beginning

"To get the full flavor of an herb, it must be pressed between the fingers, so it is the same with the Scriptures; the more familiar they become, the more they reveal their hidden treasures and yield their indescribable riches."  - John Chrysostom, A.D. 347-407   

As a semi-regular contributing writer here for many years, I am always pleased and thankful to be able to share my love for God and His Word with others!

To help celebrate the tenth anniversary of The Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, I was given the privilege of presenting a series of Bible studies which I hope you will find informative and useful.

After much careful thought, I decided that these studies should not be so drawn-out that I risk giving the individual too much at one sitting, making them lose interest early on.

Many prefer to begin their Bible studies in the New Testament. I see nothing wrong with this as it is the most familiar for many. I, instead, would like to commence from a different place.

The Old Testament serves to provide the groundwork leading to, and connecting with, the New Testament. And it is in the Old Testament that we shall launch our studies here.

Let's begin our study with prayer: Dear LORD, as we meet together to learn, grow, and change in study, help us move into a deeper understanding of your truth. Amen

Here are some general features of Bible. We will find that there are many narratives among 39 books in the Old Testament, and 27 books in the New Testament for a total of sixty-six in the Bible.

There is a great variety in the nature and personalities of the writers, therein. Some lived in palaces, and others in prisons. Some were princes, philosophers, even scholars. Still, others were shepherds, fishermen, manual laborers and artisans.

The Bible is made up of writings covering a span of about 1400 years and includes some 40 writers. The earliest were probably written between 1400 and 1500 BCE, the latest about 96 CE.

As our studies unfold, I hope that the distinct objective of the Bible will become clear to you. That is, that the Holy Bible is a revelation of religious truth from God to man.

Assignments: 

1. The Books of the Bible are organized or divided by sections. These are:

(Old Testament) - Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets and Minor Prophets
(New Testament) - Biographies, History, Epistles, Prophecy

See if you can classify the Books of the Bible into the above categories.

I hope you will join me next time when we shall examine Genesis, Chapters 1-8: (from Creation to the close of the Flood). Until then, have a blessed and safe weekend!

Scripture: Mark 13:31; Romans 15:4; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Closing prayer: Dear LORD, strengthen me with the hope of my salvation and the many other blessings you provide with your continuous presence in my life. Amen

May you all be blessed!

Bibi

Pray, Pray, Pray by John Piper (Audio Clip)

We are told to pray dozens of times in the Bible. God loves us and He wouldn't tell us to do something that's bad for us. Prayer is a staggeringly, awesome privilege. American pastor John Piper talks about prayer in this audio clip. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time!    ~Eve

Jesus and the Parable, Conclusion

Jesus was rejected as the Messiah by the Jewish leaders and by some of the people. God had graciously offered them every opportunity to accept Jesus' message. Still, they didn't believe Him.

Here lies a critical juncture in the earthly ministry of Jesus (Matthew 13). He has implied that temporal relationships are being replaced by spiritual connections. That, obedience to God, the Father overrides Jewish birth.

Thus, by using parables (earthly stories with a heavenly meaning), Jesus provided a glimpse of the new form the kingdom would adopt in the interim between His rejection, and future appearance as King of kings.

So, why did Jesus use parables? His disciples wanted to know why, as well. Jesus reply is found in Matthew 13:11, 14, 15. He tried to get His message of the kingdom across but they didn't want to hear it or receive it.

Basically, their unwillingness to receive His message of the kingdom of God was why He taught in parables. They heard the truths of the kingdom, but didn't understand. The message wasn't kept from them, they just didn't want to hear it.

What is the takeaway from all of this? We are directed to a great truth. As mentioned, God provided the people with numerous chances to accept the message of Jesus. In addition, the evidence of His Messiahship was set out for all to see in His miracles.

Even so, their belief in Him was not there. Sadly, as a result the realities of the kingdom were beyond their grasp. Nevertheless, those who did believe in Jesus as the Messiah would perceive, both, the meaning of the parables, and the truths regarding the Kingdom of God.

Going forward in His ministry, whenever Jesus taught in parables He would explain them only to His disciples. Those who had constantly rebuffed His message were left in spiritual darkness to ponder what He meant.

Because of their acceptance of Jesus' truth, they were bestowed with ever increasing amounts of it. This applies to all believers who have been granted the gift of the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth (John 16:13).

Jesus was well aware that the truth would not appeal to everyone. When it comes to the deep things of God, some have neither interest in, nor regard for it. Herein lies the point of Jesus speaking in parables.

To any who have a true and honest hunger for God, the parable is a powerful and unforgettable way to impart divine truths. Jesus' parables consist of many truths in a minimal amount of words. They are also abundant with imagery, making them extremely memorable.

Finally, the parables of Jesus are stories unlike any others. Each is a blessing to any who are willing to hear them. And to those with apathetic hearts and unwilling ears, the parable is also a tool of judgment and mercy.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, let Your presence show greatly in my actions, lessons, and miracles. Thank You for listening to me, In Your Name, Amen.

May God be with you always,

Kaelyn

Strife Is Destructive!

"Two aged men, that had been foes for life, Met by a grave, and wept - and in those tears They washed away the memory of their strife; Then wept again the loss of all those years."  - Jean Paul

If you think you are immune from strife, think again. Families, political opponents, nations, and even believers, to mention a few, are all susceptible to it. If left unchecked, it can quickly lead to discontent, violence, and destruction.

 

God loathes strife (Proverbs 6:16-19). The Bible provides many warnings against it, such as in Proverbs 20:3; Proverbs 17:1; Proverbs 18:6 and 22:10. Even so, strife is a very formidable foe to avoid in this life.

In Genesis 13:6-7 Abram and Lot strove with one another, In Numbers 20:2 the Israelites gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. During New Testament times, the early church tangled with strife (1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:20). 

Some rebuff or reject the viewpoint of others, demanding their way or none. They may also refuse to compromise, debate, or be respectful. What this tells us is that even the strongest, most-devout, person can never rest against strife.

Pride, hate, and jealousy are some things that can fan the flames of strife. We are encouraged to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), yet there is always the possibility that strife will step into our lives at anytime.

But, we are not completely helpless or hopeless against it. Someone once said that the best defense is a good offense. First and foremost, we should try and avoid situations where strife is a real possibility, if we can.

Cooler heads prevail. Nothing gets accomplished when anger rules the day. Self-restraint and calm dialogue reduces the chances for strife. Remember the Golden Rule..? Try it out the next time strife comes calling (Matthew 7:12; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12-13).

Extending compassion, patience, and being courteous are some other common sense ways we can use to oppose and frustrate strife in our daily life. And, finally, we should pray to God for His help and support in dealing with strife (1 Timothy 2:8).

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:12; Romans 12:18; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 22:10 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray for a heart of mercy when it comes to dealing with strife. Help me to show mercy as You have shown me. Amen.

God bless you always,

Rona

Prejudice and Love Don't Mix!

"Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart."  - Countess of Blessington

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India.

So, one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people.

Gandhi left the church and never returned. "If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher's prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.  - taken from Our Daily Bread, March 6, 1994

An infectious and destructive force has been gaining world-wide momentum in recent years. It is an ancient enemy that has consistently plagued mankind, spreading hate, denigration, and suffering throughout. 

The culprit I am speaking of is: prejudice. We, as a species (humans) have a natural inclination toward prejudice. And though we may read or hear a lot about it, are we able to describe it satisfactorily? 

For the sake of our discussion here, a very basic definition of prejudice is "a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience." We are most familiar with it as it is applied towards an individual or a group. 

The Bible contains many accounts of incidents in which prejudice reared its ugly head. During Old Testament and New Testament times racial, national, and sexual prejudice was prevalent. 

God, being well aware of our prejudicious tendencies, gracefully offered His help. For instance, incorporated within the Law for Israel, given to Moses, were moral and ethical standards, unprecedented at that time (Deuteronomy 4:8; Leviticus 19:34; Leviticus 20:26).

During Jesus' time there was widespread prejudice between the Jews, Gentiles, and Samaritans. Jesus rose above all of it by stressing the faith of a Gentile, and the thoughtfulness and consideration of a Samaritan (Matthew 8:10-11; Luke 10:30-36).

What can we glean from these and other examples pertaining to prejudice in the Bible? We recognize the problem lies with a negative attitude towards others. We also know that the teachings of Jesus counter or oppose prejudice (Matthew 5:45; Luke 6:27-31).

If one learns anything from reading and studying the Bible, it's that there is no room in the heart of a believer for prejudice. We are to practice humility, obedience, and love, both for God and each other (Romans 13:7-9).

By practicing prejudice against another, we are not only being arrogant or prideful, we are going against Jesus' command in our behavior toward our brothers and sisters (Philippians 2:3). Prejudice and love don't mix!

When we are unwilling to love others created in His image we are not loving God to our fullest (Matthew 7:12; 1 John 4:20-21). Only by recognizing our prejudice as God does can we seek forgiveness and ask Him for help to change it (1 John 1:19).

Scripture: Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 4:32; Acts 10:34; John 7:24; 1 Samuel 16:7 

Prayer: Dear Lord, You came and preached peace to both outsiders and insiders alike. You treated us as equals, and thus made us equals. Through You we share the same Spirit and have equal access to You. Amen.

Love and blessings,

Melanie

Jesus and the Parable, Part 1

Just offshore the Sea of Galilee, Jesus surveyed the gathering crowd from the anchored boat in which he stood. moving his head unhurriedly from side to side.

He hadn't planned on it, but the converging mass of humanity had forced him to move there. The sunlight reflected brightly off the beach sand as a light breeze rustled his one-piece tunic and hair.

Jesus took one last glance outward as he calmly took a step forward, then sat down. The multitude slowly quieted down until only the occasional cough, crying baby, or squawking seagull was heard.

Thus was the scene as Jesus began to preach the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-17; Mark 4:1-9; Luke 8:4-8). Here is the first written account of the use of parables in teaching.

Why did Jesus use this particular method of instruction instead of a straight-forward sermon? To get a better understanding of what led to this, let's go back to Matthew 12.

Beginning in Matthew 12 we see the peak of Israel's unbelief in the unforgivable sin of rejecting their Messiah (Matthew 12:30-31). Christ's answer to this denial extends into chapter 13.

Jesus perceives the impiousness exhibited by the religious leaders (Matthew 12) as an official snub of His messiahship. Thereafter, He intentionally withdrew from them.

The upshot of this was that Jesus first faced the instructional challenge of instructing His devoted disciples on this change, then after, the large assembly that followed Him.

His followers were now faced with a two-fold problem: How could He (Jesus) be the Messiah if we was shunned by the leaders? And, how would this rejection affect His kingdom design?

The rejection of Jesus as the Messiah by the Jewish leaders (Pharisees) was a watershed moment in His ministry. Jesus' usage of parables was in response to the objections that He now faced.

I encourage you to read/study Matthew 13:1-17, Mark 4:1-9, and Luke 8:4-8 in preparation for our next discussion. Until then, I pray that God will bless you abundantly!

Scripture: Matthew 13:35; John 8:32; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 145:18; John 14:17

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray for guidance in my life as I read and study Your word. I also pray for a discerning heart that I may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of You. Amen.

May God be with you always,

Kaelyn

Video - Make Jesus the Focus of the New Year!

The beginning of any new year is an ideal time to perform an annual spiritual check-up. Looking back on the year that has past, was your relationship with Jesus all that you would have wanted it be?

Honestly, we're never truly satisfied with our efforts because our desire for Him is never quenched. David put it this way, "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you " (Psalm 63:1).

It's time to forget the past and look ahead! Pray to Jesus for guidance in choosing what path you should take in order to strengthen and increase your relationship with Him and others this year. Make Jesus the focus of your life in 2020!

Jesus loves you,

~Eve

Resolve to Read the Bible!

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book.”  - Abraham Lincoln

The beginning of a brand-new year is filled with hopes and dreams. It is a time to start fresh, wipe the board clean, and change up one's life for the better.

For this reason, many will devise a list of resolutions, or intentions, to help them visualize and measure their progress along the way.

The key to success in whatever you are striving for in life is to "keep it real." Nothing stifles New Year's resolutions faster than impractical expectations.

Let's take the Bible for example. Many set out to read through it in a year. While some can and do prevail, many will fizzle out after only a few months. Why..?

The cause may not all be due to a lack of motivation or ambition. Things come up, life happens, pressure builds, frustration appears, then guilt sets in. We can all associate with this.

First, let me say that there is nothing chiseled in stone that requires one to read the Bible completely in a year. Will it make you less of a Christian if you don't? No.

We are all different individuals. As such, it's a good bet that the way one person approaches reading the Bible may differ from another. The secret is to find a method that works best for you!

Some like to read the Bible effectively, with a specific purpose in mind. Others prefer to read it efficiently, in the best possible manner with minimal waste of time and effort.

No matter which way you choose (some may prefer a mix of both) always begin with prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit for help in understanding (John 16:13).

Perhaps consider dipping your toe in Scripture at first. For new readers, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) are a good place to get your biblical feet wet.

Even so, reading a verse or two, or even a paragraph each day is enough. The aim is to gradually get into the habit without becoming overwhelmed.

Here are some other pointers to help you get the most out of your Bible reading:

1) When reading a verse keep the context in mind. By context, I mean the circumstances forming the background of an event, idea or statement in such a way as to understand the narrative (sequence of events) or a written selection.

2) Depending on what you are reading, understand the cultural differences. The Bible was not written in modern times. If you can. try to put yourself into the time, place, and culture of the people at that time.

3) Identify the type of writing you are reading. The Bible contains many different kinds, including: history, letters, prophecy, law, poetry, etc. To avoid confusion, do not read one in the same manner you would another..

4) It's also beneficial to think about how you can apply (application) the reading to your own life. For instance, ask "How do these particular verses apply to my daily life?" "What questions did my reading bring up?' "What did I learn about the person or people I read about?

Above all, always keep in mind that the Bible is not just another book to be read. We are invited to study and allow it to influence our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and "let the message of Christ dwell among you richly."

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; Job 23:12; Matthew 24:35

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me move into a deeper understanding of Your truth. May Your words inspire, heal, cleanse, and teach me. Amen.

May your day be blessed,

Amy Jo

Step In... or Out of Sin?

“When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh.”  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Armed forces around the world often boast or make much ado about the weaponry they have at their disposal. As soon as someone devises a new instrument of destruction another does the same, and so on and so forth.

And while all of these various implements of warfare are both, impressive and frightening, they all pale in comparison to the oldest, most powerful "weapon of mass destruction" the world has ever seen or known, and that, is sin.

What's a good definition of sin? As always, we should turn to Scripture for answers to questions like this. 1 John 3:4 tells us that sin is lawlessness. It is being disobedient to God; doing and wanting things our own way despite Him.

Put simply, we sin when we place our own will and desires ahead of God's. It is an outright opposition to Him who has the right to be obeyed. Looking past the definition of sin, are there any discernible clues as to the process of of it?

While there is no shortage of illustrations we could cull from the Bible, perhaps it would be practical for our purposes to examine the most well-known of these, the Fall of Man found in Genesis, chapter 3.

Some believe that sin happens in an instinctive or unthinking manner. In many cases it may appear to be so. However, as we shall see, sin instead occurs in a methodical, step-by-step manner. 

To see this, let's look at Genesis 3: 1-6. Up until now, Adam and Eve had lived an idyllic life in Eden, the earthly paradise. As long as they complied with God everything was perfect, but not for long.

Beginning in Genesis 3:1 we see how the Serpent (Satan) began to slowly chip away at their trusting, obedient relationship with God. The Serpent took the first step by planting the seed of doubt against God in Eve's mind.

This continued in the discourse between Satan and Eve through Genesis 3:2,3,4. Continuing his assault against God's integrity, Satan cast doubt over God’s character in Genesis 3:5, insinuating that God was jealously keeping them from their destiny, to be like Him.

Remember, sin occurs in steps. Satan had taken his, now it was Eve's turn. Her mind was reeling from Satan's evil and treacherous onslaught. There was much confusion going on regarding her natural and physical appetites and desires.

The best thing Eve could have done, especially being alone and without support, would have been to walk away and seek God's counsel about this. But she didn't. As a result, she succumbed to temptation.

One doesn't walk blindly into committing sin, we are first tempted into it. It's all about steps, and there is no definite number. Eve gave into sin in three distinct steps as we see in Genesis 3:6.

What were they? The lust of the flesh (the fruit of the tree was good for food), the lust of the eyes (pleasing to the eye), and the lust of pride (gaining wisdom through the fruit of the tree). One, two, three.

What's worse is that she incorporated her husband Adam into sin. Again, had they asked God for his help with this the outcome would have been different. But like many of us, we think we can resist the temptation to sin on our own.

God takes sin very seriously or else he wouldn't have banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Many use the excuse, "I didn't know what I was doing" for explaining their sin. God doesn't buy that, He knows how sin works (Jeremiah 17:9).

What does all of this mean for us today? First, know that we are tempted into sin. Yes, there are many different situations, but temptation always leads the way. Second, trust in God to help when temptation arises, we are not alone in this (Psalm 69:5). 

Sin is far worse than any man-made weapon ever conceived. The ramifications of sin are eternal. It occurs in steps, but so does our resistance against it. However, we must not go at it alone as we saw with Adam and Eve (Jeremiah 10:23).

We must have faith in God, ask for His help when confronted with temptation, and thank Him for the strength given to resist it. These are steps we must follow whenever Satan tries to tempt us into sin. Remember, it's all about steps...

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 26:41; James 4:7; James 1:15; Romans 5:8

Prayer: Dear God, in my daily battle against temptation to sin I know that in You I have a mighty weapon to help me overcome anything in Satan's arsenal of corruption, disruption, and evil. Amen.

May God be with you always,

Kaelyn