God existed from the very beginning, as well as the Word/Jesus. All things are made in God and Jesus. God/Jesus is light. Nothing can defeat light/God/Jesus.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 1, Day 2: John 1:1-5
3) Jesus was in existence from the beginning. Jesus was with God. Jesus was God. Jesus has always been means he was not created. He is God. Everything that is true about God is true about Jesus.
4)
Genesis 1:1: God created everything from the beginning. This means Jesus participated in creation, too.
Colossians 1:15-17: Jesus is equal with God since he was in existence from the beginning and participated in creation. Jesus created all things.
Hebrews 1:1-3: Jesus is heir of all things. God made the universe through Jesus. Jesus is God.
5a) Light is God and Jesus. Darkness is evil, sin, and Satan. If we believe in Jesus, we have light, too.
b) Light is the good deeds people do. Darkness is the bad we do to each other.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 1, Day 2: John 1:1-5
Love the opening of John. He says exactly what we need to know from the get-go. Jesus is God. If you have them, you will have light. Darkness cannot overcome light.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 1, Day 2: John 1:1-5
John’s Gospel was written last and at the end of John’s life. This is perhaps why John did not record the same things as the other 3 Gospels.
We see Jesus in Jerusalem here.
John emphasizes that Jesus is God.
John will discuss 7 miracles.
John uses Jesus’s words in the 7 “I Am” statements.
John’s point is so we will believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
The Word is “logos” in Greek. This word puts meaning to the world.
Jesus is the Word here.
The Father and the Son are equally God, but distinct in person.
The Word/Jesus created all things that were created.
This is about God’s treatment of Judah. Israel is the vineyard, and God had done everything possible to care for them, but they only yielded bad grapes. So he lets it grow wild and uncultivated, which yields only bloodshed and cries of distress.
SUMMARY OF ACTS 7:1-53
Stephen tells us the back story: God appeared the Abram/Abraham while he was still in Ur in Mesopotamia before he left for Haran and told Abram to leave Ur and to go to Canaan. So he went to Haran. Then after Terah, his father, died God sent Abram to Canaan.
God gave him no inheritance in Canaan but He promised him his descendants would possess the land. God told Abram his children would be strangers in the land and would be enslaved for 400 years. But God would punish that nation and afterward they will come back to Canaan to worship Him. Here, God instituted the covenant of circumcision as a sign of this covenant.
Then Abraham had Isaac whom he circumcised. Isaac had Jacob who became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
Joseph was sold as a slave, but God was with him and he was made ruler over Egypt and the palace. When famine struck Canaan, Jacob brought his entire family to Egypt, so Joseph could feed them.
Moses was born and saw God in the burning bush. God sent him to Egypt to lead his people out of slavery. The people rebelled while heading to the Promise Land, making a golden calf. Joshua drove the nations out of the Promised Land so Israel could occupy it. Solomon then built God a temple, a permanent place to be worshipped.
Stephen calls the Sanhedrin stiff-necked and just like their fathers. They resist the Holy Spirit, and they killed Jesus.
SUMMARY OF 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-13
Paul warns against being idolaters, as some of their forefathers were in Moses’s day. They should not commit sexual immorality, not test the Lord, and not grumble. Past events were recorded as warnings for us, but we need to be ever vigilant against temptation. But God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and He’ll provide a way out to stand up against the temptation.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 1, Day 4: Isaiah 5:1-7; Acts 7:1-53; and 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
10) God took care of Israel since the time before they were born and through their lives. He treated them tenderly and watched over them. Yet, they rebelled, so He took away his protection.
11) That God has chosen me out of all the peoples of the earth. What power lies in this fact.
12a)
Stephen tells us the back story: God appeared the Abram/Abraham while he was still in Ur in Mesopotamia before he left for Haran and told Abram to leave Ur and to go to Canaan. So he went to Haran. Then after Terah, his father, died God sent Abram to Canaan.
God gave him no inheritance in Canaan but He promised him his descendants would possess the land. God told Abram his children would be strangers in the land and would be enslaved for 400 years. But God would punish that nation and afterward they will come back to Canaan to worship Him. Here, God instituted the covenant of circumcision as a sign of this covenant.
Then Abraham had Isaac whom he circumcised. Isaac had Jacob who became the father of the twelve patriarchs.
Joseph was sold as a slave, but God was with him and he was made ruler over Egypt and the palace. When famine struck Canaan, Jacob brought his entire family to Egypt, so Joseph could feed them.
Moses was born and saw God in the burning bush. God sent him to Egypt to lead his people out of slavery. The people rebelled while heading to the Promise Land, making a golden calf. Joshua drove the nations out of the Promised Land so Israel could occupy it. Solomon then built God a temple, a permanent place to be worshipped.
The main points of Acts 7 are:
Abraham’s calling (7:2-8);
the Patriarchs in Egypt (7:9-16);
life of Moses (7:17-36);
Moses and Israel in the wilderness (7:37-43);
and the Tabernacle of Testimony (7:44-50).
He emphasizes God’s calling and care of His people and His provision of a leader when they needed it the most. He also emphasized how God was with them without a physical temple for thousands of years.
b) I think all of our lives are like this: we have spiritual successes and failures, but the ultimate goal is to have progressively fewer failures as we move towards God and Jesus. We should learn from the past so we can be better in the future.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 1, Day 4: Isaiah 5:1-7; Acts 7:1-53; and 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
A lot of reading in this lesson. I love Stephen’s summary of the Old Testament. It’s concise and covers the big picture. Great stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 1, Day 4: Isaiah 5:1-7; Acts 7:1-53; and 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Isaiah 5:1-7: Israel had everything it needed to grow and follow the Lord and they chose not to. God did all He could do; the fault is solely Israel’s. So, as punishment, God stopped protecting His people and stopped giving them blessings.
Acts 7:1-53: Stephen emphasizes Israel’s perpetual rejection of God and the Law. Then he points out how they rejected Jesus, the Son of God. He is showing how Israel treated Moses and how the Jews treated Jesus the same way. Moses was divinely appointed by God, as was Jesus. Yet, Moses was repeatedly rejected by the people, as was Jesus. The people turned to idols and God let them go.
Worship does not have to be in a temple, as Israel’s history showed.
Fun Fact: This is the longest speech in Acts.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13: Paul lists all the blessings the Israelites in the wilderness had:
They had God as a cloud, a constant reminder of His presence
All were baptized via the Red Sea
God provided them with food and drink
Yet, they did not please God, and they died in the wilderness, never entering the Promise Land.
The point is just becuaes you are a believer, you may not be pleasing God. This is why you should not be an idolater, commit sexual immorality, not test the Lord, and not grumble.
We need to learn from Israel’s mistakes and God gives us the ability to resist our temptations.
God’s law, statues, precepts, and commands are perfect. The fear of the Lord is pure, the ordinances are righteous. They are more precious than gold. You will be rewarded by keeping them.
SUMMARY OF PSALM 119:160
“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”
SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:63
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life.”
SUMMARY OF JOHN 17:17
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 1, Day 2: Psalm 19:7-11; 119; 160 and John 6:63; 17:17
4a) The Bible provides us with God’s commands on how we are to live and worship.
b) The Bible has comforted me many times in my trials. It has offered helpful advice in difficult relationships, and it’s been a beacon of light when I’m wandering lost.
5a)
Creation — The Bible tells of how the earth, heavens, mankind, and life on earth was created and offers guidance on how they are to live. God provides everything all life needs to survive and thrive.
Rebellion — Much of the Old Testament is about how mankind repeatedly rebels against God, his judgment upon them, and his care and love for them despite their rebellion. We learn how God always pulls us back to him no matter how far we wander.
Redemption — What the entire Bible is about, as well as the New Testament. It’s also the purpose of Jesus Christ. It’s the story of the Fall of Man and how God sent his Son to redeem all of humanity and bring them back to Him.
Restoration — When Jesus was crucified on the cross and died for our sins, all of humanity was redeemed and able to live forever with God in heaven. As long as you accept Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for your sins.
b) It’s the story of God’s creation of the world, man’s perpetual rebellion against him, God’s plan to redeem humanity through his Son, Jesus Christ, and our final restoration with God upon acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
6) Lord, guide me this year in my challenges, open my heart to you through this study and in daily life, and let your will be done in my life and in the lives of those around me. Give me the strength to persevere in all things, especially those for you. Let the dreams of my heart be from you, as you open the door to make them come true. Amen.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 1, Day 2: Psalm 19:7-11; 119; 160 and John 6:63; 17:17
Great opening lesson! I loved the introductory notes and the overview of the Bible. I’m definitely looking forward to this year’s study!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 1, Day 2: Psalm 19:7-11; 119; 160 and John 6:63; 17:17
David’s point in Psalm 19:7-11 is to praise God for revealing himself through his Word and not just through Creation. He chooses his words wisely: law, testimony, precepts, commands, fear, and ordinances.
God’s Word is never wrong, it’s reliable, it’s right, it’s pure, it’s enduring, and it’s true and righteous. And King David didn’t even have all of the Bible!
God’s Word is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey. It warns us, and it rewards us.
We are set apart (sanctified) for God’s purpose and pleasure. The more truth we believe and understand, the more sanctified (or the more we will be God’s) we will be.
Matthew lists the genealogy of Jesus in these 17 verses. You’ll find a mix of characters here, from prostitutes, such as Rahab to kings, such as David and Solomon. Most of the names are simply that — names of people whom the Bible does not talk about. However, God chose all to be a relative of Jesus. How cool is that?
Consider that there were 14 generations from Abraham to David, from David to the time of the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to the Messiah. Why the number 14? Matthew leaves out generations in order to create this numeric lineup. The letters of the Hebrew alphabet represented numbers, too. The letters in David’s name add up to 14, which is used to show that Jesus was the son of David, but also that Jesus is greater than David.
Mary became pregnant while betrothed to Joseph. Joseph, knowing that he was not the father, wanted to divorce Mary but in a quiet way. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child she carries is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.
Joseph believed the angel. He took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.
BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 1, DAY 5: MATTHEW 1:1-25
14a ) Matthew emphasizes how Jesus is from the line of David as it was foretold in the Old Testament. The angel mentions how Jesus will be from a virgin birth and called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
b ) God has a plan and he wants to make sure his people knew exactly who Jesus was.
15 ) Their families could have ostracized them and kicked them out of their faith. They could have been social outcasts. Their reputations could have been tarnished, making it hard to make a living in Old Testament times.
16 ) Anytime you lay down yourself and your wants for others costs you something. In truth, I don’t have any earth-shattering examples, but just following him and doing the right thing can be hard and difficult at times, alienating others, too.
CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 1, DAY 5: MATTHEW 1:1-25
In chapter 1 of Matthew, we get a sense right away of what this book is all about. We will be following Jesus’s birth and life all to the end, and we will be meeting people who aren’t exactly high society. We see how Christianity is right for everyone. Fabulous!
END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 1, DAY 5: MATTHEW 1:1-25
I’m super excited to be studying with you all again this year! Every year is like family, and I can’t wait to see what you all learn! In addition, do comment and share when led. Welcome to BSF’s Study of Matthew! Contact me with questions!
Luke records how the angel of God reassured Mary, too. We are told that the angel, Gabriel, went to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. Gabriel told Mary that the Lord was with her and that she is highly favored. However, Mary was afraid, but the angel said that God has favored her and chosen her to bear His son to be named Jesus. He will inherit the throne of David and will reign over God’s people for eternity.
The Holy Spirit will come upon her. Her relative, Elizabeth, will have a child (John the Baptist) in her old age for nothing is impossible with God. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, and the angel left.
BSF STUDY QUESTIONS MATTHEW LESSON 1, DAY 4: GOD’S PLAN FOR MARY: LUKE 1:26-38
11a ) Gabriel told Mary that the Lord was with her and that she is highly favored. The angel said that God has favored her and chosen her to bear His son to be named Jesus. He will inherit the throne of David and will reign over God’s people for eternity. The Holy Spirit will come upon her. Her relative, Elizabeth, will have a child (John the Baptist) in her old age for nothing is impossible with God.
b ) The Holy Spirit. Because it is God’s child, his Son, the Savior of the World.
12 ) “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be as you have said,” she told the angel Gabriel upon hearing she would bear God’s Son.
13 ) How I can see everything working in my life that He planned, not me. To impact my little corner of the world as He sees fit. Everything has come to this moment.
CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS MATTHEW LESSON 1, DAY 4: GOD’S PLAN FOR MARY: LUKE 1:26-38
I love how we can have the same stories from different points of view. So great! God is good!
END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS MATTHEW LESSON 1, DAY 4: GOD’S PLAN FOR MARY: LUKE 1:26-38
Curiously enough, no writer of the Old Testament ever mentioned the town of Nazareth. This tells you how insignificant it truly was. Until this moment when God chooses the human parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They live in Nazareth. Here, we get the term “Jesus of Nazarth” plus the Nazarenes, or followers of Jesus.
One could say we are all favored, blessed, and have the Lord in the form of the Holy Spirit with us.
Mary’s mind turns to the practical when asking how she will have a baby when she has never had sex. Does this show a lack of faith? No. It simply is a question that most of us would ask. How will this happen?
Mary became pregnant while betrothed to Joseph. Joseph, knowing that he was not the father, wanted to divorce Mary but in a quiet way. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child she carries is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.
Joseph believed the angel. He took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.
BSF Study Questions Matthew: Lesson 1, Day 3: Matthew 1:18-25
7a) Joseph’s immediate thought was to divorce Mary, but he cared for her, so he was willing to do it quietly so she would not be disgraced.
b) An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.
8a ) Jesus and Immanuel. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, meaning “the Lord saves” or “Yahweh is Salvation.” Immanuel means “God with us.” While Joshua saved his people from marauders in the Promised Land, Jesus would save his people for all of eternity.
b) Everything. Knowing God is wtih me and the Lord saves me gets me through the tough times and days of my life.
9 ) That no matter what I do, I am saved. I will go to heaven. All I have to do is believe in Jesus and his salvation (Romans 10:9). It truly is that simple.
10 ) Joseph believed the angel. He did not divorce Mary. Instead, he took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew: Lesson 1, Day 3: Matthew 1:18-25
I love the obedience. Of course, it helps to have an angel deliver news. Still, what would happen if we obeyed just as readily?
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew: Lesson 1, Day 3: Matthew 1:18-25
Luke tells us about Jesus’s actual birth. Matthew just tells us about the conception.
In the Jewish culture, couples were often engaged quite young, even as children. Betrothals followed, which was the next step towards marriage. Once you were betrothed, separation was only by a divorce. Finally, the marriage took place.
The virgin birth is a hard concept for people to grasp, which is why it’s denied. What you need to remember is all things are possible through God (Matthew 19:26). Mary’s pregnancy is a miracle by God.
Since Mary was pregnant not by Joseph, Joseph is understandable upset (wouldn’t you be). He seeks a divorce from her, which is when God (once again) steps in to preserve Jesus’s lineage. An angel visits Joseph to explain the situation and what he is to do.
Jesus was a common name at the time. It means the salvation of Yahwah. Today, it is much more significant. Jesus is to save his people (all people) from sin.
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said.” This is a theme of Matthew and the first time of many you will see this phrase used.
Meaning of Immanuel
You can debate all day long what Immanuel means. However, what matters most is what Immanuel means to you. God is with you in the pain, the sorrows, the circumstances, the hurts, the joy, the wins, the losses, in death, in death of a loved one, in birth of your child, and the list goes on. Every hour, every minute, every second of every day, of every week, of every month, of every your of your life. God is with you. When you truly grasp that, nothing on this side of heaven will shake you.
Joseph obeys after the angel appears. Jesus’s parents are now set in place.
Is Mary of David’s Line?
There is debate as to Mary’s lineage. Scholars say she is of David’s House and of the tribe of Judah because she is descended from Nathan, the third son of David and Bathsheba. Joseph, on the other hand, is from the line of David via Solomon. This point is debated with bible scholars because it is not explicity stated. BSF stays away from the debate altogether. To me, it seems logical that both are descended from David because God wants to make sure there is no doubt. Contact me today!
The writer is telling everyone and everything to praise Him because He created them, from the angels, sun, moon, and stars to the sea creatures, lightning, hail and more.
Summary of Job 38-40:
God points out to Job the fact that He is the Creator of the universe, and Job is but one puny man. God asks Job purely saracastically if he was there when the earth was formed, if he has given orders to the morning, or if he has an arm like God’s. Job responds to the vastness of God in Job 40 that he has no words and that he will speak no more.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 1, Day 5: Psalm 148 & Job 38-40 with Genesis 1:1-25 in Mind
13) God is amazing in all that He had done, does, and will continue to do. It amazes me how anyone can deny an Almighty God when passages such as these list all that God has created.
14) Personal Question. My answer: Just to be more in awe of God, who He is, praise Him more, and give Him credit more. Every time the sun rises and sets and you are privileged to see it, you should praise God. Every time you see a shooting star, watch a butterfly fly, or see a raptor soar, you should praise God. Every time you eat, drink, and make memories. Every time you do anything, it is all Him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 1, Day 5: Psalm 148 & Job 38-40 with Genesis 1:1-25 in Mind
It’s kind of cool to read all that God has done and is done.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 1, Day 5: Psalm 148 & Job 38-40 with Genesis 1:1-25 in Mind
Psalm 148
Psalm 148 calls upon creation to praise God, from the angels and the heavenly bodies to every creation and thing on earth. God should be praised because He made all these things. He alone is God that deserves our worship, honor, and praise. God also deserves our praise because He has drawn near to us.
Job 38
God answers Job after deliberately not answering him in the first 35 chapters of the book. God calls Job to account, questions Job about what he doesn’t know, asks Job if he knows the boundaries of the sea, if he understands the nature of the earth, if he comprehends the nature of light, darkness, and the sky, if he understands rain and its effects, if he knows the nature of the constellations, the clouds, weather, and the human mind, and if he can understand and master the animal kingdom.
Job 39
God continues to question Job, asking him about mountain goats, wild donkeys, and wild oxen and donkeys. He asks him if he knows the ostriches, horses, and hawks and if he can master them.
Job 40
God asks Job now will he challenge Him? Job is speechless before the Almight God and is ashamed of his mouth (or the way he spoke). God asks Job if he is fit to prove Him wrong or to save himself. God uses the example of the Behemoth to show God’s might and Job’s weakness. The precise nature of the Behemoth remains unknown. Many believe it is the hippopotamus.
On the first day, God made light and called it day. He called the darkness night.
On the second day, God made the sky, separating it from the waters.
On the third day, God made God made dry ground, calling it land. The waters he called seas. This He said was good.
God made vegetation on the land, seed-bearing plants and trees that bore fruit and seed. This He said was good.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 1, Day 3: Genesis 1:3-13
5) On the first day, God made light and called it day. He called the darkness night.
On the second day, God made the sky, separating it from the waters.
On the thrid day, God made God made dry ground, calling it land. The waters he called seas. This He said was good.
God made vegetation on the land, seed-bearing plants and trees that bore fruit and seed. This He said was good.
6) Part Personal Question. My answer: Day is a particular period of time, and can be whatever you define it as. Our days are the time it takes the earth to complete one full rotation around its axis, encompassing both day and night. God’s days could have been shorter or longer; there truly is no way to know.
Some Bible scholars wonder if the days are geologic days and ages. Others refute this by saying that why would the writers who were inspired by God use the word “day” then? Again, there is no way to know except when we get to heaven and ask God.
7) “Let there be,” “and there was,” “God made,” “It was so,” “And God saw that it was good.”
8 ) Personal question. My answer: God is Almighty, the Creator, and what He says happens. He is in control always and forever. He can create as easy as He can destroy. God is awesome.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 1, Day 3: Genesis 1:3-13
Love the repetition. So powerful for emphasis. All feature God doing and creating while in control of everything.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 1, Day 3: Genesis 1:3-13
Note the first step from chaos is light. This holds true in our lives as well. God and the gospel are light (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).
God spoke. His word is enough. Remember that as you study God’s word — the Bible — throughout this year.
Genesis tells us that light, day, and night each existed before the sun and the moon were created on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19). In the new heavens and the new earth, there won’t be any sun or moon. God Himself will be the light (Revelation 22:5).
Land was in existence before; it was just covered by water; God gathers the water into one place and calls them seas.
Creation of Plants
Plants were created before the sun. If the days were geologic ages, how woudl the plants have survived?
Many say the stars, sun, and moon were created on the first day but weren’t visible until the fourth. (Revelation 21:23) tells us that we won’t need the sun, moon, or stars any longer. It could have been that in the beginning, the plants didn’t need them either.
The plants were created not as seeds, but as full-grown plants each bearing seeds. The chicken really did come before the egg.
According to its kind is a phrase that appears ten times in Genesis chapter 1. It means God allows variation within a kind, but something of one kind will never develop into something of another kind.
And God saw that it was good. God knows what is good and organizes His creation to result in something good.
God does not call the earth good until it has become habitable, a place where man can live. How awesome is that?!
Passage: Â In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Questions:
9a) Â The heavens and the earth
b) Â After creating the heavens and the earth, God fills both with more creations. Â Genesis Chapter 1 is all about what God created.
10) Â John 1:1-3:Â Christ was with God in the beginning
Colossians 1:15-19:Â Christ was born before creation in order to be supreme above all things
Colossians 2:3:Â Christ holds all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
Colossians 2:9:Â For Christ is God in bodily form
Hebrews 1:3: Christ is God’s glory
All of these support the idea Christ was there from the beginning (Creation).
Conclusions: Â Easy day. Â Not much here to conclude we didn’t already know: Â God created the heavens and the earth and Jesus was with Him. Â Makes sense since God is Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Summary of passages: Â Psalm 8: Â David sings God praises, saying how majestic He is. God set His glory above the heavens. Â The praises of children silence God’s enemies. David asks the question many of us ask: Â when we consider all you have made (the heavens, moon, and stars), why do you care for insignificant man so and crown him with glory and honor by making him ruler over everything?
How majestic is your name!
Psalm 90: Â Moses says before you brought forth the earth there was only everlasting God. Â For a thousand years in your sight is like a day. Â He says our days fly by quickly under God’s wrath so teach us (man) to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Moses asks God to relent his anger and have compassion on man so man may sing for joy and be glad. Â Show man your deeds and rest your favor on man. Â Give man work.
6)  Psalm 90 speaks to how God’s time is not our time (verse 10). In 2 Peter 3:8 the author says the Lord’s day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. I am leaning towards saying it IS a 24-hour time frame. It would be presumptuous to say that God could not create the world in 6 days and in 24-hour time frames since God can do anything so I would think He’d only need 24 hours in a day.
God created the sun and the days and the length of the days specifically for man to mark time (Genesis 1:14) and I would like to think His Sabbath is the same as today. If you take what 2 Peter says then that would be a case for Evolution. That the world was created gradually.  That it took 6000 years and that God needed 1000 years to rest.
Nope, don’t buy it.
I agree that God’s time is not our time. But I think in the case of Creation, God didn’t need thousands of years.
7)  For His glory (Psalm 8) and because it was very good (Genesis 1:31). He created us because He wanted to.  For His purposes.  And God can do whatever He wants.
I personally think he created the earth with the intention it be a home for man. Â He created man for companionship. Â The first days of the Garden show us this: Â that God walked in the Garden, expecting to see man (Genesis 3:8). Â Can you imagine? Â Walking next to God in Paradise? Â This is heaven now but back in Genesis.
God is the Father. Â We are His children. Â Most of us would say we cannot live without our children. Â I think God feels the same way. Â That’s why He sent Jesus after the Fall–to be with us. Â Not separate from us.
David seems to be thinking the same thing in Psalm 8. Â Why would God go to so much trouble of creating the universe if not for us?
We don’t know all of God’s reasonings but I do think the creation of the world has something to do with man. Â You can call this presumptuous as well. Â But having God in my life makes my life.
8 )  This question is confusing.  Verse 26 & 27: God created man in His own image. God created living from the living. The dead cannot reproduce. Thus, God is living.
God made everything (including everything that is alive like plants and animals) so this proves God is living as well.
We also know the Holy Spirit was there as exhibited by Genesis 1:2 so the Spirit is living as well.
I’m hung up on “living person”. Â For is God a person? Â Or is He God? Â I don’t think of God as a person. Â I know He is living. I know He was a living person in the form of Jesus Christ on this earth for a time. Â But is God Himself a person?
I know we are made in His image so we must resemble Him somehow. Â But does that make Him a person?
Calling God a person (to me) equates Him with humans and I just can’t do that. Â He is above us. Â Always has been and always will be.
My conclusion: Â He is most definitely living (as many passages in the Bible attest to). Â But is He a person? Â No. Â Not like me or you at least.
Conclusions: Â Great lesson! Â It definitely got me thinking. Â You? Â Thinking about things I don’t normally think about in my daily hum-drums of life.
All of these are personal questions and make you think about why we are here on this earth. Â For His purpose. Â That the world is His and we are mere transients. Â We are here for Him. Â He is the Alpha and the Omega. Â It begins and ends with Him.
As I type this, I am sitting here petting my one remaining dog. Â It’s been one week since I lost my female. Â I’m remembering how one minute she was here, present on this earth, and the next she was gone. Â Lifeless. Â A mere shell of what she used to be. Â How I miss her!
But I can’t wait to see her in her prime in heaven. Â It gives me comfort to know she’s in a better place.
Still, I could never be a vet or a doctor. Â Watching someone or something take their last breath in this world takes a special character to do repeatedly. Â And that’s not me!
It’s a reminder of how time is precious. Â How we need to do God’s work now. Â How God has a purpose for us and we must discover it now. Â No more excuses or ho-humming around.
