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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 3: Joel 2:18-32

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF JOEL 2:18-32

God took pity on his people and their cries. “I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.” Joel says to not be afraid for the Lord will now bless the land and protect them from their enemies. The Lord will pour out his spirit during the day of the Lord on the people who will be saved.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 3: Joel 2:18-32

6) That the Lord took pity on his people. That he would sendgrain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy them fully; never again will He make them an object of scorn to the nations. Joel says to not be afraid for the Lord will now bless the land and protect them from their enemies.

7a) God gave all people the Holy Spirit to be with them always. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord and Jesus will be saved.

b) I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

c) God is faithful. He cares for His people. He forgives them when they turn from sin with the right heart. This is encouraging for me in my sin, too.

8 )

John 16:7-15: The Holy Spirit guides us in the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify Jesus because it is from Jesus that he will receive what he will make known to you. He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.

Acts 1:8:  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 8:9-16: the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. You will have eternal life because the Spirit is living in you. The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. We have freedom and glory because of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. The Holy Spirit allows us to bear these spiritual fruits. The result of the work of the Spirit in a believer’s life is these attributes.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 3: Joel 2:18-32

I love how God always is there to provide us with our needs and how the gift of the Holy Spirit is something none of us should take for granted.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 3: Joel 2:18-32

God promises to provide for his repentent people and protect them from their enemies. God will restore His people fully, promising to bring rain and restore what the locusts ate.

Then there will be ultimate restoration and blessing and God’s Spirit will be poured out onto the people after Jesus dies. During Old Testament times, only certain people had the Spirit come upon them.

Joel’s prophecy would be fulfilled at Pentecost when 120 believers were the first to receive the Holy Spirit with signs from heaven.

All are eligible to come to God and to pray for Him to come into their lives.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF JOEL 1:1-2:17

Joel reports the word of the Lord, which is a prophecy of the locusts coming. A nation has invaded and destroyed the land. Everyone should mourn, fast, and cry out to the Lord.

The day of the Lord is coming, so all should tremble. Nothing will escape and everything will be destroyed. An army comes with the Lord at the head. God calls his people to return to him for He may relent. Fast, gather, and pray for the Lord to spare His people.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

3a) “What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.” Basically, everything will be eaten and laid to waste, and the people’s joy will wither.

b) The day of the Lord is coming where everything besides the fields will be devoured. Everything will be a desert waste. The earth shakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. All is dreadful.

c) It’s not too late for God’s people to turn to him, repent, and be saved. Declare a holy fast, offer grain and drink offerings, and come together to pray. Have the priests ask for forgiveness. Cry out to God.

4a) He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

b) 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that if people humble themselves, pray, and seek God, as well as turn from their wicked ways, God will forgive their sins and heal their land. True repentance is with the heart. Turn to God and away from sin. False repentance is saying the words but you don’t mean it. Your actions don’t change as you seek to be like Him.

5) Wow. Lots. Many financial struggles, health concerns, injuries, and moves. Yet, He is still with me throughout it all.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

I liked this passage because it’s not just gloom and doom. It’s gloom and doom with the message of hope of forgiveness.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 14, Day 2: Joel 1:1-2:17

Joel prophesied to Judah. He does not date his book with the names of kings, so Bible scholars believe the book was written around 835 B.C. He also never refers to the two kingdoms of Israel.

Joel is therefore believed to be one of the earliest prophets and was prophesizing while both Judah and Israel were still free. Only Obadiah is believed to have been before Joel. Jonah, Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, and Micah were of this time period, too.

Remember, this was the time of Queen Athaliah at the beginning of the reign of King Joash.  (2 Kings 8:26, 2 Chronicles 22:2) She was the one who killed all her heirs except Joash who escaped.

Fun Fact: Joel means “Jehovah is God.”

Judah will experience famine and crisis. Judah should mourn. The priests should repent for the nation.

Drought is coming. The day of the Lord means on God’s timing. It means God’s judgment and His restoration of those who turn to Him.

In Joel 2, Joel predicts an invasion of the land. The invasion never happened because the people repented. We see Joash take the throne. (2 Kings 11:4-21)

God has sent the army, but the people can still repent.

Tearing of the clothes is a symbol of mourning.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 5: Matthew 13:51-58

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:51-58

The disciples say they understand. Jesus says then they are like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new and old treasures.

Jesus's journey to Nazareth where he is rejected matthw 13 www.atozmomm.com
http://www.thebiblejourney.org

Jesus then traveled to his hometown of Nazareth to teach. They were amazed by his wisdom and miraculous powers. They knew he was Mary’s son and his brothers were James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, and his sisters. The took offense because they couldn’t see how he could have these powers. Jesus told them he was without honor amongst those who knew him. Since they lacked faith, Jesus did not do many miracles there.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 5: Matthew 13:51-58

11a) The responsibility to teach others.

b) The “old” treasures refer to the Old Testament laws and the “new” treasures refer to Jesus and the redemption he brings. Alternatively, you can think of this as the “old” as the truths and mysteries that Jesus (the “new”) fulfilled.

c) Having both the knowledge of the Old and the New Testament gives you a full picture of how to live your life on this side of heaven. The treasures God has given me is helping others through this medium know him. And, helping my family and those I know understand God’s Word, too.

12a) They took offense.

b) He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

c) Some people will never turn to the Lord no matter what they see or hear.

13) None, in truth.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 5: Matthew 13:51-58

I always love the idea of old and new, like putting on your new self (Ephesians 4:22-24). It gives me hope when I sin that I can be new again.

Great resource!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 5: Matthew 13:51-58

The disciples say they understand, but how many times have you said you understood when in reality, you had no clue? More would be revealed as time goes on, which is how our journey in Christ looks, too. The more we know, the deeper we grow with God and the more we understand.

The parable of the household or homeowner is Jesus’s last parable of the kingdom of heaven.

You bring items out of a storeroom to share.

Since the disciples understand, they must now impart that knowledge to others. Teachers of the Word must understand so that the people do.

No one can believe a lowly carpenter’s son can do such things. He was a normal boy when they knew him.

We can infer that most people of extraordinary talent or ability are normal people.

Note how important belief is again in Jesus’s healing and helping others. You must believe if you are to be helped.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 3: Matthew 13:44-46

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:44-46

Jesus tells the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl. He says that the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found the treasure, he hid it and then sold all he had to buy the field where the treasure lie. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he sold everything he had to buy it.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 3: Matthew 13:44-46

6a) Similarities in two tales: Both times the man sold all he had to acquire what he wanted. Something extremely valuable is discovered, desired, and purchased. Differences: the man could have kept the treasure the first time without having to sell everything he owned to acquire it.

b) That the man would give up everything he had to have what he desired.

7a) In order to have the kingdom of heaven, you must be willing to give up everything you have. Philippians 3:8 says you must be willing to lose all things to know Christ. In  Colossians 2:2-3, Paul says his purpose is to that all of us have complete understanding to know the mystery of God and Christ where all wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Psalms 16:5-6 says God has assigned us our portion and cup and made our lot secure as our inheritance. Romans 8:32 says that God gave up his own Son for us and give us all things.

b) That we must be willing to give all we have to follow Christ.

8 ) It’s encouraging to know that the more you give up in Christ’s name, the more you will know him. This is sacrificing time to study the Bible, tell others about the Bible, and grow deeper in your relationship with God.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 3: Matthew 13:44-46

It’s important to note the differences here. You must be willing to sell everything to follow Christ. However, do so smartly. For Christ, we are worth it. Is he worth it to you?

Great resource!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 3: Matthew 13:44-46

In the parable of the hidden treasure, the man is Jesus and the field is the world. Jesus gave everything to purchase his treasure (believers). At the time, whoever owned the land would get the treasure; not the one who found it.

Consider how rare it is to find buried treasure. That shows how valuable we are to Jesus.

So we go from corruption to value added in Jesus’s parables.

In the parable of the pearl, Jesus is the buyer of the pearl, and the believer is the pearl that is so valuable to him that he would be happy to sell everything to have it. A pearl in ancient times was extremely valuable and desired. People would have instantly recognized this value. This shows you just how much Jesus values you.

Fun Fact: “Kingdom of heaven” appears more than 60 times in the Gospels.

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picture of mustard seed tree www.atozmomm.com parable of mustard seed

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:31-35

Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed and yeast. He says that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Although it’s the smallest of seeds, it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds perch in its. The kingdom of heaven is also like yeast a woman mixes in with dough.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

3a) The kingdom of heaven

b) The smallest thing blossoms into the something grand that others enjoy and use. Most Bible scholars agree that these parables are prophetic in terms of the growth of Christianity and how God’s Word and the Good News will spread.

4) It doesn’t matter where you come from; you can follow Jesus and make a difference in this world. In Matthew 16:6-12, Jesus is comparing yeast in bread to the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Ezekiel 17:23-24 talks about how God plants trees on mountaintops that will bear fruit and have birds’ nest in it and find shelter. Everyone will know that God did so. Ezekiel 2:11 says that every grain offering is to be made without yeast. Ezekiel 23:15-18 talks about bread offerings. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 states that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast. Therefore, God works though the smallest things to create big things.

5a) He knew that those with a heart for God would understand the message, and those that didn’t know God weren’t privileged to do so.

b) It’s cool to see different interpretations and how things are used in the Bible. It prompts me to study God’s word deeper and continue to research meanings of Scripture.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

Two of Jesus’s less famous parables, but everything Jesus said should be considered of equal import. Here, it’s important to grasp the message of how small things can yield big results. Practically speaking, when you are struggling to understand your place and purpose in life, know that you have an impact on others by what you are doing.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 14, Day 2: Matthew 13:31-35

Most mustard seeds grow no more than the size of a bush. If the mustard seed is growing into the size of a tree, it’s a miracle. Most Bible scholars picture this as the church growing and offering shelter for the world. Some Bible scholars see the tree as an image of a great empire  Ezekiel 17:23; 31:3-9; Daniel 4:10-12

Thus, the parable describes how God’s kingdom grew but then became a nest for corruption as in the Middle Ages. Birds can symbolize demons or even Satan Revelation 18:2

The birds that nest in the tree’s branches can be interpreted as Gentiles finding refuge in Christ. God’s work is big.

The parable of the yeast can be interpreted as a picture of the kingdom of God growing, or of sin and corruption growing.  Exodus 12:8, 12:15-20

The large amount is more than usual. “Hidden” is used in other translations over “worked all through.” The idea is that Jesus’s kingdom would be threatened by corruption.

The church is part of the things hidden from the world and would not be revealed fully until later. Paul talks about this in Ephesians 3:4-11.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 14, Day 5: Genesis 15:9-21

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage: Again, Abram questions God, asking for reassurances of this promise.  God tells Abram to bring him a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and a pigeon.  Abram cut these in half (except the birds).

Abram fell asleep and the Lord revealed that Abram’s descendants will be strangers and enslaved for 400 years.  But that God would punish this nation and they will emerge with great possessions.  Abram will die in peace and at an old age.

Then the Lord appeared (many believe) in the smoke and united the pieces, making a covenant with Abram, giving his descendants this land.

Questions:

11)  God says that Abram’s descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and they will be enslaved and mistreated for 400 years (Exodus 6:1; 12:31-36; 40 and most of Exodus tells of God’s plan to free the Israelites from the Egyptians).

God will punish the nation they serve as slaves and afterward the descendants will come out with great possession.  This is shown in Exodus as God punished the Egyptians when Pharaoh refuses to release the Israelites.

In modern history, Egypt as an empire and great civilization no longer exists thanks to Alexander the Great and the Roman Emperor Octavian.  Also, the country of Israel exists today.

Abram will go to his fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age (Genesis 25:7-8).

In the fourth generation, your descendants will come back to Canaan to the land God gives them.

12a)  God as fire:  Genesis 15:17; Exodus 3:2-6 God appearing in burning bush; Exodus 13:21 God leading the Israelites at night as fire; Exodus 19:18 the Lord descending on Mt. Sinai in fire; 1 Kings 18 has Elijah answering the challenge by God coming as fire.  This is God as fire.

God used fire as a sign He accepted sacrifices:  Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Chronicles 21:26; Leviticus 9:24

God uses fire as judgment:  Genesis 19:24 when He burned Sodom and Gomorrah; Exodus 9:23; Numbers 11:1; Numbers 16:35 where God consumed people in fire.

Fire used to show God’s glory and holiness:  Daniel 7:9; Isaiah 33:13-15

God himself is a consuming fire in Deuteronomy 4:24

God the Son as light: 1 John 1:5, John 3:18-20; John 9:5; Romans 13:12

b) Personal Question.  My answer:  I’m reminded of a Greek myth that tells of how man first received fire.  It was given to them as a gift by Prometheus who was punished by Zeus because Zeus did not want man to have fire.  Prometheus was chained to a rock and forced to endure an eagle pecking at his liver for the rest of his days.

Fire is essential for living and surviving.  We have to cook our food and fire is what has been used for millenia.  Light is essential for seeing.  Otherwise we are blind.

Basically, God is essential for living since He is fire and light.  Without Him we cannot eat.  We cannot survive.  We cannot see.

Man could not exist without fire.  For the Sun itself is a ball of fire from nuclear explosions.  Furthermore, fire changes things.  Look at wood and metals.  Thus, if God is fire and fire changes things, then God changes things, namely us.

13)  Because He wants as many as possible to see the “light” and come to Him; to see His kindness and repent before it’s too late.

14a)  To the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.  This would be from modern-day Egypt to Iraq, which would include Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, and parts of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.  The river in Egypt is most likely the Nile River.  The Hebrew word for the river used here means “large river” so probably the Nile.

b)  Under Solomon (1 Kings 8:65) and possibly under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:25).

Conclusions:  I loved the study of fire in the Bible and I only mentioned a tid-bit of ways fire is used.  It also symbolizes evil, the devil, greed, the Holy Spirit, etc.  Fire changes and purifies.  This I LOVE!  Since God is fire God changes and purifies!  Awesome!

I was also reminded by this SITE where I learned about fire how Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew are much more expressive languages than English and the way fire is used depends on translations and meanings.  These languages have many more meanings for some words than English does.

This is just an interesting ARTICLE on the Promised Land boundaries with maps.  However, this article is propounding a world viewpoint.

Maps of Promised Land:  This was interesting.  I found various maps of the Promised Land the Scriptures used to back up the boundaries.  Here is what I found:

http://www.zionismexplained.org/map/thepromisedland.gif  This Link specifically uses Genesis 15:18-21

http://www.differentspirit.org/articles/boundaries.php  This one shows King Solomon’s boundaries with references.

MAP of Modern Day Israel against Solomon’s Empire in 990 BC.

Another MAP of Modern-Day Israel, showing Gaza, West Bank, and Golan

End Note:  I liked this lesson because it prompted me to learn more.  I spent two days looking up references and finding all these websites.  If I hadn’t of done this, this lesson wouldn’t have had the impact it did on me.  Please see HERE for the spiel this one comment inspired.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 14, Day 3: Genesis 15:1-11

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Abram received the word of the Lord in a vision:  Do not be afraid for I am your shield and your very great reward.

Abram questions God as to where is this promised heir.  God assures Abram he will have a son from his own body and his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. God also reiterates to Abram that He brought him from Ur to give him this land.

Again, Abram questions God, asking for reassurances of this promise.  God tells Abram to bring him a heifer, goat, ram, dove, and a pigeon.  Abram cut these in half (except the birds).  As Abram awaits God’s arrival, birds of prey come to feed on the carcasses so Abram drives them away.

Questions:

5a)  In 12:7 the Lord tells Abram He will give this land to Abram’s offspring.  In 15:2-3, Abram asks God where is this promised offspring because without one his servant will be his heir.

b)  God clarifies to Abram that indeed he will have an heir from his own body and tells Abram that one day his offspring will be as numerous as the stars.  God reiterates again that He is the Lord who will give this land to Abram. (Don’t you just want to hit Abram over the head here?  God probably does!)

6)  That Abram knew (and rejoiced) that Jesus would come, that this day (the day Jesus is walking the earth) would come, and Jesus would be the promised Messiah.  And Abraham was glad!  This shows that Abram had faith in God’s words and believed in the promised Messiah!

7a)  Righteousness is by faith alone–always has been and always will be.  If you believe the Lord and believe in Him you are righteous.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Faith is believing in what you cannot see and righteousness is being right with God through faith in Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross.  In believing Jesus is your Savior, you are wiped clean of sin and only when we are free of sin can we be with God and stand before Him–hence, we are “righteous” or right before Him.

c)  He finally believed he would have a son when God told him (again) and he finally believed his descendants would possess the land as God made a covenant (again) with him.

Some might say Abram made a covenant with the Lord when he cut the animals and God passed between them.  I would say no because in verse 18 we are told “the Lord made a covenant with Abram”.  Abram didn’t do anything but receive.  It’s a covenant God made alone with man out of His infinite love and grace for us piddly humans.  God even told Abram to go and get the animals.  It wasn’t even Abram’s idea!

Hence Abram didn’t “do” anything with regards to this covenant to prove his faith.  He merely received.

Conclusions:  This shows that even Abram, a man scholars would argue is the epitome of faith in the Bible, needed reassurance and signs from God in his life.  This applies to us as well.  God helps us even when we don’t know it.  He is there always even when we push Him away.  He picks us up and gives us a push in the right direction (His, NOT ours).

This also shows that it’s okay to question God.  For we, as humans, cannot understand Him and His ways.  It’s okay to ask Him for more clarification, for a sign, for confirmation, for direction, and for help.  Abram wasn’t for sure if the promised seed would be natural born or an adoptee so he asked God for clarification.  Abram wasn’t sure if he would possess the Promised Land and God told him he wouldn’t but his descendants would.

Throughout the Bible, prophets and others have questioned God and He has always answered.

He still answers.  And all we must do is have faith He will.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 14, Day 2: Genesis 15:1-7

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Abram received the word of the Lord in a vision:  Do not be afraid for I am your shield and your very great reward.

Abram questions God as to where is this promised heir.  God assures Abram he will have a son from his own body and his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. God also reiterates to Abram that He brought him from Ur to give him this land.

Questions:

3a)  A shield is a broad piece of defensive armor carried on the arm; one that protects or defends.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  the devil.  The world.  Things of the world.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  That God shields me.  He bestows glory on my head and lifts me up.  He surrounds me with His favor and blesses me.  I am joyful because of Him and His shield.  He helps me and gives me hope.  He is faithful and under Him I find refuge.  I find hope in His word.

4a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Money or prizes.  Rich, fertile land.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Nothing monetary that I know of but definitely turning down personal praise and pride and giving Him the glory, not me.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Not sure.  I just don’t see this as an invitation from God for me to ask Him for something.  God is giving us Him as His great reward and there is nothing higher.  This is a declarative sentence, not an imperative.  God is not saying, “Hey, you!  What do you want as a reward?”

Not sure what the point of this question is and where the extrapolation is coming from.

Conclusions:  Well, you probably know what I’m going to say by now:  Didn’t like this lesson.  All of this save 3a should be marked personal.  When asked, “What do you ____” that’s personal, don’t you think?

I liked 3c where we looked up how many times God says He is our shield or He is described as our shield.  That was interesting.  The rest I could have done without, especially 4c where I don’t see how God telling me He is my reward can be turned around and interpreted as Him inviting me to ask Him for something.  Just because Abram was confused about what this meant doesn’t mean I am.

It just is amazing to me how much man doubts and even when God himself talks to someone he or she STILL doubts the words.  We have such an amazing, patient God who gently repeats himself over and over again until finally we get it.

It’s here at this point that I can’t wait to ask God why He created us with such doubts, apprehensions, and questioning minds.  God could have created us however He wanted and sometimes all I see in the Bible is fickleness, selfishness, and overpowering pridefulness.

It all comes down to faith and that is the greatest test of all.

He is truly a Father, correcting us, guiding us, punishing us, and kissing our owies as He picks us up. Amazing!

Fun Fact:  This is the first time believe and righteousness appear in the Bible and hopefully we will explore this tomorrow and what it means for us!