Pete’s Thoughts:

Genesis 6:22

Consider what must have been racing through Noah’s mind when God told him about the coming destruction of the world.  I can imagine at first he was shocked and dismayed, not sure what to do exactly.  Then as if fact of the flood sunk in over time, I’m sure Noah looked around at his fellow men and saw just how wicked they were and knew that God was still just in allowing this to take place.  I love how verse 22 puts it, “Thus Noah did.”  While I use my imagination to put myself in Noah’s place and ponder what Noah must have been thinking, the only thing that we have of Noah’s response is that he did it – just as the Lord commanded.  What a great showing of faith.  God says it, we do it.

Genesis 7:10

I wonder what it was like to be in the ark for seven days, waiting for the flood.  Noah and his family knew it was coming – God had said so and He was the one who told them to go into the ark.  Imagine what was occurring for those seven days outside of the ark.  Noah had declared for the past 100 years that a great flood was coming and that everyone should repent and seek the Lord, yet no one did.  I wonder if people were not gathered around the ark for those seven days mocking Noah and God.  Still God was faithful to His word and at the end of seven days, “the waters of the flood were on the earth.”

Genesis 8:22

In this verse we see a one of the great promises that God has made – As long as the earth remains, the seasons shall not cease.  What I find so amazing about this is that we can still see this promise in effect today!  We see the year change from winter to spring to summer to fall and back to winter.  I wonder what this verse means to falsity of global warming?

Genesis 9:13

Here is another part of God’s promise to Noah that we can still see today – the rainbow.  Such a thing of simple beauty holds so much promise.  Every time we see one, we are reminded that never again will God destroy the earth with a global flood.

Genesis 10

In this chapter of difficult names to pronounce, we find the foundation for many of the nations that we read about in the rest of the scriptures.  From the Canaanites to the Jebusites, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to Babel and Nineveh, many will play important roles are we continue to read through this greatest book to ever be written.

Pete’s Thoughts:

How great is it that when we are in the midst of our despair and our darkest hour, the Lord hears us!

Psalm 7:10

David says that his defense is of God.  This is a great encouragement – there is no greater shield, no stronger tower, no more protective armor.  God is all we need.

Psalm 8:1

It is a wonderful thing to be able to proclaim that the Lord is OUR Lord!  We need to be reminded of just how excellent the Name of the Lord is.

Psalm 9:1

When was the last time that you praised God with your whole heart?  When we understand who God is, our natural response is to praise God with all that we are and to then tell others about Him.

Psalm 10:16

God is King forever! There will never be a time when God is not on the throne of the universe.  There will never be a time when He does not uphold justice.  Though it may seem to take a while, from our view point, God always has the final say and it is always righteous.

Questionnaire Download:  .doc | .pdf

Today’s Chapters: Matthew 6-10

In Chapters 6 & 7, Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 contains one of the most familiar section of the New Testament, the Lord’s Prayer.  What does the fact that Jesus took the time to teach His disciples how to pray mean about His view on prayer?  What is your view on prayer?  What should it be?
What does Jesus say about treasures?  How should this impact the way we live our lives?
The chapter ends with Jesus talking about worry.  Do you worry?  What does Jesus say about that?
What is one thought you will remember from this chapter?

Chapter 7

Jesus tells us that there are only two ways that people travel on.  What are they?  What is the difference between them?  Where do they lead?  How does this relate to what He talks about in verses 15-20?  What kind of fruit do you have?  Is what Christ wants from your life?
Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by talking about two options on which we can stand.  What are the two options?  How do we stand on them?  Which one is the best?  Are you standing on that right now?  What do you need to change to stand on the correct one more?
What is one thought you will remember from this chapter?

Chapter 8

In chapter 8, we see Christ’s amazing power displayed six times.  List all six.  What is unique about each one?  Why did Christ do each of these?
Right in the middle of this awesome display of His Godship, Jesus tells us about the cost involved in following Him.  What does He say?  How does that impact our lives?
What is one thought you will remember from this chapter?

Chapter 9

This chapter starts off with Jesus showing us that He not only has the power to heal people but, as God, He has the power to forgive sins.  How does He show us this?  Why is it important that He has this power?  What does this mean to us?
The chapter ends with Matthew telling the reader about Jesus’ compassion.  What is important about that?  How should this section change our lives?  What should our reaction be?
What is one thought you will remember from this section?

Chapter 10

Jesus talks about persecution in this chapter.  What does He say?  Why will the persecute and hate us?  What does verse 26 say our reaction to people who persecute us?  Why?
Did Jesus come the first time to bring peace on the earth?  Does the gospel divide people?  Why?  When will we have peace on the earth?  Why?
What is one thought you will remember from this section?

     What are your thoughts, so far, about the study? Anything interesting from these chapters jump out at you that were not covered in the study? Leave a comment for further discussion!