Genesis 1:1(-31) In NIV Study Bible “The Begining”

1:1 In the beginning (a) God created (b) the heavens (c) and the earth (d)

cross-references for:

In the beginning (a): Psalms 102:25; Proverbs 8:23; Isaiah 40:21; 41:4,26; John 1:1-2

God created (b): Genesis 1:21,27; Genesis 2:3

the heavens (c): Genesis 1:6; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 9:8; 37:18; Psalms 96:5; 104:2; 115:15; 121:2; 136:5; Isaiah 40:22; 42:5; 51:13; Jeremiah 10:12; 51:15

and the earth (d): Genesis 14:19; 2 Kings 19:15; Nehemiah 9:6; Job 38:4; Psalms 90:2; 136:6; Isaiah 37:16; 40:28; 42:5; 44:24; 45:12 and 18; Jeremiah 27:5; 32:17; Acts 14:15; 17:24; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 3:4; 11:3; Revelation 4:11; 10:6

• In the Beginning: Psalm 102:25
  25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
  and the heavens are the work of your hands.
• Proverbs 8:23: 23 I was appointed ^[a] from eternity,
  from the beginning, before the world began.
• Isaiah 40:21: 21 Do you not know?
  Have you not heard?
  Has it not been told you from the beginning?
  Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
• Isaiah 41:4: 4 Who has done this and carried it through,
  calling forth the generations from the beginning?
  I, the LORD -with the first of them
  and with the last—I am he.”Isaiah 41:26: 26 Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know,
  or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’?
  No one told of this,
  no one foretold it,
  no one heard any words from you.
• John 1:1-2:
  

  John 1

  The Word Became Flesh

  1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:2

2He was with God in the beginning.

Now we put part A together:

25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
and the heavens are the work of your hands.

23 I was appointed ^[a] from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began.

21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

Who has done this and carried it through,
calling forth the generations from the beginning?
I, the LORD -with the first of them
and with the last—I am he.”

26 Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know,
or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’?
No one told of this,
no one foretold it,
no one heard any words from you.

The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

2He was with God in the beginning.

Beliefs and my thoughts

All across the world there is one thing that everyone or at least almost everyone has in common and that is a belief system. You might say “well im athiest” but in fact you are still holding a belief of some sort. Most belief systems and religions hold accountable a “God”. There are main beliefs or religions of the world to my knowledge of Christianity, Islam, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, and a few and even many of others. So here I am asking myself why does this hold valid in every person? I believe because of the gift we recieve called life. Life has one definate purpose and that purpose is to find out how we got here. I am a Pentecostal Christian but that does not mean I cannot accept the beliefs of another, in fact I think they are right because they found what works for them. Thats the key is “Discernment”. The only difference in my belief is that I believe my higher power or God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit to be alive.

Alot of people are starting to turn away from their belief systems because of the mjor chaotic scene of war going on lately and America’s 9/11. Most people my age I talk to always say something the same along the lines of “Religion just causes war and problems” My response is it’s not the belief that causes the problem it how it can be turned into an Egoic and Powerstruggle in the heart of man for Domination and control. I myself stray steer away from the hard headed all out war for satan christians because I do not believe they are using the Word and Power of God appropriately. Most of the time it is because they were raised in poverty.

My main aspect that I just want to get across is that haing a belief system or some form of religion or spirituality based on how you positively precieve it can be one of the best discoveries of your life. Every person will come across their own spiritual phenomenon or overwhelming force in their lives. I am just saying that be prepared and ready for when that time comes.

Bible on Anxiety

Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34; Philippians 4:4-9 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 6:25-34 Listen to this passage View commentary related to this passage Do Not Worry 25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Footnotes: Matthew 6:27 Or single cubit to his height New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Luke 12:22-34 Listen to this passage View commentary related to this passage Do Not Worry 22Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Footnotes: Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to his height New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Philippians 4:4-9 Listen to this passage View commentary related to this passage 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The main point I wanted to focus on was do not worry. As I read the scriptures above I felt like a child back in grade school when all the kids used to tease me because I was different. There is a verse that talks about the lillies of the field. When I read that I felt like I was so valueable to God. I felt all the pain and agony of my racing thoughts and worries vanquish from me and for once in my life actually felt like I was worth something. All my life I have never really had anyone to look up to not even my father because I always felt and still do feel that everyone is out to harm me. The only person I have ever really trusted or relied on is God. God has always been the stable ground in my life and he has always and when I say always ALWAYS helped me through my toughest times. I have had some pretty narly spiritual experiences where I believe I truly was fighting demons and God was there for me. Now I know there are more. There is Jesus Christ who died for me so that I may enter heaven. I do not wish to push these thoughts or what I write on anyone. I just write these things because of how I feel. If anyone takes what I write in a bad way then I say im sorry. I pray for them so that they may be humble and keep on pushing through their sarrows and problems and good times and joy in a bountiful and most admirable way. I even have problems praying. Most of the time I have to write it down and then say it outloud….this is just because I feel embarrase. These scriptures have always impacted me much. It just reminds me how perfect I am in God’s eyes as well as Jesus’.

1 Kings 10:4-7 (New International Version)

4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at ^[a] the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.

6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.

Watch how the fallowing scriptures connect to each other….I hope this touches someone the way it did me…..

Psalm 94:19

19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Ezekiel 4:16

16 He then said to me: “Son of man, I will cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair,

Ezekiel 12:19

19 Say to the people of the land: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says about those living in Jerusalem and in the land of Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair, for their land will be stripped of everything in it because of the violence of all who live there.

Philippians 2:28

28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

1 Peter 5:7

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Recovery Meditations Step 1

The purpose of this post is on a book I’m reading called “Serenity: A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery“

STEP 1 Meditations

Matthew 9:36

36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Romans 7:18-20

18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Psalm 6:2-4

2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.

3 My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 31:9

9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and my body with grief.

Psalm 31:10

10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction, ^[a]
and my bones grow weak.

Psalm 38:1-9

Psalm 38

A psalm of David. A petition.

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.

2 For your arrows have pierced me,
and your hand has come down upon me.

3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me
like a burden too heavy to bear.

5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
because of my sinful folly.

6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
all day long I go about mourning.

7 My back is filled with searing pain;
there is no health in my body.

8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
I groan in anguish of heart.

9 All my longings lie open before you, O Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you.

Psalm 44:15

15 My disgrace is before me all day long,
and my face is covered with shame

Psalm 44:16

16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

Psalm 72:12

2 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.

Psalm 72:13

13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.

Culture

Today I am going to talk about culture. Culture has always been fascinating to me because it is so diverse. The way I see culture is a combo of all different aspects of the world’s lifestyles. A subject that relates to culture is discrimination and prejudiced. There are still many white people who discriminate blacks which all relates back to the civil war. The funny part is that these are beliefs of racism that are over 200 years old. With all the advancements and changes in the world you would think there would be a solution. I personally enjoy diving into a new cultural experience. I believe that if it wasn’t for different races we would all be living a pretty boring life. This just all goes to show how primortal heritage of beliefs and values are passed down by a persons ancestors. I believe that once we evolve from that the world can start getting along.