The Tinder Bundle

Todays Chapter Reading: Colossians 3 Focus Text: Colossians 3:1-5 NKJV If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Devotional Thought: THE APETITE OF LUST Here is one of the most dangerous and infectious corruptions many of us struggle with in our hearts. This is a desire that needs to be tamed and controlled from the time of entering puberty. The challenge is, it is over emphasized in our society, and has its influences in everything, from clothes, shows, to food; and many of us were introduced to it well before our proper time. This sin, and desire of the flesh, in which we speak of to empty out, is the appetite for lust.

Todays Chapter Reading: Proverbs 6 Focus Text: Proverbs 6:9-12; 1 Timothy 5:7-8 NIV How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Devotional Thought: SLOTHFULNESS It is one thing to have not have any self control, it's another thing to not give any effort or concern to achieving goals or getting things done. But in Christ, we are called to be people of service, and to be idle without reason, is to dishonor the image and likeness of God we were created in.

Todays Chapter Reading: Ecclesiastes 5 Focus Text: Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless Devotional Thought: GREED AND GLUTTONY There is an evil that can come from the unsatisfied heart. A corruption that does not know when enough is enough. This is the heart driven by Greed or Gluttony. Now both Greed and Gluttony are very similar in principle, but different in application. Gluttony normally refers to one's lack of self control to food or drink, where as Greed is one's excessive desire for money and material wealth; both are a form of idolatry. In one case we have turn food into our god, and in the other, we worship the things of the world we desire to obtain. But at the very end of the road, we become one whom was willing to try and gain the fruits and treasures of the world, in exchange for our soul. This brings us to the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in the book of Acts chapter 5.

FASTING and PRAYER FOCUS: EMPTYING SELF Day 1: Envy and Resentment Focus Text: James 3:14-16 NIV But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Devotional Thought: EVNY AND RESENTMENT We begin looking into our proverbial closet with the sin that is the stepping stone to all sin, the sin of covetousness. It is through covetousness, aka envy, we are led to lie, steal, and kill, among other things. But if we are brave enough, when we open the hidden closet of our mind and heart, one of the first things we find that needs to be emptied out is envy - which sooner or later develops into resentment. Envy is the first stage of all our future challenges. It may be that you are envious of a friend, a colleague, hey, it may even be your partner or spouse. The thing is, when you can no longer be satisfied with what you have been blessed with, you begin to desire what is not rightfully yours. From there, it is very easy to fall into a dark pit, bearing fruit to more chaos, and creating a further distance between you and your creator.

Welcome to The Tinder Bundle, where believers come together to kindle their flame of faith. I am your host the Wandering Evahd, And this will be a bible study series focused on: READING THE BIBLE IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT. We continue our study in looking into Day 7 of the Creation account recorded in Genesis 2:1-3

Welcome to The Tinder Bundle, where believers come together to kindle their flame of faith. I am your host the Wandering Evahd, And this will be a bible study series focused on: READING THE BIBLE IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT. Today we continue to look a; GENESIS 1:20-31, Days 5 & 6 of Creation

Welcome to The Tinder Bundle, where believers come together to kindle their flame of faith. I am your host the Wandering Evahd, And this will be a bible study series focused on: READING THE BIBLE IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT. Today we continue to look a; GENESIS 1:14-19, Days 4 of Creation

Inspiration Text: “Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled— This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment. Today we take a look at building your own Fire Kit.

Welcome to The Tinder Bundle, where believers come together to kindle their flame of faith. I am your host the Wandering Evahd, And this will be a bible study series focused on: READING THE BIBLE IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT. Today we continue to look a; GENESIS 1:6-13, Days 2 & 3 of Creation

Welcome to The Tinder Bundle, where believers come together to kindle their flame of faith. I am your host the Wandering Evahd, And this will be a Shabbat bible study series focused on: READING THE BIBLE IN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT. Today we take a look at Genesis 1:3-5

We begin with setting the stage for Moshe to write Genesis 1

We are about to embark on a wonderful journey in scripture. Only this time our focus is the influence of Context.

Hey Friends, I was gone for a bit, had some beautiful changes take place. but Im back, and I got plans for us. so Im just sending a little message of some thoughts of things I want to initiate

Companion Video: TBD Focus Text: Matthew 2:9-12 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. There can always be a situation where you have to go home a different way, or by a different method, than how you were traveling to begin with. Circumstances and situations can change in the blink of an eye, and it is our duty to try and be ready to continue moving to get to our desired destination. As we continue to look at our Preparedness Kits, today we are going to spend a little time talking about Get Home Bag. We will look at: 1. What is a Get Home Bag? 2. Why should we have one? 3. Where should you keep it? 4. What are the basic essentials to the Get Home Bag? 5. What else can be used to enhance or improve your kit or experience during a black out. 6. Care for your kit 7. Important notes: So Lets dig in First I want to start by saying, this is not an exhaustive list or approach to the Get Home Bag, but is a decent foundation to get yourself started. Every Get Home Bag will be adjusted for your personal needs. When I hear the frequent stories of how people became stranded on the highway due to harsh weather, or running out of gas, or what ever the case may be. It has me thinking about what a difference things would be prepared for the situation. Even the idea of being mentally prepared to handle your emotional state when stressful situations arise

Genesis 2:18: "It is not good that man should be alone." As the New Year rolls in and we continue to work towards a better version of ourselves, let's take time to rebuild our personal communities, to help improve our emotional, social, and spiritual health.

Companion Video: https://youtu.be/7N4Xlx6XAm4 Focus Text: Exodus 10:21-23 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. Springboard Thought: When I consider the Passover story, I am brought to the ninth plague, the plague of darkness. I consider the idea of a darkness so thick, one could feel it. I think about what the days must have been like for families when the darkness fell, especially over the length of time. I also reflect on the idea of a group, and in this case Israel, being in touch with the right resources, that they would remain to have light in their homes. And for those who may not know the story of the Exodus, Israel's resource, through the whole ordeal, was a connection to God Himself, who was the author of this plague of darkness. The point is, in this moment of darkness, there was a group who was ready for what was about to happen, and there was another group who would not be prepared to deal with this situation. We will also focus on addressing 7 questions or thoughts: 1. What is a Black Out Kit? 2. Why should we have one? 3. Where should you keep it? 4. What are the basic essentials to the Black Out Kit? 5. What else can be used to enhance or improve your kit or experience during a black out. 6. Care for your kit 7. Most important note

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iniUVaMmY_c&feature=youtu.be Focus Text: 1 Samuel 17:40 He took his stick with him, picked out five smooth stones from the riverbed, and put them in his shepherd's bag. With a sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine. Everyday we are faced with so many diverse situations, that we begin to realize that being prepared can mean getting ready for big things like a hurricane or Tornado, or even a serious discussion that will be taking place between you and your boss, or it can mean being prepared for smaller things like such as the loss of a shirt button, or dropping your keys at night. Being prepared shows you have fore thought of things that could possibly happen, so you keep some tools or resources on hand, for when the situation arises. This is a wonderful thing we see here in the story of David when He is about to go and face Goliath. The King had recently tried to suit up David for battle by making him wear the king's armor, but it simply wouldn't fit. But David utilizes his Every Day Carry kit, which was his bag, his sling, and his stick; well I guess also whatever else he may have had in his bag. But this was an example of an EDC kit. ReadyMan Surivial Cards: https://www.readyman.com/products/readyman-wilderness-survival-card

Focus Text: Micah 6:9 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Devotional Thought: Creating Your Mission Statement As we have recently completed the 21 Days of Progressive Fasting and Prayer, these next few thoughts are additional tools and tips to developing previous concepts brought up in the readings of the 21 Day Fast.

Focus Text: John 17:21-23; Revelation 19:6-9 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Rev 19: 6-9 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

Todays question Sydekie during one of his bible studies and he asked: How does the idea of Elohim one God match with John 1:1 Bereshith bara Elohim eth hashmayim v'eth ha'aretz. In the beginning "God" created the heavens and the earth En arche en ho Logos, kai ho Logos en pros ton Theon, Kai Theos en ho Logos. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. Elohim (God, gods, divine ones, rulers) is a plural of eloah, which translates as “God”. And in context with the Creator in Gen 1:1, it has been assumed the ancient Israelites used this plural title with a singular verb, because of God's majesty. So though they believe there is one God, He is not just The God, but He is God of the God's. So the plurality was to represent His majesty. We see in many cultures this practice still happening today. So when we see this title of God, represented as a singular, even though grammatically its a plural, one must begin to question how to interpret John 1:1. For in John 1:1, we can distinctly see two separate beings, the Logos (a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech), and the Theos (God, a god). What is fascinating is that theos is a title itself, not a name, which is the same for the term elohim. Elohim and Theos are titles for a specific being, or person, and in the context of these two verses, Gen 1:1 & John 1:1, it is the title of the one who is present in the beginning, at our first cause. When we can distinguish the fact that these are titles, then one can see a little more in the text. Genesis 1:1 is a statement of what is our first cause, and by whom did it happen. And who is “the Creator” in Genesis 1:1, something that goes by the title of God (Elohim). In John 1:1 we see there was another being, named "The Word (Logos)", present at the first cause, and this being was not only present at the first cause, but they were present with the one who has the title of God. And to add more depth to it, the Word is also known to be one with God, and is God Himself. Therefore, what we can see is Genesis 1:1 was a sum of the entire creation, being attributed to the one that bears the title God. And by the time we get to John 1:1, John begins to deepen our understanding of what God is, which is something that consist of more than one being, yet they are all in unison. Short little note: Genesis 2:4 is the first time we see God being called by a name, YHWH; and this was expressing the relationship between God the Creator and man. They were to be friends, and know each others names. But by the time of the New Testament era,we are told of another who has the saving power of YHWH, because we see in Acts 4:12, “there is no other name by which man can be saved”, referring to Yeshua, the Logos. And within the Scriptures we see Yeshua allude Himself to being the "I Am" of old (John 8:58), therefore making himself equal with YHWH, God the Father. But Philippians 2:5-11, let us know that Yeshua was equal with the Father, but laid aside His divinity to carry out His earthly ministry. And Rev 1:8 & 22:13, allows us to see that Yeshua is also the one "who was, is, and yet to be", which is another title that belongs to Elohim. How does the idea of Elohim one God match with John 1:1 Fairly easy, when you recognize that John 1:1 is getting deeper into understanding what constitutes the term and personhood of God. But in this instance, John begins to focus more on one person of the God head, rather than another. P.S. The Idea of God being a singular one, comes a little later in time, which we can examine another day. As well as, if it weren't for Yeshua, we would have never learned about the ministry of the third person in the Godhead, which is the Ruach Ha Qodesh, the Holy Spirit, but that's another conversation

Focus Text: Romans 4:13-18; John 1:12-13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” John 1: 12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Focus Text: Colossians 3:1-4; Philippians 4:6 Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory. Phil 4:6 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

Focus Text: 2 Timothy 2:20-26 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Focus Text: Numbers 16:41-50 On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.” Now it happened, when the congregation had gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun.” Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. Now those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident. So Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, for the plague had stopped.

Focus Text: Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Focus Text: Psalm 37:3-5; Mark 12:29-31 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Focus Text: Ezekiel 11:17-20 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” ' And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Focus Text: Matthew 19:16-22; 6:24 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,' ‘You shall not commit adultery,' ‘You shall not steal,' ‘You shall not bear false witness,' 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,' and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Focus Text: 2 Kings 21:19-23; Exodus 34:6-7 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. So he walked in all the ways that his father had walked; and he served the idols that his father had served, and worshiped them. He forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord. Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. Ex 34:6-7 … “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Focus Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Focus Text: James 3:1-10 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Focus Text: Psalm 116:1-2; James 1:19-21; I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Focus Text: Exodus 10:3,9 So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.… And Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the Lord.”

Focus Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Focus Text: Joshua 24:14-15 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Focus Text: Genesis 12:1-4; James 2:23 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. James 2:23 “…“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.”

Focus Text: Genesis 6:9-13, 18, 22; 7:7 These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.” “...But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.” … 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. … 7 So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.

Focus Text: Genesis 4:6-9 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?”

Fasting Theme: Fortifying the Family Todays Chapter Reading: Genesis 1 & 2 Focus Text: Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Inspiration Text: “Proverbs 6:6-11 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 11 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Today we are going to do something a little different, We are going to talk about my experience in SRS Throughout the month I learned a lot of things And I feel privileged I can share. and we will discuss: 1. Where the Idea came from for SRS? 2. Location, location, location. 3. What would I practice SR at? 4. Education & Learning about preparation? 5. What do I eat? 6. Timing. 7. Miscalculations and loss of food. 8. Canning, and other food storage. 9. Realizing how much work is needed. 10. Community. 11. Harvesting. 12. Energy, emotions, and physical change. 13. Cheating & becoming a scavenger. 14. Self denial and fasting. 15. Seeing the end. 16. What happened the day after.

Inspiration Text: Matthew 4:1-4; 6:16-18 4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” …16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And we follow up with discussing the Art of Fasting and Self Denial

Today's Question is: Where did Cain Get His Wife From? When looking at the text we read: 4 Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. … 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. … 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground! 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! 14 Today you have driven me away from the soil, and I shall be hidden from your face; I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! Whoever kills Cain will suffer a sevenfold vengeance.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one who came upon him would kill him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. … 17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch; and he built a city, and named it Enoch after his son Enoch.

Todays Question is: What is the best translation to use, in bible study? This question may seem like it should have a simple answer, which could put an end to all the controversy around which is the best bible to use, but the truth is, its not. There are different modes of translation that present different things, because whenever you are translating one text or speech into another language, it is easy for ideas, concepts, idioms, and rhetoric to get lost in translation. So the translator has to make a choice: Formal, Dynamic, or a Paraphrase

Inspiration Text: Proverbs 16:1-4 The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord. All a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates the motives. Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has worked everything for his own ends— even the wicked for the day of disaster. Our follow up discussion is about practical planning tips and strategies for prioritizing lists. This episode taps into an pre recorded podcast from the past, with information relative for planning today.

Todays Question is: Why is the New Testament Written in Greek? Hebrews read and spoke Hebrew A lot of people question why isn't the bible written in one language? Old Testament is written in Hebrew and Aramaic New Testement is in Greek - Some think it's a conspiracy - Others think its really a translation - And some have been completely ignorant to it or simply don't care But is there a solid reason why?

Inspiration Text: Genesis 4:1-2 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In addition, we take some time to share some helpful tips on how to learn new skills.

Today we look at Being created with Purpose, and how to become balanced for your purpose. Inspiration Text: Genesis 3:26-30 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Inspiration Text: Genesis 3:17-24 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it': “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are,And to dust you shall return.” And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living. Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Inspiration Text: Matthew 16:1-4 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

Todays Question is: What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? The Ark of the Covenant was last reported in scripture when it was returned to the temple by order of King Josiah to the caretakers of the Ark of the Covenant. This can be found in 2 Chronicles 35:1-6 and 2 Kings 23:21-23. Going Deeper Till this day this question puzzles many bible students, scholars and archeologists. When King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and pillaged the temple, 40 years later, the question arises, "what happened to the Ark?" Was it taken by Nebuchadnezzar? Was it destroyed with the city? Or was it removed and hidden away safely? Interestingly in Revelation 11:19, the Ark is seen in heaven, but was this the ark that dwelt on earth, or the one that lies in heaven in which Moses replicated (Hebrews 9). Some non canonical books suggest it was hidden in the mountains, and others say that it was buried under the temple mount which now lies under the Dome of the Rock. There is also a belief that it is tucked away and guarded by some priests in Ethiopia, but no one has ever been able to witness the truth of any of these suggestions. Truth is, no one knows where the Ark is. But God will reveal it in His due time, or, this will be one of those wonderful questions we will have to wait to be answered upon the glorious return of our Lord and Savior.

Inspiration Text: Galatians 5:16-26 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.