TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 4:1-42
This man really is the Savior of the world. - John 4:42
TODAY IN THE WORD
Bible commentator G. Campbell Morgan once speculated what would happen if the disciples set up a commission to investigate starting a mission in Samaria. The commission's findings would be as follows: “Samaria undoubtedly needs our Master's message, but it is not ready for it. There must be first ploughing, then sowing, and then waiting. It is needy, but it is not ready.”

Quite the opposite of this “commission's” conclusion, we see that Jesus was more than willing to take a significant risk when he reached out to a Samari-tan woman, and it resulted in the conversion of an entire village.

The decision to go through Samaria was deliberate, and may have been due to the Pharisee's opposition (vv. 1-3). Most Jews went to great trouble to avoid this region, even though Samaria was the most direct route between Judea and Galilee. Not only did Jesus take a risk in going through Samaria, but He also broke many cultural and religious barriers by even acknowledging a woman, and a Samaritan woman at that. It was simply unheard of that a rabbi, especially one who was unmarried, would even speak to a woman, let along ask something of her. This explains why the disciples were so baffled by Jesus' actions (v. 27).

In addition to being a Samaritan and a woman, this woman's lifestyle was highly questionable, which explained why she was drawing water in the middle of the day (v. 6). Jesus knew that this woman was very isolated—both from her community, and more important, from the source of Living Water. As their conversation unfolded, Jesus helped her see that her theological concerns were really a cover for her deeper need of salvation. He moved beyond her earthly focus to show her that He was the source of abundant, Spirit-filled life that satisfied more than even the best well water.

The woman's willingness to share what had happened with the village demonstrates her tremendous excitement. They also responded in faith. Her tainted background no doubt piqued their curiosity and enabled them to see the power of God in her life more clearly.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The villagers' response is another example of Jesus crossing cultural and geographic barriers in His earthly mission. Although His primary focus was the Jews, all four Gospels record significant ways in which Jesus ministered to Gentiles.

Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman challenges us to think about how we might take risks to cross similar barriers for the gospel. Will we see the great need of individuals and be willing to reach out to them? Or will we conclude that “they are needy, but not yet ready?”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 24:36-53; Matthew 28:16-20
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. - Daniel 7:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
“ 'Twas the night before Christmas when all thru the house / Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse”—so begins one of the most-loved Christmas stories. No doubt you heard this story as a child, and may plan to read it again today. On the night before Christmas, there's much talk of Saint Nicholas, or as he's commonly called, Santa Claus.

Christmas traditions are fun, but it's important to keep our focus on the real reason for our celebration, which is Jesus' birth. Perhaps even more important, Christmas also celebrates His resurrection, because if He hadn't been raised from the dead, there would be no remembrance of His birth.

As we've seen, God often uses one to reach many. What was true with Abraham and Israel is even more true of Jesus, who fulfills the promise to Abraham—that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. God's promise of redemption, begun in Genesis 3:15, is now revealed. Because of His death and resurrection, the forgiveness of sins is possible (Luke 24:47).

Jesus' final words to His disciples end His earthly ministry. The Great Commission, recorded in today's passages, is rightly understood to be the basis for Christian missions. But as we have seen, God's heart has been for the nations all along. What is different at this stage in redemptive history is the command to go to all the world.

In both commissioning accounts, we notice that the first response to Jesus' resurrection is worship. Next, the disciples were encouraged that they would receive power from on high (Luke 24:49), which is the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus would be with them forever (Matt. 28:20). The expression “all the nations” is important, because some suggest that the Jews have been somehow now excluded from God's plan. Yet the clause “beginning at Jerusalem” in Luke's account refutes this. Jesus commissioned His disciples to go from Jerusalem into all the world, making disciples of all peoples, whether Jew or Gentile, young or old, rich or poor.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We can consider the Great Commission as the “eve” of a whole new phase of God's redemptive plan. Just as we feel excitement and anticipation on Christmas Eve, so too we can sense the excitement that the disciples must have felt hearing Jesus' final words. Two thousand years after these words, we have even more reason for excitement. Although there are believers worldwide, we are eager to see the gospel continue to reach the nations. In our prayers and actions, let's make this our focus for this upcoming year.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 2:1-21
You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
On this day, believers from all cultural backgrounds join together in celebrating our Savior's birth. Whether there are drums or church bells, rice cakes or Christmas cookies, the focal point is the same for all Christians.

From a tiny manger in Bethlehem to nations around the world, nothing in history compares with the spread of the gospel. Acts 2 records the very beginning of this worldwide explosion. Jews from “every nation under heaven” (v. 5) were gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. This feast day celebrated the first fruits of the harvest (Lev. 23:19-22; Ex. 34:22) and was one the three most important holy days for Jews.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, the small band of disciples began to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the multitude of assembled Jews. The list of nations (vv. 9-11) is similar in some ways to the table of nations listed in Genesis 10, just before the Tower of Babel incident. This shows us that what God had to separate because of human sin, He was now reversing because the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Although some accused the disciples of being drunk, Peter rightly understood that this phenomenal event signaled the last days prophesied by Joel (2:28-32). This outpouring of the Spirit was possible, because, unlike David who died and still lay in his tomb, Jesus now sat enthroned at the right hand of the Father.

Yesterday we read in Jesus' final words while on earth that His disciples would be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. This commission is also recorded in Acts 1:8, where the program to be followed is more clearly outlined. The spread of the gospel would begin in Jerusalem, which is what we read about in today's passage. And although the focus here was on the Jews, there are indications that these Jews shared the gospel in their home countries (see 1 Peter 1:1). Also, Peter indicated that the gift of the Spirit was also for “all who are far off” (v. 39), an expression that referred to Gentiles.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's easy for the true meaning of Christmas to be obscured by the gifts and activities of the season. Take some time today to review our study of God's great gift of redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. Truly this is the indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15). Then take some time to pray for individuals in your life who need this gift, asking the Holy Spirit for opportunities and receptivity to share with this person. Finally, if God places a specific nation on your heart, pray that the gospel will go out and be received there.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 8:4-8, 26-40
Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. - Acts 8:35
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Luka was just an infant his mother died, causing his father to abandon him. He was then given to his grandmother, who didn't want him either and tried to sell him . . . twice. Finally, after eight years of being passed around to various foster families, he ended up at the Good Samaritan Orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At first, Luka was withdrawn and continued to steal and lie. But as time went on, Luka began to realize that God did have a plan for his life, which was found in the Bible.

In the eyes of many, a child such as Luka is a social outcast who would only end up causing trouble. But Luka looks much different in the eyes of God, who cares about everyone, but especially those who are orphaned and cast aside. It's exciting to consider that the spread of the gospel that began at Pentecost in Jerusalem (see yesterday's study) eventually spread to a young boy in Cambodia named Luka.

After the events recorded in Acts 2, the next chapters of Acts show how the gospel began to spread through the Judean region (see Acts 1:. Ironically, the persecution that led to Stephen's death helped to spread the gospel into these outlying areas as followers of Jesus were scattered by the Jewish authorities. This explains why Philip was in Samaria, proclaiming Christ (v. 4).

From Samaria, Philip was led by an angel to the southern area of Gaza, where he met an Ethiopian eunuch, returning from worship in Jerusalem. Although this man held a very important royal post, eunuchs were generally treated as social outcasts. So Philip's encounter with him shows that not only does the gospel transcend cultural barriers, but it also transcends class and social distinctions.

Far from being rejected by God, we see that the Spirit supernaturally brought Philip to the eunuch to explain the Scriptures and to share to good news of Jesus Christ. Once this key mission had been accomplished, the Spirit redirected Philip to other areas that needed to hear about the gospel.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Like the Ethiopian eunuch, people still rejoice to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Through the efforts of the Bible Society in Cambodia and the Good Samaritan Orpha-nage, children like Luka are being transformed by God's love. Numerous Bible societies throughout the world are committed to bringing the Bible to millions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 10:1-11:18
So then, God has even granted the Gentiles repentance unto life. - Acts 11:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Ling came to the United States, she thought she had come to study chemistry. She never suspected that God had other plans, mainly because Ling was sure there was no God. But as she struggled with loneliness and academic pressures, Ling began to wonder if there was more to life. She had never been religious, but lately she began to wonder. On campus, she frequently saw flyers for Bible studies, but she thought the Bible couldn't be for someone from China. One day, she had an overwhelming sense that some force was directing her, although this made no sense to her and she was afraid to talk about it. A few weeks later, another student asked Ling if she was interested in finding out more about Jesus. Inexplicably, Ling sensed that this had to do with her recent feelings and decided to attend a Bible study. By the end of the year, Ling understood that the “force” that had been touching her was actually Jesus Christ.

The lengths to which the Lord goes to reach people staggers our limited imagination, but it's a reminder of how much He loves people. One such individual was a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Although Cornelius feared God and tried to do the right thing, he didn't know about the good news of Jesus Christ. Knowing the desire of Cornelius's heart, however, the Lord supernaturally spoke to him in a dream, directing him to find Peter.

Peter, however, needed a vision from the Lord himself. Despite all that Peter had witnessed, the natural prejudice of Jews against Gentiles was so strong that the Lord had to break through this before Peter could minister to Cornelius. So the Lord used an unusual dream to correct Peter's understanding of what was unclean (in this case, Gentiles). Equipped with God's perspective, Peter was then ready to go to Cornelius.

Notice that Cornelius had assembled his entire family and close friends to hear about the gospel! Both Peter and Cornelius were able to see that truly the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ was for all people.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Although the gospel continues to spread, there are many people groups who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. According to a 2002 article in Mission Frontiers, there are nearly 144 million people in 815 ethnic groups who don't have access to the gospel. There are several ways to respond to such statistics. First, we can learn more about these people groups and pray for specific ones. Second, we can support mission groups targeting the unreached. Third, we can pray about our own involvement in missions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 15:14-22; 11:11-16
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. - Isaiah 49:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
A stanza from the popular hymn, “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” begins: “Tell me the story slowly, That I may take it in—That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.” This is the story that we've been tracing this month, and today we see that Paul carefully understood his own part in the “old, old story.”

You may have heard the claim that Paul “invented” Christianity, because Jesus never intended to start an organized religion. The problem, of course, is that this is completely untrue. This becomes clear when we see that both Jesus and Paul saw their own missions as fitting perfectly in the larger context of God's redemptive story. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus showed the disciples how everything in the law and the prophets related to Him (Luke 24:44-45). Similarly, Paul's understanding of his call to the Gentiles was firmly rooted in the Old Testament. Paul didn't “invent” anything—he was simply obedient to God's call and His Word.

Toward the end of his letter to the Romans Paul affirmed his call to be a light to the Gentiles. Crediting God's grace, Paul acknowledged that some of the points that he had made in this letter weren't easy, but he was duty-bound to proclaim the gospel in its entirety to the largely Gentile church in Rome. Using language from the Old Testament, Paul likened his ministry to the Gentiles to offering an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. Citing Isaiah 52:15, Paul affirmed his call to preach the gospel where it hadn't been previously proclaimed. And, in fact, God had enabled Paul to preach the gospel all the way to Illyricum, modern-day Albania.

Despite his clear call to the Gentiles, Paul also understood that the gospel went first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. As he traveled, he first shared the gospel in synagogues. It's also clear that Paul saw his ministry to Gentiles in terms of its impact on the Jews. As we read in Romans 11:14, Paul hoped that his Gentile ministry would make the Jews envious and lead to their salvation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Perhaps you've seen a child become bored with a toy, only to want it back the moment another child starts to play with it.

Similarly, God prepared a special gift for His people, but they rejected it. So God brought the gospel directly to the Gentiles, to provoke the jealousy of Jews and increase their desire for this gift. We should pray for Jewish people around us to accept the gospel and embrace Jesus as their Messiah.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 15:5-13
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28
TODAY IN THE WORD
Throughout his short life, Antonio had only known hatred—for his abusive parents, for kids who weren't part of his gang, and for all the Asians and African Americans who lived in his neighborhood. Hatred led him to juvenile detention at age twelve. It seemed that hatred would consume this young man. But then God's love broke into his life. A local Christian outreach sponsored a basketball Bible club. With nothing better to do, Antonio started to attend. Slowly he began to change, and others began to notice. One day, an African-American club member was seriously injured on the basketball court. Antonio was the first to help him, and even held his head until the paramedics could arrive.

One of the greatest testimonies to Christ's transforming power is unity within His body. Only the love of Jesus could enable a kid like Antonio to care for someone he had been taught to hate. Recall from our study on Genesis 3 (see Dec. 2) that the consequence of the Fall was alienation. In Ephesians 2, we see that the effect of Jesus' ministry is reconciliation.

Throughout this section, Paul has two levels of reconciliation in mind. First and foremost, believers are reconciled to God the Father through Jesus the Son. No other reconciliation is truly possible if a person remains estranged from God. But once this level of reconciliation occurs, then we see that Christ also reconciles those who are far (Gentiles) and those who are near (Jews). To be sure, this includes Jewish and non-Jewish believers. But this also indicates any groups who have been separated historically, such as the groups that Antonio formerly hated. Miraculously, God is building His church (v. 21) out of formerly separated peoples who have been brought together in Christ.

We find this same emphasis on unity in Romans 15, where Paul urges believers to accept one another to the glory of God. The series of Old Testament quotations in this section offer a fitting summary of our study this month. Praise is the proper response to God's great mercy in bringing the good news to Gentiles.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The saddest condition of any person is to be “without hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). Any work of reconciliation, whether it's between different ethnic or economic groups, must begin with reconciliation to God.

If you have never experienced this reconciliation with God, don't let this year pass without committing your life to Jesus Christ. If you are one who has been brought near, prayerfully ask God how you can reach out to others who are far away, to those who are without hope and God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2; Colossians 1:3-8 2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. - 2 Corinthians 5:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the ancient world, ambassadors were extremely important representatives of their countries. A visit from a foreign ambassador was the occasion of much pomp and celebration. In order to show other world powers that their king or queen was a serious player, these ambassadors often had access to great wealth and power themselves and could easily resort to bribery or intimidation to secure their demands. In this context, it's somewhat surprising that Paul would call believers ambassadors. But as we'll see, it's a very high calling.

In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he had to defend himself against those who rejected both him and the gospel message. Apparently there were even those in Corinth who sought to gain financially from sharing the gospel (2 Cor. 2:17). So Paul made it clear that there were no gimmicks with him; the nature of who he was and of his ministry were plain for all to see. Paul's sincerity clearly set him apart from any who would abuse a position of power for personal or financial gain. Unlike others, he was motivated by the fear of the Lord (v. 11).

More importantly, however, Paul wanted the Corinthi-ans to understand that the only basis for their identity was Jesus Christ. It didn't matter who they knew or what they had formerly done, the only thing that mattered was that they were a new creation in Christ! What was important from the world's perspective lost its significance in comparison with Christ (v. 16).

Once again we find the important theme of reconciliation here. Recall from our study yesterday that this reconciliation is both between a person and God as well as between a person and other people. In today's passage this idea is extended further: in addition to being reconciled, we are called to a ministry of reconciliation.

Paul models this ministry for us in the rest of this passage. His strong tone reveals how deeply he cared for the Corinthi-ans and was anxious for their salvation. Like an ambassador who seeks to avoid a crisis, Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to be reconciled with God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you ever thought of yourself as an ambassador? Take some time today to list the qualities and responsibilities of a good ambassador. For example, an ambassador must be comfortable in another culture and sensitive to how things are said, qualities that are also important for sharing Christ, especially in a cross-cultural context.

Ambassadors must often be patient, yet persistent. Above all, ambassadors act on behalf of the one who sent them, not according to their own interests. Truly, being an ambassador for Christ is a high calling.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 7:9-12; 21:22-27
A great multitude . . . [was] standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. - Revelation 7:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Perhaps you are one the millions who will turn on the TV a few minutes before midnight to watch the great illuminated ball drop into Times Square in New York City. Or perhaps you have other traditions for closing out one year and bringing in the next. Either way, New Year's Eve is a huge night of celebration around the world.

But no earthly celebration comes even close the scene in Revelation 7, which is perhaps the most exalted vision in the New Testament. Those who have suffered persecution and tribulation are given the incomparable honor of joining the elders, angels, and four living creatures who worship before the throne. Notice the astounding diversity and unity of this multitude. Here we find representatives of all the nations, tribes, peoples, and languages joined in praise, no longer separated by prejudice, fear, and linguistic barriers.

This glorious scene shows God's plan of redemption accomplished. The promise given in the garden (Gen. 3:15) ultimately pointed to this eternal praise. We also see the fulfillment of the promise to Abra-ham. Through the descendents of this one individual, truly all the nations will be blessed. Because of the one Seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16), Jesus Christ, redemption has been accomplished and the rightful Heir has taken His throne. Revelation 21 shows us the final destination to which God's redemptive story leads. Here we find the New Jerusalem, solely illuminated by the light of God's glory. We see the promise of Isaiah 49:6, that Israel would be a light to the Gentiles, at last fulfilled (v. 23). In this vision, we also find this promise fulfilled: “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. . . . To you the riches of the nation will come” (Isa. 60:3, 5).

What an exciting conclusion of the story that we've been tracing this month. We hope that this study on the wisdom of God's good news for all the nations has encouraged you as you consider your own place in this great story and its certain, victorious conclusion.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One of the amazing aspects of the worship scene in Revelation 7 is that praise from every language and culture will somehow be brought together in a unified yet variegated chorus, never yet heard in history.

We can only imagine what that kind of worship will be like, but in anticipation of it, consider visiting several churches that are quite different from your own during this upcoming year. See if you can get a glimpse of the diversity and unity of worship that we will fully experience in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

TODAY IN THE WORD
The well-known “Breastplate Prayer” of Patrick says: “I rise today with the power of God to guide me, the might of God to uphold me, the wisdom of God to teach me, the eye of God to watch over me, the ear of God to hear me, the word of God to give me speech, the hand of God to protect me, the path of God to lie before me, the shield of God to shelter me, the host of God to defend me against the snares of the devil and the temptations of the world, against every man who meditates injury to me, whether far or near.”

Psalm 54 is another famous prayer for protection. As with Psalm 52, the header tells us that David was on the run from Saul. Ziph was a town in southern Judah, so the Ziphites were of the same tribe as David. It's unknown why they would want to betray him, but twice they tried to turn him over to Saul (1 Sam. 23:19-20; 26:1).

This psalm has two basic components—prayer for deliverance and praise that it will surely come. The prayer includes a cry to “save me” and a corresponding petition to destroy the enemy (vv. 1-2, 5). Rescue would vindicate David and prove him right, and by this request he asserted that it had not happened because of his own sin. He was therefore justified in asking that “evil recoil” on those who did it. While this sounds like people reaping what they sow, it also means that God righteously judges sin and faithfully protects His own (cf. Isa. 13:11).

Both David's prayer and praise were rooted in his faith (vv. 3-4, 6-7). Though his attackers were “men without regard for God,” he trusted unwaveringly in the Lord as the “one who sustains” his life. He knew without a doubt that God would win the victory, and he looked forward to sacrificing and praising Him on that day.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalm 54 has a similar structure and content to Psalm 51. For further study, if you wish, outline today's psalm using the outline for lament psalms introduced on October 10. It includes (1) invocation or cry to the Lord; (2) lament or complaint; (3) petition or request; (4) expression of faith or confidence; and (5) praise or vow to praise God. This exercise will help you dive deeper into the text and expand your understanding of the ideas put forth and the feelings expressed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 55
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. - Psalm 55:22
TODAY IN THE WORD
On January 10, 2005, a U.S. Navy submarine traveling at high speed south of Guam ran head on into an undersea mountain. One sailor was killed and 24 injured out of a crew of 137. The submarine itself also suffered some damage, especially to the sonar dome in the nose. It was later determined that the main cause of the tragic accident was out-of-date charts. The submarine crashed because it had been betrayed by bad maps.

Betrayal feels like that—you're cruising along and run head-on into a brick wall. That's certainly how the psalmist felt in today's reading. The historical occasion is unclear. If we interpret these verses literally, it seems that a conspiracy (perhaps Absalom's rebellion?) was threatening David's kingship. Perhaps as in the previous psalm, the betrayals of the Ziphites might be the background.Since we don't know for sure, it's also possible that David used poetic license to capture the intense feelings involved. In any case, the early church associated this psalm with the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

The introduction (vv. 1-3) asks God to hear and answer in the midst of difficulty. David felt “distraught” from the angry actions of his enemies. He was in anguish, terrified, needing refuge, and desperate to escape (vv. 4-8). He compared himself to a dove—small and relatively helpless, but at least it had wings and could fly away, whereas he felt trapped and tormented. His prayer (vv. 9-15) vividly implores God to deal righteously with the wicked, he makes the shocking revelation that the person responsible was a former friend and fellow worshiper.

The remainder of the psalm has the tone of a sermon. David explained how God would surely help him (vv. 16-18), how He would surely punish the covenant-betrayer (vv. 19-21), and the bottom-line principle that God never lets the righteous fall (vv. 22-23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Praying back the words of Scripture can be a spiritually deepening habit to acquire, and there's no better place to build this habit than in the psalms. We invite you to “borrow” Psalm 55 liberally during your prayer time today, picking and choosing words and phrases that fit your circumstances. Today's verse, for example, might become the center of a longer prayer in which you ask for faith to believe it, wisdom about how to do it, joy that it is true, and praise for God's rock-solid trustworthiness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 1
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. - Genesis 1:31
TODAY IN THE WORD
If you've seen a hippopotamus at the zoo, you may have wondered why it seemed to be bleeding. In fact, what appears to be blood is actually sweat colored by a thick reddish-orange pigment. This special sweat functions as a natural sunscreen, helps regulate body temperature, and works as an antibiotic, fighting bacteria and helping hippos recover more quickly from wounds. God's creation is endlessly surprising and delightful!

Our theme throughout this year will be A Life of Purpose: Fullness and Freedom in Christ. We're starting in Genesis, the “book of beginnings,”—in order to fulfill our purpose, we must know our origin. To understand how we end, we must know how we began. In fact, God Himself proclaimed,“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 22:13).

We've organized this month's study around characters in Genesis for two main reasons. First, we'll be able to see day-by-day how these people lived lives of purpose, and second, we'll be able to see how God's purposes for history and individual people work out in concrete ways. Major themes along the way include purposes and beginnings, sovereignty, faith, obedience, promises and covenants, sin, and salvation.

God's creation of the world is the first answer to our question of purpose. This key event and doctrine has been obscured in modern times by polarizing debates. In the middle of the dispute over how to interpret this first chapter of the Bible, some people forget the bottom line. What biblical truths must we understand and affirm? The central one is that God created. The existence of the universe is not the result of merely naturalistic occurrences or processes. This means we'll never find our ultimate purpose in creation, wonderful as it may be. We must look beyond it to the Creator Himself.

So what do we learn about God in this chapter? He's creative, orderly, and powerful. He fashioned things for both usefulness and beauty. Our world was made to sustain and reproduce life—plants, animals, and human beings. All that exists, exists because of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We are reading about God's work of creation, and part of this includes the truth that we are made in His image. To reflect this, you could exercise your creativity, perhaps an artistic response to one or more of the six days of creation.

You might write a poem, compose a song, paint a watercolor, design and illustrate a children's book, or put together a collage of photos and images cut out from magazines. “He founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding” (Jer. 51:15).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 2
The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. - Genesis 2:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
DNA is composed of strings of molecules distinguished by which of four nitrogen-containing bases they have, called A, G, T and C for short. One music composer turned DNA sequences into music by matching tones from an eight-note scale with the four letters, then composing melodies to accompany the “musical codes” for specific genes. He and a team from a Madrid hospital recently released an entire album, Genoma Music, that featured instrumental pieces based on this idea. They called their project “an audio version of the blueprint for life.”

As the author of that blueprint, God rejoiced in the high note of His creation—humanity. He was personally involved in fashioning Adam and Eve—He breathed the very breath of life into them! Four central truths emerge in this story, all of which help us in our quest for purpose. First, we're created in the image of God (1:26-27). Suggestions about what this “image” consists of include our intellect or reason, our moral capacities, our will or ability to make choices, our creativity, and our souls and spiritual dimension. Being made in God's image implies the worth and dignity of every person.

Second, we've been given authority over the created world (1:26-30). This is actually stewardship under God's authority, delegated by Him to be used in right ways. Our “rulership” is not a dictatorial or despotic thing, but rather means that we are to care for our world and seek optimum conditions for the life in it.

Third, a need for work and rest has been built into the very core of our beings. God Himself modeled this for us by working six days and resting on the seventh (2:2-3). Early on, He gave Adam work to do as well: to care for the Garden of Eden. And man's first special assignment to name the animals was both practical and creative.

Fourth, in our relationship with God we are called to obedience. Right from the start, God gave Adam and Eve a law to follow, the command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Which of the four main points in today's devotional really hit home with you? Each point is relevant to the question of our purpose here on earth, but choose the one that meant the most to you here and now. Then look again at Genesis 2 with this point in mind—spend extra time meditating on the Scripture reading from this point of view. You may want to write a paragraph or two of your thoughts and insights in your spiritual journal or diary.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 3
They hid from the Lord God. - Genesis 3:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a famous Greek legend, the entire world was a paradise. The first woman's name was Pandora. One day a messenger brought a large chest to her house and left it there. Pandora was consumed with curiosity—what was in that box? Her husband told her to leave it alone, but she opened it anyway. The king of the gods, however, had sent the box to punish humanity for wrongdoing. It was full of diseases, sorrows, vices, and crimes; when she opened it all these evils escaped out into the world. Thus did sorrow, pain, misery, and wickedness become part of human existence.

Though it's a legend, it has the themes right. Humanity did live in paradise once, and our fall from innocence is the great tragedy of human history. Satan entered Eden, the perfect world God had created, and tempted our first parents to disobedience (cf. John 8:44).

How did he do it? First the Devil quizzed Eve on her knowledge of God's Word. She didn't quite get it right, adding “don't touch” to God's prohibition. Was she unsure? Was she trying to “over-obey”? It's not clear in the text what Eve's motives were, but attacking her mistake, the “serpent” contradicted the punishment God had stated, proposing instead that a good result would come from eating the forbidden fruit. The issue was faith. Whose version of cause and effect, whose version of reality, was more believable—Satan's or God's? Eve made the wrong choice, followed her desires, and sinned against God. Then Adam, who had been “with her” but silent the entire time, joined her. In effect, he chose his relationship with Eve over his relationship with God.

A number of consequences followed. Sin and death entered the world (cf. Rom. 5:12). Adam and Eve knew shame and guilt and were separated from God. But in the midst of this, He showed them His mercy—by giving them clothing, by barring the way to the Tree of Life so they couldn't be both sinful and immortal, and by making a promise of future redemption (v. 15). God's purpose of unhindered fellowship with humanity had already been marred but not thwarted. Hope remained because He was still at work.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In light of the Fall narrative, spend extra time in prayer today for protection from temptation.

If you wish, go even further and make this a prayer focus throughout the day. To help yourself remember, you might carry with you all day a physical prompt, such as an apple or another piece of fruit. Having this in your pocket or on your desk can serve as a concrete reminder of how serious the question of obedience or disobedience truly is.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 4
Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. - Genesis 4:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of Aesop's lesser-known fables serves as a poignant introduction to the story of Cain and Abel. “A man committed a murder, and was pursued by the relations of the man whom he murdered. When he reached the river Nile, he saw a lion on its bank—and being fearfully afraid, climbed up a tree. He found a serpent in the upper branches of the tree, and again being greatly alarmed, he threw himself into the river, where a crocodile caught him and ate him. Thus the earth, the air, and the water alike refused shelter to a murderer.”

How did Cain, the first child of Adam and Eve, come to the fearful state of being a murderer? Cain and Abel both brought offerings to the Lord. It is not recorded that God had given any specific instructions about this, but no doubt Adam had taught his family about maintaining a good relationship with Him. Abel, being a shepherd, made an offering from the firstborn of his flock. Cain, being a farmer, brought some of his produce. God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice, but not with Cain's.

Why? The text does not give us a reason to think the difference lay in the content of the sacrifices. Rather, the problem was one of heart attitude and motivation. Abel's offering showed honor to God, true gratitude, and worship (cf. Heb. 11:4). Cain's offering was at the least careless—he didn't offer his firstfruits—and his response revealed an even deeper bitterness or anger. Despite a warning from the Lord about sin “crouching at your door,” he lured his brother out to a field and killed him (v. 6).

God punished Cain professionally (farming would become difficult), personally (exiled from home and family to be a “restless wanderer”), and spiritually (“hidden” from God's presence). But He also showed him mercy. He had already been gracious in warning him against temptation and implicitly offering him a second chance to “do right” (v. 7). After the murder, He showed more mercy by putting some kind of mark on Cain to protect him from vengeance. He also showed mercy to Adam and Eve by giving them another son, Seth, after the loss of their son Abel.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Though Cain does not appear repentant in today's reading, God still showed him mercy.

How has He shown mercy to you? We were all sinners deserving death before Christ stepped in, so we should all be able to give many examples. Today, share with someone a personal testimony of a specific way in which God has been merciful to you. Share it with a nonbeliever—you might attract them to the Lord. Or share it with a believer—you can rejoice and glorify God together!