A 3-Day Bible Study — Teaching us how to finally get it right

12 Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me,
to render to every man according to what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end.

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes,
so that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter by the gates into the city.
15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers
and the immoral persons
and the murderers
and the idolaters,
and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Revelation 22:12-15

It’s not easy having a son-in-law as your pastor. More than often, Pastor Winegardner flashes my name throughout a mist of his sermons. This time, I decided to do a little research to help me contemplate my dilemma which surrounded this question, “Should a woman step up to the leadership role that a husband holds if he is not willing to complete the task?”

As usual, I try to position myself in the right spot in the right way, so I opened my Bible and offered a sincere prayer to guide me.

🙏🙏🙏

What comes to mind, LORD? What is a woman’s role in the home? Is it the quiet, gentle spirit endowed within me? Or as suggested by his sermon, is it truly some overt authority, welling up inside — waiting to pounce, THIS IS NOT RIGHT? Gird up your loins oh man of God, and take on the mantle that the LORD has rightly given you! Wear it humbly with authority and boldness in the HOLY SPRIT. Pray and seek Him FIRST with all of your might and walk with Him in righteous living, not wavering, but standing firmly on His Word that You have hidden in your heart so that you will not sin against Him.

🙏🙏🙏Show me Your way, LORD, and teach me through the power of the Holy Spirit what is right for me as a woman of God? Yes, a child of the King of all kings. I have been called out from among the ages, and now live in the fullness of Your presence. I know You never leave me, nor forsake me, so help me to give honor and glory to You, Heavenly Father, by how I live my life, let me worship You. Let it be a pleasing savor in Your sight. One that follows you in obedience. One who is in constant fellowship of You because You are the vine living inside, and I am a mere branch that can be hewn and tossed in the fire of destruction. In Jesus Name, wake us up LORD and open our eyes to see and open our ears to hear Your Kingdom come, THY will be done, I pray. I plead.

Researched
Scriptural Readings

Revelations 22
Genesis 2
Genesis 3
I Timothy 2:14
Hosea 6:1-7
Psalm 139: 1-18, 23-24
Kings 2: 8-14
2 Kings 9 + 10
2 Chronicles 7:14
Acts 4:31
Revelation 7:14
Daniel 12:10
Isaiah 62:10 – 63:6
(NASB)

Automatically, two passages come to mind, the books of Revelation and Genesis. Jesus, who is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last tells us that He is coming quickly, so; of course, it only makes sense to look at how things will end for our future. Another great place to see is exactly where our troubles began — Adam and Eve and not to forget Satan who started this whole mess. I also researched a few more passages that speak volumes and one small distraction that coincidently caught my attention right from the get go. (Remember, I did ask the LORD to show me, so guess what? He did.)

(This would be a good time for you to scroll ⬇⬇⬇ below to read, Revelation 22, How ever will it all end?).

Day 1 Devotional

After reading the last chapter in the book of Revelation, I had to stop and think, How in the world did mankind get it so wrong, and more importantly, I wondered if there is anything that can be done to finally get it right?

My mind quickly went from my reading to watching my dog struggle with not being allowed to eat the cat’s food.

The Distraction

Abby .

It really was quite comical. The cat’s food lay before her eyes. She was totally captured, contemplating every path, reaching for it, taking it through all her senses and enjoying every moment — its smell, look, everything.

That must be what hope looks like.

Like her, we too like to lick our lips, dance about, all giddy whenever we catch something like that in our sights. We are all the while waiting, watching, reaching for and touching, wanting each delectable bite. Sometimes, it’s something we think about all the time. It is almost as if we are committing “adultery” thinking about it.

Then of course, there comes a warning. Who likes that? Do we hear the warning, anymore? My dog did.

“Abby!” I said, “That’s not your food. That’s the kiddy’s food.”

Her body went limp. She was eyeing the morsels, eyeing me, then tapping her paw right toward those mouth watering delights, grumbling in dog language, “Awe—Why not?”

Abby couldn’t contain herself. You could see it was written with every movement. She would bounce up down, moan, walk toward it; then circle back away from it. She smelled the air, completely miserable, struggling within — trying hard to figure out how she was ever going to overcome her problem. This went on for several minutes. She would turn her head to look away, then turn back as if it was suddenly okay again.

Realizing it wasn’t okay, she tapped the door to her cage and started to go inside as if to say, “I have to physically lock myself away from this torture because it is about to drive me crazy!”

This too offered her no relief because the cage was too close to the food, so she backed out of it completely.

Her only resolution was to do a quick somersault, facing the opposite direction of her torture. Truly resolved — without relief she sighed, “Humph.”

What a way to live? I mean who wants to be miserable living right? Not me. Like you, I want to be filled with joy and contentment for all that God has for each of us, and I especially want to be happy and content for the things I’m not able to get because I know those things are probably not good for me.

So, when God tells us there are things in this world that I should not partake of, then I want to be fully content, trusting Him. Isn’t that what you want?

17 The Spirit and the bride say,
“Come.”
And let the one who hears say,
“Come.”
And let the one who is thirsty
come;
let the one who wishes
take the water of life without cost
Revelation 22:17

When we look at those passages from Revelation 22, we can see that it doesn’t end well for those who love and practice lying, sorcery, and idolatry. The same goes for the ones who are sexually immoral and murder (15). On the other hand, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” (14). Much like the Garden of Eden, there will also be “a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb”(1).

Again, another warning, encouraging all to heed the words of this prophecy. “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” (7). It pleads don’t change them. Listen to the warnings! He is writing to the churches(16). Listen, heed, and do what it says because He is bringing His reward, and it is based on what we do with the words that He speaks.

If He is talking to the churches in future tense that doesn’t that mean we should be attending the church in present tense? Does that not make sense to you?

Does that not give you an urgency to get this thing we called life, right? It does me. It makes me anxious, so I press in and want to read more but feel led to simply pray.

The Bible tells us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Also, remembering this song, “When I am afraid, I will trust in Him, I will trust in Him, I will trust in Him, is another good way to calm one’s nerves.

Whatever the case, I believe God’s Word is telling us today that whenever we feel a time of distress is a time of pulling away, that we can come to Him, and He will supply all of our needs. We can go to Him with our problem. We can be like my dog Abby and turn away from the problem and grace God, Himself, allowing Him to nourish us, provide for us, and ensure with us, overcoming any trial, tribulations or pain by seeking Him first.

Yes, this means our mind are stated in Him. The One who can make everything new.

Let close day 1 of our Bible study in prayer.

Thank You, dear Jesus for giving us life. We are so thankful for all that You have done. When I think of Your Word, the Bible, and Your precious Holy Spirit, it soothes my soul and springs up a well of everlasting, life giving, water. I feel as if I could drift away with You forever and not grow weary, nor will I ever be bothered with the troubles that life can sometimes bring. When I lay at Your feet and think of You it cleanses me, washing me because of Your death on the cross, I have life and am able to live life filled with an abundance of Your peace, safety, and surety. Teach me to be ever in Your favor. Teach me to know Your voice and heed the warnings, to never lose sight of Your way, Your Truth, and Your leading. Open my eyes to the harvest that is ready for Your invitation to come and enter into Your fellowship. Bring people into Your presence, teaching and leading them into a heartfelt surrender of learning to walk without waiver.

No more contrite spirit, but peace. Shear utter peace and tranquility. We have to remember, “In the beginning…. God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1: 1, 31.) Teach us to get it right, resting on You and trusting, trusting trusting– believing believing believing and never doubting. Remove fear from our lives; yet, keep it in reverence of You. I am afraid of You, LORD because You have the power to expel people from Your Kingdom. That should make us tremble. In Jesus Name we are so thankful for Who You are. Keep the lessons that You are teaching us in our hearts. Bless our relationships, our families, neighbors, and friends. Help us to find the right church so we can fellowship with the people in Your Kingdom and learn to be a disciple of Your Kingdom by leading others to the cross. In Your Name, Jesus, we pray.

Now, let’s rest our souls and take time to be thankful and enjoy time with family, friends, and Jesus. He really does make all things beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Doesn’t He?

Next step: Day 2

Open our hearts LORD that we may see and hear Your Words speaking to us, giving us life, giving us direction. In Jesus Name we pray.

“How did it all begin?” ⬇⬇⬇Scroll to the bottom to find out what Genesis 2 has to say.

Day 2 Devotional

⁷Then the Lord God
formed man
of dust from the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life;
and man became
a living being.
Genesis 2:7

Wow! Now, I understand why “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31). Notice, God is providing everything for Adam’s needs and duly noted, God made Adam before Eve (Genesis 2: 7). Verse 8 tells us that “the LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.”

Further, it reads in verse 9, “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life and also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Later in verse 16 and 17, He warns Adam of what he can eat and what he cannot eat within paradise, and then God gets busy with His creation of woman, ” a helper suitable for him.” (18, 20, 21).

Throughout this research several interesting facts arouse. This scene in the garden is similar to the river that flows from the Throne of God and the Lamb found in Revelation 22. Likewise, we have the tree of life and a gate that keeps the wicked people from entering. The only people permitted to enter the gates and come inside are those who have washed their robes.

Another fun fact is God made Adam from the dust of the earth while the woman was created from man’s rib. When God looked around, He noticed there was no mate for man, so He put him into a deep sleep and created a female from Adam’s rib. (20, 21). Note, that Adam was made from the dust of the earth and was brought to life through the breath of our living God. It states in Genesis 1: 26 that God, not only made mankind in His own image, but He also said, “and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Now, rightly so, it appears that Adam and Eve are a team, working together and ruling over the earth. Some more interesting facts will come about as we begin our study tomorrow, but for now, let’s look at a few more details.

God was not the only one on the scene while creating everything. When we look at Genesis 1: 26 – 27, we can see God is speaking in plural case. We know this because the Bible states, “Let Us,” in verse 1: 26.

²⁶Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
²⁷“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female
He created them.”
Genesis 1: 26-27

So, what does this mean?

Bible passages correlate to this same “Let Us” sentiment. Similarly, this fact is also repeated in the New Testament in John 1:1- 3.

The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

John 1: 1-3

… and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1: 2

Then God said

Genesis 1- 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29.

Notice the title of this passage, “The Deity of Jesus Christ”. Yes, Jesus is the one, true God in human form. He was there in the beginning creating as a partner with God, “and all things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (John 1:2).

Found in Revelation 22 and so many other passages in the Bible, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, but praise God; He had a plan. (Tomorrow’s Devotion)

Also there, the Holy Spirit was hovering about throughout God’s creation. Together, the Trinity created everything when God said, “Let there be…”. That means God spoke everything into into existence. This shows how powerful His Words are. For instance, Genesis 1:3 says, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light.” In like manner, everything else was spoken into existence by God. Psalm 33:6, “By the Word of the LORD, the heavens were made.”

Lastly, God blessed Adam and Eve and told them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” in Genesis 1: 28. Psalm 103: 17-18 highlights these blessings, “But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.”

Within all of His blessings, God continues to be constant part of our lives. He wishes that no man struggle and would venture all to come into His Kingdom for the now and not yet to come periods.

In closing for today’s devotion, let’s center our thoughts on God’s marvelous plan in hopes that yes, that includes both you and me. Yes, that means that He loves us with an everlasting love and has high expectations in fast pursuit of a victorious outcome.

Thank You, Jesus! Teach us to number our days. Teach us to turn to You. In Jesus Name I pray. 🙏🙏🙏

Day 3

🙏🙏🙏 Please LORD, guide our journey and teach us Holy Spirit what the Heavenly Father wants us to know to complete the tasks You have given us. Make us strong and perfect, fully knowing what the perfect will is for each individual in our families, our communities, our churches, and deeply within ourselves. God, You are a God of order. Please, bring our hearts, our families, and communities and nation back to a place of order, designed by You. Help us to rely on You, trust You, and be very sensitive to Your voice.

Give us eyes to see the people who need Your message. Give us a boldness that stands out above the rest, relying on Your Words that You give us to share this Good News of You, our LORD, Jesus Christ. Thank You Holy Spirit for being our comforter, our teacher, and our advocate. You are so faithful to bring to light those verse that we need at just the right moment. Thank You for doing that. Open doors of opportunity, so this message can spread like a wild fire, reaching the lost, snatching them into Your noble service. Speak to those hearts who are not willing. Set their hearts on fire for You.

🤲🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻

We love You; we honor You, and we give You all the praise and glory in Jesus Name we ask.

“How did it all start?” ⬇⬇⬇Scroll to the bottom to find out what happened in Genesis 3.

Day 3 Devotional

Wow! What a mess!

Is it possible to get things right, again? Yes, courageously, YES! We can do this! With the power of the living Savior, residing in us and through the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can and will accomplish all that He has for us.

But, we have to press in and Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3: 5-6).

Where did it go wrong?

Rebellion set into the hearts of Adam and Eve. This will never end in a good way because all of those people outside of the gates in the book of Revelation are knee deep in rebellion. This is a willful violation of God’s will. In its fullness, it will lead to destruction.

This rebellion literally began with a conversation with the devil. This really a good lesson for us because it didn’t end well for Eve. She, along with her husband, spiritually died. Satan’s task: Steal, Kill, and Destroy. He will do it by planting a few seeds of doubt here, another half truth there and Wha La — unbelief! Eve fell fast into deception.

Heed these warnings!
“And behold, I am coming quickly.
Blessed is he who heeds the words
of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:7

What’s worse? Adam watched the whole thing go down (6). Eve grabbed for the thing that was forbidden and everything changed. How sad that all of this could have been prevented. Like Adam, we too fall short and could very well fall into the same trap of seeing our families tread on evil and not do a thing about it. Likewise, we could also be the one stirring strife while participating with evil.

No, no, no. Don’t do that. Heed the Living Word of God.

We know that Adam heard God when He told him not to eat from that tree because he shared the news with Eve. In spite, Adam continued to engage in this evil without so much as saying a word or pleading a warning.

Dear friend, this is not a good thing to watch watch watch our loved ones dangle with sin.

🙏🙏🙏Guard our hearts, LORD, and help us to shout with a clear, loud voice, “NO! This will not end well. Dangling with the devil is never going to lead to success!” Better yet, teach me to pray for them, myself, and to lean on You. Give me a word spoken at the right time; give me the words and actions that demonstrate love, honor, and Your strength. Deliver my family member from evil, I beg of You, I pray Dear LORD, that You will convict hearts when we sin. Help us to turn toward away from evil words spoken and hurtful things said. Help us to be tenderhearted and merciful. Help us to speak the Truth in love, and to prophecy over our loved ones. Embolden us with power to sleigh the dragon by praying in the Spirit, and not quenching the Spirit by sealing up His Words.

Help us to see Your face and turn away from wickedness. LORD, Jesus. In Your Name, Jesus we pray.

Unfortunately for us, those blessings from God found in Chapter 2 would soon be revoked with curses standing it its place. No longer part of the garden, God made Adam and Eve some clothes and then they were escorted out of the beautiful garden that God had made for them. To this day, angels stand guard with a sword to keep us from entering.

The first garden, God made and placed Adam within it, but now, Adam and likewise everyone thereafter would have to cultivate themselves by the sweat of their brow. Eve would bear the brunt by casting enmity between her and the snake for not only herself but all of her offspring, too. Child-bearing would become painful, and worse yet for some women, man would now rule over them. This curse of land and pain would continue throughout each generation.

However, there are a few good things to notice about this whole event. God showed extreme love and compassion for those He created. This was extended not only to Adam and Eve, but also to the entire life throughout every generation. This love was manifested while we were yet sinners. Our God is truly amazing because it shows how He truly does make everything new. We will have to talk more about this, later.

In reference to leadership, Eve was issued this judgement. “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. This concept is reiterated when we look at God’s behavior towards this incident. It’s interesting to see who God addresses first. When God entered the garden, He called out to Adam, not Eve. Did that make Adam the leader? Most likely and when confronting them for details, God continued with asking Adam what happened first. Afterward, He also asked Eve for her side of the story. But, Satan, not so much.

Genesis 3 starts with the very culprit who tilted our world off-kilter. He may have thought he got the upper hand by gaining power over death. But, already in place, God laid out His plan for salvation and fulfilled this prophecy in Hebrews 2:14. Stating: “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil”.

The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8).

That shifty snake, Satan, may be one crafty worker of iniquity, but he was cursed with slivering on his belly, eating dust forever. He is labeled as evil incarnate, but guess what? Jesus bruised his head when He died on the cross, rose again, and is now seated on the right hand Throne of God. (Genesis 3:15).

Jesus has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth to trample every wicked notion, plan, conspiracy, and encounter with evil (Matthew 28:18).

We have to remember this. Jesus, makes everything new. He pleads come, so it would be for us to come to Him. Pride is not an option because there will be no pride standing outside of those gates when we get to that part of our future. Trust me , it’s coming and when it gets here you want to hear the LORD say to you, “Come.”

If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then I will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14.

Seek God and Trust Him

If you seek Him with all of your heart, you will find Him.

Question / Answers

How do you wash your robes as in Revelation 22?

Scripture highlights this answer in several passages. Revelation 7:14 reads, ^”I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

This is in reference to Jesus dying on the cross. He is the Lamb of God who takes away all of the sins of the entire world. His Blood was shed on the cross at Calvary. After three days, He came back to life and walked with His disciples for a short while. Then from what I understand, God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, lifted Him to Heaven where He sits on the right hand side of the Throne of God. This is the root of the Gospel message.

His blood is very powerful at breaking down strongholds because He is a resurrected God. His death broke the curse handed down through Adam. Recall in Revelation 22 that there will be no more curse for those who enter the gate. Jesus is the only One who can get us through that gate. There is No other way to enter. It is only JESUS!

There is no other means by which we can be saved. Some will try to enter, but He will say, I never knew you. Make sure you know him. You may be wondering how? You pray. That means you set your mind and thoughts on Him. Call out His Name. Jesus, and start talking. Do you want to get through that gate, tell Him and ask Him to help you. That is no problem for Him, He’s the Son of God.

When you fall, get back up and repent. That means you are turning to Him and confessing your sins and He will be faithful and just to remove them.

What should I do next?

Seek God first and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33.

This is how Jesus makes all things new. He can take the vilest of sinners and refresh them with a completely new heart. One that is filled with love and righteousness.

Ask Jesus to help you find the way. The Holy Spirit will prompt (that means direct you) in due time. You may have to wait and trust in His timing.

This will include help in finding a church and maybe even getting involved. Believe me, church can be filled with some strange people. That means you may want to sit down and have a chat with some of them. Tell the pastor that you are a new believer, and he will get you started.

Pray for God’s leading: Ask Him to surround you with believers who are doing it right. Then go to church because God was talking to the CHURCH when we were reading Revelation. Remember, they were the ones inside the gate. Yes, I agree that there may also be plenty of church goers outside of that gate, but that is why it is important to get to know Him and listen for His answers to your prayers. Throughout this time, you are getting to know Him.

Also, when it is time to worship, sing, and when you are singing, sing to Him. Praise Him, thank Him, and open your heart to hear God’s message for you. Believe it or not, you are there to worship Him, to gain knowledge of Him, and to work for Him. He has given you a purpose with many talents. Use it for Him, to Him, and for His glory.

Also, throughout the sermon, pray. Ask Him to give you an understanding of the Word, and how it applies to you. By doing this, you are actively involved.

While many think church was created for them at their pleasure, some think otherwise. Yes, we are the church, the Bride of Christ. We are the ones He is coming for when He returns.

Yes, hopefully, church is a place for lost souls to find Him, so, pray for the people who are in attendance. Pray for people that don’t go, that Jesus would open a door of opportunity and then invite them to come with you.

Pray for the pastor and the worship leader. Pray for discernment, that they are receptive and obedient to what God has directed, not them. Pray that the Holy Spirit and Jesus have full control without distractions, speaking to hearts and souls, a message that everyone needs to hear. Pray for people to wake up, for God to open their ears and hear His message of love and compassion, and for them to realize it is Jesus who is speaking to them. He is sending a message that says, “Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Most importantly, get to the altar when you hear Him speak to you. This is what church is all about, listening to His call for your life, and surrendering to His message for you. Last, find time to get baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an outward profession of your faith in Jesus Christ that symbolizes you were once dead to sin, but now you body has been washed and raised to life.

Other than that, start reading God’s Word, and pray. More specifically, it would also not be unreasonable for you to ask Him for a baptism in the Holy Spirit as found in an Acts 2. I know all of this seems like a lot, but it’s not. It’s a journey led by prompting from the Holy Spirit and Jesus, Himself.

By the way, you are almost finished with this Bible study and looking ahead. Re-reading Revelation 22 would definitely be an eye opener.

What are your thoughts concerning God’s role as a woman and a wife?

As a Christian, I don’t claim to have all of the answers, but I do have the sincere desire to be the best wife that I can be for Paul Allen. He is rough and stern around the edges, but inside, this man is wise and noble. Hopefully, Scripture will help guide and establish my role as a wife for him and also as a servant for God.

Living by the Spirit is something fairly new for me, but I am growing and sharing this walk. The question posed, “Should a woman step up to the leadership role that a husband holds if he is not willing to complete the task?” was used as an attention grabber for women who may struggle with this question.

For me, the answer is truly a daily walk with our LORD and Savior. As claimed before, I don’t know everything, but He does. Especially when a marriage is unequally yoked. At the heart, the believing wife or husband sees errors with spiritual eyes. Having the night time vision from God’s Word sends a glaring message inside his or her soul. Should this person stand down or should they speak up and utilize the verse from Revelation 22 which warns us not to seal up the words of this prophecy for the time is near(10). One truly has to wrestle from within. Ephesian 6 would be a great tool for anyone in this case.

For a woman, this cannot be easy. This must be done through a consistent walk with Jesus through prayer and supplications, depending on the Holy Spirit to guide her and give her words and actions that are presented through love, patience, and faith. This can be difficult, but not unbearable because the eternal life of her husband is at stake. She must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit because there are those eternal consequences that must be handed over to the LORD. She has to walk with the LORD and abide in Him for this situation to end victoriously.

For today’s times, who knew that we would have to give such an explicit answer. As a woman, we are created in the image of God and are endowed with unique traits, characteristics, and abilities that sets us apart from the rest.

My role as a wife is to be the best help mate for my husband; yet, at the same time I am also a Kingdom seeker and a willing servant of the LORD.

As stated before, Scripture will be our guide. It is not an easy one; especially when two worlds collide. Through this research, I wanted to seek God in Scripture and through prayer, to better help me understand what He expects of me. Below, I have listed a few passages. It is not a complete list, but it is a good one to get you started and research on your own.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1)
“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29).
“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:3).
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17).

This last verse begs for God’s assistance. We as wives must pray for our husbands as they take on the mantle of leading the family. A verse in Revelation 22 tells us, ““Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” If you seal something up, that implies that one is keeping it under cover. The Bible tells us not to do that, so we have to obey God’s Word. If the Holy Spirit prompts us to share something, then we must obey His prompting. I would have to prayerfully doing this. Maybe ask God to give you the words that are filled with compassion. Everything must be done with the assistance of God. Abiding in Him and being led by Him and leaning on Him. It’s that relationship with God that will carry us through that gate. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, and that is what that looks like.

Why did you write this Bible Study?

I had two purposes. One is to complete a service learning project for some classes that I am taking through Global University. This one in particular is Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible.

I also wanted to share this journey to help woman who struggle with this process. It is my hope that people will be more willing to depend on the Holy Spirit within his or her calling. It is also my hope that people will take up that calling with the seriousness needed to fulfill it, given enough salt to satisfy and not hinder. Last, it is my hope and prayer that each of us becomes strong and perfect, fully knowing God’s will for our lives.

A third reason is to further develop a talent that God gave me. Please understand this is for His gloryand not mine.

I hope you have enjoyed my study. I know I had fun.

Scripture Readings

How will it all end?

Revelation 22

The River and the Tree of Life

22 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who [e]heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 But he *said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who [f]heed the words of this book. Worship God.”

The Final Message

10 And he *said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”

12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man [g]according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

Footnotes

Revelation 22:1 Lit bright
Revelation 22:1 Or the Lamb
In the middle of its street,
and on either side
of the river, was
Revelation 22:2 Or crops of fruit
Revelation 22:5 Lit do not have

Revelation 22:7 Lit keeps
Revelation 22:9 Lit keep

Revelation 22:12 Lit as his work is
Revelation 22:16 Or concerning
Revelation 22:19 Lit out of
Revelation 22:21 One early ms
reads the saints

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things [h]for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and [i]from the holy city, which are written in this book.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with [all. Amen.

Scroll Up for Day 1 Devotional ⬆⬆⬆

How did it all begin?

Genesis 2

The Creation of Man and Woman

4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven. 5 Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 8 The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Footnotes
Genesis 2:3 Lit to make
Genesis 2:4 Lit These are the generations
Genesis 2:5 Lit work, serve
Genesis 2:6 Or flow
Genesis 2:6 Lit face of
Genesis 2:7 Lit soul
Genesis 2:10 Lit was going out
Genesis 2:10 Lit heads
Genesis 2:11 Lit surrounds
Genesis 2:13 Lit is the one surrounding
Genesis 2:14 Heb Hiddekel
Genesis 2:14 Lit is the one going
Genesis 2:14 Heb Perath
Genesis 2:17 Lit eat from it
Genesis 2:18 Lit corresponding to
Genesis 2:19 Lit heavens
Genesis 2:20 Lit heavens
Genesis 2:20 Or man
Genesis 2:20 Lit corresponding to
Genesis 2:22 Lit built
Genesis 2:23 Lit This one
Genesis 2:23 Heb Ishshah
Genesis 2:23 Lit This one
Genesis 2:23 Heb Ish

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the ]sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

2 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

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Scripture Reading: Where did we go wrong?

Genesis 3

The Fall of Man

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from [a]any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves [b]loin coverings.

8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [c]cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Footnotes
Genesis 3:1 Or every
Genesis 3:7 Or girdles
Genesis 3:8 Lit wind, breeze
Genesis 3:15 Or crush
Genesis 3:16 Lit and your
pregnancy, conception
Genesis 3:17 Or sorrow
Genesis 3:18 Lit plant
Genesis 3:20 I.e. living;
or life

14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,
Cursed are you more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you will go,
And dust you will eat
All the days of your life;

15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall [d]bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

16 To the woman He said,
“I will greatly multiply
Your pain [e]in childbirth,
In pain you will bring forth children;
Yet your desire will be for your husband,
And he will rule over you.”
17 Then to Adam He said,
“Because you have listened
to the voice of your wife,
and have eaten from the tree
about which I commanded you,
saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
Cursed is the ground because of you;
In [f]toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life.

18 “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
And you will eat the [g]plants of the field;

19 By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread,
Till you return to the ground,
Because from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.”

20 Now the man called his wife’s name [h]Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. 21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.

22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

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Credits

Scripture Images were taken from YouVersion Bible App.

Link to Global University, Berean School of the Bible: https://globaluniversity.edu/academics/continuing-education/

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Jesus Makes All Things New

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