2 Corinthians__1
Scripture
2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
Observation-What does it say?
Paul is writing to the people throughout all of Greece, but particularly to the church in Corinth. Paul is reminding them that God is the true source of comfort. That God comforts them during time of pain and crisis, and in return they need to show others that same comfort God shows them when they are in need of it.
Understanding-What does it mean?
There is a reason we sometimes have to go through the things we do.
You ever wonder why we go through some tough spots in life? I know I have. Whether it’s going through sickness or disease, or a loss of a loved one, God has a reason behind it. And sometimes that reason could be so that once we experience it, we can help, encourage, and walk others experiencing it, through that difficult time in life. You see, as Christ Followers we have a hope and a peace that others who don’t know Jesus have. We are supposed to be the salt and light of the earth. The light He shines in us (with hope and comfort), should be shared with others going through dark times. Who better can comfort someone dealing with the loss of a loved one or going through cancer? Obviously a person whose already been through it. The experience of not only going through such a difficult time, but the experience of how God delivered us through that time can be a spark of light or a beam of hope that someone really needs at that moment. Remember also, the world looks at Christians with a microscope. They dissect our behavior and every action. They want to see how we react when dark times hit us, and how we treat others. Let’s be the example that the world needs right now!
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16
Life Application
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
You all remember that song we learned in Sunday School growing up right? Well it’s time to put that song and those words into action! Time to go out into the world and shine God’s light, (that He instills in us), so the whole world can see. God has given us each our own individual paths and struggles that He got us through. Just know there is someone in this world going through a trouble that you may already have been through. Go and bring comfort to them. Encourage them. Share your story on how God helped you through it. Allow God’s light to brighten up their day! 
-Moses Gaddi
Genesis 7
Scripture
Genesis 7:11-12 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. Observation-What does it say? The book of Genesis describes the beginning of the world, as well as the beginning of the story of God’s nation. The stories in Genesis were carried on orally for several generations, and some scholars believe they were not written down until the time of David. The first eleven chapters of Genesis move quickly from a time when the only thing in existence was God, to the process of the creation of the earth, through the fall of man and the transformation of the world to what we know today. When Noah entered the story, the world had completely rejected God and Noah was chosen to carry on the line of humans. Noah took the better part of his life to build the Ark. God caused the animals to enter the Ark and then He caused water to come out from everywhere, from the sky and from the ground, covering up to the highest peaks of the mountains. In this moment, God displayed the greatness and completeness of His power, proving that He has both the power to create and destroy. Understanding-What does it mean? As a young boy, I had the opportunity to go see the Grand Canyon twice. Both times were brief, but they left an indelible mark in my mind. The grandeur of the place (pun intended) was almost breathtaking. On one of these trips, my family took a hike along the rim in a place where there was no guardrail. As I creeped toward the edge to try and see how deep it really was, I was distracted, and my mom quickly grabbed my arms and gave a tiny little push forward, letting out a startling “Yaahhh!!!” My heart jumped into my throat, as I felt as though I was being pushed to my death. When I watched the home video later, I found that I wasn’t that close to the edge and my mom had a solid hold on my arms. There was no chance of my death on that day. Anytime I think about the Grand Canyon now, I think of this verse in Genesis. While the scientific community would have us believe that it took billions of years to form the Grand Canyon, this verse gives a different idea of the timeline of the creation of the canyon. When the “fountains of the great deep” opened up, there was likely a dramatic increase in erosion, much like when you point a hose at one place in the dirt for a period of time. In fact, this verse affects the way I look at how many of the natural wonders were formed, such as the glaciers, or places like Yosemite valley, which is believed to have been formed by water and glaciers. Scientists also believe much of the United States was once covered in water, in a region they call the Western Interior Seaway. How was it that the United States was covered in water unless there was a flood? In a few weeks, we are taking our boys to the Grand Canyon. I look forward to seeing the look on their face as they gaze over the grandeur of it all. I look forward to the opportunity to share the story of the great flood and Noah’s faithfulness. And, I look forward to scaring the daylights out of one of my kids.
Life Application
Life Application
God thank you for the reminders that You have given us of Your great power and authority. Thank you for the reminders that you will never fail us. Help me to recall these places when I come to worship you, so I can have a right perspective of my need for you.
-Tyler Galloway
Genesis_6
Scripture Genesis 6:9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Observation The world was in a bad place. Around 2000 years after Yahweh created Mankind, the Nephilim(sons of God as the Bible calls them) came down and hooked up with the daughters of humans. And everything started to get really bad, “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Gen. 6:5) But...there was one man that caught Yahweh’s attention. Noah. Understanding Noah means rest and comfort. Righteous means Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine instructions. Obedience is compliance with an order, request, law or submission to another's authority. In the midst of a shaky world, surroundings with conflict, disregard for each other, perverseness, and evil, we can find rest. Obedience to Yahweh, creates righteousness, which leads to rest. He will lift you up out of the darkness and turmoil around you, He will keep you safe in His Ark,He will carry you to fulfill His will,He will give you rest. Genesis 6:22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Life Application Just say, “Yes LORD.” One yes after another. One step toward Him. One step after another, and you will have “walked faithfully with God.”
Abba Father, you are Holy and righteous! You sit in the highest heaven and still choose to condescend with man, with little old me. How do I dare to disobey your commands?How do I let my surrounding discomfort and evils in the world deceive me into disobedience? Holy Spirit come, open my eyes to see you that I may walk in your footsteps, open my ears to hear you that I may obey exactly as you have said, open my heart to receive your word and instructions. Holy Spirit fall on us so that we would be “strong and courageous” knowing that You are with us and that You lead us on “paths of righteousness” to find rest. In the name of your son and my savior, Yeshua, Amen!
-Deborah Lee
Please take a few minutes to listen with the captions on and meditate on His word. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/RWM8gSSnz_8