Journey Through the Bible in a Year
Reading God's Word and learning more about His plan for my life each day!
Sunday, September 15, 2002
Introduction to Journey Through the Bible
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for this “Lord’s Day,” this day of resurrection, when Christians around the world gather to remember that Jesus rose on the first day of the week, giving us the fullness of hope for our salvation. We know that because He rose from the dead, we, too, shall rise after our death to this life, to live with You forever! May Your Holy Spirit be the worship leader in our worship this day. May our thoughts, words and actions glorify You. As I read Your word now, and as we read it together in worship today, write their truth on our hearts and minds that we may be encouraged and empowered to live boldly for You. Use me this day and this week to glorify You in all that I am and all that I do. These things I pray in Jesus’ name, and for the sake of His coming kingdom. Amen.
My Journey Verses for Today
Genesis 11:1-9
1 At one time the whole world spoke a single language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated eastward, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. 3 They began to talk about construction projects. "Come," they said, "let's make great piles of burnt brick and collect natural asphalt to use as mortar. 4 Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies – a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world." 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 "Look!" he said. "If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let's go down and give them different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other." 8 In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the earth; and that ended the building of the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because it was there that the LORD confused the people by giving them many languages, thus scattering them across the earth.
Reflecting on God's Word for My Journey
What is the greatest source of unity in the world today?
What is the biggest project you have ever undertaken with a large group of people? What was the outcome?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word for My Journey
According to today’s Scripture, what was the motivation for the people’s building of a tower to reach the heavens? (11:1-4)
What was the Lord’s response to this “building project”? Why did He respond this way? (11:5-9)
Understanding God's Will for My Journey
Why do you suppose that God thought it was necessary to bring about division among the people of the world, when the goal of Jesus is to bring all people together?
What is the most significant point in today’s Scripture to you?
Applying What God's Word Tells Me to My Journey
What does today’s Scripture tell you about your daily interactions with other people, and particularly with those who are not followers of Jesus?
What is going on in your life right now that you would benefit from sharing with another person or people, instead of doing it on your own?
My Personal Journey Thought for the Day—“Nothing Will Be Impossible!”
The words of Genesis 11:6 have always been incredible to me, “Look!" he said. "If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them!” God recognized that human potential is literally unlimited when exercised in unity and cooperation with others. That’s without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives! The problem is the unity and cooperation of the people at Babel was designed to glorify humanity rather than God. We were created for a relationship with God. We were created to live that relationship with one another in unity and cooper-ation. God created us in His image and gave us abilities that surpass our under-standing, but due to sin’s entrance into the world, we often forget the one key to the success of our abilities: God’s favor. When we seek God’s favor, when we seek to live in Him, His blessing is upon us. But when we seek our own glory, our own ends, God WILL intervene sooner or later. The story of Babel is a story of human potential – LOST. It was lost because it was misdirected. The goal of the church is to regain the unity and sense of common purpose through Jesus. When we do that, we will build the ultimate “project”—the Kingdom of God!
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