The battlefield at Ephesus is the battle of consistent faith in our relationship with Jesus.

Revelation 2:1-5 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.

There is more personal danger and vulnerability coming down from mountaintops than going up.

Jesus modeled faithfulness in the highs and the lows and in the everyday experiences of life.

Revelation 2:2-5 the description of the Ephesus followers…

1. Perseverance of spirit: they worked hard and they didn’t give up.
2. Faithfulness to the truth: they lived with integrity; they could not “bear those who are evil.”  They knew error when they heard or saw it. There was a loyalty to the truth.
3. Hard workers for God: …and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Motto: Whatever it takes to get the mission done!

Characteristics of the church of Ephesus:

This church had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy to do in a city that was noted for its immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Artemis.

The church at Ephesus is commended for five things:

1. working hard (toil)
2. persevering (patient endurance)
3. resisting sin (cannot tolerate evildoers)
4. critically examining the claims of false apostles (biblical intergrity)
5. enduring patiently and bearing up without becoming weary.

The Ephesian believers knew evil when they saw it and did not tolerate it.

How can believers recognize false teaching?

• It promotes controversies for sake of controversy instead of helping people come to Jesus.
• It is often initiated by those whose motivation is to make a name for themselves.
• It will be contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures.

Revelation 2:4 …you have left your first love…

This passage does not say that they have LOST first love it says you have LEFT their first love.

The Lord is speaking to us all: Keep Jesus as a priority at all times, in the times when we are not ok as well as when we are ok. To seek first the kingdom of God and then all these things of righteousness will be added to us.  Keep your priorities straight.

We are in a battle to maintain our faith and be consistent in our walk at all times. The fight comes in getting up Monday, going to work, doing your job well, coming home to your family, living with them, going to bed and doing this every day while keeping Jesus ALWAYS first!

What is the strategy that we need to work in order to win this battle?

Step one: Revelation 2:5 Jesus said, “Remember”.  Can you remember when you were so spiritually hungry that you couldn’t stay away church?

Bring back your insatiable desire to know Him.  Do you remember the intense, preoccupation of your mind and heart to know Jesus? God remembers.  To remember something in Jesus’ time meant that the remembering of an event, situation, or scripture would change you!

Step two: Revelation 2:5 says, “Repent.”  The definition of repent is, I recognize that where I am is not where I am supposed to be.  So, I turn and move toward where I am supposed to be.

Lamentations 3:40 Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living and reorder our lives under God.

God’s word to some of us: Retreat back to the place you were before!  In a battle there are times when a retreat is a strategy for victory!

The key to fruitfulness is abiding in the simplicity of His love.

Step three: Revelation 2:5 says Repeat …do the first works.  Do what you need to do to get back in shape for the battle.  We will not get to a spiritual mountain top in one step.  And you will not get through a valley in one step.  So what do you do?  You put one foot in front of the other and start walking.

This is about real TRANSFORMATION.

Basically we will win the battle through our obedience and through our trust in God during the highs and during the lows and during the maintenance times

2 Corinthians 8:11 Having started the ball rolling so enthusiastically, you should carry this project through to completion just as gladly…Let your enthusiastism at the start be equaled by your realistic action now.

Hebrews 13:5-9 For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Genesis 22
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God’s Goal for Abraham:

Knowing Him so well that he could totally trust in Him

God never tempts us rather He tests us!

James 1:12-14 God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, God is tempting me. God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.

Trusting God means we are willing to put our life in His hands

Genesis 50:19-20 But Joseph told them, Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil…

Testing will last long enough so faith can grow

Mark 4:40 …He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?

Faith will slowly dissolve away due to a lack of attention and development. Faith will grow and become strong when we build our lives around Him, live and follow Him!

Jesus is never indifferent to our times of testing!

Genesis 22:2-4 Then God said, Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

As long as we are in motion the Lord can move us…

James 3:4-5 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

In order to know the voice of God we must know God and be known by God

Trusting God’s requires us to lay on the altar our loves and let them die

What needs to die in you so that the Lord can live in you?

The Lord will not give more than we can handle…

1 Corinthians 10:13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out…

Trusting God’s is learning to NOT have to ask “WHY GOD” but accepting, doing and obeying

Isaiah 55:8-9 My thoughts are completely different from yours, says the LORD. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts

Genesis 22:5 He said to his servants; Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. WE will worship and then WE will come back to you.

Trusting God means we really trust God!

Hebrews 11:17-19 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, though God had promised him, Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.

GOD-CONFIDENCE comes from trusting in the Lord and in the promises of God that He has for you…

Genesis 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together…

Genesis 22:7-9 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, Father? Yes, my son? Abraham replied. The fire and wood are here, Isaac said, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son. And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

Genesis 22:10-18 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, Abraham! Abraham! Here I am, he replied. Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided. The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.

God will never fail you and He will never forsake you!

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

“Dear God, thank You for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy.”

“Dear God, it must be super hard to love all the people in the world, especially my brother. I don’t know how You do it.”

“Dear God, please take care of my daddy, mommy, sister, brother, my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re gonna be in a big mess.”

The Lord desires each of us to come before Him in prayer, communicating our joys and frustrations, hopes and dreams, questions and fears. Communication is not one sided, however. Healthy relationships are based on both parties, in turn, listening, speaking, and reflecting on the other’s message. Prayer can be a tremendous communication tool in a relationship with the Lord, and like any other tool it is most effective when used successfully. During this week’s Awesome Journey, we will discover that it is important to maintain consistent communication with the Lord; we are responsible to talk and listen to Him!

Journey Preparation: These instructions will help you prepare ahead of time for a super family devotion experience. There are two opportunities for family activities; each option is crafted with different learning styles in mind. Select which opportunity suits your family dynamic the best and dig in! For further study, feel free to complete the second activity at a later date. It may be a good idea to print a copy of the selected activity notes and follow along as you complete this week’s Awesome Journey!

Family Devotions

Adult Devotion

• Read and review together the final 5 statements of marital commitment below.

Statements 21-25 of Marital Commitment:

We will commit to ourselves to the following statements in our marriage. We will…

21. give our heart and trust to each other

22. take care of ourselves for each other

23. care for each other as modeled for us by the Lord

24. not use the threat of divorce against each other

25. obey the Lord individually and follow His will in our lives

• Take turns evaluating your marriage based on the marital commitment statements above by considering which statements you would identify as strengths for you as a couple and which statements are potential growth areas.
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the growth areas you have identified as a couple.
• Journal your thoughts

ASSIGNMENT: Your goal this week is to get ready for Friday night. Strive to avoid marital conflict. Stay away from hot topics that push each other’s buttons. Sleep right, eat right, and take care of yourselves so that you will be 100% during this special time. Spend extra time in devotions and prayer this week and be ready for God to speak to you. God cares deeply about your marriage. Also, take a moment to review all the previous statements of marital commitment that you have already covered. Finally, plan to show up early on Friday. Start time is 5:30pm.

VISUALIZING THE CEREMONY: This Friday night will include an opportunity after the ceremony is completed to go with a large group of church family to the Rodeo Drive-in theater to celebrate. We would love for everyone to go. This will be a great night for the whole family. Pack your vehicles and get your kids ready. You will be able to change at the church before heading to the Drive-in Theater if you would like.

Together we are going to be train through our study of the seven churches in Revelation and the battles each one faced.  Their instruction becomes our equipping to do battle and win!  It will be the fasted hour of your week and one of the most productive and beneficial!

Brief Introduction to the Book of Revelation:

The book of Revelation unveils Christ’s full identity and God’s plan for the end of the world, and it focuses on Jesus Christ, his second coming, his victory over evil, and the establishment of his kingdom.  This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ. God gave the revelation of his plan to Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ, in turn, sent his angel, who revealed it to his servant John. The angel will explain various scenes to John, acting as a guide. The phrase “what must soon take place” means imminence — it would happen “soon.”

2 Peter 3:8 A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day!

No one knows when these events will happen, so believers should live as though Christ will come in the next moment. Jesus gave his message to John in a vision, allowing him to see and record certain future event so that they could be an encouragement to all believers. Jesus is the ruler of the universe! He will come to this earth in victory. For believers, this is Good News. For unbelievers, it’s a sober call to repent of their evil ways and prepare for Christ’s return.

The same God who controlled the past, and who will be in control in the future, still controls the present — even if it seems as though evil is winning. The primary point of the book of Revelation is that God is Lord or sovereign. Satan’s rebellion is futile. Remember that even though Satan is the ultimate enemy of God and God’s people, the devil has already lost.

Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Blessed: the Greek word used here is makarios (ma KAR ee os) translated “fortunate” or “Happy”—but makarios means much more. There is also a sense in which this word implies Congratulations! or Way to Go! or Good for you; In the Greek language, makarios communicates the idea of contentment, fulfillment, satisfaction, completion.

There are three key actions we are called to do in order to be prepared:

• Read
• Hear
• Keep

Why?  Because the time is near! We must be ready at all times for Jesus’ return and therefore we are ready to do battle and always on guard!

Revelation 1:4-8 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so,  amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

The Lord God is the beginning and the end. God the Father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future. God is sovereign over history and is in control of everything. The one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Lord God, controls present, past, and future. The phrase “the Almighty” comes out of the Old Testament and conveys military imagery, referring to God: He is the mighty warrior. God rules over all of creation on earth and in the universe, what is visible and invisible!

We are responsible to be prepared for battle!

Revelation 1:9-20 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying,  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, and, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia:

1. Ephesus
2. Smyrna
3. Pergamos
4. Thyatira
5. Sardis
6. Philadelphia
7. Laodicea

We will win battles when we keep our focus on Jesus.  And we learn who Jesus is:

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,  and in the midst of the seven lampstands  

One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,

Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Jesus stands with us!  No matter what we face, Jesus is in control and protects us with his all-encompassing love and reassuring power. By His Spirit, Jesus is among us today.

The picture of the warrior Jesus: The long robe pictures Jesus as a leader. The gold sash across his chest reveals him as the high priest who goes into God’s presence to obtain forgiveness of sin for those who have believed in him.  His glowing white hair indicates his wisdom and divine nature. His blazing eyes symbolize judgment of all evil and deep insight, not only over the churches and the believers but over the entire course of human history.  The feet like bronze picture an exalted person with great power.  The voice like rushing waters evokes the image of a huge waterfall roaring over a high cliff.

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.  The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

Stars: messengers or leaders of the church in His hand.  These are those who have been given the responsibility to share the message of Jesus Christ and His love, care, concern, hope and faith.

Lampstands: the churches.  He is the source and sustainer of the light of the church.

Jesus is the heart and head of the church!

The word of God is communicating to us significant strategic truth because good communication is critical to winning battles!

Jesus is our source for ALL our resource and we cannot survive death and hell’s attack without the source, strength and overcoming power of the Lord!

1 Corinthians 11:23-26
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What was / am I sowing into my life, by way of my:

• Thought Life
• Attitudes I have
• Decisions I make
• Behaviors I practice
• Activities I get involved in
• Entertainment I participate in
• Music I listen to
• Programs I watch
• Worship I participate in
• What I read
• How I invest my time, my talents
• Priorities that I live out
• How I deceive myself
• Stories I tell others
• …

Remember     Consider

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:4-5But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

Luke 22:14-16 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Genesis 14:18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he (Abram) gave him (Melchizedek) a tithe of all.

How and what we celebrate (remember) communicates what we value.

In our celebration of communion we need to honor Jesus by keeping Him at the center or our heart, our thoughts, and our celebration.

We need to honor what He did, by remembering why He did it, with truly thankful hearts.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, …Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. …how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:24-28 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another — He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many

Deuteronomy 8:11-12,14,17 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest – when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage (sin); then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’”

Journey Preparation: These instructions will help you prepare ahead of time for a super family devotion experience. There are two opportunities for family activities; each option is crafted with different learning styles in mind. Select which opportunity suits your family dynamic the best and dig in! For further study, feel free to complete the second activity at a later date. It may be a good idea to print a copy of the selected activity notes and follow along as you complete this week’s Awesome Journey!

Family Devotions

Adult Devotion

• Read and review together the statements of marital commitment below.

Statements 15-20 of Marital Commitment:

We will commit to ourselves to the following statements in our marriage. We will…

15. work together as a team

16. maintain a weekly marriage appointment in order to communicate

17. do something fun together at least once a month

18. pray together on a regular basis

19. have devotions together at least once a week

20. protect each other

• Take turns evaluating your marriage based on the marital commitment statements above by considering which statements you would identify as strengths for you as a couple and which statements are potential growth areas.
• Brainstorm creative ways to strengthen the growth areas you have identified as a couple.
• Journal your thoughts

ASSIGNMENT: Your goal this week is to do something as a team. Cook a meal together, or put the kids to bed together, or go the gym and encourage each other as you work out together, or paint a picture together, or write a song together, or something else creative and fun.

VISUALIZING THE CEREMONY: One of the things that will happen is that you and your spouse will have the opportunity to be prayed for by a pastor and to pray together as a couple. A couple that prays together stays together. Prayer is an essential element in life. The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing. Talk with God about your spouse and your marriage. Also, listen to Him as you read the Bible and experience His presence and hear what He has to say to you.

God Gets the Last Laugh

Genesis 21
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Sin has consequences!

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Today is a new day!

Genesis 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.

Lord is always faithful to His promise(s).

God cannot lie!

Titus 1:1-2 …to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began — and he cannot lie.

God’s timing is best!

Genesis 21:2-3 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Our commitment to God is a seed that releases life!

God never gives up on us!

Hebrews 13:5-6 For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence; the Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Genesis 21:3-5 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him — whom Sarah bore to him — Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Genesis 17:19 Then God said: No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

God had the last laugh! Isaac means: He laughs!

Genesis 17:15-20 Then God said to Abraham…and I will bless her and also give you a son by her…then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?

Genesis 18:10-15 …Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I have grown old, shall I have pleasure…

What is impossible to man is possible for the Lord!

Matthew 19:25-26 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus looked at them and said to them, With men this is impossible , but with God all things are possible.

Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows people’s thoughts…

Genesis 21:5-8 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.  And Sarah said, God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me. She also said, Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age. So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned.

Genesis 21:9-11 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing.  Therefore she said to Abraham, cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

Hebrews 12:15 Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.

Genesis 21:10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, Get rid of that servant and her son. He is not going to share the family inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!

What is mature?

It is learning to RESPOND in the right way using the Word of God as our guide, seeking the Holy Spirit as our confirmation and listening to the wisdom of mature others.

Genesis 21:11-13 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. But God told Abraham, Do not be upset over the boy and your servant wife. Do just as Sarah says, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. But I will make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he also is your son.

There are no guarantees that we will not face difficulties or struggles.  We will face battles because we live in a world that is contaminated by sin.

Matthew 11:12-13 …the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people attack it.

Luke 12:51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division!

We may not live WITH PEACE we can live IN PEACE

John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

Just whistle while you work And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place So hum a merry tune It won’t take long when there’s a song to help you set the pace

(music written by Frank Churchill and lyrics written by Larry Morey)

Snow White and her song reflected a lesson that the Lord Himself has built into the natural world: work is important! For this week’s Awesome Journey, we will examine how God created the ant…and we’ll see just what we can learn from a tiny insect with a big work ethic!

Journey Preparation: These instructions will help you prepare ahead of time for a super family devotion experience. There are two opportunities for family activities; each option is crafted with different learning styles in mind. Select which opportunity suits your family dynamic the best and dig in! For further study, feel free to complete the second activity at a later date. It may be a good idea to print a copy of the selected activity notes and follow along as you complete this week’s Awesome Journey!

Family Devotions

Adult devotions