WOW - Women Opening the Word - Week 1: Days 1-2

 Today, I am choosing to begin writing on this blog again.  Hopefully, I will be able to post 3-4 times a week, giving you material to internalize WHO JESUS is and learn to know HIM intimately.  I'll continue to highlight names of JESUS and if a name is not on our list on the right, I'll make sure it is added.   

Currently, most weeks I meet with a group of ladies who get together for WOW, which is the acronym for...

Women

Opening the

Word!

We look at the word "Word" from two different perspectives:

• The written word of GOD, called the Bible.
• The LIVING WORD, JESUS.

How much do you know about the library of 66 books compiled into one book, the written word of GOD, called The Bible? Years ago, I had a conversation with a well known editor who was encouraging me to write books. She said that she would only consider reading a complete book if the first and last chapter connected well. She said that would be one indication to her that it would be a great read.

Genesis is the first part (first book) of the Bible and Revelation is the last part (last book). Enjoy the connections!

Not only does the Bible make marvelous connections, but it fits together like a giant puzzle that needs to be understood by fitting pieces together. The first verse of the Bible says,

"In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth."

It's important to know WHO our GOD is!

It's explained really simply in this kids book that you can easily buy,

GOD is "3 in 1":

GOD the FATHER
GOD the SON, JESUS
GOD the HOLY SPIRIT

In the Bible, when we see the word GOD, sometimes it refers to THE FATHER, sometimes it refers to THE SON, sometimes it refers to THE HOLY SPIRIT, and sometimes it refers to our 3 in 1 GOD.

Let's take a look at the first chapter of the book of John and let him explain a few things. The book is written by the apostle John, who spent many days with JESUS, while HE lived in human form on the earth.

John's first verse says that "THE WORD" was not only "with GOD" in the beginning, but HE was GOD.

Let's spend the next 2 days meditating on

the Genesis/Revelation chart above and John 1:1-18 below.

1 In the beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD was with GOD, and THE WORD was GOD.  

2 HE was in the beginning with GOD. 

3 All things came into being through HIM, and apart from HIM not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 

4 In HIM was LIFE, and THE LIFE was THE LIGHT OF MANKIND. 

5 And THE LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

The Witness John the Baptist

6 A man came, one sent from GOD, and his name was John. 

7 He came as a witness, to testify about THE LIGHT, so that all might believe through him. 

8 He was not THE LIGHT, but he came to testify about THE LIGHT.

9 This was THE TRUE LIGHT that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 

10 HE was in the world, and the world came into being through HIM, and yet the world did not know HIM. 

11 HE came to HIS own, and HIS own people did not accept HIM. 

12 But as many as received HIM, to them HE gave the right to become children of GOD, to those who believe in HIS name, 

13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of GOD.

The Word Made Flesh

14 And THE WORD became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw HIS glory, glory as of THE ONLY SON OF THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. 

15 John testified about HIM and called out, saying, “This was HE of whom I said, ‘HE WHO is coming after me has proved to be MY SUPERIOR, because HE EXISTED BEFORE ME.’” 

16 For of HIS fullness we have all received, and GRACE UPON GRACE. 

17 For the Law was given through Moses; GRACE AND TRUTH were realized through JESUS CHRIST. 

18 No one has seen GOD at any time; GOD THE ONLY SON, WHO is in the arms of the Father, HE has explained HIM." 

Questions to meditate on:

Day 1:

1)  So, on the chart, it refers to Genesis 1:16 saying that GOD made the 2 great lights (sun and moon).  Can you explain another "Great Light" from your John 1 reading?

2)  By reading these verses in John, could we also call JESUS, CREATOR? Why or why not?

3)  Can you name up to 14 names of JESUS used in John 1:1-14?

Day 2:

1)  As you look back over the Genesis/Revelation chart, are there some words used there that make you think of other names of JESUS?  What are those names?

2)  The chart refers to THE TREE OF LIFE in Genesis 3. If you have time, read Genesis 3 and consider what happened in that chapter.

May you be blessed by the time you send with THE LIVING WORD in The Word!