God-besotted Podcast

Confidence. Stability. Security. Safety. Joy. 

That’s what the parable of the two builders promises those who embrace Jesus as Savior and obey Him as Lord. A famous parable for a reason, the parable of the two builders wraps up Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and urges us to consider: Have we heard and acted upon Jesus’ words, or do we merely profess to follow Him? 

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider:

• What is the relationship between faith and works, between faith and fruit? How would you describe the importance of obedience to a new believer? 

• Where in your life do you need stability, confidence, and security right now? How does knowing you are in Christ—because you have continued to trust and obey Him—encourage you? 

• Right now, are you more like the wise builder or the foolish one? Why? Are there any areas of your life where you are delaying obedience or refusing to obey? Confess these to the Lord and ask for His strength to follow Him wholeheartedly.

If the kingdom of God isn’t coming in its fullness for a long time, what are Jesus’ subjects to do while waiting for their King to return? How are the master’s servants to live while their master is away? 

That’s the question the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) answers.

Convicting and comforting, this parable reminds us that we serve a good and gracious God, who invites us to participate in His kingdom, providing us with more than enough so that we can remain faithful and fruitful as we await the coming King.

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a couple reflection questions to consider:

1. Make a list of the resources, blessings, time, spiritual gift(s), and talents that God has given you. Make another list of the opportunities you have to serve Him by serving others, especially fellow believers. Now consider: Are you being faithful? 

2. Are there any talents, gifts, resources, or opportunities that you have not been using to serve God? If so, why? Does pride, fear, or laziness have anything to do with it? What lie might you be believing about God that is impacting this?

“A sower went out to sow his seed.” So begins one of Jesus’ most famous parables, the parable of the soils. Included in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this parable is key to understanding the other parables of Jesus. It serves as both an encouragement and warning to us as we begin our study of the parables: We are to take heed how we hear the Word of God. 

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider: 

1. What fruit are we to bear as believers? Check out Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 1:11, Hebrews 13:15, and Romans 1:13. 

2. Based on the fruit described in the passages above, what fruit have you been bearing recently?

3. Do any of the unproductive soils convict you? Are you currently being hardened by sin, or disheartened by a trial, temptation or persecution, or choked by worry or love of money? If so, how do Jesus’ words encourage you to respond?

4. Are you sowing the Word of God? To whom? How does the parable of the soils encourage you as you do?

5. Consider committing 2 Peter 1:1-11 or John 15:1-11 to memory as a way to meditate on God’s Word! 

After over a year since the God-besotted podcast launched, I wanted to take a moment to share my heart for this ministry. My hope and prayer is that this podcast helps us delight more deeply in the God who loved us first.

We’re fickle lovers, aren’t we? We need to constantly fan the flames of our love for God, lest we grow cold–and I believe the best way to do that is to rediscover, over and over, His love for us. Because when we experience that…when we truly know in our bones the height, and width, and breadth, and depth of God’s love in Christ through the Spirit, we can’t help but be God-besotted.

In a world full of substitute gods, noisy with voices vying for our ear, Psalm 29 shows us the real deal: the God of glory, who calls us to Himself in a thundering voice. Let this hymn of praise stir your heart to worship the one true God, the Lord who blesses us with strength and peace.

Want to study the themes in this passage further? Here are a few reflection questions and passages to consider:

1. Read Job 38:4-7, 1 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 3:10, and 1 Peter 1:12. What did the heavenly beings do at creation and when Jesus appeared in the flesh? What are they doing in the present age?
2. When did you last hear God’s voice through His Word? How can you intentionally listen to God’s voice and look for His work in your life this week?
3. Does God speak to you more often through the storms of life or in a “still, small voice”?
4. In what area of your life do you need strength? What about peace? How does knowing God sits as King forever encourage you? How does the promise of Psalm 29:11 comfort you?

In this episode, we look at Moses's prayer in Psalm 90. Even though we're centuries removed from the wilderness wanderings, we can affirm with the man of God that life is short and can be extremely painful. In this psalm, we learn how to talk to God about our desire to make our mark on this world and our longing to be satisfied forever.

Praying Psalm 90

Before praying, read Psalm 90 in its entirety at least once. If possible, read it more than once, aloud. Ask God to open your eyes to behold wonderful things in His Word.

Read verses 1-2.

Tell God why you are grateful that He is our dwelling place. Thank Him for His faithfulness in your life. Confess any times recently that you have sought rest somewhere apart from Him. If you lack a desire to abide in Him alone, confess that, and ask Him to help you seek Him first.

Read verses 3-6.

Consider the brevity of life. Even if you usually shy away from meditating on this less-than-comfortable topic, don’t move on too quickly. Think about your life as a flood, a dream, a blade of grass. How does this reality shift your perspective about your priorities and preoccupations today? Confess to God where you need to refocus or reorder your priorities.

Read verses 7-12.

Ask God to increase your understanding of His wrath against sin—and to fear Him more and more. Thank God for Jesus, who drank the full cup of God’s wrath against sin for you. Pray with Moses: “Teach me to number my days that I may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Ask for the Spirit’s guidance so you can make the most of your time today.

Read verses 13-17.

Pray for the Lord to come—and come quickly. Until then, pray for God to satisfy you each day with His love. Ask for His grace to equip you to do all He has called you to do today and rest, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Want to study the themes in this passage further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider:

1. Read Deuteronomy 33:1, Deuteronomy 33:26-29, and Isaiah 57:15. What do you learn about God? What similarities do you see to Psalm 90:1-2?

2. Read Genesis 3. Consider the curse of sin. Where do you see evidence of the curse in the world? What about in your own life?

3. How does the transitoriness of your life, as described in verses 3-6, compel you to view your time? How does an awareness of the brevity of life affect your schedule today?

4. Read Luke 22:39-45. How did Jesus view the cup of God’s wrath? Take a few moments to thank Jesus for offering His body as a sacrifice for sin and satisfying God’s wrath to bring us near to God and make us right with Him.

5. Read 1 Corinthians 15. How does Jesus’ resurrection give us hope? How does His resurrection life infuse our lives with significance and meaning?

6. Read Matthew 5:6, Matthew 6:33, and Psalm 17:15. What is the only thing that satisfies us? How can your life reflect this truth more?

Psalm 3 is the first actual prayer in the Book of Psalms. It is a cry for help in a desperate situation, teaching us how to pray when we face impossible situations, even if they are crises of our own making, looking to God who is our salvation.

Want to study the themes in Psalm 3 further? Here are some passages and reflection questions to consider:

1. Read 2 Samuel 15-18. How does Psalm 3 give you insight into David’s mindset during one of the most difficult times of his life? How did God answer his prayer in Psalm 3?
2. Consider an overwhelming situation you are facing now. How does knowing God is your shield, your glory, and the One who lifts your head bring you comfort?
3. Read Psalm 35:3. How does knowing God is your salvation through Jesus encourage you right now?
4. How can you pray Psalm 3 for someone facing an impossible situation this week? How will you pray it for yourself?

The Book of Psalms opens with a two-part invitation for you and me to walk in God’s way–the way that leads to abundant life. In Psalm 2, we meet God’s Messiah and are called to take refuge in Him, finding in Him stability, shelter, and true joy. Tune in to dig into Psalm 2 with me–and pray God’s Word back to Him!

Want to study Psalm 2 further? Here are a few questions and passages to consider:

1. Read Jeremiah 5:5 and Hosea 11:1-11, especially verses 1-4. How did the people of Israel view their redemption? How did God view it? Do you ever view your relationship with God as oppressive or His commands as burdensome? What does God’s Word to Israel in Hosea 11 teach you about His love for you?
2. Read Psalm 59, paying special attention to verses 5-8. What does David do when facing trouble? How does God respond to the situation? What parallels do you see to Psalm 2? How does this psalm encourage you?
3. Consider again what Eugene Peterson writes in his book, “Answering God”: “Far more is involved here than simply asserting God’s sovereignty. We need a way, a convincing, usable, accessible tool for realizing the largeness of God in the midst of the competing bigness of the world. If we fail here, prayer will be stunted; we will pray huddled and cowering. Our prayers will whimper.” Does the bigness of the world affect your prayers? How should God's reign change your view of your current struggles and worries? 
4. Read Micah 5:4 and Zechariah 9:10. What do these verses teach about Messiah’s reign?
5. Read Galatians 4:1-10 and Romans 8:1-25. What is our status as believers in Christ? What does this mean for us at present? What does it mean for the future?
6. Read Luke 7:37-39. Why did the woman treat Jesus this way? Are there any treasures you’re holding onto, whether good or bad, that are drawing you away from total devotion to Christ? How can you pray Psalm 2 this week to help you worship Jesus with trembling joy?
7. How can you pray for those in your life who don’t know Christ using Psalm 2 this week? How can you pray Psalm 2 for the rulers of the world?

The Book of Psalms opens with an invitation for you and me to walk in God’s way–the way that leads to abundant life. Tune in to dig into Psalm 1 with me–and pray God’s Word back to Him!

Want to study Psalm 1 further? Here are a few questions and passages to consider:

1. Read Psalm 1 out loud once or twice. Read it also in a few different versions of the Bible if possible (e.g., NIV, ESV, AMP).
2. Try outlining the psalm, dividing it according to the flow of ideas. Do you notice anything new as a result of doing this?
3. Consider your circle of friends. Are any of your intimate friends ungodly, sinners, or scoffers? Reading this psalm in a post-Christ’s death and resurrection context, how can you still be a good influence and share the gospel with unbelievers without making the unwise decision of Psalm 1:1?
4. Read Joshua 1:8 and Jeremiah 17:5-8. Compare these passages to Psalm 1:1-3. What leads to a successful life? Is Psalm 1:2 true of you? Why or why not?
5. How does verse 6 make you feel? Why?
6. Commit to praying Psalm 1 throughout the week. By praying God's Word back to Him, Jesus abides in us and us in Him (see John 15:1-7, especially verse 7).

Make sure you're following @godbesotted on Instagram and the God-Besotted Podcast on Facebook! I'd love to hear from you! 

In Psalm 119:132, the psalmist prays, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name.” Grace is who God is; He is always gracious toward us. His grace is eternal and sovereign, exercised toward us through Christ. In this episode, we talk about the God of all grace. How should grace humble us? How does it honor us? And how does it hold us fast? Let’s just get right into it.

Want to dig deeper into the themes in this episode? Here are some Scripture passages and reflection questions for you to check out:

• How does grace humble you personally? How does it make you feel honored?
• Read 1 John 1:14-18. What do you learn about grace from this passage? What do you learn about Jesus? Does the passage teach that God was not gracious before Christ was incarnated? (Check out Exodus 33:19 and Exodus 34:6.)
• Tim Keller has said, “The gospel is not just the ABC of the Christian life, but the A to Z of the Christian life.” Read Colossians 1:21-23. How does “not moving away from the hope of the gospel” lead to the realization of God’s purposes for us in our lives?
• Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. How does God’s grace sustain us as we walk with Christ? Has God’s grace sustained you recently? If so, how? If not, why do you think this is?
• Is there anyone in your life to whom it is hard for you to show grace? Or is there anyone in your life you've been thinking may be too far gone to receive God's grace (even if that person is you)? How can you show God's grace toward this person this week? 

Do you ever feel stuck in a cycle of negativity? Doesn’t God want us to be happy, and if so, how do we do it? In this episode, let’s get real about the low periods in our lives–and how a biblical perspective can change everything.

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider:

• Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. How would you describe Paul’s outlook in these verses? How is it similar to yours when you encounter difficulties? How is it different?
• Describe a difficult season or trial you’ve experienced. Do you see any “silver lining”? How did God use that difficulty to draw you closer to Him and mold you more into His image?
• Do you agree that merry making starts in the morning? Why or why not? What are some ways you can be intentional about seeking your joy in the Lord in the mornings?
• Do you tend to minimize your suffering and the emotions that result or magnify them? How can you follow Jesus’ and Paul’s examples and let the Lord be your master, not your emotions?
• Make a list of the blessings God has given you! Be specific. Read the list back to God and thank Him for all He has done for you.

In Romans 15:5, Paul calls God “the God of patience.” But what does it actually mean that God is patient? Is God’s patience a free pass to do whatever we want? And how are we called to emulate this attribute of God in our own lives? How can we be patient when we are going through a hard time or when people do us wrong?

Let’s talk about it in this episode.

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are some passages and reflection questions for you to consider:

1. Read Numbers 13 and 14. How is God’s patience demonstrated in this narrative? What are some situations in your life during which you have been like the Israelites? How did God show His perfect patience to you?
2. Consider Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-5. How is patience produced in our lives? How do you usually respond to the “sicknesses” God allows you to have? How might your response change as you consider the outcome suffering produces?
3. Spend some time thinking about and praying for a person with whom it is difficult for you to be patient. What would it look like for you to be patient with them this week?

Why is there so much disunity in our churches and in our personal lives? How do we grow in maturity - do we need more knowledge, or do we need something else? How does God’s love for us in Christ and our love for Him change everything? Let’s talk about it in this episode.

Want to study the themes in this passage further? Check out these passages and reflection questions:

• Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. How does God reveal His wisdom to us? Who can receive it? Who can’t?
• Read James 3:13-18. What characterizes the world’s wisdom? What about the person who is wise with God’s wisdom? How does one become wise in this way? (Check out Galatians 5:16-26.)
• In 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, Paul says we have received God’s wisdom through the Spirit who gives us the mind of Christ. What is the mind of Christ? Check out Philippians 2. How does having the mind of Christ help us heal disunity and honor God?
• Have you been believing any lies from the world? How can you put down pride and focus on the cross - on God’s love for you and your love for Him and others as a result - this week?

A.W. Pink calls God’s mercy an “adorable attribute.” Does God’s mercy just mean He spares people from punishment, or is it more than that? Let’s talk about the rich mercy of God, shown to us through Christ, in this episode.

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider:

• Read Matthew 5:7, Matthew 18:21-35, and James 2:13. Mercy is a communicable attribute, meaning we share it with God as humans made in His image. How are we called to show mercy? What is difficult about showing mercy? What truths help you extend forgiveness and kindness to others when it’s hard? Is there someone you need to show mercy to?
• Read Mark 5:18-20. How has the Lord had mercy on you? Do you talk about it with others? Why or why not?
• Read Luke 16:19-31. How does this parable illustrate the truth that there is no mercy beyond the grave? How is this reality sobering? How can you respond to it?
• How can you put Hebrews 4:16 into practice this week? How does knowing that God stands ready to show compassion to you in moments of misery or distress encourage you to come with confidence to His throne of grace?

In this episode, let's talk about the goodness of God. Theologians have called God the summum bonum - the highest good. And Scripture attests to this. We'll see what it means that God is good, to whom He is good, how He is good to them, and what it means for us.

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Check out these passages and reflection questions: 

• Why is it important that God is the final standard of goodness? Think about the culture in which you live and its standards of right and wrong. Why is it important that God is the final standard of moral excellence?
• How does the truth that God is kind to evil and ungrateful men encourage you? How does it convict you to act toward those who are your enemies, people in your life who are ungrateful and unrighteous? 
• Read Ephesians 1 and make a list of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. Consider whether you live as though you believe God is the greatest gift of the gospel - not a spiritual inheritance, not freedom from sin, not even rescue from hell. Search your heart and consider if your relationship with God is the greatest benefit of the gospel that you experience. If not, ask God to help you treasure Him above all else.
• Are there manifestations of God's goodness that you overlook because you're so used to them? How can you practice marveling at God's goodness, even the seemingly ordinary ways He shows His goodness to us?
• Read Hebrews 12:1-11 and Deuteronomy 8:11-20. What do these passages teach us about God's goodness while we suffer?
• Consider a difficult situation you are currently facing. Read Psalm 23:6 and Psalm 31:19. How do these passages encourage you? How can you encourage a friend with the truths in these passages?

Charles Spurgeon encouraged believers to “hide” themselves “under the banner of Jehovah’s jealousy.” What does it mean that our God is a jealous God? How is His jealousy an encouragement and a warning? How are we to respond to the Lord, whose name is Jealous?

Let’s talk about it in this episode.

Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are some Scripture passages and reflection questions for you to consider:

• Read Song of Solomon 8:6 (preferably in several versions of the Bible). How are love and jealousy related?
• Read Ezekiel 16 out loud. What strikes you about the way God describes His relationship with Israel? What does the passage teach you about God? How does it encourage you to repentance and faith?
• Read James 4:1-10. Take a brief inventory of the recent prayers you’ve been praying and the typical requests you tend to make of God on a regular basis. Have you asked for anything with wrong motives? How does your friendship with the world look based on your prayer life? If there is anything for which you need to repent, what encouragement does James give in verses 6-10?
• Read Matthew 13:1-23. What does the parable of the soils teach us about the things liable to draw people away from the faith? How do these temptations still plague those of us who are in Christ? Do any of them tend to especially trip you up?
• How does the warning in Hebrews 12:28-29 encourage you to pray for an undivided heart?

When’s the last time you were dumbstruck by the majesty of God? Most of us need constant reminders of God’s transcendence. It’s hard for us to comprehend how a God who is far above, beyond, and distinct from us still welcomes us into His presence, but it’s so worth contemplating.

Want to learn more about the themes in this episode? Consider these passages and reflection questions:

• Read Isaiah 6. Can you think of a time when you felt like Isaiah, astounded by the glory of God, aware of your own sin, and eager to do God’s will? What can you do to practice heightening the awareness you had then?
• Do you think churches around you have a high or low view of God? Why or why not?
• Does the doctrine of transcendence challenge your view of God? How do you think your behavior would change if you lived consistently like you believe this doctrine is true?
• What are some ways we try to “contain” God? How can you commit to acknowledging and embracing God’s lordship over your life this week?

Struggling with doubt? God is faithful. Walking through a season of disappointment or disillusionment? God is faithful. Unsure what’s next? God is faithful.

The truthfulness and faithfulness of God are attributes that have immensely practical implications for believers in Christ.

Want to know more about God’s truthfulness and faithfulness? Consider these passages and reflection questions:

• Read Psalm 119:75 and 1 Corinthians 10:31. What does this teach you about God’s purpose for trials?
• Read 1 John 1:9. How does this passage encourage you? How is God “just” to forgive our sins? Check out Romans 3:21-26 to help you answer this question.
• Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. Who ensures that we grow in Christlikeness? What does this mean about our eternal future?
• Read 2 Timothy 2:13. How have you been faithless in the past? How does knowing that God is always faithful encourage you in a present trial or temptation?

God can do all things - can’t He? What about lie? Or make a rock so big He can’t lift it? And if God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He stop the suffering that’s in the world?

Let’s take a look at God’s omnipotence and see how the bedrock truth that our God is almighty, and His power is given to us through His Spirit, is such an encouragement to us as believers.

If you want to study the themes in this episode further, please consider the following passages and reflection questions:

• Read Ephesians 1:17-19 and 3:16-20. What does Paul pray for? Why? Do you pray this often for yourself and fellow believers? Why or why not?
• Consider the story of Abraham in Genesis 18 and Jeremiah’s dialogue with God in Jeremiah 32. Is there an area of your life where you’ve thought, either consciously or subconsciously, that something is too difficult for God? How does God’s word to Abraham and Jeremiah encourage you?
• How can you challenge yourself this week to live each day in dependence on the Holy Spirit? How do you hope to see God’s power at work in and through you?

The God of the Bible has infinite knowledge - He is all-knowing or "omniscient." That truth may give you comfort or it may make you afraid - perhaps even a mixture of both. Does God know the future, even the actions we'll make? Does God learn, grow, or develop? And how can a just God, who knows everything about me, love me anyway?

If you want to study the themes in this passage further, consider the following passages and reflection questions:

• Read Psalm 139. Make a list of what David, the psalmist, affirms to be true about God. Note how he ends the psalm. How can you ask God to search you this week?
• Read Romans 9:1-29. What are your feelings as you consider the sovereignty of God as Paul presents it?
• Read Romans 11:33-36. Pray for a heart that willingly submits to not having all the answers about our awesome God and worships Him humbly and sincerely anyway.

The first verse of the beloved hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" encapsulates God's immutability or His unchangeableness: "Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be." A precious truth that has deeply personal implications for believers, this attribute of God begs a few questions: if God never changes, does anything we do really matter? Does He actually respond to situations, and does He feel emotions about and toward His creation? 

If you want to study the themes in this episode further, consider the following passages and reflection questions:

• Read Romans 1. What are a few reasons why the distinction between God as Creator and man as creature is so important?
• If God could change for either better or worse (for example, if He could grow in knowledge), what would that mean about Him as God? 
• Consider this quote from A.W. Tozer's book The Knowledge of the Holy: "God will not compromise and He need not be coaxed." How is the truth that God never changes comforting? How is it convicting? 

Where did God come from? Does God need us? Are we important to God?

Answers to these questions can be found in the doctrines of God’s self-existence and His self-sufficiency. Two attributes of God considered “incommunicable,” in that they are less shared with us than others like love or justice, God’s self-existence and self-sufficiency are foundational to His nature. Hebrews 11:6 says anyone who wants to please God must believe that He IS, that is, that He is the living God, the great I AM, who was, who is, and who is to come. 

If you want to study the themes in this passage further, consider these passages and questions: 

• Read Acts 17:16-34. Jot down what distinguishes God from idols. What call to action does Paul give his listeners (verses 30-31)? How should we respond to God’s self-existence and self-sufficiency?
• Read Isaiah 44:6-28. How is God different from idols? What’s irrational and fruitless about worshipping anything that is not God? What did God do for Israel that no idol could do? Why did He choose Israel and care for His people (verse 23)? 
• Does the fact that God doesn’t need us confuse you or free you? How does it make you feel knowing God doesn’t need you, but He wants you? 

Can we know God? Can we understand Him? How do we learn about God? The doctrine of the incomprehensibility of God helps us answer these questions. In this episode, we’re kicking off a new series called the Attributes of God! Each week we’ll dive into a different attribute, learning more about God so we can know Him better and delight in Him more. 

Want to study the themes in this passage further? Consider the following questions and passages: 

1. Read Psalm 145:3, Psalm 147:3, Job 26:14, and Romans 11:33. Describe the incomprehensibility of God in your own words. 
2. How does the incomprehensibility of God affect your desire to know Him? How does knowing you will spend eternity learning more about God make you feel? Does it overwhelm you, make you apathetic, or something else? Why? 
3. God wants to know us, and He has revealed Himself so we can know Him. But learning facts about Him is not the same as knowing Him. How much time have you been spending with God? Is there something that would help improve your relationship with Him?

If you've been watching the news lately and wondering, "What can I do? What should I do?" I'm right there with you. The words of Jesus in Luke 12 remind us what our responsibility is as His representatives on earth and why our faithfulness matters so much. 

If you want to study this passage and its themes further, read Luke 12. Then, consider the following reflection questions:

1. How "ready" are you on a daily basis for Jesus's return? What do you think "being ready" means?

2. Jesus said a servant is not greater than his master. Consider the way Jesus lived and how well you serve others. How can you intentionally allow yourself to be inconvenienced and humbled for another person this week to show them Jesus's love?

3. As we hear of wars and rumors of wars, what can you do to put off fear and be faithful to Jesus this week? How will you commit to praying for Ukraine and for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven? 

What is God's will for me? How can I change? How do I draw near to Christ? Answers to these questions can all be found in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18. In this passage, Paul encourages believers with the truth of the gospel: the Holy Spirit gives us freedom to see the glory of God in the face of Christ, to draw near to God because of what Christ has done, and to change by being conformed into Christ's image as we gaze upon Him in the mirror of God's word. As we behold Christ, we become like Him, from glory to glory, until we will see Him just as He is, having gained His glory in full, enjoying intimacy with Him forever (see 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 John 3:1-3, and Revelation 22:1-3).