I know Lord, that a person’s life is not his own.  No one is able to plan his own cause.  So correct me Lord, but please be gentle.  (Jeremiah 10:23-24)
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Correction is never pleasant because it means we have gone off course. In our daily lives out in the natural world, we often lose our spiritual focus and make decisions that are not based on Christ-like principles. This does not mean we are ‘bad Christians’ or that we should give up. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and His sacrifice for our sins we gave our lives to Him. God’s purpose is now our purpose so when we drift from His will we need correction to bring us back to Him.

Think of a time you allowed your desires to dictate your actions. How did it affect other areas of your life?

Describe how God has corrected you in the past when you tried to live your life for your own purposes.

Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin?  Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you always do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23)

Until we stop trying to overcome the temptation to sin through our own power, we cannot allow God to begin His good work in us. We cannot do this without Him, the more we try the longer we separate ourselves from many of the blessings God has in store for us. We can do good deeds and choose not to sin in big ways, but we cannot control our thought life, or how our spiritual lives effect our natural lives. Only God can truly heal us from the damaging effects of sin, if we let Him.

What areas of your life have you tried to change without success?

Sometimes the biggest change we can make in our lives is letting go of control and letting God work. What areas of your life do you still try to control?

All have sinned, all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23)
It is necessary for us to come to terms with this one important fact. We can never be worthy of God’s love through our own efforts. Even our good deeds are an extension of our own selfishness. If we could become worthy of His love through our works alone, Christ’s intersession and sacrifice would not have been needed. God’s grace IS, unmerited favor. We do not deserve it, but God loves us so much He paid the price of our sins. He did this so we could come into a relationship with Him. We should always strive to reach God’s standard even though it is an unobtainable goal. This is one way we can honor Him, turning to God for support and strength every day.

What do you believe is God’s standard for your life?
Give an example of how you try to live up to this standard.
When you sin, do you repent and draw closer to God?
 

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18 NIV)

It is a difficult thing to admit, that we have no control over our lives.  We are taught from a young age that we are the masters of our own destiny, and that we can take control of our lives if we only have the willpower.  Scripture on the other hand, teaches us that this is an illusion.  Any good we want to do, whether that good is for ourselves or for others is in vein if we do not have God in control of our lives.
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How in the past have you tried to help others through your own strength?
What were the results?
Do you believe that the results would have been better or worse if you had allowed God to be in control during these situations?

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Genesis 3:4-5 - Revelation 20:10
Satan deceives mankind, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” [Genesis 3:4-5].  When God’s kingdom arrives, Satan and his power to deceive us shall be gone, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” [Revelation 20:10].     
 
God's plan for the world does not include Satan and Satan knows it. He lost the battle for us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Still, he lies to us and tries to draw us away from God. But when God's kingdom comes, he shall be cast away and his lies will no longer sully our lives. How has Satan deceived you in the past? What can you do to prevent Satan from deceiving you in the future?
 
Genesis 3:7 - Revelation 21:27
The garden of God was defiled, “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” [Genesis 3:7].  But through the grace of our Lord it will be cleansed and defiled no more, “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” [Revelation 21:27].            
 
When we are first baptized, our old selves died and we are reborn a new clean creature. Much the same, the world will be reborn when the kingdom of God comes into the world. If you haven’t already, ask God to strip away the ‘old you’ and replace it with a new nature.

Walter Blackwood

​Genesis 3:13 - Revelation 20:10
In the Garden of Eden evil succeeded, “And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” [Genesis 3:13]. In the end times though God has triumphed, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” [Revelation 20:10]. 
 
Satan and his evil has already lost. He fights against us but the war is already over. In God's kingdom there is no room for Satan and his demons so we can rejoice for the death of sin and evil. Is there a time in your life where you have sensed the presence of demonic forces trying to influence your decisions?
 
 
Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 21:6
In the book of Genesis there was a beginning, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” [Genesis 1:1]. And finally in Revelation it is finished, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” [Revelation 21:6].      
 
God has a purpose for all things. His plan started in Genesis and comes to fruition in the book of Revelations. Give God the glory for His actions in your life, and thank Him for all He has done for you.    
 
This concludes our comparison of Genesis and Revelation. God has shown us how the world began. He has given us these first three chapters of Genesis to, amongst other things; show us how our mistakes brought sin, pain and suffering into the world. Through Revelation, (literally and figuratively) He lets us know that we are not without hope. He will protect us and lead us to a life of peace. I hope you have enjoyed this comparison of these inspired words from God. There are many more ways to compare these verses, and I do pray that I have inspired some of you to research these verses as well as other topics for yourselves. God bless you today.

Genesis 3:17 - Revelation 22:3
Where the curse of man is instilled in Genesis, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;” [Genesis 3:17].  The curse is removed in Revelations, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” [Revelation 22:3].
 
Day in and day out we labor for our livelihood, struggling to put food on the table and a roof over our families. This is part of the curse laid on Adam in Genesis, but it shall be lifted when God’s kingdom comes. No longer shall we have to labor against the world for our Lord and Father will provide for us. Labor is not the only way the world weighs on us. What other curses, (read here ‘stresses’) does the world put on you?
 
Genesis 3:16 - Revelation 2:14
Pain is given unto women for their part in the events in Eden, and greatly increased, “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” [Genesis 3:16]. It is promised in Revelations that this pain and indeed all pain will end, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” [Revelation 21:4].       

We have all suffered greatly at some point in our lives. Maybe you are experiencing a season of suffering right now. Your pain breaks God's heart and He will put an end to our pain with the coming of His kingdom. What pains are you suffering in your life right now? Take these pains to God and ask Him to relieve your suffering.
 
Genesis 3:8 - Revelation 20:12
Because of man’s sinful nature we have been alienated from God’s presence, “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” [Genesis 3:8].  The promise has been made however, that we shall be restored to Him, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” [Revelation 20:12].           
 
God wants us back in His life! We separated ourselves from God in the garden but God has not given up on us. When this world comes to an end and the kingdom of Christ comes, those who believe in the Lord will stand in His presence. Is there anything in your life that is coming between you and a closer relationship with God? How can you remove these obstacles? 

Walter Blackwood