Genesis – Be Still…

Genesis 1:1-2:4 – Creation is Good

The best place to get to know our majestic and gracious God is to look at the creation of the world. We can learn so much from the Bible account of creation. Yet, it can be hard when we hear about the millions of years the earth has been in existence. How are we supposed to understand what Genesis tells us?

It’s important to remember that the Bible is God’s Word to us. This holy book has a purpose in our faith journey. While it’s full of history and stories God wants us to know, it doesn’t cover every single moment. It’s best when we think of the Bible as God’s message to us, so we can understand how God and man intersect in this world. Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-2:4 – Creation is Good”

Genesis 1:1-2:4 ? In the Beginning…

Read Genesis 1:1-2:4

the world and clouds being held in two hands with a starry night sky in the background

We have probably all read the creation story a gazillion times. This time, read it through the lens of our week’s theme which is “Our Majestic and Gracious God.” Wrapping our heads around what God did for us by giving us life, companionship, provision, and beauty to enjoy is so basic we often forget how precious.

What speaks to you in today’s reading? I love how it starts, “In the beginning God…” Everything that comes from the beginning starts with God. God is the creator of all things, the artist of his own masterpiece. Similarly, in the Gospel of John, we read in Chapter 1, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Genesis 50:1-26 – End of an Era

Read Genesis 50:1-26

We’ve gotten up close and personal with Joseph and his family over the last number of days (if you have been reading this sequentially as I write). Today closes the chapter on Joseph’s life, and the book of Genesis. Looking back over the last 50 chapters, we have covered a huge span of years and met lots of Bible heroes. I have always been amazed at how one book could contain so much history. Joseph’s story has always been a favorite of mine.

We can learn so much from Joseph. He was above all faithful to his God. To our God. Accordingly, he was always protected and people recognized how God walked with him. I don’t know about you, but I hope that people notice that about me. If they ask why I am always so happy, I say it’s because I have a Savior who loves me no matter what. Continue reading “Genesis 50:1-26 – End of an Era”

Genesis 49:1-33 – Goodbye Jacob

Read Genesis 49:1-33

Have you ever had anyone speak a prophecy over your life or give you a special blessing? Here we see Jacob’s sons gathered to bid their father farewell as death was close. Jacob appears to have had a surge of energy and alertness as he addresses each of his sons with a message and a blessing. We certainly learned a few things about these boys from Jacob’s departing words.

I remember one time someone was praying over me at a church conference. They told me afterward they saw a lot of wounds in my back and told me the life of a pastor’s family can often be a hard one. At first, I didn’t know what she meant but later realized that people have a habit of stabbing others in the back when they aren’t looking. Sadly, it was at a time of my life where I couldn’t say for sure who was doing the stabbing because to my face, everything was peachy.

After that experience, I began to stand a little straighter because I had the assurance that my wounds were healing and God was working in my life. I just didn’t realize he was working overtime! Continue reading “Genesis 49:1-33 – Goodbye Jacob”

Genesis 48:1-22 – The Blessing

Read Genesis 48:1-22

Sometimes God uses the unexpected, breaking tradition or appearance. We see that here as Jacob blesses Ephraim more than Manessah, the oldest. Traditionally, the firstborn would receive the greater blessing. Joseph tried to intervene to correct this, but Jacob did it intentionally. Apparently, he had “inside information” and wanted to bless the younger son more. Maybe he remembered his own experience.

God does use the unexpected for his purposes. We are in the Christmas season as I write this. The events of the Christmas story again remind us of God’s economy and choosing the unlikely. Jesus, the King of Kings, was not born in a palace but a smelly stable. The first to hear the news of his birth were not wealthy diplomats but lowly shepherds. Continue reading “Genesis 48:1-22 – The Blessing”