January 6, 2024
‘After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”’ (Genesis 15:1 ESV). After Abram had led an army to rescue his nephew Lot from captivity, and had refused to take his portion of the spoils, “the word
January 5, 2024
“And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 13:3-4 ESV). After God rescued Abram
January 4, 2024
“In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry” (Genesis 8:13 ESV). How long did Noah, his family, and the
January 3, 2024
“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:8 ESV). Out of all the peoples of the earth, Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” The word “favor” might also be translated “grace” or “acceptance.” This “favor” says more about God than it does Noah. For although Noah was recorded
January 2, 2024
“Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 3:6-7 ESV). Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve, was
January 1, 2024
“So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3 ESV). Nearly every measurement of time was set in motion by God from the beginning. Our clocks and calendars are only manmade tools to mark the “signs, seasons,
January 24, 2023
“Now I am claiming as my own sons these two boys of yours, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born here in the land of Egypt before I arrived. They will be my sons, just as Reuben and Simeon are” (Genesis 48:5 NLT). Jacob, who was called Israel, spoke a word of blessing over each of
January 22, 2023
‘Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself”‘ (Genesis 44:18 NLT). When Judah, the fourth son of Jacob’s twelve, stepped forward to act as his brother’s advocate, the future
January 16, 2023
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won” (Genesis 32:28 NLT). Jacob got a new name after wrestling all night with God. The name “Jacob” means “grasping the heel” or “pulling the
January 15, 2023
“I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps!” (Genesis 32:10 NLT). As Jacob returned to the land of Canaan with his wives,