Day 25

My heart goes out to Job. He wants to cry out to God and plead his case, but Job cannot find God. However, chapter 23 verse 10 says, "But He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold."

This verse has 2 parts and I like them both. The first says, "...He knows the way that I take." Job knows that even though he can't find God, God is still there. God knows every step that Job makes. He knows every step that I take as well. Even when I feel far away from Him. That is a comfort.

The second part of this verse is also powerful. Job says, "I shall come out as gold." Job knows he is being tested by God and by Satan, but he made the commitment to stay with God, even when it causes him misery, and when the test is over, he will come out as gold. He will be pure and valuable.

Quite often, when going through trials, I fold. I come out as the impurities from the smelting process; ugly and worthless to God. Job teaches me that I must stay pure and faithful, especially in the tests and trials. This a good lesson and a tough challenge.

Day 24

Job is getting beaten up by his friends' words once again! In chapter 20, Zophar speaks to Job saying the wicked suffer, and you are suffering. Therefore, you must be wicked!

I think Job's response in chapter 21 is awesome. Verse 2 and 3 say, "Keep listening to my words, and let this be your comfort. Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on." Mock on! Job knows he is in the right and knows their mockery is without cause. But he wants to continue his argument before they continue mocking him.

Job goes on to tell Zophar that his argument is wrong. The wicked do prosper! He goes on to describe wicked men with riches and power. They have offspring and their livestock grow in number. All while being wicked in the eyes of the Lord.

Why is this? Why do the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer? I believe it is because the devil is working on the righteous. The devil attacks us from all angles in order to turn from the Lord. The wicked prosper because Satan allows them to prosper. He knows riches and power will only lead to evil later on. He is cunning in all his ways.

But I choose to suffer. I choose to be attacked on all sides from the devil. Because I choose to follow Christ. I choose to put my faith and trust in Him! The devil may try to break me, but I have someone on my side who is fighting for me! Bring it on!

Day 23

Job has miserable comforters. He even tells them this in chapter 15 verse 2. I think Job's friends provide a great example of what not to do when trying to comfort a friend.

Job is suffering beyond comprehension. He lost his family, his health and all he had and all his friends do is accuse him of being unrighteous! Job knows he has done nothing wrong in the eyes of the Lord and lets his friends know this. Instead of being supportive and believing Job, they turn the other way calling him a liar and impure.

Throughout this book, Job provides advice for them as they try to comfort him. Going back to chapter 13 verse 5 of yesterday, Job says, "Oh that you would keep silent, it would be your wisdom." And also today in chapter 16 verse 3, "...what provokes you that you answer?"

Job is saying the best way to comfort him and be a friend to him is to just be quiet, listen and be there for him. A wise friend will be there, be quiet and listen.

Day 22

I have more and more respect for Job every day.

Job knows that he has done nothing wrong to deserve what he has received. This alone shows confidence in his faith. He stands his ground, even when everyone around him is saying he has fallen. Quite often, I sin and I don't even know it. But I do know that a close relationship with Christ will reveal all sins in order to start the cleansing process. I am working and praying for this, but Job had this. That is how he is so confident he is pure.

Chapter 12 verse 4 says, "I am a laughingstock to all my friends..." Job knows his afflictions come from God, but he also knows he is blameless. He is receiving blame and accusations from many others, saying his situation is his own fault. Job defends himself only to make him the laughingstock to others.

Even through all of this, chapter 13 describes how he will still "Hope in God." Even through everything he has gone through, Job remains faithful. "I want a Faith Like That."

I do think Job is angry and frustrated at God. Chapter 13 verse 3 says, "...I desire to argue my case against God." He wants to defend himself against God and say he does not deserve this. I feel the same way quite often, but I know it is foolish to do so. It is ironic, but what Job wishes for his friends is also a great lesson that both me and Job can learn from. Job says in chapter 13 verse 5, "Oh that you would keep silent, it would be your wisdom."

True faith is knowing that no matter what I am going through, God is in control, He has a greater plan, and I have no right to argue my case. This is a tough and constant lesson to learn.

Day 21

I feel bad for Job because his friends are no help at all! Bildad instructs Job to repent, believing that Job has done something wrong. Job responds and continues with his plea that he has done nothing wrong. He even cries out to God and asks God why He brought Job out of the womb! (chapter 10 verse 18). Zophar takes it one step further and tells Job that he deserves worse! What a great encouragement they are! (lots of sarcasm)

There was one thing that Bildad said that hit home for me. Chapter 8 verse 11-13 states, "Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish."

Not too long ago I was in a situation similar to this. I would not say I forgot God. I knew He was there, but I did not have a relationship with Him. I believed He saved me from my sins, but I didn't see Him as my Savior. I realized that had to change. I was missing something.

Now I am working hard to have that relationship with Christ. I am working to dive into His word and draw closer to him. I see Him all around me, working, and I am filled with joy!

Bildad may not be the best friend for Job, but he did have a good point: If you forget God, you are like a reed with no water, or a papyrus with no marsh. You wither away.

Day 20

Job's friend Eliphaz comes to Job and tries to comfort him in his time of misery. After several days of sitting with Job in silence, Elihaz speaks. He says that Job must have done something wrong in the eyes of the Lord in order to be so miserable. He says for if Job was innocent, God would be taking care of him instead of punishing him (chapter 5 verses 8-27).

This is so ironic because Job and Elihaz do not know what happened just chapters before. Job has done nothing wrong! Job is being tested. And also, God is not the one making Job so miserable. It is Satan! However, God did allow Satan to do these things to Job.

This makes me wonder how often I am being tested. When things are not going my way or when I am miserable, is God allowing Satan to have bad come upon me? Am I being tested? Am I being shaped and molded into what God needs me for?

Day 19

I am excited to enter into Job. This first reading has so much in it already!

Very early, I am already puzzled. Chapter 1 verse 6 says, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came among them." The New International Version makes this a little more clear. It says, "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them." This states that Satan is an angel. In the verse after, God asks Satan where he came from. Satan answers, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." Satan is an angel that is among us here on earth! That is a little scary and eye opening! It makes me think a little differently about him. I always saw him as far off. I believe people can be controlled by evil and by Satan, but I did not picture him as an angel that is among us! Whoa!

My favorite verse in Job so far is chapter 1 verse 8. There God is bragging to Satan about Job! He says, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" What faith Job must have had for God to brag about him! I have a burning desire to be one that God brags about!

Satan talks with God and says that Job is only upright because the Lord has blessed him so richly. So God allows Satan to take away all that Job possesses including his children! Still Job remains faithful. Satan then goes back to God and God allows Satan to inflict pain on Job. Still Job remains faithful!

I find it interesting that God allows Satan to do these things to Job, but still sets limits for Satan. God has the authority even over Satan! If that is the case, why does God allow Satan to be in the world and working among us? Are we all being constantly tempted like Job?

I am quite often quick to turn away from God when things are not going my way. I am quite often like the person Satan thinks Job is; one who will turn away at the sign of trouble. Job displays what true faith is. "I want a faith like that!" (Jonah 33)

Day 18

We come to the end of Genesis and still I am amazed at the love, forgiveness and faith of Joseph! After his father died, his brothers were worried about Joseph getting revenge on them because of what they had done. In chapter 50 verse 17, they sent a message asking for forgiveness. His brothers came to him in verse 18 and say, "Behold, we are your servants." Joseph responds with great forgiveness and faith in verse 20 saying, "...you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones."

I admire Joseph in that he can have something terrible happen to him. His brothers can sell him into slavery. But still, he has the capacity to forgive them and the faith to see it was God's plan to have those things occur in order to save many people. I pray and I strive to be like Joseph.

Day 17

Joseph's whole family packs up all of their things and they all move to Egypt to Joseph. This is so neat! You can see the love Jacob has for his son in that he would pack up all he had and move to another country to be with him.

Both Joseph and the Pharaoh are very welcoming when they come and give them the best of the land. I find it interesting in chapter 46 verse 34, Joseph says "...for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." That is quite the statement! But Joseph has faith that Pharaoh will treat them well and will be welcoming. Pharaoh is so welcoming, he puts a few of Joseph's relatives in charge of the livestock of the Egyptians! Whoa!

This is so cool in that Pharaoh puts his differences aside and welcomes the family of his friend into his land.

Day 16

After several years, Joseph finally gets to see his brothers again! I think this is such a cool story. The Lord reveals his brothers' identities to Joseph when his brothers bow before him. At that time, Joseph remembers his dream and how his brothers would bow down to him. Then both his brothers and his father laughed at him when he said his brothers would one day bow down to him, but it came true!

Once again, this is a story of forgiveness. Joseph knows these men are his brothers and he remembers what his brothers did to him when he was younger. Joseph has every right and the authority to put his brothers to death! But instead, he takes them in, feeds them, gives them all the food they need and their money back and sends them on their way. When his brothers come back, Joseph is overcome with emotion as he prepares to reveal his true identity to them. He has a lot of love for both his brothers and his father.

This is true forgiveness. Joseph has every right to do his worst to his brothers, but instead he gives them food, money and ultimately, brings them back to Egypt and gives them the best land as their own.

Once again, I need to learn and practice the forgiveness described in these pages.

Day 15

God is so good! Joseph's story is so cool in that "The Lord is with him." When Joseph came to Egypt, he ended up being sold to an officer of Pharaoh named Potiphar. There he was blessed by the Lord and put into a high position in the officer's household.

Potihpar's wife ends up getting Joseph thrown into the prison where the king's prisoners were confined. Joseph spent many years there and was also accompanied by a baker and cupbearer. He interpreted both of their dreams one night and the cupbearer ended up being restored back to his position in the king's court. However, chapter 40 verse 23 says, "...the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." How do you forget the man who predicted everything that happened? I believe this was God's plan to have Joseph stay in the prison for a few more years.

Later, Pharaoh himself had 2 dreams that no one could interpret. That was when the cupbearer remembered Joseph and how he interpreted his dream. Joseph was brought to Pharaoh and the dreams were interpreted and because of that, Joseph was put in charge of his house and all his people. "Only as regards the throne was Pharaoh greater than Joseph" (chapter 41 verse 40).

It is so clear to see that "The Lord was with Jacob." Jacob ended up being sold by his brothers; made servant to an officer of Pharaoh; and thrown into prison, only to end up being second in command over all of Egypt! If Jacob's brothers had not sold him, and if Potiphar's wife had not wrongfully accused Jacob, he probably would not have become second in command.

God's plan is far greater than we could ever ask or imagine! Quite often, when we are faced with trials or feel wronged, it is only because we are seeing a small piece of the Lord's greater plan. I have to get past this narrow-mindedness and have the confidence and faith of knowing that the Lord has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me; to give me a future and a hope.

Once again, all I need to do is trust and have faith.

Day 14

I love the story of Joseph. I believe it is one of, if not my favorite, stories of the Bible. I am looking forward to the readings of the next few days.

After reading the first chapter, 37, I feel so blessed to have the family and friends that I have. Joseph's brothers hated and envied him so much, that they wanted to kill him. But instead, they sold him into slavery because that way they could earn some money while getting rid of him! What a hatred these brothers must have had! I can't imagine how Joseph felt to be thrown into a pit for most of the day, then sold to merchants so he would never see his father or his brothers or anything familiar to him ever again!

But one of the coolest statements in the entire Bible comes in chapter 39, verse 2, "The Lord was with Joseph..." To me there is nothing greater than to be able to say, "The Lord is with me." Even though Joseph was sold into slavery, he ended up being a servant for Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. He could have been sold to a farmer, or a carpenter, but no, he was sold to an officer in the royal realms of Egypt.

Verse 2 continues, "...and he became a successful man... His master saw that the Lord was with him and the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake..." I think this is so neat that whatever Joseph did, the Lord was with him and blessed him, and even his master through him.

I can relate in that I left my family and friends and all that was familiar to me and went to college 1,200 miles away from home. I know that is not the same as being sold by my family, but I was alone in a new place with nothing familiar. I had to find a job there, and the only thing available was to work dispatch in the campus security department on 3rd shift. I had never done anything like this before, but I ended up getting the job. The Lord was with me during this time because soon after I started, several large incidents arose that I had to handle; even some including situations where someone else's life depended on me and how I reacted. I understood after those times that there was no way I could have done any of that on my own. The Lord was with me through it all.

After college, I ended up finding a job that is roughly 1,200 miles away from both my home and where I went to college. This time I had my wife as a companion, and also, the Lord was and is with me. I worked at my job to the best of my ability, but others saw more and "temporarily assigned" me to a higher, more technical position with higher responsibility which became permanent soon after. They saw very early in me that I would be able to handle the position and all that it entails well before I believed I could. And the Lord has been with me and has blessed me. It is similar to the last verse of chapter 39 in that, "The keeper of the prison [my boss at my job] paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's [my] charge, because the Lord was [is] with Joseph [me]. And whatever he did [I do], the Lord made [makes] it succeed." I continue to see Him blessing me every day and like Joseph, I believe others see that the Lord is with me and blessing me as well. I thank God every day for the position I have, the boss that I have, for those that I work with and for blessing me so richly.

This also makes me scared as well. Chapter 39 describes how Potiphar's wife tries to entice Joseph to sleep with her and loose favor with his master. But Joseph refuses each time. This frustrates Potiphar's wife and she manipulates the men of her household and Joseph's master into thinking Joseph wronged her and he ends up being thrown into prison. I am almost expecting to be manipulated and outcast like Joseph. It seems as though this can't last forever and that makes me scared. I know I am not Joseph, and the Lord is with me and has a plan for me, but I am sometimes afraid of what His plan has in store for me.

This is where my faith is weak. I have to keep trusting that the Lord is with me and has both His and my best interests in mind and He will take care of me. One of the comforting things is at the end of chapter 39 when Joseph is thrown into prison, verse 21 and following says, "But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed."

I have to rest in the comfort of knowing that whether things continue as is, or if something does happen, either good or bad, the Lord will still be with me and will bless me. Living a life confident of this is what true faith is all about. This confidence is what I have to strive for.

Day 13

There is one thing that caught my attention while reading this long list of genealogies. It comes in chapter 36 verses 6 through 8. "...He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together."

Esau has been a great son to Isaac and Jacob obeyed God and served for Laman for around 20 years and showed patience. Through all of this, God blessed both of them so much that they could not live near each other! God blesses those who are faithful and who follow Him. We just need patience. I need to continue to pray for patience each and every day.

Day 12

Today Jacob wrestles with God. This always intrigued me because I still don't konw why or how this fits in. Jacob is preparing to see Esau again after fleeing since he took his Birthright and Blessing. Jacob splits his children and wives along with his possessions into 2 groups in order to protect them. When he is alone, a man comes and wrestles with Jacob. Later it turns out this is God, but I still don't know how this fits in or why God does this.

After reading this, I also have a new respect for Esau. Jacob takes his Birthright and tricks their father into giving him the blessing rather than Esau, then flees. Over twenty years later, Jacob returns and is afraid that Esau is still upset. Jacob errs on the side of caution and presents gifts and protects his possessions. When Esau approaches Jacob, Jacob bows down before him, but Esau embraces him! I respect Esau for not being completely upset even though he has every right to be. Instead he accepts Jacob with love. I need to learn from this; to love and forgive others no matter what, especially family.

Day 11

I am not a fan of Laban. I feel for Jacob. Jacob worked for Laban for 7 years in order to earn Rachel as his wife. When the time came, Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Leah instead! So Jacob worked for Laban 7 more years in order to earn Rachel. After that, Jacob worked 6 years in order to earn the flock that had grown under Jacob's care. When the time came for Jacob to collect, Laban tricked him again! I cannot believe this guy!

But the Lord was with Jacob and blessed him. The Lord kept Laban from killing Jacob and took care of him. I cannot fathom the love Jacob must have for Rachel to serve her father for 14 years in order to take her as his wife! That is also a good lesson in patience. The perfect love is one worth waiting for.

I am blessed in that I found my perfect love at an early age. I try my best to be patient with her always and cherish her and that will never change. I love her and will work for her forever.

Day 10

In chapter 28, Jacob has a dream that he sees God on top of a ladder or a flight of steps that reaches to the heavens. There are angels going up and down the ladder or steps.

God speaks to Jacob and says, "...Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." What a great promise! God promises He will take care of Jacob wherever he goes and He also says he will keep His promises.

We as Christians are descendants of Abraham and this promise is extended to us. God will keep us wherever we go and He will not leave us until He has done what He promised. The promise that I am drawn to is found in Jeremiah 29 verse 11. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

God is not going to leave us until He has fulfilled all of His promises! In this, I take great comfort in knowing that God is with me and He will not leave me wherever I go. He will be there until He has done what He has promised. Once again, I am working on taking these words as my own, and fully relying on Him. That is my challenge both today and always.

Day 9

Today, Jacob steals both Esau's Birthright and his blessing. After this, Esau threatens to kill Jacob, so he is forced to flee to another city.

I find it interesting that on several occasions now, the main characters have had to flee or move to a new location. In each of these instances, they have been greatly blessed.

Abraham moved around a lot as was seen in earlier readings. He moved with Lot and took the land Lot didn't want near the forests. He was blessed with a full life, a son of his own, and many posessions given to him by Abimelech. Later, there was a famine which forced Isaac to move to Gerar with the Philistines. In chapter 26 verse 12, it states, "And Isaac sowed in the land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him..."

Now we see Jacob with his brother's birthright and his father's blessing and then moves to a different city. Later, he is blessed.

My wife and I are originally from Michigan, but we moved here 2 years ago. That has been a tough move. Quite often, we were hanging on Christ's promises that He will never leave us, and we can do all things through Him. As newlyweds too, we needed those promises; to hold on to them as constants when everything else around us had changed. We both took a great step of faith moving to Texas. It has been tough, but we have been blessed here. We have great friends, a healthy baby, and we are working on moving into a house in the near future. But I do believe that God takes care of those that step out for Him. We knew God was going to take care of us. We also knew He was telling us that we could not make it in Michigan with the way the job market was.

If we didn't take that step of faith and move down here, we would not have met some great people that have been a true blessing to us. People who made this place home and showed us the love of Christ that I have never seen. I cannot imagine not having these people in my life. Those from our young married's class at Irving Bible Church, the church God led us to. He knew what we needed in order to cope with what was thrown at us.

Looking back, I am thankful we took the leap of faith that led us down here. However, I am also looking forward to what is ahead for us. I know God will bless us even more than He already has. I am finding out both through the move and already through this study is that if one commits to God, God commits to that person. I can tell you first hand. I can honestly say God is with me and is taking care of me in every way and I look forward in anticipation to what is in store for me.

Day 8

"Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age...Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave...with Sarah his wife." To me this speaks volumes about Abraham.

First of all, he died in a good old age. This implies completeness and a full life. As if to say living any longer would be a waste. I hope others will be able to say that about my life. To say I died after a full and complete life. to say that living any longer would not be full or complete, so why carry on. To say it is time to meet Christ in the heavenly realm. I both long for that day, and hope that day does not come for a while. I look forward to many more years with my wife and son if that is the Lord's plan.

I also think it speaks very highly of both Abraham and his sons when the Bible specifies that Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. Even in death it only seemed fitting to Isaac and Ishmael to lay their father Abraham next to Sarah. This shows how much Abraham loved Sarah and how easily it was to see their affection for each other.

I love my wife with all of my heart and I hope others can see that even in death, I do not want to be apart from her. I want to be buried right next to her forever. I also hope that when the day comes, we will both be in heaven together praising God for all eternity.

This is how I want to live my life and how I want to model my relationship with my wife. I want others to see no alternative but to bury us right next to each other because we belong nowhere else, even in death. That is how much love and affection I want to show my wife each and every day. I continue to strive to meet this goal.

Day 7

In Chapter 22, Abraham goes to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. I cannot imagine this. I have a son who is turning 1 year old in a few days and there is no way I could lay a hand on him, much less kill him. I cannot imagine not only giving him up, but also sacrificing him myself. I can’t imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind as he traveled to the mountain God was showing him. Verse 4 says, “On the third day…” They traveled at 3 days to the base of the mountain, then a little longer to get to the top. That is a long time to think about sacrificing his son. I wonder if he wanted to turn back at all. That was his only son since he just sent Hagar and Ishmael away. I don’t know how he could even look his son in the eyes.

As it turns out, God stopped Abraham before he sacrificed his son, but Isaac was on the altar with the wood on top of him! I can’t imagine what Isaac was thinking! That had to forever change their relationship! Abraham had far greater faith than I ever will. He was willing to give up his son for God.

That is similar to what God did; He sacrificed His son for us. That is the biggest sacrifice of all.

I find Chapter 23 very heartfelt from Abraham as well. Sarah passed away, but Abraham cannot stand to bury her on his property or anywhere in his sight. It would give him too much grief. He instead asks the people of the city if anyone would be willing to let him bury Sarah on their property so he would not have to see where she lies. I can relate to him in this passage. I love my wife with my whole heart, and I would be overtaken with grief if I lost her. I would not be able to see where she would be buried or even be able to look at pictures without being overtaken with grief. I hope and pray that day never comes.

I think it is neat too how everyone in the city is more than willing to open their land for Abraham. In verse 6, the people call Abraham “…a prince of God…” I hope I can one day reach that point where even others can say without a doubt that I am a prince of God. Right now, I am just a boy.

Day 6

In chapter 18, Abraham pleads with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. I find this passage interesting how Abraham starts out asking for the cities to be spared if just 50 people are found to be righteous. The Lord agrees. Abraham continues to plead 5 more times down to sparing the cities for 10 people. The Lord agrees.

This to me shows God's patience with us. It's almost as though Abraham is negotiating with God, but God continues to comply with Abraham's request. I wonder how often God's patience is tried with me. I quite often pray and pray and pray the same things over and over again. I may be praying for something God has already agreed to or has already planned for me. Like a boy, I continue to ask, even when God has said it is mine. This shows me both my need to listen to God and also God's patience with me. How awesome is the God we serve.

Day 5

It almost appears as though God plays a little trick on Abraham in this passage for today. In chapter 5, verse 4, God said, "This man (a servant/head of his house) shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir." I believe Abraham went away from that and went to Sarah a little later. Sarah gave her servant to Abraham and they had a son. They named him Ishmael. I think Abraham thought that this was what God meant by a son as an heir.

But the cool thing was, roughly 14 years after this, God appears to Abraham again and says that his wife Sarah will become pregnant and have a baby! This baby's name was Isaac.

I wonder how often I see something as an answer to prayer when really God has something so much better in store than what He has given. He is just waiting for the right time to give it.

this shows me that God has a plan for me and He knows when the best time is for everything. I just have to be content with what I have now, and anticipate what is to come knowing that God has so many blessings in store for me that are far greater than all than I can imagine.

Day 4

In the story of the tower of Babel, the people get together to try and build a tower to make themselves known. I thought it was interesting how in chapter 11, verse 5, "And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower..." The Lord came down... Was He not present with them all the time? Or was it different in the Old Testament times?

I think one of the coolest blessings God can give is the one given to Abram in chapter 12 verse 2 and 3, "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

This kinda makes me wonder who else God has granted this blessing to, those who bless will be blessed and those who curse will be cursed. It makes me think a little before being mean towards someone. By cursing them, I may be cursed...Whoa!

The passage in Chronicles gives us the genealogy of how we get to Abram/Abraham. This is again done in only a few verses.

Chapter 14 verses 17 through 24 are titled Abram Blessed By Melchizedek. Lot and all of his possessions were just taken by a king that was in a battle with Sodom where Lot was living. After Abram heard this, he went after Lot and this king. Abram "divided [the king's] forces against [the king] and defeated them...Then brought back all the possessions...and Lot." Abram not only got all of Lot's things back, but also everything from this king!

Melchizedek is noted as the priest of God Most High and also the King of Salem. He blessed Abram for what he had done, then something interesting happened. Abram gave Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High, "a tenth of everything." I believe this is the first place in the bible where a tithe is recorded. That is really interesting to hear that tithing was also already happening in Genesis. This may be where the 10% for tithing came from!

Tithing is one area where I need to trust and have faith. We are not in any financial trouble, however, we do not have a lot of excess either. I have an easy time tithing when we are doing well that month, but when money is tight, that is one of the first places where I cut back. I know this is not right, and this is where I need to work on. This is also part of the reason why I am doing this study. I need to see that God will take care of me when I fully rely on Him. I know I should not need to see. Faith should be enough, but that is where I fall short in my faith. My faith is weak...I am weak.

Day 3

I have heard the story of Noah several times, and each time, especially as a child, they talk about 40 days and 40 nights. However, that is just how long the rain fell for (verse 12). Verse 11 states that Noah and his family went into the ark when Noah was 600 years, 1 month and 17 days old. Later in Chapter 8 verses 13 through 16, it states the ground dried up and Noah left the ark when he was 601 years, 1 month and 27 days old! They were in the ark for over a YEAR!

That must have been a long year being on a boat with 2 of every land animal that existed at that time!

It was also neat to hear that "Every beast, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, went out by families from the ark." Even after the animals and people were on the ark for more than a year, they still stuck with their family while leaving the ark. Even the last ones off, waited to leave together.

That takes an amazing amount of discipline and love for your family. I hope and pray I lead my family into a relationship like that where no matter what is going on or how anxious we are, we stick together.

Day 2

It was interesting to go through some of the genealogy in these chapters and hear how long each of these people lived. I am 24 and have experienced quite a bit already, but I cannot imagine what one would go through in 969 years like Methuselah. Just to put this in perspective, the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 making the United States of America roughly 234 years old. Methuselah was more than 4 times the current age of our country when he died!

I also thought it was interesting how the book of Genesis uses 3 chapters to describe the ages and who gave birth to who, while Chronicles uses 4 verses to talk about the same thing. I have not had much involvement in Chronicles, but I am interested in looking into this book a little more.

Day 1

Genesis 1 is one of the most common passages in the Bible, but it was good to read it again. I found it interesting that verse 26 starts out, "Then God said, 'Let us make man...'" The word that got me was "us". In chapter one, is God already introducing us to the Trinity? Is he referencing God the Father and the Holy Spirit only, or does this include God the Son, Christ, as well.

This was always stressed as important, but I did not see it as being so important it belongs in the first chapter of the first book. I hope I am able to explore this as I continue.