01012008

Read Genesis 1 -- 3 

Highlights In Today's Reading:

You will be thrilled as you read these three powerful chapters today, discovering: And God said. . . . And God saw. . . . And God made; clearly describing creation — how the universe, life, man, marriage, death, and sin all began. You will learn that God is responsible for all things that are good (1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31; 2:12; 3:6). Then in Chapter Three we are introduced to Satan, the instigator of all evil — the one responsible for all sorrows, suffering, and sin.

Creation, as recorded in Genesis, is the testimony of the Creator God who made man in His own image. Man was made distinctly different from any animal in that God breathed into him the breath of life (2:7).

Adam and Eve were created to enjoy fellowship with God. However, He also gave them the right to choose either to be their own "god" and do what they wanted to do or, by simple faith to believe that without exception everything the Bible tells us to be or to do is in our best interest. Obedience to God's Word will never disappoint us. By choosing the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (2:9), Adam and Eve foolishly listened to Satan, chose the tree of human knowledge and relied on human reasoning instead of relying on the Word of God. The thief (Satan, the source of all evil) cometh . . . to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10).

Just as Adam and Eve's fellowship with God was dependent upon their obedience to what He had said, our fellowship with Him is also dependent upon our obedience to His Word. If we are to receive His blessing to enjoy life and to have it more abundantly, we will choose obedience to the Word of God — the source of all that is good (Colossians 1:16).

Those who truly receive Christ as their personal Savior and Lord receive a new spiritual life — God's nature. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13). Then the indwelling Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth as they read all the Bible — the source of all truth (compare 1:12-13; 16:13).

Thought for Today:

How concerned are you in fulfilling the will of God. His rewards provide lasting pleasure.

Christ Revealed:

As Creator (Genesis 1:1; compare John 1:1-4; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 11:3). As the Seed (Descendant) of Woman (Gen. 3:15; Is. 7:14; 9:6-7). God sent forth His Son, made of a woman (Gal. 4:4).

Word Studies:

1:2 face =urface; 1:6 firmament =he open expanse of the heavens; 1:29 meat =ood; 2:3 sanctified =ade holy for God's use; 2:10 heads =ivers; 2:11 compasseth =urrounds; 2:14 Hiddekel =he Tigress; 2:15 dress =ake care of; 2:24 cleave =e joined; 3:1 subtile =unning; 3:13 beguiled =eceived; 3:17 hearkened =ielded to suggestion to disobey God; sorrow =oil, labor; 3:24 keep =uard.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for our Military worldwide • The Arabic International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts for the month of January sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Government Official/s [listed on their birthday/s] and the state/s represented (statistics from The Original U.S. Congress Handbook): Gov. Jon Corzine (NJ), Sen. Robert Menendez (NJ), and Rep. John Sullivan (OK) • Country (Religious statistics from Operation World and Religious Freedom in the World): Uzbekistan (24.4 million) central Asia • Major languages: Uzbek and Russian • Limited religious freedom due to Islamic influence • 68.2% Muslim (largely Sunni); 4.4% Russian Orthodox; .2% Roman Catholic; .2% Protestant; .5% Jewish; .5% Other; .2% Baha'i; .3% Buddhist; 25.5% non-Religious/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Rise early in the morning to lift up your prayers to God and hope in His Word (Psalm 119:147).

Optional Reading: Matthew 1

NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.

Memory Verse for the Week: Deuteronomy 4:2