January 3rd : Read Genesis 8-11

Genesis 8-11 covers the flood, the tower of Babel and  Noah's descendants up to Abram (Abraham).

    

"If there really was a world wide flood what would the evidence be?

Billions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the earth."

     There are global flood legends all over the world, records of this tragic event spread throughout the earth after Babel. We all like the grace of God, but when it comes to judgement we tend to cringe. There are so many people that deny the global flood because of what it means. Justice is nice when we've been wronged, but when we have done wrong we have an excuse why justice shouldn't apply to us. "I was speeding because I was in a hurry." In truth I just didn't plan my time wisely and did not give myself enough time to get there. Why shouldn't I get a ticket? I used to work with a prison ministry and there were all sorts of excuses for stealing. "The store has lots of money." "The stores budget for that." "I'm not hurting anyone." But if you ask them if anyone has stolen anything from them, you get a completely different response, then they want justice, or retribution. It is our selfish human nature.
     As much as I cringe at  God's judgement on the earth, I also cringe at the thought of a world where there were only 8 people who were not completely wicked. We think our world is corrupt now, but in Noah's day it was so much worse. People hate injustice, how much more does God hate injustice. If God is a just God then he must punish sin. I am reminded that my sin is great, and I deserve punishment.

Thank you God that, just as you had a plan to save Noah and his family, you had a plan to save me.

1 Peter 3:18-22
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—  those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.  And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

January 2nd : Read Genesis 4-7

Genesis 4-7 covers Cain and Abel, the genealogy from Adam to Noah, and the life of Noah up to the flood.

     If I could meet anyone listed in the genealogies I would want to meet Enoch. I would ask him about his relationship with God and how God took him away. I would love to watch how he interacted with God and the people around him on a daily basis. As far as I know, Enoch and Elijah are the only people to ever be taken to heaven without dying. I long for that kind of closeness with God, and at the same time I fear it. I know that I would have to give up a lot of my comforts and habits. I know if I gave God all of my life I would not regret it but the selfish sinful me can't seem to give up the completely pointless human pleasures. I really desire a life of meaning but I can't seem to give up the meaningless.

Lord help me to give up my sinful self and put on your righteousness. I don't want my world to have to fall apart before I cling to you. Draw me closer precious Lord.
    

January 1st : Read Genesis 1-3

Genesis 1-3 covers creation to the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve.

     What must it have been like to be placed in a garden of dirt and seeds and watch as God watered the earth and caused the seeds to grow in front your eyes. From seeds to trees laden with fruit. Imagine watching God create one of each kind of animal. God created them, He would have every right to name his creation, but He doesn't. Why would God make creatures in front of the man and give the man the honor of naming them? God made all of creation, not for his own pleasure, but for ours. Creation is for us to wonder at and for us to care for.

So often I take the world around me for granted, Lord help me to see your creation with fresh eyes and fresh wonder.