Genesis 1-2
Genesis 1-2 are well known chapters in the Bible. Some of the most memorable events for Christians and some of the most debated among non-Believers. We find that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. That is presented in the simplest of ways as if to say, "DUH! Of course there is a God." There is no discussion, no debate. We move on. The earth, as God first created it, was formless and empty. And as we read the rest of the creation account in Genesis 1, we see that God took six days to create. The first 3 were to create form from the formless. The next 3 days were to fill what was empty. And on the last day, God rested! This is important for us to ponder on. If the creator God took time to rest from his labor, then it might be a good idea for us to learn from His example. Rather than look at days off as an opportunity to do the things that need to be done but you never have time to do them, maximize opportunities to rest! We need it!
Chapter one of Genesis is written as factual..."this happened, this happened, then this happened, etc." But chapter 2 takes a completely different approach. Genesis 2 is written as a personal account. Adam becomes the central figure and the creation event is told from his point of view. It becomes less factual, more relational. Notice the reference to the two trees in the Garden of Eden. The "Tree of Life" and the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil". Two trees possessing so much power and opportunity. Genesis 3:22 will teach us that if you eat from the "Tree of Life", you will live forever and never die. And as we learn from Genesis 2:17 & 3:11-12 that when you eat from the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" you will know not only good but also evil. This causes man to die. It introduces the first sin. And it drives a wedge between man and God. Since Adam and Eve had no prior experience with death nor evil, perhaps this is why they chose the power of knowledge over eternal life!
Psalm 1
I love the Psalms. I once heard from a wise friend that when he struggled with reading his bible and "feeling" close to God, that he would read from the Psalms and it always brought him back into an attitude of worship! Interestingly enough, we read Psalm 1 on the first day of our One-Year challenge! Six simple and short verses, yet filled with so much wisdom. Psalm 1:1 offers us counsel of who we make company with. We need to spend time with non-Christians in hopes of sharing the Good News with them; however, too much time can produce the opposite effect if we are not careful. God blesses those who notice the boundary and keep it! Secondly, the one who makes boundaries when spending time with non-believers also is blessed when He spends time in God's word. The "Law of the Lord" is common Old Testament language for God's Word, or the Bible. Meditating on God's word is more than just a quick reading. Meditation involves you reading the sentence and thinking on it, wrapping your life around the verse, and applying it to your life. The person who does these two things will be firmly and deeply rooted and not easily blown astray. Hold tight to this promise this year as you read your Bible.
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