Category: Genesis-BibleTrekToday
Trek through Genesis
The Everlasting Inheritance!
Scripture reading for January 27th: Genesis 47-48, Psalm 25, Galatians 3
Galatians 3:25-29 “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
Many people look forward to what might come to them through their father and/or mother when they pass on. It is either written in the will or determined by the laws of the state if there is no will or ‘covenant’. In God’s economy, He has made us promises and given us a ‘Covenant’ through the body and blood of His Son, Jesus Christ and recorded in His holy Word. By faith in Jesus Christ, we become one with Christ and enter into God’s eternal Covenant. We become heirs with Christ and enter into God’s promised inheritance. Our mission and joy is to share this ‘Good News’ of God’s Covenant in Jesus Christ with the whole world. His Father’s heart is to include all peoples, tribes, tongues and nations in relationship with His Son by faith. Humble ‘fear’ of the Lord makes this available.
Genesis 48:3-4 “And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.'”
Prayer: Father God, I am anticipating my full inheritance when You return for Your people. I have been baptized into Christ and am one with Him and all who believe. I enter into my inheritance–a relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and God as my Father. Keep my soul in quiet rest and continue to reveal Your Son to me and use me to proclaim this Good News.
Psalm 25:13-14 “His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”
Christ’s abundant life in me!
Scripture reading for January 26th: Genesis 45-46, Psalm 108, Galatians 2
Galatians 2: 19-21 “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people. He gave them the Law, not to save them, but to reveal His righteous character to them and to cause them to seek Him for grace by faith. Faith comes by hearing God’s voice and Word. As Jacob of old responded to God’s Word to him, so Paul responded to Jesus Christ’s Word to him. Placing faith in God’s Word brings God’s peace and presence to our lives. No matter what troubles we may face in this life, we belong to the Lord and He is with us and His life is our salvation! The abundant life is Christ in me!
Genesis 46:2-4 “And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “I Am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I Myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.””
Prayer: Father God, Because of Christ in me, I am not afraid of anything life on earth will require. I have courage and peace living by faith in the truth of Your life in me now and eternal life with You forever and ever! Be exalted, O Lord, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! I am one of Your beloved ones who You have delivered by Your Right Hand, Jesus Christ!
Psalm 108:5-6 “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your Glory be over all the earth! That Your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by Your right hand and answer me!”
Abundance through revelation!
Scripture reading for January 25th: Galatians 1, Psalm 24, Genesis 43-44
Galatians 1:11-16 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the Gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He Who set me apart before I was born, and Who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, . .”
As we begin this first letter from Paul to the church at Galatia, Paul is explaining to the believers there where he had gotten the Gospel message that he had preached to them. He emphasized that he did not get it from man, nor even from those men who had walked with Jesus and were the original apostles. He was not taught it from some book or philosopher. He had obtained it through God’s grace to him as a sinner who was violently persecuting the church. God, through revelation, gave the Gospel message to Paul. God revealed that He had set Paul apart from before his birth to call him to preach this Gospel message to the Gentiles. Paul had entered into the abundant life of Jesus Christ through revelation and faith in God’s Word. God is no respecter of persons, as we all enter through revelation and faith!
Psalm 24:9-10 “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the true Gospel message of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ, the King of glory! Thank You for revelation of Jesus Christ to our world in a human body and for revealing Him to the disciples and then to the apostle Paul and to many others and to me. I recognize that I have been set apart from before birth and called to preach Your Gospel. Grant abundant revelation each time I share the Gospel of the King of glory!
Genesis 43:33-34 “And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.”
Abundant strength!
Scripture reading for January 24th: Genesis 40-41; Mark 16
Mark 16:1-4 “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back–it was very large.”
One of life’s most impossible situations is facing a sealed tomb, covered with a large, heavy stone–dealing with death! This is an analogy of the finality of death for all mankind. Facing a tomb, guarded by soldiers and sealed with a stone, the women approached with a question: “Who will roll away the stone for us. . .” When they arrived, they looked up and behold, the stone had been rolled away and the entrance was opened! Entering, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe and they were afraid. This ‘young man’ tried to calm their fears by telling them the amazing news–Jesus Christ was not in the grave anymore! He had risen from the dead! God’s ‘abundant strength’ had rolled away the stone and raised His Son from death and the sealed tomb! The way out was opened for all who would believe!
Mark 16:5-6 “And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for calming my fear of a sealed tomb. Thank You for Your abundant strength and great mercy to send Your Son to die on a cross for my sins and the sins of the world. Thank You for the power of the sinless life that overcame death and the grave. I look up and claim that abundant strength through believing Your Word today! Open doors of opportunity to share this amazing strength and hope to a fear-filled generation.
Genesis 40:6-8 “When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
Abundant restraint!
Scripture reading for January 21st: Genesis 38-40; Mark 15
Mark 15: 1-5 “Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. “Are You the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied.” The chief priests accused Him of many things. So again Pilate asked Him, “Aren’t You going to answer? See how many things they are accusing You of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.”
Nothing hurts as bad as being falsely accused by people you love and respect. Both Jesus and Joseph of old had similar experiences and endured it with grace and restraint. In this passage, Jesus was falsely accused but refused to defend Himself. He fully entrusted Himself to His Father and gave Himself to do His Father’s will that He might save all who would believe on Him. Joseph entrusted himself to God and God used him to save His people from famine. God is our defender and will ultimately bring justice for all His people. Now, in this life, our role is to serve others. Our life is the sweet aroma of God’s life to those being saved but the fragrance of death to those who are perishing! (2nd Corinthians 2:15-16)
Genesis 39:19-21 “When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him; the Lord showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the examples of Scripture where Jesus and Joseph suffered false accusation and imprisonment and with Jesus, death. Thank You for Your purposes and abundant restraint and patience that You bestow on Your people in their suffering and the vision of fulfilling Your will and plans! Fill me with abundant restraint and self control.
Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
Abundant Truth and mercy!
Scripture reading for January 20th: Genesis 35-37, Psalm 12; Mark 14
Mark 14:27-30 “”You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “Today–yes, tonight–before the rooster crows twice, You yourself will disown Me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the others (disciples) said the same thing.”
Jesus truly knew the end from the beginning. He knew He would be crucified and rise again. He would meet them in Galilee. He spoke plainly to the disciples concerning the fulfilment of Scripture from Zechariah 13:7. He had just told them that heaven and earth would pass away, but His Word would never pass away. Peter declared his own allegiance to Jesus, above all others. He was sincere, but not believing or understanding the truth that Jesus had shared. Jesus plainly told him of his threefold denial before the rooster would crow twice that very night. Luke 22:33 records Jesus told Peter that He had prayed that his faith would not fail and that when he repented he would strengthen the brothers. We can have abundant certainty when we listen to God’s Word! We are now His House and He speaks to us!
Genesis 35:13-15 “Then God went up from him at the place where He had talked with him. Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel (House of God).”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking to me in my own spirit and heart, which has been given to You. Thank You for Your Words, even when they expose my own sin and lack of faith. Thank You for Your prayers of intercession for me. Thank You for the promises of Your Word that give me faith and vision for the future. Deliver me from self-deception and human pride in my own ability and strength.
Psalm 12:6 “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”
The sure Word of God!
Scripture reading for January 19th: Genesis 32-34; Psalm 145; Mark 13
Mark 13: 26-31 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened; Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.”
Jesus was answering the question of His disciples about when the temple would be destroyed and what would be the sign that these things would be fulfilled. Jesus warned the disciples about deception and betrayal and a time of great distress and tribulation. He told them of His return with the clouds of heaven in great power and glory. He told them of the angels gathering the elect from the earth and the heavens. He called them to learn the lesson from the fig tree, a symbol of national Israel. When Israel would again be revived and show signs of life and fruitfulness, the coming of Jesus was at hand. To emphasize how true this teaching was, Jesus told them that the heavens and earth might pass away, but that this Word and all Words of God would never pass away or change. Abundant faith comes from eternal truth!
Genesis 33:11 “Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all that I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for giving me the greatest gifts–the Word of God and Your Presence with me through the Holy Spirit! Heaven and earth may pass away, but Your eternal Word stands true and steadfast. You have been gracious to me and I have an abundance through Your unchanging promises!
Psalm 145:6-7 “They tell of the power of Your awesome works–and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.”
Psalm 145:13 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.”
Of highest importance?
Scripture reading for January 18th: Genesis 30-31, Psalm 11, Mark 12
Mark 12: 28-34 “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Well said, Teacher,” the man replied. “Your are right in saying that God is One and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.””
Jesus was being grilled by the religious leaders in their plan to trap Him and find a reason to kill him. Jesus wisely answered their questions and turned each question around on them, exposing their own ignorance of God’s Word. One of the teachers of the law had a legitimate question and Jesus answered his inquiry about the most important of God’s commandments. He quoted from the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses and the teachers accepted His answer. The most important commandment has to do with our love for God–a complete love encompassing our whole heart, mind and strength. It is demonstrated by our love for others as for ourself. To experience the abundant life of God’s kingdom, love must be of highest importance! God is Love!
Genesis 31:53-55 “So Jacob took an oath in the Name of the Fear of his father Isaac. He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there. Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.”
Prayer: Father God, I love You with all my heart, mind and strength and receive Your Word as the highest importance in my own life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and Your love for others made in Your image. Help me daily to allow Your abundant love to flow through my life and draw others to You. Examine my life today and make correction as needed.
Psalm 11:4 “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth, His eyes examine them.”
Jesus, the blessing of all nations!
Scripture reading for January 17th: Genesis 28-29; Mark 11
Mark 11:7-11 “And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” And He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when He had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a colt to the cries of worship from the crowd who had viewed Him as the coming and promised Messiah. Jesus was a descendant of King David through his mother and even through His adoptive father Joseph. There were coats laid out on the road, palm branches, and cries of “Hosanna” (The Lord Saves). Jesus entered Jerusalem on Passover week as the “Lamb of God” who would take away the sins of the world. He went to the temple where the Levites, scribes, Sadducees and Pharisees were in charge and charging returning pilgrims for sacrifices. Jesus quietly observed and then left with the twelve. He would return to drive out the money-changers and declare God’s purpose for His House–a place of prayer for the nations! All nations would be blessed through Jesus’ final sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Mark 11:17 “And He was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
Faith confession: Father God, Thank You that I am now a part of Your ‘House of prayer’ here on earth. May all nations be reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As the Jews welcomed Jesus at the beginning of that Passover week, I look forward to worshiping Jesus every day of the week and one day to welcome Him as King of Kings. Prepare me to be part of the bridal company to greet Jesus with lamps burning when He returns!
Genesis 28:12-14 “And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all families of the earth be blessed.””
Receiving the blessing!
Scripture reading for January 14th: Genesis 26-27, Mark 10
Mark 10:13-16 “And they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands upon them.”
Everyone wants the blessing of God and longs for His approval and loving touch! In Jesus’ day, the disciples argued who was the greatest and Jesus took a child and held it in His arms. In this passage, the disciples were discouraging people from bringing their children to Jesus for a blessing. They rebuked them for wasting Jesus’ time on those who they deemed ‘unimportant’. This aroused Jesus and He rebuked the disciples for their hindrance of the children. Jesus explained that the attitude of children and their parents to seek God’s blessing and touch was what the kingdom of heaven was all about. He took them in His arms and blessed them by placing His hands on them! The touch of God is the greatest blessing! God wants to bless His children with His indwelling presence, of much more value than the world’s treasures!
Mark 10:23 “And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at His Words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.””
Faith confession: Father God, as a child myself, I desire Your blessing and Your touch on my children and grandchildren. Help me to bring them to You in prayer and to instruct them on the importance of Your blessing through Jesus Christ our Lord. Draw my children and grandchildren to desire and personally lay hold of Your blessing of eternal salvation through faith. Reveal to me any way that I may be hindering them.
Genesis 27:26-29 “Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed! May God give you of the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you.”