Finding God in the Everyday: Read Through the Bible in 2024!
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Finding God in the Everyday: Read Through the Bible in 2024!
As we enter a new year, many look for ways to renew our faith and deepen our understanding of God’s Word. The Bible, a timeless source of wisdom and guidance, remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago. Its teachings, stories, and lessons offer insights into our daily lives, helping us navigate the complexities of the modern world. This year, I invite you to join me and my friend Michelle on a transformative journey through the Bible. This week, we’re starting with the profound narratives of Genesis 1-24 on our Daily Bible Podcast.
The Timelessness of God’s Word in Our Lives
The Bible is not just a historical record. It’s a living document that speaks to our lives today. The stories of creation, the fall, and the lives of the patriarchs in Genesis offer valuable lessons that we can apply to our everyday lives. As we read these first chapters of the Bible, we see reflections of our struggles, joys, triumphs, and failures, reminding us that God’s word is ever-present and applicable in every era.
Tips for Starting the Year Reading God’s Word
Set time aside for daily reading: When you first wake up or during a lunch break, setting time aside helps maintain consistency.
Reflect and journal: After reading, reflect on what you’ve read. Journaling your thoughts can deepen your understanding and personal connection to the Scriptures.
Join a Community: Engaging with others reading the Bible can be incredibly enriching. Our Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia and Michelle is a great way to stay motivated and gain new insights.
You can join our Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailybiblepodcast/
You can listen and watch here:
LISTEN HERE
WATCH HERE
Pray for Understanding: Pray for understanding before reading. Ask God to reveal His truths to you through His word.
Be Patient with Yourself: If you miss a day or find a passage challenging, don’t get discouraged. The journey through God’s Word is a marathon, not a sprint.
Here’s an example of how God’s Word applies to our lives from Week 1!
Learning from Genesis: Practical Lessons for Daily Life
Let’s delve into the first 24 chapters of Genesis, drawing out practical applications for our everyday lives.
Learning from Creation: Finding Joy in the Simple Things
When God created the world, He found joy in His creation. This teaches us to find joy in the simple things around us, like the beauty of nature or the laughter of loved ones. God gave us these things as good gifts!
Lessons from the Fall: The Power of Responsibility and Redemption
Adam and Eve’s story teaches us that God’s decrees are for our good. Adam and Eve chose not to obey, and they faced the consequences. Yet, even then, God had a plan for man’s redemption through His Son.
Noah’s Faith: Trusting God amid Life’s Storms
Noah’s story inspires us to maintain faith even in difficult times. It’s a call to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
The Patriarchs: Navigating Family Dynamics with Grace
The narratives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob teach us about the complexities of family life and the importance of forgiveness and understanding in our relationships.
Personal Applications for Daily Living
Seek Joy in Everyday Moments: Embrace the small blessings and find happiness in everyday life.
Own Your Mistakes and Seek Forgiveness: Acknowledge when you’re wrong and work towards making amends.
Trust in the Bigger Picture: Keep faith during tough times, believing in a greater purpose beyond the immediate challenges.
Join Us on This Journey
As we explore Genesis, let’s embrace these lessons and apply them to our daily lives. I encourage you to join me and Michelle in our Daily Bible Podcast, where we’ll walk through the Bible together, uncovering its timeless wisdom and applying it to our modern lives. Let’s start this year with a renewed commitment to understanding God’s Word and discovering how it can transform our everyday experiences.
Weekly readings for the Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia and Michelle
January 1-7
January 1
Genesis 1-2, Genesis 3:1-24
As we open the pages of Genesis, we head back to the dawn of creation. Through the Bible, we read the story of the world’s beginning.
Genesis 1: “In the beginning, God created.” These five words are the foundational chords of a divine symphony. In the unfolding of creation, we witness the power and majesty of God’s Word. From the calling forth of light to the formation of the sky, land, plants, celestial bodies, birds, fish, animals, and ultimately humans, each day of creation is a testament to God’s perfect design.
This is how it breaks down:
Day 1: Light is separated from darkness, defining day and night.
Day 2: The sky and the air are formed, creating the atmosphere.
Day 3: Land emerges, accompanied by the sprouting of vegetation and plants.
Day 4: Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, are set in the sky.
Day 5: Birds take flight, and fish swim in the waters.
Day 6: Land animals and humans are created.
This first chapter of the Bible isn’t just a story of origins. It’s also a reminder of our Creator’s absolute authority and love. Each element of creation, declared good by God, reflects His glory and care. As we read this week, we can marvel at the beauty and intricacy of God’s work as a reflection of His character.
In Genesis 2, we have the seventh day–a holy day. It’s a day of divine rest, setting a pattern for our lives. We’re introduced to the Garden of Eden, a place of God-given provision and presence. Yet, in this paradise, humanity faces its first test. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents the choices that define our lives.
Genesis 3 brings us face to face with the reality of temptation and the consequences of succumbing to eating from the forbidden tree. The serpent’s craftiness leads to Adam and Eve’s fall and the entry of sin into the world. What can we learn from this?
Authority, Choice, and Consequence:
These chapters remind us of the importance of respecting God’s divine boundaries and the peril of ignoring them. Eve’s choice, influenced by the serpent, highlights our struggle and the rationalizations we make to justify our desires. Overall, we must consider the loving authority of our God, who sets boundaries not to restrict us but to protect and guide us.
God’s authority, stemming from His role as the Creator and Originator, is not a power to be feared but a source of comfort and guidance. Recognizing this authority means understanding God’s commands are rooted in His love and wisdom.
As we navigate the complexities of life, it’s essential to keep our hearts attuned to God’s voice. Through the Bible, we discern the right path and avoid the snares that lead us away from His best for us.
January 2
Genesis 4-6, 1 Chronicles 1:1-4
In today’s reading, we traverse Genesis 4 through 6 and dip into 1 Chronicles 1, uncovering profound truths about justice, mercy, and God’s enduring grace amidst human failings.
Genesis 4 and 5: Our journey begins with the tragic tale of Cain and Abel. Cain, in a fit of jealousy, commits the unthinkable—murdering his brother Abel. Yet, God’s mercy is evident even in this moment of profound injustice. God punishes Cain and protects him, a poignant example of divine justice intertwined with compassion.
The genealogy in Genesis 5 depicts a lineage stretching from Adam to Noah, and Lamech’s words about his son Noah provide a glimpse into the toil and hardship of life post-Eden. It’s a world still reeling under the weight of sin.
1 Chronicles 1 briefly recounts the genealogy from Adam to Noah, tying the story of creation to the lineage of Israel.
In Genesis 6, the world, now populated and pulsating with life, is also wicked. The poignant words, “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth,” echo the depth of God’s grief over humanity’s corruption. Yet Noah emerges as a beacon of righteousness. He’s a man who walks faithfully with God. What can we learn from this?
The Dance of Justice and Grace
Noah’s story is a testament to the power of one man’s integrity in a world of moral decay. Under God’s guidance, the ark’s construction symbolizes a judgment against rampant sin and God’s provision for Noah’s family and creation.
The narratives of Cain, Abel, and Noah bring us face to face with our innate longing for justice and our profound need for grace. While we yearn for justice to prevail, we must also depend on God’s grace and provision for our shortcomings and failures.
January 3
Genesis 7-10, 1 Chronicles 1
As we journey through the chapters of Genesis 7 to 10 and 1 Chronicles 1, we find ourselves immersed in the stories of the flood, the aftermath, and the lineages that followed. Often skipped or skimmed. These chapters hold profound insights about God’s justice, human nature, and the enduring threads of grace woven through our history.
Genesis 7 to 9: The Flood and Its Aftermath
Genesis 7: We witness the faithfulness of Noah as he obeys God’s command to enter the ark, along with his family and a pair of every living creature. The floodwaters, a symbol of judgment and cleansing, cover the earth, erasing all traces of life outside the ark. Here, we see the severity of God’s response to a world mired in sin and His provision for preservation and new beginnings.
Genesis 8: As the waters recede, God “remembers Noah.” It’s a phrase that resonates with hope and care. Noah’s first act upon leaving the ark is to build an altar to the Lord, an act of worship and gratitude. Then we have God’s promise never to destroy the earth again with a flood, symbolized by the rainbow- a sign of hope and God’s enduring covenant with humanity.
Genesis 9: Noah, the righteous man who found favor in God’s eyes, falls into a moment of vulnerability. This story, including the curse on Canaan and the blessings on Shem and Japheth, highlights the complexities of human nature and the consequences of our actions.
In Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1, we delve into the genealogies. While often overlooked, these lists illustrate man’s spread across the earth. The descendants of Japheth become seafarers. Ham’s lineage includes Nimrod, a mighty warrior and founder of significant cities like Babylon and Nineveh. Shem’s line leads to notable figures like Abram, setting the stage for significant events in biblical history.
Finding Meaning in the Genealogies
Reading these genealogies is a reminder of the importance of every life. These aren’t just lists. They are stories of people, cultures, and God’s plan for man. We all face challenges and make choices that affect our lives and those around us. We can learn from Noah’s faithfulness–and even his moments of failure–the ever-present tension between justice and mercy, human frailty, and God’s. As we continue this journey through the Bible, let us do so with open hearts, seeking to learn, grow, and find our place in this grand narrative of faith.
January 4
Genesis 11-14, 1 Chronicles 1:24-27
In today’s reading, we encounter significant moments that define the essence of faith and human purpose.
Genesis 11: People, united by one language, aspire to build a tower reaching the heavens. God, foreseeing the potential consequences, confuses their languages and disperses them.
Genesis 12: Beyond Babel, the genealogies take center stage, particularly tracing Shem’s lineage to Abram (later Abraham). Notably, these records begin incorporating women, emphasizing their role in the scriptural narrative.
Highlighting what is to come, Abram’s life is a testament to faith, as Hebrews 11 describes his obedience to God’s call to venture into an unknown land. Abram is an example of trust and divine reliance.
In Genesis 13 and 14, upon returning from Egypt, Abram and Lot, now wealthy, face conflicts. Abram lets Lot choose his portion of the land, reflecting Abram’s deep humility and faith. Lot’s choice of the Jordan Valley, near the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reflects the human desire for ease and immediate pleasure. Yet Abram’s continual worship–through building altars–signifies a life dedicated to God rather than earthly gains.
Genesis 14 details the strife between regional kings and Abram’s daring rescue of Lot. His encounter with Melchizedek, king of Salem, underscores Abram’s devotion to God. His refusal of the Sodom king’s wealth shows that Abram believes his fortune is due to God’s providence, not human sources.
The Ripple Effect of Our Decisions
Abram’s journey, started by his father, Terah, shows the lasting impact of our choices across generations. Our actions go beyond our personal stories. They can and will influence future generations.
January 5
Genesis 15-17
As we dive into Genesis 15-17, we witness pivotal moments that shape the destiny of Abram (later Abraham) and his descendants, intertwining with profound lessons of faith and the human condition.
Genesis 15: Abram’s journey takes a dramatic turn when he receives a vision from the Lord. It’s a divine conversation where God promises Abram a son and descendants as numerous as the stars. This leads to one of the Bible’s most beautiful verses: “And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Abram’s quest for assurance leads to God making a covenant in a dream involving a ritual of animal sacrifice. But uniquely, only God, appearing as a smoking firepot and flaming torch, passes between the pieces, signifying His sole responsibility in fulfilling this covenant.
Genesis 16: However, reality hits hard as Sarai remains barren. In desperation, she suggests that Abram father a child with Hagar, her Egyptian servant. When Hagar becomes pregnant, tension escalates, leading Sarai to mistreat her, forcing Hagar to flee. Remarkably, the Angel of the Lord, identified as Jehovah, meets Hagar. This marks the Angel of the Lord’s first appearance in the Bible, not to a patriarch but to a distressed, expectant mother.
Hagar acknowledges God as “the God who sees me,” recognizing His intimate awareness of her plight. Despite her circumstances, God promises a multitude of descendants from her son, Ishmael, setting the stage for the eventual Arab nation.
Genesis 17: Time passes, and when Abram is 99, God appears again, introducing Himself as El Shaddai, God Almighty. This encounter reinvigorates the promise, leading to significant changes: Abram becomes Abraham, “father of many,” and Sarai becomes Sarah, “princess.” This chapter ends with the establishment of circumcision as a sign of the covenant, and God reaffirms Sarah’s future childbirth, naming the child-to-be Isaac.
Reflections on God’s Personal Relationship with His People
These chapters vividly illustrate God’s care for Abram, Sarai, and Hagar. Despite their flaws, God engages with each one, delivering messages of promise and hope. These chapters teach us that God yearns for a personal, deep relationship with each of us.
Whether you’re a seasoned Bible reader or new to its pages, approaching Scripture with a prayerful heart is vital. As Isaiah 55:10-11 reminds us, God’s word is like rain that nourishes the earth. It’s meant to impact and prosper. The promise made to Abraham affects us all, as we are part of the legacy of faith through Jesus Christ.
January 6
Genesis 18-21
In today’s journey, we witness the mingling of divine promise and human frailty, culminating in the birth of Isaac, a long-awaited fulfillment of God’s word.
Genesis 18: The narrative begins with an extraordinary visit to Abraham and Sarah’s tent. Three men, one of whom is recognized as God, bring a message that defies belief: Sarah, well beyond childbearing age, will bear a child. Sarah’s laughter, a mix of disbelief and fear, echoes our doubts in the face of the improbable. Yet, is anything too hard for God? Abraham’s earnest plea for Sodom reveals his compassionate heart, negotiating for the city’s salvation, albeit in vain.
Genesis 19: The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked wickedness. Lot’s moral choices within the city paint a dark picture of human nature. The narrative takes a distressing turn when Lot’s daughters’ actions lead to the origins of the Moabites and Ammonites, who we will later see as enemies of God’s people.
Genesis 20: As Abraham and Sarah move again, Abraham’s fear leads him to repeat a past mistake, claiming Sarah as his sister. King Abimelech’s near-misstep, prevented by God’s intervention, shows how divine sovereignty often waylays human decisions.
Genesis 21:1-7: Finally, the promise is fulfilled with Isaac’s birth. Sarah’s joyous laughter replaces her earlier skepticism, marking a moment of divine faithfulness and human transformation.
God’s Interaction with Flawed Humanity
These chapters vividly portray God connecting with deeply flawed individuals: a couple who laughs at divine promises, a man who negotiates with God, and a patriarch who lies out of fear. Yet, God’s unwavering commitment to His promises offers hope to us all. We are reminded that our relationship with God isn’t based on our perfection but on His faithfulness.
God’s faithfulness is like a relentless pursuit, a love that never gives up. From Adam and Eve to Abraham, we see His loyalty and provision. Abraham’s story, in particular, reflects this faithfulness – God’s assurance of countless descendants and His choice of Abraham for his potential to lead his family in righteousness.
As we continue reading, let’s hold on to the truth that God’s promises and His relationship with us are not contingent on our flawlessness but on His steadfast love and faithfulness.
January 7
Genesis 21:8-34, 22-23, 11:32, 24
Today’s passage takes us deeper into the complex and profound story of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, and Ishmael, revealing the intricate interplay of human emotions, divine interventions, and the unfolding of God’s plans.
Genesis 21:8-34: The narrative begins with a family conflict. Sarah’s distress over Ishmael’s behavior towards Isaac leads to Hagar and Ishmael’s heartbreaking departure. Abraham, faced with a painful decision, is reassured by God’s promise of Ishmael’s future. Hagar, plunged into despair in the wilderness, experiences God’s intervention at her most vulnerable moment. This act reinforces the recurring theme in the Bible: God’s attentive response to the cries of His people.
Genesis 22: In a dramatic turn of events, God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham’s unwavering obedience and faith in God’s provision are profoundly depicted when he assures Isaac, “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son.” The provision of a ram as a substitute for Isaac is a powerful demonstration of God’s faithfulness and Abraham’s trust in Him.
Genesis 23: We read about a somber moment with Sarah’s death. Abraham’s negotiation for a burial place signifies his continued faith in God’s promises as he secures a permanent resting place in the promised land.
Genesis 11:32: The brief mention of Terah’s death connects us back to the beginning of Abraham’s journey, reminding us of the generational continuity and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Genesis 24: As Abraham grows older, the focus shifts to securing Isaac’s future. Abraham’s servant, guided by divine providence, embarks on a mission to find a wife for Isaac. The encounter with Rebekah at the well is nothing short of divine orchestration. Her willingness to leave her home to marry Isaac is a testament to her faith and God’s guiding hand.
God’s Unfailing Provision and Our Faithful Walk
The story of Isaac and Rebekah holds deeper allegorical meanings, paralleling the relationship between Christ and the Church. Isaac’s near-sacrifice, miraculous birth, Rebekah’s chosen role, and eventual union symbolize Christ’s love for His Church and the divine plan for humanity. Then, from Hagar’s well in the wilderness to the ram for Abraham’s sacrifice, we see God’s timely provision in desperate situations.
