A Devotional Life

Genesis 1:21b-22, 27-28; 2:1-3. Amid the daily grind and challenges of life, it’s easy to lose sight of how life was originally designed to function. By that, I mean, it’s actually easy to lose sight of the fact that we are an inherently blessed creation. The creation story shows us that God has blessed his creation. He did not create and leave us to figure things out on our own. He has blessed His creation, and His blessing reveals His design for it. He blessed us to replenish, rule and rest in Him. Replenish. “And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number…’” (vv. 21b-22, 28a). On the fifth and sixth days, God blessed His good creation, fish, birds, and humans alike, with the ability to replenish the earth. Whatever God created, he saw that it was good. He then blessed them to expand and create m...

Genesis 1:4-31. One common question often sneaks into our minds when we face the uncertainties of life: “Is this it? Is this the final fate of our world or of my situation?” The creation story gives us a definitive antidote to those fears. As God forms the world over six days, He models His definition of “done.” What we see is a masterpiece of perfect order, wholeness, and goodness. While this reflects the universe before the fall, God is unchanging. Therefore, these truths help us understand how He works in our lives today. His work is ordered. Throughout the creation week, God separates light from darkness, sky from sea, and land from water (vv. 4, 7, 9, 14, 18). He takes the chaotic, formless void and establishes perfect peace and order. If your life or your circumstances feel chaotic, messy, or completely out of sequence right now, take heart. God is an...

Genesis 1:1-3. Amid all the uncertainties and strange news headlines, we can find encouragement in God’s word. The creation story in Genesis is a wonderful reminder of God’s intention for His creation and His eternal sovereignty over it. The story reminds us that life doesn’t just “happen”; it is authored by the all-powerful all-sufficient God. We will see this more clearly as we journey through the creation story of chapters 1 and 2. In Genesis 1, the world begins formless, empty, and shrouded in darkness. It is a picture of total chaos, yet the Spirit of God is already hovering over the waters. Even before He speaks, His presence is the foundation of our hope. In this opening scene, we see what His all-powerful all-sufficiency looks like: God is above and beyond all. “In the beginning, God...” (v1). These four words are the anchor of the...

Genesis 1:20-28. [Series on: The Blessed] Usually, when you go to the zoo, there are sections of the zoo that people don’t stand too long to watch as they give an icky feeling. But then there is the section that everyone likes, like the penguin section. I like the penguin section, too! Scriptures refer to God’s creation as blessed. The passage tells the creation story. We see God’s goodness in creation, even with its variety and contrasting elements. All God made was good, yes, the icky ones, too (v24). And He blessed His creation (v22, 28). Although we live in a fallen world due to sin, we also live in a blessed world—blessed from the very beginning and sustained by the God of covenant and faithfulness (Genesis 1:22,28; Genesis 8:21-9:1). In the Psalms, David repeatedly refers to God’s blessed creation in wonder. He expresses that we are so blessed and… Undeserv...

Genesis 35:1-12. How can we find hope for a new beginning - whatever our season of life? In Christ is God's invitation to come! Genesis 34 records a series of sad events in Jacob's family (verses 1-4, 11-15, 24-25). And towards the end of the chapter, he is deeply troubled. At this point, to Jacob, there is no coming back - this is the end - for certain, “I and my family will be destroyed” (v30). It was at this tipping point that God rescued Jacob with an invitation. God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel” (35:1). Bethel was a place Jacob knew as the house of God (28:16-19). 34:30; 35:1. Amidst Jacob's troubles, God said come to me in Bethel . 35:2-5. Jacob responded to God by letting go of idols and setting out to Bethel . 35:6-7. When they got to Bethel, they built an altar - called on God . ...