The devotional reminded me of the year I was 26 years old. I was a scared, sick seminary student that didn't know what to do. I found out that I had an illness, maybe even cancer. I had no money. No car. Couldn't make ends meet working two jobs. I had to drop out of school and move out of school housing while dealing with all of this. The most amazing part was that God warned me about all of this BEFORE it happened. He told me "Don't worry. It is just cancer. You will go through a lot, but I promise you will be fine." As I grasped that promise and believed and then saw the reality of it, I knew we had an amazing God! My friends were surprised with my response when they asked me about my condition "Don't worry, it is just cancer. God said I will be fine". I celebrated 26 years of being "clean" on April 1 of this year. Praise God!
I say to you: what promise is God making you? Is he saying things like: "It is just cancer" or "It is just unemployment" or "It is just temporary financial crisis" or "I know you are lonely.". Always remember in the end: "God is with you. You will be fine".
Lord, thank you for your promises. Forgive our unbelief. Help us believe.
Teaching Tuesday
The lesson this week was the first chapter in Genesis from the P source point of view. Very interesting stuff! I have read Genesis several times now. I have never studied it like this! I have so much learn!
As the book says, Genesis 1 (and the first few verses in chapter 2) is the creation story from the P source point of view. I found it interesting to read this passage again from this very specific point of view. I learned last year that the first chapter and the second chapter were written in two very different styles. I didn't understand why or how.
This study also helps figure out what you want to believe (since there can be different interpretations of the passages). I choose to believe that we will never know the origins of God. I choose to believe that God can create stuff from nothing with just his words. I choose to believe that God is still involved in the world today and that he did not make us to amuse himself. We are his creation. He wants a relationship with us!
Read the Genesis 1:1 - 2:4 again. Think of a rabbi or very conservative person reading it and how official it sounds.
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
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