The Bible is big, deep and beautiful. It can also be confusing, intimidating and dry. So we’re starting something new. Each day for the next 66 days we’re going to use this space to tackle one book of the Bible, starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation. Why? I’ll borrow the words of Paul here as found in 2 Timothy 3:
“But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.”
So let’s do this. One book. Every day. From now until the Christmas season. This is going to be fun.
If you’re looking for a book of amazing stories, start with Genesis. Creation (Gen. 1-2), the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3), murder (Gen. 4:1-16), Noah’s Ark (Gen. 6:9-8:22), naked drunkenness (Gen. 9:20-29), promises (Gen. 12:1-3), human sacrifice (Gen. 22), deception (Gen. 27:1-45), romance (Gen. 29:16-30), wrestling (Gen. 31:22-32), dreams (Gen. 37:1-11) and family betrayal (Gen. 37:12-36). This book has it all.
But there’s one thing this book (and the Bible itself) is not. It’s not a book about you. It’s not a book meant to tell you more about yourself or how to get ahead in life. It’s not a self-help book.
The Bible is about God’s interaction with His creation, and the invitation we have to live in response to all that God has promised and accomplished.
In Genesis 12 (and again in Genesis 15 and 17 and 22) God promises that Abram (eventually renamed Abraham) will receive blessings from God. And included in the blessing is an important addition: “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (12:3b)
In other words, this wasn’t just about Abraham. It wasn’t just about saving Abraham and his family. This was about God designating a group of people to become His way of blessing all of creation.
That is our calling as we read through the pages of this wonderful book. The Bible doesn’t just reveal to us how we can be saved (though it does do that quite well). It doesn’t just reveal to us how we can avoid hell or get to heaven or survive this life (all that’s in there too). The Bible is far more about living life as God’s people in ways that bring about God’s purposes and will. And God’s purposes and will are to restore creation, redeem that which was lost to sin, forgive, justify, save and sanctify. There is no better blessing. As Jesus put it, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
And we get to be a part of all of that! God’s plans, ways and path is revealed to us in the pages of this holy book. I’m excited to go on this journey together. I hope you’ll join us.
Blessed to bless,
Pastor Billy
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