Sunday (2/6)

This Your Faith Journey devotional is walking through the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus, during January and February. This week we will conclude our time in Genesis, then begin to read Exodus next week. There will be opportunities to continue reading more Old Testament books after the Lenten season in March and April. Below are some questions and suggestions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

2. Are you using a Study Bible?

A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more.

The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

3. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. What do these verses reveal about God?

6. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Monday (2/7)

Read the following verses to center your heart and mind on the Lord:

Oh, the joys of those who…delight in the law of the LORD,

meditating on it day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2 NLT

 

Read Jesus’ message from Matthew 7:12 to help you to delight in the law of the Lord. The phrase “the Law and the Prophets” is a way of describing the Hebrew Bible in the first century or what Christians consider as the Old Testament today. Consider memorizing Jesus’ message and letting it roll around in your mind throughout the day.

 

Read Genesis 42, a continuation of Joseph’s story. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

If you have not read the previous chapters of Genesis, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project videos about the Old Testament, the first eleven chapters of Genesis, and chapters twelve through fifty as a way to help you understand the book of Genesis more clearly. The videos are available on YouTube:

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 1-11 by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 12-50 by the Bible Project:

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with.

 

 

Tuesday (2/8)

Read the following verses to prepare your heart and mind for time with our God:

Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

 

Be silent for a few minutes to turn your heart and mind towards the Lord as you seek to delight in him. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, kneel, or walk.

 

Read Genesis 43. You are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (2/9)

Read the following verses to focus on the Lord as you begin your devotional time:

The truly happy person…loves the LORD’s Instruction,

and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! – Psalm 1:1-2 CEB

 

Read Micah 6:8, which is an instruction from the Lord. Consider reading this verse throughout the day and memorizing the last sentence.

 

Read Genesis 44 to continue through Joseph’s story. If you haven’t yet, choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Thursday (2/10)

Read the following verses to center your heart and mind on the Lord:

Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

 

Be silent for a few minutes to be with the Lord. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, kneel, or walk.

 

Read Genesis 45. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray, offering thanksgiving and praise to God now and throughout the day.

 

 

Friday (2/11)

Read the following verses to prepare your heart and mind for time with our God:

Oh, the joys of those who…delight in the law of the LORD,

meditating on it day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2 NLT

 

Read Matthew 22:34-40 to help you to delight in the law of the Lord. If you haven’t already, consider memorizing the two commandments Jesus claims that all the other commandments “hang on.” If you have already memorized them, then meditate on the two throughout today.

 

Read Genesis 49 to conclude your time in Genesis. Between this chapter and chapter 45 Jacob/Israel went to see his son, Joseph. Pharaoh told Joseph to “settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land” in Egypt (Genesis 47:6 NIV). By the grace of God Joseph was able to save the people of Egypt and Canaan from starving. When Joseph introduced his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to his father, Jacob blessed the two. As Jacob is about to die, he calls for his sons “so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come” (Genesis 49:1 NIV). As you study the verses of chapter 49, you may find it helpful to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray to the Lord lifting up whatever is in your heart and mind.

 

 

Saturday (2/12)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 19. You may find it beneficial to return to this Psalm throughout the day. You could listen to one translation of the psalm from the YouVersion Bible App in the morning as a way to connect your day to God from the start, then read the psalm from a different translation during dinner or before going to bed.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes. During your time of solitude and silence with God, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit.

For many believers the Holy Spirit does not speak in an audible voice. Instead, the Spirit will place a thought, phrase, verse from scripture, song, image, person, or idea in your heart and mind. Notice the physical sounds you hear and the way your body feels during this time of silence. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God. Afterwards read the Bible verses listed below.

 

Read Exodus 31:12-13. These verses are the message from God to Moses while he was on Mount Sinai. Shortly after receiving this message Moses was given the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments from the Lord. What stands out to you from God’s message to the Israelites? How does God’s message apply to you today?

 

Spend some time thinking about how you saw, heard, or experienced God working in your life this past week. You may find it helpful to write in a journal or spend some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend. What did you learn about yourself, God, and others this past week?

 

Pray in response to God. You may find it helpful to use the words of the psalm as a guide for your time of prayer.