The Daily Dose

God remembered Noah

“But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” ~ Genesis 8:1

There is so much power in the phrase “But God remembered Noah.” After 150 days of floating above a flooded earth with no sign of what was next, God sent a shift. That word remembered doesn’t mean God forgot about Noah, it means He turned His attention toward him to bring a new beginning.

I understand what that feels like, when it seems like the waiting will never end. There have been times when I knew I had obeyed God, trusted His Word, and stayed where He placed me, yet time dragged on and nothing seemed to change. During one of those long, quiet seasons of waiting, I thought about the waiting Noah had to endure, only his was so much more extreme. Even though I felt overwhelmed, I came to realize that just because the waiting is silent doesn’t mean God isn’t moving. Even when I couldn’t see any changes in my outward circumstances, I believed that when the time was right, the things God was working on in the unseen would show up where there seemed to be no way. And when He did, things began to shift in a new and better way. That is exactly what happened in my situation, at just the right time, God showed up and opened the way to the next step in my journey.

Maybe you’re in a place right now where you feel stuck, forgotten, or unsure of what’s next. You’ve obeyed God, but the answers aren’t coming quickly. The floodwaters of uncertainty or struggle seem to stretch far beyond what you thought you could handle. If so, be encouraged because God does remember right where you are and this chapter is a turning point, not just for Noah, but for you, also. God always remembers His people. When the winds shift, it is with at just the right time in His purpose.

Here are some things you can do in the waiting:

• Stay in the place God has positioned you. Noah didn’t jump out of the ark early, he waited until God opened the door. Obedience in waiting is powerful.
• Expect God to send a shift. Whether it’s a word, an opportunity, or renewed strength, God always initiates the next step when it’s time.
• Offer thanks when things begin to changes. The first thing Noah did when he stepped out of the ark was build an altar. Gratitude honors God and prepares you for what’s next.
• Remember God sees the whole picture. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is working behind the scenes to prepare dry ground.
• Keep watching for the signs. Just as Noah sent the raven and the dove, stay open to small indications that a shift is coming.

You can get started today by taking the next steps  below:

• Set aside time today to read Genesis 8 slowly, especially verse 1.
• Write down any area of your life where you feel like you’ve been “shut in” and are waiting for a breakthrough.
• Start a gratitude list for how God has sustained you through this season, even if it’s not over yet.

Today I want to encourage you to hold on to the truth that God remembers you. He has not forgotten the prayers you’ve prayed, the obedience you’ve walked in, or the tears you’ve cried. Just like Noah, you are seen, held, and carried by the One who controls the winds and the waters. Stay faithful in the ark until He speaks again. The wind is shifting, and with it, the beginning of something new.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 8

1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.

2 The underground waters stopped flowing, and the torrential rains from the sky were stopped.

3 So the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth. After 150 days,

4 exactly five months from the time the flood began, the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 Two and a half months later, as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks became visible.

6 After another forty days, Noah opened the window he had made in the boat

7 and released a raven. The bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the earth had dried up.

8 He also released a dove to see if the water had receded and it could find dry ground.

9 But the dove could find no place to land because the water still covered the ground. So it returned to the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the dove back inside.

10 After waiting another seven days, Noah released the dove again.

11 This time the dove returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters were almost gone.

12 He waited another seven days and then released the dove again. This time it did not come back.

13 Noah was now 601 years old. On the first day of the new year, ten and a half months after the flood began, the floodwaters had almost dried up from the earth. Noah lifted back the covering of the boat and saw that the surface of the ground was drying.

14 Two more months went by, and at last the earth was dry!

15 Then God said to Noah,

16 “Leave the boat, all of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their wives.

17 Release all the animals—the birds, the livestock, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—so they can be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth.”

18 So Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left the boat.

19 And all of the large and small animals and birds came out of the boat, pair by pair.

20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.

21 And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.

22 As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”

Journal:

• What area of my life feels stuck or silent?
• How can I remain faithful and grateful while I wait for God to move?

Shut in with God

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” ~ Genesis 7:1

This chapter in Genesis is the moment everything changed. It’s when God invited Noah into the ark, the place of protection, provision, and purpose, because of Noah’s obedience and faithfulness. What strikes me most is the tenderness in God’s words: “Come into the ark.” He didn’t say go in as though had to do this alone. He said come, because God was in that ark with them. That one word tells us we are never alone when we follow His leading.

There have been many times in my life when I felt like the world around me was falling apart. Times when I couldn’t see what was ahead, and I didn’t know how to make sense of what I was going through. But there came a moment that I clearly felt God asking me to come close to Him, shut everything else out, and just press in. That felt like my personal ark, a place where God was calling me to come and find safety in His presence. The storm didn’t stop right away, but I knew I was sheltered, and that made all the difference.

This chapter reminds me that there are times when God shuts the door on certain parts of our lives, not to punish or isolate us, but to protect us. Noah had no control over the floodwaters, but he did have control over being obedient and faithful and he had complete security and protection in the ark. Maybe right now you feel like your life has been put on pause, or things have been shut down or closed off. What if God is inviting you to come into a new season of closeness with Him, a place where He covers you and carries you until the storm passes?

Here are a few ways to know there is a place of closeness with Him:

• Recognize God’s invitation. Ask yourself what area of your life God is calling you into deeper trust.
• Respond with obedience. Noah acted quickly when God spoke. He didn’t delay or question. Be willing to follow God’s leading without needing every detail.
• Stay close during the storm. Make time each day to get quiet before the Lord, even just for a few minutes. That is your “ark” place.
• Use the “shut-in” seasons. When doors close or things change unexpectedly, ask God what He wants to show you during this time.
• Remember the rain doesn’t last forever. God shut Noah in, but He also brought him out. This season is temporary.

Get started today by following the steps below:

1. Read Genesis 7 slowly, especially verses 1 and 16.

2. Find a quiet spot and ask God what “ark” He is inviting you into right now and where is He calling you to rest, trust, and grow?
3. Write down what you need to leave behind and what you want to take with you into this next season with God.

Today I want to encourage you to see the ark not just as a place of survival, but as a place of intimacy with your Heavenly Father. When everything around you feels uncertain, you can trust that God is inviting you to come close to Him. He’s not sending you into the unknown alone. He is already there, waiting for you to come in and rest. Let this season be one of trust, quiet obedience, and peace. The same God who shut the door is the one who holds the key to your future. Let Him carry you through.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 7

1 When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.

2 Take with you seven pairs—male and female—of each animal I have approved for eating and for sacrifice, and take one pair of each of the others.

3 Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all life will survive on the earth after the flood.

4 Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.”

5 So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

6 Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered the earth.

7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood—he and his wife and his sons and their wives.

8 With them were all the various kinds of animals—those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not—along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground.

9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.

10 After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth.

11 When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky.

12 The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.

13 That very day Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives.

14 With them in the boat were pairs of every kind of animal—domestic and wild, large and small—along with birds of every kind.

15 Two by two they came into the boat, representing every living thing that breathes.

16 A male and female of each kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.

17 For forty days the floodwaters grew deeper, covering the ground and lifting the boat high above the earth.

18 As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface.

19 Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth,

20 rising more than twenty-two feet above the highest peaks.

21 All the living things on earth died—birds, domestic animals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people.

22 Everything that breathed and lived on dry land died.

23 God wiped out every living thing on the earth—people, livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and the birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat.

24 And the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days.

Journal:

• What is God inviting me into during this season?
• What do I need to shut out so I can stay close to Him?

Finding Grace

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. ~ Genesis 6:8

This is the first mention of grace in the entire Bible and at first glance, it might seem like an odd place for grace to show up. After all, Genesis 6 describes a world so filled with violence and corruption that God had a plan to wash it all clean with a flood and start new. Yet grace still broke through. One man stood out and that man was Noah:

We aren’t given a lot of detail about what made Noah different. Just a few verses earlier it says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) But Noah? He wasn’t like the rest. Maybe he guarded his heart from corruption. Maybe he prioritized his family. Or maybe he was just the only one still looking for God. That is exactly how you find grace.  You can’t find something unless you’re looking for it.

Several years ago, I was in a place where it felt like the world around me was full of noise, negativity, and a slow drift away from God. I felt the pressure to conform, to go along, or to give up. But deep inside, I knew there was something different for me. I wanted to be faithful, even when it wasn’t popular. I wanted to walk with God, even when it felt like I was the only one. Then in that quiet, desperate seeking, I found grace. God didn’t just acknowledge my heart, He responded with guidance, provision, and reassurance.

That’s what happened to Noah. God saw his heart, and love moved into action. God gave Noah the plan of salvation in the ark of safety. Because Noah found God’s grace, his family was saved, creation was preserved, and God’s covenant was passed down through Noah’s future generations.

God’s grace is His love and empowerment in motion. It isn’t passive. It moves. It builds. It saves and it empowers us to complete the purpose we were created for. When you find grace, everything changes because God starts building something with you and gives you the strength  to walk out His blessed plan and design for your life.

Here are some ways you can start looking for grace today:

1. Seek God Daily
   Set aside even just 5–10 minutes to pray and open your Bible. Say out loud, “God, I’m looking for You today. Show me Your grace.”
   Read Genesis 6 and write down one thing God highlights to you.
2. Choose a Clean Heart in a Corrupt Culture
   Be intentional about the influences you allow in your life. Ask, “Is this helping me walk with God?” Choose what feeds your faith.
3. Build the “Ark” You’ve Been Assigned
   Whether it’s your family, your ministry, your calling, or your personal growth, stay faithful to what God’s asked of you, even if others don’t understand.
4. Trust That God’s Grace Supplies What You Need
   You don’t need to figure it all out. Just walk with Him. As Noah built, the rain didn’t come for years, but the provision was there all along.

Today I want to encourage you to search for God’s grace in your everyday life. Just like Noah, you may feel surrounded by chaos, confusion, or compromise but God sees you. He sees your heart and when you turn toward Him, He turns His love into action. His grace will build what you cannot build on your own. In Christ Jesus, the “ark” of your salvation, you have everything you need: life, provision, and purpose. Step into that ark. Start building and ask for God’s empowering grace to help get you there.

Today’s scripture reading:  Genesis 6

1 Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and daughters were born to them.

2 The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives.

3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”

4 In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephilites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.

5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.

6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

7 And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.”

8 But Noah found favor with the Lord.

9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

10 Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence.

12 God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt.

13 So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!

14 “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.

15 Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.

16 Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper.

17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die.

18 But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives.

19 Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood.

20 Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive.

21 And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.”

22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

Journal:

• Where in my life am I in need of grace?
• What step can I take today to “build the ark” God has asked me to build?

Walk with God

_{Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. ~  Genesis 5:24}

I know it might sound unusual, but I love the genealogies in Scripture. I honestly geek out over the names, the lineage patterns, and especially the little details that are sprinkled in unexpectedly. While most people tend to skip over them, I lean in. There’s something powerful about seeing the threads of God’s plan woven through generations. I find myself lingering on names I recognize, remembering their stories and wondering about the ones we know almost nothing about. When there’s a random detail added about someone in the middle of a long list? That’s my favorite part. It usually signals something significant.

Genesis 5 is one of those chapters. It reads like a straightforward genealogy, but then suddenly we get this line: “Enoch walked faithfully with God.” It’s short, simple, and yet incredibly meaningful. In a world that was growing darker and more corrupt, this small note tells us that it’s still possible to live close to God, really close, no matter what’s happening around us.

This is something I can relate to in my own life because there was once a time that I felt stuck in the routine of “just getting through the day.” I was overwhelmed by responsibilities and caught in a cycle of working, striving, and pushing myself to keep up. I wasn’t doing anything wrong, but I also wasn’t truly walking with God.  The truth is I was running ahead of Him. One day, I remember reading Enoch’s story. It wasn’t long or flashy, but it stopped me in my tracks. Enoch didn’t have a dramatic miracle recorded, but his life pleased God because he chose to walk closely and faithfully with Him every day.  So much so that He is one of the only people that God took to be with Him while he was still living in this present world.

This account reminds me that God isn’t only looking for people who perform or accomplish great things. He’s seeking those who will walk closely with Him, not perfectly, but faithfully. Whether you’re in a season of growth, waiting, or weariness, your walk with God is what matters most.  No matter where you are right now in life, the first step toward God’s perfect plan for you is walking closely with Him.

Here’s how you can start or continue walking faithfully with God each day:

1. Begin your day in conversation with Him.
Start your mornings by talking to God, even before you reach for your phone or dive into your schedule. A simple “Good morning, Lord” and a few minutes of prayer set the tone for your whole day.
Read one short passage each morning (Psalm, Proverb, or Gospel) and ask, “God, what do You want me to notice today?”

2. Walk with Him in the little things.
Faithfulness doesn’t just happen in church or during quiet time. It happens as you do dishes, go to work, run errands, and talk with others. Invite Him into your daily life.
Listen to worship music or an audio Bible during your commute to keep your heart tuned in.

3. Stay in step with His pace.
Don’t run ahead or lag behind. Ask Him to guide your timing in decisions, relationships, and responsibilities. Waiting is part of the walk.
Write down one area where you need to slow down or seek God’s direction and commit it to prayer this week.

4. Live to please Him, not impress others.
Enoch’s life pleased God, and that’s what was recorded for eternity. You don’t have to strive for applause or visibility. Faithfulness is never wasted.
Encourage someone this week with the truth that simply walking with God matters deeply.

Today I want to encourage you that you don’t have to do something dramatic to be remembered in heaven. God notices the ones who walk with Him, step by step, in the ordinary and unseen moments. Whether your life feels slow, chaotic, or hidden, your faithful walk is significant. You’re not walking alone. The same God who walked with Enoch walks with you. Stay close, stay steady, and let your life be marked by the quiet, powerful rhythm of walking close with Him each day.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 5

1 This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, he made them to be like himself.

2 He created them male and female, and he blessed them and called them “human.”

3 When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth.

4 After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

5 Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.

6 When Seth was 105 years old, he became the father of Enosh.

7 After the birth of Enosh, Seth lived another 807 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

8 Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the father of Kenan.

10 After the birth of Kenan, Enosh lived another 815 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

11 Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the father of Mahalalel.

13 After the birth of Mahalalel, Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

14 Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.

15 When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became the father of Jared.

16 After the birth of Jared, Mahalalel lived another 830 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

17 Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.

18 When Jared was 162 years old, he became the father of Enoch.

19 After the birth of Enoch, Jared lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

20 Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.

22 After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

23 Enoch lived 365 years,

24 walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.

25 When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech.

26 After the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

27 Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.

28 When Lamech was 182 years old, he became the father of a son.

29 Lamech named his son Noah, for he said, “May he bring us relief from our work and the painful labor of farming this ground that the Lord has cursed.”

30 After the birth of Noah, Lamech lived another 595 years, and he had other sons and daughters.

31 Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Journal:

• What does walking with God look like for me right now?
• Are there areas where I’ve been rushing ahead or holding back?
• What’s one small step I can take this week to stay close to Him?

Guard the door

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door and its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” ~ Genesis 4:7

 Genesis 4 opens with the story of Cain and Abel.  Two brothers with two offerings, and one life-altering decision. In verse 7, God speaks directly to Cain, not to condemn him, but to warn him and give him a choice. Cain was angry and discouraged, and God saw it. Yet before Cain acted on those emotions, God offered a powerful truth: sin is always nearby, waiting for an opportunity, but we are not powerless. There is a better way. We can choose to take authority over it.

Recently I went through a time of feeling overlooked, disappointed, and even a little resentful. I had poured time and heart into something I believed the Holy Spirit was leading me to do, but instead of fruit or affirmation, I got silence. It felt like what I offered wasn’t enough and slowly, that disappointment turned into discouragement. Bitterness started knocking at the door. I started comparing myself to others, questioning God’s goodness, and letting frustration take root. But during a quiet moment in the Word, I felt the Holy Spirit was gently calling me back, warning me in love and reminding me to “Be careful, don’t let this grow. You can choose a better way.” I knew I couldn’t afford to let disappointment grow into sin. That reminder to my heart gave me the strength to ask Him for help and turn my thoughts and heart in a different direction. Instead of focusing on my hurt and disappointment, I prayed for the situation and the people involved.  I asked God’s blessing on it all and gave it to Him to turn for an even greater outcome.

You may be in a season right now where things feel unfair, your efforts go unnoticed, your offerings feel rejected, or your heart is weary from comparison. Maybe it’s with work, ministry, family, or even your spiritual walk. You’re tempted to give in to frustration, jealousy, or discouragement. But let this verse be a reminder that God sees. He directs before we fall and He empowers us to walk in victory.

Here are some ways to guard your heart and take authority over sin:

1. Pause and examine your emotions.
Ask, “What am I feeling right now?” Bring that honestly before God. Emotions are real, but they don’t have to control your actions. God invites you to talk to Him about what’s stirring beneath the surface.

Write down the top 3 emotions you’ve been carrying this week. Ask God what each one is trying to lead you toward and if it’s life-giving or dangerous.

2. Choose gratitude instead of comparison.
When you feel overlooked or rejected, begin listing what God has already blessed you with. Gratitude breaks the grip of envy and brings peace back into your perspective.

Each morning, list 3 things you’re thankful for before you do anything else.

3. Confess and reset quickly.
If you’ve already opened the door to offense, jealousy, or anger, don’t stay stuck. Confess it and move forward and away from it. God doesn’t shame you, He restores you.

Pray: “God, I let bitterness in. Forgive me. Help me close that door and walk in Your peace again.”

4. Focus on giving your best to God.
Abel gave the best for his offering, not his left overs, but the first and finest. Shift your focus from getting recognition to giving your best to the One who sees in secret.

Ask yourself: “Am I offering my best to God today, or just what’s left over?”

Today I want to encourage you that you have more power than you think. Sin may knock, but you don’t have to open the door. God is not watching you to catch your failure, He’s speaking to warn you, help you, and walk with you into freedom. You are not helpless, and you are never alone. The same God who warned Cain now speaks to you in love: “You can rule over it.” Listen to His voice. Choose what is right. Watch the door and walk in peace.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 4

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”

2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.

4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

11 So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

13 And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear!

14 Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

15 And the Lord said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Ē´noch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Ē´noch.

18 To Ē´noch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.

19 Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.

20 And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.

21 His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.

22 And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

23 Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me.

24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Ē´nosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.

Journal:

• What thoughts or emotions have been “knocking at the door of my heart” lately?
• What’s one step I can take today to respond with wisdom, peace, and obedience to God?

God’s Word Continues

But the word of God grew and multiplied.  Acts 12:24

If you were to ask most people today whether they keep up with current events or follow the news, the answer would likely be “yes.” In fact, some might argue that staying informed is a responsibility. News reports dominate daily conversations. From global crises to political debates and many of those headlines are dramatic, disturbing, or even shocking.

If Acts 12 were a headline today, it might read: “KING ENGAGED IN VIOLENT DISPUTE WITH TYRE AND SIDON,” or “CITIZENS PRAISE KING FOR GIVING AID DURING FAMINE.” And perhaps most jarring: “KING STRUCK DOWN, DIES BY WORM INFESTATION.” It’s wild to think this is all part of Scripture, but it is. If anything, it shows us that chaos, corruption, and conflict are nothing new to the human story.

But right in the middle of these intense political events and tragic headlines, we find one short sentence that changes everything:
“But the word of God grew and multiplied.”

That truth is just as relevant for us today. No matter how loud the world gets, how dark the news may seem, or how uncertain the future feels, God’s Word is still active, living, and advancing. While headlines are written to grab attention, the Word of God is written to transform lives. Unlike the temporary stories of today, it will never fade away. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

That verse reminds me to check what I’m filling up on. Am I feeding on fear from the latest headlines or world conflict or am I growing in faith from God’s eternal Word? Am I more fluent in news articles or Scripture? The difference matters because what fills us eventually shapes us and overflows into our conversations, attitudes, and daily choices.

If you’ve been feeling anxious or overwhelmed by what’s happening in the world, here are some ways to start giving more space to God’s Word:

1. Balance the intake.
Before you scroll the news or social media in the morning, open your Bible first, even if it’s just one chapter. Ask God to speak to you before the world does.

2. Let Scripture shape your speech.
Commit to sharing God’s truth in conversations instead of echoing fear or frustration. When someone brings up bad news, respond with a promise from God’s Word.

3. Keep Scripture visible.
Write down one verse from your daily reading and place it where you’ll see it often like on your mirror, dashboard, or phone lock screen. Let it speak louder than the headlines.

4. Encourage someone with God’s Word.
Send a verse or short encouragement to a friend or co-worker. Help multiply the Word by sowing it into someone else’s day.

Today I want to encourage you to hold fast to the truth that God’s Word continues, even when the world around you feels unstable. Headlines will come and go, and stories will fade, but His Word stands forever. It doesn’t just survive the chaos, it grows and multiplies in it. So let your heart be rooted in something unshakable. Feed on the Word. Speak life and carry the good news wherever you go.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 12:20-24

20Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.

21So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.

22And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

23Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.

24But the word of God grew and multiplied.

 Journal:

• What have I been giving the most attention to lately, world news or God’s Word?
• How can I make room for Scripture to grow and multiply in my life this week?

No Fear

_{And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.  Acts 12:6}

For years, I’ve struggled with sleeping soundly. When it comes time to go to bed each night, I often have difficulty falling asleep. Part of it, I believe, stems from years of working the overnight shift.  It seems like my body has never fully adjusted back to a normal sleeping rhythm. But another reason is that I have trouble mentally shutting down. When I lay down, my thoughts are still running a million miles an hour.

Often, after tossing and turning for a while, I’ll start quoting Scripture in my heart or thanking God for the rest He promises to those He loves (see Psalm 127:2). That usually helps me shift my focus to turn to peace and rest, but if I wake up in the middle of the night, the cycle often starts all over again.

I know this isn’t God’s best for me. He designed my body to rest, to unplug, and be restored through the night. I believe it’s His plan and the way He designed me, and you. Our bodies were made to sleep in peace, not in worry or restlessness. So why do I still wrestle with it?

In today’s reading from Acts 12, we find Peter in an impossible situation. He’s chained between two guards, behind locked doors, and scheduled for execution the next morning. If anyone had a reason to stay awake all night, it was Peter. Yet the passage says he was sleeping.

No fear. No panic. No plotting or bargaining. Just sleep.

Peter had such peace because his trust wasn’t in the guards, the court system, or even a last-minute rescue. His confidence was in God. He knew that whether he was rescued or received into heaven, he was held by the Lord. That kind of peace doesn’t come from perfect circumstances, it comes from knowing and trusting Who holds your life.

This passage reminds me that I don’t have to carry every burden to bed. I can lay it down with full assurance that my Father sees, knows, and is already working in all my circumstances something good. Even when things feel beyond my control, they’re never beyond His.

His desire is for you to rest too.  If you are in a season of restlessness or carrying a heavy load of care, He has peace for you. He has rest available, not just physical rest, but deep stillness that quiets any chaos you may have in your mind and heart. Jesus promised, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). That invitation is still open. You don’t have to be perfect to receive it. You don’t have to solve everything before you sleep. All He asks is that you come. Let Him lift what’s weighing you down and replace it with peace that guards your heart and mind.

Here are some ways you can start resting in that same peace:

1. Commit your worries to God before bed.
Take a few minutes each night to tell God what’s on your heart. Don’t carry it alone. Pray something like, “Father, I give this to You. I know You’re still working while I rest.”

2. Meditate on His promises.
When anxiety rises, rehearse the truth. Find a few key Scriptures about peace, rest, and God’s protection. Read them before bed and speak them out loud. Try starting with:

• Psalm 4:8 – “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
• Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

3. Create a nightly wind-down routine.
Unplug from screens, lower the lights, and choose something calming before bed. Read a psalm, journal a prayer, or play worship music.

4. Trust God with the outcome.
Peter could sleep because he had fully surrendered to God’s plan. You can do the same. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up, it means trusting the One who sees the full picture. Say, “God, You’re in control, and I choose to rest in You tonight.”

Today I want to encourage you to remember that you don’t have to fear what tomorrow holds or stay up trying to solve everything in your mind. You have a heavenly Father who never sleeps or slumbers (Psalm 121:4). He watches over you, even while you rest. He is working while you sleep, and He is faithful to carry you through every care and concern. So tonight, lay your head down in peace. Let His presence quiet your heart and His promises settle your mind. You are safe in His hands.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Acts 12:6-19

6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.

15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.

19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Journal:

• What thoughts or worries are keeping me up at night?
• What promises of God can I hold onto before bed to help me rest in peace and trust?

Covered in Grace

“And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” ~ Genesis 3:21

Genesis 3 is where we read about the fall of man, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered the world. But tucked inside this chapter of heartbreak is a beautiful picture of grace. After Adam and Eve failed, hid, and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves, God came looking for them. He didn’t ignore their sin, but He didn’t abandon them either. Instead, He made garments from animal skins to clothe them, covering their shame with His care and provision.

This verse always touches something deep in me. Recently, in my own life, I too felt exposed and ashamed after a setback I experienced, one I blamed on a personal shortcoming. I felt insecure in my worth and uncertain if I had missed God’s path, or if He even still had a purpose for me. I tried to “cover” my mess with a packed schedule, over-performing, and acting like everything was fine. But deep down, I felt like Adam and Eve, hiding, hoping no one would see how far I had fallen short.

It was during a quiet moment in prayer with my heavenly Father that I remembered His response to Adam and Eve. He didn’t leave them in their shame. Like a loving Father, He covered them. That word “covered” was everything to me. It reminded me that God’s response to failure isn’t rejection; it’s redemption. He covers us, not because we deserve it, but because He is full of love and empowering grace.

That’s not all He did that day in the garden. God didn’t just clothe them, He made a promise. Right there in the middle of judgment, He revealed a plan to take care of sin once and for all. He would one day send His only Son to pay the price, so His family could walk in freedom again. That moment was the first whisper of the Gospel. The enemy would strike, but the Savior would crush his head. From the very beginning, God’s response to sin wasn’t just punishment—it was provision. A covering, a promise, and a Redeemer.

Maybe you feel that way too, like you’ve messed up too much, wandered too far, or disappointed God too deeply. Maybe you’re still trying to “sew fig leaves” by hiding behind performance, perfectionism, or self-protection. But God sees you. And He still comes close. He still covers. Not with leaves, but with something far greater, His own righteousness through Jesus.

Here are some practical ways you can begin walking in this truth:

1. Stop hiding—start talking to God.
   When you mess up, don’t run away from God. Run to Him. Be honest in prayer and trust that His grace is greater than your guilt.
   Write a short prayer confessing your struggle or shame. Invite God into it and ask Him to cover you with His love.
2. Let go of false coverings.
   Fig leaves might look like perfectionism, control, or denial. Identify what you’ve been using to “cover” your flaws and exchange it for God’s grace.
   Say aloud: “I don’t have to hide. God sees me and still chooses to cover me.”
3. Receive His forgiveness daily.
   Grace is not a one-time gift, it’s daily bread. Let God remind you that you are forgiven, loved, and not defined by your past.
   Each morning, say: “I am covered by God’s grace today. I walk in forgiveness and freedom.”
4. Cover others with grace.
   Just like God covered Adam and Eve, we’re called to extend grace to others. Be quick to forgive, slow to judge, and ready to love, especially those who are hurting.
   Today: Reach out to someone who may be walking through shame or regret. Offer a kind word, prayer, or just your presence.

Today I want to encourage you to stop hiding and start receiving. Your mistakes don’t disqualify you from God’s love, they invite you to experience it more deeply. He doesn’t leave you in your shame. He covers you in His mercy. You are not defined by what went wrong; you are defined by the One who made it right. Let Him clothe you in grace today and trust that the plan He made in the garden still covers you now.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 3

1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.

3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.

9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.

15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

16 Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”

17 And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.

18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains.

19 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”

20 Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.

21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

22 Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!”

23 So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.

24 After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Journal Prompt:

• Where am I still trying to cover my own shame or failure?
• What would it look like to fully receive God’s covering grace in that area?

Formed and filled with purpose

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. ~ Genesis 2:7

Genesis 2 gives us a personal, up-close look at how God creates. Unlike the broad strokes of Genesis 1, this chapter zooms in to show how intentionally God formed Adam from the dust and breathed His own life into him. This isn’t random or distant, this is hands-on, purposeful, and filled with care.

I’ll never forget the first time I truly grasped that God didn’t just make me, He formed me. It was at a time that I was feeling deeply insecure, questioning whether I had anything unique to offer. I felt like everyone else had life all figured out while I was still waiting for clarity. During that time, I was reminded of this passage in Genesis chapter 2. It was then that I realized that God didn’t mass-produce people. He formed Adam, breath by breath, detail by detail.

He took His time sculpting every part of that first man, carefully shaping a creation that was both unique and deeply personal. And when He did, He also set in motion a pattern, ensuring that each individual who came after would be made with the same personal touch. That includes you and me. He formed us so He could know us, walk with us, and work through us.

That realization changed how I saw myself. I wasn’t created by chance. I was shaped with intention, breathed on with divine purpose. Even when I couldn’t see how all the pieces of my life fit together, I could trust the One who formed me knew exactly what He was doing.

The same is true for you, too.  You are unique and special too.  Your heavenly Father gave you gifts and abilities that no one else has.  He wants a close, daily relationship with you and has made a way for you to walk with Him through whatever you go through in life. Maybe right now you feel overlooked, uncertain about your direction, or like you’re just going through the motions. Maybe your life feels more like dust than destiny. But you can be assured today that the same God who formed Adam is still forming, still breathing, still working in you.

God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s shaping you in the quiet. He’s breathing strength into you even when you feel weak. He sees your potential even when you can’t see progress.

Here is how you can begin living with purpose through this truth:

1. Spend time with your Creator daily.
   Set aside time to just be with God, whether that’s through prayer, reading His Word, or journaling. This reconnects you with the One who formed you.

Pick a time each day (even 10 minutes) to read one chapter of the Bible and ask, “God, what are You forming in me today?”

2. Speak truth over your identity.
   Stop rehearsing lies that you’re not enough or don’t have a purpose. Replace them with God’s truth. Say out loud: “I am formed by God. I have His breath in me. I am here on purpose.”
3. Embrace the season you’re in.
   Growth takes time. Just like Adam had to walk in the garden before fulfilling his purpose, you may be in a season of being shaped before being sent. Trust that this time is part of your preparation.

Write down what you feel God might be shaping in your life right now.  For example: patience, trust, courage? Thank Him for what He’s building in you.

4. Look for ways to give life to others.
   You were formed and filled so you can pour out. Encourage someone else this week, speak words of life, or offer help where you see a need.

Today I want to encourageyou to remember that you are not forgotten, random, or without direction. You were formed by the hands of a loving God and filled with His very breath. That means your life has meaning right now, even if the full picture isn’t clear yet. Trust the process, walk with the One who made you, and rest in the truth that He never creates without purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 2

1 So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed.

2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.

3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

4 This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

5 neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil.

6 Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land.

7 Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

8 Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. 9 The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10 A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches.

11 The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found. 12 The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. 13The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush.

14 The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates.

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.

16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—

17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one.

20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.

21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening.

22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”

24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.

Journal:

• Where in my life do I need to remember that I’ve been formed by God and filled with His breath?
• What is one step I can take this week to walk in that truth?

Faith filled Words

Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. ~ Genesis 1:3

Genesis 1 is more than just the story of creation, it’s a picture of God’s power to bring beauty, order, and purpose out of chaos. Verse 3, “Let there be light,” has always stood out to me. It was the first spoken word recorded in Scripture. Before the sun, before the moon, before anything else God simply spoke the word by faith, and light broke through the darkness.

There was a time in my life not too long ago that felt  like formless chaos. I had just walked away from something I deeply cared about, unsure of what was next. My thoughts were scattered, my confidence shaken, and my world felt dim. One morning, during my bible reading and prayer time, I opened to Genesis 1. It was a passage I had read countless times before, but this time, it hit differently. I read, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep.” That’s exactly how I felt. Then came the words, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light.’”

Right there, I realized something important: God doesn’t wait until everything is in order to speak into our lives. He speaks into the mess. Into the confusion. Into the dark. And when He does, light shows up.

Maybe you are going through a season in your life that fills void and lifeless.  Maybe you are up against a time of emptiness with no purpose.  If that is you today, be encouraged because the same God who by faith spoke the world into existence, wants to speak meaning and purpose into your existence.

Here are some practical ways you can experience that God’s light in your life:

1. Invite God to speak into your chaos.
   Don’t wait for everything to settle down before you seek Him. Ask Him right now to speak into the place that feels dark or empty. Write a simple prayer: “God, speak into my life today. Shine Your light where I can’t see.”
2. Start your day with His Word.
   Just as God began creation by speaking the words, begin your day by listening. Even reading one verse or a short passage opens your heart to His direction. Let His truth be the first voice you hear each morning.
3. Trust that He’s creating something good, even if you can’t see it yet.
   Creation happened in stages. God didn’t form everything at once. He took time and shaped each part with purpose. Your life may still be in the early “formless” stages, but He’s working.
4. Speak light over your situation.
   Follow God’s example. Speak words of faith, hope, and truth over yourself and your circumstances. Say, “God is not finished with me. Light is coming. Purpose is being formed.”

Today I want to encourage you that if God can speak light into literal darkness and shape a world through His faith filled words, He can speak into your situation to bring life, too. Whatever feels empty, void, or unseen, He sees it. He’s not done creating beauty in your life. So start fresh today. Open your heart, let Him speak, and watch what begins to take shape.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 1

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”

And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”

7 And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens.

8 God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.

9 Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened.

10 God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened.

12 The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

13 And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day.

14 Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.

15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened.

16 God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.

17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth,

18 to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.

20 Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.”

21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

22 Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

23 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.

24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened.

25 God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

29 Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.

30 And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.

31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

Journal:

• Where in my life do I feel empty, dark, or unsure?
• Write out a prayer asking God to speak into that area and then listen.
• What might He be saying? Write it down.