There have been so many times I've said, "Somewhere in the Bible it says . . ." and every time I do that, I think to myself, I need to read the entire Bible again.
Well, 2019 is the year I'm finally doing it.
I posted the picture above on my Instagram story and am pumped that I have some people taking this journey with me. This particular Bible is in chronological order, has journaling space in the margins, has illustrated verses for you to color if you want and is only $20! It's a bargain, man! If you want to buy yourself one, I'll include the link at the bottom of this blog.
I'm still mulling this over, but I think I will share regularly here on the blog what I'm learning as I read and will talk about it semi-daily on Instagram. So if you want to join us on this adventure and process what you're reading with me and others, I'll also include my IG link at the end of the blog.
These first 4 days we've read Genesis 1-14 and 1 Chronicles 1: creation, the first sin, Cain & Abel, Noah & the flood, the tower of Babel, and the first part of Abraham's story. That's a lot of ground to cover, so I'm just going to give you a few succinct bullets, and you can dive in deeper if you choose.
As I read the accounts of creation, Noah's flood and God's directive to Abraham to leave his home to go to a "land [God] will show [him]", I am struck by God's meticulous plans. He has a well-thought-out plan, reveals it to us systematically, and then implements it in his perfect timing. He is a God of order and does nothing haphazardly or impulsively. He is not driven by emotion. He doesn't usually reveal the entire plan at one time, but I feel like this is for our sanity and protection. He has a plan; it is good; He will reveal what we need to know when we need to know it, and He will help us along the way. If we can remember that, we can have peace in the unknown because it IS known. By God.
It is imperative that we get God's character settled down deep in our bones. The enemy is able to deceive Eve when he calls God's goodness into question. If Eve had already decided that God was trustworthy, good, all-knowing, wise and for her, she wouldn't have been such easy prey for the serpent. As people who say we believe in God, we are wise to know exactly who He is, find scripture to back that up, and settle on never letting anything make us doubt that truth.
Our ways are impotent, small and only lead to more pain. God's are powerful, effective and freeing. After their sin, Adam and Eve try to cover themselves and hide in shame. God makes them expose their shame and lovingly covers it, forgives them and protects them. The people of Babel try to hole up and build a name for themselves. God scatters them across the land so they can find true fulfillment by building a name for Him. Abram tries to save himself by deceiving the Pharaoh and giving up Sarai to him. God rescues Sarai and sends her and Abram on their way into their promised land safe and sound. Abram could have lost his world if God wouldn't have stepped in. So often we see a need or have a problem or come up with a good idea and simply run with it because it makes sense to us. The issue? We see about 1/100th of the full picture. I'm praying this year we can stick close to God so we are following His best ways instead of stumbling along trying to figure out a "good" way from our limited perspective.
God has shown us so much in just the first 4 days of committing to be in His word. Between those pages is where He speaks the loudest sometimes. Come on over to my IG and join us as we listen for His personal word in our personal times with Him.
Love to you!
~Misti
Instagram: @misti_gil