Tag: Genesis

July 22, 2025

July 22nd, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 47

Highlight Verse:

“So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the famine was so severe, and soon all the land belonged to Pharaoh.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭47‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I work for a major corporation.

Like most major corporations, it has some policies that I don’t necessarily agree with.

There are times when I question whether I should be doing my best to help the corporation make the best profits possible.

When you read today’s chapter, you must realize there were things that Pharaoh stood for that were contrary to Joseph’s values.

That didn’t stop Joseph from using his wisdom and leadership skills to help solidify Pharaoh’s power in Egypt.

In that generation, Joseph’s family prospered as a result.

My influence on my employer’s profits can’t be compared to Joseph’s.

Nonetheless, I have been a key player in keeping one of our largest customers in this area.

I continue doing my best for my employer, not for the purpose of profits but so people will see my faith in my work and be drawn toward Jesus.

How does your faith affect how you approach your work?
Have you had people ask you what motivates you to do your best?
How do you answer?
July 1, 2025

July 1st, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 42-43

Highlight Verse:

““Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭43‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is so much in this verse that made me say,

“Wait – what!?”

First, the household manager used language used many times in the Bible.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Jesus said it several times. So did some of the prophets.

The term implies that God was about to do something big – and He did.

Second, the household manager reflected the effects of Jesus.

He brought forgiveness to his brothers and eventually, to the whole world.

He also provided abundantly for the brothers to eat and celebrate.

Finally, the effects were immediate.

God didn’t wait for the brother’s to be a death’s doorstep. He welcomed them to their new lives.

The brothers reaped the benefits of that miraculous forgiveness right away, not just as they exited this world.

You and I are the spiritual heirs of the brothers.

Through God’s forgiveness, we receive that miraculous forgiveness and step into the provision of God.

Have you ever felt like you had to bargain with God for His forgiveness?
Were you surprised when you found out that God was and is on your side?
June 3, 2025

June 3rd, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 37

Highlight Verse:

“When they had been gone for some time, Jacob said to Joseph, “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Get ready, and I will send you to them.” “I’m ready to go,” Joseph replied.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joseph had his faults.

If he wasn’t downright arrogant, he certainly didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.

But for all his faults, he had one characteristic that served him well throughout his life.

He was willing to serve.

When his father asked him to go to his brothers, he didn’t hesitate.

If he was wiser in the ways of the world, especially when it came to jealous siblings, maybe he would have hesitated.

But he didn’t.

That willing attitude went a long way toward putting him in a position to save his people.

But that’s getting ahead of the story. More in coming weeks.

Has your willingness to serve ever served you?
Have you seen an unwilling attitude hurt those who held that attitude?

One simple example from my life:
When Covid hit, several of us technicians were asked if we would be willing to be reassigned. I volunteered.
I like to say I spent the next 8 months in the hospital (I worked in the print room).
After several months of Covid, layoffs came since they could no longer keep paying people for not working (people weren’t using their copiers so we weren’t needed to maintain them).
None of us who were willing to work different jobs were laid off.
March 11, 2025

March 11th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you ever wondered if people in the Old Testament could be redeemed by Jesus’s sacrifice, here’s your answer.

Think about that. People who have never heard the Name of Jesus can receive God’s forgiveness on the basis of their belief.

They may not have known the name of the Messiah, but they trusted in His coming and the redemption He would bring.

Mind you, that is not the same as all religions leading to heaven. Salvation comes through Jesus alone. More on that another day.

Does knowing that people in the Old Testament could receive God’s grace change your perspective on the Old Testament at all?
Who else in the Old Testament do you think trusted God for salvation by grace?
January 23, 2025

January 23rd, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 4

Highlight Verse:

“Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In case you didn’t read the previous verses, the context here is when God promised to make Abraham’s descendants numerous, despite the fact that he was 100 years old and childless.

That’s faith!

And Abraham’s faith grew stronger in the midst of that impossible challenge.

Can you imagine the feeling when Isaac was born?

The promise was beginning to be fulfilled.

God’s promises are still valid today.

Through His grace,

God has made us capable of the same kind of faith.

What does that kind of faith look like for you?
Is there an impossible promise that you are believing for?
January 21, 2025

January 21st, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 4

Highlight Verse:

“So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first thing I noticed in this chapter was that Cain would speak with God face to face.

In fact, God initiated that contact to confront Cain about murdering Abel.

But God did not banish him, at least not in any of the translations I read.

God states the fact that Cain is banished but phrases it in such a way that it appears that the blood-soaked ground and Cain’s act itself has banished Cain.

Cain tries to say that God has banished Him when it was Cain himself who initiated the banishment through murder.

I get the sense that God is doing everything He can to restore His relationship with Cain.

But he won’t do that without Cain’s consent.

Have you given God permission to confront you with your poor judgement?
How do you react when God asks you to confess and turn around?
January 14, 2025

January 14th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 2-3

Highlight Verse:

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

God has been covering mankind’s sin since Adam and Eve.

This verse bears witness to the very first animal sacrifice.

The eating of meat came soon afterwards.

So, while the methods shifted, this verse shows how God has been saving us from our sin since the very beginning.

He covered Adam and Eve with the skins from the first sacrifice.

Later, He covered our sin with the sacrifice of His only Son.

What kind of love does it take to make such sacrifices consistently from the beginning of time?
Does the consistency of God’s love inspire you to love Him back?
January 6, 2025

January 6th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 1

Highlight Verse:

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the basics of theology is the concept of the Trinity. That is – one God in three parts, the Father, the Son – Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

John introduces us to the Trinity right off the bat.

The “Word” is Jesus (see verse 14).

John makes it clear in the first couple verses that, not only was Jesus God’s Son, but he was also God and integral in creation.

In verse 32, John introduces the Holy Spirit.

John makes it clear that all three exist both integral to each other and distinct from each other.

It may be difficult to comprehend. John doesn’t explain it further.

But as you read through the rest of the New Testament, the concept becomes clearer.

How easy or difficult is it for you to understand the concept of the Trinity?
Does it help you to realize that Jesus, who loved you enough to die for you, helped create the whole universe?
New Year’s Eve, 2024

December 31st, 2024
Introduction to Walk in the Light Bible Study, 2025-26

Reading – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Highlight Verse:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was on Times Square on this day in 1992/93.

At three in the afternoon.

There’s no way I wanted to be in the middle of a million people to ring in the new year.

I did spend midnight with a few good friends as we encouraged each other into new beginnings.

That’s kind of what this Bible Study is about.

We are a group of people who encourage each other as we seek to get to know God and His Word better.

If you are new here, let me give you a little primer:

We are on a two-year journey through the Bible.

That journey is split up into different sections for each day of the week as follows:
- Sunday – Old Testament Poetry Books.
- Monday – Gospels through Acts.
- Tuesday – Pentateuch (1st five books of the Bible).
- Wednesday – Old Testament History Books.
- Thursday – New Testament Letters through Revelations.
- Friday – Old Testament Prophets.
- Saturday – Open Topic – Scriptures and devotions relevant to the current season or events.
The readings and devotions are posted by 12:05am Mountain Time each day at the Walk in the Light Bible Study Group on Facebook and at WITLBible.com.
Comments and discussions are welcome and encouraged on the Facebook page. (Please follow rules in the “about” section).

Two month reading lists and study guides as well as bookmarks are available to download on the website.

This Bible Study is not affiliated with any one local church. While the majority of the members are from Colorado (where I live), there are members and website followers from around the globe.

The devotions are written from a Bible believing Christian perspective, but we welcome members from all faiths, as long as participation is respectful. The rules apply equally to all participants.

If you have any questions or you would like to write some of the devotions, feel free to message me on Facebook.

May your New Year be overflowing with blessings and growth!
- Richard
June 8, 2024

June 8th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2

Highlight Verse:

“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.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is wedding day for my daughter Hannah so

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Many would say that the story of Eve coming literally from Adam’s rib was a literal historical account.

I’d say, God could create people however He wanted to and I’m fine with that.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

For one thing, none of us would be here if they didn’t have kids.

Though God could have created another way for humans to procreate.

Instead, He made us male and female so that we could raise kids and live life in partnership.

We give each other companionship.

We encourage each other.

We keep each other from doing stupid things(or at least try).

We pour our lives into our children.

Most importantly, we show each other love.

God could have created us however He wanted to, but He chose to make us in His image.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

There is much more I could write about this subject regarding those called to be single or the problems with “pride.” I haven’t forgotten those aspects, but I chose to celebrate marriage today.

If you are married, how many years have you been married (10 for us)?
What secrets can you share for a long happy marriage?

Tag: Genesis

There are times when I question whether I should be doing my best to help the corporation make the best profits possible.

That didn’t stop Joseph from using his wisdom and leadership skills to help solidify Pharaoh’s power in Egypt.

I continue doing my best for my employer, not for the purpose of profits but so people will see my faith in my work and be drawn toward Jesus.

“Wait – what!?”

“Don’t be afraid.”

You and I are the spiritual heirs of the brothers.

He was willing to serve.

That willing attitude went a long way toward putting him in a position to save his people.

Think about that. People who have never heard the Name of Jesus can receive God’s forgiveness on the basis of their belief.

Mind you, that is not the same as all religions leading to heaven. Salvation comes through Jesus alone. More on that another day.

That’s faith!

God’s promises are still valid today.

God has made us capable of the same kind of faith.

But God did not banish him, at least not in any of the translations I read.

Cain tries to say that God has banished Him when it was Cain himself who initiated the banishment through murder.

I get the sense that God is doing everything He can to restore His relationship with Cain.

God has been covering mankind’s sin since Adam and Eve.

So, while the methods shifted, this verse shows how God has been saving us from our sin since the very beginning.

John introduces us to the Trinity right off the bat.

It may be difficult to comprehend. John doesn’t explain it further.

But as you read through the rest of the New Testament, the concept becomes clearer.

I was on Times Square on this day in 1992/93.

I did spend midnight with a few good friends as we encouraged each other into new beginnings.

We are a group of people who encourage each other as we seek to get to know God and His Word better.

If you are new here, let me give you a little primer:

May your New Year be overflowing with blessings and growth!

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)