Monthly Study
January 2024In the Beginning
Genesis, Part One
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.—Genesis 1:1
There is probably no more memorable opening line to any book of the Bible. This month, we will read and reflect on the first half of Genesis. We will read about Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the ark, and Abraham and Sarah. This journey will span generations, showing us human weakness, robust faith, and the grace of God. Genesis helps us answer the questions: Where did we come from? Who is God? What went wrong in the world? and What is God doing about it? It is my prayer that through this study, we will:
- Praise God as our Creator and Redeemer
- Reflect on the far-reaching consequences of sin
- Be inspired to live a life of faith and obedience
Your devotional author,
Ryan J. Cook
Volume 37Edition 1
Managing Editor: Jamie Janosz, Senior Editor: Elena Mafter, Contributing Editor: John Koessler, Writer: Ryan Cook, Art Director: Lynn Gabalec, Graphic Designer: Rachel Hutcheson, Marketing: JD Hamby, Production: Rhonda AuYeung
About the Author
Devotional Calendar
Podcasts
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Back to the Basics
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Today marks the beginning of a new year. It is an appropriate time to reflect on the things that are the most important to us.
January 1, 2024
The Image of God
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In 1859, Charles Darwin published his work On the Origin of Species. One of the most controversial arguments Darwin made was that all life had a common descent.
January 2, 2024
Created with Care
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When a building is constructed, the builders start with the foundation. It is essential to get the foundation laid correctly, so it can support everything else.
January 3, 2024
The Big Lie
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What are some of the most powerful weapons in the world today? You might picture aircraft carriers, missiles, or nuclear submarines.
January 4, 2024
Grace in Judgment
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When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, a profound change occurred in the world; things have never been the same since.
January 5, 2024
Worship Wars
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Christians have been notorious for fighting over styles of worship. Contemporary or traditional? Seeker sensitive or confessional?
January 6, 2024
Then He Died
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The Watergate scandal of the 1970s revealed criminal activity and systematic abuse of power from the Nixon administration.
January 7, 2024
All Have Sinned
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Genesis 6:1–8 is one of the most difficult passages to interpret in the Old Testament. The passage describes the “sons of God” intermarrying with the “daughters of humans” (v. 2).
January 8, 2024
Justice and Mercy
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Many people have a skewed perception of God. Some view Him as an angry tyrant waiting for people to step out of line so He can bring judgment.
January 9, 2024
God Remembered
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This past Sunday, a member of our church brought in cinnamon rolls and muffins to celebrate her 60th birthday.
January 10, 2024
Promise Keeper
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I love the start of a new semester. The gradebook is empty; no tests have been given. Even if a student did poorly in their previous class, a new semester provides a fresh start.
January 11, 2024
Among the Nations
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At the Art Institute of Chicago, there is a large painting titled “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” by Georges Seurat. It depicts 19th-century people relaxing by a river.
January 12, 2024
Making a Name for Ourselves
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Biographer William Manchester describes Winston Churchill as one of two or three greatest men of his generation. Apparently, Churchill thought so as well.
January 13, 2024
Go and Be a Blessing
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The first eleven chapters of Genesis read like a tragedy. God created a perfect world, but humans chose to rebel against God and go their own way.
January 14, 2024
Failure in Egypt
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In the ancient world, history was recorded in glowing, positive terms. For example, Assyrian and Egyptian records do not recount any defeats in battle.
January 15, 2024
By Faith, Not By Sight
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If you ask most police officers, their least favorite call to address is a domestic dispute. Conflict between family members can get messy.
January 16, 2024
A Dramatic Rescue
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A good friend will always be there for you. But many of us have that one friend who is in a state of perpetual crisis. We are no longer surprised when we get a message asking for help. That seems to be the case with Abram and Lot.
January 17, 2024
Justified by Faith
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The hymn writer Isaac Watts once wrote, “Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks.” This can be especially true in our relationship with God.
January 18, 2024
An Unbreakable Promise
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How do we know someone will keep a promise? Many rituals have been developed to ensure that people will be faithful to their word. Little children use “pinky swear.”
January 19, 2024
The God Who Sees Me
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Many people live by the motto, “The end justifies the means.” The idea is that if our goal is good, it does not really matter how we achieve it.
January 20, 2024
A New Name
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Imagine if God appeared to you today and gave you a new name. In the Old Testament, Jacob was given the name Israel which meant “struggled with God” (Gen. 32:28).
January 21, 2024
An Unbelievable Promise
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Have you ever been faced something that felt beyond your ability? Maybe you felt so overwhelmed that you gave up without even trying.
January 22, 2024
Bargaining with God
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Have you ever tried to bargain with God? Maybe you were so desperate for His favorable response that you were willing to promise anything.
January 23, 2024
Fire from Heaven
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We tend to become like the people that we surround ourselves with. This can be either good or bad.
January 24, 2024
Here We Go Again
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Have you ever misjudged someone? Many years ago, I started a job as a high school teacher. When I went in to organize my classroom,...
January 25, 2024
A Son Is Born!
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According to the United Nations, about 350,000 babies are born each day. Even though the experience is commonplace, I vividly remember when...
January 26, 2024
Tension in the Household
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A friend of mine needed a heart transplant. As he waited, he shared with me that it was hard for him to pray that he would receive one.
January 27, 2024
God Tested Abraham
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At the end of a semester, teachers often give final exams, which demonstrate what the student learned through the course.
January 28, 2024
Land and a Promise
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Last year 431,322 people applied for asylum in the United States. Of those, about 25,000 people were accepted.
January 29, 2024
Answered Prayer
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One historian estimated that there have been over 100 million love songs published since music began to be recorded.
January 30, 2024
A Life of Faith
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As Abraham’s life comes to an end, we may feel disappointed...there is much we do not know and much left unfinished.
January 31, 2024