In the Word Daily - Day 3 (08/31/2011)

Here's today's reading journal...

Genesis 3-4:16

• The serpent/shining-one was of higher intelligence than any creature God had made. Note: is it always "serpent" or is it sometimes "shining" or "luminous"? Lots of Biblical scholarship to point towards the idea that it wasn't quite the reptilian beasty we often think of. But, I digress...
• He contradicts God's clear command and judgment, confounding Eve in the process.
• Since all the other "edible" trees in the garden looked good, Eve just now sees - "Oh, yeah - this tree and its fruit look good too!"
• Adam was apparently right there, or nearby when Eve gave him the fruit; Adam didn't even question "What's for dinner, honey?"
• They suddenly had an awareness of themselves, and were ashamed (unlike in the previous chapter).
• God calls, they're afraid, God confronts.
• The blame game - down the chain it goes; the curses come back up the chain. We see the proto-evangel as soon as the curse is pronounced!
• Animals died to clothe them - God provided!
• Tree of Life blocked - apparently had been reserved to keep them alive forever.
• Cain and Abel are born of their parents.
• Cain is a farmer, Abel is a shepherd. Each presents his offering to the Lord.
• The Lord looks favorably upon Abel's offering, but not on Cain's; Cain is upset and despondent.
• The Lord tells Cain to do what is right, that sin was waiting to defeat him.
• Cain acts on his jealousy and kills his brother; God confronts him.
• God cuts off his relationship with Cain and condemns him to be a wanderer (nomad?) the rest of his life. Cain is afraid that he will be killed by others (?). Where are the others? Cain's wife?

1 Chronicles 3

• David's progeny - he seemed to have no problems with a bunch o' wives. Yikes.
• The kings of Judah: [David], Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah.
• David's line after the split.

John 1:35-51

• John the forerunner directed his disciples to Jesus as the Lamb of God; Jesus questions their motivations.
• Andrew bring his brother Cephas to Jesus; Jesus prophesies his (Cephas/Peter) place in the kingdom.
• Jesus calls Philip; Philip finds Nathaniel, who is skeptical; Jesus embraces Nathaniel's honesty and prophesies to him; Nathaniel believes and Jesus says, wait until you see what's ahead!

James 1:19-27

• Quick to hear, slow to speak and get angry. Our anger isn't useful for God's work.
• Let the word do its work in you.
• Listening to the word and not obeying shows self-deceit; keep looking at the law of freedom.
• Our tongues betray our wickedness; remember those who are without provision and protection.

Psalm 3

• Enemies attack and mock trust in God.
• He trusts in God for protection and encouragement, and God answers.
• He can rest fearlessly because God protects him.
• He enjoins God to show his power and wrath, and acknowledges God as the source of salvation.

In the Word Daily - Day 2 (08/30/2011)

I'm moving my daily word journal over to the blog vs. what The City offered. The City doesn't allow you to create drafts of journal entries, and I'd rather not post an incomplete journal (it goes "live" at that point) and then edit it later. So, back to trusty blogger to post my journal entries.

Genesis 2

• God ceased his active creative work in the world - it was what he intended. He declared that final day blessed.
• No vegetation to speak of on the land in question. Watering by artesian means, not regular precipitation cycle.
• Man from mud. He didn't become truly alive until God breathed into him.
• God purposely cultivated a garden (Eden) in the east (also rendered 'ancient') where he put man.
• He put every tree that looked good and was good for eating. The tree of life was in the exact middle of the garden, but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was there as well.
• A stream/river (headwaters) of 4 rivers flowed from the garden. The rivers, where they flow, and what is found in those lands. Cush is in Africa - how far did these rivers run, and how could they run these diverse directions?
• God put man in the garden to work and watch over it.
• Every tree was good for eating, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (the day you eat of it, you die).
• It wasn't good for man to be alone - God formed the creatures for Adam. Adam named/called (classified?) them. No animal would do for Adam's compliment.
• The Lord took something from the man, made something better (a woman) and brought her to the man. Adam breaks out into poetry!
• Husband and wife re-join to echo that God had made them from one flesh.
• They were nekked and they were OK with that!

1 Chronicles 2

• Israel's genealogy.
• 11 generations between Israel and David.
• Funny names - serious genealogies!
• People, their families, and whole groups/tribes.

John 1:19-34

• John the forerunner wasn't the the prophet, Elijah, or the Messiah - he made the way for him.
• John wasn't even worthy of untying the Messiah's sandals.
• Jesus is the lamb of God - taking away the sins of the world.
• John was born before Jesus, yet he testified that Jesus came before him.
• John proclaims Jesus as the son of God.
• God clued John in - the one the Spirit rests upon baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

James 1:12-18

• We're blessed when we pass tests in life - we get the crown of life.
• God doesn't tempt/test us to sin. We sin because we want to. Sin brings death.
• Everything good comes from the immutably perfect and good God.
• God made His choice to make us the firstfruits by the new birth via His message of truth.

Psalm 2

• The nations/world want to be free from God's anointed ruler.
• God scoffs at their puny rebellion. He will stop at nothing to subject the nations to the rulership of His son.
• Listen, rulers of the earth - if you want to have a good life, pay homage to God and His son!