PRAY & READ: Week 1 Recap

Seven days down, ninety-three days to go... For those participating in our pray & read plan, be encouraged—don't quit! Our prayer is that this helps you establish a deeper relationship with Jesus and that a love for his word consumes you. Don't forget the prayers, which can be found at the bottom of this email.

We're offering a recap of what we've read each week to encourage everyone along the way. These recaps are not detailed, but designed to be small, while helping us see the big picture of who God is and how he moves.

DAY 1 RECAP
Genesis 1-2 firmly establishes God as creator and sustainer of all things. Notice how he took joy in his creation, especially people, because we were the only thing created in his image. We can learn a lot from God’s original intention for us.

DAY 2 RECAP
Genesis 3. This tragic chapter deals with deception, temptation, sin, shame, blame… but also includes God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. Can you see it in verse 15? Notice God was present in a specific place at a specific time (verse 8). The God who is everywhere desires to manifest somewhere.

DAY 3 RECAP
6:5-7:24 shows us the devastation of sin and it’s consequences—yet even in our wickedness, the Lord covers us with mercy when we’re obedient to him. Noah was the first example of faith—obeying God when it didn’t make sense. Notice God’s covenant with Noah in verse 18 about keeping him and his family safe.

DAY 4 RECAP
Genesis 8:1-9:17. We see the heart of God in this: Even when facing God’s wrath, he spares those who fear him. Notice God’s promise to never destroy everything again came in response to Noah’s worship (verse 20-21). God gave us something we can see in the natural, the rainbow, as the sign of his covenant of mercy.

DAY 5 RECAP
Genesis 11:1-9. We see early on that God opposes the proud. When we try to make a name for ourselves, he is not pleased. We also see the power of unity, no matter the motive (verse 6). Religion is the arrogance to think we can reach God in our own strength, the gospel is the humility of Jesus that has reached us.

DAY 6 RECAP
Genesis 12. This chapter reveals the beginning of God’s plan of redemption. He calls Abram (called the father of our faith) to do something radical, distinguishing a people through which Jesus would come. Notice the Lord appeared to Abram (verse 7)—the God who is everywhere desires to manifest somewhere.

DAY 7 RECAP
Genesis 15. In it we see the Lord’s promise to Abram—your offspring will be as numerous as the stars. That made no sense in the natural, yet Abram believed the Lord. God values faith so much that he counted Abram as righteous because of it.