Every family has issues. Some are obvious, and everyone knows. Others are hidden, but close family members know the dysfunction. Family issues stem from sin ultimately but can also be the products of health and life situations, poor decisions, greed, selfishness, and character flaws. You can’t solve the problems of the world or even your family’s glitches, but you can work on you. You’ll learn about a dysfunctional family in Genesis this week, and as you do, let God work through you to make your family better, not by nagging or being overbearing but by loving unconditionally.
This week you’ll read…
Genesis 25-36: Isaac and Rebekah have their twins, Jacob and Esau. Deceiver Jacob leaves town and eventually goes back toward home with a large family and has a name change. Later, a well-orchestrated massacre happens.
Hosea 9-10: God continues to warn Israel. Is there something from which you should be turning and turning back toward God?
Psalms 7-9: David asks how God could even care about mankind in the midst of the wonders of the heavens. “I look up at Your macro-skies, dark and enormous, Your handmade sky-jewelry, moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do You bother with us? Why take a second look our way?” (Psalm 8 in The Message Bible)
Matthew 13-19: Jesus has much teaching in this section including the parable of the sower. He heals, walks on water, feeds five thousand, and castigates the religious leaders. Peter makes his heavenly declaration, and later he experiences the Transfiguration. Then Jesus encounters the rich young ruler.
- Day 15: Genesis 25-26; Matthew 13
- Day 16: Genesis 27-28; Matthew 14
- Day 17: Genesis 29-30; Psalm 7; Matthew 15
- Day 18: Genesis 31; Psalm 8; Matthew 16
- Day 19: Genesis 32; Psalm 9; Matthew 17
- Day 20: Genesis 33-34; Hosea 9; Matthew 18
- Day 21: Genesis 35-36; Hosea 10; Matthew 19
Daily readings are linked to The Message Bible on BibleGateway.com.
Thoughts on Life and Jesus 