Snacking on Scripture
The Book of Genesis - Chapter 1
Snacking on Scripture - Day 1
https://roomfordoubt.com/post/why-is-heavens-plural-in-genesis?fbclid=IwAR3WEh_bai8tkbGaFRd-3uhUV8LoPuyFfzkbLXmGtijaHURPVHH75lZhurg
Woohoo - here we go with Day 1 of #snackingonscripture
Genesis 1:1 NIV, NLT & NKJV: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1 KJV: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Notice in the New International Version, New Living Translation, and the New King James Version the word heaven is plural “heavens”. However, in the King James Version it is singular “heaven”.
I wanted to know why?? The snack size answer is that it has to do with the way the word for heaven is translated from the original Hebrew text. Regardless of its singular or plural nature though, it means God created the atmosphere and everything it contains. He is so cool!
Want to read more about heaven vs. heavens? I found a great resource here: https://roomfordoubt.com/.../why-is-heavens-plural-in...
I love this and I hope you do too! If the enemy tries to get in your head today. Remind him who your God is and that He created EVERYTHING (including him by the way). Have a great day friends and feel free to tell your friends about our blog so they an enjoy #snackingonscripture with us!!!
- Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 2
#snackingonscripture - Day 2
Genesis 1:2 KJV
”And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.“
Genesis 1:2 NIV
”Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.“
The other two translations are basically a mixture of these same words so I didn’t include them.
The Mac-Arthur Study Bible commentary for Genesis 1:2 teaches this about the verse: “Without form and void” means not finished in its shape and not yet inhabited by creatures.
Over the next few days we will see how God shapes the earth and fills it with inhabitants but
for today we will stop with an earth situated on its axis just waiting for its maker to breathe the rest of creation into existence.
Hope you have a great day, friends. I’m going to leave you with these lyrics from Hillsong United’s “So Will I (100 Billion X)”…
“God of creation
There at the start
Before the beginning of time
With no point of reference
You spoke to the dark
And fleshed out the wonder of light
And as You speak
A hundred billion galaxies are born
In the vapour of Your breath the planets form
If the stars were made to worship, so will I”
If the enemy comes knocking on the door of your heart today, sing that verse to him and let’s keep #snackingonscripture
- Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 3
#snackingonscripture - Day 3
“Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.”
Genesis 1:3-5 NLT
My favorite thing about today’s scripture is the sheer power of God that’s on display in these words. I mean, “God said”, and what He said…it happened in an instant, without delay. How often does that happen for you? Sometimes, I speak and speak and speak and speak, run out of breath and speak some more, and it still never happens. Truly I say to you I am nothing without God - my Creator, my Shelter, my Father.
Happy Monday Friends!! If the enemy tries to deceive you with lies today, remind him who your Father is then remind yourself of the power
and magnitude of your Heavenly Father. Ask Him to help you overcome whatever the enemy is trying to tear you down with today. Tell Him you believe all He needs to do is speak a word over your situation…because you know the power of His words.
Thanks for #snackingonscripture with me today, hope you have a good one!
-Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 4
Day 4
“Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.”
Genesis 1:6-8 NKJV
Firmament, a.k.a Heaven. Some translations use the word vault and the Strongs Concordance also defines firmament as an expanse or visible arch of the sky.
I found a great video of Pastor Allen Nolan from Cornerstone Fellowship explaining the firmament. If you have time, give it a listen. https://youtu.be/7WnlvM9wi78?si=gsVp0oZGgDd4cyfg
God’s mighty power is displayed in every act of creation. I stand in awe of His power and His love for us. If you are feeling unlovable today, remember your Father loves you. Allow yourself to be loved by Him, after all you are His creation too.
Hope you have a great day friends, thanks for #snackingonscripture with me!
- Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 5
#snackingonscripture - Day 5
“Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:9-10 NKJV
This is the second time in 10 verses that God looked at His work and, “saw that it was good.”The first time was back in verse 4 when he made light. Have you ever made something or completed a task and when you were finished you saw that it was good? Typically, a smile accompanies that thought when I have it. I like to envision God smiling as He looks upon His work and sees that it is good.
Today, I want us to snack on the fact that the Bible says WE are God’s masterpiece. He crafted each of us in the same meticulous fashion with which he made dry land appear
and gave the oceans their boundaries. When you think about God today, I want you to picture Him smiling as He looks at you and sees that what He created you to be is good.
Here’s your virtual hug friends! I hope this #snackingonscripture fills your cup today and helps you remember how much God loves you! Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and encourage them to like and follow our Focused On Faith page so they can join our snack size fun!
- Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 6
#snackingonscripture - Day 6
“Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.”
Genesis 1:11-13 NIV
In just 3 days, God has created heavens, earth, seas, dry land, light, and now trees and vegetation. Look beyond the obvious and think about all of the elements He has set into motion to make gravity, to ensure the earth rotates on its axis, and to create “dry land” conducive to the growth of vegetation.
Today, let’s remember that our one true God is a
God of detail and precision. When you are facing disappointment in this life, think about how God is interested in the details. Talk through your disappointments with Him. He cares for you and not just for the big things but for the tiny details too.
Hope you’re having a good day, friends!! I hope you are loving hanging out and #snackingonscripture together.
-Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 7
#snackingonscripture - Day 7
“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”
Genesis 1:14-19 NKJV
You may recall that the Strongs Concordance defines “firmament” as the visible arch of the sky. We know that the earth rotates on its axis
situated in the atmosphere at just the right distance from the sun to allow it to heat and light the earth. This very heat and light creates an environment in which humans, animals, and vegetation can survive and even thrive. As I write this post today, I am off work for inclement weather due to Ice. Winter is my least favorite of the earth’s positions with regard to the sun. Some days it feels like the sun has been hidden for weeks underneath the dark and thick clouds that hang above me.
Do you ever feel this distance in your walk with God? I know I have. Perhaps that’s why you started reading these posts in the first place. Perhaps a fear of that distance is why I started writing them. I can tell you with certainty that everytime I have felt God was distant from me, it’s simply because I wasn’t looking for Him. Remember friends, He is right there with you. Regardless of whether it has has been weeks, months, or years since you have called upon Him, He’s there. He is waiting in love, never forceful, just waiting for you to call out to Him. Call upon Him today. Just tell Him that you love Him and you miss Him and don’t forget to tell Him that you need Him. Our lungs do not even take in oxygen lest He commands it. We need Him every hour of every second of every day!
I have had a great first week of #snackingonscripture with you and I hope you are enjoying it too.
-Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 8
#snackingonscripture - Day 8
Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
Genesis 1:20-23 NKJV
Notice at the end of this creation day, God speaks a blessing over His creation, …And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply…” I love reading those words, “God blessed _____________” (fill in the blank). How has God
blessed you lately? I think He blesses me daily in many things I take for granted…waking up, breathing, a heartbeat, etc. Many times though, when we are caught up in the rat race of life, it’s hard to believe that God is speaking a blessing over our lives. Lord, when the storms of life roar around us, let us settle into your peace and remember the blessings that You are speaking over us daily.
Thanks for hanging out with me today and #snackingonscripture. Love ya, friends!
-Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 9
#snackingonscripture - Day 9
“Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:24-25 NKJV
You may have noticed that we didn’t get to the end of the sixth day of creation, that’s because (spoiler alert), God creates man next. I want to post the creation of man separate from all the other work God accomplished on day 6…because we all have a vested interest in the details of human creation. Regardless of our differences, human, is one thing we share in common. As for today’s scripture snack - it’s hard for me to imagine, “…everything that creeps on the earth…” as GOOD. If you have
read my book, How To Just Give It To God, you know about my battle with scorpions. GOOD is not a word I would use to describe them, they rank right up there with spiders and snakes in my opinion. But remember, the fall of man hasn’t occurred yet and at this time, God saw it was good. The curse upon all creation is rough some days, I know I sure feel it…but our hope in Jesus and a reunion with our Father God in heaven someday will set everything back in order, like a rewind to when “it was good.” Still, my version of heaven doesn’t include scorpions and it will only be by God’s power that I am able to live in harmony with them!!
Thanks for hanging out with me today and #snackingonscripture and if you haven’t already done so, pick up your copy of “How To Just Give It To God” today from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Just in case you’re curious, I wrote about the scorpions in chapter 6. It’s okay to start there if you want!
-Jodi
Snacking on Scripture - Day 10
#snackingonscripture - Day 10
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.””
Genesis 1:26-28 NKJV
Remember we are continuing with the sixth day of creation today. The day God created man. If you have ever wondered what God looks like, here is your answer - He looks human!! How do we know? Because we read that God created
man in His image. He made us look like Him. Also interesting to note here, is how God refers to “Our image” instead of “my image.” This is because God is triune in nature, He is God (the Father), Jesus a.k.a. The Word (the Son), and Spirit (the Holy Spirit). God creates male and female then ends this portion of day 6 with a blessing for them to be fruitful and multiply, He also gave the humans dominion over all other things He created.
Thanks for hanging out with me today and #snackingonscripture - we will close out the sixth day of creation tomorrow because I promised to keep these snack size. Remember to tell God how much you love Him today and don’t forget to listen as He whispers it back to you!
Snacking on Scripture - Day 11
#snackingonscripture - Day 11
“And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
Genesis 1:29-31 NKJV