Genesis 9:1 –11:9 ; Psalm 5 ; Matthew 5:21-42 "Tb-20" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Panel Today’s passages contain a wealth of incredible information and biblical principles for us to read, hear, learn, process, assimilate, and apply into the daily practices of our lives. In Genesis 9-11, we read about God’s covenant with Noah after the flood. “God blessed Noah and his sons” (cf., Genesis 9:1). God calls for “fruitfulness and the increase in numbers” of hu

Genesis 8 ; Psalm 4 ; Matthew 5:1-20 "Forest Scene, IV" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Watercolor on Paper Today, in Genesis 8, we observe that, after the flood, “God remembered Noah and all the wild animals that were with him in the ark” (verse 1). Although God forgives and forgets our sin (cf., Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 10:17), He remembers us. He is fully mindful of all His creation. Many people today – if they believe in a flood at all – hold to the silly notion

Genesis 7 ; Proverbs 1:1-7 ; Matthew 4 "Navaho Blanket" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink Print on Paper Today we come to Genesis 7-8, and one of the most important things we can learn from these chapters is that God wants us to trust Him totally – just like Noah did. Yesterday, we saw that “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (cf., 6:22). In today’s passage, this verse is repeated – almost verbatim – “Noah did all that the LORD commanded him” (cf., 7:

Genesis 4:17–6:22 ; Psalm 3 ; Matthew 3 "Ozark Winter" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Watercolor on Paper In Genesis 4:17 – 6:22, we see the family line of Cain and the unfolding of its early consequences. Cain is building a city, and he “names it after his son Enoch” (4:17). This is the record of initial urbanization which gives rise to a whole host of new problems, difficulties, and sins. Right away, we see Lamech’s violation of God’s design for marriage when

Genesis 2:18-4:16 ; Psalm 2 ; Matthew 2 "Still Life with Envelopes" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Pencil on Paper In Genesis 2:18-25, we see God’s declaration that it is “ not good for the man to be alone” (verse 18). This statement was followed by God’s expectation for man to name the animals. Interestingly, God did not intervene in this activity – He allowed Adam the freedom to name the animals whatever he liked. Naming the animals was a systematic exerci

Genesis 1:1–2:17 ; Psalm 1 ; Matthew 1 "Genesis 1," © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Oil on Canvas Happy New Year ! Today we come to 2026 – a new year – and I want to wish you and your loved ones a whole year filled with new beginnings and God’s special blessings. Like last year, we begin this new year with the books of Genesis, Psalms, and Matthew. Genesis is actually God’s first book of revelation in which God discloses His truth about the beginning of everything .

Nehemiah 11:22-13:31 ; Psalm 150 ; Proverbs 31:21-31 ; Revelation 21-22 "Self-Portrait, IV" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Watercolor on Paper Our readings for the year now conclude with Nehemiah 11:22–13:31. Here, we see a list of the rest of the towns in the land and the exiles who settled there. Yesterday, we stated that God is personally concerned about people who make promises , and He does not take that lightly – He holds us accountable for what we say (cf