Devotions From The Torah . . . A Really Good Series!

I have lately been reading through two books written by Author Nicole Vaughn. They are the first two books in a series called “Devotions From The Torah”

. . . and I was given copies of the following two books:

Devotions from Genesis: It’s Not Just Ancient History

and

Devotions from Exodus Part One: Learning to Live in Freedom

One of the things I like the best about these devotions is that they are not dated, not even by day of the week. I never felt like I was getting behind, and could simply read through as I was able!

I’m primarily going to talk with you about Devotions From Genesis: It’s Not Just Ancient History, as this is the book I have gotten more into depth with during the time I have had both books. 🙂

Here, I will show you the table of contents, because I really would like for you to see how this devotional book is set up for your reading . . .

Section 1: Genesis 1–11:
Discovering the Character of God and
Man through the Creation, the Fall, and
the Flood

Section 2: Genesis 12–36:
Discovering Faith and Obedience through
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Section 3: Genesis 37–50:
Discovering the Comings of Christ and
Trust in the Midst of Trial through the
Life of Joseph

In this wonderful devotional book, author Nicole Vaughn takes us through the book of Genesis, one chapter at a time, and as you will discover in the introduction, she suggests that you read the chapter in your Bible before reading the topic of each day’s devotion. As she has used the New American Standard Bible for all of the scripture quoted in her book, I would have done so anyway, as I use only the King James Version of the Bible. 🙂 That said, I think you can learn a lot through this devotional book, even if like me, you use different version of the Bible than the one quoted in this book. As with any devotional book, you should always have your own Bible open, and look everything up yourself.

One devotion that I particularly liked was based upon Genesis 2:18, which will quote from my Bible:

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him”.

The author goes on to talk about how, after creating all of the plant life, the animals, all of creation, God knew that it wasn’t quite enough, and gave the man a woman to be his wife, his helper. God made the woman from a rib that came out of the man’s side, and in the devotion, the author talks about the importance of this gift from God. Imagine, she was created from a rib out of the man’s side! She was “not taken from his head to rule over him, or be ruled over by him”, nor “taken from his feet to walk all over him or to be walked all over”. No, she was taken from his SIDE, to “complement him, to be his helper, to be his friend”. I think this is important to note, because I hear all the time from people who believe the evangelical position is for the woman to be a doormat. It is not. The husband was given responsibility over his wife, not dominion. There is a HUGE difference, that I wish women (and many men!) of today would see.

Also in this devotion, it is pointed out that God said (in Genesis 2:24) “They shall be one flesh”, which is the first blood covenant recorded.

Our God is a God of covenant. “A covenant is a solid, binding agreement that is made by passing between two pieces of flesh. It supersedes all other relationships and contracts.
It is an unconditional agreement. God created the marriage covenant”.

In this, we see a picture of the trinity, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and we see things that bring us right to the New Testament! n Ephesians, it is taught that the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church.

When God created the woman, he called her a “helper”. In John, Jesus tells the disciples that God will send a helper. That helper is the Holy Spirit.

This is from this wonderful devotion, and shows the picture of the trinity, as well as connecting the Old and New Testaments:

“In a marriage covenant, we have God as the head, we have the husband who is to love as Christ, and we have the wife,the helper”.

Each devotion begins with a scripture, moves on to a reading about the chapter the scripture came from, and ends with a prayer. I found this book to be very thoughtful, and a good, in-depth devotional, but still easily added into my day as I was able.

About the author:

Author Nicole Vaughn is the Children’s Ministry Director at Shiloh Baptist Church in Somerville, AL. She is the co-administrator of CrossRoads Christian Academy. She is the founder of Proven Path Ministries. She has also lead inductive Precept Upon Precept studies, has served as an advocate for her local crisis pregnancy center and has shared the testimony of Christ throughout her community and abroad. Nicole is a woman who is dedicated in her faith, devoted to her family, and driven to share the truth of God with others. She and her husband, Patrick, currently reside in Decatur, AL with their two youngest children.

“Devotions From Genesis: It’s Not Just Ancient History”is available in paperback and Kindle.

“Devotions from Exodus Part One: Learning to Live in Freedom” is available as well in paperback and Kindle format.

As always, I would love it if you joined me on all of “My Journeys Through Life”! Just enter your email information into the “sign me up” button at the top of the blog, and never miss another update! If you enjoy this blog, please also go to our Facebook page and “Like” it! 🙂