Thursday, August 31st: Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
We need to examine ourselves, judging our sinful behaviour by the standards God sets forth in His Word.  If we do that, if we recognize our sin and call it what it is, if we repent from our sin, actively putting it to death in our lives, relying on the purifying grace only possible through the blood of Christ and His body broken on our behalf - only then will we avoid the wrath of God.

We need to take our sin seriously.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 135-136; 1 Corinthians 12

Wednesday, August 30th: Psalm 129-131, 1 Corinthians 11: 1-16 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

When reading our portion today from the New Testament, I wasn't sure what to make of it and how to apply this to my Christian walk today. When I looked further, the verses that stood out to me were found in verses 11 and 12

1 Corinthians 11: 11-12
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

The last part of this portion stood out to me... "but everything comes from God"

The portion of scripture tells me that at the end of the day, we are to honour and listen to God, above all else, for everything comes from Him, He is central.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Tuesday, August 29th: Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33 ~Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

It's a simple one today. With the thousands upon thousands of self-help books out there and the millions of products offering us happiness, the answer is stated simply in Psalms 128:1. As believers, we must not overcomplicate it and keep sharing our secret with the world (and each other when we forget!)

How happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Monday, August 28th: Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

Psalm 124
1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
let Israel say—
2 If the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us,
3 then they would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger against us.
4 Then the water would have engulfed us;
the torrent would have swept over us;
5 the raging water would have swept over us.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s net;
the net is torn, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The Lord is on our side.

What an incredible statement.

There is no reason for this.  We have done nothing to warrant His loyalty to us.  In fact, we have done everything to warrant His vengeance and wrath.

And yet......

He extends us mercy.  Grace.  Love.  Faithfulness.

And He fights for us.
He is on our side.
He rescues us.
He redeems us.
He clothes us in the righteousness of His Son, which is the only way it is even possible for Him to be in relationship with us.

Simply. amazing.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Sunday, August 27th: Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:22‬

When we are sharing the gospel with people who have endured hardships, we shouldn't brag about how we haven't had as many as them but rather we should share and relate with them so that they know they can take part in the gospel too. Always get down on their level, that way they will be more interested and possibly come to accept Christ into their own lives.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

Saturday, August 26th: Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8

Psalm 119 always reminds me how vitally important the Bible is to our spiritual regeneration into new life, and our continued growth as believers.

And I am thankful for this blog, that keeps me reading His Word, and not just reading it, but thinking about it, and sharing our insights or things God has convicted us of, with each other.

I pray for an ever increasing desire to know Him more, to hunger for His Word, to seek wisdom between it's pages, and to pattern my life after what God says and not by what the world says or by what I feel.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

Friday, August 25th : Psalms 119:1-88; 1Corinthians 7:20-40 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

Today's reading in Psalms 119 provides sound advice for anyone and everyone.  For me, the verses that stood were ones that spoke about and provided guidance for living a pure life.

"How can a young person stay on the path of purity?  By living according to your word."  Psalms 119:9
10 

Seems pretty straight forward.  If we live according to the Bible, we stay on the path of purity.  But how do we stay on that path when everyday we are tempted to please our selfish desires?  The verses that followed verse 9 provided some insight on that:

We need to seek Him (vs 10)

We need to cherish God's truth in our heat (vs 11)

We need to be willing to learn (vs 33)

We need to gain understanding (34)

We need to let the Lord direct us (35)

We need to turn our heart towards His laws (36)

We need to turn our eyes from things of this world (37)

I really like verse 59 below, as it provides a hope for us when we implement the steps (and others) above:

"I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes."  

So encouraging to know that God will empower us so that we can stay on the path of purity!  

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8

Thursday, August 24th : Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Psalm 116:12-14

How can I repay the Lord
for all the good he has done for me?
I will take the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
We can't repay God for what He has done for us. That's not possible.  And He certainly doesn't need anything from us.

But that doesn't mean our response is useless or immaterial.  Or that there's no acceptable response.  Indeed the only acceptable response to God's amazing gift of grace and mercy is accepting that free mercy and grace, being obedient, and being thankful.

That is a response that brings honour and glory to Him!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40

Wednesday, August 23rd: Psalms 113-115, 1 Corinthians 6 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms113-115, 1 Corinthians 6

Psalm 114: 3-8
The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back;
the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.
Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?
Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs?
Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,  who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

These verses represent some of the miracles God performed for the Israelites as they made their way out of Egypt to the promised land. They also show how easily God can do things that look impossible to us.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

1 Corinthians 6: 18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

We see so many sexual sins around us today, and many families have been damaged. This is another reminder to us of the importance of living our lives the way God wants, and not giving in to sinful desires.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Tuesday, August 22: Psalms 110-112; 1 Corinthians 5 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 110-112, 1 Corinthians 5

The whole chapter of 1 Corinthians led me to dig deeper into what Paul was saying. I found this message from John Piper on this chapter that speaks about the role of the church when another believer is actively living a sinful, unrepentant life. Here is one excerpt from the message:

Toleration of Sin Is Sinful 

I think it should give us great pause—even shock us—that the diagnosis of the problem at Corinth is exactly the opposite from the diagnosis in many churches today. Today when discipline doesn't happen the diagnosis is often that we are too humble to discipline a person: Who are we to point our finger? Who are we to judge? Who are we to cast the first stone? And so a supposed humility is made the basis of tolerance of impenitent immorality in the church.

On the other hand, today if a church does follow through on discipline it is often diagnosed as coming straight from pharisaical pride. Indignation at sin is often portrayed as a cloak for insecurity and a veil over the Pharisees' own sexual temptations. A kind of "holier-than-thou" attitude is said to be the basis of the indignation and arrogance is said to be the basis of the excommunication.

Now that may be true. But does it give you pause and make you think hard and examine your hearts (it did me) when you read in verse 2 that Paul's diagnosis of the problem at Corinth was exactly the opposite? There, arrogance was the basis of tolerance, and broken-hearted humility should have been the basis of excommunication.

He said, "You have become arrogant." People in the church were actually boasting in this immorality. Now how could that be? What kind of theology would give rise to boasting in immorality? We have seen it in Paul's letters elsewhere. It says, "Let us sin that grace may abound" (Rom. 3:8; 6:1). So it's a theology that misunderstands the power of grace, and turns it into license. It's a theology that misunderstands freedom and uses it as "an opportunity for the flesh" (Gal. 5:13), and says (as they were saying at Corinth) "all things are lawful for me" (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23). And so they were boasting in their freedom and in the tolerance of grace. Pride was the basis of sinful toleration not pharisaical judgment.

How often does our pride stand in the way of true sister/brotherhood in Christ? It's way more comfortable to point fingers at non-believers and try to hold them accountable to our beliefs than to get vulnerable and humble holding other believers accountable the way that Paul is instructing us in todays reading.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms113-115, 1 Corinthians 6

Monday, August 21st: Psalm 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalm 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4

I love the way the writer explains in Psalm 107 that no distance is too far for the love of God to reach. It doesn't matter if you wander away from God, or get put in jail because of your rebellious actions, or spend your life drinking, when we call to God, He is there. No one is too "bad" for God to love.

"Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord." Psalm 107:43

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 110-112; 1 Corinthians 5

Sunday, August 20th: Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3

“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,” - Psalms‬ ‭105:5‬

Remember all He has done for us. The miracles that have brought us happiness, and the judgements that have shaped us into the people we are now. All of His works are wonderful and work for us for the good. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4

Saturday, August 19th: Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2

Psalm 103:3-5
He forgives all your iniquity;
he heals all your diseases.
He redeems your life from the Pit;
he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.
He satisfies you with good things;
your youth is renewed like the eagle.
He forgives ALL our iniquity.

This grace is amazing.
It is limitless.  
There is no sin it cannot cover.
The very idea that Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness is almost impossible for us to grasp.  And yet He did.

He redeemed my life from the pit.  And He doesn't stop there.  He crowns me with faithful love and compassion.  He satisfies me with good things.  He renews me.

This is amazing grace.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3

Friday, August 18th: Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1

"He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:8

Perseverance comes to my mind when reading this verse.  If we remain true in our commitment to God, He will keep us firm.  We do not know the day when we will be called home to be with our Lord, so we need to live every moment of every day as if its our last.

How often do we hear the losing team say that they played a solid 50 minutes in a 60 minute game?  They just need to learn to play the entire 60 minutes in order to win.

It would feel great to have lived a blameless day when the Lord does return.  It would not feel so great to be caught during a "50 minute game" performance.  I pray that my desires would be put aside and that I would ground myself in the Lord Jesus Christ.   

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2

Thursday, August 17th: Psalms 97-99; Romans 16 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 97-99; Romans 16

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites.  They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.
Matthew Henry's concise commentary says this (emphasis mine)......
How earnest, how endearing are these exhortations! Whatever differs from the sound doctrine of the Scriptures, opens a door to divisions and offences. If truth be forsaken, unity and peace will not last long. Many call Christ, Master and Lord, who are far from serving him. But they serve their carnal, sensual, worldly interests. They corrupt the head by deceiving the heart; perverting the judgments by winding themselves into the affections. We have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. It has been the common policy of seducers to set upon those who are softened by convictions. A pliable temper is good when under good guidance, otherwise it may be easily led astray. Be so wise as not to be deceived, yet so simple as not to be deceivers. The blessing the apostle expects from God, is victory over Satan. This includes all designs and devices of Satan against souls, to defile, disturb, and destroy them; all his attempts to keep us from the peace of heaven here, and the possession of heaven hereafter. When Satan seems to prevail, and we are ready to give up all as lost, then will the God of peace interpose in our behalf. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet a little while. If the grace of Christ be with us, who can prevail against us?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1

Wednesday, August 16th: Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33

Psalms 96:10 

Say among the nations: “The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.
He judges the peoples fairly.”
This verse says a lot!

He is Lord.

He reigns.

He is King of all Kings.

He is Creator.

He is Sustainer.

He is Judge.

He is Just.

And He must be heralded to the nations!  That's where we come in. Are we saying this among the nations?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 97-99; Romans 16

Tuesday, August 15, Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13

You who sit down in the High God’s presence,

    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,

Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.

    I trust in you and I’m safe!” 

That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,

    shields you from deadly hazards.

His huge outstretched arms protect you—

    under them you’re perfectly safe;

    his arms fend off all harm.     

Psalm 91 The Message 

What a beautiful picture David paints in this Psalm. God is our Protector and Refuge - but in order to experience this fully we have to sit down in His presence! We have to spend the night in His shadow and trust that He will keep us safe.

How often are we racing around in the night of our lives worried, anxious and scared when all we need to do is curl up in Shaddai's shadow and trust His outstretched arms will fend off all harm.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33

Monday, August 14th: Psalms 89-90; Romans 14 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 89-90; Romans 14


Romans 14:13, 15, 19 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.....For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.... So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.
There are some things in the Bible that are very black and white (for ex - the Ten Commandments), and then there are some areas that are unclear (infant baptism vs believers baptism) or even left as matters of conscience (for ex - whether or not to drink any alcohol).  And then there is the fact that we are all works in progress, and that the Holy Spirit continues to work on us, layer after layer, convicting and continuing the process of sanctification.

We do not see people's hearts.  God alone does that.

We are not anyone's conscience. The Holy Spirit is.

We do not know people's pasts and the reasons behind their struggles and decisions.  God does.

We need to be humble enough to acknowledge that, in matters where the Bible is unclear, our personal convictions may not be the same as someone else's and that's ok. In fact, we may not even always be right! (Gasp!)

We need to be patient with new and/or "immature" believers, and allow them grace on their journey as the Holy Spirit continues to work in their hearts.

We must never advise someone to go against their conscience.

We need to love.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13

Sunday, August 13th: Psalms 87-88; Romans 13 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 87-88; Romans 13

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:11-12‬

Everyday is one day closer to the day Jesus will return. We need to live as though He is coming back today, because He might be.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 89-90; Romans 14

Saturday, August 12th: Psalms 84-86; Romans 12 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 84-86; Romans 12

Psalm 84:7b “My whole source of joy is in you.”
God is not just a source of joy, He is THE source of joy, our WHOLE source of joy.

He is sufficient.  He is enough.

Yes, there are other things that bring us joy, but ultimately, if it came down to it, He alone would be sufficient.  Thankfully, He graciously desires to give us more things that bring us joy - but He is the source of them all anyway.

He created us with a longing for relationship.  But none of our relationships will bring us the joy He intended without Him as the centre, and without being in close relationship with Him.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 87-88; Romans 13

Friday, August 11th: Psalms 81-83; Romans 11:19-36 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 81-83; Romans 11:19-36

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable His judgements, and His paths beyond tracing out!  Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been His counselor?  Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?  For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever!  Amen"  Romans 11:33-36

Todays reading ends by an outpouring of Paul's praise to God, whose wisdom and knowledge brought about His great plan for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles.  Paul understands how great and awesome God is and that all things proceed from God, are made by Him, exist for His glory, and are carried out for His purpose; all according to His plan.

Do I have the same understanding and appreciation for God that Paul has?  Do I truly give God the glory that He deserves?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 84-86; Romans 12

Thursday, August 10th: Psalms 79-80; Romans 11:1-18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 79-80; Romans 11:1-18

Romans 11:6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.

Our salvation is either by grace of by works - it cannot be both, and if it is not one then it is the other.

Thanks be to God, it is by grace!  

That's easy to believe when we're walking the right path, when we're trying to do the right thing. But it's truly tested when we fail, when we mess up, when we wonder if grace could ever possibly be big enough.

It is.  God's grace is big enough to cover all our sin.  Hallelujah, what a Saviour!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Psalms 81-83; Romans 11:19-36

Wednesday, August 9th: Psalms 77-78; Romans 10 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 77-78; Romans 10

Romans 10:14-15  How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
This passage does not only apply to missionaries who go off to far away places to preach the good news.  We are all called to missionaries - whether it's to the people across the street, across the city, or across the globe.

We always need to be ready to share the good news!

And we should not just wait passively until a shining opportune moment is laid at our feet.  No!  We should not only be actively looking for opportunities, but creating them as well.  Our news is the best news of all, and if we truly believe it, we must share it!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 79-80; Romans 11:1-18

Tuesday, August 8th; Psalms 74-76; Romans 9:16-33 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 74-76; Romans 9:16-33

Psalm 75

1 We praise you, God,
    we praise you, for your Name is near;
    people tell of your wonderful deeds.

2 You say, “I choose the appointed time;
    it is I who judge with equity.
3 When the earth and all its people quake,
    it is I who hold its pillars firm

The start of Psalm 75 is so beautiful as a follow up to Psalm 74. As the whole chapter of Psalm 74, David is calling out for God to stop His foes and show His Power. David shares how he is not seeing any signs from God at all and calling God to defend Himself! And then he starts off Psalm 75  in praise. Full faith and praise that God's timing, power and being is perfect. In fact, he carries on praising God all through Chapter 75.

A great truth that praise and faith go hand in hand always! Especially when we feel helpless and far away from God. Going back to what we KNOW is true and praise Him for it. The only way to feel peace and hope in those dry and scary times.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 77-78; Romans 10

Monday, August 7th: Psalm 72-73; Romans 9:1-15 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalm 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

This verse explains the power we have when we rely on God for strength. When it says "my flesh and heart" that refers to a whole man, his body and his soul. So when the whole body fails, our human strength has run out, whether that be through sickness, health, sorrow or any other weakness. On our own, we are helpless once our flesh and heart have failed.

But it doesn't end there. When we are exhausted and our bodies are failing, God gives us a strength that gives us life, joy, and endless peace in even the hardest of situations. In circumstances when fear and doubt should be overpowering us, God's love surrounds us and keeps us alive. But not only that, this power that God gives us will satisfy us to the core everyday. No source of happiness from any earthly friend, or from fame or wealth will give us the joy and strength that is in Jesus.

This verse has a poetic feel to it by the way in which it was written. The second part of the sentence is inverted and the word "heart" is mentioned first, instead of second. This is because of the importance of how God takes the weaknesses we have and transforms us from the inside out. Starting with the heart. Once He has given us the strength in our heart, on the inside, His joy will last with us forever.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 74-76; Romans 9:16-33

Sunday, August 6th: Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬

Whenever we are losing hope and can't find the light at the end of the tunnel, we can trust in God and His promises. Because we love Him, everything will work out for the good. He has a plan for us, we don't have to be afraid.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

Saturday, August 5th: Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21

Psalm 68:2b-3 As wax melts before the fire,
so the wicked are destroyed before God.
But the righteous are glad;
they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy.

There are only two options - the wicked will be destroyed while the righteous will rejoice before God - which will you choose?

Psalm 68:18a
Come near to me

It is amazing to me that this prayer is answerable.  Our God, Creator God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Almighty God - He desires relationship with us, sinners all.  

Unmerited grace.  

Amazing grace.  

Relationship restored.  

Thank you Jesus!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39

Friday, August 4th: Psalms 66-67; Romans 7 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalms 66-67; Romans 7


"For you, God, tested us; your refined us like silver.  You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.  You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."     Psalms 66:10-12

This part of todays reading stood out to me.  Just before these verses, the writer was praising God for His awesome deeds and power.  Then the writer changes gears and speaks about how God lead them to a path of distress.

From one point of view, a time of distress can constitute a testing of God's people as to their loyalty and trust in Him.  When we are tested, we have the choice of attempting it on our own (which will ultimately lead to failure) or we can stand firm by putting our faith where it needs to be; in God.

When a precious metal is being refined, the metal needs to be heated up.  It is only when the metal is exposed to heat that the impurities can be separated.  We too are like a precious metal and need to be exposed to difficult times in order to remove our impure thoughts and desires.

I pray that during and after the difficult times that I would be able to praise God as this writer did, and to also have the desire to tell others for what He has done for me. (vs 16)  

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21

Thursday, August 3rd: Psalms 63-65; Romans 6 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 63-65; Romans 6

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is one of the most popular memory verses, and part of the Roman Road gospel message.  

The wages of sin is death.  We are all sinners - every last one of us (aside from Jesus, of course!).  And we all deserve death, the wages for our sin.  When it comes to salvation, it doesn't matter if our "worst" sin was murder or jealousy, our sin costs us eternity.  

But thanks be to God, who gives us, at great cost to Himself, the gift of eternal life through the birth, perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

It's a gift so underserving.  But it's not free.  The cost was the life of the Son of God Himself.  And when we accept this amazing grace, we too need to count the cost.  There is a cost to following Jesus while living in a world determined to live in rebellion against Him. Being a Christian isn't just about a get our of hell free card.  It's about following Jesus as Lord of every single part of our lives, taking up our cross daily, pursuing holiness and sanctification as He continues His work in us.   

The gift is priceless, and the cost is worth it!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 66-67; Romans 7

Wednesday, August 2nd: Psalms 60-62, Romans 5 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalm 60-62; Romans 5

Psalm 60:11
Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless

Only God can truly help us, asking and relying on human help is truly worthless in the long run.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Romans 5: 6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When I think about this passage, and I've done this before over the years when reading this, I think about which people in my life I would actually give my life for. The honest answer is some family and some friends.

This honest (and pathetic) answer shows the massive difference between a person like me, and our saviour Jesus Christ. He loves all of us, including sinners like myself, enough to give His life for us. What an amazing thing He did for us! Why wouldn't I then want to do my best for Him?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 63-65; Romans 6

Tuesday, August 1st: Psalm 57-59; Romans 4 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Psalm 57-59; Romans 4

19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.Romans 4:19-21

This passage convicted me to explore how often do I let my human shortcomings impact my faith in God? I pray that I can walk through seemingly impossible situations and have my faith strengthened and never weakened, but "fully convinced" of God's power and faithfulness.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 60-62; Romans 5