Tuesday, October 31st: Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1

Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.
There are, unfortunately, people like this within the church today.  Anyone can claim to be a Christian.  But we can say one thing and mean another.  Or we can say one thing but not even understand what we're saying.  There are definitely people who claim to be Christians, that are not.

But this is also a good reminder for those of us who are genuine believers. Do our lives reflect what we say we believe?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 24-26; Titus 2

Monday, October 30th: Jeremiah 20-21; 2 Timothy 4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 20-21; 2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
We need to be ready to preach the word.  No matter what we're doing or who we're with, we need to be prepared to share the good news.  It is not enough to just live out our faith and hope that someone asks us about tit.  They're not going to catch the gospel message through osmosis.  We need to say something!

In order to say something it is helpful to know a little bit about what we're talking about.  Now, that doesn't mean we need to wait until we're reknowned Biblical scholars in order to share the gospel.  But it does mean that we should put a little effort into knowing what we profess to believer.  And in the meantime, keep professing it!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1

Sunday, October 29th: Jeremiah 18-19; 2 Timothy 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 18-19; 2 Timothy 3

“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”‭‭ - 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:12‬

This verse is a reminder that you’re not alone in your faith, and your struggles. But you will only suffer a short time on this earth compared to the eternity you will live in paradise with Jesus. So don’t lose hope, and encourage your brothers and sisters in the faith. Jesus is coming soon.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 20-21; 2 Timothy 4

Saturday, October 28th: Jeremiah 15-17; 2 Timothy 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 15-17; 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:11-13

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
My Life Application Bible says...
This is probably an early Christian hymn. God is faithful to his children. Although we may suffer great hardships here, God promises that someday we will live eternally with him. What will this involve? It means believers will live in Christ's kingdom, and that we will share in the administration of that kingdom. This truth comforted Paul as he went through suffering and death. Are you facing hardships? Don't turn away from God - he promises you a wonderful future with him......

Jesus is faithful. he will stay by our side even when we have endured so much that we seem to have no faith left. We may be faithless at times, but Jesus is faithful to his promise to be with us "to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) Refusing Christ's help will break our communication with God, but he will never turn his back on us even though we may turn our backs on him. 

What comforting truths!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:   Jeremiah 18-19; 2 Timothy 3

Friday, October 27th: Jeremiah 12-14, 2 Timothy 1 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 12-14; 2 Timothy 1

"So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God."  2 Timothy 1:8

Being a Christ follower does not mean an easy life; Paul wrote this letter to Timothy at a time when he was lonely and experiencing hard times for himself.  Timothy too, was no stranger to hard times as he struggled with a lack of confidence, while the Christian community was experiencing an increase in persecution and false teachers, which resulted in a deterioration of moral standards.

Paul was confident that eternal life awaited him through Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death.  When hard times strike us, our only source of comfort and hope is in Christ alone.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 15-17; 2 Timothy 2

Thursday, October 26th: Jeremiah 6-8; 1 Timothy 5 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 6-8; 1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5: 1-2 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
We are quick to treat people as less than people.  Particularly over the internet!  But sitting behind every keyboard is a real live person.  And every person we deal with - whether online, or in person; whether the business man or the garbage man; whether the doctor or the janitor - is a human, created in God's image, just like you and I.

I like how Paul reminds Timothy about how he is to think about those he encounters.  That older man IS someone's dad.  That young girl IS someone's sister or daughter.  That older woman is someone's mom or grandma.

You can tell a lot about someone by how they treat those who are in "inferior" positions.

How do you and I treat those people?  What does it say about us?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Jeremiah 9-11; 1 Timothy 6

Wednesday, October 25th: Jeremiah 6-8, 1 Timothy 5 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Jeremiah 6-8; 1 Timothy 5

Jeremiah 6:12
Their houses will be turned over to others, together with their fields and their wives, when I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land,” declares the Lord

What an awful punishment, to have your home and the people you love the most, taken away from you and given to someone else. The Israelites had recieved many chances to change and live for God again, but rather chose to live for themselves, and now received this punishment. We too are given many chances, but one day those chances will stop, it's time now for change and to live the way God wants.

Jeremiah 7:23
but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 6-8; 1 Timothy 5

Tuesday, October 24th; Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4

12 Therefore, go and give this message to Israel.[b] This is what the Lord says:

“O Israel, my faithless people,
    come home to me again,
for I am merciful.
    I will not be angry with you forever.
13 Only acknowledge your guilt.
    Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God
and committed adultery against him
    by worshiping idols under every green tree.
Confess that you refused to listen to my voice.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!

Jeremiah 3:12-13

Even back in the Old Testament, we see that God desires a relationship with us. Confess and return. God wants to be close to us and our sinful choices keep us from him. He's not waiting to point His finger in judgement to "catch us doing something wrong" so he can happily discipline us. He's a loving Father that just wants us to stop hurting ourselves and draw near to Him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 6-8; 1 Timothy 5

Monday, October 23rd: Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Though this verse is clearly speaking to Jeremiah and affirming his call as a prophet to the nation, the first part of the verse, the famous part of the verse, is still applicable to us.

God did form us in the womb.
God knew us in the womb.
God set us apart in the womb.

He does have a plan for us.  He created us each individually and with great love.  He has given us a purpose.  And that is to glorify Him where He has placed us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4

Sunday, October 22nd: Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

“The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.”‭‭ - Isaiah‬ ‭65:1

God is always there. When we choose to go our own path, He waits for us, ready to take us back at any time. He calls our names and waits for us to return to Him. And every time He welcomes us back with open arms. He is always there, always welcoming, always loving, and always waiting for our return. What a loving, patient God we serve.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3

Saturday, October 21st: Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

It can be easy for those of us who have been believers as long as we can remember to become proud of faith to the point that we forget that our sin nailed Jesus to the cross just as assuredly as any one else's!  Christ came to die to save sinners - to save me.  I am a sinner, and it would do me well not to forget that.

The danger of forgetting the grace God has shown us is that it can cause us to be less than gracious to those around us.  We can easily shift into an attitude of superiority and forget that "there but for the grace of God go we".  Just because I was blessed with Christian parents doesn't mean that I am better than someone who was not so fortunate.  Just because I didn't live a lifetime of rebellion before surrendering to Christ does not make me better than someone born into a non-believing family who never had the opportunity to hear about Christ as a child. 

I am a sinner.  We all are.  And thanks be to God, He has provided salvation for all who call on His name.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

Friday, October 20th: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3

"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.  But your
iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.  For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt.  Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things."  Isaiah 59:1-3

As I was reading this passage, it was comforting in being reminded that our God never leaves us.  He hears all our requests, and He will always keep us in His grasp.  

It's our iniquities that drift us away from God, and it's God's gift of forgiveness that bridges us back.  It's our hands that are stained with blood, and it's Jesus who washes us white as snow.  It's our sinful actions and words that make us guilty, and it's Jesus who redeems us. It's not in our power or what we can do, it's what HE can do!  

2 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1

Thursday, October 19th: Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.
There is no such thing as absolute truth in our culture anymore.  Your truth is whatever you want it to be, whatever you want to believe, as long as it doesn't interfere with my beliefs.

Not so for the Christian.  We must stake our doctrine on the Bible.  God's Word must be our foundation or we too will find ourselves shifting on the instability and corruptness around us. God's opinion is the only one that matters!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3

Wednesday, October 18th: Isaiah 53 - 55, 2 Thessalonians 1 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 53 - 55, 2 Thessalonians 1

Isaiah 55: 6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon

Verse 6 caught my attention, we are to seek the Lord while he may be found and call on him while he is near. We don't have forever to get our lives in order and then follow God, we need to make that decision now and stick with it.

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2 Thessalonians 1: 6
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

We don't need to worry about giving pay back to anyone, God will take care of that. But we should also remember that we need to seek forgiveness and make things right with those we've troubled. Often it's more fun to look at ourselves as victims, but we also are offenders at times and therefore need to make things right.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

Tuesday, October 17th: Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 5 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Isaiah 50-52-1 Thessalonians 5

Isaiah 51:1-3 stood out for me today as a reminder that God is faithful!! I found this Bible study on the passage here. A great reminder to listen, remember God's past faithfulness and trust that God can use one person (who loves HIM) to accomplish His plans.

(Isa 51:1-3) Listen: the LORD's past faithfulness is a promise of future blessing.

Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him. For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

a. Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness: The LORD here speaks to His people; but His people have had trouble listening to Him. So three times in this chapter, the exhortation is given: Listen to Me.

b. Look to the rock from which you were hewn … Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you: God counsels His people to look at His work in His people in days past. This is one of the great glories of God's Word to us; it tells us how God has dealt with His people, and gives us faith and guidance for His work in our lives - if we will listen to Him.

i. As Isaiah speaks to them here, God's people were in a discouraged place. They felt defeated, and the prophet tells them to look to God's work in and through His people in days past.

ii. "Once a Christian gets eaten up with discouragement and unbelief it takes a great deal to shake him out of it. Those two emotions are the masterstrokes of Satan. So long as the child of God maintains an attitude of praise and trust in the Lord, then he is invincible. Once the devil gets him discouraged, that poor man in really going to take a knocking!" (Redpath)

c. For I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him: Abraham was one man, from one simple family. Yet God called him alone, and increased him. This should remind His people today that God does not need many people to do a great work. He can bless and increase one man alone. Isaiah wanted God's people - in view here are the returning exiles from Babylon, and those of Israel's ultimate regathering - to not be discouraged of their small numbers, but realize that just as He did great things with Abraham and Sarah, He can do great things through them.

d. Remembering Abraham and Sarah should give them hope for this promise: For the LORD will comfort Zion … He will make her wilderness like Eden … Joy and gladness will be found in it. The promise seems too good to be true, but by faithfully remembering God's work in people like Abraham and Sarah, they would have the faith to believe God's promise to them today.

i. This shows how we can benefit through God's work in the lives of others. When we hear of what God has done and is doing in the lives of others, it can build our faith for God's work in our own lives.

ii. He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD reminds us that though these promises had a near fulfillment in the return from Babylon's captivity, their ultimate fulfillment is in a regathered, blessed, and saved Israel in the millennium.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 53-55, 2 Thessalonians 1

Monday, October 16th: Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
Though in the intensity of grief these words could seem trite, in truth they are a lifeline to grasp onto. I do not know how people can face death without the hope that we have.  That is a grief too large to comprehend.  I am so very thankful that we have this hope, this assurance.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Isaiah 50-52-1 Thessalonians 5

Sunday, October 15th: Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3

“I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.” - ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45:7‬

God creates our paths, He plans our lives. He blesses us with good times and bad times. He knows what He is doing and He is in ultimate control over our lives. How comforting is that, knowing that our Creator, who cares and loves for us so much, is the One who plans our paths and is in control of our lives. Yet, for some reason, our small, foolish selves, want to go our own way and make our own paths. Really? Do we really think our sinful, small, human selves can create a better plan that the all-knowing, all-powerful, Creator of the universe? It sounds pretty silly when you think about it.

Let’s make a point to follow what the Lord has planned for us today, and stop questioning the things that God has for us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4

Saturday, October 14th: Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:13 This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.
This is what our attitude is to be towards the Bible.  We must receive it as God's literal voice to us and apply it to our lives!

The Bible IS God's revelation of Himself to us.  How we perceive the Bible is critical to the way we live out our faith.

And again - constantly thanking God, constantly praying. Prayer is vital to our faith and yet it is something that so many Christians, myself included, struggle to do well, or to do consistently.  Let's make it a priority today and every day!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3

Friday, October 13: Isaiah 41-42; 1 Thessalonians 1 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 41-42; 1 Thessalonians 1

It's a scary world we live in. People are killed attending a concert. Hurricanes, wild fires, and floods destroy homes and take lives, It would appear that people can't even walk down the street without the possibility of someone attempting to hurt them. It's hard to imagine all of this happening in our world just in the last couple of weeks.

In these times of chaos and uncertainty, what a comfort these verses are:

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

This is, of course, easier said than done. However, to know that God is with us no matter what our circumstance is comforting. Our reactions during times of chaos may lead others to seek out the peace that believers have knowing that God is in control.

May we strive to receive a message this this:

 6 and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. 7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith[c] in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,

In times of trial, may we seek to be imitators of Christ, put Him first despite opposition, an example in words and deeds to those around us, and spread the message of hope to all.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2

Thursday, October 12th: Isaiah 39-40; Colossians 4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 39-40; Colossians 4

Isaiah 40:12-14
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?
Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure
or weighed the mountains on a balance
and the hills on the scales?
13 Who has directed[f] the Spirit of the Lord,
or who gave him counsel?
14 Who did he consult?
Who gave him understanding
and taught him the paths of justice?
Who taught him knowledge
and showed him the way of understanding?

This section reminded me of the passage in Job where God speaks to Job, reminding him of exactly who God is.  Who are we, that this awesome God is mindful of us?  Truly His love is amazing.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

This is something that I need to work on!  Praying more, and making sure my mind doesn't wander while doing so, and being purposeful about thankfulness.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 41-42; 1 Thessalonians 1

Wednesday, October 11th: Isaiah 37 - 38, Colossians 3 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 37-38; Colossians 3

Isaiah 38: 7-8
7 “ ‘This is the Lord ’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: [8] I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.' ” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.

I've read this story before and am blown away by this miracle every time! A sure sign to those then, and us now, that God is supreme and all powerful.


Colossians 3: 1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

A good reminder where our focus needs to be, "on things above". A good reminder for us today.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 39-40; Colossians 4

Tuesday, October 10: Isaiah 34-46; Colossians 2 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is:Isaiah 34-36; Colossians 2

"So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude."  Colossians 2: 6-7

I found this verse so encouraging! It encompasses all we need to do as believers to stay in Christ. He is our truth and our roots! And one of the best ways to do this to to live a life of gratitude. And not just some gratitude - but "overflowing"! What would my prayer time - and life in general - look like if I practiced overflowing gratitude to God?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 37-38; Colossians 3

Monday, October 9th: Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1

It thought it fitting that on today, Thanksgiving Monday (in Canada), one of the headings in our Colossians passage was literally titled Thanksgiving!


Thanksgiving
Colossians 1:3-5 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.
Are people thankful to God because they have heard about my faith in Christ Jesus?
Are people thankful to God because they have heard of the love I have for all the saints because of the hope we have?

Do I live in such a way that it is clear by both word and deed, that I put my hope and faith in Jesus? Do I speak about my faith?  And do I live it out?  Both of those components are vital.

Without love, without living out what I say I believe, my faith looks futile and I look like a hypocrite.

Without giving a reason for my faith and the reason why I live the way I do, the gospel message is lost completely and I'm just another kind person.

Speak the gospel, and live the gospel.  It's not an either or option.  It's both!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Isaiah 34-36; Colossians 2

Sunday, October 8th: Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4

“And the Lord will make his majestic voice heard. He will display the strength of his mighty arm. It will descend with devouring flames, with cloudbursts, thunderstorms, and huge hailstones.” - Isaiah‬ ‭30:30‬

What a powerful God our Lord is! I think we often forget how big and how strong and how majestic our God is. But without Him, there would be no such thing as strength and majesty, because He created it! It makes me take a step back and think about it. The same God who, with one word, can create or destroy this whole universe, lives inside of me and died for me. Knowing I would let Him down countless times, He still did this for me. Wow, what an amazing God we serve. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1

Saturday, October 7th: Isaiah 28-29; Philippians 3 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 28-29; Philippians 3

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Humbly admitting we have not nearly reached the goal, but willing to soldier on in the power of Christ!

May this be our attitude today and every day.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4

Friday, October 6th: Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:4

God is often referred to as a rock, implying that He is the way to stability and safety.  He is a secure place of refuge and is also our protection during the difficult times in our lives.  Because He is our Rock, we can have confidence that we can look to Him for strength and reliability.  He is worthy of all our trust and in Him we will never be shaken.

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing,"  Philippians 2:13-14

Fulfilling His good purpose without grumbling........not that easy.  To be discontent with God's will is an expression of unbelief that prevents one from doing what pleases God.  We need to be intentional in our obedience to God; it cannot be separated from our faith in Him. 

My prayer is that I would be intentional in being obedient to God, and that I would remember that He is our source of security, and that He should be the unshakable foundation in my life.  
 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 28-29; Philippians 3

Thursday, October 5th: Isaiah 23-25; Philippians 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 23-25; Philippians 1

Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I am so thankful for this!  He's not done His work in our lives.

God has saved us from the penalty of sin, and He continues to save us from the power and presence of sin.  That work will continue throughout this life and will only be brought to perfection in eternity.

But we can be sure of this, we can be confident of this, we can be certain of this - His work in us is ongoing, He started it and He will finish it.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2

Wednesday, October 4th: Isaiah 20 - 22, Ephesians 6 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Isaiah 20-22; Ephesians 6


Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.


This verse stood out to me. First, it reminds us to pray in all cercumstances. Do I pray mostly at the beginning and end of each day? Yes I do. Do things happen throughout the day that should cause me to go to prayer? Yes

Secondly, do I pray mostly for myself and for my own family? A good reminder (being alert) to branch out and pray for all those around me.

I have a list of prayer requests and people that I pray for, that I keep on my phone. I pray that I go to this list regularly.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 23-25; Philippians 1

Tuesday, October 3rd: Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33

The last verse in our Ephesians passage stood out for me today: 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

I love how this verse shows how God made men and women differently. When I first read this verse I wondered if it was because of our different needs, that our partners should give us these things. In other words, one of women's primary needs is love so men should be sure to love his wife unselfishly. While men's primary need is respect so women should be intentional on giving respect to her husband.

The more I thought of this though, I wonder actually if God is giving us a heads up on what each gender may struggle to give and is spelling this out as a reminder to give things that may not come as naturally to each gender. It may be more natural for men to be respectful than lavishing love, while for women (who are generally more tender) may find it easy to love their men, but may struggle to give them the respect they need.

I suppose the 2 different ways to look at this passage tie closely together and both get us to the same place... Let's be intentional in the way we love and respect our partners!!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 20-22; Ephesians 6

Monday, October 2, 2017: Isaiah 14-16, Ephesians 5:1-16 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 14-16, Ephesians 5:1-16

A few things jumped out for me from the NT passage:
 (Red = Scripture, Blue = my thoughts)

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Children almost always imitate their parents in some way. If you are raised by your parents you will pick up traits from them. As I teacher I often see this clearly during parent/teacher time :) It's that whole "apple doesn't fall far from the tree" saying. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant (noticeable to everyone around you) offering and sacrifice (giving of yourself willingly) to God.

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.(in our society this is becoming so common that generations of kids are being taught that if it feels good to you then it's ok.  4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Clearly the bible says even "joking" in an inappropriate manner is unacceptable. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.There is eternal judgement for short-sighted living 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; You become like the people you surround yourself with--choose wisely! 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. One day all that is hidden will be revealed. What will we have to answer for? 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Proverbs 19:20 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. It's easy to be idle with our time, make poor decisions, and go along with what feels good at the time. The easy route is chosen by many but it has disastrous consequences.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33