Monday, April 30th: 2 Samuel 16-18, Acts 9 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 16-18, Acts 9

I've always been amazed by the story of Saul's conversion.  It does make me wonder a bit exactly how much free will we actually have when it comes to our faith. 

The Bible is clear that we are spiritually dead.  Spiritually dead people are not capable of resurrecting themselves.

From this account it seems that Saul was compelled to believe.

From GotQuestions......
Many people receive Christ in a life-changing, instantaneous experience, although many others describe their conversion as more of a gradual understanding of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But both types of experiences have several things in common. First, salvation is of the Lord, by His will and according to His plan and purpose (Acts 22:14). As He does one way or another to each of us, Jesus made it clear to Saul that he had gone his own way for long enough. Now he was to become an instrument in the hands of the Master to do His will as He had foreordained it.

Second, the response of both Saul and all those who are redeemed by Christ is the same: “What do you want me to do?” Like Saul, we do not bargain, negotiate, question, or come halfway. The response of the redeemed is obedience. When God truly touches our hearts, our only response can be, “Lord, may your will be done and may you use me to do it.” Such was the experience of Saul on the Damascus Road.

Interesting to consider!

Saturday, April 28th: 2 Samuel 13-15; Acts 8 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 13-15; Acts 8

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Acts 8:1b, 4 A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.....But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
God can use anything to accomplish His purpose.

Anything!

In our passage today, we see that He used persecution to fulfill Acts 1:8.  We don't know if the disciples would've spread throughout Judea and Samaria on their own or not.  But God sure jumpstarts that here.

God can use anything.  And He will always be the victor.  I'm sure Satan thought he was winning by persecuting the Jerusalem church, but it ended up backfiring in a big way.

Nothing can thwart the purposes of God.


Monday's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 16-18, Acts 9

Friday, April 27th: 2 Samuel 10-12; Acts 7 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 10-12; Acts 7

“As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.” - ‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭7:59-60‬

Even in his death, Stephen glorified God. He perfectly exemplified “love your neighbour as yourself” in that moment. As he was being stoned for his faith, he asked God to save his accusers.

That is a bold, loving, Christ-like faith. We need to be like Stephen. We need to be living for God, and God alone. We need to pray for those who hurt us, and ask God to forgive them. We need to put our pride aside, and remember that we too are sinners, and we too have hurt people, and we too are no better than the ones who hurt us.

We need to love so boldly that we would pray for our accusers, our enemies, and all who hurt us. We need to live like Jesus, and do everything for His glory. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 13-15; Acts 8

Thursday, April 26th: 1 Chronicles 16 - 18, Acts 6 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 16-18, Acts 6

Acts 6: 10-12
But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. [11] Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” [12] So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin

The leaders of the people at the time couldn't come up with a valid argument against what Stephen was talking about, so they lied about what Stephen had said and brought him before council.

The lesson here for me is to remember that if I stay true to God throughout trials, I will win in the end by being with Him in Heaven. I may have unfair things done to me (or may do unfair things to others), but in the end God will see the truth and reward justly.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 10-12, Acts 7

Wednesday, April 25th: 1 Chronicles 13-15, Acts 5

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 13-15, Acts 5

Our OT passage today shows us that we can do the right thing, and still do it wrong!

David wanted to do the right thing - he wanted to bring the Ark back.  But he assumed he knew how to do it.  He didn't ask God.  He thought he knew best.  And the penalty was death.

At first David was angry.  The Bible doesn't specifically say who he was angry with - himself or God.  Our tendency is to blame someone other than ourselves, so it seems like it was likely he was angry with God.  Here he was trying to do the right thing and God responds in wrath?!

But we are mere humans.  And we don't get to tell God what to do or how to do it.  We don't get to decide what the right thing is to do.  God does.  And His opinion is the only one that matters.

Thankfully, in chapter 15 David gets it right.  He admits his sin, and he makes sure that this time, he does it God's way.

I want to remember that it always pays to do it God's way the first time!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:   1 Chronicles 16-18, Acts 6

Tuesday, April 24th: 2 Samuel 7-9, Acts 4 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 7-9, Acts 4

Acts 4:13-
When they saw the courage of Peter & John & realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished & they took note that these men had been with Jesus

God can use us wherever we are, in whatever stage of life we’re in & whether we feel qualified or not. God is asking that we be willing & he will make the way for his work to be done.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 13-15, Acts 5

Monday, April 23: 1 Chronicles 10-12, Acts 3 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 10-12, Acts 3

The first thing that really stood out for me was:
13 So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium 14 instead of asking the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

"The Lord Killed him" other translations say "The Lord put him to death" or "therefor he slew him"

We had just read that Saul asked his armour bearer to kill him and when he wouldn't, Saul killed himself. However, this conclusion to chapter 10 reminds us that it was in God's plan for Saul to die because of his disobedience. God allowed Saul to die. God has perfect timing for the end of someone's life and also for the sparing of someone's life.

In the NT, this passage stood out:

16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

Through faith, we are healed. Healed from our sin. Healed from our hurt. Healed from our inadequacy. Healed from our imperfection. We are crippled in God's sight and yet through our faith in Jesus we are made perfect and blameless.

What a comfort to know God has our life in His hand and through faith we are healed and called into glory despite our crippled lives.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 7-9, Acts 4

Saturday, April 21st: 2 Samuel 4-6; Acts 2 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 4-6; Acts 2

Acts 2:21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
This verse alone refutes the idea of universalism (that everyone will be saved).  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Everyone is offered the gift of salvation.  Everyone is welcome.  But not everyone will call on the name of the Lord, and so not everyone will be saved.

Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Everyone is invited, but there is only one way - Jesus.

Monday's Bible In a Year Passage:  1 Chronicles 10-12, Acts 3

Friday, April 20th: 2 Samuel 1-3; Acts 1 ~ Emma

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

““Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”” - Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1:11‬

Someday He will return

We all go through tough seasons in life, which can make it hard to remain hopeful in Jesus. But we need to remember that He will come back for His children. I find when I’m going through tough times, it’s really easy to ask God “why”. But I need to remain hopeful, and trust that one day He will come back for me. And on that day, every tear will be washed away, and every heartache will be removed, because we will be in endless paradise with the One who love us. I can’t wait to spend the rest of eternity with my Saviour.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 4-6; Acts 2

Thursday, April 19th: 1 Samuel 30-31, Luke 24 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 30-31, Luke 24

1 Samuel 30:6
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

David's men felt that David had let them down, and it bothered David that his men felt this way. It was a time of great stress for David, and as he was feeling this way he turned to God, and he found great strength.

How do I handle stress or pressure? Do I turn to God first, or feel sorry for myself first? David was under great pressure from his men, and he turned to God for strength, and God helped him!

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Luke 24:51
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

What an incredible ending to this part of Jesus life! He died and rose from the dead, and then went up to Heaven, and is now there waiting and hoping that we join Him!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  2 Samuel 1-3, Acts 1

Wednesday, April 18th: 1 Chronicles 7-9, Luke 23:32-56 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 7-9, Luke 23:32-56

The thieves on the cross are an excellent demonstration about the choice we are all faced with - who do we believe Jesus to be?  Do we believe He is who He claims to be?  And if we do, will we follow Him as Lord and Saviour?

This passage also gives us the certainty that immediately upon our physical death, those that follow Jesus will be with Him forever.  What hope!

I also love the portion of the passage that describes the temple curtain being torn in two.  This curtain separated the people from the presence of Jesus, but Jesus' sacrificial death removed that barrier, and we can now have access to God.  This is something that is so "normal" for those of us that grew up in the church, but I can't even imagine how amazing it would've been to the Jews in Jesus' time!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 30-31, Luke 24

Tuesday, April 17th: 1 Samuel 28-29, Luke 23:1-31 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 28-29, Luke 23:1-31

Luke:23:18-
With one voice they cried out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

Why did the choose Barabbas? That’s the big question & it’s so easy to think how horrible the crowd was for their choice.  I’m confident to think that I would not have followed the crowd had I been there...or would I...

An article by Wes Feltner really hits home in that regard

Most people who are familiar with the events leading up to the cross are familiar with the crowd’s decision to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus.  Per Roman tradition, and to keep the peace with the Jewish people, the Roman authorities would release a Jewish prisoner at Passover. On this occasion the people chose Barabbas.  But, why?  Posed to Christians today, that decision seems ridiculous.  That’s until we understand why Barabbas was far more appealing than Jesus.

1. Barabbas offered the freedom the people wanted.  Barabbas was arrested because of an insurrection – a revolt against Rome (Mark 15:7).
   

2. Barabbas offered the control the religious leaders wanted.  
   

3. Barabbas offered the comfort Pilate wanted. To Pilate, it was a lot less of a hassle to get rid of Jesus than to face the conflict of the crowd.  

So why release Barabbas and send Jesus to the cross?  Because human beings wanted personal freedom, control, and comfort instead of Jesus.  And in that sense, we all choose Barabbas!  You see, Barabbas is nothing more than an alternative to Jesus that promises us freedom (so I can live how I want), control (so I can run my life), and comfort (so I can do what makes me feel good).  Only we don’t call them “Barabbas”; we call them money, power, relationships, sex, and a host of alternatives more appealing to us than Jesus.  In that sense, we’ve ALL CHOSEN BARABBAS!  And that’s why we all need to see that it was our sin that nailed Him there!  It was our sin screaming, “Crucify Him!”

The fact of the matter is we all face that same decision every day.  Do we yield to the Barabbases in our life or do we choose Christ?  To make matters more interesting, the name “Barabbas” actually means Son (Bar) of the Father (abba).  In other words, Barabbas is a counterfeit option to the real “Son of God.”  Just like Barabbas represented a counterfeit Messiah to the crowd, religious leaders, and Pilate, so do the Barabbases in our daily lives.  This is why we must “choose this day whom we will serve.”

Fortunately, at the cross, Jesus not only took the place of Barabbas, he took the place of all those who have chosen Barabbas, both then and now.  The innocent took the place of the guilty.  And that’s why the gospel is such great news!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  1 Chronicles 7-9, Luke 23:32-56

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 25-27, Luke 22:39-71

Luke 22:51 states,  "But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him." Here Jesus is talking with the leading priests and he healed one of their slaves' ear, and no one said anything about it, it confuses me how the miracles are happening right in front of the priests eyes and they just ignore them and choose to ignore the fact that no ordinary human can do these things, only God could heal a man's ear just by touching it.

In our lives we need to see what God has laid out for us, and as he works through us, we need to give him the glory, because without him none of this could happen.



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 28-29, Luke 23:1-31

Saturday, April 14th: 1 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 22:1-28 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 22:1-28

Luke 22:10 He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, 11 say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 12 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 13 They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
It reads so nonchalantly.  They found everything just as Jesus had said.

That's amazing!  It's miraculous.  Nobody can do that.  A man carrying a pitcher of water would just happen to walk up right at the exact same time as the disciples would enter Jerusalem?!  And he would happen to go to the house Jesus indicated?!  And he would happen to have a room set up for the disciples to use?!  Amazing!

Monday's Bible In a Year Passage:  1 Samuel 25-27, Luke 22:39-71

Friday, April 13th: 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 21 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 21

““I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.” - ‭Luke‬ ‭21:3‬

The widow gave a small amount of money, but it was everything she had. We need to give our very best to God, no matter if it’s money, a talent or skill, or work ethic. We need to always make sure we are offering the best of what we have to God, because without Him we would have none of it. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 22:1-28

Thursday, April 12th: 1 Samuel 19 - 21, Luke 20 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 19-21, Luke 20

Luke 20: 21-26
So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. [22] Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” [23] He saw through their duplicity and said to them, [24] “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar's,” they replied. [25] He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.” [26] They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

I remember this story from reading it when I was young, and marveled then at Jesus' wisdom. The scribes and chief priests thought they had finally cornered Jesus with a question that Jesus wouldn't be able to answer, and He did and showed wisdom.

The point of this story is something we can still learn from, as we often deal with a government we don't agree with. But the wisdom that Jesus showed in answering this question was truly amazing!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 22-24, Luke 21

Wednesday, April 11th: 1 Chronicles 1-3, Luke 19 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 1-3, Luke 19

I don't think I'm alone when I say that I've often heard about the fickleness of the crowd that shouted "Hosannah!" in this passage, quickly turning to shouts of "Crucify him" only a week later.  It turns out that this is likely a theological myth.

Click here for the entire post, but I will just include the ending summary......

So let the joyous news be spread! The crowd was not fickle. And did not praise him one day and cry out for his murder another. Two crowds were coming and going all week. Both grew stronger in their conviction as the week went along. The sheep grew sheepier. And the goats grew goatier. The later group conspired to work around the former. Later on, Peter referred to this group as “lawless men” (Acts 2:23). This better fits the crowd of chief priests, scribes, elders, Pharisees, who could act against the law and above the law, and get away with it. Regular folk lack such power in general.

So let us join in the singing; and stand with the blind, the lame, the disciples, the children, the Cyrene, the women who later stood at a distance and look bewildered at the cross, and the general populace, who at this moment saw the truth, at least in part. “All glory laud and honor to thee, Redeemer King. To whom the lips of children make sweet hosannas ring.” Sing with them and do not diminish their child-like faith with talk of fickleness.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 19-21, Luke 20

Tuesday, April 10th: 1 Samuel 16-18, Luke 18 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 16-18, Luke 18

Luke 18:1
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

The story goes on to show how persistent prayer pays off, God does hear & he will answer.

My life app bible comments with this:
18:1 To persist in prayer and not give up does not mean endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for him day by day, believing he will answer. When we live by faith, we are not to give up. God may delay answering, but his delays always have good reasons. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope.

My biggest challenge, I find, isn’t that I doubt that God will answer but that the answer will be what I want (I think I know what’s best). In one breath I believe God & that he has the best in mind for me & in the other I can’t completely release control & give it over to God.

God loves us & knows what we need. We need to pray & trust knowing that,  however it turns out, God will provide. It may not happen our way or in our time, but God will do what’s best for us.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 1-3, Luke 19

Monday, April 9: 1 Samuel 13-15, Luke 17 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 13-15, Luke 17

8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. 

I can totally understand Saul's impatience. I am not the world's most patient person and I get that if Samuel said he would come in 7 days, I would get impatient too. How often do we too, take God's timing into our own hands instead of being patient and waiting on God's timing. Saul choosing to sacrifice ahead of God's plan had consequences as likewise, we also face consequences when we deviate from God's plan.

Saul doesn't learn:

3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction[q] all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”

....

 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves[r] and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.

We too are slow learners to obey God's will and do what He has commanded.

and so we also face the consequences that come from disobedience. 

There is a chance for repentance and forgiveness

24 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.” 

However, the consequences still remain even after repentance.

The new testament reminds us that after repentance comes forgiveness.

4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Finally, the readings close today with the reminder that we don't know when the kingdom of God will come but we are told:

3 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

When we put God first, obey his Commands, wait on His timing, forgive others even when they don't deserve it, then we will lose our lives according to society and yet gain the live God wants for us.

 Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 16-18, Luke 18

Saturday, April 7th: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 16 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 16

I appreciated this explanation of the Parable of the Unjust Steward.  It's summarized as follows.....

the principle that Jesus is trying to convey is one of a just steward rather than an unjust one. The unjust steward saw his master’s resources as a means for his own personal enjoyment and advancement. Conversely, Jesus wants His followers to be just, righteous stewards. If we understand the principle that everything we own is a gift from God, then we realize that God is the owner of everything and that we are His stewards. As such, we are to use the Master’s resources to further the Master’s goals. In this specific case, we are to be generous with our wealth and use it for the benefit of others.

Jesus then goes on to expand in verses 10–13 the principle given in verse 9. If one is faithful in “little” (i.e., “unrighteous” wealth), then one will be faithful in much. Similarly, if one is dishonest in little, he will also be dishonest in much. If we can’t be faithful with earthly wealth, which isn’t even ours to begin with, then how can we be entrusted with “true riches”? The “true riches” here is referring to stewardship and responsibility in God’s kingdom along with all the accompanying heavenly rewards.

The climax of Jesus’ application is verse 13: “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (see also Matthew 6:24). If God is our Master, then our wealth will be at His disposal. In other words, the faithful and just steward whose Master is God will employ that wealth in building up the kingdom of God.

Tomorrow: Catch up Day!
Monday's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 13-15, Luke 17

Friday, April 6th: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 15 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 15

““If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?” - Luke‬ ‭15:4‬

This is how much God loves us, that He would leave the ninety-nine to find that one lost soul. He cares about each and every one of us that much. We should rejoice just as much when we hear one person has come to know Christ, not just when we hear numbers like 100 or 50 or even 20. And we need to remain hopeful over that one lost soul. I think of my friends at school who are against God, I need to remain hopeful and stay positive that God is searching for them. That will be a joyful day when they come to know Christ, and it will be worth all the searching and praying.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 16

Thursday, April 5th - 1 Samuel 4-6, Luke 14: 25-35 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 4-6, Luke 14:25-35

1 Samuel 6: 19-20
But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. [20] And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”

We see an example here from the Israelites, of a people who didn't follow exactly what God wanted. I believe they respected God, but they didn't take the time to realize they needed to follow Him completely, all the time.

Do I listen to what He wants all the time? Or do I do my own thing at times?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 7-9, Luke 15

Wednesday, April 4th: 1 Samuel 1-3, Luke 14:1-24 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 1-3, Luke 14:1-24

1 Samuel 1:12 As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.

Hannah was praying at the tabernacle, but the priest thought she was drunk.  Talk about hastily jumping to conclusions without all the facts! 

This is a good reminder to me to not be quick to judge on appearances, particularly without knowing the facts. Eli was way off base here, and I'm sure I've done the same many times!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  1 Samuel 4-6, Luke 14:25-35

Tuesday, April 3rd: Ruth 1-4, Luke 13 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ruth 1-4, Luke 13

23-25 A bystander said, “Master, will only a few be saved?”

He said, “Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you’ll sit down to God’s salvation banquet just because you’ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you’re going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you’ll find the door locked and the Master saying, ‘Sorry, you’re not on my guest list.’

26-27 “You’ll protest, ‘But we’ve known you all our lives!’ only to be interrupted with his abrupt, ‘Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don’t know the first thing about me.’

28-30 “That’s when you’ll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace. You’ll watch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets march into God’s kingdom. You’ll watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God’s kingdom. And all the time you’ll be outside looking in—and wondering what happened.

I go to church...is that enough?

I pray...is that enough?

I read my Bible...is that enough?

Do I just do “enough” to feel good about myself or am I giving my life with God my total attention? Do I say that I know God but haven’t really given myself to him?

Am I any different than the next guy (that wouldn’t claim to be a Christian)?

~Do I love more?

~Am I kinder?

~Am I more generous?

~Am I more patient & slower to anger?

~Are my words more gentle, softer spoken, God honouring?

~Do the people around me see God in & through me?

Am I actively pursuing God? Do I seek him throughout my day? Do I strive to live a life of “Christ-likeness”?

Will he know me at that banquet table, knowing that I gave my best to him?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Samuel 1-3, Luke 14:1-24

Monday, April 2nd: Judges 19-21, Luke 12:35-59 ~ Kaden

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Judges 19-21, Luke 12:35-59

Luke12 says, "39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Jesus' teachings tell us to always be prepared for his return to Earth, for we do not know when he is coming, we also don't know when our time is for us to go to him, when he calls us home. As Christians it is our responsibility to go out and tell people about God, so they don't miss out on their chance at eternal life in Heaven. We must also live as Christ for when Judgement Day comes there will be no uncertainty in our lives that through our whole life, we were living as the Lord has told us.



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ruth 1-4, Luke 13