Thursday, May 31st: 1 Kings 4 - 6, Romans 8 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 4-6, Romans 8

In today's reading we start off with reading all the names of Solomon's officials and governors. These were important people, but how many names are recognized today? These men had some popularity and power then, but don't mean alot to us today. How many of the people today that have popularity and power will be recognized 2000 years from now?

Why do we then feel the importance of being popular and recognized? Would it not make much more sense to live a life devoted to God and have that as our focus instead? These thoughts are reminders for me to keep my focus on what counts, which is God and what He wants me to do.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 7-9, Romans 9

Wednesday, May 30th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, Romans 7 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 10-12, Romans 7

Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Unfortunately, we don't become perfect instantaneously when we become Christians.  Instead, we have to battle our sinful nature every day.

But thankfully, it is not a hopeless battle, and it is not one that we fight alone.

Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Christ is at work in us, changing us, molding us, shaping us.  But, we are not passive in this.  We don't just sit back and wait for God to work His magic on our lives while we binge watch Netflix and leave our Bible collecting dust on the shelf.

We also must put in the work, while knowing that we're relying on His strength.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 4-6, Romans 8

Tuesday, May 29: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Romans 6 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 7-9, Romans 6


Romans 6:17-18
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin & have become slaves to righteousness.

In these verses, 2 words really stick out to me - wholeheartedly & slaves

Wholeheartedly-
>are we living wholeheartedly for Christ, with all our “heart, soul & mind,” or are we only giving him a small part of ourselves (maybe only a small part when it’s convenient for us...)
>do we choose to obey when it’s easy or do we obey all teachings

Slaves-
>when I think of a slave I imagine someone being controlled by someone, forced to follow, to have lost the freedom to do as they please
>while God gives us a choice to follow, I like this image of being a slave to righteousness
>we are no longer a slave to sin; we can have victory over it through Jesus
>we become a slave to righteousness; we become filled with Jesus &, through his perfection, we have a desire to please him, to serve him without question, to leave our old desires behind - as though we have lost our own desires because we want so badly to please him

Lord, help me to serve you wholeheartedly, to leave every part of my old self behind & become a slave to righteousness. I pray that, in everything I do, I would let go & follow you. To obey, not only when it’s easy, but knowing that you will use it to complete a good work in me.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 10-12, Romans 7

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 4-6, Romans 5

Romans 5:6 and 7 says, "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." Here Paul puts what God did for us, by dying a cross into perspective. He died for the ungodly, and unrighteous, when we won't die for even the most righteous, we find it easier to live our lives for us, but won't give our lives to God. This week I will seek to live more for God, because he is the most righteous, and I am the unrighteous, but he died for me.








Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Romans 6

Saturday, May 26th: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Romans 4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 1-3; Romans 4

Romans 4:18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping —believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[e] 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
Why did Abraham keep hoping?

There was no earthly reason to keep hoping he would father a child when he was already 100 years old.

There was no earthly reason to keep hoping Sarah would bear a child when her womb was as good as dead.

But Abraham didn't need an earthly reason.

Because God had promised.

And that was enough.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ecclesiastes 4-6, Romans 5

Friday, May 25th: Song of Songs 7-8; Romans 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Songs 7-8; Romans 3

“True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.”” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:3-4‬

Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. 

No matter what, God is faithful. He is always good, always true, always forgiving, and always loving. He never changes, no matter how much our worlds change, He remains the same. Even if every last person on earth doubts God’s existence, or willingly sins because “they know God will just forgive them”. Even if no one went to church or sang worship songs on Sunday, God is still faithful. He is ever-loving, ever-merciful, and ever-faithful. Why wouldn’t we want to worship someone like Him?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Romans 4

Thursday, May 24th: Song of Songs 4-6, Romans 2 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Songs 4-6, Romans 2

A couple verses in our New Testament portion caught my attention...

Romans 2:4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

God loves us so much that He is kind, tolerant and patient with us. Do I respond with trying to do my best for Him? Or ignore what He does for me?

Romans 2:29B
... And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

The last part of this verse stood out to me, do I seek praise from God or people? Often I look for and enjoy praise from people, but my focus should be on seeking praise from God. This is what counts and truly matters.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Song of Songs 7-8, Romans 3

Wednesday, May 23rd: Song of Songs 1-3, Romans 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Songs 1-3, Romans 1

Romans 1:3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be[a] the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.[b] He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege[c] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
I'm sensing a theme of verses I'm being drawn to!
~~~~~

8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.
Can you imagine having a faith that is being talked about all over the world?!
~~~~~
10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.
The first part of this verse is what jumped out at me.  Do I pray for opportunities?  Opportunities to love, to share the gospel, to serve, to empathize, to help, to comfort, etc.
~~~~~
25 They traded the truth about God for a lie.
Our society calls evil good and good evil. And it because they have trade the truth about God for a lie.   Why?  Because they think the chains of sin are freedom.

I pray for my unbelieving friends and family, that God will open their eyes to the truth about God, and that they would recognize the lies for what they are.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Song of Songs 4-6, Romans 2

Tuesday, May 22: Proverbs 30-31, Acts 28 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 30-31, Acts 28

Why me?!

How often do we ask that? How often do we feel that we’ve been treated unjustly?  How often do we feel like we deserve better?

Why?

Why do we feel like we deserve more than the next?  Why do we feel that in a fallen world that we can somehow escape hardships, sickness, death?  Why do we feel like our lives should be easy & fall into place nicely with our ideals?

Paul lived a life of undeserved hardships. He was walking closely to God & giving his whole life in service to him. If anyone was deserving of God’s blessings (at least as we see it) it would have been Paul. And yet, he was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked...

2 thoughts...

Paul didn’t mope about & feel sorry for himself. As we read today, even while under house arrest he continued to teach, preach, counsel, write letters, doing whatever he could. He turned the bad into good & looked for opportunity in every situation.

Perhaps, our “eyes aren’t on the prize”. Paul was not focused on earthly comforts. He didn’t measure his blessings by his health, his living conditions, or even by how others treated him. He was focused on “finishing the race” knowing that the ultimate blessings were in store for him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Song of Songs 1-3, Romans 1

Monday, May 21: Proverbs 28-29, Acts 27- by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 28-29, Acts 27

Scripture:  Proverbs 29: 17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.


Observation: You can have peace when you know you've done as best as you can.

Application: As my kids have been out adventuring (currently I have a daughter in Bible college in Australia and a daughter serving with Mennonite Disaster Service in South Dakota) people have remarked to me that I shouldn't have done such a good job raising them to be so independent. It's funny, but also so true. To discipline means to disciple: to teach or to train. When we teach and train our children as they are growing up, we are working towards raising up our children to love God, find His purpose for their lives, and obey His calling. Through this, it become easy to "rest" and "delight" in them as you watch them pursue God's plan for their lives. It doesn't mean I don't worry about them but it does mean that I can rest assured that God loves them even more than I do and that His is taking care of them. To watch my children grow to serve is a delight to my heart. 

Prayer: Creator God, You have given us as parents the most enormous job to disciple our children in the way they should go. Lord, for those in the trenches of training with young children, give them strength to keep going in this difficult task. For those approaching the end of their job as trainer, remind them of Your faithfulness to complete the job in their children. May there be delight in their hearts as they see how You are directing the steps of Your children. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 30-31, Acts 28

Saturday, May 19th: Proverbs 25-27; Acts 26 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 25-27; Acts 26

Paul's boldness in preaching the gospel to Festus and King Agrippa is amazing, and hopefully inspiring.  

I want to speak with that boldness.

At least, that's what I keep saying on this blog.  I want to.  But do I really?

I'm no Star Wars fan, but to quote Yoda "Do, or do not.  There is no try."

Sometimes, I think it's time for me to quit saying "I want", and simply "do".

How about you?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 28-29, Acts 27

Friday, May 18th: Proverbs 22-24; Acts 25 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 22-24; Acts 25

“The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22:2‬

We need to remember that God made us all equally, and loves us all equally. Whether someone is male, female, gay, straight, black, white, rich, poor, believes in Christ, or is a non-believer in Christ. God loves everyone, even if they don’t love Him. That’s how powerful His love is, that He would love the ones who hate Him. We need to be like this, and love everyone around us, despite their “differences”. God will judge the ones who don’t believe later, but our job is to love like He loves, and spread the Good News everywhere.

“Faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these, is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 25-27; Acts 26

Thursday, May 17th: Proverbs 19-21, Acts 24 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 19-21, Acts 24

Proverbs 19:1
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Proverbs 19:7
The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found

These verses stood out to me because they talk about the poor. In our society today the poor are often looked down upon, and the ones with the most money are often respected the most. Better to be poor financially on earth but living the way God wants, then to be rich on earth and not living for the Lord.

I have a growing respect for Paul as I read through the New Testament portions each day. He put everything aside to follow God and spread the word, yet faced many frustrating set backs, jail time, and people out to slow him down. Great example to try to follow.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 22-24, Acts 25

Wednesday, May 16th: Proverbs 16-18, Acts 23 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 16-18, Acts 23

Proverbs 16:2. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
We love to justify or minimize our sin, but the truth is that God sees everything - every thought, every deed, every word, every motive.

We sin is so many ways.

We sin by commission - doing the wrong thing.
We sin by omission - not doing the right thing.
We sin by doing the right thing for the wrong reason.
We. sin.

But oh, how we like to think differently.
We blame the other person (she started it, he was bugging me, she hurt me, he said it first, etc).
We think the ends justify the means.
We minimize it (it's not like I've killed anyone, or had an affair, or.....)

It's only when we realize how serious sin is, and be purposeful about eliminating it from our lives, that we will see serious growth in our faith and enjoy a closer relationship with God.

I read these quotes this week.....
"Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you." John Owen

"It is only against the pitch blackness of the night that we see the glory of the stars. And it is only against the pitch blackness of man's radical depravity that we can begin to see the glories of the gospel." Paul Washer

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Proverbs 19-21, Acts 24

Tuesday, May 15th: Proverbs 13-15, Acts 22 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 13-15, Acts 22

Acts 22:10a-
“What shall I do, Lord?” I asked.

A few small words with huge implications. Are we even brave enough to say them?

Paul said them, he didn’t hesitate or stop to question, but immediately followed. His whole life was turned around, but he followed faithfully. He was sent to the ends of the earth, but he followed faithfully. He was shipwrecked, imprisoned & beaten, but he followed faithfully.

It seems that we either feel that we’ve got everything under control & don’t need directions from God or we are too afraid to ask for fear of what will be asked of us.

Paul gave up everything he knew when he asked that question & he was definitely not led down a path of luxury & ease & yet he never looked back. Even through his difficulties he found a joy & fullness in Christ that was worth everything to him.

Oh, to have that kind of faith & relationship with God.

If only we could get past the idea that we know what’s best for ourselves & trust God. Whether the path is easy or hard the end is in sight & will be worth it all.

“What shall I do, Lord?” Help me, Lord, to ask this with a boldness & confidence in your love & the conviction to follow you even if the direction is different than my choosing.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 16-18, Acts 23

Saturday, May 12th: Proverbs 7-9; Acts 20 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 7-9; Acts 20

Our Proverbs passages teaches about the wisdom of seeking wisdom ;)

The thing is - often we KNOW what the wise thing is to do, we just don't want to do it.  But going against godly wisdom is totally against our better judgment and is only going to cause us (and, more than likely, those around us) pain and heartache.

Proverbs 9:12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Our sinful nature tempts us to ignore the wisdom we know.

Solomon is an excellent example of this actually.  He was the wisest human who has ever lived, and yet he succumbed to the pleasures of secular society and their empty promises, only to discover that it was meaningless.

We need to pursue wisdom.
And when we know what wisdom is, we need to obey.

Tomorrow: Catch Up Day!
Monday's Bible In a Year Passage:  Proverbs 10-12, Acts 21

Friday, May 11th: Proverbs 4-6; Acts 19 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 4-6; Acts 19

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” - Proverbs‬ ‭4:20-22‬

God’s Word gives us life and healing. It’s so simple, yet when we’re going through tough times, the bible is not usually one of the first places we go for wisdom. We need to make sure we go to God when we are in trouble (or any time for that matter), and seek His Word above all else. Let’s try to make Him our first resort today, instead of our last. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 7-9; Acts 20

Thursday, May 10th: Proverbs 1-3, Acts 18 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 1-3, Acts 18

Proverbs 1:19
Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
it robs them of life.

It's so easy to get caught up in chasing after money. I'm self employed and it's easy to have everything centered on the "bottom line", which means - money. Earning an income is great, but it can't be our number one.

The second part of this verse says a lot - "it robs them of life"

Do I want to be driven by money, or a life more focused on God and doing what He wants? Can I put that constant desire for more income aside, to focus on what God wants?

Difficult questions, but worth thinking about


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 4-6, Acts 19

Wednesday, May 9th: 2 Chronicles 1-3, Acts 17 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 1-3, Acts 17

Acts 17: 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.[a]

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd.[b]
Quite the difference in responses to Paul's presentation of the gospel!  Some were persuaded and became believers.  And others rejected then gospel to the point of rioting and attacking Paul & Silas!

This is a huge reminder to me that people's response to the gospel is not our responsibility.  Our responsibility is to share the gospel.  We are not responsible for their reaction to it.

Paul was one of the most influential believers of all time, and even he couldn't convince everyone of the truth of the gospel.  That's because it wasn't up to him.  It wasn't because he said the right thing or the wrong thing.

He shared the gospel.  Some accepted it.  Some rejected it.  It didn't mean he was a success or a failure.  The results are up to the Holy Spirit, not us.  Ours is to obey.

It's also a reminder to me that the gospel message is polarizing.  It's a big deal, and people somehow know it's a big deal even if they don't understand it.

We need to continue to pray that God would soften the hearts of those that are dear to us who are unsaved now, and pray that one day they too, would be persuaded.

And we need to be willing to be the ones to open up our mouths and share the gospel, no matter what the response.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 1-3, Acts 18

Tuesday, May 8th: 1 Chronicles 28-29, Acts 16 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 28-29, Acts 16

In today’s passage we read of Paul & Silas faithfully serving God. But, even in following God, they find themselves severely flogged & thrown in prison (& left fastened in stocks designed for the most dangerous prisoners).

In reading this, my first thought was that the average person would respond with anger directed both at the jailers & at God. Instead, though, we find them praying & singing hymns. They didn’t skip a beat, they continued in loving God by worshipping him despite their circumstances & in the mean time living a testimony to the other prisoners.

What a challenge to us...
1. Even in following the will of God, we may face challenges & injustices
2. We need to find the peace of God regardless of our circumstances & always continue to worship
3.  Others are watching us to see how we respond in different situations; are we going to be a living testimony in every circumstance


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 1-3, Acts 17

Monday, May 7~1 Kings 1-3, Acts 15 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 1-3, Acts 15


Scripture:  1 Kings 3: 5, 9-14 5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

....9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”

Observation: When we humble ourselves, God gives us more than what we ask for.

Application: It is so hard to be humble. We struggle to recognize that we don't have it all together and to admit this to ourselves and to God is often so difficult. God asked Solomon to ask for anything, Solomon could have asked for anything but instead he asked for wisdom to rule well. God gave him wisdom AND riches AND fame. It was way more than Solomon asked for and way more than he deserved but that's how God works. When my oldest daughter considered Bible college thousands of miles away, I was so nervous to let her go. She was not the most studious person and I didn't feel like her faith went too deep. As she prepared to leave, I prayed specifically for this experience to deepen her faith, for this experience to cause her to make her faith her own instead of just something she grew up with, and for her to really listen to God's calling. God is so good. During her time there, she grew in her faith, chose to get baptized, and really felt God calling her back for a second semester. God is faithful to answer our prayers when we are humble and realize that we cannot do life on our own. Letting my daughter go is still a difficult struggle but when I am drawn to my knees realizing that my kids are not my own I am learning that God loves them even more than I do and that I can trust that He had a bigger and better plan than I could have ever imagined for them. This song has been resonating with me over these months of letting go, especially this part:

Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go




Prayer: God, you are so good. Help us to submit to Your plan and trust Your ways with our lives and the lives of our kids. When we trust You and lean on You we are rewarded in such magnificent ways beyond our wildest dreams. Be with each of us during this learning process of taking our hands off of our lives and what we have planned to make room for what You have in store for us. Amen

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 28-29, Acts 16

Saturday, May 5th: 1 Chronicles 25-27; Acts 14 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 25-27; Acts 14

Our OT passage reminds us that everybody has a different role to play, and all are important for the whole body to work as it should.


Acts 14:3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord.

They preached boldly under the threat of persecution and death.  

We don't face that here.  And do we preach boldly?  That steps on my toes for sure.

Monday's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 1-3, Acts 15

Friday, May 4th: 1 Chronicles 22-24; Acts 13 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 22-24; Acts 13

“But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’” - Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭13:22‬

I often have a hard time believing in God’s mercy for me. As if He has mercy for everyone except me, which of course isn’t true.

But I need to remember that God called David (a man who had many wives, killed innocent men, and committed many more sins that we might call “worse” than other sins) a “man after His own heart”. Even though David had committed all of these terrible sins, God still had mercy on Him because he saw that he was sinful, and realized he needed God.

So the next time I think that God could never forgive me for all the sins I’ve done, I need to remember David, and I need to repent and trust that God loves and forgives me even though I’ve sinned. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 25-27; Acts 14

Thursday, May 3rd: 1 Chronicles 19-21, Acts 12 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 19-21, Acts 12

1 Chronicles 19: 2-4
David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David’s envoys came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him, [3] the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven't his envoys come to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?” [4] So Hanun seized David's envoys, shaved them, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away.

Interesting first few verses of our reading today. I found a few lessons in this portion, the main one being how the new Ammomite commanders assumed the worst, even though King David and the previous regime had a great relationship. This lead to a large war where a lot of men died.

All this because someone assumed the worst, in a case where they clearly shouldn't have. I also at times assume the worst in certain people or things I need to deal with. I pray for a positive attitude and the help from God, in all I do.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 22-24, Acts 13

Wednesday, May 2nd: 2 Samuel 22-24, Acts 11 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 22-24, Acts 11

2 Samuel 22 is a beautiful chapter.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
3     my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
    the one who saves me from violence.
4 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

5 “The waves of death overwhelmed me;
    floods of destruction swept over me.
6 The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me;
    death laid a trap in my path.
7 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
    yes, I cried to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
    my cry reached his ears.

When bad times come (and they will!), it is so important to remember to run to God.  He is the only One that can help us in times of distress.  He may not change our circumstance, but He will be with us through it all.  He will never leave us.  He will never forsake us.

He is our shield.
He is our rock.
He is our fortress.
He is our saviour.
He is the power that saves us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 22-24, Acts 11

Tuesday, May 1st: 2 Samuel 19-21, Acts 10 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 19-21, Acts 10

Luke 10-

13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.”

14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.[b]”

15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 

Peter thought he knew the heart of God, he was committed to him & served him with his life & yet in this passage we see that he had it wrong. He had not accepted that God had come for the Gentiles too & the time came for him to be corrected. Peter humbly accepted his error & went on to serve God, bringing many Gentiles to Christ.

Like Peter, we may feel confident in our understanding of God & his word. However, we too are human & can fall short in our understanding. Or, maybe, we are choosing to just accept the bits & pieces that make us the most comfortable & we can work the best with.

When God knocks on our hearts (or maybe throws it right in our face) & shows us the error of our ways, will we be like Peter, humbly recognizing our mistakes & moving forward in honour to God? Or will we tightly hold onto our own ideas & miss the calling/direction that God wants for us?



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 22-24, Acts 11