Monday, December 31: Job 40-42, Revelation 22 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 40-42, Revelation 22

From the OT:
Job 42:2-6
“I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
4 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
    and repent in dust and ashes.”

From the NT:
Rev 22:6&7

6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

As we come to the end of 2018, may we confess our short comings and repent just as Job did. We know that God can do all things and He does things that our limited human mind cannot comprehend. But we can be reminded that God's words and ways are trustworthy and true and that He is coming soon. Cheers to 2019 and a year ahead to seek to know God more and to wait on Christ's return with eager anticipation.

Saturday, December 29th: Job 37-39, Revelation 21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 37-39, Revelation 21

God's response to Job is a powerful one. 

In a nutshell He asks Job "Who do you think you are?" and "Do you know who I am?"

Job isn't God. 

We are not God. 

We simply do not have the knowledge or even the capability to make decisions that God does, about our own lives, nevermind the entire world.

God does not ever need to justify His actions to us.  Never. 

He is God.  And I am not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also love the description of the New Heaven and the New Earth, and I cannot wait to see it with my own eyes!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 40-42, Revelation 22

Friday, December 28th: Job 34-36; Revelation 20 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 34-36; Revelation 20

I was having trouble finding a part of today’s passage that stood out to me, so I went to my life application bible and found some interesting notes about Revelation 20:2-4 :

I’ll shorten/paraphrase what it says, but basically there are 3 different positions that most Christians take on this “1,000 years of peace” that this passage talks about: Postmillennialism, Premillennialism and Amillennialism. What those exact stances are is not exactly what stood out to me, but it was the point that was made after which reads:

“These different views about the Millennium need not cause division and controversy in the church because each view acknowledges what is most crucial to Christianity: Christ will return, defeat Satan, and reign forever! Whatever and whenever the Millennium is, Jesus Christ will unite believers; therefore, we should not let this issue divide us.”

I thought this was an excellent point, because, while these topics can be fun to discuss with others who have the same/different view, they are not issues that make or break our salvation. It’s important to remember this so that we don’t let issues like this divide the church, or even our friendships. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 37-39; Revelation 21

Thursday, December 27th: Job 31-33, Revelation 19:11-21

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 31-33, Revelation 19:11-21

Job 32: 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
Elihu seems like a solid guy.  I appreciate his respect for his elders and his willingness to learn from their wisdom gained through age and experience.  Unfortunately, their age and experience didn't end up gaining them a lot of wisdom, at least not in this situation.  But when he saw that they were wrong, he didn't allow his age to prevent him from speaking up. 

Elihu also didn't just give Job a free pass, but also confronted him on his self-centered, rather than God-centered attitude. 

I want to be willing to wait patiently for others to speak, defer to others when they have greater wisdom, be respectful of others, and yet also be willing to speak the truth courageously.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Job 34-36, Revelation 20

Wednesday, December 26th: Job 28-30, Revelation 19:1-10 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 28-30, Revelation 19:1-10

Revelation 19:1b-2a

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just
Oftentimes we talk as though we are capable of judging those around us. 

And there are absolutely times when we are to judge - we can and should judge sin.  We are to hold each other accountable in love.

But we cannot judge the heart because we cannot possibly know the heart - only God can.

And even if we could know, only God can truly judge perfectly.  Our biases come in to play, and our sinfulness would disqualify us from making any sort of judgement anyway.

Indeed, salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Job 31-33, Revelation 19:11-21

Tuesday, December 25: Job 25-27, Revelation 18:9-24 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 25-27, Revelation 18:9-24

“In one hour your doom has come!”

“In one such hour great wealth has been brought to ruin!”

“In one such hour she has been brought to ruin!”

We read these statements in Revelation 18 in reference to the fall of Babylon.  Babylon, however, is not just a city but represents the sinful nature in this world.

What a reminder for us & what we place our time & value into.

We live in a culture of self gratification, if it’s something we want we will seek to justify ourselves rather than deny ourselves. Our focus is so often our social standing (often dictated by our worldly possessions).  We put more time & effort into careers & making a large enough income that we have nothing left to invest in anything of true value.

In an hour, it will come to ruin for us too!  We won’t have any warning. Our plans to “do it later” for God won’t happen. We will put all of our efforts into things that will come to ruin & we’ll have nothing left.

Lord, help us to live our lives for you. That the time we invest will be spent into things that will not come to ruin but will bring everlasting glory to you.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 28-30, Revelation 19:1-10

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Job 22-24, Revelation 18:1-8

Job 24:25 says, "If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?" In this passage Job is talking and he is talking about how great our God is, he is saying that no one can prove him wrong and say that God doesn't exist, and he was faced with some of the harshest trials someone could face, yet he stood up for his faith and proved God is real and He is good.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 25-27, Revelation 18:9-24

Saturday, December 22nd: Job 19-21; Revelation 17:7-18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 19-21; Revelation 17:7-18

Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
One of my favourite verses in Job.  I love it every time I get to this portion of the book!  Job's absolute faith in a Redeemer that has not yet come (and whose birth we celebrate this week!) is unshakable even in the midst of the some of direst life circumstances we can imagine. 

So thankful for my Redeemer, and looking forward to celebrating the date of His birth in the coming days!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Job 22-24, Revelation 8:1-8

Friday, December 21st: Job 16-18; Revelation 17:1-6 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 16-18; Revelation 17:1-6

“My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.”

Job 16:20 NLT

Job’s friends are kind of the worst friends ever. They are definitely an example of what we should NOT be like - friends need encouragement in times of sorrow and grief, not criticism.

But like Job, we should pour out our tears to God. Whether our friends are supportive or not, God is always there to listen.

In this passage, Job is very honest as he’s talking to God. We should be more honest when we talk to God as well. I find I often express my feelings lightly to God, but I need to cry out to Him with honesty. He already knows how we feel, and He wants us to share that with Him.

No matter how you’re feeling today, tell God about it in an honest way. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 19-21; Revelation 17:7-18

Thursday, December 20th: Job 13-15, Revelation 16: 12-21 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 13-15, Revelation 16:12-21

Job 14:7-12
“At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.
[8] Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil,
[9] yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.
[10] But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more.
[11] As the water of a lake dries up or a riverbed becomes parched and dry,
[12] so he lies down and does not rise; till the heavens are no more, people will not awake or be roused from their sleep.

A tree gets a second chance at life, we as people don't. This may motivate us to do many things, but most important is a needed dedication to living for the Lord.

As Christmas is coming soon, as well as a new year, I want in the new year to be more motivated and dedicated to living for the Lord.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 16-18, Revelation 17:1-6

Wednesday, December 19th: Job 10-12, Revelation 16:1-11 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 10-12, Revelation 16:1-11

Our Revelation passage reminds me of how absolutely set in sin people can be.  No matter the proof, no matter the horrific consequences of unbelief, they persist in rejecting Jesus.

May we always be willing to share Christ with those around us, but let us remember that we do not have control over their hearts. It is up to the Holy Spirit to work in their lives, and they will be judged based on their reception or rejection of Him.  Our "success" is not determined by whether or not they believe, but by whether or not we obey when we are called to share the gospel. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 13-15, Revelation 16:12-21

Tuesday, December 18: Job 7-9, Revelation 15 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 7-9, Revelation 15

Revelation 15:4

4 Who will not fear you, Lord, 

and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous deeds have been revealed.” 

It’s hard to fathom that at the end of time, after all that the tribulation will bring about & reveal, that there will be anyone left who won’t worship & believe in God.

At that point especially, I don’t think there will be anyone that could deny the existence of God. But for many, hearts will be hardened & they simply will not give themselves over to Him.

Verse 3 says “Great & marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just & true are your ways, King of Ages”

Our God is great but also just. He’s great enough to love & forgive anyone to come to him but his justice will reign in the end & anyone who chooses his own path will lose at the end.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 10-12, Revelation 16:1-11

Monday, December 17: Job 4-6, Revelation 14 ~by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 4-6, Revelation 14

Scripture:

Job 6:24“ Teach me, and I will be silent;
    make me understand how I have gone astray.

Observation: Even though Job knows he did not do anything that would be against God, he calls out to be taught and to learn how to be who God wants him to be.

Application: We know that Job was a righteous man. Satan is sure that Job is only righteous because God had blessed Job with all the earthly desires he could want. The reality is that Job was still a sinner. He was human and made human mistakes. He was righteous but didn't always get things right. However, in the midst of his suffering he wants to be taught by God. He wants to be righteous. If God was showing Job that he was straying, Job wanted to be led back to the right path. He begs to understand and desires to listen and hear from God.

Honestly, I suck at being corrected. I don't like when it is pointed out that I have gone the wrong way. I am rarely silent and I often am bitter when things don't go my way. May I learn from Job and learn to be taught, learn to be silent, and be receptive when an explanation comes that corrects me. May this be my desire.

Prayer: Creator God, I am human as Job was and when things go wrong my first reaction is not to be taught but to pout and be bitter. Thank you for showing mercy to me and my bad habits and guiding me into a transformation to a new creation in You. Give me the desire to experience the change and may it be an example to others. Help me not to stray from the plans You have for me. Amen.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 7-9, Revelation 15

Saturday, December 17th: Job 1-3; Revelation 13:11-18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 1-3; Revelation 13:11-18

Our Job passage is an intense one!  Sometimes we've read the same stories over so often that the impact is lessened over time. But if you read with fresh eyes, or put yourselves in the shoes of Job, you realize the incredible devastation that was inflicted upon Job - for no earthly reason.  He wasn't being punished for something he had done wrong.  In reality, it was almost the opposite.  He was being tested because he was so godly!

I can't even imagine - losing your livelihood, losing your possessions, losing all of our children, and losing your health.  Everything was taken away.  Except his wife, who was no encouragement to him in his time of need.  Obviously she also was hurting, but she turned her hurt into anger against God, whereas Job turned to God in worship.

In all likelihood, we will not experience the extreme devastation that Job did.  But have no doubt about it, we all go through hard times and face extremely difficult situations, though some sure seem to get more than their "fair share".  But whatever difficulties we experience, what will our reaction be?  Will it be to curse and blame God?  Or will it be to turn to him in worship and for comfort?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Job 4-6, Revelation 14

Friday, December 14th: Malachi 1-4; Revelation 13:1-10 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Malachi 1-4; Revelation 13:1-10

“Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I like how the verse ends with the fact of God’s people saying they haven’t done anything wrong, when clearly they have. This shows that God promises to love us even though He knew we would disappoint Him, doubt Him, deny Him, and claim we have never run from Him, when really we do these things everyday.

He knew we would do all of these things, yet still He chose to love us. Even though we think “we have never gone away”, He is still waiting there, with open arms, calling us to run to Him. 

What a loving, merciful Father we serve.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 1-3; Revelation 13:11-18

Thursday, December 13th: Nehemiah 12-13, Revelation 12 Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 12-13, Revelation 12

Nehemiah 13: 10-11
I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. [11] So I rebuked the officials and asked them, “Why is the house of God neglected?” Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts. 

This portion of scripture reminded me of our own church pastors and church leaders. 

Our church pastor does a great job. But do we ever have an attitude that because he gets paid he can do the work, it's "his" job? And we don't get involved in church then? 

Or do we remember that us and our pastor are on the same team, and we need to do our part to help our pastor, and the team? Do we help where we can? 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Malachi 1-4, Revelation 13:1-10

Wednesday, December 12th: Nehemiah 10-11, Revelation 11:15-19 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 10-11, Revelation 11:15-19


Revelation 11:17 “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was,

The concept of eternity is a hard one for us to grasp.  I find it easier to grasp the concept of eternity future (living forever with God in heaven), than it is to grasp the concept of eternity past.  Our finite minds have a hard time wrapping our head around that one.  How could God have always existed? It's an amazing mystery.  But it's a much more believable one than the idea that the universe just spontaneously burst into being, with all it's complexity and laws of gravity and whatnot.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is and always was.

As our pastor said this past Sunday, one moment Jesus was enjoying heaven and the next He was on earth in the form of man, or actually in the form of a zygote.  God Almighty, Creator of the universe, willingly became a tiny speck of humanity in Mary's womb.  Mind boggling! And an apt thought with the Christmas season upon us.  How thankful I am that He willing came to earth that long ago Christmas day.  What a reason to celebrate!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 12-13, Revelation 12

Tuesday, December 11th: Nehemiah 7-9, Revelation 11:1-14 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 7-9, Revelation 11:1-14

Our passage in Nehemiah reminds me the importance of recounting God's goodness to us, His promises to us, and His faithfulness in keeping those promises.  As well as the importance of confessing our sin in order to restore relationship with God.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 10-11, Revelation 11:15-19

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Nehemiah 4-6, Revelation 10

Revelation 10:10 says, "And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter." Here the Apostle is being told to eat the scroll, which is sweet to the mouth but bitter in the stomach, this could refer to how when we hear the word of the Lord, we too must eat what we hear in order to digest it thoroughly, in the way we are intended to hear it. 



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 7-9, Revelation 11:1-14

Saturday, December 8th: Nehemiah 1-3; Revelation 9:13-21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 1-3; Revelation 9:13-21

Revelation 9:20 But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!
Sin is so blinding that even when truth is totally obvious, there are still people who cannot or will not see it, even to the point of ridiculousness.

Truly the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation.  We cannot resurrect our own dead hearts.  We need the Holy Spirit to remove our blindness to our own sin and to accept the amazing gift of salvation.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:

Friday, December 7th: Ezra 9-10; Revelation 9:1-12 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 9-10; Revelation 9:1-12

“For we were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery.”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭9:9‬a

Just like God did not abandon His people in their slavery, He will not abandon us in our troubled times either. We fully deserve the hard times we go through, and we deserve even worse. But in His unfailing love, though we don’t deserve it, God walks with us through our trials, and saves us from them, like He did for His people in this passage.

What a merciful and loving God we serve, let’s take a moment to thank Him for all He has done for us, today. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 1-3; Revelation 9:13-21

Thursday, December 6th: Ezra 7-8, Revelation 8 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 7-8, Revelation 8

Ezra 8: 22-23
I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him .” [23] So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Ezra 8:31
On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. 

What stood out to me from today's reading was the faith the Israelites had that God would protect them. They thought about asking the king for help but remembered that they had told the king that God would protect - and God did keep them safe on their journey!

Do we have faith that God will look out for us too? Do we ask Him for help and then trust Him? It may not be the way we think or want, but God knows best and will take care of us. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 9-10, Revelation 9:1-12

Wednesday, December 5th: Esther 9-10, Revelation 7:9-17 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 9-10, Revelation 7:9-17

Even though the name of God does not appear anywhere in the book of Esther, His sovereignty is clear to see.  God would not allow the Jews to be wiped out in order to fulfill His promises about the coming of Jesus through the line of David.

In this particular case, He used a woman in order to do so.

She so easily could've missed out in being used by God.  She was afraid, and rightfully so. But Mordecai encouraged her, saying that she was placed in the position of Queen at that very time likely for the purpose of saving her people.  Mordecai had faith that God would rescue the Jews and that if she didn't come through, He would use someone else, and he encouraged her to be the woman God had created her to be and to fulfill the purpose He had given her to fulfill.

Though likely not in nearly as dramatic fashion, we have that same choice every day.  God has placed us where He wants us, and He has purposes for us to fulfill, opportunities for us to be used in ways we cannot even know.  Some of those could very well impact someone's eternity.

Are we looking for those opportunities?  Are we taking them when we see them?  Are we living the blessing of being used by God?

The story of Esther turned out so different from Haman's (and Satan's) plans and Esther had the privilege of being the instrument of God in order to do so.

How will things turn out differently in our lives and the lives of those around us when we do the same?  Right now, we can only imagine.  In eternity, we will see the fruit of those choices!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 7-8, Revelation 8

Tuesday, December 4th: Esther 7-8, Revelation 7:1-8

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 7-8, Revelation 7:1-8

I love the story of Esther and the courage she displayed by going to the King and asking him to save her people.  I always think it's important to note that courage is not the lack of fear, but the ability to act despite our fear - something that is a lot easier to do when we rely on God's power instead of on our own!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 9-10, Revelation 7:9-17

Monday, December 3: Esther 4-6, Revelation 6~ by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 4-6, Revelation 6

Scripture: 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Observation: Some times God may place us in situations, in His perfect timing, for the purpose he has planned for us.

Application: If Esther had not been made queen at this exact time, there could have been a mass destruction of the Jewish people. If she had not used her position and her bravery to approach the king the future of her people may have been very different. What positions in our lives, our communities, our social circles, our jobs, our daily interactions does God put us in "for just such a time as this?" May we seek to recognize the opportunities that we have in our positions and use them for God's glory.

Prayer: Creator God, You are the divine planner. You have opened up opportunities in our lives that we can use to further Your kingdom. Nudge us. Allow others to speak into our lives to help us realize these opportunities and act on them. Let us hear and be moved to action. Guide us and use us in your great plan. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 7-8, Revelation 7:1-8

Saturday, December 1st: Esther 1-3, Revelation 5 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Esther 1-3, Revelation 5

Revelation 5:2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne,[b] has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”......

9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign[d] on the earth.”

The parts in bold jumped out at me as I was reading this passage.

Who is worthy?
No one but the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the only perfect sacrifice who was slaughtered to purchase our ransom.

Only He is worthy.

Praise His name forever!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 4-6, Revelation 6