Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Wednesday, July 31st: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36, Romans 14:1-23, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 20:12 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 29:1-36, Romans 14:1-23, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 20:12 

Proverbs 20:12 Ears to hear and eyes to see—
    both are gifts from the Lord.
It is important to be heard and to be seen. 

God sees us, and He hears us. 

And He wants us to hear and see each other.  Take the time to slow down and really listen to each other, to really see each other, to love each other, to build each other up. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21, Romans 15:1-22, Psalm 25:1-15, Proverbs 20:13-15

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Tuesday, July 30th: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27, Romans 13:1-14, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 20:11 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27, Romans 13:1-14, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 20:11

The devotional that some of us are using to go along with this year really reminded me of the importance of why we need to remember to submit to authorities in our lives. It was focused on Romans 13:1-2

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Here's an excerpt from the devotional...

"It's easy for us to encourage our kids to respect the authority of teachers we admire, coaches we appreciate, and bosses we look up to. But when our child tells us about an unworthy teacher, when we observe a coach treating our child unfairly, or when we recognize that a boss has done little to earn our child's respect, it is so much harder to encourage our kids to rightly submit to this authority. That's when we must remember that submission is not primarily motivated by the person to whom we submit, but is an act of obedience and submission to the Lord himself."

As our kids have been starting to have jobs, there have been some new teaching moments about how to handle a boss that doesn't always treat them the way we think they should. This was a good reminder on WHO those lessons should focus on.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 29:1-36, Romans 14:1-23, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 20:12 

Monday, July 29, 2019

Monday, July 29th: 2 Chronicles 24-25, Romans 12, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 20:8-10

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  2 Chronicles 24-25, Romans 12, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 20:8-10

2 Chronicles 15:2 Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, but not wholeheartedly.

The verse starts so promising but ends in disappointment.

I pray that I live in such a way that there is no second half of that verse as a descriptor of my life and faith.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:

Friday, July 26, 2019

Friday, July 26th: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3

Proverbs 20:3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

This would be a good verse for families to memorize the world over!

Once again, a good reminder that our words are powerful.  We need to be slow to speak and quick to listen.  We need to think it over before blurting out the first things that crosses our mind, particularly when we are upset or angry. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37, Romans 10:14-11:12, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 20:4-6

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Thursday July 25th: 2 Chronicles 14, 2 Chronicles 15, 2 Chronicles 16, Romans 9:1-24, Psalms 19:1-14, Proverbs 20:1 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29


King Asa lived a life that was honorable to God, he seemed to want to do everything right, the way God wanted. He trusted in God, who helped him win a battle against what looked like an unbeatable foe. He also removed foreign alters and pagan shrines.

But as he lived his life and ruled as king, he slipped towards the end and stopped trusting in God, and stopped seeking help from the Lord. He reigned for 41 years, living for God most of that time.

We need to be careful that we finish strong, and don't go out on a bad note after many years of living for God. Spending more time in prayer as we get older is a good start.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Wednesday, July 24th: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29

This Romans 8 passage is very well known, and though it may make me "typical", it is one of my favourites as well.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[e] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This past weekend an aunt and an uncle of mine both passed away on the same day.  Two sisters had married two brothers, so that means my aunt lost her sister and her husband, and my uncle lost his brother and his wife, all on the same day.  What grief! 

At times like that all we can do is cling to the promises of God.  He grieves with us.  He loves us through it all.  And He gives us hope.

For those that have passed on, it was a glorious day - indeed they didn't have to wait long to experience a heavenly reunion with each other!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14, Romans 9:1-24, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 20:1

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Tuesday, July 23, 2019: 2 Chronicles 8:11 - 10:19, Romans 8:9-25, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 8:11 - 10:19, Romans 8:9-25, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26

Rehoboam is a good example of someone who thinks he knows better because he's younger and his friends must have better ideas than the "old" people who had done it all before.  I'm learning that this appears to be a part of the growing process and I know at times I refused to listen to wisdom given when I was younger. I find the older I get the more wisdom I seek from my elders. I'd rather try to avoid making mistakes by getting advice and experience from those who have walked before.

And now as my kids start their own journey's, I'm finding out how difficult it is to watch or let them make mistakes that I know could be avoided if they would be willing to listen. But I'm also finding that there are times, where I just have to let them go and make the mistakes so they learn to seek the advice before jumping. I'd rather not have to say "I told you so" but it seems that we all have to get into some situations where someone could say that to us. I just pray that the situations that my kids find themselves in are good learning experiences without being too devastating.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29

Monday, July 22, 2019

Monday, July 22: 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10 Romans 7:14-8:8 Psalm 18:1-15 Proverbs 19:24-25 ~ by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10, Romans 7:14-8:8, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 19:24-25 

We once did a bible study about prayer and the acronym A.C.T.S. came up as a way to structure our prayers. How interesting to see Solomon's prayer of dedication follow a similar format:

A-Adoration

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.

Solomon opens his prayer with praise.


C- Confession

“But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!19 Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you.

Solomon admits his own inferiority and unworthiness compared to God.

T- Thanksgiving

Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

Solomon acknowledges God's faithfulness and ability to restore what is broken.

S- Supplication

then hear from heaven and judge between your servants—the accuser and the accused.

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and return them to this land you gave to them and to their ancestors.

then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. 

then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do.

then hear their prayers from heaven and uphold their cause.

then hear their prayers and their petitions from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.

Solomon finishes with his requests to God. As we pray, we can pray as Solomon did.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19 Romans 8:9-25, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26 

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Saturday, July 20th: 2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17, Romans 6:1-23, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 19:20-21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17, Romans 6:1-23, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 19:20-21 

Romans 6:12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires.

We cannot make excuses for our sin, minimize our sin, or try to justify it in any way.  "I'm only human" does not fly.

It is true that we are not sinless, and we will be unable to attain perfection in this life.  But that doesn't mean we throw our hands up in despair.  And it certainly doesn't mean we allow sin to let loose or fester in our lives.

Rather we are to be purposeful in the purging of sin from our lives.  We are to rely on God's power through the Holy Spirit to transform us, and allow the grace of His forgiveness to wash us clean when we fail.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11, Romans 7:1-13, Psalm 17:1-15, Proverbs 19:22-23

Friday, July 19, 2019

Friday, July 19th: 1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30, Romans 5:6-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 19:18-19 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30, Romans 5:6-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 19:18-19 

1 Chronicles 29: 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

I love these verses! 

You don't have to look very far in creation to see awesome demonstrations of God's greatness, power, and majesty. 
On top of the amazing creation we can see, there is also all the amazing things we can't see.  It is said that we have only explored 5% of the ocean's floor.  I can't even imagine all the awesome things that exist that we aren't aware of!  And that's the ocean, never mind the universe! 

Truly we serve an awesome God. 

He is ruler of all.  Everything is under His dominion.  He alone is worthy of our worship and adoration.  He alone is worthy.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17, Romans 6:1-23, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 19:20-21

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Thursday, July 18th: 1 Chronicles 26:12 - 27:34, Romans 4:13 - 5:5, Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 19:17 ~ Nathan



Psalm 14:4-6
(4) Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn't think of praying to the Lord.
(5) Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey Him.
(6) The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the Lord will protect his people.

The second part of verse 5 stood out to me...
"... God is with those who obey Him. "
The previous verse talks about what the evildoers do to people who follow the Lord, and verse 5 reassures us that God is always with us and will help us. Verse 6 sums it all up.
We may feel like the world around us right now  is winning the battle, but God will win the war.
God will protect his people

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Wednesday, July 17th: 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11, Romans 4:1-12, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 19:15-16 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11, Romans 4:1-12, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 19:15-16

I love Psalm 13. 

But I trust in your unfailing love.
    I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
    because he is good to me.


When hard times come (and they come to us all!), I want to be able to claim this along with the psalmist.  God's love is unfailing no matter our circumstances. He is good.  He has rescued us.  We can rejoice and we can sing and we can trust.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34, Romans 4:13-5:5, Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 19:17

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Tuesday, July 16th: 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32, Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 19:13-14 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32, Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 19:13-14

I like the full circle that this passage in Romans talks about. We aren't saved by the law. We are saved by faith. But with true faith comes a desire to follow God's laws. This is often a hard concept to explain and understand. And lines are often easy to blur when it comes to the law. It's important to remember that not a single person on earth can ever uphold the laws perfectly so we are all in need of Christ's saving grace. And when we realize all that Christ has done for us we willingly want to strive to follow His commands.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11, Romans 4:1-12, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 19:15-16

Monday, July 15, 2019

Monday, July 15th: 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30, Romans 2:25-3:8, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 19:10-12 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30, Romans 2:25-3:8, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 19:10-12

Psalm 11:4a But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
    the Lord still rules from heaven.
The Lord still rules from heaven.

No matter what our circumstances are, no matter what bad news we receive, no matter what we have done, no matter what happens to us, no matter what.....  the Lord still rules from heaven.  Jesus is the same "after" as he was "before".  He is sovereign.  He still rules from heaven.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32, Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 19:13-14

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Thursday, July 11th: 1 Chronicles 11:1- 12:18, Acts 28:1-31, Psalm 9:1-12, Proverbs 19:1-3 ~ Nathan


Acts 28:22
..."But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere."

The first part of this verse stood out to me.

In a lot of ways, this is what society may be saying to us Christians now too. Many have not heard the good news, even in North America where Christianity isn't looked upon as highly and is talked about less than it once was.

We're often scared to talk about Jesus, but maybe the people around us have never heard, and would be interested and curious to know something about Jesus.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Wednesday, July 10th: 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14, Acts 27:21-44, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 18:23-24 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14, Acts 27:21-44, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 18:23-24

I love Psalm 8, particularly these verses....

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?[c]


There is no reason why God should care for us. At least, no human reason.  We are not deserving of God's love.  We are not so amazing that we warrant His care. 

His love for us has nothing to do with us, and everything to do with Him.

He is love.
He has chosen to love us.
Amazing love, how can it be!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:   1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18, Acts 28:1-31, Psalm 9:1-12, Proverbs 19:1-3

Friday, July 5, 2019

Friday, July 5th: 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17, Acts 23:11-35, Psalm 3:1-8, Proverbs 18:14-15 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17, Acts 23:11-35, Psalm 3:1-8, Proverbs 18:14-15 

Psalm 3:5 
I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.

This is a great verse for those nights when you're having trouble sleeping.  Also a good one for kids to memorize, or anyone that has anxiety. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4, Acts 24:1-27, Psalm 4:1-8, Proverbs 18:16-18

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Thursday, July 4th: 2 Kings 23:31- 25:30, Acts 22:17- 23:10, Psalm 2:1-12, Proverbs 18:13 ~ Nathan



2 Kings 24:3-4 NIV
Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD ’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, [4] including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive.

This was the beginning of the end for Judah. They had been warned many times, and still did not fully follow God.

We are forgiven many times as well, but their will come a day when they won't happen anymore, we will have to give account for how we've lived.

We don't know when that will be, could be today or many years from now. Better to make things right now by asking for forgiveness and fully following God.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Wednesday, July 3rd: 2 Kings 22:3-23:30, Acts 21:37-22:16, Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 18:11-12 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 22:3-23:30, Acts 21:37-22:16, Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 18:11-12

2 Kings 23:25 Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.

I love the story of Josiah.  As soon as he found out about the laws of God, he did everything in his power (which was a lot!) to make things right.  And this verse is an incredible statement - would that that could be said of us!


I always enjoy reading Psalm 1 - it's one of the first chapters I memorized.  May we root ourselves in the Lord.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Kings 23:31-25:30, Acts 22:17-23:10, Psalm 2:1-12, Proverbs 18:13

Monday, July 1, 2019

Monday, July 1st: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, Acts 21:1-17, Psalm 149:1-9, Proverbs 18:8 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, Acts 21:1-17, Psalm 149:1-9, Proverbs 18:8

I thought it fitting that today, on Canada Day, we see the story of a King (government leader) who turned to the true authority when he needed help.  I love Hezekiah's prayer....

2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the Lord: “Lord, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. 16 Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open your eyes, O Lord, and see! Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.
17 “It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations. 18 And they have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire and burned them. But of course the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all—only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. 19 Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”
Canada was founded on biblical principles and our early leaders looked to God for help and acknowledged Him as God of all the kingdoms of the earth.  Let us continue to pray for our leaders, that they would do the same.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  2 Kings 20:1-22:2, Acts 21:18-36, Psalm 150:1-6, Proverbs 18:9-10