Friday, November 29th: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22

2 Peter 3:⁹ The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

This passage makes it clear that God's patience is merciful, and that we cannot take it for granted or mistake it for lack of judgment.  The delay is for our benefit, for another opportunity to repent.  But there will come a day when that opportunity will be over and judgment will come.

So thankful for His mercy towards me!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 7:1-28, 1 John 1:1-10, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 28:23-24

Thursday, November 28th: Daniel 5, 2 Peter 2, Psalms 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 5:1-31, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20

That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.

Daniel 5:30

A few interesting things from our Old Testament reading today... 

- Belshazzar hadn't learned the important lesson from Nebuchadnezzer, to humble himself and serve God, instead of his own worldly desires. He paid for this in the end. 

- Daniel had done a great deed and helped Nebuchadnezzer come to know the Lord, and was rewarded. But when Belshazzar came into power Daniel was forgotten until Belshazzar needed help, then he looked for and found Daniel. Daniel was humble and didn't need worldly rewards, he just wanted to please God.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22
 

Wednesday, November 27th: Daniel 4:1-37, 2 Peter 1:1-21, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 28:17-18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 4:1-37, 2 Peter 1:1-21, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 28:17-18 

It could be argued that King Nebuchadnezer was always a bit crazy.  After all, he expected his wise men to be able to tell him what he dreamt!  But eventually, he literally does go crazy after not heeding Daniel's advice after interpreting another dream promising that's what would happen if he did not change.

He didn't listen.

And he went crazy.  For 7 years!!  But that finally was enough to get his attention.

³⁴ “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.

His rule is everlasting,
    and his kingdom is eternal.
³⁵ All the people of the earth
    are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
    among the angels of heaven
    and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
    ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

³⁶ “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.

³⁷ “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Hopefully most people won't wait for such a drastic consequence before surrendering to God!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 5:1-31, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20

Monday, November 25th: Daniel 1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 28:14 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Daniel 1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 28:14

As a child, the only portion of Daniel's life that I associated with him was the lion's den.  And obviously, that's a pretty dramatic and memorable story.  But Daniel lived out his faith consistently throughout his lifetime, and there were several times when his resolve to do so was tested.  I'm sure he had moments of doubt and maybe there were times when he didn't do the right thing, but from the biblical record of his life, he consistently obeyed God no matter the potential consequences.

And it started at a young age.  Daniel and his friends were young when they were taken into exile.  And it would've been very easy to go along with what was expected of them and eat unclean food.  It would have been very easy to justify it, and say they had no choice, as they were prisoners.

But Daniel stepped out in faith and asked for permission not to eat unclean foods, and God honoured his boldness.

Again, in the second chapter, we see Daniel act with wisdom and discernment in the face of imminent execution.  His past behaviour had likely earned him the ability to ask more questions and to go see the King before the edict was carried out.  And then he went directly to God for help. And again, God honoured his faithfulness.

I pray that I (that we all!) would have the wisdom, courage, and faithfulness of Daniel.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Daniel 2:24-3:30,1 Peter 4:7-5:14,Psalm 119:81-96,Proverbs 28:15-16

Friday, November 22nd: Ezekiel 44:1-45:12, 1 Peter 1:1-12, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 28:8-10 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Ezekiel 44:1-45:12, 1 Peter 1:1-12, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 28:8-10

Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes to see
    the wonderful truths in your instructions.

Often people think of the Bible as a list of do's and don'ts.

Obviously, the Bible does give us instruction about sin - but it's not to spoil our fun.
It's to pour light into the darkness.
It's to shine God's grace into our lives.
It's to reveal God to us.
It's to allow us to know Him.
It's to reveal truth - and that truth is wonderful. Open our eyes to see that Lord!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 45:13-46:24, 1 Peter 1:13-2:10, Psalm 119:33-48, Proverbs 28:11

Thurdsay, November 21st: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7 

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord . 

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 

They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

Psalms 119:1‭-‬3 NLT

People of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. People who obey His laws and search for Him. People who do not compromise with evil, and walk only in His paths. 

These are often private traits, traits that others may not see. They can't be shown off to others arrogantly, they need to be genuine. These traits are important and need to be found in believers.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 44:1-45:12, 1 Peter 1:1-12, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 28:8-10

Wednesday, November 20th: Ezekiel 40:28-41:26, James 4:1-17, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 28:3-5 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 40:28-41:26, James 4:1-17, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 28:3-5

James 4:¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

This verse is a good reminder that sin isn't just doing something wrong, it's also not doing something right.

We can sin by doing the wrong thing.
We can sin by doing the right thing for the wrong reason.
We can sin by not doing the right thing when we know we should.
We can sin unknowingly.
We can sin purposefully.

We need to take sin seriously and be proactive about killing the sin in our lives.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7

Monday, November 18th: Ezekiel 37:1-38:23, James 1:19-2:17, Psalm 117:1-2, Proverbs 28:1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 37:1-38:23, James 1:19-2:17, Psalm 117:1-2, Proverbs 28:1

James 1:

¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰ Human anger^[a] does not produce the righteousness^[b] God desires. ²¹ So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Wow, there's a lot in there!
Quick to listen
Slow to speak
Slow to get angry
Get rid of filth and evil
Listen to God's Word
But don't just listen, do what it says

It doesn't mention it in this passage but it's always a good reminder that all of these things can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit, not our own strength.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 39:1-40:27, James 2:18-3:18, Psalm 118:1-18, Proverbs 28:2

Friday, November 15th: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 27:18-20 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Ezekiel 31:1-32:32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 27:18-20

Hebrews 12
¹⁴ Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. ¹⁵ Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Our faith is both a personal thing and a community thing.  Obviously we are only responsible for our own choices - both good and bad.  But we are community.  We are to encourage each other, to live at peace with each other, to hold each other accountable, to lift each other up, to pray for each other, and to love each other.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 33:1-34:31, Hebrews 13:1-25, Psalm 115:1-18, Proverbs 27:21-22

Thursday, November 14th: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26, Hebrews 11:32-12:13, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 27:17 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 29:1-30:26, Hebrews 11:32-12:13, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 27:17 

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Hebrews 11:35b‭-‬40 NLT

This example shows what some Christians have all gone through, because they had strong faith. They didn't receive their reward on earth, but did in Heaven. 

Would I go through any of these things for Jesus? Would I have strong faith by not taking my reward now on earth, but rather in Heaven?

I pray that I grow stronger in my faith and focus on Jesus.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 31:1-32:32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 27:18-20

Wednesday, November 13th: Ezekiel 27:1-28:26, Hebrews 11:17-31, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 27:15-16 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Ezekiel 27:1-28:26, Hebrews 11:17-31, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 27:15-16

I love reading the Hebrews chapter of faith stories.  Those people listed did some really hard things because of their faith in God.

Faith in His faithfulness.
Faith in His promises.
Faith in His trustworthiness.
Faith in Him.

That's the key.  When our faith is placed in the Only One who is Good, True, Just, Almighty, Faithful; and when we rely on His power instead of our own, He will do amazing things through us.  We may never see or understand what we're being asked to do on this side of eternity, but the day will come when we will see clearly, and we will be amazed!

Until then, we must not only have faith, but act on that faith!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 29:1-30:26, Hebrews 11:32-12:13, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 27:17

Monday, November 11: Ezekiel 23:1-49, Hebrews 10:18-39, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 23:1-49, Hebrews 10:18-39, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13 

Scripture:
Hebrews 10:18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

Observation: Our sins are completely covered when we have confessed and believe that God has redeemed us.

Application: When reading through this passage today, I immediately thought of the message our pastor preached yesterday in church. Here are my notes:

Our pastor talked about what is the church's "Brand Logo"? Outside of the church it tends to be the cross. The cross can be regarded symbol that Christ died for us. Our pastor suggested that inside the church, the "brand logo" should be the communion elements. The elements are symbols to Christ's willing sacrifice, the act of freely giving of his body and his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Our sins have been forgiven, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus.

Prayer: Creator God, we are sinful people so undeserving of your mercy and grace. We fall short every time. Yet, you have redeemed us by your sacrifice and paid for our sins with blood. Let us never forget that sin has a cost and that blood is shed to cover that sin. It was that way in the Garden of Eden and continues today. Help us to share that Your forgiveness of sins is for all of us no matter what we have done and no matter how badly we have messed up that You are ready and willing to forgive us. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 24:1-26:21, Hebrews 11:1-16, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 27:14 

Friday, November 8th: Ezekiel 18:1-19:14, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10 

Ezekiel 18: ²⁰ The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness.

We are not responsible for other people's choices or sin.
We are responsible for our own choices and sin.

Sometimes we need to confront someone about their sin, but it is not our job to convict them or get them to repent.

Thankful that God is a just God!

Thursday, November 7th: Ezekiel 16:42-63, Ezekiel 17, Hebrews 8, Psalms 106:13-31, Proverbs 27:7-9 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is   Ezekiel 16:42-17:24, Hebrews 8:1-13, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 27:7-9


Hebrews 8:6

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

When I read this verse I am thankful again for all Jesus has done for me, and continues to do. He didn't have to do anything for me, I'm a sinner that would be going to Hell. 

But He chose to leave Heaven and come to earth to die for me on the cross, and rise from that to live again. How could I ever doubt that He loves me? 

Therefore, He can forgive all my sins and also can allow me to live in Heaven with Him after I die. How could I not want this? He has done more for me then I could ever imagine, how could I not commit to Him? 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14, Hebrews 9:1-10, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 27:10

Wednesday, November 6th: Ezekiel 14:12-16:41, Hebrews 7:18-28, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 27:4-6 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezekiel 14:12-16:41, Hebrews 7:18-28, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 27:4-6

Proverbs 27:6 
⁶ Wounds from a sincere friend
    are better than many kisses from an enemy.

True friends challenge each other.
True friends call each other out on sinful behaviour - obviously, gently and in love.
True friends offer constructive criticism when necessary.
Iron sharpens iron.

Enemies, or false friends, are full of empty flattery, they tell us what we want to hear, they help us justify our own sin, they are not only useless, but dangerous.

It doesn't feel good when a friend challenges or convicts us, at least not in the moment.  But if they speak in love, and we are willing to listen in humility, the benefit is huge!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezekiel 16:42-17:24, Hebrews 8:1-13, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 27:7-9

Friday, November 1st: Ezekiel 1:1-3:15, Hebrews 3:1-19, Psalm 104:1-23, Proverbs 26:24-26 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is   Ezekiel 1:1-3:15, Hebrews 3:1-19, Psalm 104:1-23, Proverbs 26:24-26

^{Hebrews 3:12} See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³ But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Though each person's faith is a personal thing, the Bible so often stresses the importance of the community of faith as well.

How are you encouraging someone in their faith journey today?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:   Ezekiel 3:16-6:14, Hebrews 4:1-16, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 26:27