Sunday, October 15th: Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3

“I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.” - ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45:7‬

God creates our paths, He plans our lives. He blesses us with good times and bad times. He knows what He is doing and He is in ultimate control over our lives. How comforting is that, knowing that our Creator, who cares and loves for us so much, is the One who plans our paths and is in control of our lives. Yet, for some reason, our small, foolish selves, want to go our own way and make our own paths. Really? Do we really think our sinful, small, human selves can create a better plan that the all-knowing, all-powerful, Creator of the universe? It sounds pretty silly when you think about it.

Let’s make a point to follow what the Lord has planned for us today, and stop questioning the things that God has for us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4

Sunday, October 8th: Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4

“And the Lord will make his majestic voice heard. He will display the strength of his mighty arm. It will descend with devouring flames, with cloudbursts, thunderstorms, and huge hailstones.” - Isaiah‬ ‭30:30‬

What a powerful God our Lord is! I think we often forget how big and how strong and how majestic our God is. But without Him, there would be no such thing as strength and majesty, because He created it! It makes me take a step back and think about it. The same God who, with one word, can create or destroy this whole universe, lives inside of me and died for me. Knowing I would let Him down countless times, He still did this for me. Wow, what an amazing God we serve. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1

Sunday, October 1st: Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 11-13; Ephesians 4

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” - Ephesians‬ ‭4:2‬

This seems so simple yet it’s so hard to do. We always want to be noticed for the things we do, when instead we should be humble and know that it isn’t our abilities but God’s. We lose our patience so easily with people who annoy us and just “aren’t our type of people”, when instead we should be loving them as Christ loves us. We need to work on loving our neighbours as ourselves, because it is the second most important commandment, given by God Himself, who we should try to become more and more alike each day. 

“For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” - Ephesians‬ ‭4:4‬

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 14-16; Ephesians 5:1-16

Sunday, September 24th: Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3

“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians‬ ‭3:26‬

This was such a powerful read for me today, the Lord really spoke to me through it. It doesn’t matter how many laws we break or how many good things we do to “redeem” ourselves, that is not what saves us. It is through faith that we are saved. Jesus is the atonement for our sins, not any other sacrifice, or any “good” thing we do. It is in Christ alone that we are saved and can have a right relationship with God. We are His children through Jesus. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4

Sunday, September 10th: Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬

I like this verse because it reminds me that the Lord died for my freedom. Before that, I was a slave to sin. But because of Him and His mercy, I am free.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Proverbs 10-12; 2 Corinthians 4

Sunday, September 3rd: Psalms 140-142; 1 Corinthians 14:1-20 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 140-142; 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

"When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn." - Psalm 142:3a

It doesn't matter where we are, or what we're doing, or how we're feeling, God always knows best. This is especially comforting when we've come to a point where we literally can't see which direction to turn and everything seems too much. Not only can God see the big picture, He created it! So we know that He is there, and will guide and walk with us through whatever we're going through. He knows.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 143-145; 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

Sunday, August 27th: Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:22‬

When we are sharing the gospel with people who have endured hardships, we shouldn't brag about how we haven't had as many as them but rather we should share and relate with them so that they know they can take part in the gospel too. Always get down on their level, that way they will be more interested and possibly come to accept Christ into their own lives.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

Sunday, August 13th: Psalms 87-88; Romans 13 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 87-88; Romans 13

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:11-12‬

Everyday is one day closer to the day Jesus will return. We need to live as though He is coming back today, because He might be.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 89-90; Romans 14

Sunday, August 6th: Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬

Whenever we are losing hope and can't find the light at the end of the tunnel, we can trust in God and His promises. Because we love Him, everything will work out for the good. He has a plan for us, we don't have to be afraid.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

Sunday, July 30th: Psalms 51-53; Romans 2 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 51-53; Romans 2

"Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?" Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬

Whoa, reality check. It's often easy to look down on non-Christians just because they sin differently then us. All sin is equal in God's eyes and we all need His mercy and grace the same. The only difference between us and non-Christians is that we have found Christ sooner than them. We need to not be so quick to judge, especially when we are just as guilty.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 54-56; Romans 3

Sunday, July 23rd: Psalms 33-34; Acts 24 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 33-34; Acts 24

"We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." - Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭20-22‬

This is the major reason why I don't understand why people do not believe in Jesus: hope. Why would you choose to believe in something that gives you no hope? If you believe in Christ, you have hope that He has a plan for you, He will deliver you, He will save you, one day He will come back for you and you will be with Him forever, and so many more things. How could someone live without the reassurance that hope in Christ brings? This is what I think about anytime I begin to doubt God. I could never live without hope in Him. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 35-36; Acts 25

Sunday, July 16th: Psalms 16-17; Acts 20:1-16 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 16-17; Acts 20:1-16

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” - ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:8‬

This has always been one of my favourite verses. I struggle a lot with fear and anxiety, so I have often repeated these words to myself in moments of shaking and fear. It is a constant reminder that God is with us and He is strong. We don't have to be afraid because we have Him on our side.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 18-19; Acts 20:17-38

Wednesday, July 12th: Psalms 4-6; Acts 17:16-34 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 4-6; Acts 17:16-34

"But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him." - Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬

It says it right there: "the Lord hears when I call to him." Even when a thousand others are praying to God, He hears us. Even when we disobey Him countless times, He hears us. Even when we don't think we need Him because life is going pretty good, He hears us. God is always there, always listening, always answering, and always caring. 'Oh what a friend we have in Jesus'.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 7-9; Acts 18

Sunday, July 9th: Job 38-40; Acts 16:1-21 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 38-40; Acts 16:1-21

Acts 16:16-21 is such a good example of how our faith should be like. Paul cast out demons from this girl, knowing there could be consequences, and sure enough there were (as we find out later in the chapter, they're sent to jail for this). But knowing the consequences of their faith, Paul and Silas still did what was right and what God had called them to do. We need to be bold and unashamed like this in our faith too. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 41-42; Acts 16:22-40

Sunday, July 2nd: Job 22-24; Acts 11 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 22-24; Acts 11

"If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?" - Acts 11‬:‭17‬

Sometimes we get jealous of other people's talents or gifts, or the fact that people who recently came to know Christ are receiving more of a "reward" for their good works than we ever have. And sometimes we ask God why this is happening because it's "so unfair". But this verse tells us plainly: God gives GIFTS and He is GOD, why are we questioning GOD? Especially over "who gets the better gift". This is sort of an eye-opening verse for me. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 25-27; Acts 12

Sunday, June 25th: Job 3-4; Acts 7:44-60 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 3-4; Acts 7:44-60

“Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?” - Job‬ ‭4:6

While I think it would've been smarter for Job's friends to just be quiet, not comment on his terrible situation, and just sympathize, this is a good point to remember when we are out of control of a terrible situation. We can hope in God and trust that He will deliver us from whatever we are going through.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25

Sunday, June 18th: Nehemiah 10-11; Acts 4:1-22 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 10-11; Acts 4:1-22

“if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.” - Acts‬ ‭4:9-10

This is the kind of courage we should have in our faith. We should not be afraid of anything, but we should only fear God. And if we only fear God, then we will have the courage to stand up for Him like this.

I pray we fear the Lord and have courage in our faith today.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 12-13; Acts 4:23-37

Sunday, June 11th: Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42

What a wonderful gift we received from God, His only Son.

This is the story on which our faith is built. This is the story that reminds us that God is faithful. This is the story that gives us hope. The amount of torture Jesus went through for us is unimaginable. And to think He would've done that for me, even if I was the only person on earth. He is truly an all-powerful, all-loving, all-forgiving, beautiful God.

Thank you, God, for your unfathomable love and sacrifice. Help us to never forget all that You have done for us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 3-5; John 20

Sunday, June 4th: 2 Chronicles 21-22; John 14 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 21-22; John 14

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬

This passage tells us that God is a caring Father and He will watch over us. He will give us peace and will relieve us of our troubles and worries. God is a God of peace and not of fear. He is always with us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 23-24; John 15

Sunday, May 28th:-6; 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

‭‭John‬ ‭10:27-30‬

These verses are so comforting. Jesus is our shepherd, and if we follow Him, we will never be separated from Him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29