Monday, December 16: Micah 5:1-7:20, Revelation 7:1-17, Psalm 135:1-21, Proverbs 30:5-6 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Micah 5:1-7:20, Revelation 7:1-17, Psalm 135:1-21, Proverbs 30:5-6

This verse stood out for me:
Micah 5:7 Then the remnant left in Israel[c]
    will take their place among the nations.
They will be like dew sent by the Lord
    or like rain falling on the grass,
which no one can hold back
    and no one can restrain.

A "remnant" means: a small remaining quantity of something.

When we think of a remnant we think of something leftover or that is not really worth anything because it's so small. Bethlehem was the tiny village and became the birthplace of our Saviour.

Then in Psalm 135:8 
He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home,
    both people and animals.
Moses should have been destroyed but he was a "remnant" left behind and God used him in remarkable ways.

When we are thinking that we are too insignificant to be used, we need to remember that God uses all the remnants and no "scrap" is ever wasted.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nahum 1:1-3:19, Revelation 8:1-13, Psalm 136:1-26, Proverbs 30:7-9 

Thursday, December 12th: Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23

Psalm 131:3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
    now and always.

God is truly our only source of hope. May we run to Him first, instead of as a last resort.

Proverbs 29:23 Pride ends in humiliation,
    while humility brings honor.
Wise words to remember!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Obadiah 1:1-21, Revelation 4:1-11, Psalm 132:1-18, Proverbs 29:24-25

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 

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

Monday, October 28th: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3:1-15, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 26:18-19 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3:1-15, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 26:18-19

It was so sad to read about the defeat of the Israelites, the killing and capturing of slaves, and the destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem.  What was sad was that it was unnecessary and preventable, if only the people had continued to follow God or repented of their rebellion at any point after warning after warning by prophet after prophet.  Perhaps the people mistook God's patience for leniency, perhaps they just wanted to continue in their sin no matter the consequence, but the day of reckoning finally came.

The ultimate day of reckoning will come sometime.  We don't know when.  And we would be foolish to mistake God's patience for leniency.

God is always ready to provide grace when we repent.  We see this in our Titus passage....
³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Psalm 100 is a very familiar psalm and one of my favourites.

Our Proverbs passage is also striking....
¹⁸ Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
¹⁹ is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!”

It reminds me of the cruel things people say to each other, followed by "just joking".  Joking and teasing can be fun, but it needs to be good natured and it has to be fun for everyone, not just the person making the joke at someone else's expense.  We can't expose our poor behaviour or mean or thoughtless words by claiming we were just joking.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Lamentations 1:1-2:22, Philemon 1:1-25, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 26:20

Monday, September 30: Isaiah 60:1-62:5, Philippians 1:27-2:18, Psalm 72:1-20, Proverbs 24:11-1 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 60:1-62:5, Philippians 1:27-2:18, Psalm 72:1-20, Proverbs 24:11-1

Scripture:
Though he was God,[a]
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
    he took the humble position of a slave[c]
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Observation: If we are to become like Jesus, it means choosing the hard way.

Application: No one likes to do things the hard way. We look for the fast easy solution. This isn't always the best one and often it doesn't last. Think about a home renovation like painting: the quick and easy way means that it might look good for awhile but it won't last and will often look worse in time then when it started if you don't take the time to patch the holes, tape off the baseboards, or prime the surface properly. It's much harder to look at the root cause than to just fix the exterior. Jesus did things the hard way. He came to earth to endure life in an imperfect world and then suffered and died to pay the price of our sin. He looked at the root cause. We sinned. We wrecked our relationship with God. We needed a Saviour. God could have just wiped out humanity as a just punishment. He could have also created us without free will. We were bought with a price and have the chance to choose it or deny it.

Prayer: Creator God, You have always done things the hard way, the right way. We fail You often as we search for quick fixes and easy solutions. It was no easy solution when You sent Your son in our place to die and accept the punishment we deserved. Thank you for Your divine plan of redemption. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 62:6-65:25, Philippians 2:19-3:3, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 24:13-14 

Tuesday, Sept 24th: Isaiah 43:14-45:10, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 24:1-2 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 43:14-45:10, Ephesians 3:1-21, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 24:1-2 

I like the image of the verses in Isaiah 44. How often do we make an idol out of something or someone only to realize that it didn't bring us the joy we longed for. There is only One who can bring us joy and completeness in life. We are very foolish when we look to others or objects to bring us fulfillment.

9 How foolish are those who manufacture idols.
    These prized objects are really worthless.
The people who worship idols don’t know this,
    so they are all put to shame.
10 Who but a fool would make his own god—
    an idol that cannot help him one bit?
11 All who worship idols will be disgraced
    along with all these craftsmen—mere humans—
    who claim they can make a god.
They may all stand together,
    but they will stand in terror and shame.

12 The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool,
    pounding and shaping it with all his might.
His work makes him hungry and weak.
    It makes him thirsty and faint.
13 Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood
    and draws a pattern on it.
He works with chisel and plane
    and carves it into a human figure.
He gives it human beauty
    and puts it in a little shrine.
14 He cuts down cedars;
    he selects the cypress and the oak;
he plants the pine in the forest
    to be nourished by the rain.
15 Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire.
    With it he warms himself and bakes his bread.
Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it
    and makes himself a god to worship!
He makes an idol
    and bows down in front of it!
16 He burns part of the tree to roast his meat
    and to keep himself warm.
    He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.”
17 Then he takes what’s left
    and makes his god: a carved idol!
He falls down in front of it,
    worshiping and praying to it.
“Rescue me!” he says.
    “You are my god!”

18 Such stupidity and ignorance!
    Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see.
    Their minds are shut, and they cannot think.
19 The person who made the idol never stops to reflect,
    “Why, it’s just a block of wood!
I burned half of it for heat
    and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat.
How can the rest of it be a god?
    Should I bow down to worship a piece of wood?”
20 The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes.
    He trusts something that can’t help him at all.
Yet he cannot bring himself to ask,
    “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 45:11-48:11, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 24:3-4

Tuesday, September 10th: Isaiah 6:1-7:25, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 54:1-7, Proverbs 23:1-3 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Isaiah 6:1-7:25, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Psalm 54:1-7, Proverbs 23:1-3 

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Isaiah 6:5-7

Isaiah felt his weakness at this moment and recognized that it was not his ability to speak but God's grace that he should have been placing his self worth in. How often we put our faith in our own abilities rather than recognizing that all that we need is God. He is where our identity lies.

I was reading something similar earlier today in regards to our self-worth.

You are not your past mistakes, you are not your past sins. You have been redeemed by the blood. Keep on pressing on. God is working through your struggles. He knows! God knew you and I were going to be messy. God isn’t frustrated with you so take that out of your head. God hasn’t abandoned you. God’s love is not based on your performance. God’s mercy is not dependent on you. Christ has become our righteousness. He did what you and I could never do.

You were bought with the precious blood of Christ. Not only has God chosen you, not only has God saved you, but God is working in your struggles to make you more like Christ. Don’t let things like sin discourage you. You were bought with the blood of Christ. Now press on. Keep on fighting! Don’t give up. Go to the Lord, confess your sins, and press on! God is not done working yet! If you could have saved yourself by your performance, then you would have never needed a Savior! Jesus is our only claim.

https://biblereasons.com/self-worth-and-self-esteem/

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 8:1-9:21, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Psalm 55:1-23, Proverbs 23:4-5

Monday, September 2: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 46:1-11, Proverbs 22:15

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 46:1-11, Proverbs 22:15 

These verses stood out for me today:

15 What is wrong cannot be made right.
    What is missing cannot be recovered.

We live in a world where almost everything is tolerated...and if you don't you're narrow-minded...even though to tolerate a difference of opinion seems to be what society expects except in matters of truth. There's that saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone. How true that is. When truth begins to erode and crumble, it's a slippery slope. Truth is missing and it can't be recovered very easily.

8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 

Things weren't all that different for Paul. He was trying to preach the truth because it was missing and yet he faced opposition from those who didn't like what he was saying. May we speak the truth too, even if it's hard.

1 1. God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.

Even when we face opposition, we know that God is on our side.

I thought this was an interesting Proverb today:

15 15. A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
    but physical discipline will drive it far away.

"Experts" have been saying that discipline, especially physical, has harmful effects on children. However, it's interesting that there seems to be an increase in unruly children over the exact timeframe of this message being given to parents. Ecclesiastes says: "what is wrong cannot be made right, what is missing cannot be recovered." Taking away discipline (and making it criminal) is not God's plan and now the children growing up without boundaries are experiencing the "missing" and it cannot be recovered. Oh we are thankful that God is our refuge and strength because we live in times of trouble.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7, Psalm 47:1-9, Proverbs 22:16 

Tuesday, August 27th: Job 23:1-27:23, 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 22:5-6 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 23:1-27:23, 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 22:5-6

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older; they will not leave it.
Proverbs 22:6

The devotional I read today talks about how we often think of this as a promise rather than a proverb. But as a proverb if we raise our children with godly effort most often it will produce godly children but there is no guarantee.

As my children get older and really start making their own decisions I have found it more and more difficult to let go and I think it's often because I'm afraid they will make a choice that will make me feel like a failure. But the truth is I can never do enough, be enough or try enough to make this proverb a promise. I have to let go and trust God with them and pray that He can work in their lives.

"We simply don't have the power to bring about our child's repentance and faith. That is a burden we were never meant to bear, a burden only our heavenly Father is able to bear.

When we recognize that this is a proverb and not a promise we can stop judging other parents whose kids seem to be straying from the path of Christ. And we can come out from underneath our own self-condemnation when our kids seem to be resisting our direction toward the right path. We can talk back to the voices inside our heads that tell us that if we had just tried harder, communicated more clearly, been more consistent, gotten our child to church more often, homeschooled, Christian schooled, public schooled, then certainly things would be different. We can rest in the sovereignty of God, casting all of our cares about the path our child is taking on the Lord, knowing he cares for us and our child.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 28:1-30:31, 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 22:7

Tuesday, August 20th: Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1Corinthians 13:4-7

These are not new verses for any of us I'm sure. But these are such simple instructions although they are not always easy to do. "Irritable" is a word that really stands out to me today. Some days I feel like everything around me is irritating and so often I think that it is tied to patience. When I'm irritable I'm usually trying to do way too many things. Time to slow down and remember to enjoy each moment rather than letting myself get so wound up and irritable that the small things in life are missed.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 1:1-3:26, 1 Corinthians 14:1-17, Psalm 37:12-29, Proverbs 21:25-26 

Monday, August 19: Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 21:21-22 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 21:21-22

These verses stood out for me:

16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

When we are in trouble, we sometimes prefer to try and handle it on our own. Maybe we are embarrassed, maybe we don't want people to know, maybe we think there's nothing we can do to get out of the mess we're in anyway.  Esther calls Mordecai to get all the Jews...not a few but all...and fast and pray and all of her women as well. Their support gives her bravery and she's not afraid to face death. May we week the support of those around us when we are in times of trouble and despair.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 

We all have different gifts and talents. We complement each other. We would be unsuccessful if we were all the same. I think it's interesting that society tends to propagate the message that we are all the same and that everyone can do everything. That is such a contrast to God's way that gives everyone a task and a talent to complete it. May we recognize our talents and use them for His glory.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.

We can't ever fully comprehend how God's love is so perfect and unending. We can never reach the heavens or the clouds and that is a perfect comparison to His love. What a blessing to know that we are loved beyond measure.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Whatever you are seeking...you will find. May we strive to seek out God's purpose and plan and submit to Him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 8:1-10:31 Corinthians 12:27-13:13Psalm 37:1-11Proverbs 21:23-24 

Friday, August 16th: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26, 1 Corinthians 10:14-33, Psalm 34:11-22, Proverbs 21;14-16 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 11:1-12:26, 1 Corinthians 10:14-33, Psalm 34:11-22, Proverbs 21;14-16

Proverbs 21:2
People may be right in their own eyes,
    but the Lord examines their heart.

We can deceive ourselves into justifying our sin, but we can't deceive God.  He knows what's in our hearts.  And He know whether or not it lines up to His definition of right and wrong.  His opinion is the only one that matters. 

There have been two "Christian famous" people who have renounced their faith over the past couple of days.  It's extremely sad.  There was an article written by the lead singer of Skillet that I thought was interesting and relevant to today's passage (it's a bit long, but good)

Ok I’m saying it. Because it’s too important not to. What is happening in Christianity? More and more of our outspoken leaders or influencers who were once “faces” of the faith are falling away. And at the same time they are being very vocal and bold about it. Shockingly they still want to influence others (for what purpose?)as they announce that they are leaving the faith. I’ll state my conclusion, then I’ll state some rebuttals to statements I’ve read by some of them. Firstly, I never judge people outside of my faith. Even if they hate religion or Christianity. That is not my place and I have many friends who disagree with my religion and that is 100% fine with me. However, when it comes to people within my faith, there must be a measure of loyalty and friendship and accountability to each other and the Word of God.

My conclusion for the church(all of us Christians): We must STOP making worship leaders and thought leaders or influencers or cool people or “relevant” people the most influential people in Christendom. (And yes that includes people like me!) I’ve been saying for 20 years(and seemed probably quite judgmental to some of my peers) that we are in a dangerous place when the church is looking to 20 year old worship singers as our source of truth. We now have a church culture that learns who God is from singing modern praise songs rather than from the teachings of the Word. I’m not being rude to my worship leader friends (many who would agree with me) in saying that singers and musicians are good at communicating emotion and feeling. We create a moment and a vehicle for God to speak. However, singers are not always the best people to write solid bible truth and doctrine. Sometimes we are too young, too ignorant of scripture, too unaware, or too unconcerned about the purity of scripture and the holiness of the God we are singing to. Have you ever considered the disrespect of singing songs to God that are untrue of His character?

I have a few specific thoughts and rebuttals to statements made by recently disavowed church influencers...first of all, I am stunned that the seemingly most important thing for these leaders who have lost their faith is to make such a bold new stance. Basically saying, “I’ve been living and preaching boldly something for 20 years and led generations of people with my teachings and now I no longer believe it..therefore I’m going to boldly and loudly tell people it was all wrong while I boldly and loudly lead people in to my next truth.” I’m perplexed why they aren’t embarrassed? Humbled? Ashamed, fearful, confused? Why be so eager to continue leading people when you clearly don’t know where you are headed?

My second thought is, why do people act like “being real” covers a multitude of sins? As if someone is courageous simply for sharing virally every thought or dark place. That’s not courageous. It’s cavalier. Have they considered the ramifications? As if they are the harbingers of truth, saying “I used to think one way and practice it and preach it, but now I’ve learned all the new truth and will start practicing and preaching it.” So the influencers become the voice for truth in whatever stage of life and whatever evolution takes place in their thinking.

Thirdly, there is a common thread running through these leaders/influencers that basically says that “no one else is talking about the REAL stuff.” This is just flatly false. I just read today in a renown worship leader’s statement, “How could a God of love send people to hell? No one talks about it.” As if he is the first person to ask this? Brother, you are not that unique. The church has wrestled with this for 1500 years. Literally. Everybody talks about it. Children talk about it in Sunday school. There’s like a billion books written on the topic. Just because you don’t get the answer you want doesn’t mean that we are unwilling to wrestle with it. We wrestle with scripture until we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

And lastly, and most shocking imo, as these influencers disavow their faith, they always end their statements with their “new insight/new truth” that is basically a regurgitation of Jesus’s words?! It’s truly bizarre and ironic. They’ll say “I’m disavowing my faith but remember, love people, be generous, forgive others”. Ummm, why? That is actually not human nature. No child is ever born and says “I just want to love others before loving myself. I want to turn the other cheek. I want to give my money away to others in need”. Those are bible principles taught by a prophet/Priest/king of kings who wants us to live by a higher standard which is not an earthly standard, but rather the ‘Kingdom of God’ standard. Therefore if Jesus is not the truth and if the Word of God is not absolute, then by preaching Jesus’s teachings you are endorsing the words of a madman. A lunatic who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” He also said that he was alive before Abraham, and to see him was to see God because he was one with God. So why then would a disavowed christian leader promote that “generosity is good”? How would you know “what is good” without Jesus’s teachings? And will your ideas of what is “good” be different from year to year based on your experience, culture trends, poplular opinion etc and furthermore will you continue year by year to lead others into your idea of goodness even though it is not absolute? I’m amazed that so many Christians want the benefits of the kingdom of God, but with the caveat that they themselves will be the King.

It is time for the church to rediscover the preeminence of the Word. And to value the teaching of the Word. We need to value truth over feeling. Truth over emotion. And what we are seeing now is the result of the church raising up influencers who did not supremely value truth who have led a generation who also do not believe in the supremacy of truth. And now those disavowed leaders are proudly still leading and influencing boldly AWAY from the truth.

Is it any wonder that some of our disavowed Christian leaders are letting go of the absolute truth of the Bible and subsequently their lives are falling apart? Further and further they are sinking in the sea all the while shouting “now I’ve found the truth! Follow me!!” Brothers and sisters in the faith all around the world, pastors, teachers, worship leaders, influencers...I implore you, please please in your search for relevancy for the gospel, let us NOT find creative ways to shape Gods word into the image of our culture by stifling inconvenient truths. But rather let us hold on even tighter to the anchor of the living Word of God. For He changes NOT. “The grass withers and the flowers fade away, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8)

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Nehemiah 12:27-13:31, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 21:17-18

Tuesday, August 13th: Nehemiah 5:14-7:73, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Psalm 33:1-11, Proverbs 21:8-10 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Nehemiah 5:14-7:73, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Psalm 33:1-11, Proverbs 21:8-10

But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13

This is a great passage showing how believers are all at different stages in their faith. God gives us understanding or knowledge as we are ready for it. And we are not all ready at the same time. We have to learn to be more patient with fellow believers at all different stages in faith.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Nehemiah 7:73-9:21, 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, Psalm 33:12-22, Proverbs 21:11-12

Monday, August 5, 2019: Ezra 1:1-2:70, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1:1-2:70, 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23

Scripture:
Ezra 1:1
In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom:

1 Corinthians 1:19

19 As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

10 Psalm 27:10

Even if my father and mother abandon me,
    the Lord will hold me close.

23 Proverbs 20:23

The Lord detests double standards;
    he is not pleased by dishonest scales.


Observation: The Lord keeps His promises.

Application: Whether it is immediate or after many years, God always comes through. Whether it is a prophecy or a spoken promise, God always come through. Whether good (obedience) or bad (punishment) God always comes through. Whether it is in this lifetime or in Heaven, God always comes through. I was reminded this week that God's timing is not our timing. If we think that our time on earth is but a vapour, then even waiting for God's fulfillment of his promise is just a moment for Him and yet it could be years for us to see the answer to prayer or fulfillment of His promises. What an encouragement it is to know God always keeps his word.

Prayer: Creator God, thank you for being faithful. We can trust in You. We know You always keep your promises. Lord, we fall short and we demand answers and we want immediate gratification. Give us patience and endurance as we wait on Your timing and not on our timing.  Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 3:1-4:23, 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4, Psalm 28:1-9, Proverbs 20:24-25 

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 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 

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 Passage: 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37, Romans 10:14-11:12, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 20:4-6