Saturday, June 20th: Jeremiah 40-42, Matthew 27:27-50 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 40-42; Matthew 27:27-50

At the beginning of Jeremiah 40 we see the Babylonian commander acknowledge that God had given the Babylonians victory - and yet he did know God personally.  People can recognize that God exists, and even that He does miracles, but they may refuse to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.  Being a believer is much more than head knowledge - after all, the demons know that Jesus is God, and Satan is well-versed in the scriptures.  Knowing God is more than knowing about Him, we need to know Him personally, love Him, and follow Him.

In 40:4 Jeremiah was given a tempting offer - he was free to go anywhere.  Going to Babylon He would have been favoured by the Babylonians but likely hates by the Judean exiles.  Staying in Judah he would continue to experience hardship, but the Judeans would know he was not a traitor.  Even though he could've chosen the easy route, he chose to stay.  A challenge to us to choose the right way over the easy way.

In our NT passage we see that Jesus also chose the hard way - he did not take gall to help deaden the pain but chose to suffer fully conscious and with a clear mind.  And, above all, He chose to lay down His life for us.

In Matthew 27:45 we see nature testifying to the gravity of Jesus' death as darkness fell over the earth.  The darkness was both physical and spiritual.

In 27:46 we see the reason for Jesus dread as He prayed in the Garden.  Of course the physical agony was horrible, but what was even worse was His having to take on sin and experience the wrath of God and separation from His presence.  He experienced this for us so that we would never have to experience eternal separation from God.



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 43-45; Matthew 27:51-66

Friday 19 June Jeremiah 37-39; Matthew 27:1-26 ~ Elizabeth

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 37-39; Matthew 27:1-26

Jeremiah is firm in proclaiming the inspired Word during the last two years before the fall of Jerusalem. In three private interviews with Zedekiah, he did not hesitate to announce the fearful fate awaiting the king, the city, and its inhabitants. Nor did scourging, jailing, and threat of death by the princes cower him into deviating from the truth. He was called to his first discussion with the king when Nebuchadnezzar lifted the siege of Jerusalem to engage an army under Pharaoh Hophra. Asked to pray that the Babylonians be forced to stay away permanently, Jeremiah announced their inevitable return to burn the city with fire. Jeremiah assures King Zedekiah and the city residents that the withdrawal of the Babylonians is only temporary. The Babylonians would certainly return and destroy the city, as God had ordained because of people’s sin. Sin brings terrible consequences. They are sometimes delayed, but they are inevitable. God never entirely abandons His people, but continues to call them to repentance with the promise of forgiveness and hope for the future. He continues to suffer for doing god’s will and speaking the truth. The world hates God and His Word and opposes those who proclaim its truth. However, God does not ignore the plight of His persecuted people, and He will not neglect you.

Jeremiah’s enemies secure permission from King Zedekiah to kill him for treason since he advised the city’s soldiers to desert and predicted their defeat at the hand of the Chaldeans. Rather than risk outright murder, they confine Jeremiah to a dry cistern with the expectation that he will die of thirst or starvation. God’s people often face death for their faithful proclamation of His Word. God rescues His people, even when they die, and gives them eternal life. Ebed-melech, an official of King Zedekiah’s administration, rescues Jeremiah with the king’s permission. Like Jeremiah, God’s people today should never give up hope but rather trust in the Lord, especially when things are at their worst. Also, God works through us to help one another in time of need, as Jesus helps us in our greatest need by rescuing us from sin and damnation. King Zedekiah arranges a private meeting with Jeremiah and learns that he can avoid capture and save the city by surrendering to the Babylonian army, yet Zedekiah fears his own advisers more. Go mercifully offers Zedekiah and his family their lives and will spare the city if only they will trust Him and leave matters in His hands. God’s people have always faced the difficult choice of trusting God and doing things His way or following their own wisdom and the world’s way. When faced with such dilemmas, pray that the Lord would grant you both wisdom and courage. Jesus, crucified and risen, is our wisdom. His courage in the face of death is the basis of our salvation.

After a siege of one and a half years, Zedekiah and his people experience the consequences of their idolatry and unbelief. Yet, as promised, God rescues a remnant of the people and will later return them to Judah. God’s Word of Law is kept, and His Word of Gospel is kept too. Nebuchadnezzar has Jeremiah released from custody and returned to his hometown. Before Jeremiah goes, he brings good news to Ebed-melech, who had rescued him from the dry cistern, that he will survive the fall of Jerusalem because he trusted in the Lord. You cannot avoid what you fear by disobeying God and trusting your own wisdom. Instead, trust that the Lord never forgets His people. Ultimately, He provides for you eternally through Jesus Christ.

In our Gospel reading for today, Peter’s denial is followed closely by Judas’s suicide. The two commit similar sins in betraying Christ, but things turn out differently for each. Both are sorry for their misdeeds-perhaps Judas is even sorrier in that he tries to undo the damage. But Judas ends his life in despair, while Peter ultimately trusts in Christ, who alone can save us from guilt and despair. Jesus silently listens to His accusers. His silence leads to His condemnation, but also to our forgiveness. When foes accuse you, curb your tongue. Loose your tongue in prayer to the One who takes away your sin. The crowd chooses to release Barabbas instead of Jesus. They prefer the sinful ways of Barabbas and seek to crucify their true Lord. Just as the Lord’s own ways disturbed and threatened the people of Jerusalem, His ways disrupt our self-security. The silent Lamb of God would lead us away from the ways of the world to walk in His ways. He was condemned to death, that we might go freely into His kingdom.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  Jeremiah 40-42; Matthew 27:27-50

Thursday, June 18th: Jeremiah 34-36, Matthew 26:51-75 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 34-36; Matthew 26:51-75

I always find the passage about Jehoaikim burning the scroll to be both horrifying and ironically funny. It is horrifying that anyone would have the gall to burn the very Word of God. But it's also humorous that the King would actually think that burning the scroll would stop it's words from coming true! No one can ever truly destroy the Word of God, and certainly no one can ever prevent it's promises (both blessings and curses) from coming true.

I love the story of the Recabites and their 200 years of faithfulness to the vow their ancestor charged them with. An incredibly stark contrast to the Israelites continuing unfaithfulness to God.

In our Matthew passage we see Peter's unfaithfulness, denying Christ three times.

Thankfully, our God is faithful in spite of our unfaithfulness.

If we continually reject Him, like Israel and Judah did, we will experience His wrath and judgment.

If we turn to Him in repentance, like Peter did, He will forgive us and the Holy Spirit will work His regenerating power within our lives.

God has set before us the way of life and the way of death - let us choose life!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 37-39; Matthew 27:1-26

Wednesday, June 17th: Jeremiah 32-33, Matthew 26:26-50 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 32-33; Matthew 26:26-50

Humanly speaking, practically speaking, it made no sense for Jeremiah to buy a field outside Jerusalem.  The city had been under siege for a year, and he bought land occupied by soldiers - a poor investment by any criteria.  Except spiritual criteria.  Jeremiah was demonstrating his faith in God's promise to bring his people back and to rebuild Jerusalem. 

Trust and faith, by their very definitions, do not come easy.  At least, not when we focus on earthly and temporal things.  When we focus on God, on His already fulfilled promises, on His character - then we are reassured that our faith and trust is far from misplaced, and truly is the only wise thing to do.

God has promised to restore Jerusalem - not because of anything they did, but because it was part of His ultimate plan.  God's plans always prevail.  Always.  But we can choose to be blessed by being a part of their fulfillment or face the consequences of going against God.

Jeremiah 33:3 was a verse I memorized in Teen Missions.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

God is always ready to answer us - but we need to ask for His help.  Obviously He can take care of us without our asking, but when we ask, we acknowledge that we need His help, that He alone is God, and that we need His strength.  Are we humble enough to acknowledge this?

When we fail to do so, when we become too self-sufficient, when we coast spiritually - that's when we become like the disciples who fell asleep while Jesus prayed, and like Peter would deny the Lord three times.  

When we don't learn from the mistakes of history, we are doomed to repeat it.  

Peter would be restored in His relationship with Jesus, and would eventually die for his faith as he initially claimed he would.  He learned from his mistakes and put his faith, not in his own strength, but in Christ's.  We must do the same!



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 34-36; Matthew 26:51-75

Tuesday, June 16th: Jeremiah 30-31, Matthew 26:1-25 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 30-31; Matthew 26:1-25

In chapter 30 of Jeremiah,  we read how God both explains why He is punishing Israel and Judah...

15.Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.

and later explains, and reassures,  what will happen to his people after He punishes them...

22 “ ‘So you will be my people, and I will be your God .’ ”

This reminded me of when I was a child and did something wrong and was spanked (not sure if I can talk publicly about spanking now a days).  My dad hated doing it,  but told me he did it because he loved me and cared enough that he had to do something that hurt me and him now but would benefit me later. My parents weren't going to put up with ongoing misbehaviour and reached a point where something had to be done,  and after a few warnings I usually got a spanking. After this I usually felt relieved and much better.

This is a lot like how God explains what will happen after He punishes Israel and Judah in chapter 31...

2.This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”

The one thing that stood out for me in our New Testament reading is found in verse 13,

"Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Little did that women know that by doing a kind deed for Jesus she would be remembered forever. How many politicians or athletes try to do things for their own legacies,  so that they will be remembered?  Here a humble and lowly women came and did a kind and loving thing for Jesus 2000 years ago, and we're still talking about it  today!

Just goes to show that doing something kind for God will truly count in the end.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 32-33; Matthew 26:26-50

Monday, June 15th: Jeremiah 27-29, Matthew 25:31-46 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 27-29; Matthew 25:31-46

In our Jeremiah passage, we stumbled across one of my favourite and most meaningful verses - Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

When Pamela and I got married we received a plaque with this verse on it.   At the time, we were more interested in the envelopes with money, that we would have discounted this plaques value and meaning and simply placed it on a shelf to collect dust.  The timing of "finding" this plaque shortly after opening our "meaningless" gift was instrumental in reminding us that we need to trust God whole heartedly daily as this was right around the time that we realized we would be unexpectedly expecting our first child.

As exciting as it was to know we would be parents, this excitement was equally matched with fear as we had no idea how we could make this work financially as Pamela was a student, and I did not have a full-time job.  I am not saying that it was all rainbows and butterflies, but everything fell into place.  Friends and family came to our assistance, I was offered a full-time position at work, we were blessed with a healthy girl (who is graduating high school this year - yikes), and we didn't have to file for bankruptcy!  

There is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded of God's good plan, as the plaque is still situated on a dresser in our bedroom.

The passage continues with, "¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

God does not play hide and seek so that we cannot find Him.  He is listening to our prayers, and is anxiously waiting for us to seek Him!  

In our passage in Matthew we read about acceptance into the kingdom of Heaven for those who serve with no thought or intent of receiving a reward, as God gives out of grace, not debt.    

There are only two possible scenarios when the Son of Man comes and we are standing in front of God Almighty.  We will either be like the goats sent away to eternal punishment, or like the sheep and be invited into Heaven for eternal life.  I know what side I'm going to be on!   


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 30-31; Matthew 26:1-25

Sunday, June 14th: Jeremiah 24-26, Matthew 25:1-30 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 24-26; Matthew 25:1-30

Jeremiah 26:2-3  “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word.  It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds.

Jeremiah did not have a fun message to deliver to the people of Judah.  It was a message of destruction and wrath.  But God commanded him to speak.  And Jeremiah's job was simply that - to speak the message of God.  It was not his job to change the people, it was not his job to get them to repent - that is the work of the Holy Spirit.  It was his job to speak truth.

We have the same job.  Our message is similar.  The automatic path of humanity, our default destination is hell, not heaven.  We need a Saviour.  We cannot save ourselves.  But we also need to be willing to humble ourselves and to repent.  And if we turn from our evil ways, God will have mercy on us, and He will save us for all eternity.

It is a message of wrath and love, of doom and hope.  And it is our job to deliver the message.  We cannot change people's hearts - only the Holy Spirit can do that.  But we can, and must, speak.If we speak, it may be that they will listen!

When is the last time you or I have shared the gospel message with a world that desperately needs it?

Our NT passage follows up on a similar theme.  We are each responsible for our own spiritual condition, and we also need to be ready.  This also means we must also have a sense of urgency when it comes to sharing the gospel.

We also need to use well what God has entrusted to us.   God knows what we are capable of and asks different things from each of us.  But when He gives us something - whether it is time, gifts, talents, or other resources - He expects us to use them wisely until He returns.  It isn't what we've been given, but how, and for whose glory, we use it.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 27-29; Matthew 25:31-46

Saturday, June 13th: Jeremiah 22-23, Matthew 24:29-51 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 22-23; Matthew 24:29-51

In Jeremiah 23:10 this short phrase jumped out at me
because of the curse the land mourns
It reminded me of the truth that not only are we subject to the curse of the fall, but so is creation.  You can see the devastation of this on a grand scale all the time - hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires.  It's also there in a smaller scale - disease, winter rot, infestation.

Yet, at times creation is absolutely breathtaking.  Again, on a grand scale we see Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon.  On a smaller scale we see the sunset, a rainbow, a majestic mountain, and on and on.

When I see the beauty of God's creation after the fall, it makes me wonder what it must have been like before the fall, and what the New Earth will be like after Christ's return.  It will be beyond spectacular!

I also see hope in the beauty of God's creation.  Though flawed, it is still beautiful, and it speaks to the hope of what creation, and we, will be in the perfection of eternity.

It is interesting, too, how much creation plays into the second coming, as we see in our NT passage.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 24-26; Matthew 25:1-30

Friday, 12 June; Jeremiah 20-21; Matthew 24: 1-28 ~ Elizabeth

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 20-21;Matthew 24:1-28

After being flogged, Jeremiah was locked in the stocks overnight in order that his captives might ridicule and discredit him. However, Jeremiah still announced the threat of the apostate nation’s doom, even more emphatically and pointedly than before. The moment he took his eyes off the Lord and became introspective, Jeremiah slipped back into dark brooding over his fate. The sudden change of mood from praising God to deep melancholy will not surprise anyone who has wrestled with God in the night watches of doubt; that person knows from experience it is possible to fall into self-pity and rebellious complaint at the very moment when faith seemed to have a strong grip on God’s promises. Jeremiah complains bitterly about the opposition he has experienced in response to the dire warnings he preached to the people. His predictions of destruction stand unfulfilled, giving his enemies grounds to beat him, imprison him, and plot against his life. Jeremiah calls on the Lord for help and praises His name, but he cannot help expressing the anger and despair he genuinely feels. Like Jeremiah, we are often weak and fearful in times of crisis because we doubt the Lord and trust in ourselves. When we are weakest, God’s strength shines through more clearly. He is ever our refuge and strength, who hears our confession and forgives all our sins.

Through Jeremiah, God reveals His judgment on Jerusalem to the political and religious leaders of Judah: only those who surrender to the Chaldeans will live. God disciplines them for their lack of repentance and for ignoring His warnings. Even during this judgment, mercy and compassion shine through, providing a way of survival. No matter what you face today, call on the Lord with a repentant heart and humbly trust that He has an answer for you. Consider the life and sufferings of Jesus, who humbled Himself to redeem you for your salvation. Three kings who immediately preceded Zedekiah are dealt with in chronological order, each one’s fate demonstrating how the threat uttered against the whole dynasty would affect the lives of its individual members. Shallum and Jehoiakim were sons of Josiah, during whose 13^th year Jeremiah was appointed a prophet; Coniah was a grandson of the same godly king. Jeremiah condemns Israel’s leaders for their obsession with wealth and power and, at the same time, neglect and abuse of the needy. God tells these powerful people that they will not enjoy their dishonest gains. People worship the same things today, sacrificing integrity and compassion for temporary riches. Jesus, having all things, avoids the deceit of wealth and power, remaining faithful to the plan of salvation by going to the cross to save us from our sinful deceptions.

In response to His disciples’ admiring comments about the temple, in our Gospel reading today Jesus predicts its destruction. The things of this world do not endure. All earthly splendor will be forgotten on the Last Day. Understanding the provisional nature of material things leads us to place our highest hopes in the Lord and what He has in store for us in the new heavens and new earth. Jesus prophesies about things leading up to the end of the world. Today, stories of military conflicts, political intrigues, and natural disasters continue to fill the news. All this should remind us of the nearness of the end of this age. In that we may rejoice! Though the world is indeed increasingly evil and hostile to God, Christians are ever nearer the great day of Christ’s return. While prophesying concerning Jerusalem’s destruction, Jesus again warns His disciples against being deceived by false messiahs. During crises, people instinctively seek spiritual aid. In such times, God’s people are tempted to join those fleeing to charlatans and the false hopes they offer. Christ’s return in glory will be unmistakable. In an instant, He will raise the dead, transform believers into His likeness, and so effect our final deliverance.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 22-23; Matthew 24:29-51

Thursday, June 11th: Jeremiah 18-19, Matthew 23:23-39 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Jeremiah 18-19; Matthew 23:23-39

Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
My Life Application Bible notes this about this verse:
As the potter molded or shaped a clay pot on the potter's wheel, defects often appeared. The potter had power over the clay, to permit the defects to remain or to reshape the pot. Likewise, God had power to reshape the nation to conform to his purposes. Our strategy should not be to become mindless and passive...but to be willing and receptive to God's impact on us. As we yield to God, he begins reshaping us into valuable vessels.

God uses object lessons in Jeremiah quite a lot.  In our passage we see two of them.

In Chapter 18 we see the potter's clay - God can destroy His people if He wants to, it's a warning to repent before He is forced to bring judgment.

In Chapter 19 it is the broken clay jars - God will smash Judah just as Jeremiah smashed the clay jars.  Another warning of impending judgment.

I love the hope of 18:8 if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.

I love the promise of restored relationship, if only the people would repent.  God has so much patience!  But we cannot presume upon that patience, as we never know when it will run out at last.

God desires restored relationship - but He requires repentance in order to do so.  So often we are so desperate for peace in our relationships and family and friends that we adopt a peace at any cost mentality.  This is a mistake.  Any relationship based on peace at any cost is a superficial one at best, completely fake and destructive at worst.  Peace at any cost is too high a price to pay.  

Our Matthew passage again warns about the danger of putting on the appearance of holiness while forsaking holiness itself.  God will not be mocked.  He can see the heart, He knows our motives, and we will reap what we sow.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Jeremiah 20-21; Matthew 24:1-28