Friday, June 30th: Job 17-19; Acts 10:1-23 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 17-19; Acts 10:1-23

Job 19:But I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the end he will stand on the dust.
26 Even after my skin has been destroyed,
yet I will see God in my flesh.
27 I will see him myself;
my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger.
My heart longs within me.
I love this verse.

Despite his horrible circumstances,
despite his less than helpful friends,
despite his pain,
despite his wife who wanted him to curse God and die,
despite the bad theology being dispersed by his friends,
despite his despair,
despite not even having a hint of an answer to his desperate "WHY GOD?"
despite everything.......

Job trusted in God's faithfulness,
he trusted in God's promise of redemption, even though he didn't fully understand it,
he trusted in the resurrection,
he trusted that he would be in the presence of God one day
he loved God

When life gets hard (and we know that it will!), I want to have that hope, that trust.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 20-21; Acts 10:24-48

Thursday, June 29th: Job 14-16, Acts 9: 22-43 ~ by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

It's grad week. Our middle child graduated from high school on Monday and the school where I teach is having their Grade 8 farewell tomorrow. This class of grade 8s was my very first class of Grade 1 friends when I began my teaching career. It's bittersweet to see these important chapters close and new ones begin.

This verse stood out for me as I reflect on grad week:
Job 15: 31-33
31 Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless,
    for he will get nothing in return.
32 Before his time he will wither,
    and his branches will not flourish.
33 He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes,
    like an olive tree shedding its blossoms.

Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

In these new stages that graduates face in the coming months and years, how vitally important it will be for them to put their trust into something of value. They will need to discern what is truth in a world full of half truths. They will need to stand up for what is right in a world believing that what is right is relative and can change at any time. They will need to evaluate the eternal value and the 'here and now" cost of following Christ.

This verse reminds us that it is easy to deceive ourselves by putting our trust into the wrong things. Money. Power. Social Circles. Technology. Popularity. Health. All of these are fleeting and yet too often we do put a high value on these fleeting things. Then one day we realize that all of these things don't really matter. All of these things will eventually become like the branches (dead) and the vine (potential not reached) in this verse.

However, as we read in the NT:
Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

When we do put our faith in what is lasting, God can-and will-use it for His glory. This is unending and far-reaching and a perfect reminder for Graduates ....and all of us.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 17-19; Acts 10:1-23

Wednesday, June 28th: Job 11-13, Acts 9: 1-21 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Job 11-13; Acts 9:1-21

Job 12:4
“I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God and he answered — a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!

Job's "friends" looked down on him, they laughed at him and all the grief he was going through, but Job stayed the course and lived for God. Do we worry about how we are perceived by others? Do we let it effect how we live and the choices we make? Job stayed the course and trusted in God, he was most concerned this relationship, instead of his relationships with his "friends".

Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Ananias was hesitant to get involved with Saul at first, he knew all the horrible things Saul had done to those who belonged to the Way (Christians). Ananias listened to the Lord though, and did as he was told.

What a huge moment for Christianity! Saul (Paul) would go on to lead many to Christ. Ananias played a small but crucial role, with God's help. Can we play a small role in helping someone come to know Christ?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43

Tuesday, June 27: Job 8-10; Acts 8:26-40 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Job 8-10, Acts 8:26-40

I have never noticed the fore-shadowing of Jesus in Job before. Job goes on a long explanation (all of Chapter 9) of God's power and authority. He knows that God is almighty and he is only a sinful human. He tells Bildad that even if he were blameless and clean, he would not be worthy to approach God. And then he says in Acts 9:32-35:

“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him,
    that we might confront each other in court.
33 If only there were someone to mediate between us,
    someone to bring us together,
34 someone to remove God’s rod from me,
    so that his terror would frighten me no more.
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him,
    but as it now stands with me, I cannot."

(highlighting mine)

We forget how Holy and Almighty God is and take the role of Jesus for granted in our lives today. Job had it right - we need to remember God's power and that he sent Jesus for us to have that mediator, someone to bridge the gap between our sin and God. For the purpose of a love-relationship with God that would not be possible if Jesus were not there cleansing us of our sin so we can approach the Holy of Holy's.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 11-13; Acts 9:1-21

Monday, June 26th: Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 5-7; Acts 8:1-25

In the New Testament reading, it talks about how something good came out of something bad. The church was being prosecuted forcing everyone to scatter, but wherever they got scattered, they preached the gospel and people were saved.

"Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts 8:4

When in difficult situations do we drag ourselves down and ask why such a thing would happen? Or do we use it as an advantage, and make something good out of it?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 8-10; Acts 8:26-40

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

Saturday, June 24th: Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43

Job 2:10 “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?”
As Christians, it is very easy to believe the lie that if we are faithful, God will always reward that faithfulness by blessing us materially and physically in this life.

Sometimes He does.  But not always.

We are always blessed when we are faithful - spiritually.

But rain falls on the faithful and the wicked. Bad things happen to "good" people (and I put good in quote because none of us are good apart from the Holy Spirit's transformation of our lives).  We live in a fallen world and the effects of sin are all around us.  Sometimes bad things happen to us because of our sin, sometimes bad things happen to us because of someone else's sin, and sometimes bad things happen to us because of the existence of sin.  It's just the way life is.

Jesus never promised us an easy life.  Indeed, He and virtually all His disciples died a martyr's death and we should not expect better than they!

But He did promise to be with us, to never leave us or forsake us, and that eventually, eternally, all will be made right.

13 Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering was very intense.This is the correct response to suffering.  If only Job's friends had stayed silent!  There is often no need to talk - in fact, we often mess things up when we try.  What our friends and family need from us is our presence, our empathy, our love.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Job 3-4; Acts 7:44-60

Friday, June 23: Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21

The Book of Esther plays out like a movie.  There is an intense plot - a queen dethroned and exiled, a beauty pageant for the king to choose his next queen, a royal wedding, an assassination plot foiled by the enemy of the king's right hand man, politics, revenge, an evil plot uncovered, hangings, and war.

Today's reading contains the perfect movie ending - the good guys win!

But Esther did not know this was how it would end.  Things could have gone much differently.  The king could have refused to extend the golden sceptre to her and had her killed.  Or, he could have allowed her to live, but not believe her story about Haman.  Or he could have believed it but have been indifferent, allowing Haman to proceed as planned but sparing the queen.  Or, or, or.

But, though the name of God is never uttered in this book, His sovereignty is on clear display from beginning to end.  And the end was never in doubt.  God would never allow His people to be wiped out.  He had promised to always leave a remnant, and He was faithful to that promise.

However, Esther, by doing what was asked of her, by doing the right thing, by showing up "at such a time as this", had the privilege and blessing of participating in God's plan.

What will we do when God asks something difficult of us?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Job 1-2; Acts 7:22-43

Thursday, June 22nd: Esther 6-8; Acts 6 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Esther 6-8; Acts 6

Have you ever thought that you had everything all planned out, and then suddenly something happens and now the train is off the track?  Well welcome to todays reading.  

Reality sets in for Haman when he plans on requesting an execution of Mordecai from the king, but instead Haman finds himself honouring Mordecai in the exact way that he recited as being the best way he saw fit to be honoured by a king.  Not only would this be a humbling experience for Haman, but he also would have realized that this could possibly derail their plan for exterminating all the Jews.     

After the king designates Haman to being the one who is hanged (by his own gallows I might add), Esther tells the king that Mordecai is actually her relative.  With the king having an open ear, Esther also pleads with him to put an end to Haman's evil plan of wiping out the Jews.  The king then authorized Mordecai to put in place a decree ensuring that the Jews would be safe throughout the entire empire.

The Jews are God's chosen people.  They weren't perfect, they weren't always obedient, but God protected them.  God used an unexpected person named Esther; a young, orphaned girl whom He raised up to take on a major role in executing the dramatic turn around of Haman's evil plan.  

Today's reading reminded me that I too could be that unexpected person that God needs to play a major role in.  I'm not perfect, and not always obedient.  But am I willing?  Do I open my heart and mind up for that?  Do I make myself available for God?  Do I pray asking God to show me the role that He wants me to play?  

One last point.....

The verse that stood out to me in the NT reading was Acts 6:10:

"but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke."

Stephen was a man full of God's grace and power.  How cool and awesome would it be to have someone use those words to describe our character, because of how visible and active God is in our lives.     

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 9-10; Acts 7:1-21

Wednesday, June 21st: Esther 3-5, Acts 5:22-42 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is. Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42

In our reading from Esther we read about how the kingdom, or society, is closing in on the Jews living there, God's chosen people. Their is a order that goes out that gives the go ahead to kill all the Jews and to plunder their goods.

Esther 3:13
Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews —young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.

As Christians, we will face pressure to turn from God and join in what society wants. This storey from Esther shows again how important it is to not turn from God when the pressure is great, but to turn to Him, obeying and listening to Him.


Acts 5: 38-39
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. [39] But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

What I wise speech, if something is from God it will last, if from humans it will not. To this day the word of God is still preached, just as it was then, therefore it is truly from God and therefore 100% true and trustworthy!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 6-8; Acts 6