Friday, November 30th: Zechariah 12-14; Revelation 4 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Zechariah 12-14; Revelation 4

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord —his name alone will be worshiped.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭14:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No more feeling like outcasts because of our faith, no more homesick feelings as we await His return, no more government issues, no more tears or pain, and no more waiting. 

One day He will return and take away all of these trials we are enduring now on this earth. His name will be the only name that is worshipped, and we will be home at last, eternally joyful with our Father and our family in Him.

Keep pressing on for this day, friends. Jesus is coming soon. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Esther 1-3, Revelation 5

Thursday, November 29th: Zechariah 9-11, Revelation 3:14-22 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Zechariah 9-11, Revelation 3:14-22

Zechariah 9: 9
Rejoice, O people of Zion
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet He is humble, riding on a donkey -
riding on a donkey's colt.

This verse stood out to me because it predicts what Jesus would be like, and is correct. Jesus is our ultimate king, yet was humble and wanting to serve. At the end of the day, Jesus wanted all to turn to Him and live for Him.

He offers all of us an unbelievable deal, give our lives to Him and we get to join Him in heaven forever! When you stop and think about this, it's unbelievable that people would turn away from Him.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Zechariah 12-14, Revelation 4

Wednesday, November 28: Zechariah 5-8, Revelation 3:7-13

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Zechariah 5-8, Revelation 3:7-13

9 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.

Simple words, but often easier said than done. I am thankful for the power of the Holy Spirit in me and pray daily for wisdom to discern what is right and courage to do it.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Zechariah 9-11, Revelation 3:14-22

Tuesday, November 27th: Zechariah 1-4, Revelation 3:1-6 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Zechariah 1-4, Revelation 3:1-6

Revelation 3:3 Be sorry for your sins and turn from them.
Pretty blunt.  Pretty basic.  Pretty simple.

But not always easy.

We are so easy to justify our own little pet sins.  But there is no such thing.  Yes, different sins have different consequences.  But all sin is still sin.  All sin is offensive to God.  All sin, no matter how minor, is enough to disqualify us from relationship with Him. 

I am so thankful for His mercy and grace!  I want to take my sin seriously, no matter how "big" or "small" it is.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Zechariah 5-8, Revelation 3:7-13

Monday, November 26th: Haggai 1-2, Revelation 2:18-29

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Haggai 1-2, Revelation 2:18-29

Our Revelation passage makes it clear that God knows everything about us - the good and the bad.  There is no such thing as sinning in secret.  God knows not only our actions, but our motives and thoughts and desires. 

What is amazing to me is that He loves me despite this.  Despite knowing the very worst of me, He loves me and offers me His grace.

It reminds me of these truths.....
There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.

May we accept His love and mercy, and be obedient to Him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Zechariah 1-4, Revelation 3:1-6

Saturday, November 24th: Ezra 4-6; Revelation 2:12-17 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 4-6; Revelation 2:12-17

As Ezra tells of the struggle the Israelites had with rebuilding the wall, and all the opposition that came with it, it reminds me of a few things.

First - few good things in life come easy.  Generally, things are worth a lot are not just handed to us on a silver platter.  We have to work for them.

Second - when we are doing God's work, we will be opposed.  There will be hardship, it will not be smooth sailing.  This isn't God closing a door, it's a call to perseverance. It's a call to remain faithful despite the difficulty.  It's a call to rely on God's strength instead of our own to complete the work.

Third - God will send encouragement and reinforcements.

Fourth - if God will it, it will succeed, no matter the opposition.  

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Haggai 1-2, Revelation 2:18-29

Friday, November 23rd: Ezra 1-3; Revelation 2:8-11 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 1-3; Revelation 2:8-11

Reading through the reading today, it was hard for me to pick something that stood out to me. But I realized that as I was slightly skimming over all of these names and numbers, just how many there actually were. 

“So a total of 42,360 people returned to Judah,”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭2:64‬

That’s how many people God returned from exile - that’s a lot!

It’s a good reminder of God’s faithfulness, and how He keeps His promises. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 4-6; Revelation 2:12-17

Thursday, November 22nd: Daniel 9-12, Revelation 2:1-7 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 9-12, Revelation 2:1-7

Daniel 9: 13-14
Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. [14] The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. 

Just as God warned the people of Israel what would happen if they didn't change their ways and turn to Him - God also warns us what will happen if we don't change our ways, seek forgiveness and give our lives to Him. 

They had many chances, and so do we, but it will come to an end at some point. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ezra 1-3, Revelation 2:8-11

Wednesday, November 21st: Daniel 5-8, Revelation 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 5-8, Revelation 1

There are some pretty amazing stories in our Daniel passage today.

I think it's safe to say Daniel 5 is the reason someone coined the phrase "the writing on the wall" and that it signifies the end or failure of something. I'm sure most secular people don't know the meaning behind this phrase, but we sure do!

And, of course, the story of Daniel in the lion's den has got to be one of the most well known stories of the Bible.

The common thread to me is the absolute sovereignty of God - which is a huge comfort to believers, and should be absolutely terrifying to non-believers.  His sovereignty is truly absolute.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 9-12, Revelation 2:1-7

Tuesday, November 20: Daniel 1-4, 3 John 1 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 1-4, 3 John 1

3 John 1:11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

John is speaking about the leader of the church & his actions. He recognized the sin in how the church was being run & the true heart of this leader. In these words he cautioned them to not just blindly imitate the actions of the leaders but to chose what is good & what is of God

We need to always be aware. It doesn’t matter the position that someone holds, if his actions or words are evil & not good we need to speak out against it. We can’t be fooled into believing the lie that this person has a position of importance so he must be right. We need to be grounded in our faith & in the word of God so that we can recognize these untruths & have the strength to stand up/speak out against it.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Daniel 5-8, Revelation 1