Monday, September 4th: Psalm 143-145; 1 Corinthians 14:21-40 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalm 143-145; 1 Corinthians 14:21-40

"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look up to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Psalm 145:13b-16

I like the way this passage starts: the Lord is faithful. He will ALWAYS keep his many promises.

He will always fight for us.
He will always love us.
He will always give us strength.
He will never leave us.
He will always go before us.
He has a plan for us, and it is good.

And so many more. It's comforting to know we serve a Mighty God who never breaks His promises, even if that's hard to understand in the world we live in today.

Another thing I like about this passage is the way it emphasizes the fact that God provides. Not only will He give us everything we need, we will also be satisfied.

Let's live in the comfort that we will always be cared and provided for, because God will never break that promise to us!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Monday, August 21st: Psalm 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalm 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4

I love the way the writer explains in Psalm 107 that no distance is too far for the love of God to reach. It doesn't matter if you wander away from God, or get put in jail because of your rebellious actions, or spend your life drinking, when we call to God, He is there. No one is too "bad" for God to love.

"Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord." Psalm 107:43

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 110-112; 1 Corinthians 5

Monday, August 7th: Psalm 72-73; Romans 9:1-15 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalm 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

This verse explains the power we have when we rely on God for strength. When it says "my flesh and heart" that refers to a whole man, his body and his soul. So when the whole body fails, our human strength has run out, whether that be through sickness, health, sorrow or any other weakness. On our own, we are helpless once our flesh and heart have failed.

But it doesn't end there. When we are exhausted and our bodies are failing, God gives us a strength that gives us life, joy, and endless peace in even the hardest of situations. In circumstances when fear and doubt should be overpowering us, God's love surrounds us and keeps us alive. But not only that, this power that God gives us will satisfy us to the core everyday. No source of happiness from any earthly friend, or from fame or wealth will give us the joy and strength that is in Jesus.

This verse has a poetic feel to it by the way in which it was written. The second part of the sentence is inverted and the word "heart" is mentioned first, instead of second. This is because of the importance of how God takes the weaknesses we have and transforms us from the inside out. Starting with the heart. Once He has given us the strength in our heart, on the inside, His joy will last with us forever.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 74-76; Romans 9:16-33

Monday, July 24th: Psalm 35-36; Acts 25

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalm 35-36; Acts 25

I noticed that Psalm 36 is very similar to the song "Your Love Oh Lord" by Third Day:

Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will lift my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of your wings

I love how Psalm 36 describes God in such a Mighty way. The sky, the mountains, and the ocean are all huge and magnificent, just like God. And because He is so Mighty, I can always find strength in Him.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalm 37-39; Acts 26

Monday, July 10th: Job 41-42; Acts 16:22-40 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 41-42; Acts 16:22-40

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prisoner doors fell open, and everybody's chains came loose." Acts 16:25

I love this story because God saved Paul and Silas only once they began praying and singing. Paul and Silas could've spent their time weeping and bummed out, unsure of what God's plan was for them. Instead they worshiped God.

In difficult times do I worship God or blame God? Do I ever underestimate the power of worship?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Psalms 1:3; Acts 17:1-15

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

Monday, June 12th: Ezra 3-5; John 20 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ezra 3-5; John 20

"Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed." John 20:8

"Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John 20:25

"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."" John 20:29

Sometimes it's easy to focus too much on physical proof. The cameras caught a picture of your vehicle running through a red light, proof you committed a crime. Your loved one surprises you by doing your least favourite chore, proof they love you. You earn a certificate when you graduate, proof you completed the course.

Jesus explains how much more valuable it is to have a faith that you don't even need physical proof to believe.

God doesn't just work in physical ways. Yes, Jesus did preform many miracles, but a lot of the work God does can't be seen. God gave us five different senses, and He can reveal Himself not just through sights, but other ways too. The phrase "a change of heart" is not meant literally, but rather as a symbol of God working through you.

So why then do we rely on God to "show himself" to us, in order for us to believe? Why should our loving, caring, and amazing Creator have to prove Himself?



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ezra 6-8; John 21

Monday, May 29th: 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

I find it so interesting how much of the Bible is repeated. In our Old Testament reading, we read about Solomon, an incredibly wise king. We read about Solomon back in 1 Kings, and yet here we are reading about him again.

Again, scripture is repeated in the New Testament when in verse 2 it says that this Mary was in a different story in the Bible, and goes on to say exactly what Mary did. It tells of how Mary poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair.

The Bible repeats itself when a message is really important. It's the same reason why we sing the alphabet song, count to ten, and repeatedly practice learning our colours as young children. We do this so we can learn and treasure the information deep so that we never forget it.

The order of many kings is such an important section of the Bible because it prepares the way for the True and Perfect King that was to come - Jesus. God used these many stories of kings (many of which did evil in the eyes of the Lord) to illustrate the importance for Jesus to come down to show His people what a real king looks like.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57

Monday, May 1st: 1 Kings 10-11; Luke 21:20-38 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 10-11; Luke 21:20-38

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Luke 21:33

We as humans live a very physical life. We spend hours shopping for stuff we want and not just need, we worry about getting a good career, and putting enough food on the table at every meal. We act in such a way that we hope will please others. We sometimes spend hours in front of a mirror in the mornings.

But all of this is just physical.

God reminds us that the earth will one day pass away. All our earthly prized possessions will mean nothing. The only thing that will matter is our faithfulness to God.

We can also be comforted in knowing that God's words will never pass away. What he said in the Bible is true yesterday, today and forever.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 12-13; Luke 22:1-30

Monday, April 17th: 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24

S: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11

O: Jesus often mentions that the first will become last and the last will become first. Jesus put himself last in every situation. He was born in a filthy stable. He lived with bare essentials, allowing God to provide everything He needed. He talked with all the weird people. He ate lunch with tax collectors. He died for sins he didn't even do.

A: Live in a "WWJD" (what would Jesus do) kind of way. Offer to be last, for we know we will get our full reward in heaven.

P: Dear God, thank you for showing us how to live in this world in a way that is different. Help us to put ourselves in last, just like you did. Remind us that we will be rewarded greatly in heaven. Amen.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14:25-35

Monday, April 3rd: Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50

In the Old Testament we read quite the strange story. Sometimes I wonder what the significance of a story like the Levite and the Concubine is, and why it's even in the Bible in the first place. This link sums up the meaning behind this passage pretty well:

"This grotesque series of events concludes with the fitting words of verse 25: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” Readers reeling from the immoral activities of these closing chapters of Judges can take some comfort in the fact that Scripture clearly condemned these activities. This dark period of Israel’s history would soon lead to the demand for an Israelite king, an act that would help to some degree yet would also reveal the need for a perfect King and Messiah—Jesus Christ, who would come later in the New Testament"

Sometimes in the moment our situations are tough and confusing and we don't know why God put it in His plan for us to go through them.  But if we take a moment to step back and realize what it could look like in the big picture, we could be nearing something so much greater. This story in the Bible is a great representation of how much we needed Jesus to come down to the Earth to show us what it looks like to be a perfect King.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25

Monday, March 20th: Joshua 4-6, Luke 1:1-20 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Joshua 4-6, Luke 1:1-20

"Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing trumpets." Joshua 6:4

It really stuck out to me how many times the number seven was referenced in just this one verse. In the Bible, God often uses the number seven as a number to represent completion. For example, God completed all of creation in a total of seven days. In this story in Joshua, completion is very much emphasized.

For years and years and years, God was leading His people to the Promised Land, a land "flowing with milk and honey". This land was highly talked about and referenced often. With the help of God, Joshua lead everyone across the river, to enter into the Promised Land. God's promise had finally been completed!

Although the Israelites doubted God so many times along the way, God stayed true to what He said.  God always keeps his promises, he did in Bible times, and he does in 2017 as well.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Joshua 7-9, Luke 1:21-38

Monday, March 6th: Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31

Our life here on earth so very short. Although it might seem as though minutes are passing as hours, and the week is dragging on forever, this earthly life is so small in the big picture. 

If you take a long rope that extends forever and ever, and you tie a small knot at the very beginning of this rope, that is your whole entire life on earth. Just the length of that small knot. The rest of the rope is either everlasting life with God in heaven, or death in hell. Human life usually lasts around 80 years, yet all those years only account for less than an inch on your everlasting rope of life. The choice of where we want to go for the rest of the time on our rope is ours to make. 

Sometimes it may feel as though being a Christian is hard, unfair, and not as fun, and we often let ourselves believe it's not worth it. Let's remember why we live differently and stand out from the crowd. 

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.31

Jesus reminds us that when we suffer even the hardest of days here on earth, we will be given so much more in heaven. Why would we want temporary riches on earth when can have everlasting riches in heaven?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Deuteronomy 1-3; Mark 10:32-52

Monday, February 20th: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

Nowadays, news travels fast. Texts, emails, snapchats, and Instagram pictures can be sent or uploaded in just a few seconds. Political news and celebrity gossip are never kept a secret very long, and once something is out, everyone instantly knows.

It wasn't always like this though. In Jesus' time, news was spread through word of mouth. Instead of newspaper headlines and twitter updates, people were telling about Jesus by talking about him. Some people in particular heard of Jesus and his ability to do miracles, and had faith he could heal a paralytic.

"Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Mark 2:4-5

Can you imagine? Maybe never even seeing Jesus before, but having so much faith in His ability to heal that you lower a paralytic from the roof a building to beat the crowds to get him closer to Jesus? There was no photo or video proof of Jesus' powers, yet their faith was so strong in Jesus.

My prayer is that I grow to always have a faith like this. A faith where I don't need proof to know that God is real and He is powerful. A faith where God is never questioned or challenged and doubts never cross through my mind.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 1-2; Mark 3:1:19

Monday, February 6th: Exodus 39-40; Matthew 23:23-39

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Exodus 39-40; Matthew 23:23-39

It's so easy to get caught up in outward appearances. Trying to wear the right clothes, or fix my hair in the right fashion can sometimes take control over the way I think. But Jesus tells us that this is not the way we are to live our lives:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of your cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." (Matthew 23:25-26)

You could be the most beautiful person in the whole world and the outside of your "cup" is absolutely spotless, but have a very dirty inside of your "cup". When this happens we are filled with greed and selfishness. But when we only worry about cleaning the inside, the Holy Spirit works through us and cleans us inside and out. The greatest concern should be inward purity, for once that has been accomplished we find that we are outwardly pure as well.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28

Monday, January 9th: Genesis 23-24; Mathew 7 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Genesis 23-24, Matthew 7

Hello! I'm Kezia and I'm 17 (almost 18!!) years old. I decided to read the bible in a year this year because of a mission trip to Mexico I went on this past summer. I grew a lot in my relationship with God on the trip and it made me really interested in reading more of His word.

In the Old Testament readings for today I found it was shown very clearly the power of prayer. Abraham's servant prayed specifically for a wife for Isaac and he had a long list of must haves that this wife needed to have (verse 14). God heard his prayer and answered his prayer before he had even finished praying. The first girl Abraham's servant interacted with was the girl he was looking for. I love knowing that God is always listening to our prayers.

The first part of New Testiment reading really stuck out to me, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (verse 3) It's very easy to get caught up in judging others when we need to remember that we ourselves are not perfect. There will never be an end to finding imperfections in others and we will run ourselves dry if we continue to judge. The only true Judge is Jesus, he is and will be the only perfect person, the only one who has authority to judge.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Genesis 25-26, Mathew 8:1-17