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 

Wednesday, July 24th: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29

This Romans 8 passage is very well known, and though it may make me "typical", it is one of my favourites as well.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[e] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This past weekend an aunt and an uncle of mine both passed away on the same day.  Two sisters had married two brothers, so that means my aunt lost her sister and her husband, and my uncle lost his brother and his wife, all on the same day.  What grief! 

At times like that all we can do is cling to the promises of God.  He grieves with us.  He loves us through it all.  And He gives us hope.

For those that have passed on, it was a glorious day - indeed they didn't have to wait long to experience a heavenly reunion with each other!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14, Romans 9:1-24, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 20:1

Tuesday, July 23, 2019: 2 Chronicles 8:11 - 10:19, Romans 8:9-25, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 8:11 - 10:19, Romans 8:9-25, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 19:26

Rehoboam is a good example of someone who thinks he knows better because he's younger and his friends must have better ideas than the "old" people who had done it all before.  I'm learning that this appears to be a part of the growing process and I know at times I refused to listen to wisdom given when I was younger. I find the older I get the more wisdom I seek from my elders. I'd rather try to avoid making mistakes by getting advice and experience from those who have walked before.

And now as my kids start their own journey's, I'm finding out how difficult it is to watch or let them make mistakes that I know could be avoided if they would be willing to listen. But I'm also finding that there are times, where I just have to let them go and make the mistakes so they learn to seek the advice before jumping. I'd rather not have to say "I told you so" but it seems that we all have to get into some situations where someone could say that to us. I just pray that the situations that my kids find themselves in are good learning experiences without being too devastating.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 19:27-29

Saturday, July 20th: 2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17, Romans 6:1-23, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 19:20-21 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17, Romans 6:1-23, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 19:20-21 

Romans 6:12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires.

We cannot make excuses for our sin, minimize our sin, or try to justify it in any way.  "I'm only human" does not fly.

It is true that we are not sinless, and we will be unable to attain perfection in this life.  But that doesn't mean we throw our hands up in despair.  And it certainly doesn't mean we allow sin to let loose or fester in our lives.

Rather we are to be purposeful in the purging of sin from our lives.  We are to rely on God's power through the Holy Spirit to transform us, and allow the grace of His forgiveness to wash us clean when we fail.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11, Romans 7:1-13, Psalm 17:1-15, Proverbs 19:22-23

Tuesday, July 16th: 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32, Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 19:13-14 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32, Romans 3:9-31, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 19:13-14

I like the full circle that this passage in Romans talks about. We aren't saved by the law. We are saved by faith. But with true faith comes a desire to follow God's laws. This is often a hard concept to explain and understand. And lines are often easy to blur when it comes to the law. It's important to remember that not a single person on earth can ever uphold the laws perfectly so we are all in need of Christ's saving grace. And when we realize all that Christ has done for us we willingly want to strive to follow His commands.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11, Romans 4:1-12, Psalm 13:1-6, Proverbs 19:15-16

Saturday, June 9th: 1 Kings 16-18; Romans 16 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 16-18; Romans 16

I always love the story of Elijah and the battle on Mount Carmel.  I love the absolute and undeniable display of God's power.  I think that sometimes, because we don't see those type of drastic miracles anymore, we tend to forget that we serve that God.   Not only that, that power lives within us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  That's amazing!

Romans 16:19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home, and our kids have that same blessing.  This is my prayer (one of many!) for them - that they would continue to be wise in doing what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong.  I remember as a teen sometimes thinking that my testimony was boring.  But honestly, to not have a dramatic testimony to share is a blessing in itself.  To have never known a time without Christ is truly a good thing!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 19-20, 1 Thessalonians 1

Friday, June 8th: 2 Chronicles 13-15; Romans 15 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 13-15; Romans 15

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬

God has chosen us to be His children. And because of this, nothing could ever separate us from His love. No matter how many times we sin, or how “bad” the sin is, He still loves us. Nothing could ever separate us from the unconditional love we receive from the Father. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 16-18; Romans 16

Thursday, June 7th: 2 Chronicles 10 - 12, Romans 14 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 10-12, Romans 14

2 Chronicles 12:1
After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 12: 12
Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD ’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.

2 Chronicles 12: 14
He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.

These verses, to me, summed up Rehoboam. He did evil then turned to God, who made some good out of the situation, but at the end of the day Rehoboam wasn't committed to serving God.

I also sin, then ask for forgiveness and turn back to God, but I want to be fully committed to God. I don't want to be back and forth with commitment to Him, this is my prayer.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 13-15, Romans 15

Wednesday, June 6th: 2 Chronicles 7-9, Romans 13 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 7-9, Romans 13

Dr Rayburn says this about the first portion of Romans 13......
Let’s sum up: 1) Paul does not mean that Christians are to do what the government commands if it commands that which God forbids; 2) but clearly the government has a role that the individual does not have and Christians are obliged to respect that role and honor that government as instituted of God; and 3) obedience is required even of those governments that are overtly hostile to the Christian faith and way of life unless and until it orders the violation of God’s law. Even then Christians are not to resist violently but to suffer as an act of reverence for God and his law and to leave the outcome to God.

Take heed. Get this clear in your minds. You may feel this is not particularly relevant to your daily life. Who is to say what will be relevant weeks, months or years from now? This is our watchword and it will be, I fear, more and more as it has been in ages past. It is by obedience to these instructions of Paul that faithful Christians have lived from the beginning and it is by this same obedience that they have remained and prospered in a hostile world in which governments, however owing their origin to the Almighty enthusiastically did and do the will of the Devil. It is today in many places in this world as it was in days gone by, Christians proving themselves the most loyal of citizens even as their governments mistreat and kill them. As Augustine reminds us, the church won the Roman world not by fighting but by suffering and in their suffering proving that there was a higher law and a greater loyalty and a much more wonderful love than anything known in the Roman world.

The last section of Romans 13 also stood out to me today.  We are to love people, we are to fight the sin in our lives, and in doing so the way we live our lives will stand out as being different from the way everyone else lives - knowing we can only do this in His strength, not our own.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 10-12, Romans 14

Tuesday, June 5: 2 Chronicles 4-6, Romans 12 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Chronicles 4-6, Romans 12

Romans 12 is one of those passages that should be posted to read again & again to be a reminder of how we are to live.  There are so many verses in this chapter that hit me; I need to do better.

Vs 2 - don’t copy the behaviours & customs of this world but let the Word of God transform you

Vs 3 - don’t think that you’re better than you really are

Vs 6-8 - use the gifts that God has given you for his purposes

Vs 9 - don’t pretend to love others; really love them

Vs 9 - hate what is wrong

Vs 11 - never be lazy; work hard & serve the Lord

Vs 12 - be patient in trouble & keep on praying

Vs 13 - when people are in need, help them

Vs 14 - bless those that persecute you, don’t curse them

Vs 16 - don’t be proud

Vs 18 - live at peace with everyone

These verses aren’t easy & are definitely in contrast with what we find in the world, but they aren’t suggestions, they are commands for every Christian.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 Chronicles 7-9, Romans 13

Monday, June 4: 1 Kings 13-15, Romans 11 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 13-15, Romans 11

Scripture: Romans 11:17-21
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Observation: Jesus came for all...Jew and Gentile and neither is more important than the other.

Application: Our faith is what brings us into the family of Christ. We don't deserve it, we didn't earn it, and we can't buy our way into it. I found this commentary:

The gospel is the greatest riches of every place where it is. As therefore the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, was the occasion of so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him; the future receiving of the Jews into the church would be such a change, as would resemble a general resurrection of the dead in sin to a life of righteousness. Abraham was as the root of the church. The Jews continued branches of this tree till, as a nation, they rejected the Messiah; after that, their relation to Abraham and to God was, as it were, cut off. The Gentiles were grafted into this tree in their room; being admitted into the church of God. Multitudes were made heirs of Abraham's faith, holiness and blessedness. It is the natural state of every one of us, to be wild by nature. Conversion is as the grafting in of wild branches into the good olive. The wild olive was often ingrafted into the fruitful one when it began to decay, and this not only brought forth fruit, but caused the decaying olive to revive and flourish. The Gentiles, of free grace, had been grafted in to share advantages. They ought therefore to beware of self-confidence, and every kind of pride or ambition; lest, having only a dead faith, and an empty profession, they should turn from God, and forfeit their privileges. If we stand at all, it is by faith; we are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which works by love to God and man.

Prayer: Creator God, thank you for grafting us all in to your family. Help us to be supported by your roots and let us not be puffed up with pride to be part of you but remind us often that we became your heirs only by your design. Help us to contain our wild ways and submit to You, help us to avoid temptation, and help us to thrive with our new roots. Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Chronicles 4-6, Romans 12

Saturday, June 2nd: 1 Kings 10-12; Romans 10 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 10-12; Romans 10

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]

More verses jumping out about preaching the good news.  Not just with actions, but with actual words.  We can't just "be kind to people", we need to tell them why we're doing it, we need to tell them the Good News!

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
A reminder how important it is to study the Word of God.  For initial saving faith, and also for continual development of our faith.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  1 Kings 13-15, Romans 11

Friday, June 1st: 1 Kings 7-9; Romans 9 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 7-9; Romans 9

“So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:18-20‬

I’ve often wondered why God would chose to harden some hearts and soften others. But these verses remind me that I am not God - not even close! So who am I to question His ways? We know that everything He allows to happen is all for His glory. So we need to trust that He is who He says He is: good, fair and loving. Our human minds can’t even begin to comprehend His ways, so we should stop trying to “figure God out” and start trusting that everything will work out for His glory, and for the good. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 10-12; Romans 10

Wednesday, May 30th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, Romans 7 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 10-12, Romans 7

Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
Unfortunately, we don't become perfect instantaneously when we become Christians.  Instead, we have to battle our sinful nature every day.

But thankfully, it is not a hopeless battle, and it is not one that we fight alone.

Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Christ is at work in us, changing us, molding us, shaping us.  But, we are not passive in this.  We don't just sit back and wait for God to work His magic on our lives while we binge watch Netflix and leave our Bible collecting dust on the shelf.

We also must put in the work, while knowing that we're relying on His strength.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 1 Kings 4-6, Romans 8

Tuesday, May 29: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Romans 6 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 7-9, Romans 6


Romans 6:17-18
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin & have become slaves to righteousness.

In these verses, 2 words really stick out to me - wholeheartedly & slaves

Wholeheartedly-
>are we living wholeheartedly for Christ, with all our “heart, soul & mind,” or are we only giving him a small part of ourselves (maybe only a small part when it’s convenient for us...)
>do we choose to obey when it’s easy or do we obey all teachings

Slaves-
>when I think of a slave I imagine someone being controlled by someone, forced to follow, to have lost the freedom to do as they please
>while God gives us a choice to follow, I like this image of being a slave to righteousness
>we are no longer a slave to sin; we can have victory over it through Jesus
>we become a slave to righteousness; we become filled with Jesus &, through his perfection, we have a desire to please him, to serve him without question, to leave our old desires behind - as though we have lost our own desires because we want so badly to please him

Lord, help me to serve you wholeheartedly, to leave every part of my old self behind & become a slave to righteousness. I pray that, in everything I do, I would let go & follow you. To obey, not only when it’s easy, but knowing that you will use it to complete a good work in me.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 10-12, Romans 7

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 4-6, Romans 5

Romans 5:6 and 7 says, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die." Here Paul puts what God did for us, by dying a cross into perspective. He died for the ungodly, and unrighteous, when we won't die for even the most righteous, we find it easier to live our lives for us, but won't give our lives to God. This week I will seek to live more for God, because he is the most righteous, and I am the unrighteous, but he died for me.








Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Romans 6

Saturday, May 26th: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Romans 4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Ecclesiastes 1-3; Romans 4

Romans 4:18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping —believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[e] 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
Why did Abraham keep hoping?

There was no earthly reason to keep hoping he would father a child when he was already 100 years old.

There was no earthly reason to keep hoping Sarah would bear a child when her womb was as good as dead.

But Abraham didn't need an earthly reason.

Because God had promised.

And that was enough.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Ecclesiastes 4-6, Romans 5

Friday, May 25th: Song of Songs 7-8; Romans 3 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Songs 7-8; Romans 3

“True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.”” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:3-4‬

Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. 

No matter what, God is faithful. He is always good, always true, always forgiving, and always loving. He never changes, no matter how much our worlds change, He remains the same. Even if every last person on earth doubts God’s existence, or willingly sins because “they know God will just forgive them”. Even if no one went to church or sang worship songs on Sunday, God is still faithful. He is ever-loving, ever-merciful, and ever-faithful. Why wouldn’t we want to worship someone like Him?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Romans 4

Thursday, May 24th: Song of Songs 4-6, Romans 2 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Songs 4-6, Romans 2

A couple verses in our New Testament portion caught my attention...

Romans 2:4
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

God loves us so much that He is kind, tolerant and patient with us. Do I respond with trying to do my best for Him? Or ignore what He does for me?

Romans 2:29B
... And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

The last part of this verse stood out to me, do I seek praise from God or people? Often I look for and enjoy praise from people, but my focus should be on seeking praise from God. This is what counts and truly matters.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Song of Songs 7-8, Romans 3

Wednesday, May 23rd: Song of Songs 1-3, Romans 1 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Song of Songs 1-3, Romans 1

Romans 1:3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be[a] the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.[b] He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege[c] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
I'm sensing a theme of verses I'm being drawn to!
~~~~~

8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.
Can you imagine having a faith that is being talked about all over the world?!
~~~~~
10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.
The first part of this verse is what jumped out at me.  Do I pray for opportunities?  Opportunities to love, to share the gospel, to serve, to empathize, to help, to comfort, etc.
~~~~~
25 They traded the truth about God for a lie.
Our society calls evil good and good evil. And it because they have trade the truth about God for a lie.   Why?  Because they think the chains of sin are freedom.

I pray for my unbelieving friends and family, that God will open their eyes to the truth about God, and that they would recognize the lies for what they are.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Song of Songs 4-6, Romans 2