Thursday, May 28th: 2 Kings 17-18, Matthew 15:1-20 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 17-18; Matthew 15:1-20

After the misery of reading all about Israel's decline into spiritual depravity, I loved reading about Hezekiah's passion for God.

One part I found interesting was the smashing of the bronze snake Moses had made.  Originally this bronze snake symbolized God's presence and power, and was a reminder to the people of His mercy and forgiveness.  Unfortunately, it had become an object of worship instead of a reminder of whom to worship, and Hezekiah rightly had it destroyed.  Even something that was not made to be an idol can become an idol by the way people use them.  We have to be careful not to do the same thing - worship creation instead of the Creator, worship money instead of stewarding it for the kingdom, etc.
Our NT passage was a reminder that the heart of man is inherently sinful.  We are not intrinsically good.  We need a spiritual heart transplant.  Thankfully, that's exactly what salvation is.  God gives us a new heart, and puts new passions within us.  This new heart will manifest itself in our actions, of course, but we need to always remember that everything flows from the heart.  We also need to remember to nurture our new heart with spiritual food and not deprive it by filling our minds with trash.




 Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 19-21; Matthew 15:21-39

Wednesday, May 27th: 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 14:22-36 ~ tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 15-16; Matthew 14:22-36

Over and over we're reading that the kings did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin.   Robert Rayburn aptly points out.... We should shudder at the lasting effect of one man’s infidelity and disobedience. Generations virtually without thought followed Jeroboam in the course he had set. What was so natural for them because Jeroboam had made it normal in Israel was to lead to their ruin and destruction.

Two big reminders in there for us.  We need to make sure we are not blindly committing sin because it is normal.  And we need to be careful not to set up any sinful habits that our children will blindly follow after us.

Watching the steady decline of Israel into stubborn unrepentant sin - despite the preaching of Hosea, Amos, Micah, and Isaiah - unfortunately reminds me of the spiritual decline of Canada and America.  Yes, there is a faithful remnant, but a large portion of the church has simply succumbed to society's worldview and is, quite frankly, dying.  Therein lies the challenge for us - if the light is dying, how much more must we ensure that we do not keep our candle under the basket.

In our NT passage, I always love the story of Jesus walking on the water, and Peter's willingness to get out of the boat.  Yes, he falters and gives in to his fear - but originally he stepped out in faith, and when he did falter, he knew exactly who to turn to for help.  His faith was well-placed - Jesus always stands ready to rescue us when we recognize our inability to save ourselves and call on Him to save us.

I believe, help my unbelief!




 Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 17-18; Matthew 15:1-20

Tuesday, May 26th: 2 Kings 13-14, Matthew 14: 1-21 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 13-14; Matthew 14:1-21

In our Old Testament reading we read of many kings of Israel and Judah who did evil in the eyes of the Lord. But when the prophet Elisha gets sick and is about to die,  king Joash of Israel,  who also did evil in the eyes of the Lord and wouldn't have listened to Elisha,  got emotional and cried. This shows that all the while he was doing evil,  King Joash still respected Elisha and didn't feel comfortable knowing Elisha would soon be gone.  This is like when a loved one passes away,  we often wait too long to tell them how much we loved and cared for them.

The miracle in chapter 13: 20-21, where a dead man is thrown into Elisha's grave then becomes alive again after touching Elisha's bones, would have been both awesome to see and shocking at the same time. God used Elisha here again,  at least He used his body,  after he had died,  to perform this miracle.

In our New Testament reading,  I find it amazing how Jesus handles the crowds that followed Him, even though He was feeling real down. He had just heard of the murder of John the Baptist, who was a great man of God, and Jesus needed time to deal with His sorrow.

But a crowd of approx 5000 people had followed Him and it was getting late and they hadn't eaten. Jesus could have said He had had a tough day and wanted to be left alone, but instead had compassion on the crowd and felt a need to feed them, which He did. This shows me how much He loved them,  and loves us. He put the crowds needs before His own. A good reminder for me to think of others and not myself all the time.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 15-16; Matthew 14:22-36

Monday, May 25: 2 Kings 10-12, Matthew 13:31-58 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 10-12, Matthew 13:31-58

The first thing that stuck out to me was that the Bible is full of just as much blood and gore, mystery and plotting, kidnapping and hiding, as many of the blockbuster movies, books, and tv shows. What a horrible first couple of verses.

The next thing I noticed was this verse: ²¹ Joash was seven years old when he became king.

I teach Grade 1 and quite honestly most Grade 1 students need help wiping their noses, keeping their fingers out of their noses, and putting their shoes on the right feet. I can't imagine any of my Grade 1 friends ruling a country and all the responsibility that goes with that. Yet, he "Joash did what pleased God for as long as he lived. " It reminded me that God can use us no matter what my age or perceived ability is. 

In Matthew, Jesus speaks to the people in such wisdom to increase understanding of what he was saying. So often it is when something is explained to us in terms that we can understand that things become clear to us. Jesus used  life examples so that people could truly get his message. 

I think one of the most profound parts of today's reading was this:

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

⁵³ And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, ⁵⁴ and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? ⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” ⁵⁸ And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

Jesus was adored and revered by thousands who came to him to hear him speak, to be healed, and to be fed (physically and spiritually). However, in his own hometown, he was gossiped about, put down, and basically scoffed out of town. Were they just jealous? Was it because of his suspicious arrival during Mary and Joseph's courtship? Was it because the rest of his siblings were so "ordinary"?

Many small towns in our province boast on huge billboards to announce that they are home to certain NHL hockey stars. They want people to know that it was from their town where it all began. Jesus got no recognition like that. In fact, the Bible says that he chose not to demonstrate his miracles there because of their unbelief.

I think sometimes I am guilty of the same fault when I think about lack of recognition. I've been a Christian for as long as I can remember. I don't have a big "conversion" story where God literally turned my life around from obvious sin and rebellion that sometimes I don't broadcast my salvation to others. Sometimes hearing about how some testimonies of conversion are so dramatic makes my life story seems somewhat boring. Sometimes they share how God protected them or demonstrated clearly how He was leading them. Maybe because they are new Christians hearing and learning new things for the first time that they are more receptive and I don't always listen as closely because God has been a part of my life for so long....maybe?? Do I boast on the billboard of my life that God has been in my life (hometown) from the beginning? Have I been more reluctant to acknowledge God in my life because He's been there for so long? Or does God do less obvious and less spectacular miracles in my life because of my unbelief?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 13-14; Matthew 14:1-21

Sunday, May 24th: 2 Kings 7-9, Matthew 13:1-30 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 7-9; Matthew 13:1-30

In our OT passage today we again see the sovereignty of God displayed - both in the battles/famine and in the rise and fall of the kings of Judah and Israel.

One thing that is important to note is how much an unbelieving spouse contributed to the downfall of a king and, therefore, a kingdom.  We saw it with Solomon, and we see it again with Jehoram, as well as Ahaziah (whose mother was Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel).  The long term spiritual impact on a family cannot be underestimated when we choose to go outside of God's will and marry someone who is not a believer.  This is a vital truth that we need to teach to our children - who they choose to marry is so key to their lives and the lives of their children and their children after them.

In our NT passage it can be somewhat discouraging to read the parable of the sower and how much of the seed falls on unfruitful ground.  It can make us discouraged to bother sowing the seed.  But the truth is - some seed falls on faithful ground, and we cannot always tell what soil is good soil and what is not.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to prepare the soil, it is our job to spread the seed.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 10-12; Matthew 13:31-58

Saturday, May 23rd: 2 Kings 4-6, Matthew 12:24-50 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 4-6; Matthew 12:24-50

In the account of Naaman and God curing him of his leprosy through Elisha, we see that we need to humble ourselves before God and His sovereignty.  God doesn't do what we want the way we want Him to as though we had any say - God is in control, and we need to be willing to obey His voice even when it goes contrary to what we think is best.

It is also a picture of the gospel message.  We see a man in need, he hears the message of good news from the servant girl, there is supernatural deliverance, there is a work of grace, there is a command to obey something seemingly absurd, there is faith (however weak or halting it may be), there is a baptism, and a confession of the Lord as God.

We see from Gehazi, the dire consequences of sin - in his case greed and deceit.  We cannot hide our sin from God. We reap what we sow.

The account of the floating axe shows that God cares about every detail in our lives.

The account of Elisha's servant being able to see the supernatural is a great reminder to us that there is such an unseen world - and that we have to have faith without seeing it by sight, or we will live in spiritual blindness until it is too late.

The portion in Matthew that stood out to me was that a tree is known by it's fruit.  What kind of fruit am I producing?




 Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  2 Kings 7-9; Matthew 13:1-30

Friday May 22, 2015: 2 Kings 1-3, Matthew 12:1-23 ~ Elizabeth

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 2 Kings 1-3; Matthew 12:1-23

In early Hebrew tradition, 1 and 2 Kings were not separate books but were one long document, as the flow of the story itself shows. In the beginning of this part of the narrative, King Ahaziah and his troops show disdain for the Lord and His servant Elijah and are condemned with fire and death. Today the Lord would have us treat His servants with proper respect, pray for them, and hear His Word from them. In this sinful world, God’s Word is rare and precious, preserving our lives and delivering us from all condemnation. In Christ, we need not fear our enemies or His wrath.

After briefly noting Ahaziah’s death and before taking up the account of his successor’s reign, the author records the end of Elijah’s ministry and the first deeds of his disciple Elisha. When the Lord takes Elijah to heaven, He also bestows Elijah’s office and authority on Elisha, his chief disciple. The burning desire to serve God and His people through faithful leadership is proper. If we set our hearts on such noble service, and walk and talk with the Lord’s servants to learn from them His Word and wisdom, the Lord will prepare us for our calling. The heavenly Father will send His Spirit to embolden and uplift us, through Jesus, His Son. Through three miracles, the Lord removes all doubts about Elisha as Elijah’s successor. As the Lord calls us to service, He will prepare and support us. Though miracles may not follow us (as with Elisha) we have God’s miraculous Word in the pages of Holy Scripture by which the Lord will bless us with the comfort of salvation and equip us for every good work.

King Jehoram led Jehoshaphat and the Edomites against Moab on an ill-conceived military campaign, which had some success due to the Lords intervention through Elisha. Today, do not equate poor planning with faith. For all your endeavors, seek God’s blessing through prayer and make your plans through the wisdom of His Word. The Lord grants us wisdom and thoughtful hearts so that we may honor Him with our deeds. Thankfully, He planned for our victory over evil and our everlasting salvation in the person of His Son, Jesus, who offered Himself freely for the sins of all people.

In our reading from Matthew, God’s purpose in giving the Sabbath law was to provide physical rest for His people. But those in Jesus’ day who tried to follow all the Sabbath regulations imposed by the Pharisees found that the law had become a heavy burden, a yoke on their necks. We keep the Sabbath Day holy when “we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it” (Luther’s Small Catechism). Jesus offers true rest, the yoke of the Gospel. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 4-6; Matthew 12:24-50

Thursday, May 21st: 1 Kings 21-22, Matthew 11 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 21-22; Matthew 11

The story of Naboth's vineyard and the absolute cruelty of Ahab and Jezebel has always resonated with me.  The absolute injustice of it all is shocking to us.  Imagine Naboth's wife - losing her husband, and (according to 2 Kings 9:26) her sons to a charge that was completely false - so devastating!

But we serve a God of justice.   And because Ahab destroyed Naboth's inheritance, God would destroy Ahab's inheritance and destroy his family line.  We won't always see earthly justice, but we are guaranteed eternal justice.

Thankfully, we also serve a God of mercy.  After all, we have all acted unjustly.  No, not to the extent that Ahab did, but unjustly all the same.   It's a difference in degree, not in kind.  God was willing to extend mercy to Ahab - but his repentance was superficial and short lived.  The good news is, that if God was willing to extend mercy to Ahab, a man of horrendous evil, He is also willing to extend mercy to us.

In our NT passage we see Jesus reply to John's question with, as Ray van der Laan explains, a remez.  Generally, a remez is a way of quoting a bible passage in such a way as to emphasize the portion you omitted.  In Isaiah, it is prophesied numerous times that the Messiah would make the blind see, the lame walk, lepers cleansed, deaf healed, and the prisoners set free.  Except Jesus did not quote the portion about the release of the prisoners - telling John that, though Jesus was indeed the Messiah, John would not be released as he expected, but that he would die in prison.



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 2 Kings 1-3; Matthew 12:1-23

Wednesday, May 20th: 1 Kings 19-20, Matthew 10:21-42 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 19-20; Matthew 10:21-42

Chapter 19 starts off just after Elijah has performed a miracle (with God's help) making it visible to all who were there that God is the only true God and Baal was a fake. Elijah went on to kill all the prophets of Baal afterwards.

In chapter 19 we read how Elijah is running for his life after Jezebel threatens to kill him for what he did to the prophets of Baal. Elijah is terrified but God helps him again and shows himself to Elijah in a few more miracles. First God sends an angel to give Elijah food,  then He reveals himself to Elijah by causing a massive wind that breaks off a part of a mountain,  followed by an earthquake and fire.  God then spoke to Elijah in a gentle voice giving him instructions to go back and anoint Elisha as the next prophet.

Even though Israel and Judah keep sinning against God,  God still provides prophets to help those that want to obey God. It says in verse 18 that there were approximately 7000 in Israel that still obeyed God. Those 7000 reminded me of the Christians in North America. We Christians were once in the majority here in Canada (like all of Israel once followed God) and Canada's laws were based upon what the Bible  teaches. We are now in the minority and our nation doesn't seem to want anything to do with God. And yet God still provides good leaders in our churches . This makes me appreciate our pastors and church leaders. 

In our New Testament reading we read more about how difficult it is to follow Christ. This goes along with what I mentioned earlier that struck me,  about God's followers being in the minority back in Elijah's day. The same thing is true today,  Christians are in the minority here, and shouldn't expect to have it easy. In fact, we can expect persecution in some form and need to be ready to respond in a way that honours God and shows that we are proud to follow him, and not ashamed.

That is my prayer and goal,  to not be ashamed anytime,  that I'm a follower of Christ.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  1 Kings 21-22; Matthew 11

Tuesday, May 19th: 1 Kings 16-18, Matthew 10:1-20 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 16-18; Matthew 10:1-20

The first thing that struck me about our OT passage is God's sovereignty and how He is able to use sin and sinful men, sinlessly.  The rise and fall or each king was no accident.  God's hand is firmly in control.  Time after time we read about something coming to pass just as God said it would - including entire families being destroyed.

Another thing is that each king, and the nation under him, was judged according to his heart and deeds.  It never says that the king followed God faithfully and that God wiped out his family line.  We are all personally responsible to God for our actions.

Another thing is God's timing.  God is oftentimes very patient in dealing out justice, but what He says will happen will happen, in His time.  It doesn't matter how much time has passed, the promise still stands.  God had decreed, through Joshua, hundreds of years earlier, that whomever rebuilt Jericho would do it at the cost of his firstborn and lastborn.  The people may have thought it was irrelevant by now, after all, so much time had passed.  But God's promises are timeless, and Heil lost his firstborn and lastborn son when he rebuilt Jericho, exactly as God had promised.

Sin and its consequences always seem to multiply over time.  Each king in Israel got progressively worse and worse.

Rayburn points out that even though our nation is certainly not Israel, and we are not under covenant with God as a nation, the same principles still hold true from all countries today.

1. History is a divine plot and God is in absolute control;
2. The prospects of a people are directly related to their moral condition;
3. Each nation as each man is directly responsible to God and accountable for its behavior;
4. And God’s time is not ours; we cannot measure his approval or disapproval in the moment, but only when he finally acts to exercise his judgment in the world according to his Word.

Our NT is a good reminder that our faith is missional, and we must share what we believe with those around us, no matter the cost.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 1 Kings 19-20; Matthew 10:21-42