Wednesday, December 11th: Amos 4:1-6:14, Revelation 2:18-3:6, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 29:21-22 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Amos 4:1-6:14, Revelation 2:18-3:6, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 29:21-22

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
    who, O Lord, could ever survive?
⁴ But you offer forgiveness,
    that we might learn to fear you.

I appreciated this devotional..... (emphasis mine)


My friend Nick grew up in a church that was very eager to keep him from sinning. Leaders in the church were fond of reminding him and his friends that, someday, when they stood before the Lord, all of their sins would be “shouted from the rooftops.” Yes, if they had faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they would be saved, but only after being publicly humiliated before all creation. This threat might have kept Nick from sinning in some cases, but mostly it filled him with terror and with a desire to hide from God.

As it turns out, this threat finds little support in Scripture. It is based on a passage in Luke where Jesus warns his disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They think their sinful expressions will be kept secret, but the time is coming when these secrets will be “shouted from the housetops for all to hear” (Luke 12:1-3). Even if we were to take this language literally, it still refers only to things we say in secret, not to all of our sins.

The bigger problem with the threat of public humiliation in the judgment is its lack of fit with biblical teaching on God’s amazing grace. Psalm 130, for example, recognizes that if God kept a record of sins, we’d be utterly without hope of surviving (literally, of “standing” before him in the last judgment). But the good news is that God offers forgiveness. Implicitly, God does not keep a record of sins. As he promises through Jeremiah, concerning “the least to the greatest”: “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (Jer 31:34). Of course, God has the ability to know every sin we have ever committed. But, as he forgives us, he chooses to look upon us as if we had not sinned.

Now, one might fear that this kind of forgiveness might lead to unbridled disobedience. If God doesn’t keep a record of my sins, then am I free to sin all I want? In a sense, the answer is yes. But notice again what it says in Psalm 130:4: “But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.” This is not fear of God as in, “Oh no, I’m afraid God is going to wipe me out because of my sin. I’d better hide.” Rather, this kinds of fear is profound respect and reverence. The more we comprehend the wonder of God’s forgiveness, the more we will freely offer our lives to him in service. We will seek to avoid sin, not because we are afraid of cosmic humiliation, but because we want to honor and glorify the God who has forgiven us so completely.
Amen!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23

Monday, December 9th: Joel 1:1-3:21, Revelation 1:1-20, Psalm 128:1-6, Proverbs 29:18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Joel 1:1-3:21, Revelation 1:1-20, Psalm 128:1-6, Proverbs 29:18

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,”[e] says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
Truly an incredible statement.  The fact that God has always existed is one of those things that is difficult for our finite minds to grasp.  He alone is truly awe inspiring.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Amos 1:1-3:15, Revelation 2:1-17, Psalm 129:1-8, Proverbs 29:19-20

Friday, December 6th: Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 29:9-11 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 29:9-11

2 John 1:5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends,[c] that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

Love.  It's not optional!

Thursday, December 5th: Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 29:5-8 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 29:5-8

1 John 5:4-5

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Very comforting passage of scripture. As Christians we defeat the evil in this world through our faith in God and belief in His son - Jesus.

There is plenty of evil around us, we may see it at work or school, but we cannot give in to evil. It is a battle we may have to fight daily, but it is worth fighting, and can only be fought and won with the help of Jesus. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 29:9-11

Wednesday, December 4th: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4

1 John 4:⁹ God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Perfect verses for this advent season - reminding us that God loved us, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.  He came to rescue us, to redeem us, to restore us because of love and for HIs glory.  Amen!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 29:5-8

Monday, December 2: Daniel 9:1-11:1, 1 John 2:18-3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, Proverbs 28:27-28 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 9:1-11:1, 1 John 2:18-3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, Proverbs 28:27-28

Scripture:  Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

Observation: Sin separates us from God and the closer we are to God the less tempted we are to sin against him.

Application: This verse says "for all sin is contrary to the law of God". Not some sin, not big sins, not only bad sin but all. I think we sometimes think (or would like to believe) that some sin is worse than others. But there is no difference to God. Whether it is engaging in the sin of child pornography, cheating on your husband, or telling a lie which often leads to more lies to cover up the first one, these actions that prompt us to turn away from God cause us to become entrapped in sin. Jesus came to rid us from the guilt and the stain of sin. We can be quick to judge those who sin differently than us not realizing that we also fall short of God and rely on His mercy and forgiveness. I like the phrase in the Casting Crowns song that says: "But you can turn around, You've never been more than, One step away from surrender, One step away from coming home, coming home" We are always just one step away from God's forgiveness through our repentance.

Prayer: Creator God, You are the author of salvation and You have redeemed us from all our sin. We fall short of your GLORY and we think we can do things on our own. We are embarrassed and hide our sin in so many ways but You see it all. Help bring those sins to light so that we can see how desperately we need You. Thank you for being faithful to forgive us for everything and wiping our pasts clean. Help us to not judge those who sin differently than we do. Point out to us where we need to work in our own lives so that we are not focused on the trials of others but on our own lives to be right with you. Amen. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Daniel 11:2-35, 1 John 3:7-24, Psalm 122:1-9, Proverbs 29:1 

Friday, November 29th: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22

2 Peter 3:⁹ The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

This passage makes it clear that God's patience is merciful, and that we cannot take it for granted or mistake it for lack of judgment.  The delay is for our benefit, for another opportunity to repent.  But there will come a day when that opportunity will be over and judgment will come.

So thankful for His mercy towards me!


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 7:1-28, 1 John 1:1-10, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 28:23-24

Thursday, November 28th: Daniel 5, 2 Peter 2, Psalms 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 5:1-31, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20

That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed.

Daniel 5:30

A few interesting things from our Old Testament reading today... 

- Belshazzar hadn't learned the important lesson from Nebuchadnezzer, to humble himself and serve God, instead of his own worldly desires. He paid for this in the end. 

- Daniel had done a great deed and helped Nebuchadnezzer come to know the Lord, and was rewarded. But when Belshazzar came into power Daniel was forgotten until Belshazzar needed help, then he looked for and found Daniel. Daniel was humble and didn't need worldly rewards, he just wanted to please God.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22
 

Wednesday, November 27th: Daniel 4:1-37, 2 Peter 1:1-21, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 28:17-18 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 4:1-37, 2 Peter 1:1-21, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 28:17-18 

It could be argued that King Nebuchadnezer was always a bit crazy.  After all, he expected his wise men to be able to tell him what he dreamt!  But eventually, he literally does go crazy after not heeding Daniel's advice after interpreting another dream promising that's what would happen if he did not change.

He didn't listen.

And he went crazy.  For 7 years!!  But that finally was enough to get his attention.

³⁴ “After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.

His rule is everlasting,
    and his kingdom is eternal.
³⁵ All the people of the earth
    are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases
    among the angels of heaven
    and among the people of the earth.
No one can stop him or say to him,
    ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’

³⁶ “When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.

³⁷ “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”

Hopefully most people won't wait for such a drastic consequence before surrendering to God!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Daniel 5:1-31, 2 Peter 2:1-22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20

Monday, November 25th: Daniel 1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 28:14 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Daniel 1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 28:14

As a child, the only portion of Daniel's life that I associated with him was the lion's den.  And obviously, that's a pretty dramatic and memorable story.  But Daniel lived out his faith consistently throughout his lifetime, and there were several times when his resolve to do so was tested.  I'm sure he had moments of doubt and maybe there were times when he didn't do the right thing, but from the biblical record of his life, he consistently obeyed God no matter the potential consequences.

And it started at a young age.  Daniel and his friends were young when they were taken into exile.  And it would've been very easy to go along with what was expected of them and eat unclean food.  It would have been very easy to justify it, and say they had no choice, as they were prisoners.

But Daniel stepped out in faith and asked for permission not to eat unclean foods, and God honoured his boldness.

Again, in the second chapter, we see Daniel act with wisdom and discernment in the face of imminent execution.  His past behaviour had likely earned him the ability to ask more questions and to go see the King before the edict was carried out.  And then he went directly to God for help. And again, God honoured his faithfulness.

I pray that I (that we all!) would have the wisdom, courage, and faithfulness of Daniel.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Daniel 2:24-3:30,1 Peter 4:7-5:14,Psalm 119:81-96,Proverbs 28:15-16