"They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid" (Zephaniah 3:13).
Yesterday we thought of the afflicted and poor people whom the LORD left to be a living seed in a dead world. The prophet says of such that they shall not work iniquity nor speak lies. So that while they had neither rank nor riches to guard them, they were also quite unable to use those weapons in which the wicked place so much reliance: they could neither defend themselves by sin nor by subtlety.
What then? Would they be destroyed? By no means! They should both feed and rest and be not merely free from danger but even quiet from fear of evil. Sheep are very feeble creatures, and wolves are terrible enemies; yet at this hour sheep are more numerous than wolves, and the cause of the sheep is always winning, while the cause of the wolves is always declining. One day flocks of sheep will cover the plains, and not a wolf will be left. The fact is that sheep have a Shepherd, and this gives them provender, protection, and peace. "None" -- which means not one, whether in human or diabolical form -- "shall make them afraid." Who shall terrify the LORD's Rock when He is near? We lie down in green pastures, for Jesus Himself is food and rest to our souls.
By C.H. Spureon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 13-17
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 54-56 & Romans 3
Historical: Proverbs 16-18
Chronological: Isaiah 59-63
Blended: Psalm 54-56 & Acts 21:1-17
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
How Watertight is your Cistern?
"For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water." Jer. 2:13
I know there are times in my life when I have forsaken the Lord. Where I've given Him up for things I desire out of this world. Idols can be anything that takes you and your time away from the Lord. For me, it tends to be TV and the computer. For others, they are like the women at the well who doesn't know she is standing in the presence of Jesus. "Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10). This women was living a life far from the life the Lord has called us to live. She found her idol in promiscuity. I'm sure she felt a hole in her heart and was trying to fill it up with the love of many men.
It's almost worse for those of us who know the truth and yet seek pleasure out of something other then the Lord. I know TV and the computer don't fill me up but rather fills me up with unnecessary junk. It's like those broken cisterns that can't hold water. My study notes say, "Watertight plaster was used to keep cisterns from losing water. Idols, like broken cisterns, will always fail their worshipers; by contrast, God provides life abundant and unfailing."
The women at the well was lost and filling herself up with something that wasn't lasting. We see that she had been in 7 relationships and was currently living a man that wasn't her husband. And yet, right before her at that well was the one true man who could fill that hole and seal it and make it watertight. Psalm 36:9 says, "For with You is the fountain of life, in Your light we see light."
God says, "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters . . . " (Isaiah 55:1). He also says in Rev. 21:6, "Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost." I believe every one of us has the ability to hear God's calling. He created us to need Him. Yet for most of us, the call goes unheard because of what we fill ourselves up with. For others, we hear the call and receive Jesus as our Savior yet allow ourselves to be muddled up by the call of the world.
I pray that those who don't know Him will be touched by someone who does. That their ears may become fine tuned to the frequency to hear God and realize that what He offers is free. I also pray that we who know Him will continue to fine tune our ears to hear God's voice through scripture, prayer and memorizing. It's so easy to have our attention drawn away. And yet, we are here to draw those to Jesus. We have a responsibility to those who don't know Him to seek Him and know Him intimately so that He can use us for His glory. So that He can use us to serve Him and witness for Him. Let's do away with our broken cisterns!
Krista Jones
8.12.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 9-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 51-53 & Romans 2
Historical: Proverbs 13-15
Chronological: Isaiah 54-58
Blended: Psalm 51-53 & Acts 20:17-38
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
I know there are times in my life when I have forsaken the Lord. Where I've given Him up for things I desire out of this world. Idols can be anything that takes you and your time away from the Lord. For me, it tends to be TV and the computer. For others, they are like the women at the well who doesn't know she is standing in the presence of Jesus. "Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10). This women was living a life far from the life the Lord has called us to live. She found her idol in promiscuity. I'm sure she felt a hole in her heart and was trying to fill it up with the love of many men.
It's almost worse for those of us who know the truth and yet seek pleasure out of something other then the Lord. I know TV and the computer don't fill me up but rather fills me up with unnecessary junk. It's like those broken cisterns that can't hold water. My study notes say, "Watertight plaster was used to keep cisterns from losing water. Idols, like broken cisterns, will always fail their worshipers; by contrast, God provides life abundant and unfailing."
The women at the well was lost and filling herself up with something that wasn't lasting. We see that she had been in 7 relationships and was currently living a man that wasn't her husband. And yet, right before her at that well was the one true man who could fill that hole and seal it and make it watertight. Psalm 36:9 says, "For with You is the fountain of life, in Your light we see light."
God says, "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters . . . " (Isaiah 55:1). He also says in Rev. 21:6, "Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost." I believe every one of us has the ability to hear God's calling. He created us to need Him. Yet for most of us, the call goes unheard because of what we fill ourselves up with. For others, we hear the call and receive Jesus as our Savior yet allow ourselves to be muddled up by the call of the world.
I pray that those who don't know Him will be touched by someone who does. That their ears may become fine tuned to the frequency to hear God and realize that what He offers is free. I also pray that we who know Him will continue to fine tune our ears to hear God's voice through scripture, prayer and memorizing. It's so easy to have our attention drawn away. And yet, we are here to draw those to Jesus. We have a responsibility to those who don't know Him to seek Him and know Him intimately so that He can use us for His glory. So that He can use us to serve Him and witness for Him. Let's do away with our broken cisterns!
Krista Jones
8.12.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 9-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 51-53 & Romans 2
Historical: Proverbs 13-15
Chronological: Isaiah 54-58
Blended: Psalm 51-53 & Acts 20:17-38
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
And After That What’s Next To Do?
". . . seek, and you will find . . ." Luke 11:9
Seek if you have not found. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss . . ." ( James 4:3 ). If you ask for things from life instead of from God, "you ask amiss"; that is, you ask out of your desire for self-fulfillment. The more you fulfill yourself the less you will seek God. ". . . seek, and you will find . . . ." Get to work— narrow your focus and interests to this one thing. Have you ever sought God with your whole heart, or have you simply given Him a feeble cry after some emotionally painful experience? ". . . seek, [focus,] and you will find . . . ."
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. . ." (Isaiah 55:1 ). Are you thirsty, or complacent and indifferent— so satisfied with your own experience that you want nothing more of God? Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. Beware of building your faith on experience, or your life will not ring true and will only sound the note of a critical spirit. Remember that you can never give another person what you have found, but you can cause him to have a desire for it.
". . . knock, and it will be opened to you" ( Luke 11:9 ). "Draw near to God . . ." ( James 4:8 ). Knock— the door is closed, and your heartbeat races as you knock. "Cleanse your hands . . ." ( James 4:8 ). Knock a bit louder— you begin to find that you are dirty. ". . . purify your hearts . . ." ( James 4:8 ). It is becoming even more personal— you are desperate and serious now— you will do anything. "Lament . . . " ( James 4:9 ). Have you ever lamented, expressing your sorrow before God for the condition of your inner life? There is no thread of self-pity left, only the heart-rending difficulty and amazement which comes from seeing what kind of person you really are. "Humble yourselves . . . " (James 4:10 ). It is a humbling experience to knock at God’s door— you have to knock with the crucified thief. ". . . to him who knocks it will be opened" ( Luke 11:10 ).
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 49-50 & Romans 1
Historical: Proverbs 10-12
Chronological: Isaiah 49-53
Blended: Psalm 49-50 & Acts 20:1-16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Seek if you have not found. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss . . ." ( James 4:3 ). If you ask for things from life instead of from God, "you ask amiss"; that is, you ask out of your desire for self-fulfillment. The more you fulfill yourself the less you will seek God. ". . . seek, and you will find . . . ." Get to work— narrow your focus and interests to this one thing. Have you ever sought God with your whole heart, or have you simply given Him a feeble cry after some emotionally painful experience? ". . . seek, [focus,] and you will find . . . ."
"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. . ." (Isaiah 55:1 ). Are you thirsty, or complacent and indifferent— so satisfied with your own experience that you want nothing more of God? Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. Beware of building your faith on experience, or your life will not ring true and will only sound the note of a critical spirit. Remember that you can never give another person what you have found, but you can cause him to have a desire for it.
". . . knock, and it will be opened to you" ( Luke 11:9 ). "Draw near to God . . ." ( James 4:8 ). Knock— the door is closed, and your heartbeat races as you knock. "Cleanse your hands . . ." ( James 4:8 ). Knock a bit louder— you begin to find that you are dirty. ". . . purify your hearts . . ." ( James 4:8 ). It is becoming even more personal— you are desperate and serious now— you will do anything. "Lament . . . " ( James 4:9 ). Have you ever lamented, expressing your sorrow before God for the condition of your inner life? There is no thread of self-pity left, only the heart-rending difficulty and amazement which comes from seeing what kind of person you really are. "Humble yourselves . . . " (James 4:10 ). It is a humbling experience to knock at God’s door— you have to knock with the crucified thief. ". . . to him who knocks it will be opened" ( Luke 11:10 ).
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 49-50 & Romans 1
Historical: Proverbs 10-12
Chronological: Isaiah 49-53
Blended: Psalm 49-50 & Acts 20:1-16
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Land Of Eternal Spring
"I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken." Psalm 37:25
The former president of Columbia Bible College in South Carolina, J. Robertson McQuilkin, pointed out that God has a wise purpose in letting us grow old and weak:
“I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever. And so we’ll be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. If we stayed young and strong and beautiful, we might never want to leave.”
When we are young, happily occupied with all our relationships and activities, we may not long for our celestial Home. But as time passes, we may find ourselves without family and friends, afflicted with dim vision and hearing difficulties, no longer able to relish food, or troubled by sleeplessness.
Here’s the advice I give myself: Be grateful that, as the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17, “God . . . gives us richly all things to enjoy” in life’s summer and autumn. And rejoice too that with the onset of life’s winter we can anticipate that we’ll soon be living in the land of eternal spring. — Vernon C. Grounds
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling-place there. —Bennett
The promise of heaven is our eternal hope.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 46-48 & Acts 28
Historical: Proverbs 7-9
Chronological: 2 Kings 18:9-19:37, Psalm 46, 80 & 135
Blended: Psalm 46-48 & Acts 19:21-41
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
The former president of Columbia Bible College in South Carolina, J. Robertson McQuilkin, pointed out that God has a wise purpose in letting us grow old and weak:
“I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever. And so we’ll be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. If we stayed young and strong and beautiful, we might never want to leave.”
When we are young, happily occupied with all our relationships and activities, we may not long for our celestial Home. But as time passes, we may find ourselves without family and friends, afflicted with dim vision and hearing difficulties, no longer able to relish food, or troubled by sleeplessness.
Here’s the advice I give myself: Be grateful that, as the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:17, “God . . . gives us richly all things to enjoy” in life’s summer and autumn. And rejoice too that with the onset of life’s winter we can anticipate that we’ll soon be living in the land of eternal spring. — Vernon C. Grounds
There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling-place there. —Bennett
The promise of heaven is our eternal hope.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Isaiah 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 46-48 & Acts 28
Historical: Proverbs 7-9
Chronological: 2 Kings 18:9-19:37, Psalm 46, 80 & 135
Blended: Psalm 46-48 & Acts 19:21-41
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, July 27, 2009
Firmly Planted Trees
Two verses stuck out at me this morning.
"But now, O Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8
"They (God's chosen people) will not build and another inhabit, they will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands." Isaiah 65:22
I know the last one is a little odd but what I was drawn to was the lifetime of a tree. Many trees do live for more years then I can even imagine. They must have a great root system that keeps it grounded, well feed by water and sun. What God seems to be speaking to me about this week is to diligently seek Him and Him alone. I need to be like "a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields it's fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." (Ps. 1:3).
And when I am firmly planted by the stream of Living Water I will be like "The righteous man (who) will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord. They will flourish in the courts of our God." (Ps. 92:12-13)
Lebanon Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree. It grows up to 130 ft tall and has a trunk that is 8 ft 2 in in diameter. It is a rather sturdy wonderfully growing tree. It has also been important to different civilizations. Some used it for building military ships, houses and temples. The Egyptians used it's resin for mummification. Moses used it's bark for circumcision and treatment of leprosy. It was used as a metaphor for the pride of the world by Isaiah. Kings from all over requested the wood for religious and civil constructs as in the case of King Solomon's temple.
So I see here that I need to be like the great Lebanon Cedar. In order to grow big and tall I need to have a strong root system that not only goes deep but wide so that when difficulty arises I will not fall. I need to be planted by streams of water and feed myself regularly from the Word. And when I do so, I will flourish and when I flourish I can be used in many ways just like the Lebanon Cedar has been used throughout the centuries. That's when I become like clay and my Potter can mold and use me in any way He sees fit.
And when this happens God will, "With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation." Psalm 91:16
Krista Jones
8.11.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Song of Solomon
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 43-45 & Acts 27:27-44
Historical: Proverbs 4-6
Chronological: Isaiah 44-48
Blended: Psalm 43-45 & Acts 19:1-20
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
"But now, O Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8
"They (God's chosen people) will not build and another inhabit, they will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands." Isaiah 65:22
I know the last one is a little odd but what I was drawn to was the lifetime of a tree. Many trees do live for more years then I can even imagine. They must have a great root system that keeps it grounded, well feed by water and sun. What God seems to be speaking to me about this week is to diligently seek Him and Him alone. I need to be like "a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields it's fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." (Ps. 1:3).
And when I am firmly planted by the stream of Living Water I will be like "The righteous man (who) will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord. They will flourish in the courts of our God." (Ps. 92:12-13)
Lebanon Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree. It grows up to 130 ft tall and has a trunk that is 8 ft 2 in in diameter. It is a rather sturdy wonderfully growing tree. It has also been important to different civilizations. Some used it for building military ships, houses and temples. The Egyptians used it's resin for mummification. Moses used it's bark for circumcision and treatment of leprosy. It was used as a metaphor for the pride of the world by Isaiah. Kings from all over requested the wood for religious and civil constructs as in the case of King Solomon's temple.
So I see here that I need to be like the great Lebanon Cedar. In order to grow big and tall I need to have a strong root system that not only goes deep but wide so that when difficulty arises I will not fall. I need to be planted by streams of water and feed myself regularly from the Word. And when I do so, I will flourish and when I flourish I can be used in many ways just like the Lebanon Cedar has been used throughout the centuries. That's when I become like clay and my Potter can mold and use me in any way He sees fit.
And when this happens God will, "With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation." Psalm 91:16
Krista Jones
8.11.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Song of Solomon
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 43-45 & Acts 27:27-44
Historical: Proverbs 4-6
Chronological: Isaiah 44-48
Blended: Psalm 43-45 & Acts 19:1-20
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Eccles. 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 37-39 & Acts 26
Historical: Psalm 146-150
Chronological: Isaiah 37-39 & Psalm 76
Blended: Psalm 37-39 & Acts 17:16-34
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Eccles. 9-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 40-42 & Acts 27:1-26
Historical: Proverbs 1-3
Chronological: Isaiah 40-43
Blended: Psalm 40-42 & Acts 18
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Eccles. 5-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 37-39 & Acts 26
Historical: Psalm 146-150
Chronological: Isaiah 37-39 & Psalm 76
Blended: Psalm 37-39 & Acts 17:16-34
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Eccles. 9-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 40-42 & Acts 27:1-26
Historical: Proverbs 1-3
Chronological: Isaiah 40-43
Blended: Psalm 40-42 & Acts 18
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Success Test
"So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared'" (Gen 32:30).
Every believer in Jesus Christ must have a defining moment in their lives. Jacob is about to meet his brother Esau in the desert after years of separation. The last time he saw him was when he manipulated the birthright from him years ago. He assumes Esau is going to try to kill him. He sends gifts ahead as a peace offering. And he spends a restless night in prayer asking God to spare his and his family's life.
Jacob has lived a life of control and manipulation. Yet, there is something in Jacob God finds worthy of redemption. He has a heart that genuinely wants to serve and be used of God. But God must do something in him to chisel away the bad traits in his life.
He sends an angel in the form of a man to wrestle away the striving in Jacob. The only way to remove the striving in Jacob is to injure his physical abilities. "When the angel saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man'" (Gen 32:25-26). Jacob's natural abilities were so great that God literally had to make Jacob a weaker man physically in order for God's power to be manifested in his life. When this happened a turning point took place in Jacob. A new nature was birthed in him that required a total trust in God. His name was changed in recognition of this defining moment. "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome'" (Gen 32:28).
My friend Bob Mumford once said, "Beware of any Christian leader who does not walk with a limp." If a leader has not wrestled with God over their natural abilities and come to a place of total dependence on God, that leader will live a life of striving and manipulation.
Let go and let God do the work needed in you. When this happens even your enemies will be a peace with you.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Eccles. 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 35-36 & Acts 25
Historical: Psalm 140-145
Chronological: Isaiah 35-36
Blended: Psalm 35-36 & Acts 17:1-15
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Every believer in Jesus Christ must have a defining moment in their lives. Jacob is about to meet his brother Esau in the desert after years of separation. The last time he saw him was when he manipulated the birthright from him years ago. He assumes Esau is going to try to kill him. He sends gifts ahead as a peace offering. And he spends a restless night in prayer asking God to spare his and his family's life.
Jacob has lived a life of control and manipulation. Yet, there is something in Jacob God finds worthy of redemption. He has a heart that genuinely wants to serve and be used of God. But God must do something in him to chisel away the bad traits in his life.
He sends an angel in the form of a man to wrestle away the striving in Jacob. The only way to remove the striving in Jacob is to injure his physical abilities. "When the angel saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man'" (Gen 32:25-26). Jacob's natural abilities were so great that God literally had to make Jacob a weaker man physically in order for God's power to be manifested in his life. When this happened a turning point took place in Jacob. A new nature was birthed in him that required a total trust in God. His name was changed in recognition of this defining moment. "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome'" (Gen 32:28).
My friend Bob Mumford once said, "Beware of any Christian leader who does not walk with a limp." If a leader has not wrestled with God over their natural abilities and come to a place of total dependence on God, that leader will live a life of striving and manipulation.
Let go and let God do the work needed in you. When this happens even your enemies will be a peace with you.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Eccles. 1-4
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 35-36 & Acts 25
Historical: Psalm 140-145
Chronological: Isaiah 35-36
Blended: Psalm 35-36 & Acts 17:1-15
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Elisabeth Elliot Quote
When ours are interrupted, his are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable) "toward the goal of true maturity" (Rom 12:2 JBP).
Elisabeth Elliot
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 30-31
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 33-34 & Acts 24
Historical: Psalm 133-139
Chronological: Isaiah 31-34
Blended: Psalm 33-34 & Acts 16:22-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Elisabeth Elliot
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 30-31
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 33-34 & Acts 24
Historical: Psalm 133-139
Chronological: Isaiah 31-34
Blended: Psalm 33-34 & Acts 16:22-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Seeing God in Christ
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, . . ." Hebrews 1:1–2a
I have always felt that when we read and study the Word of God we should have great expectations. We should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Person, the glory and the eternal ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps our problem is in our approach. Perhaps we have simply read our Bibles as we might read a piece of literature or a textbook.
In today's society, great numbers of people seem unable to deal with God's revelation in Christ. They run and hide, just as Adam and Eve did. Today, however, they do not hide behind trees but behind such things as philosophy and reason and even theology—believe it or not! This attitude is hard to understand.
In Jesus' death for our sins, God is offering far more than escape from a much-deserved hell. God is promising us an amazing future, an eternal future. We do not see it and understand it as we should because so much is wrong with our world. The effects of sin are all around us. The eternal purposes of God lie out yonder. I often wonder if we are making it plain enough to our generation that there will be no other revelation from God except as He speaks it through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: God speaks to us, reveals Himself to us by His Son. That Son is the radiance of His glory, the exact representation of Godness. The more we gaze on Christ as seen in Scripture and in worship, the more we learn of God, the final revelation. - Jesus, Our Man in Glory Chapter 2 - Jesus, God's Final Revelation
By A.W. Tozer
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 27-29
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 31-32 & Acts 23:16-35
Historical: Psalm 120-132
Chronological: Isaiah 28-30
Blended: Psalm 31-32 & Acts 16:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
I have always felt that when we read and study the Word of God we should have great expectations. We should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Person, the glory and the eternal ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps our problem is in our approach. Perhaps we have simply read our Bibles as we might read a piece of literature or a textbook.
In today's society, great numbers of people seem unable to deal with God's revelation in Christ. They run and hide, just as Adam and Eve did. Today, however, they do not hide behind trees but behind such things as philosophy and reason and even theology—believe it or not! This attitude is hard to understand.
In Jesus' death for our sins, God is offering far more than escape from a much-deserved hell. God is promising us an amazing future, an eternal future. We do not see it and understand it as we should because so much is wrong with our world. The effects of sin are all around us. The eternal purposes of God lie out yonder. I often wonder if we are making it plain enough to our generation that there will be no other revelation from God except as He speaks it through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: God speaks to us, reveals Himself to us by His Son. That Son is the radiance of His glory, the exact representation of Godness. The more we gaze on Christ as seen in Scripture and in worship, the more we learn of God, the final revelation. - Jesus, Our Man in Glory Chapter 2 - Jesus, God's Final Revelation
By A.W. Tozer
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 27-29
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 31-32 & Acts 23:16-35
Historical: Psalm 120-132
Chronological: Isaiah 28-30
Blended: Psalm 31-32 & Acts 16:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
What Is the Question
"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything." Ecclesiastes 10:19
If money is the answer for everything, what is the question?
Money, we know, cannot ensure health, happiness or immortality. It cannot buy peace of conscience or loving relationships. Yet it is not to be despised. Money supplies a thousand advantages. It can support a Christian college, send a missionary to Africa, supply Bibles to China, buy cooling fans for poor people in the city.
It is not money that is "a root of all kinds of evil," but the love of money (I Timothy 6:10). Jesus condemns money when it becomes an object of devotion equal to God (Matthew 6:24). In His parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11-16), the third servant who laid his monty away in a piece of cloth was punished because he didn't put his money to work. He didn't even invest it so it could earn a little interest.
God is the ultimate supplier of all wealth. He puts us in a position where we have money, either by giving us employment, an inheritance, wise investments or perhaps a jackpot because we matched picture cards from a fast-food restaurant. However we got what money we have, God enabled us to have it. Therefore, He has a right to say what we do with the money He gave us.
The question is, what is my most versatile possession? The answer is, money. God's guideline to those who possess it is amazingly simple: "Command them to do good." (I Timothy 6:18).
By Jean Shaw, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 24-26
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 29-30 & Acts 23:1-15
Historical: Psalm 119:89-176
Chronological: Hos. 8-14
Blended: Psalm 29-30 & Acts 15:22-41
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
If money is the answer for everything, what is the question?
Money, we know, cannot ensure health, happiness or immortality. It cannot buy peace of conscience or loving relationships. Yet it is not to be despised. Money supplies a thousand advantages. It can support a Christian college, send a missionary to Africa, supply Bibles to China, buy cooling fans for poor people in the city.
It is not money that is "a root of all kinds of evil," but the love of money (I Timothy 6:10). Jesus condemns money when it becomes an object of devotion equal to God (Matthew 6:24). In His parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11-16), the third servant who laid his monty away in a piece of cloth was punished because he didn't put his money to work. He didn't even invest it so it could earn a little interest.
God is the ultimate supplier of all wealth. He puts us in a position where we have money, either by giving us employment, an inheritance, wise investments or perhaps a jackpot because we matched picture cards from a fast-food restaurant. However we got what money we have, God enabled us to have it. Therefore, He has a right to say what we do with the money He gave us.
The question is, what is my most versatile possession? The answer is, money. God's guideline to those who possess it is amazingly simple: "Command them to do good." (I Timothy 6:18).
By Jean Shaw, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 2"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 24-26
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 29-30 & Acts 23:1-15
Historical: Psalm 119:89-176
Chronological: Hos. 8-14
Blended: Psalm 29-30 & Acts 15:22-41
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, July 20, 2009
Your Personal Blessing
"God will praise each one of them." I Corinthians 4:5
What an incredible sentence. God will praise each one of them. NOt "the best of them" nor "a few of them" nor "the achievers among them," but "God will praise each one of them."
You won't be left out. God will see to that. In fact, God Himself will give the praise. When it comes to giving recognition, God does not delegate the job. Michael doesn't hand out the crowns. Gabriel doesn't speak on behalf of the throne. God Himself does the honors. God Himself will praise His children.
And what's more, the praise is personal! . . . Awards aren't given a nation at a time, a church at a time, or a generation at a time. The crowns are given one at a time. God Himself will look you in the eye and bless you with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matt. 25:23 NIV). - When Christ Comes
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 22-23
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 26-28 & Acts 22
Historical: Psalm 119:1-88
Chronological: Hos. 1-7
Blended: Psalm 26-28 & Acts 15:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
What an incredible sentence. God will praise each one of them. NOt "the best of them" nor "a few of them" nor "the achievers among them," but "God will praise each one of them."
You won't be left out. God will see to that. In fact, God Himself will give the praise. When it comes to giving recognition, God does not delegate the job. Michael doesn't hand out the crowns. Gabriel doesn't speak on behalf of the throne. God Himself does the honors. God Himself will praise His children.
And what's more, the praise is personal! . . . Awards aren't given a nation at a time, a church at a time, or a generation at a time. The crowns are given one at a time. God Himself will look you in the eye and bless you with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matt. 25:23 NIV). - When Christ Comes
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace For The Moment"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 22-23
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 26-28 & Acts 22
Historical: Psalm 119:1-88
Chronological: Hos. 1-7
Blended: Psalm 26-28 & Acts 15:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 20-22 & Acts 21:1-17
Historical: Psalm 108-114
Chronological: Isaiah 23-27
Blended: Psalm 20-22 & Acts 13:26-52
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 23-25 & Acts 21:18-40
Historical: Psalm 115-118
Chronological: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chron. 29-31 & Psalm 48
Blended: Psalm 23-25 & Acts 14
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 16-18
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 20-22 & Acts 21:1-17
Historical: Psalm 108-114
Chronological: Isaiah 23-27
Blended: Psalm 20-22 & Acts 13:26-52
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 19-21
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 23-25 & Acts 21:18-40
Historical: Psalm 115-118
Chronological: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chron. 29-31 & Psalm 48
Blended: Psalm 23-25 & Acts 14
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, July 17, 2009
Living Under the New Covenant
"As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, not from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring," says the Lord, "from now and forever." Isaiah 59:21
Here is a description of the New Covenant that was given to us through Jesus Christ. It's foretelling of the passing of the Old Covenant with all the regulations to be kept. And knowing that no one could maintain a sinless life God provided a way to give that sin over to Him and become clean again through sacrificing animals. How difficult it must have been to try to keep those regulations. I read about them and am overwhelmed by all they had to remember in order not to sin. But here we see that a New Covenant is in the works and will one day come about through Jesus.
"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be there God, and they shall be My people. THey will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jer. 31:31-34
We, who live under the New Covenant know that Jesus was sent to us to be our ultimate sacrifice. That through Him our sins were forgiven once and for all. All we need to do is believe in Him and give our lives into His hands. We also know that Jesus did come, died on the cross for us and rose again. And afterwards was taken back up to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Throne of God. But He didn't leave us alone. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13
We now know that the "Spirit" being talked about is the Holy Spirit that guides and leads us from God our Father. We know our responsibility with the Word is to hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). And by doing so we will know what God is calling us to do and how He wants us to conduct ourselves. With this knowledge we are to pass it on. Pass it on to those we know as well as within our families. Deut. 6:7 says, "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Ps. 78:5b says the same thing, "That they should teach them to their children."
We are fortunate to live under the New Covenant and therefore need to spread the Good News about it to all who are around us. That is God's ultimate plan and we are here to be His servants in bringing that plan about. He loves and cares for us and others need to know what it feels like to be loved just like we are.
Krista Jones
8.10.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 18-19 & Acts 20:17-38
Historical: Psalm 106-107
Chronological: Isaiah 18-22
Blended: Psalm 18-19 & Acts 13:1-25
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Here is a description of the New Covenant that was given to us through Jesus Christ. It's foretelling of the passing of the Old Covenant with all the regulations to be kept. And knowing that no one could maintain a sinless life God provided a way to give that sin over to Him and become clean again through sacrificing animals. How difficult it must have been to try to keep those regulations. I read about them and am overwhelmed by all they had to remember in order not to sin. But here we see that a New Covenant is in the works and will one day come about through Jesus.
"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be there God, and they shall be My people. THey will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jer. 31:31-34
We, who live under the New Covenant know that Jesus was sent to us to be our ultimate sacrifice. That through Him our sins were forgiven once and for all. All we need to do is believe in Him and give our lives into His hands. We also know that Jesus did come, died on the cross for us and rose again. And afterwards was taken back up to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Throne of God. But He didn't leave us alone. "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13
We now know that the "Spirit" being talked about is the Holy Spirit that guides and leads us from God our Father. We know our responsibility with the Word is to hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). And by doing so we will know what God is calling us to do and how He wants us to conduct ourselves. With this knowledge we are to pass it on. Pass it on to those we know as well as within our families. Deut. 6:7 says, "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Ps. 78:5b says the same thing, "That they should teach them to their children."
We are fortunate to live under the New Covenant and therefore need to spread the Good News about it to all who are around us. That is God's ultimate plan and we are here to be His servants in bringing that plan about. He loves and cares for us and others need to know what it feels like to be loved just like we are.
Krista Jones
8.10.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 13-15
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 18-19 & Acts 20:17-38
Historical: Psalm 106-107
Chronological: Isaiah 18-22
Blended: Psalm 18-19 & Acts 13:1-25
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Fulfilling the Law
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48
Jesus faced much opposition during His ministry when He didn't agree with contemporary Jewish theology (Matt. 15:1-3). Because it was hypocritical, He denied the Pharisees' so-called devotion.
Many in His day were saying, "Is Jesus saying new truth? Is He really speaking for God? He doesn't say what the Pharisees say. He, in fact, says the opposite of what we're taught."
Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law of the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matt. 5:17). Jesus did not condemn Old Testament law, but He did condemn the tradition that had been built up around it. The religious leaders had so perverted God's law that Jesus declared, "I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (v. 20).
Whose righteousness are you depending on? Your own or Christ's?
By John MacArthur, taken from "Truth For Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 10-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 16-17 & Acts 20:1-16
Historical: Psalm 103-105
Chronological: Isaiah 13-17
Blended: Psalm 16-17 & Acts 12
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Jesus faced much opposition during His ministry when He didn't agree with contemporary Jewish theology (Matt. 15:1-3). Because it was hypocritical, He denied the Pharisees' so-called devotion.
Many in His day were saying, "Is Jesus saying new truth? Is He really speaking for God? He doesn't say what the Pharisees say. He, in fact, says the opposite of what we're taught."
Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law of the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matt. 5:17). Jesus did not condemn Old Testament law, but He did condemn the tradition that had been built up around it. The religious leaders had so perverted God's law that Jesus declared, "I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (v. 20).
Whose righteousness are you depending on? Your own or Christ's?
By John MacArthur, taken from "Truth For Today"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 10-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 16-17 & Acts 20:1-16
Historical: Psalm 103-105
Chronological: Isaiah 13-17
Blended: Psalm 16-17 & Acts 12
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Biblical Act of Worship
"Come into His city with songs of thanksgiving and into His courtyards with songs and praise. Thank Him and praise His name." Psalm 100:4
Our biblical act to worship is not what we do on Sunday mornings in ties and dresses, but our act of worship is a lifelong, seven-days-a-week process of placing ourselves upon an alter of sacrifice. Worship is living the principles of Christ in everything we do. You're worshiping God by what you do all week long.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 7-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 13-15 & Acts 19:21-41
Historical: Psalm 96-102
Chronological: 2 Chron. 28 & 2 Kings 16-17
Blended: Psalm 13-15 & Acts 11
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Our biblical act to worship is not what we do on Sunday mornings in ties and dresses, but our act of worship is a lifelong, seven-days-a-week process of placing ourselves upon an alter of sacrifice. Worship is living the principles of Christ in everything we do. You're worshiping God by what you do all week long.
By Max Lucado, taken from "Walking with the Savior"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 7-8
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 13-15 & Acts 19:21-41
Historical: Psalm 96-102
Chronological: 2 Chron. 28 & 2 Kings 16-17
Blended: Psalm 13-15 & Acts 11
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Housebuilding
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
We were facing yet another problem in our housebuilding project. Our patience and our purses were beginning to wear think.
We hadn't decided to move to a new community and build a new home (by ourselves, no hired carpenters involved) on a whim. Only after much prayer and talk and seeking God's will did we make the move.
But now, one water-filled basement, two broken ribs, several lost cupboards, and many tears later, we were beginning to wonder. Had we missed a cue somewhere? Was thee a direction from the Lord that we had missed? Or, worse, ignored?
We soon realized that worrying and fretting about whether we had made a wrong or a right decision accomplished nothing. We had consciously included the Lord in our decisions-making. We couldn't go back. We could only plug away, night after night, Saturday after Saturday, and finish this do-it-yourself project.
And in the work, in the middle of problems, usually unexpectedly, would come peace. A sense of well-being. A sure knowledge that God was with our family in this new community, in this new and problem-filled house. We hadn't abandoned him, and he wouldn't abandon us.
That's why, as a finishing touch, we had a friend's father cut out of wood those words of Joshua. Today they stretch across the front of our fireplace mantel - a testimony to our friends and a reminder to us:
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
By Jean E. Syswerda, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 4-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 10-12 & Acts 19:1-20
Historical: Psalm 90-95
Chronological: Micah
Blended: Psalm 10-12 & Acts 10:24-48
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
We were facing yet another problem in our housebuilding project. Our patience and our purses were beginning to wear think.
We hadn't decided to move to a new community and build a new home (by ourselves, no hired carpenters involved) on a whim. Only after much prayer and talk and seeking God's will did we make the move.
But now, one water-filled basement, two broken ribs, several lost cupboards, and many tears later, we were beginning to wonder. Had we missed a cue somewhere? Was thee a direction from the Lord that we had missed? Or, worse, ignored?
We soon realized that worrying and fretting about whether we had made a wrong or a right decision accomplished nothing. We had consciously included the Lord in our decisions-making. We couldn't go back. We could only plug away, night after night, Saturday after Saturday, and finish this do-it-yourself project.
And in the work, in the middle of problems, usually unexpectedly, would come peace. A sense of well-being. A sure knowledge that God was with our family in this new community, in this new and problem-filled house. We hadn't abandoned him, and he wouldn't abandon us.
That's why, as a finishing touch, we had a friend's father cut out of wood those words of Joshua. Today they stretch across the front of our fireplace mantel - a testimony to our friends and a reminder to us:
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
By Jean E. Syswerda, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 4-6
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 10-12 & Acts 19:1-20
Historical: Psalm 90-95
Chronological: Micah
Blended: Psalm 10-12 & Acts 10:24-48
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, July 13, 2009
Can't Do It Ourselves
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men." Titus 2:11
What would you think if you went to buy a car, and the salesperson told you that you either had to push it everywhere you went or pay extra for an engine? You'd know something was wrong because that's not how it works. The engine is part of the purchase price of the car.
When I look at Christians who are living defeated lives, I see people who are "pushing" their Christian lives. They don't realize that the power they need is already under the hood.
That power is the grace of God, which is the inexhaustible supply of goodness by which He does for us what we could never do for ourselves. Some of us have the misconception that we have the power to pull off the Christian life. But if that were true, we would be no different than a non-Christian who keeps the Ten Commandments. It's all human effort.
But God has endowed every true believer with an abundant supply of His grace. Grace is not well understood today because it's used so flippantly or without a proper understanding of what's involved in it.
That's ad, because there's a lot involved. The grace of God is possible because of the sacrifice His Son made for our salvation. The only reason we are alive today and not consumed is because of what Jesus did (Ephesians 2:8-9). The "appearance" of God's grace is the coming of Jesus Christ to earth to die for us and bring salvation.
Most of us have suffered the embarrassment of bouncing a check because of insufficient funds. But there is no such thing as insufficient grace. God's got some grace for every need you have. And Paul tells us in today's reading that God's grace also trains us in how to live the victorious Christian life.
Grace will give you victory where you didn't have victory. Grace will give you power where you didn't have power. Grace will give you the ability to keep on keeping on when you want to give up. Do you need more grace? God's go it (James 4:6).
By Tony Evans taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalms 1-3 & Acts 18
Historical: Psalm 86-89
Chronological: 2 Chron 27 & Isaiah 9-12
Blended: Psalms 7-9 & Acts 10:1-23
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
What would you think if you went to buy a car, and the salesperson told you that you either had to push it everywhere you went or pay extra for an engine? You'd know something was wrong because that's not how it works. The engine is part of the purchase price of the car.
When I look at Christians who are living defeated lives, I see people who are "pushing" their Christian lives. They don't realize that the power they need is already under the hood.
That power is the grace of God, which is the inexhaustible supply of goodness by which He does for us what we could never do for ourselves. Some of us have the misconception that we have the power to pull off the Christian life. But if that were true, we would be no different than a non-Christian who keeps the Ten Commandments. It's all human effort.
But God has endowed every true believer with an abundant supply of His grace. Grace is not well understood today because it's used so flippantly or without a proper understanding of what's involved in it.
That's ad, because there's a lot involved. The grace of God is possible because of the sacrifice His Son made for our salvation. The only reason we are alive today and not consumed is because of what Jesus did (Ephesians 2:8-9). The "appearance" of God's grace is the coming of Jesus Christ to earth to die for us and bring salvation.
Most of us have suffered the embarrassment of bouncing a check because of insufficient funds. But there is no such thing as insufficient grace. God's got some grace for every need you have. And Paul tells us in today's reading that God's grace also trains us in how to live the victorious Christian life.
Grace will give you victory where you didn't have victory. Grace will give you power where you didn't have power. Grace will give you the ability to keep on keeping on when you want to give up. Do you need more grace? God's go it (James 4:6).
By Tony Evans taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Proverbs 1-3
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalms 1-3 & Acts 18
Historical: Psalm 86-89
Chronological: 2 Chron 27 & Isaiah 9-12
Blended: Psalms 7-9 & Acts 10:1-23
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 140-145
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 1-3 & Acts 17:1-15
Historical: Psalm 78-79
Chronological: Amos 1-5
Blended: Psalm 1-3 & Acts 9:1-21
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 146-150
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 4-6 & Acts 17:16-34
Historical: Psalm 80-85
Chronological: Amos 6-9
Blended: Psalm 4-6 & Acts 9:22-43
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 140-145
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 1-3 & Acts 17:1-15
Historical: Psalm 78-79
Chronological: Amos 1-5
Blended: Psalm 1-3 & Acts 9:1-21
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 146-150
Old and New Testaments Together: Psalm 4-6 & Acts 17:16-34
Historical: Psalm 80-85
Chronological: Amos 6-9
Blended: Psalm 4-6 & Acts 9:22-43
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, July 10, 2009
Quote by Jim Elliot
God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him.
Jim Elliot
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 133-139
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 41-42 & Acts 16:22-40
Historical: Psalm 74-77
Chronological: Isaiah 5-8
Blended: Ruth & Acts 8:26-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Jim Elliot
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 133-139
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 41-42 & Acts 16:22-40
Historical: Psalm 74-77
Chronological: Isaiah 5-8
Blended: Ruth & Acts 8:26-40
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Devotional Thoughts
"They will not hunger or thirst, nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down: For He who has compassion on them will lead them and will guide them to springs of living water." Isaiah 49:10
I love how this verse is pointing us to heaven. A place where we will not hunger, thirst or be struck down. We will be lead to the ultimate living water! From this verse I am lead to a few verses in Revelations which speak of what Heaven is going to be like. Rev. 7:16-17 says, "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
I cannot wait for the day when all my tears will be wiped away and I can drink from the Springs of the Water of Life 24/7!!
Here are a few quotes I came across in my devotional reading:
"Come my heart, be calm and hopeful today. Clouds may gather, but the lord can blow them away. Since God will not fail me, my faith shall not fail; and, as He will not forsake me, neither will I forsake Him. Oh! for a restful faith!" - C. H. Spurgeon
"God does not grant the necessary grace before the trial. He builds the bridge when we reach the trial. We often fear that we shall sink under the fiery trials that we see others endure. We see in the distance and are afraid of the mystery and anguish of what is to befall us; but we have not yet reached the crisis, and grace is not vouchsafed before it is needed. 'Jesus comes with our distress.'" - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
"If you will do all the possible things, God will take care of the impossible."
Krista Jones
8.8.09
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 120-132
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 38-40 & Acts 16:1-21
Historical: Psalm 70-73
Chronological: Isaiah 1-4
Blended: Obadiah & Acts 8:1-25
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
I love how this verse is pointing us to heaven. A place where we will not hunger, thirst or be struck down. We will be lead to the ultimate living water! From this verse I am lead to a few verses in Revelations which speak of what Heaven is going to be like. Rev. 7:16-17 says, "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
I cannot wait for the day when all my tears will be wiped away and I can drink from the Springs of the Water of Life 24/7!!
Here are a few quotes I came across in my devotional reading:
"Come my heart, be calm and hopeful today. Clouds may gather, but the lord can blow them away. Since God will not fail me, my faith shall not fail; and, as He will not forsake me, neither will I forsake Him. Oh! for a restful faith!" - C. H. Spurgeon
"God does not grant the necessary grace before the trial. He builds the bridge when we reach the trial. We often fear that we shall sink under the fiery trials that we see others endure. We see in the distance and are afraid of the mystery and anguish of what is to befall us; but we have not yet reached the crisis, and grace is not vouchsafed before it is needed. 'Jesus comes with our distress.'" - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
"If you will do all the possible things, God will take care of the impossible."
Krista Jones
8.8.09
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 120-132
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 38-40 & Acts 16:1-21
Historical: Psalm 70-73
Chronological: Isaiah 1-4
Blended: Obadiah & Acts 8:1-25
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Then What’s Next To Do?
"Everyone who asks receives . . ." Luke 11:10
Ask if you have not received. There is nothing more difficult than asking. We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask. It is the sense of not being spiritually real that causes us to ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of your total insufficiency and poverty? "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . " ( James 1:5 ), but be sure that you do lack wisdom before you ask. You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13 ). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.
"Everyone who asks receives . . . ." This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (seeMatthew 5:45 ). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.
"If any of you lacks wisdom . . . ." If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality— do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means "beg." Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg— blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3).
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 119:89-176
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 36-37 & Acts 15:22-41
Historical: Psalm 66-69
Chronological: 2 Kings 15 & 2 Chron. 26
Blended: Deut. 32-34 & Acts 7:44-60
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Ask if you have not received. There is nothing more difficult than asking. We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask. It is the sense of not being spiritually real that causes us to ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of your total insufficiency and poverty? "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God . . . " ( James 1:5 ), but be sure that you do lack wisdom before you ask. You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13 ). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.
"Everyone who asks receives . . . ." This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (seeMatthew 5:45 ). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.
"If any of you lacks wisdom . . . ." If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality— do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means "beg." Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg— blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3).
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost for His Highest"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 119:89-176
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 36-37 & Acts 15:22-41
Historical: Psalm 66-69
Chronological: 2 Kings 15 & 2 Chron. 26
Blended: Deut. 32-34 & Acts 7:44-60
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Quotes from Elisabeth Elliot
Here lies the tremendous mystery - that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honoured in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles : Fill the waterpots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.
Elisabeth Elliot
Gateway to Joy
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 119:1-88
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 34-35 & Acts 15:1-21
Historical: Psalm 58-65
Chronological: Jonah
Blended: Deut. 30-31 & Acts 7:22-43
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Elisabeth Elliot
Gateway to Joy
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 119:1-88
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 34-35 & Acts 15:1-21
Historical: Psalm 58-65
Chronological: Jonah
Blended: Deut. 30-31 & Acts 7:22-43
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Monday, July 06, 2009
Wait in Faith
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:27-31
My study notes on this verse say, "As in many psalms of praise, Isaiah now stresses the goodness of God after describing His majesty. Such a God is able to deliver and restore His distressed people if they will wait in faith for Him to act. They are to trust in Him and draw strength from Him."
In the margin of my Bible I wrote the date 3-23-01 and beside it, "Treatment is over . . . very tired . . . Lord give me strength!" I had just completed 6 months of treatment: Chemo, Rituxan and 17 days of Radiation. I was growing fuzzy hair on my head, had a burned, pealing gooy round spot on my leg from the radiation, was overweight, had yellow skin, my fingers were numbed by the chemo and I was exhausted. Now that everything was over Eric let his guard down and got sick for 3 months. He slept and was depressed. Poor guy went through so much and kept going even when he had no strength that when he let his guard down he fell down.
I had no idea what was to happen next. I was lost in the fact that I had just completed my goal of getting through treatment and now I had no goals to reach other then go from one stressful scan and appointment to another waiting for the dreaded disease to come back. Like the people of Israel, God had delivered me and was in the process of restoring me. My new goal was to wait in faith for Him to show me the way. In doing so I had to continually draw upon Him for strength. And I did so gladly.
Krista Jones
8.6.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 115-118
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 32-33 & Acts 14
Historical: Psalm 51-57
Chronological: 2 Kings 14 & 2 Chron. 25
Blended: Deut. 28-29 & Acts 7:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
My study notes on this verse say, "As in many psalms of praise, Isaiah now stresses the goodness of God after describing His majesty. Such a God is able to deliver and restore His distressed people if they will wait in faith for Him to act. They are to trust in Him and draw strength from Him."
In the margin of my Bible I wrote the date 3-23-01 and beside it, "Treatment is over . . . very tired . . . Lord give me strength!" I had just completed 6 months of treatment: Chemo, Rituxan and 17 days of Radiation. I was growing fuzzy hair on my head, had a burned, pealing gooy round spot on my leg from the radiation, was overweight, had yellow skin, my fingers were numbed by the chemo and I was exhausted. Now that everything was over Eric let his guard down and got sick for 3 months. He slept and was depressed. Poor guy went through so much and kept going even when he had no strength that when he let his guard down he fell down.
I had no idea what was to happen next. I was lost in the fact that I had just completed my goal of getting through treatment and now I had no goals to reach other then go from one stressful scan and appointment to another waiting for the dreaded disease to come back. Like the people of Israel, God had delivered me and was in the process of restoring me. My new goal was to wait in faith for Him to show me the way. In doing so I had to continually draw upon Him for strength. And I did so gladly.
Krista Jones
8.6.08
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 115-118
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 32-33 & Acts 14
Historical: Psalm 51-57
Chronological: 2 Kings 14 & 2 Chron. 25
Blended: Deut. 28-29 & Acts 7:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Weekend Bible Reading
Bible Reading Guide:
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 106-107
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 28-29 & Acts 13:1-25
Historical: Psalm 40-45
Chronological: 2 Kings 9-11
Blended: Deut. 22-24 & Acts 5:22-42
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 108-114
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 30-31 & Acts 13:26-52
Historical: Psalm 46-50
Chronological: 2 Kings 12-13 & 2 Chron 24
Blended: Deut. 25-27 & Acts 6
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Saturday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 106-107
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 28-29 & Acts 13:1-25
Historical: Psalm 40-45
Chronological: 2 Kings 9-11
Blended: Deut. 22-24 & Acts 5:22-42
Sunday:
Beginning to End: Psalm 108-114
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 30-31 & Acts 13:26-52
Historical: Psalm 46-50
Chronological: 2 Kings 12-13 & 2 Chron 24
Blended: Deut. 25-27 & Acts 6
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Friday, July 03, 2009
Jacob's Defining Moment
"So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared'" (Gen 32:30).
Every believer in Jesus Christ must have a defining moment in their lives. Jacob is about to meet his brother Esau in the desert after years of separation. The last time he saw him was when he manipulated the birthright from him years ago. He assumes Esau is going to try to kill him. He sends gifts ahead as a peace offering. And he spends a restless night in prayer asking God to spare his and his family's life.
Jacob has lived a life of control and manipulation. Yet, there is something in Jacob God finds worthy of redemption. He has a heart that genuinely wants to serve and be used of God. But God must do something in him to chisel away the bad traits in his life.
He sends an angel in the form of a man to wrestle away the striving in Jacob. The only way to remove the striving in Jacob is to injure his physical abilities. "When the angel saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man'" (Gen 32:25-26). Jacob's natural abilities were so great that God literally had to make Jacob a weaker man physically in order for God's power to be manifested in his life. When this happened a turning point took place in Jacob. A new nature was birthed in him that required a total trust in God. His name was changed in recognition of this defining moment. "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome'" (Gen 32:28).
My friend Bob Mumford once said, "Beware of any Christian leader who does not walk with a limp." If a leader has not wrestled with God over their natural abilities and come to a place of total dependence on God, that leader will live a life of striving and manipulation.
Let go and let God do the work needed in you. When this happens even your enemies will be a peace with you.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 103-105
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 25-27 & Acts 12
Historical: Psalm 36-39
Chronological: 2 Kings 5-8
Blended: Deut. 19-21 & Acts 5:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Every believer in Jesus Christ must have a defining moment in their lives. Jacob is about to meet his brother Esau in the desert after years of separation. The last time he saw him was when he manipulated the birthright from him years ago. He assumes Esau is going to try to kill him. He sends gifts ahead as a peace offering. And he spends a restless night in prayer asking God to spare his and his family's life.
Jacob has lived a life of control and manipulation. Yet, there is something in Jacob God finds worthy of redemption. He has a heart that genuinely wants to serve and be used of God. But God must do something in him to chisel away the bad traits in his life.
He sends an angel in the form of a man to wrestle away the striving in Jacob. The only way to remove the striving in Jacob is to injure his physical abilities. "When the angel saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man'" (Gen 32:25-26). Jacob's natural abilities were so great that God literally had to make Jacob a weaker man physically in order for God's power to be manifested in his life. When this happened a turning point took place in Jacob. A new nature was birthed in him that required a total trust in God. His name was changed in recognition of this defining moment. "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome'" (Gen 32:28).
My friend Bob Mumford once said, "Beware of any Christian leader who does not walk with a limp." If a leader has not wrestled with God over their natural abilities and come to a place of total dependence on God, that leader will live a life of striving and manipulation.
Let go and let God do the work needed in you. When this happens even your enemies will be a peace with you.
By Os Hillman, taken from "Today God Is First"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 103-105
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 25-27 & Acts 12
Historical: Psalm 36-39
Chronological: 2 Kings 5-8
Blended: Deut. 19-21 & Acts 5:1-21
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Thursday, July 02, 2009
"I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the Name of the LORD." Zephaniah 3:12
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith. The LORD has even now His faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of the LORD. He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God wilt always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it. Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us. Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the LORD? This is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. LORD, help me to fulfill it.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 96-102
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 22-24 & Acts 11
Historical: Psalm 32-35
Chronological: 2 Kings 1-4
Blended: Deut. 16-18 & Acts 4:23-37
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
When true religion is ready to die out among the wealthy it finds a home among the poor of this world, rich in faith. The LORD has even now His faithful remnant. Am I one of them?
Perhaps it is because men are afflicted and poor that they learn to trust in the name of the LORD. He that hath no money must try what he can do on trust. He whose own name is good for nothing in his own esteem, acts wisely to rest in another name, even that best of names, the name of Jehovah. God wilt always have a trusting people, and these will be an afflicted and poor people. Little as the world thinks of them, their being left in the midst of a nation is the channel of untold blessings to it. Here we have the conserving salt which keeps in check the corruption which is in the world through lust.
Again the question comes home to each one of us. Am I one of them? Am I afflicted by the sin within me and around me? Am I poor in spirit, poor spiritually in my own judgment? Do I trust in the LORD? This is the main business. Jesus reveals the name, the character, the person of God; am I trusting in Him? If so, I am left in this world for a purpose. LORD, help me to fulfill it.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 96-102
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 22-24 & Acts 11
Historical: Psalm 32-35
Chronological: 2 Kings 1-4
Blended: Deut. 16-18 & Acts 4:23-37
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
July's Memory Verse
I John 5:13
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of od, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
I John 5:13 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
June's Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:25
May's Memory Verse: James 1:2-4
April's Memory Verse: Jeremiah 30:17
March's Memory Verse: James 1:5
February's Memory Verse: John 15:5
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
December's Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
November's Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
October's Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:1-3
September's Memory Verse: Proverbs 17:9
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
Remember the key is to review review review. Always review the verses you've already memorized along with learning this month's verse.
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 90-95
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 20-21 & Acts 10:24-48
Historical: Psalm 26-31
Chronological: Obadiah & Psalm 82-83
Blended: Deut. 13-15 & Acts 4:1-22
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of od, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
I John 5:13 (NASB - New American Standard Bible)
June's Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:25
May's Memory Verse: James 1:2-4
April's Memory Verse: Jeremiah 30:17
March's Memory Verse: James 1:5
February's Memory Verse: John 15:5
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
December's Memory Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23
November's Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15
October's Memory Verse: Proverbs 16:1-3
September's Memory Verse: Proverbs 17:9
January's Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21
Remember the key is to review review review. Always review the verses you've already memorized along with learning this month's verse.
Bible Reading Guide:
Beginning to End: Psalm 90-95
Old and New Testaments Together: Job 20-21 & Acts 10:24-48
Historical: Psalm 26-31
Chronological: Obadiah & Psalm 82-83
Blended: Deut. 13-15 & Acts 4:1-22
The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible
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