May 23 Bible reading

May 23 Psalm 66:13-20 John 13:18-38 1 Samuel 13; 14:1-23

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 23 Psalm 66:13-20 John 13:18-38 1 Samuel 13; 14:1-23

Psalm 66:13-20 This is the song of someone who promised God that they would come to worship Him at the Temple after they had been rescued from trouble. By confession of sin the songwriter found the unfailing love of God. Finding forgiveness from God the psalmist returns to sing of the faithful love of God. It is transformative! Singing about it can be a form of communication in the relationship.

John 13:18-38 In preparing His friends and followers for His death, Jesus predicts that two of them would betray Him. During this conversation, Jesus directs them to show agape love to each other, with a selfless, faithful, patient, and kind commitment to each other. Jesus described a lifestyle of love. He taught His followers to walk in this lifestyle daily. Jesus followers would be known by a unity expressed with mutual humble service. This is love seen in action. Clearly Jesus saw this as a priority. So should we.

1 Samuel 13; 14:1-23 King Saul could no longer wait for Samuel, and disobeyed by performing Samuel’s priestly work in an effort to inspire his troops to stay with him. Samuel declared this sin to be the reason that God would not establish Saul’s reign, but instead bring up another king (one with a heart for God). God gave Jonathan and his armor bearer the ability to kill 20 of their enemies. Then God brought an earthquake. The enemy army was in a panic, melting away.

May 22 Bible reading

May 22 Psalm 66:1-12 John 12:37-50; 13:1-17 1 Samuel 10:9-27; 11; 12

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 22 Psalm 66:1-12 John 12:37-50; 13:1-17 1 Samuel 10:9-27; 11; 12

Psalm 66:1-12 With shouting and singing, we should publicly declare the goodness of our God. This psalm reminds us of God miraculously parting the Red Sea providing safe passage for the Israelites. God protected them from the Egyptians. God is our ultimate provider and help in time of need. Reminding ourselves of this helps with gratitude. Expressing this thankfulness will bring wisdom to our perspective. It helps to alleviate stress and improve our state of mind.

John 12:37-50; 13:1-17 Despite the miracles of Jesus, there were many people who did not believe in His identity as Savior. In preparation for His final Passover meal with His friends & followers, Jesus serves them by washing their feet and asking them to continue to serve each other with the same heart. Jesus led by example. We should serve each other with humility. Jesus taught that this lifestyle brings blessing.

1 Samuel 10:9-27; 11; 12 Saul is found hiding, despite Samuel’s description of God’s choice of him and the supernatural prophetic signs following. Saul becomes king and starts military action. Samuel addresses the nation, reminding them of what God had done and the terms of His covenant. This includes a reminder that they had sinned against God, rejecting His plan by asking for a king. At Samuel’s request God confirmed his words as truth by sending thunder and rain. Samuel makes a commitment to continue to teach them and pray for them.

May 21 Bible reading

May 21 Psalm 65 John 12:12-36 1 Samuel 8; 9; 10:1-8

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 21 Psalm 65 John 12:12-36 1 Samuel 8; 9; 10:1-8

Psalm 65 In the power and majesty of earth’s environment, David sees the presence of the living God at work, caring for what He created by design. Psalm 65 has David singing thanks to God, the hope of everyone, for answering prayer.

John 12:12-36 Jesus calls people to receive eternal life by following Him. He predicts His own death and resurrection, explaining its purpose. Gentiles who had come to Jerusalem for Passover witness a dialogue between Jesus and Father God, There is purpose which includes drawing people into this relationship between Jesus and the Father…this inclusion of all through Jesus the Passover Lamb into a loving worship of Father God.

1 Samuel 8; 9; 10:1-8 The Israelites grow weary of the sins of the sons of the priest Samuel and ask for a king to rule them, “like all the other nations have.” This is a rejection of God as their King. Saul is chosen. Responding to Saul’s insecurity, Samuel predicts the Spirit God coming upon him and changing him.

May 20 Bible reading

May 20 Proverbs 12:18-27 John 11:45-57; 12:1-11 1 Samuel 5; 6; 7

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 20 Proverbs 12:18-27 John 11:45-57; 12:1-11 1 Samuel 5; 6; 7

Proverbs 12:18-27 Encouragement brings valuable help. Wise words may bring healing. Let’s choose to speak in this way to each other. This is how we become “life-giving relationships” to each other. Your quality of life will improve when you follow through with this decision.

John 11:45-57; 12:1-11 When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the public awareness of Him went to a whole new level. The Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their way of life. They did not recognize Him to be the Way to new life here and now, and the Way to eternal life. This group of leaders planned to kill Jesus and Lazarus, out of concern for defending their way of life. Many believed in Jesus because He raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus offered eternal life to all who would believe in Him as Savior.

1 Samuel 5; 6; 7 The Ark of the Covenant was an important God designed piece of furniture in the place of worship of Yahweh. When the Philistines captured it they saw their own idol fallen face down before it repeatedly. These events helped the Israelites forsake their idols and return to the worship of Yahweh. Samuel led them in this return to a lifestyle of worshipping Yahweh. There is one true living God.

May 19 Bible reading

May 19 Psalm 64 John 11:1-44 1 Samuel 2:27-36; 3; 4

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 19 Psalm 64 John 11:1-44 1 Samuel 2:27-36; 3; 4

Psalm 64 With enemies plotting against him, David sings about his faith that God will deliver him from their attack. He believes that in this he will see others respond to God as well. In this way, David sings about purpose coming from his troubled days. We should carefully consider the purpose of God, even in our difficulties.

John 11:1-44 Lazarus, a friend of Jesus, was sick and dying. When word reached Jesus, He predicted a miracle for Lazarus that would further prove His identity as Messiah. After the death of Lazarus, people are grieving despite the prediction of Jesus. We see the frustration of Jesus with their lack of faith. We also see the empathy of Jesus with their suffering. Jesus brought his friend Lazarus back from the dead. He explained that this miracle would help them believe in His identity as Messiah, the Savior of all who would believe and receive eternal life through Him. This same Jesus is alive today, offering eternal life to all who will believe.

1 Samuel 2:27-36; 3; 4 God spoke to Eli the priest, “I will honor those who honor Me, and I will despise those who think lightly of Me.” Eli had been allowing his sons to violate the place of worship. As a result, God brought punishment on his family, replaced him with Samuel, and brought judgment on the nation of Israel. Samuel heard the voice of God and obeyed. “As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.” 1 Samuel 3:19

May 18 Bible reading

May 18 Psalm 63 John 10:22-42 1 Samuel 1; 2:1-26

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 18 Psalm 63 John 10:22-42 1 Samuel 1; 2:1-26

Psalm 63 David sings about desiring the presence of God and finding the love of God to be better than anything else in life. David finds God to be helpful even when enemies are plotting against him. He made a life-long commitment to serve God. Singing about this helps us in prayer and meditation. It improves our quality of life.

John 10:22-42 Jesus again reveals Himself to be the Good Shepherd and their Messiah, offering eternal life. He describes believers as people who hear His voice and follow Him. Many people saw Jesus fulfill what John had predicted about Him. They saw Jesus perform miracles. They believed in Jesus as their Messiah. We should follow in their example.

1 Samuel 1; 2:1-26 Hannah dedicated the life of her son Samuel to the service of God because his birth was a miracle answer to prayer. God blessed Hanna for this decision. The priest Eli had sons who had no respect for God. They sinned against God. Samuel grew up in this setting.

May 17 Bible reading

May 17 Psalm 62 John 9:35-41; 10:1-21 Ruth 3; 4

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

May 17 Psalm 62 John 9:35-41; 10:1-21 Ruth 3; 4

Psalm 62 David’s song suggests that we tell God what is on our hearts, and choose to trust God completely. David finds God to be a source of strength and peace even when He is waiting to see God take action on his behalf. How we deal with delay and disappointment is important. This is where we have an opportunity to grow in faith.

John 9:35-41; 10:1-21 Jesus described those who could not see Him as Messiah, as being spiritually blind. Jesus described Himself as a Good Shepherd who was willing to sacrifice His own life for His sheep. Jesus described our enemy’s plan to steal, kill, and destroy in contrast to His own plan to provide a rich and satisfying life. From this we should learn the value of a Christ-centered life. Daily we should be considering, “What does Jesus think about this?”

Ruth 3; 4 Boaz and Ruth had each lived a virtuous and faithful life. They found redemption in a healthy marriage. God blessed this marriage. The genealogy of Christ is traced through it. They had experienced disappointment and delay. They chose to have faith in God. This choice improved the quality of their marriage.