July 20 Bible reading

July 20 Psalm 87 Romans 6:1-14 Hosea 1; 2
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?

July 20 Psalm 87 Romans 6:1-14 Hosea 1; 2
Psalm 87 God had designed a capital city for the Israelites around a place of worship, where they could be aware of His presence and engage in relationship with Him. This is a treasured place in the heart of God. The sacrifice for atonement, the worship, and the other activities all served the purpose of God living among them. God makes a way for relationship.
Romans 6:1-14 In water baptism, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a public confession of our faith in Jesus, the fact that we now live for Jesus and that our relationship with sin is dead. Now we may live a new life. It’s a beautiful moment for a spiritual family to come together and support the person who is choosing to follow Jesus. We make a commitment to help each other in this journey.
Hosea 1; 2 God directs Hosea to marry someone who had been working as a prostitute, to illustrate how the Israelites had been unfaithful to God. As Hosea and Gomer raise children. God gives the children names that communicate the results of this generations deep spiritual immorality. Through Hosea God predicts a future restoration of His people and His love for them. God predicts a future relationship with the Israelites when they would look to God as a loving husband more than a master. In this we see God’s desire for a loving personal relationship with us.

 

July 19 Bible reading

July 19 Proverbs 17:15-24 Romans 5:12-21 Amos 8; 9

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?

July 19 Proverbs 17:15-24 Romans 5:12-21 Amos 8; 9
Proverbs 17:15-24 Injustice is detestable to God. We should be aware of this and work toward justice. The decisions and character of a son or daughter can bring joy or pain to their parents. Focus on the positive, and smile at the good stuff. Do this every day and it will be better for you than taking vitamins.
Romans 5:12-21 Disorder, mistakes, selfishness, and their consequences entered our world through our ancestors. But even more powerful is the grace and forgiveness coming to us through Jesus. This love of God is a gift, removing our guilt and restoring our relationship with God. In this way, new life is available to everyone. Imagine just how different your life would be if only five people, that you see every day, were transformed with this kind of love. Wow! Your life would be better. Maybe we should spend this week praying for five specific people in our lives to receive the love of Jesus.
Amos 8; 9 God will certainly punish the unrepentant, for their injustice of the poor. God promised judgment on the unrepentant and restoration for the repentant. Our God is repeatedly seen as a God of justice and a God of mercy. We should learn from this. Life is short. Every person should hear the call to a loving God. Every person should hear the call away from selfishness.

 

July 18 Bible reading

July 18 Psalm 86:11-17 Romans 4:16-25; 5:1-11 Amos 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?

July 18 Psalm 86:11-17 Romans 4:16-25; 5:1-11 Amos 6; 7
Psalm 86:11-17 David has come to realize the depth of the love that God has toward him. Quoting the way that God described His own compassion, mercy, and forgiveness in Exodus 34:6 David asks God to forgive him. David asks God to shape his character and give him strength. We should take those same steps today. You should take time to do that today!
Romans 4:16-25; 5:1-11 Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and was raised to life to make us right with God. We find peace with God and joy in this life by receiving this promised gift of Jesus by faith. When we choose to believe that God is able to do whatever He promises, our spirit is responding to the lead of the Holy Spirit. Our hope in Jesus will not lead to disappointment. When we run into challenges and frustrations it can help us grow in strength of character. God showed love to us by sending Jesus, when we were at our worst. Jesus showed us love by laying down His life for us, to bring us into personal relationship with God.
Amos 6; 7 Through the shepherd prophet Amos God is calling His people back to repentance. God has seen their sinful cravings. We should also look to God our Shepherd for guidance, protection, and care. This understanding of God as our Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, brings meaningful depth to our relationship with God.

July 17 Bible reading

July 17 Psalm 86:1-10 Romans 4:1-15 Amos 5

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?

July 17 Psalm 86:1-10 Romans 4:1-15 Amos 5
Psalm 86:1-10 Psalm 86 gives us a sense of the conversations David had with God. In this, we see the benefits of a personal relationship with God. In God, there is protection, salvation, mercy, happiness, forgiveness, love, and miracles. You can have a similar relationship with God. Our loving Creator is the only one who already knows you, who you really are. This same God loves you.
Romans 4:1-15 Paul explains that the relationship Abraham had with God was based on faith, not following Jewish law, nor Jewish identity. We earn punishment for our mistakes. The loving grace and mercy that God gives us, we receive as an undeserved gift. God gives approval based on Abraham’s decision of faith (not based on if he had followed the rules in the past). Paul shows the relevance of this truth to us today. Our reasonable response would be to immediately accept the grace of God through Jesus and “repent”
(by changing the way we are thinking and changing the direction of our lives). This is only possible through Jesus.
Amos 5 There is so much to learn from God’s relationship with the Israelites. Through the prophet Amos, God is calling them to turn back from worshiping other gods and living to please themselves, back to a healthy relationship with Him. “Come back and live with me.” Often described as a daily lifestyle, living side by side. God wants us to welcome Him into our living, day in and day out.

 

July 16 Bible reading

July 16 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 3:9-31 Amos 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?

July 16 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 3:9-31 Amos 3; 4
Psalm 85:8-13 There is a life-changing peace that comes from carefully listening to God. Our God is speaking to us through nature, the life of Jesus, the voice of the Holy Spirit, our relationships, and the Scriptures. Am I listening? Do I pay attention to God? Will I choose to give the time and energy needed to connect with God?
Romans 3:9-31 God loves you. Salvation, redemption, and blessing are coming to those who will respond to God in humble submission. We have all made mistakes. Everyone needs forgiveness. No one is perfect, able to live up to God’s law. We see our need for forgiveness when we see God’s standards. Every human stands equal in this way. Anyone who believes in Jesus as Savior will have their guilt removed and their relationship with God restored. By faith in Jesus, we can be free from the penalty of our sin. Freedom is possible!
Amos 3; 4 God continues to explain His loving relationship with the Israelites (and their need of healthy boundaries) through the role of the prophets. God will punish those who oppress the poor. Our Creator has the power to shape mountains and the ability to communicate with us. God is sharing love. Are we learning from the life stories of others?

 

 

July 15 Bible reading

July 15 Proverbs 17:5-14 Romans 2:17-29; 3:1-8 Amos 1; 2
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?

July 15 Proverbs 17:5-14 Romans 2:17-29; 3:1-8 Amos 1; 2
Proverbs 17:5-14 Love is ever expanding when we choose to forgive. We can say, “It was an oversight, so I’ll overlook it. This was done by forgetfulness, so I’ll forget it.” Obsessing on a mistake can separate close friends. Healthy family relationships are a gift that keeps on giving. So make them a priority. Growing in understanding will help you take a single comment of constructive criticism and put it to good use.
Romans 2:17-29; 3:1-8 Our personal salvation is a miracle where God’s Spirit initiates faith in us and we respond by receiving God’s love, relying on Jesus, and repenting of our selfish (self-reliant) ways. Remember, it is a supernatural miracle! This produces a change of heart in us. Our relationship with God becomes the priority that directs our relationships with others. Trying to follow the directive of God without a personal relationship with God will not produce life-giving results. You need the help that only God can provide. If you are not drawing that strength for change from God you will always fall short and be frustrated.
Amos 1; 2 Our God is alive and aware of the motives and actions of all humans. God chooses a shepherd named Amos to condemn the evil actions of specific groups of people. Our loving God does not want to see anybody suffer the pain of their own self-destructive tendencies. God calls us to repentance for our own good. God is a God of mercy and justice. God will judge those who refuse to repent. God will lift up those who repent. God shows favor to the humble.

 

July 14 Bible reading

July 14 Psalm 85:1-7 Romans 2:1-16 Jonah 1; 2; 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?

July 14 Psalm 85:1-7 Romans 2:1-16 Jonah 1; 2; 3; 4
Psalm 85:1-7 We should learn from the history of Israel that God forgives mistakes (and more). Learning about God should lead us to recognize His unfailing love and respond by receiving it and sharing it. When we ask God for forgiveness we can recall the ways God has proven His mercy in the past.
Romans 2:1-16 All humans make mistakes and should not be judgmental. Yahweh God has revealed Himself to be overflowing in compassion and mercy, slow to anger, forgiving. God’s kindness is intended to turn us away from sin, our self-destructive habits, our mistakes. God will give eternal life to those who turn away from their mistakes by faith in Jesus, and God will punish those who choose to live for themselves instead. God is aware of human behavior, good and bad. As much as Yahweh revealed Himself to be overflowing with supernatural forgiveness, He also predicted that He would punish the unrepentant.
Jonah 1; 2; 3; 4 We see the same lesson in Psalm 85, Romans 2, and here in the story of Jonah & Nineveh. Jonah knew that God is prone to mercy and forgiveness. When God showed mercy Jonah was enraged. This is one of many stories showing God calling leaders into alignment with His grace and mercy.