September 19 Bible reading

September 19  Psalm 108:6-13  Galatians 4:21-31; 5:1-6  Isaiah 44:23-28; 45; 46

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?

September 19  Psalm 108:6-13  Galatians 4:21-31; 5:1-6  Isaiah 44:23-28; 45; 46

Psalm 108:6-13

David starts early with praise for God’s faithful love. Then he calls for God’s help with their enemies. Despite facing serious challenges, David begins the day with a focus on God’s love. This should be a life-changing lesson for us.

Galatians 4:21-31; 5:1-6

Paul writes, “what is important is faith expressing itself in love.” We cannot make ourselves right with God by obeying the rules. As we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we can receive the grace of God coming to us by what Jesus has already done for us. We are free! Now we can express our faith in Jesus by loving God with all we’ve got. We can live our days as a “Thank You” to God. We can live out of love.

Isaiah 44:23-28; 45; 46

Our God Yahweh speaks through Isaiah to the Israelites, reminding them of His faithful love for them, in creating them, providing for them, rescuing them, and taking care of them in a way that other gods had not. Around 10 years ago, a prophet named Dick Mills picked me out of a crowd, not knowing me, and quoted Revelation 3:8; Isaiah 30:21; 43:2-3 speaking over me. This word about God opening doors was the first confirmation I received of having heard from God about moving to Baltimore to pioneer a new church. In Isaiah 44-46, God predicts freedom for His people and the future salvation of Gentile believers. God says, “Let all the world look to me for salvation!” For I am God: there is no other.” 45:22 We should recognize God as a source of strength, giving the ability for healthy relationships. In this way, we will realize truth and receive God’s guidance.

September 18 Bible reading

September 18  Psalm 108:1-5  Galatians 3:26-29; 4:1-20  Isaiah 43; 44:1-23

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?

September 18  Psalm 108:1-5  Galatians 3:26-29; 4:1-20  Isaiah 43; 44:1-23

Psalm 108:1-5

Having considered his life experiences, David sings early in the morning, of the faithful love of God. David describes God’s love as being transcendent of this human life. Recognizing God’s love and singing praise to God for it will change your outlook.

Galatians 3:26-29; 4:1-20

Paul writes of personal identity starting with our place as children of God, by faith in Jesus as Savior. This identity is more important than our gender, our ethnicity, or our status in society/vocation. Because of Jesus we are also heirs to the promise of blessing that God gave Abraham, salvation through the Messiah. We are no longer compelled to repeat our mistakes. We now have freedom.

Isaiah 43; 44:1-23

In Isaiah 43, God reminds the Israelites of the ways that He has fulfilled the promises He made to them in bringing them to freedom because He loves them. God also promises to walk with them through difficulty and to that He would do something new. God will cleanse them from sin and make a path to freedom for them, bringing refreshing in a dry place. May you experience peace today, as you trust in your Creator. God revealed Himself to us through Jesus, “God with us”. Whatever you are going through, God is walking with you through it.

September 17 Bible reading

September 17  Proverbs 22:28-29; 23:1-9  Galatians 3:10-25  Isaiah 41; 42

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?

September 17  Proverbs 22:28-29; 23:1-9  Galatians 3:10-25  Isaiah 41; 42

Proverbs 22:28-29; 23:1-9

There’s a benefit to hard work that is combined with good stewardship of resources and money earned. Proverbs 23:4-5 reminds us that money is a tool that will not last forever. We should think through our value-based approach to it.

Galatians 3:10-25

When Jesus was crucified He took on Himself the curse that came from the sin of all humanity. Jesus rescued all who would receive Him as Savior. God made a promise of blessing to people from all nations in His covenant agreement with Abraham. God gave laws to Moses to show people how their sin breaks this agreement and brings consequence instead of fulfillment of the promise. We receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus. As we receive this salvation we all come into unity.

Isaiah 41; 42

Through Isaiah God promises to be their Redeemer, a present help and strength. This help doesn’t come from idols. In Isaiah 42 we read a powerful and beautiful promise of the Messiah, a future blessing to people, from all nations, who would receive Him. We are called to sing new songs of praise to God for this Messiah.

 

 

September 16 Bible reading

September 16  Psalm 107:33-43  Galatians 2:11-21; 3:1-9  Isaiah 38; 39; 40

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?

September 16  Psalm 107:33-43  Galatians 2:11-21; 3:1-9  Isaiah 38; 39; 40

Psalm 107:33-43

Our God brings refreshing, good health, and productivity out of situations that seem impossible. People with wisdom will recognize God at work in these stories and learn from it. Today we can look to God in this same way.

Galatians 2:11-21; 3:1-9

When Peter visited Paul (and the Antioch church, a primarily Gentile, thriving, influential church) a fear of criticism from Jewish believers cause Peter to withdraw from eating with the Gentile believers. Prioritizing the opinion of influential people, ethnic pride, and a wrong-headed church culture, brought about Peter’s mistake. Paul’s correction of Peter clarifies an essential teaching of Jesus’ Good News: we can be made right with God by faith in Jesus, not obeying the Old Testament law. We receive new spiritual life in our relationship with Jesus. God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, God the Son were each at work to open up this salvation, by faith, to people of all nations.

Isaiah 38; 39; 40

We should learn humility from King Hezekiah’s prayer in Isaiah 38:16-17. There’s wisdom in considering the brevity of human life, as seen in 40:6-11, and God’s care for His children. The loving transcendent nature of our all-powerful and all-knowing God is praiseworthy! Considering God’s generous nature can bring you strength, Isaiah 40:25-31.

September 15 Bible reading

September 15  Psalm 107:23-32  Galatians 2:1-10  Isaiah 36; 37

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?

September 15  Psalm 107:23-32  Galatians 2:1-10  Isaiah 36; 37

Psalm 107:23-32

Psalm 107 repeatedly calls for praise to the God of faithful supernatural love. The Holy Spirit spoke to me through verses 7 and 30 with direction for our move to Baltimore. This is the reason we want to be a safe place for people to find and follow Jesus. Our God still responds to people calling for help out of distress.

Galatians 2:1-10

Paul refutes false teaching. He includes a description of his own submission to spiritual authority. The leaders of the church had identified people who were pretending to be Jesus followers. Peter, James, and John recognized Paul’s ministry, approved of the content of his teaching, and encouraged more ministry to the poor. It’s crucial for us to recognize this interaction now as people are trying to cut out Paul’s teaching from Scripture.

Isaiah 36; 37

Sennacherib, the evil king of Assyria, laid siege to Jerusalem and with arrogant defiance mocked the Israelites’ trust in Yahweh. Israel’s king Hezekiah turned to the prophet Isaiah, asking for God’s help. Our God had observed this evil king and rescued His people with specific miracles.

 

September 14 Bible reading

September 14  Psalm 107:10-22  Galatians 1  Isaiah 33; 34; 35

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?

September 14  Psalm 107:10-22  Galatians 1  Isaiah 33; 34; 35

Psalm 107:10-22

Over and over, God proved His love to be way beyond the norm. With jaw-dropping miracles, God took action for His people. Psalm 107 refers to these specific stories and calls us to praise God.

Galatians 1

False teachers mentioned in Acts 15:1 had been following the apostles’ church planting travels. They sought selfish gain by earning recognition. They taught a mixture of Jesus’ teaching and Jewish customs added to Moses’ teaching. This resulted in the twisted idea that salvation came by faith and works, and that we are “perfected” by good works. Paul writes to teach our freedom by faith in Jesus and to refute this perversion.

Isaiah 33; 34; 35

A respect for God, a constant awareness of, a reverence for God will be life-giving enriching strength to you, if you choose it. Then you will see God as seen in Isaiah 33:5-6. Isaiah communicates God’s response to people of all nations. We clearly see God as alive, aware, able, and active. God has plans. God gives us a free will and will hold us accountable for our choices.

 

 

September 13 Bible reading

September 13  Proverbs 22:17-27  2 Corinthians 13  Isaiah 30:19-33; 31; 32

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?

September 13  Proverbs 22:17-27  2 Corinthians 13  Isaiah 30:19-33; 31; 32

Proverbs 22:17-27

Learning from Proverbs is beneficial. For best results, we should memorize them and recite them as we apply them. This practice will help us trust God. God will ruin those who bring ruin to the poor.

2 Corinthians 13

Paul prepares the Corinthian church for his upcoming 3^rd visit. He wants to help them mature and grow stronger. Paul asks that they would examine their own hearts, adhering to the words of Jesus and receiving help by recognizing spiritual authority. Encouraging each other, they can grow and experience joy. “Then the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Isaiah 30:19-33; 31; 32

While preparing to move to Baltimore, God spoke to me through a prophet who quoted Isaiah 30:21, predicting that God would guide me in this journey. This has certainly been proven true. Isaiah predicts God’s restoration of a repentant people. And yet people who look to evil natural rulers as their provider will be sorry they did so. In contrast, people who look for truth in God, and listen for His voice, will see peace and hear a calm in their homes.