July 31 Bible reading

July 31 Proverbs 18:17-24; 19:1-2 Romans 14:1-18 1 Chronicles 9; 10

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 the 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 31 Proverbs 18:17-24; 19:1-2 Romans 14:1-18 1 Chronicles 9; 10

Proverbs 18:17-24; 19:1-2

What you say matters. Proverbs help us understand the value of this. Think before you speak. Carefully choosing the right words can bring results better than the finest meal. There are a variety of ways that a dispute can be resolved. We should be looking for those ways. This includes developing self-control with our words.

Romans 14:1-18

We read these words about priorities set in the context of a lifestyle of wholehearted personal devotion to Jesus, as seen in Romans 12. Living for the honor of God is more important than which day of the week we worship on. It is essential that we treat each other with loving respect regardless of our differences of opinions on lesser important spiritual matters. Healthy marriage brings a gracious favor from God, beyond what we deserve. Following Jesus includes living in a healthy relationship with God and people, a life of goodness, peace, and joy found in the Holy Spirit. If this is our priority, we will find it easier to defer to our friends over our freedoms in matters of natural living standards. If there is a difference of opinion about things like, what we eat or drink, we should be more concerned with God-honoring peaceful relationships than trying to convince them to see it our way. We should live in a way that helps unity.

1 Chronicles 9; 10

God restored His people from the punishment of Babylonian exile. The spiritual leaders returned to their homes first. In the end, Saul’s unfaithfulness to God brought about his death. God will restore the repentant and punish the unrepentant. Will our hearts submit to God?

July 30 Bible reading

July 30 Psalm 89:38-45 Romans 13 1 Chronicles 7; 8; 9:1

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 the 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 30 Psalm 89:38-45 Romans 13 1 Chronicles 7; 8; 9:1

Psalm 89:38-45

The choir of Israel would sing this lament a song about what they were seeing. It included the consequences for the ways in which they had rejected God. Psalm 89 recounts the punishment God allows on King David, whom He loves, bringing temporary separation in their relationship and public disgrace. David’s pain helps him realize his need for a relationship with God restored. That is God’s desire. God shows love. God wants a committed loving relationship.

Romans 13

Human authority is subject to God and may operate in alignment with God’s desire for mercy and justice. When it does not, we may speak truth to people in power and seek to bring change. We should recognize the truth of Romans 13 and live in respect to its truth. Remember, each person will give account to God for how they live. This includes people in authority. When they make decisions that cause harm they will be punished. Let us live by God’s intent that we love our neighbor in the same way we take care of ourselves. In this way, we will not break other commandments against abuse. We should live in constant awareness of God’s presence. Romans 13:11-14 helps me understand just how focusing on Jesus Christ can help with ridding myself of self-destructive tendencies. If I will wrap myself in personal awareness of Jesus Christ, sin will be far less attractive. Then I will be able to walk in the light of God’s love. Such freedom! Such grace!

1 Chronicles 7; 8; 9:1

God cares about every human life. Every person, in the 12 tribes of Israel was accounted for. They were all included in God’s story of redemption.

July 29 Bible reading

July 29 Psalm 89:30-37 Romans 11:33-36; 12 1 Chronicles 6

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 the 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 29 Psalm 89:30-37 Romans 11:33-36; 12 1 Chronicles 6

Psalm 89:30-37

God remained true to His promise, to David’s descendants, of faithful love and blessing. God may punish the sin and yet never stop loving His children. We see this in David’s story. God loves us. God guides us. We should listen to the guidance of God and take it to heart.

Romans 11:33-36; 12

Who can compare with our God, the One True Source of all Life? No one. Everything we see in the natural world was created by God and is intended for His glory. Seeking to understand this, as it relates to any created thing, will lead us to wisdom. Our reasonable response should be a lifestyle of wholehearted devotion (as described in Romans 12). One way to worship our Creator is to live every day for God’s purpose, from a place of gratitude. Another way to worship God is to learn how God wants us to think and be changed by it. We should be asking: How does God think? How should I be thinking about everything, as a result? In this way, we will find peace and purpose. It is not God’s desire that we are overwhelmed by the evil in this world, but that we see evil overwhelmed by good, with action. We should live out of authentic love seeking peace, being patient in trouble, and rejoicing in our confident hope in Jesus.

1 Chronicles 6

The worship of God is a priority. Here we read a record of who was responsible to facilitate the worship of God and to teach the Word of God. The organization of assigned responsibilities helped to ensure that the people would have a time and place for meeting with God. It also provided the people with spiritual servants and spiritual leaders “(servant-leaders”). It was (and is) a priority. Clearly, God cares about it. God instructed them with His own thoughts about it. God is constantly at work to facilitate the relationship with His people. We should respond with a value system of spiritual priorities.

July 28 Bible reading

July 28 Psalm 89:19-29 Romans 11:11-32 1 Chronicles 4:9-43; 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 the 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 28 Psalm 89:19-29 Romans 11:11-32 1 Chronicles 4:9-43; 5

Psalm 89:19-29

God expressed love through His plan and promises for David. This benefitted David personally as well as the people at large. It is another point of evidence of the faithful character of God. David was a young man with humility and a passionate heart for God. When God selected David to serve the people as their leader, God committed to loving David and showing him kindness. God also promised to bless his descendants. When you ask yourself, “What is God like?” think about David’s story.

Romans 11:11-32

God has always been intentional about offering a personal relationship with Him. God is faithful in love. God does allow the painful results of rejecting His love, in the hope that we would turn to Him. Paul explains that the Jews had not fallen past the point of recovery, even after hundreds of years of rebellion. God had not given up on His people. God made salvation available to the rest of the world. Salvation is available when we trust in Jesus Christ. God is both merciful, kind, and severe in truth, punishing the guilty. If we stop trusting in His mercy through Jesus Christ, we will be subject to punishment. God will not withdraw the gifts He has given or His call to repentance and restoration. In our current human state, we do not completely understand God’s thoughts. We should be careful to not give God advice about what He should do. We cannot “out-give” God, for God’s grace to us has already been lavished on us beyond our ability to repay it.

1 Chronicles 4:9-43; 5

Pain in our life does not indicate that we will always live with that same pain. Jabez asked God for such a change. Jabez also asked God for blessing and God answered his prayer. Each life carries a lesson that we can learn from. Repeatedly we read of people who trusted God and cried out to the one true God who answered their prayers. Jabez was known for God answering his bold request for a blessing. Sexual sin vacated the birthright of Rueben and his descendants.

July 27 Bible reading

July 27 Proverbs 18:7-16 Romans 10:5-21; 11:1-10 1 Chronicles 2:18-55; 3; 4:1-8

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 the 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 27 Proverbs 18:7-16 Romans 10:5-21; 11:1-10 1 Chronicles 2:18-55; 3; 4:1-8

Proverbs 18:7-16

The words of foolish people will trap them in results they would rather avoid. Humble people will receive honor. Smart people are always ready to learn. They listen. They are careful in their choice of words. They work hard. They are generous. These should be characteristics of people who are looking to God as their strength.

Romans 10:5-21; 11:1-10

New spiritual life comes from God, through Jesus Christ. It brings forgiveness and a state of being in a right-standing relationship with God. We can receive this by choosing faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Anyone who will believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that the resurrected Jesus is our Savior Lord will be saved from punishment and given this eternal life. In salvation, God’s grace for us is free and undeserved. Out of gratitude, and with a sense of purpose, we should share this new life with others. Sadly, not everyone will receive this free gift by faith, but some will reject it. We must continue to share this miraculous love of God, with others.

1 Chronicles 2:18-55; 3; 4:1-8

God’s story cannot be told without an accurate description of His love for every human life. We are reminded of many stories in genealogies. In David, we see God’s grace, mercy, redemption, and restoration after serious mistakes of adultery and murder. We can respond to God in faith. God loves us.

July 26 Bible reading

July 26 Psalm 89:14-18 Romans 9:22-33; 10:1-4 1 Chronicles 1; 2:1-17

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 the 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 26 Psalm 89:14-18 Romans 9:22-33; 10:1-4 1 Chronicles 1; 2:1-17

Psalm 89:14-18

God’s reign is founded on truth, justice, and “in-right-standing” relationships (righteousness). It is not about corruption, fickle passions, and lies (like so many of the empires built by humans). Life-changing healthy relationships with God and others are a result of such righteousness. When you are in a relationship with God like this you will see justice, truth, and unfailing love. Being aware of God’s presence brings happiness. Let’s make sure that we are spreading the “wonderful reputation” of our God: “Our God is good!”

Romans 9:22-33; 10:1-4

Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the law (found in Scripture). As a result, all who believe in Him are brought into a “right-standing” relationship with God. For this reason, our God has been patient in waiting on humans to respond to His plan of “love available”. Through the prophets, God had predicted His invitation to the Gentiles. God has also predicted His giving the Israelites the opportunity to receive the Messiah, by faith. Some chose to relate to God by trying to keep the law and yet without faith. They could not seem to choose to trust God. Paul shares the grieving of the Holy Spirit over this loss.

1 Chronicles 1; 2:1-17

God cares about every human life. We see this in genealogies. Setting the stage for the recording of the history of Israel, we read the redemptive narrative of God in the names listed. Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Boaz & Ruth, and David each responded to God with faith. We must learn from this. We must not relate to God through the quality of our actions, but instead, on the basis of His grace extended to us through our faith in Jesus.

July 25 Bible reading

July 25 Psalm 89:9-13 Romans 9:1-21 Hosea 11:12; 12; 13; 14

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 the 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 25 Psalm 89:9-13 Romans 9:1-21 Hosea 11:12; 12; 13; 14

Psalm 89:9-13

Our God gave us life. Our God created everything we see. God is sovereign in control over forces that are beyond our control. We should carefully consider the truth of God’s transcendent power. Our reasonable response is to relate to God as the most powerful. Let us worship and praise our God in gratitude for the opportunity to live.

Romans 9:1-21

God makes decisions. We are talking about the One True Living God. The One True Source of Life. We should carefully avoid a relationship of superstition with God, trying to force our genie out of the bottle. We believe that God has the right to choose how He designs us. God may choose to whom He will show mercy. Paul laments the decision that many Jews had already made to reject Jesus as their Messiah. They rejected God’s design for their lives. We should relate to God as our Creator whose love and power are greater than anything we might see among humans. I can believe what science observes and the Creator who gave us the ability to observe. My doubt leads me to questions that strengthen my faith. It is amazing to experience God’s love as faith and reason work together.

Hosea 11:12; 12; 13; 14

At this point in history, the pain has come to the people of Israel as a result of their wickedness of heart. They piled up lies and violence. God called them to come back to Him, to depend on Him, and act with love and justice. God had proven they could find salvation in no one other than Him. God was promising limitless love and restoration for those who would “turn around” and love God first and foremost.

July 24 Bible reading

July 24 Psalm 89:1-8 Romans 8:18-39 Hosea 10; 11:1-11

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 24 Psalm 89:1-8 Romans 8:18-39 Hosea 10; 11:1-11

Psalm 89:1-8

Let’s sing about the unfailing love of God. We must consider that our God is most powerful and faithful in love for us. Sing it out. God stays true to the promise He has made. It is a promise of love. It is a promise of favor for those who love Him. That! That is what is happening in this Psalm.

Romans 8:18-39

Here and now we will experience some suffering, that is temporary, and not truly comparable to the peace and joy we will now in Heaven as Jesus followers. In this, we may identify with what Jesus experienced. God the Holy Spirit can help us pray when we are not exactly sure what we should say. In this way, we agree with the Spirit of God and therefore the will of God. Then the Holy Spirit helps us step beyond our personal limits. This is possible because God chose us to become like Jesus Christ. As we love God and respond to His purpose, He will work everything out for our good. There is no challenge we face that can separate us from the love of Jesus for us. There will always be victory in Jesus.

Hosea 10; 11:1-11

God watched as His people used the provision, He gave them, to break their commitment to Him and serve other gods instead. The people of Israel did not respond to prosperity with gratitude and faithful devotion to God. Instead, they worshipped created things. For generations, they moved away from God. This was painful to God who loved them deeply. God chose to show them mercy out of compassion. He called them back.

July 23 Bible reading

July 23 Proverbs 17:25-28; 18:1-6 Romans 8:1-17 Hosea 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 23 Proverbs 17:25-28; 18:1-6 Romans 8:1-17 Hosea 8; 9

Proverbs 17:25-28; 18:1-6

Self-control with what you say is a significant challenge that everyone faces. An even-tempered person who chooses their words carefully is putting wisdom to work every day. God cares about our spiritual heart health. We tend to speak from our current state of spiritual heart health. God wants us to be careful with what we say. God wants us to speak life-giving words. We should speak in a way that shows loving care and respect for the person. It is helpful to consider what you should say to the people in your life. Spend some private time in prayer, thinking about this.

Romans 8:1-17

When I have found salvation in Jesus Christ, I am not under condemnation. When I follow Jesus Christ, with wholehearted devotion, I am constantly looking for His direction. In this way, I don’t live in the way that I used to. Now there is freedom for me. Please join me on this journey. You can experience this life of freedom. We can choose to focus our thoughts on what God is happy about. Life-changing peace will result from this decision. God the Holy Spirit will then give us the strength to choose a God-honoring lifestyle. In this personal relationship with God, we are adopted as His children, sharing an inheritance with Jesus. This includes shared suffering and glory. Whatever you are following…that is what you are giving control to. Are you following unreliable thoughts, feelings, and cravings? Are you feeling the pain of toxic selfishness? Are you finding freedom and new spiritual life? Are you following Jesus? Freedom and grace are available.

Hosea 8; 9

The people of Israel had refused to listen to what God had to say for generations. They had broken the commitment they made to God. They had rebelled. They had given their love and worship to gods who did not love them. God held His people accountable for their decisions. We must learn from these historical accounts and from the lives of real people who were like us. Will we listen to God? Will we love God?

July 22 Bible reading

July 22 Psalms 88:9-18 Romans 7:7-25 Hosea 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 the 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 22 Psalms 88:9-18 Romans 7:7-25 Hosea 6; 7

Psalms 88:9-18

Oh God! Why is it that I cannot see You, feel You?! Where is Your help?!? “I’m no good to You dead!” I can’t feel Your comfort. This lament is in fact a cry for help, not giving up, and yet on the worst day of life, it is a cry for God’s rescue. I can sing, “Even when I don’t see Your help, God I cry out to You!” Singing the blues, praying your lament, describing to God what you are suffering is a valuable part of a healthy relationship with God. We should never try to stop someone else from doing so. Honesty about pain is healthy. It’s God’s design. God has not asked us to pretend that suffering doesn’t exist. This candid way of talking with God will help us have a life-giving relationship with God.

Romans 7:7-25

As we learn about God’s plan for a healthy life, our sinful human nature pulls our attention to cravings that move us away from Jesus-following desires. This toxic selfishness may bring a raging internal conflict. The only effective peace treaty is found in Jesus. Everyone who calls themselves a Christian should read through Romans, think deeply about it, and pray through it. Have I truly considered why I may experience desires that are contrary to following Jesus? You cannot develop a strong faith without considering these issues. When your spiritual eyes are open to the truth of spiritual freedom found in Jesus it can be like fireworks of revelation. It is life-altering. Peace is possible. Freedom is possible.

Hosea 6; 7

Through the prophet Hosea, God calls His people to turn from their selfish sin, back to a healthy relationship with Him. God says that He wants to show them love and that He wants them to know Him. God wants His people to learn about Him, to experience a relationship with Him. This is not possible when people are not loving God, from their hearts. When we are dishonest and insincere with God, there is pain coming. When we turn to God, with love and out of wholehearted devotion, restoration is coming.