January 16 Bible reading

Each day of the year I’ll post verses to read, with 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, expressed through Jesus.

Please read the verses below, prayerfully consider them, and then my comments may be helpful after those moments.

January 16  Proverbs 2:1-11  Matthew 12:22-45  Genesis 32; 33

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?

Proverbs 2:1-11  When I have found grace through Jesus, I want to love God more than anything else. My human nature can make that difficult. Learning helps. Choosing to live each day aware of who God is, that is where true wisdom begins. Growing in an understanding of who I am in relationship to God will help me apply wisdom to my daily life. Growing in wisdom requires focus and effort. We must ask God. It is God who can give us knowledge, understanding, insight, and wisdom. Wise choices will have lasting benefit. Understanding will keep us.

Matthew 12:22-45  Leaders who were in the position to teach people the truth about God, were challenging the identity of Jesus as Messiah instead. Jesus confronted evil spirits and removed them from people. These leaders claimed that Jesus worked in collaboration with the devil. Jesus refuted this showing His superior power and its good results. They demanded miracles. Jesus called for repentance and reminded them of Ninevah. One day everyone will recognize the powerful identity of Jesus Christ. Jesus says that we speak out of our hearts and that we will be known by the “fruit” of our lives. He informs us that there will be consequences for those who do not repent.

Genesis 32; 33  Jacob is following God’s direction and moving his family to the land God had promised. Jacob fears his brother Esau and cries out to the God of unfailing love. Jacob was looking for a blessing from God beyond all that God had already provided. Arriving at land promised to him Jacob wrestles with God, is renamed to “Israel”, and nervously reunites with his brother. Peacemaking remains important to God.

January 15 Bible reading

Each day of the year I’ll post verses to read, with 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, expressed through Jesus.

Please read the verses below, prayerfully consider them, and then my comments may be helpful after those moments.

January 15  Psalm 9:13-20  Matthew 12:1-21  Genesis 31

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?

Psalm 9:13-20  David has learned from his life experiences. He has observed the Almighty God at work. God sees the twists and turns of humanity. God brings justice. Death and eternal separation from the God of love will be the experience of all who reject our Almighty God. Those in need can find God ready to help. In one sense, God saved me so that I can praise Him.

Matthew 12:1-21  The gentle way of the leadership of Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. The religious leaders of Yahweh’s Temple were looking for ways to refute Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. They had turned God’s principle of Sabbath worship and rest into legalism, missing the point. Jesus does a healing miracle on the Sabbath. Jesus teaches that you can do good, handle emergencies, care for basic needs, and serve the house of worship (in a rotation schedule) on the Sabbath. In both the healing miracle and his gentle response Jesus gives us an example.

Genesis 31  God will honor those who seek to make peace through a serious life-long commitment. Laban resented his son-in-law Jacob and kept making one bad decision after another. Jacob responded to God’s guidance and began to return to his homeland. Rachel still had a mixture of sin in her heart. Jacob negotiated a peace treaty with Laban and thanked God for it, with the whole family.

 

New thoughts feelings Day 10 January 15 Prayer

“Lord, please cleanse and make new the way that I think and the way that I feel.”

• Let the Spirit make new your thoughts and attitudes. Ephesians 4:23
• I will bring every thought through a Jesus filter, brought into obedience to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
• I will set my mind on the things above, not on the things of earth. Colossians 3:2
• I will not be conformed to this world, but I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
• I will not be unwise, but I will understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17
• I will do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, I will esteem others better than myself. Philippians 2:3
• I will not set my mind on high things, but I will associate with the humble. I will not be wise in my own opinion. Romans 12:16

Lord, today I submit to you. I live for you. I welcome you to help me see anything in my thoughts and/or feelings that do not honor you. Please help me to see you. Help me follow you. Please make my thoughts and emotions new. Today I decided to focus on you. Please fill my thoughts and emotions today. Give me the grace to not live by my own thoughts or emotions, but instead to live based on following you, loving you, and your words!

Faith to overcome Day 9 January 14 Prayer

Winning faith – “In God, I have strength beyond the challenge.”

Paul writes in Romans 8:37-39 “…in all this we are more than conquerors, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us,” What does this “more than conquerors” or “overwhelming victory” mean? To be completely and overwhelmingly victorious. To prevail completely.

• Conquer – to gain the victory        (I did not have the victory, but now I do.)
• Prevail – to prove superior in strength, to succeed, to win out, strength beyond the challenge.

“In all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us.” Rom 8:37

This means that, with the help of Jesus, you can have strength to outlast your challenge.

Let’s look at a few other verses that carry this truth:

• I will overcome my enemies because He who is in me is greater than He who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
• God has not give me a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
• With God’s help I will do mighty things.  Psalms 60:12
• I will be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Winning Faith Statements:

I believe: God is in control. God saved me because He loves me. God will be faithful to complete it.

I believe: I have strength beyond the challenge. I can do all things through Jesus.

January 14 Bible reading

Each day of the year I’ll post verses to read, with 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, expressed through Jesus.

Please read the verses below, prayerfully consider them, and then my comments may be helpful after those moments.

January 14  Psalm 9:7-12  Matthew 11:16-30  Genesis 29; 30

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?

Psalm 9:7-12  The more I get to know God the more I trust Him. Our God has always been in control and will always be in control. God is a shelter for the oppressed who trust in Him. God avenges murder, cares for the helpless, and does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.

Matthew 11:16-30  Jesus spoke the truth about people who did not respond to the ministry of John the Baptist. Jesus denounces towns that did not repent and believe in response to His miracles. Jesus calls to the weary, that they would exchange what they are carrying with Him, finding rest in Him. Jesus called people to find spiritual rest in relationship with Him. Jesus invited them to learn and spiritual growth.

Genesis 29; 30  Jacob falls in love with Rachel the daughter of his uncle Laban. He agrees to work for seven years as a dowry to marry Rachel. When the time comes, Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah, the firstborn. Jacob marries both in agreement of another seven years work. They all see the consequences of sin. Rachel becomes impatient with infertility and jealous her sister Leah’s sons. She gives her husband a servant as a surrogate. Leah’s jealousy causes her to do the same.  God responds to the fact that Leah was unloved. God responds to their prayers despite their sins. Twelve sons are born. God is faithful to His promise in covenant agreement with Abraham.

January 13 Bible reading

Each day of the year I’ll post verses to read, with 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, expressed through Jesus.

Please read the verses below, prayerfully consider them, and then my comments may be helpful after those moments.

January 13  Psalm 9:1-6  Matthew 10:32-42; 11:1-15  Genesis 27; 28

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?

Psalm 9:1-6  In my relationship with God I have discovered joy. I will overflow with joy because the God who created me has also redeemed me. We should respond to God by praising who He is, and all He has done, in song and in talking about what He has done.

Matthew 10:32-42; 11:1-15  From the instructions of Jesus to His disciples we should learn the value of a selfless love for God. When we live for God’s purpose we find fulfillment. There’s a direct relational response from God to us regarding whether or not we accept Jesus. God can redeem the mistakes we make in how we relate with others. Our worship matters. Jesus recognized the ministry of John the Baptist and John recognized the identity of Jesus as Messiah.

Genesis 27; 28  Aging Isaac was ready to give his final blessing. Rebekah wanted her husband to give Jacob the first-born blessing instead of Esau. They tricked Isaac and the blessing went to Jacob. Esau hated his brother. Isaac sent Jacob to find a wife from his uncle Laban’s daughters. Jacob realized that God was in a place he had not previously recognized. God revealed to Jacob the promise of His covenant with Abraham. This land would be theirs. Jacob’s family would be blessed to be a blessing to all people through the Messiah to come. Jacob set up a place of worship and committed to giving a tithe.

 

Describing God Day 8 January 13

It’s a perfect day to thank God for who He is, praying through the ways that He has been described.

“Daddy God, who is in Heaven, I praise your name,” Luke 11:1

• I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving and into Your courts with praise. I will be thankful to You and bless Your name. For the Lord is good; Your mercy is everlasting, and Your truth endures. Psalms 100:4-5
• The name of the Lord is a strong tower. I will run into it and be safe. Proverbs 18:10
• El Elyon the Most High God – Genesis 14:17-20
• El Olam Everlasting God – Isaiah 40:28-31
• El Roi The One who sees – Genesis 16:13
• El Shaddai God Almighty – Genesis 17:1
• Elohim Mighty Big God – Genesis 1:1
• Jehovah Jireh Lord will provide – Genesis 22:13-14
• Jehovah Maccaddeshem Lord my sanctifier – Exodus 31:13
• Jehovah Nissi Lord our banner – Exodus 17:15
• Jehovah Rapha Lord our healer – Exodus 15:26
• Jehovah Rohi Lord our shepherd – Psalms 23:1
• Jehovah Shalom Lord our peace – Judges 6:24
• Jehovah Shammah Lord who is present – Ezekiel 48:35
• Jehovah Tsidkenu Lord our righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6