October 12 Bible reading

October 12  Psalm 119:17-24  1 Thessalonians 5  Jeremiah 25:15-38; 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?

October 12  Psalm 119:17-24  1 Thessalonians 5  Jeremiah 25:15-38; 26

Psalm 119:17-24

The poet in Psalm 119 has found wonderful truth and wise advice in the Scripture. He is moved by a desire for the Word of God. He finds it enjoyable. Meditating on what God has said is a life-giving practice.

1 Thessalonians 5

The return of Jesus to earth will be unexpected. No one knows when it will happen. Our responsibility is to live, full of hope, alert and clear-headed. We must encourage each other, be joyful, pray constantly, and be thankful regardless of our temporary circumstances.

Jeremiah 25:15-38; 26

God has grown weary of unrepentant evil people and the injustice of their actions. Through Jeremiah God predicts the punishment He brings and yet leaves an opening for their repentance. In response, the people wanted to kill Jeremiah. Some of the wise old men recounted the way their ancestors had responded to the prophet Micah and repented of their sin. Seeing their worship, God changed His mind. In this way, the old men kept the people from killing Jeremiah.

October 11 Bible reading

October 11  Proverbs 24:23-34  1 Thessalonians 4  Jeremiah 23:9-30; 24; 25:1-14

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 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?

October 11  Proverbs 24:23-34  1 Thessalonians 4  Jeremiah 23:9-30; 24; 25:1-14

Proverbs 24:23-34

Proverbs points out the value of honesty and hard work. This lifestyle will bring value to you, your family, and your community. Anyone who thinks of themselves as a Jesus follower should take this into careful consideration. Does my life reflect this truth?

1 Thessalonians 4

Out of a personal relationship with Jesus comes new life and confident hope. This brings inspiration and a new ability to choose a lifestyle of living for God, our Creator & Redeemer instead of living to please ourselves first. When we want to please God more than anything else we can live a “holy” life, focused on God, avoiding sexual sin. Out of “agape” love for God and others we grow in self-control. All of this springs from a belief that Jesus will return to earth with people who have loved God and experienced death. This great hope before us should inform every single day.

Jeremiah 23:9-30; 24; 25:1-14

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God spoke to the people of Judah about the way that He would punish the unrepentant and restore the repentant. We read a clear distinction between true prophets and false prophets. A true prophet is spending time in the presence of God, listening to the voice of God, and with great care and obedience speaking the word God instructed them to deliver.

 

October 10 Bible reading

October 10  Psalm 119:9-16  1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 3  Jeremiah 21; 22; 23:1-8

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?

October 10  Psalm 119:9-16  1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 3  Jeremiah 21; 22; 23:1-8

Psalm 119:9-16

How can we live by the guidance of God? Is a pure life possible? Carefully considering the meaning of Scripture, in an effort to apply what God has said, to our lives, is the way to go. This includes the memorization of Scripture. In this way, our personal relationship with God becomes more meaningful and we grow by using the Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20; 3

Paul, Timothy, and their ministry team express love and compassion for the church in Thessalonians. Paul warned of troubles to come and brought encouragement to the Thessalonians so that they might stand strong in faith through it all. This is all set in the expectation of the return of Jesus.

Jeremiah 21; 22; 23:1-8

The people of Jerusalem had turned away from God in favor of the worship of other gods. They had treated the Temple of God like a “lucky rabbit’s foot”, believing that it would still protect them from judgment. God said, “No, I will punish you for your sinfulness”. The church building is not protection for the unrepentant sinner. In contrast, God blessed King Josiah, in part, because he gave justice and help to the poor and needy. Josiah’s actions were seen as a sign of his relationship with God. In the middle of punishing evil rulers of Judah (descendants of David) God renews His promise to bring the Messiah from their family.

 

October 9 Bible reading

October 9  Psalm 119:1-8  1 Thessalonians 1; 2:1-16  Jeremiah 18; 19; 20

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?

October 9  Psalm 119:1-8  1 Thessalonians 1; 2:1-16  Jeremiah 18; 19; 20

Psalm 119:1-8

God has spoken to us. We can choose to listen and learn from what God has said. We will then benefit from God’s Word and love it. Psalm 119 is focused on this relationship with God’s Word. This is a Hebrew acrostic poem of 22 stanzas, one for each successive letter of their alphabet. Each of the 8 verses within each stanza begins with the Hebrew letter named in its heading. This is one way that you can think through what you are learning about God’s love and then summarize it in a meaningful way. God’s love: always available, beneficial.

1 Thessalonians 1; 2:1-16

Paul writes to the Thessalonians shortly after his first visit, seen in Acts 17. He commends their faithful love in action from the hope they found in Jesus. Their relationship with Jesus brought life change and inspired their expectant hope for His return. As Paul and his team shared the Good News of Jesus, they lived to please God.

Jeremiah 18; 19; 20

Through Jeremiah, our Creator God speaks to His relationship with us as the relationship between a potter and clay. The people of Judah had stubbornly rejected God in favor of living however they wanted to. This should be a warning to us.

 

October 8 Bible reading

October 8  Psalm 118:17-29  Colossians 4:2-18  Jeremiah 16; 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 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?

October 8  Psalm 118:17-29  Colossians 4:2-18  Jeremiah 16; 17

Psalm 118:17-29

The singer draws strength from his relationship with God. He’s singing in the public worship service a thanksgiving for answered prayer. We should open up the opportunity for this practice. Our relationship with God should include this practice. And then requests of God are made in this context.

Colossians 4:2-18

Colossians 4:2, 5-6 are words to live by. Prayer should include dialogue with God out of thoughtful consideration. Prayer works best when we give wholehearted devotion. Prayer is consistently uplifting when it includes thanksgiving. We should be careful to exercise wisdom in how we live and talk.

Jeremiah 16; 17

For generations, God’s people had rejected His love and guidance. Over many years they followed evil desires and were unfaithful to God. This is the reason God allows punishment. And yet God promises to bring a repentant faithful remnant back to the Promised Land. People who derive their confident hope from trusting in God will be blessed. In contrast, people who live by bad motives will be judged by God. It’s possible to be deceived. How do you know if you are? We can find clarity in the truth of God’s Word, and the counsel of mature believers. A weekly day of rest from our ordinary work is helpful for a God focus.

October 7 Bible reading

October 7  Proverbs 24:15-22  Colossians 3; 4:1  Jeremiah 14; 15

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?

October 7  Proverbs 24:15-22  Colossians 3; 4:1  Jeremiah 14; 15

Proverbs 24:15-22

People who were focused on God will get up each time they fall. God’s faithful love helps us bounce back from failure. We must not be distracted by what is going on with people who are choosing to do wrong. Let’s focus on God.

Colossians 3; 4:1

Paul writes about how our life can change when we receive new spiritual life from Jesus. We can now consider the “realities of heaven” more than the things of earth. With this in mind, we must walk away from sin and toward Jesus who is making us new. In this new life, how we identify our identity (re: gender, race, status, etc.) is not what matters most. Jesus is what matters most. Colossians 3:12-16 helps us understand what following Jesus looks like. IN response to Jesus, we sing to create an avenue whereby grace can be poured into our hearts. We sing because of grace God poured on us. Paul instructs us to relate to the people in our lives out of constant awareness of God.

Jeremiah 14; 15

After many generations of Israelites had rejected God, worshipping other gods and doing countless evil things, God declares judgment. False prophets would not be spared punishment. Jeremiah asked God to be rescued from people attacking him for speaking the truth. God answered him and encouraged him to be faithful in his ministry.

October 6 Bible reading

October 6  Psalm 118:1-16 Colossians 2:6-23  Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12; 13

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?

October 6  Psalm 118:1-16 Colossians 2:6-23  Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12; 13

Psalm 118:1-16

The faithful love of God is without end. His love never fails. It never runs out. Let us give thanks to the Lord who is overflowing with love. On my worst days, I cried out to God. The Lord heard me and answered me. That is why I trust God more than I trust people.

Colossians 2:6-23

Paul writes of strength, peace, and gratitude coming from daily choosing to follow Jesus. He writes about building our lives on the foundation of Jesus. The result will be our faith grows stronger. A personal relationship with Jesus will bring spiritual freedom from the compulsion to continue self-destructive behaviors. Paul refutes the pious self-serving teaching they were facing from bad moralistic teachers. They were bringing condemnation and legalism. This bad teaching was not connected to Jesus and therefore did not bring help in real life change.

Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12; 13

In response to Jeremiah sharing God’s Word, people started plotting to kill Jeremiah. They were met with punishment as God protected Jeremiah. The hypocrisy of religious people causes Jeremiah to ask God questions. God answered as a just judge. Jeremiah spoke truth to powerful people, calling them to repentance….using rotten underwear as an object lesson.