Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
The reason it is so serious to be drawn away from the true gospel, is that no other gospel can save. Paul stresses that Christ bore the curse we deserve for failure to obey God's law, so that we need not face it. All who have faith in him are therefore counted as right with God and given the Holy Spirit, which proves they are his. He adds that is fully consistent with what is taught about Abraham, the father of Judaism. By contrast, those who stop relying on Christ for acceptance before God and seek to rely on their obedience to the law, are required to obey it all, making them subject to God's curse for their failure to do so. And this leaves them in slavery, controlled by the burden of thinking they must obey it meticulously in order to enjoy God's favour. Paul stresses the law was never meant for this, but was given to restrain Israel's sin until Christ came. If we own a true faith, all this should reassure us that we should not feel burdened by any sense that our status before God is affected when we sin. It should also keep us from drifting from Christ. For without him we are without hope. As you read note what Paul teaches about the law.
Galatians 3-4
Galatians 3-4
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.