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
Proverbs 31:10
Proverbs 31:10
Understanding to grow in
Through the prophets, God had promised to restore his people to Jerusalem and renew their hearts so that they could serve him faithfully (Ezek 36v24-36). But it is evident this was only partially fulfilled. The people's hearts remained the same. The very things they had committed to do they failed to do: The tithes were not being distributed properly, with the storage for offerings compromised. The Sabbath wasn't being kept. And the people were intermarrying with non-Jews. All this defiled the people and put them (yet again) in danger of God's wrath. Nehemiah set an example of a godly reformer, by seeking to put things right for the Lord's sake. But the fact was, that the people still needed God to grant them new hearts. This would require the coming of Jesus and the giving of his Spirit. We should rejoice that we have experienced it. However, it means that a greater righteousness is expected of us (Matt 5, 19v8-9). As you read note the people's sins.
Through the prophets, God had promised to restore his people to Jerusalem and renew their hearts so that they could serve him faithfully (Ezek 36v24-36). But it is evident this was only partially fulfilled. The people's hearts remained the same. The very things they had committed to do they failed to do: The tithes were not being distributed properly, with the storage for offerings compromised. The Sabbath wasn't being kept. And the people were intermarrying with non-Jews. All this defiled the people and put them (yet again) in danger of God's wrath. Nehemiah set an example of a godly reformer, by seeking to put things right for the Lord's sake. But the fact was, that the people still needed God to grant them new hearts. This would require the coming of Jesus and the giving of his Spirit. We should rejoice that we have experienced it. However, it means that a greater righteousness is expected of us (Matt 5, 19v8-9). As you read note the people's sins.
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.