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
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:11
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:11
Understanding to grow in
The first wave of exiles returned from Babylon in 538BC. God to them spoke through Haggai and Zechariah to encourage them to rebuild the temple and renew their commitment to God under the leadership of the governor - Zerubbabel, and High Priest - Joshua. Haggai begins with a rebuke that they were prioritising the building of their own homes over building God's. And because of the lack of devotion that displayed, God was witholding his blessing so that they experienced a drought. It's a challenge to each of us in our materialistic age, to give our time, money and effort to building the church as the spiritual dwelling place of God, rather than to fitting out our own homes. And the Jews do challenge us in this. They immediately obeyed Haggai out of a healthy fear of God. God then promised to be with them and bless them despite their sin - perhaps because the completed temple would make provision for it. He also promised to "shake" and "shatter" the nations, and fill the temple with his glory so that it would be even greater than the more impressive temple Solomon built. This was fulfilled when Jesus entered the temple as the incarnate Son of God and made full provision for sin in his death. And it will be completed when he returns in judgment, ridding the world of evil and blessing his people for evermore. As you read note the encouragements to build.
The first wave of exiles returned from Babylon in 538BC. God to them spoke through Haggai and Zechariah to encourage them to rebuild the temple and renew their commitment to God under the leadership of the governor - Zerubbabel, and High Priest - Joshua. Haggai begins with a rebuke that they were prioritising the building of their own homes over building God's. And because of the lack of devotion that displayed, God was witholding his blessing so that they experienced a drought. It's a challenge to each of us in our materialistic age, to give our time, money and effort to building the church as the spiritual dwelling place of God, rather than to fitting out our own homes. And the Jews do challenge us in this. They immediately obeyed Haggai out of a healthy fear of God. God then promised to be with them and bless them despite their sin - perhaps because the completed temple would make provision for it. He also promised to "shake" and "shatter" the nations, and fill the temple with his glory so that it would be even greater than the more impressive temple Solomon built. This was fulfilled when Jesus entered the temple as the incarnate Son of God and made full provision for sin in his death. And it will be completed when he returns in judgment, ridding the world of evil and blessing his people for evermore. As you read note the encouragements to build.
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.