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
How do you prioritise? Here Paul reveals how he does. He prioitises according to the calling God has given him. He is an apostle so he has given time to writing so that the Roman Christians might, through the gospel, be acceptable to God. And it is Paul's gospel concern that has governed everything for him. It is why he has travelled the world preaching and so been kept from coming to Rome. It is why he wants to come, not just to encourage the believers, but find help for his trip to preach in Spain. It is why he is collecting money for the Jerusalem church - to display the unity the gospel has brought between Jews and Gentiles. And something of that unity is displayed in the list of people Paul greets. Their names suggest they comprise Jewish and Gentile Christians, rich and poor, male and female, slave and free. He therefore concludes anticipating false teaching that could arise in a church where there are tensions between such a diversity of believers, and the sufficiency of the gospel to keep them godly. As you read note the difference the gospel should make.
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.