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
"Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them" (2v8). This is the theme of
Jonah's book. He lived in the early eighth century BC (2 Kgs 14v25) and was called to proclaim God's word in the capital city of Israel's greatest enemy of that time - the Assyrian empire. Knowing God is ready to show love even to idolaters, Jonah ran away rather than give Assyria the chance of escaping destruction (3v10-4v3). But they did escape, because they repented - as did the sailors Jonah journeyed with. And in doing so they put Jonah to shame, for he knew the Lord but was not prepared to obey his word until having called on him in distress and experienced his salvation. The book therefore challenges Israel's idolatry with the superior faith in the LORD of peoples they despised. One thinks of how the sinful woman was a challenge to Simon, how the tax collector challenged the Pharisee, and how the prodigal son challenged the elder brother (Lk 7v36-50, 18v10-14, 15v11-32). The book also hints that Israel will only be brought to obediently fulfil their role of being a light to the nations through first experiencing God's mercy as Jonah did. It is here that it encourages us in evangelism. The mercy he has been ready to give us we should be ready to offer to others. As you read note the attitude and actions that should accompany repentance.
Jonah
Jonah's book. He lived in the early eighth century BC (2 Kgs 14v25) and was called to proclaim God's word in the capital city of Israel's greatest enemy of that time - the Assyrian empire. Knowing God is ready to show love even to idolaters, Jonah ran away rather than give Assyria the chance of escaping destruction (3v10-4v3). But they did escape, because they repented - as did the sailors Jonah journeyed with. And in doing so they put Jonah to shame, for he knew the Lord but was not prepared to obey his word until having called on him in distress and experienced his salvation. The book therefore challenges Israel's idolatry with the superior faith in the LORD of peoples they despised. One thinks of how the sinful woman was a challenge to Simon, how the tax collector challenged the Pharisee, and how the prodigal son challenged the elder brother (Lk 7v36-50, 18v10-14, 15v11-32). The book also hints that Israel will only be brought to obediently fulfil their role of being a light to the nations through first experiencing God's mercy as Jonah did. It is here that it encourages us in evangelism. The mercy he has been ready to give us we should be ready to offer to others. As you read note the attitude and actions that should accompany repentance.
Jonah
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.