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
It's all about the seed of Christ's word, which is the message of the kingdom (v19). 13v13-15 tell us those who weren't responding to it were not doing so due to a hardness of heart granted as judgment on their sin. But some could respond then, as people still do. They are the good soil in which the gospel produces a crop as the word is multiplied through them. They are those who will be harvested at the end of the age when the weeds of those who are not of God will be pulled up. And it is as the word bears fruit in and through them, that the kingdom grows from being like small mustard seed to a massive tree where people find shelter, spread throughout the world and transforming it like yeast in dough. These are the hidden truths of the kingdom that are understood and accepted only by those the Lord plants (see 15v13). As you read consider how this should impact your attitude to the word.
Matthew 13:1-43
Matthew 13:1-43
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.