Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 10)

This plan provides a good balance between Old Testament readings and New Testament Readings because it guides you through the New Testament twice as you read through the Old Testament once. To allow time for reflection, it follows a two-year plan.

Every week I will post the readings for that week and add the daily devotionals as time permits. If you wish to print a copy of the plan without the devotions, you can find copies of it in pdf format at the link below. I like to print and use them as bookmarks in my Bible.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TQs0_oejNJO8HInVlN1JmSClMhWcEbiG?usp=sharing

The daily readings for this week are included below.

March 5 (Read: Acts 15 & 16)

“And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10 NAS)

What can we learn about guidance from Paul’s Macedonian call? Do we wait for specific instructions before venturing out, or do we trust in Him to lead as we go? There is no single answer that will fit every situation, but there are principles to follow. Paul did not depart for his first missionary journey until he had been set apart and sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-4). By Acts Chapter 15, the command to go preach the gospel had been given and obeyed. When Paul began his second missionary journey, he desired to revisit the established churches. This he did, and then as he attempted to preach in neighbouring lands, the Holy Spirit forbade him. He would eventually go to those lands, but not immediately. God’s guidance has a lot to do with timing. There was an area he was to go to, but the Holy Spirit did not intervene in his travels unless he attempted to go in the wrong direction. It would seem simpler to us if the Lord would just come out and tell us what to do, but He chooses not to do that. It was not until he reached the port city of Troas that he received a vision.

What are some of the principles of guidance? The first principle is motive. We should always be motivated by love which issues from a pure heart (1Tim. 1:5). This is the starting point for walking with God. The second most important principle is faith. We live by faith, not by sight (2Cor. 5:7). The physical means of guidance (sight, sound, feelings) are supplementary. First, we must believe. Too often people have headed out in the way they wanted to go and asked the Lord to go with them. This is presumption, not faith. Paul’s experience shows us that we should go at His command and then trust in His guidance as we go.

Thank You, Father, that I have been given a special function as a member of the body of Christ (Rom. 12: 4; 1Cor. 12:6). I have received an abundance of grace to serve You, Lord. I go forth in obedience to Your command to love. Holy Spirit, You are always instructing and guiding me in the way I should go.

March 6 (Read: Acts 17 & 18)