Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 38)

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.

Sept 17 (Read: 2Tim. 1 & 2)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 18 (Read: 2Tim. 3 & 4)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 19 (Read: Jn. 1)

“Truly I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (Jn. 1:51 NASB)
I believe in the ministry of angels; I look for it when we gather as believers.  The Lord directed me to extend my faith this way a few years back, and recently He showed me how this is an application of the dream Jacob had at Bethel.  Jesus declared that the Son of Man is the ladder that Jacob saw stretching from the earth reaching up to heaven, with the angels ascending and descending on it (Gen. 28:12).  Jacob recognized that place (Bethel) as the house of God and the gate of heaven (vs.17).  The church is the body of Christ so we are part of the ladder that connects the earth to heaven.  We are the house of God (1Pe. 2:5).  If we see this, we can rise in faith and be a gate, an open heaven, for the blessings of God to be released upon the earth.  It requires that we individually deny our independence and see our unity as one body.  The anointing of the Spirit rests upon us when we stand together in unity (Ps. 133:1-3).  The angels minister to us and through us as we rest in this anointing. 

This is not just a beautiful sentiment; it is a spiritual reality.  During the worship time in a service, I join with others who yield to the Holy Spirit to worship and pray.  What happens when we do this is the atmosphere of heaven fills the place.  The Spirit is released to move according to the gifts and faith of those who respond to His presence.  My hope is that, as others see this, the body will rise from the earth to heaven and the angels will ascend and descend upon it.  We will be manifested as the New Jerusalem, and the gate of heaven over the earth.

Father, I pray that You may give me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened to know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.  You have put all things in subjection under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:17-19,22-23).

Sept 20 (Read: Jn. 2 & 3)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 21 (Read: Jn. 4 & 5)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 22 (Read: Jn. 6)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 23 (Read: Jn. 7)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 37)

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.

Sept 10 (Read: Prov. 23)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 11 (Read: Prov. 24)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 12 (Read: Prov. 25)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 13 (Read: Ps. 107 & 108)

“Who is wise?  He is to pay attention to these things, and consider the mercy of the Lord.” (Ps. 107.43 NASB)

This Psalm ends with an admonition to pay attention to God’s justice and mercy.  Those whom the Lord has redeemed should give thanks to Him because He is good, and His mercy is everlasting (vs. 1 & 2).  Note that the emphasis is on being thankful, not on our sinfulness.  Those who wandered away from the Lord fell into the oppression of the enemy.  When they cried out to the Lord, He delivered them, nourished them, and healed them.  We should not dwell on our failures, but on the mercy and goodness of God.  “Give thanks to the Lord for His mercy and for His wonders to the sons of mankind!” (vs. 8).  Not only have we been forgiven, but He has done wonders for us like breaking our bondages, feeding our hungry and thirsty soul, and healing our afflictions.  After returning to the blessings of the Lord, we should continue to give thanks to the Lord for His mercy and goodness, lest we become lukewarm in our devotion.  To be thankful, we do not have to continually ask for mercy for past sins; we have already been forgiven.  Our responsibility is to continually give thanks.  It is not about how bad we were; it is about how good He is!  Our testimony is about His wonderful works (vs. 22).

Thank You, Lord, for saving me from punishment.  I was lost and You redeemed me.  I was hungry and thirsty for Your presence, and You came to dwell inside me.  I was suffering but You healed me from all my afflictions.  When troubles come my way, I will remember Your great mercy and goodness and look to Your word to for healing and deliverance.  I will tell of Your wonderful works with joyful singing.

Sept 14 (Read: Titus 1, 2 & 3)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 15 (Read: 1Tim. 1, 2 & 3)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 16 (Read: 1Tim. 4, 5 & 6)

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1Tim. 4:12 NASB)

The advice Paul gives Timothy applies to us in whatever capacity we serve the Lord.  When we are called upon to minister with our gift of grace, we should not allow anything to hinder us. (1Pe. 4:10,11).  Timothy was not to let others look down on his youthfulness.  We could easily replace his “youthfulness” with our own shortcomings, whether it is a lack of experience, a lack of talent, a lack of education, or some other perceived inadequacy.  Those whom God calls, He empowers.  We are not competent in ourselves, “but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit give life.” (2Cor. 3:5,6). 

Besides placing our confidence in the Lord to work through us, we can increase our effectiveness by being an example to others in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.  Many ministers have built their ministry on spiritual gifts, then allowed it to be torn down through lack of character.  We do well to remember that, from God’s perspective, if we have faith to work miracles, but do not walk in love, we have nothing.

Help me, Lord Jesus, to minister with confidence because my sufficiency is in You.  Help me to walk in a manner that pleases our Father, so I may be approved as a workman.  Help me also to accurately handle the word of truth.  Thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, so I can understand spiritual things.  (2Tim. 2:15; 1Cor. 2:10)

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 36)

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.

Sept 3 (Read: Deut. 22, 23 & 24)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 4 (Read: Deut. 25, 26 & 27)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 5 (Read: Deut. 28)

“Since you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a cheerful heart, in gratitude for the abundance of all things…” (Deut. 28:47 NASB)

I need to be reminded every so often that happiness is a choice.  I can rejoice in the goodness of God or I can let my mood be affected by my circumstances.  It is easier for me to be faithful at this if I think of how important it is to God.  The Israelites were warned by Moses that if they did not serve the Lord with joy and a cheerful heart, they would be given over to their enemies to serve them.  As believers in Christ, if we do not honour God and give Him thanks, we also will open the door to the enemy.  Before we know it, we will be discouraged or begin to complain.  When I realize that I am giving in to my circumstances, I repent and choose instead to rejoice in the Lord.  I can do this by faith, even before I feel happy.  Joy, like peace, comes from within me because it is a provided by the Spirit of God (Rom. 14:17).  Rejoicing in the Lord this way strengthens me in Him and dispels the oppression of the enemy (Neh. 8:10).  We do not need to wait until we fall victim to our circumstances before rejoicing in the Lord.  Paul instructed believers to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4).

Thank You, Father, for bringing me into Your Kingdom and providing me with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  You have commanded me to rejoice always and to give thanks in every situation.  With Your commandment comes the ability to obey it, because Your word is spirit and life.  Joy will rise in my soul from the wells of living waters within me.  (Rom. 14:17; Jn. 6:63; Jn. 4:14).

Sept 6 (Read: Deut. 29 & 30)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 7 (Read: Deut. 31 & 32)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 8 (Read: Deut. 33 & 34)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 9 (Read: Prov. 22)

“He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. (Prov. 22:11)

To be a servant of God is an honour, but to be a friend as well, is a greater honour.  God called Abraham His friend (Isa. 41:8).  Jesus called His close disciples, “friends”, but He placed a condition for this honour.  “You are my friends, if you do what I command you.” (Jn. 15:14).  James, on the other hand, implied that Abraham was God’s friend because he believed Him (Jas. 2:23).  The Scripture above gives even more insight on how to be a friend of the King. If we love purity of heart and speak graciously.  All these qualifications are interrelated.  We obey God when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (1Jn. 3:23).  When we love purity of heart, we make every effort to maintain that purity.  This enables us to walk in genuine love, with no hypocrisy (Rom. 12:9).  Speaking graciously is closely related to walking with a pure heart because we speak from the abundance of the heart (Matt. 12:34).  Our speech is gracious when we bless others with our words.  Being His friend enriches our relationship because He tells us what He is doing; He confides in us (Jn. 15:15).

Thank You, Jesus, for revealing the Father to me.  My desire is to know You and please You.  I will hide Your words in my heart so I may obey You.  I love purity of heart so I will maintain a pure heart through repentance and faith.  From the abundance of my heart, I will speak graciously to others.  As I draw near to You, Lord, You will draw near to me and tell me what You are doing.  (Matt. 11:27; Ps. 119:11; Jas. 4:8)

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 35)

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.

Aug 27 (Read: Deut. 5 & 6)

Aug 27 (Read: Deut. 5 & 6)

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5 NASB)

To love God with all our heart requires that our love be genuine (Rom. 12:9).  We cannot just honor Him with our lips, or with religious activities.  Our love must also be like our first love, full of zeal and single-mindedness.  The Lord had to rebuke one of the seven churches of Asia Minor for having lost their first love (Rev. 2:4).  They were still fighting for the faith, but their heart was not in it like before.  The Lord was calling them back to their early devotion.  We should always be sensitive to the corrections of the Lord.

To continue in our first love, we must walk in communion with the Holy Spirit.  He will help us to guard our hearts against loving this world (1Jn. 2:15).  Someone who wants to love God and this world at the same time, is double-minded (Jas. 4:8).  Be sensitive to the convictions of your conscience in this matter.  We should never come to the place where we think we have no need of repentance.  What is beautiful about our first love can be preserved, even as that love is perfected.  God want our love to mature (1Jn. 4:12).  We can continue being zealous for God, even as we increase in wisdom and godly character.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving me unconditionally.  You are always faithful, even when I fail.  I trust in Your mercy and Your grace to help me to grow.  I will love You with the love that has been poured into my heart by the Holy Spirit.  I will submit to Your instructions and corrections as love is perfected in me.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for helping me to walk in the fruit of the Spirit, which is love.  (2Tim. 2:13; Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22).

Aug 28 (Read: Deut. 7 & 8)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 29 (Read: Deut. 9 & 10)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 30 (Read: Deut. 11 & 12)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 31 (Read: Deut. 13, 14 & 15)

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own personal possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” Deut. 14:2 NASB)

When I try to see the Body of Christ from God’s perspective, I see every member as special, but I also see us as a nation.  We are a special people, built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood (1Pe. 2:5).  We have a corporate purpose as well as individual ones.  Our individual purpose works within God’s special purpose for the Church.  It is important for us to discern the Body of Christ and how we fit into it. 

As humans, we tend to be too independent.  As we discern the Body, we begin to see that we are dependent on it for the fullness of our calling.  The Body grows as all members do their part (Eph. 4:16).  Together, we mature into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.  As we grow and mature as a Body, we increasingly express the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).  

Individually, we have a ministry to the people of this world, but we also have a ministry to the Church (Eph. 4:12).  God wants us to help the Body “grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.” (Eph. 4:15).  When the Body reaches the goal of maturity, we will have been prepared as a Bride for the Son (Rev. 19:7).  Can you imagine how we will appear when we are revealed as “the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.” (Rev. 21:10,11)?  

Thank You, Father, for choosing me to be Your own possession.  You have placed me in the Body of Christ, as You have determined, even before I was born.  Help me to see my role as a member of this Body.  When I take communion, Lord, I will remember that when You died, I died with You.  I now live in You, as a member of Your Body.  I pray that I may know the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints.  (1Cor. 12:18; 1Cor. 11:29; Eph. 1:18).

Sept 1 (Read: Deut. 16, 17 & 18)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Sept 2 (Read: Deut. 19, 20 & 21)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 34)

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.

Aug 20 (Read: Ps. 97, 98, 99 & 100)

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courtyards with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” (Ps. 100:4 NASB)

If we want to be ministered to by the Lord, we must first minister to Him.  That is what the leaders in Antioch were doing when the Holy Spirit instructed them to set Paul and Barnabas apart for their apostolic ministry.  God’s desire to bless us is greater than our desire to be blessed, but the way we approach Him has a lot to do with how we will be blessed.  We must enter the Holy place with confidence and a sincere heart, through the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-22).  We cannot approach His throne because of our good deeds. 

The psalmist uses the illustration of the temple in the verse above.  When we enter by a gate, we pass through the courtyard, where sacrifices are made.  This is why we approach God with praise and thanksgiving.  We offer a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15,16).  To our spirit man, praise is not a sacrifice, but to our flesh it is (Matt. 26:41).  As we begin with praise and thanksgiving, our soul comes under subjection to our spirit.  Our goal is not to remain in the courtyard, but to ascend to the throne room.  In temple, this would be in the Holy of Holies, with the curtain removed between the holy place and the most holy place.  To ascend to God’s throne in the third heaven, we must go through the second heaven where the devil’s tries to rule. As we go through the second heaven, we do spiritual war with our praises.  Breaking through the second heaven may not take very long if there is no resistance in our soul, but sometimes the battle may be difficult.  Once we break through and enter the third heaven, our praises must turn to worship.  This is communion with God.  In the holy place is where we cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1Pe. 5:7).  This is where we minister to Him with words of love and adoration.  And, this is where He speaks and ministers to us.

“Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  For He is God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” (Ps. 95:6,7).

Aug 21 (Read: Ps. 101, 102 & 103)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 22 (Read: Ps. 104 & 105)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 23 (Read: Ps. 106)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 24 (Read: Prov. 21)

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” (Prov. 21:23 NASB)

So much has been said about the power of words as it relates to faith.  Very little, however, is taught concerning the effect of words on our soul.  This verse tells us that we can guard our soul from troubles by controlling our tongue.  Does that not sound a lot like the Epistle of James?  “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” (Jas. 3:2).  James applies this principle first to teachers.  We should not be too quick to teach others what we are learning ourselves.  The enemy of our souls is sure to test us on what we declare to be right.  If we fail, he accuses us before God (Rev. 12:10).  We should only teach what we are putting into practice.  James applies this principle also to blessings and curses.  From the fountain of our heart should flow only fresh water, not bitter water (Jas. 3:11).  God wants us to bless people, but instead we curse them by judging them.  When we pass judgment on people, we condemn them to punishment.  This hurts our soul because Jesus said, “Do not judge lest you be judged.” (Matt. 7:1).  Another way that words can hurt us is by complaining.  What happened to the Israelites in the wilderness was written for our instruction.  Among other things, we are told not to “grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” (1Cor. 10:10).  Instead, we should “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thess. 5:18).

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the fruit of self-control which helps me to guard the words of my mouth.  I choose to exercise faith through my words, even with the giving of thanks in every situation, because You can make all things work for my good.  I also choose to bless and not to curse.  Help me, Lord, to be merciful so I can obtain mercy.  Help me also to be quick to hear, and slow to speak.  With Your help, Lord, I will put into practice what You teach me before I teach it to others.  (Gal. 5:23; 2Cor. 4:13; Matt. 5:7; Jas. 1:19).

Aug 25 (Read: Deut. 1 & 2)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 26 (Read: Deut. 3 & 4)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 33)

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.

Aug 13 (Read: Matt. 18 & 19)

“So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” (Matt. 18:35 NASB)

Holding unforgiveness is a serious manner.  We know that if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us (1Jn. 1:9).  But we also know that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matt. 6:15).  What happens if we are not forgiven for our sins?  This is not talking about salvation, but training in righteousness.  God disciplines those whom He loves.  If we refuse to forgive others, we will be judged for any wrong we commit as children of God.  “When we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord in order that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1Cor. 11:32).  If we want mercy, we must offer mercy (Matt. 5:7). 

The forgiveness God expects must be sincere, from the heart.  We may have to affirm it a few times.  It is a decision done as an act of obedience; it does not depend on feelings.  Emotional healing may not happen right away but that does not mean we have not forgiven.  We choose to forgive by faith, and we yield our soul to the Lord for healing. 

Bear in mind, also, that forgiveness is not trust.  Love demands that we trust, but these are two separate issues.  We trust as an act of faith and hope, in love (1Cor. 13:7).  This also is a decision we make, but it may require more time than forgiveness, when healing is required.  The trust we offer will also be dependent on the ability of the other person to succeed in doing what is right. 

Heavenly Father, I choose to forgive everyone that has offended me.  I do it as an act of faith; it does not depend on my feelings.  Show me, Holy Spirit, whenever I do not forgive from the heart.  I know that healing may take some time but I trust in You, Lord, to restore my soul.  When it comes to trusting those who have offended me, help me to treat them as I would want to be treated.  I choose to walk in love with genuine faith and hope.  I can do all that You ask of me because of your abundant grace.

Aug 14 (Read: Matt. 20 & 21)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 15 (Read: Matt. 22 & 23)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 16 (Read: Matt. 24)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 17 (Read: Matt. 25)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 18 (Read: Matt. 26)

“Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41 NASB)

Jesus walked this earth as a man.  He set aside His divinity, and took a form like ours, so He could become our Redeemer.  In His ministry, He demonstrated to us what a man yielded to God can do with the assistance of angels and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Because He was human, He had to prepare His soul for the crucifixion.  His soul was greatly distressed over what He was about to suffer, even to the point of sweating drops of blood (Matt. 26:38; Lu. 22:44).  Through prayer, He was able to bring His soul into subjection.  He won the victory in Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane before He won the battle for us on Calvary.

The counsel He gave to the disciples that night reveals a lot about how He could walk in victory.  The spirit of a redeemed man is willing to serve God; it is his flesh that is weak.  Most of us pay too little attention to our spirit; we rely instead on our soul.  Do you realize that our spirit is in communion with the Holy Spirit because they live together in our body which is His temple (1Cor. 6:17-20).  Our spirit knows everything about us (1Cor. 2:11).  When we pray in an unknown tongue, it is our spirit that prays (1Cor. 14:14).  Our spirit does not get hindered by the thoughts and emotions of our flesh.  If we want to be strong in the Lord, we must become strong in spirit.  Our body and soul must come under submission to our regenerated spirit.  God’s order for us is spirit first, then soul, then body (See 1Thess. 5:23).

Thank You, Father, for baptizing me with Your Holy Spirit and giving me the ability to pray with my spirit.  My spirit is willing to serve You, so with my spirit, I will rule over my soul and body.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, for I will worship God in spirit and truth.  (Acts 2:4; Ps. 42:5; Jn. 4:23).

Aug 19 (Read: Matt. 27 & 28)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 32)

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.

Aug 6 (Read: Matt. 6 & 7)

“Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (Matt. 7:1,2 NASB)

Jesus taught a very important principle in these verses.  How we receive instructions like these determines what fruit it will bear in our lives.  If we struggle with striving, we may find ourselves ignoring this teaching, or we will try to observe it and become discouraged because we keep failing at it.  The best way to receive this instruction is to submit to it in faith.  If we know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, then we will see instructions in righteousness as liberating (Jn. 8:32).  In humility, we should allow the seed of the word to be planted into our hearts.  Through faith, we can look to God for the grace to obey it.  He will begin to help us by increasing our understanding.  Soon, our conscience will become sensitive to how well we obey in this area.  We apply this word by offering mercy rather than judgment and find the same coming back to us.  Prior to receiving this word, we may have criticize others, and as a result felt the criticism of others.  Now, it does not seem to matter what people think or say.  We enjoy instead the assurance that God is pleased with us.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching me the principles of life.  Thank You also for the grace to obey these principles.  You watch over Your word to perform it in my life.  (Jer. 1:12).

Aug 7 (Read: Matt. 8 & 9)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 8 (Read: Matt. 10 & 11)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 9 (Read: Matt. 12)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 10 (Read: Matt. 13)

“But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because hey hear.” (Matt. 13:16 NASB)

The moment we are born again, God gives us a clean heart and a willing spirit (Ps. 51:10-12).  He also blesses us with the ability to perceive spiritual truths.  If we are careful to keep our heart pure, and with the help of a good conscience, we will be good soil for the word of God to grow and bear fruit in us (1Tim. 1:5).  We will receive His instructions with humility and faith.  Then, as we meditate on what we have heard, the Spirit will give us understanding (Matt. 13:23).  As we put His word into practice, we will begin to bear fruit.  If we submit to pruning, we will bear even more fruit (Jn. 15:2).  The word, then, will be much more than knowledge, it will become wisdom.  It is important that we nurture these spiritual abilities, rather than fall back into relying on our natural abilities.  Having begun by the Spirit, we must not go back to depending on the flesh (Gal. 3:3).  “For whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.” (Matt. 13:12).

Thank You, Father, for bringing me into Your family by revealing Your Son to me.  Thank You for placing Your Holy Spirit in me.  As a living stone, I am now being built into a spiritual house for Your Spirit.  I can now see and hear spiritual truths, and You continue to teach and guide me.  Lord my Shepherd, as Your sheep, I hear Your voice and I follow.  (1Pe. 2:5; Jn. 14:26; Jn. 16:13; Jn. 10:27).

Aug 11 (Read: Matt. 14 & 15)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 12 (Read: Matt. 16 & 17)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 31)

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.

July 30 (Read: Prov. 18)

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Prov. 18:10 NASB)

The name of the Lord provides safety because God is present in His name.  When the apostles healed the lame beggar, through faith in the name of Jesus, they were believing in the One sent by the Father (Acts 3:16).  The Jewish exorcists tried to cast out demons using the name of Jesus but the demons overpowered them because they did not know the Person behind the name (Acts 19:13-16).  In the wilderness, the presence of the Lord rested over the mercy seat in the tabernacle.  Moses exhorted the next generation to worship the Lord in the place He would establish His name for a dwelling place (Deut. 12:5).  Solomon understood this when he prayed that God would listen to the prayers of His people made in the newly dedicated temple (1Ki. 8:29).  They knew that this was the place where God was establishing His name because the cloud of His glory had just filled the temple (1Ki. 8:10,11).  In the New Testament, the temple of the Lord is His church.  This is why Jesus told the disciples that when two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in their midst (Matt. 18:20).  To gather in His name is to gather in His presence. 

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are present in Your name.  When I gather with others in Your name, I expect Your presence to be manifested.  I believe that signs follow me because You are working with me to confirm Your word. No harm will come near me because I have made You my dwelling place.  (Matt. 18:20; Mark 16:17-20; Ps. 91:9)

July 31 (Read: Prov. 19)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 1 (Read: Prov. 20)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 2 (Read: Ps. 90, 91 & 92)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 3 (Read: Ps. 93, 94, 95 & 96)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Aug 4 (Read: Matt. 1, 2 & 3)

“’Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’, which translated means, ‘God with us’.” (Matt. 1:23 NASB)

When Jesus came to redeem us, He had to take a human form.  We tend to think of Him as being unable to sin, but that is not true.  He was born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit so He could have a human form untainted by original sin.  He was, however, like us in every other way.  He had emotions like us.  He could be tempted like us.  He had to grow to maturity like us.  “And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Lu. 2:40).  He put aside His divinity and functioned totally as a human, anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can do what Jesus did, and more, when we overcome sin and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The main problem we have is the way we think.  We tend to be too earthly minded when we should instead be spiritually minded.  As we grow in grace, as Jesus did, we can develop the ability to see and hear from the inner man rather than the outer man.  Abundance of grace is given to us to walk in victory (Jn. 1:16).  We are also given the gifts of the Sprit to be a blessing to others (1Cor. 12:7).  We must all awaken to who we are in Christ and walk as He walked.  Here is a passage of Scripture to meditate on today:

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Col. 3:2-4)

Aug 5 (Read: Matt. 4 & 5)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 30)

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.

July 23 (Read: Nu. 24 & 25)

“Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” (Nu. 24:9 NASB)

The descendants of Abraham are special to God.  He calls them the apple of His eye (Zech. 2:8).  Even though they did not receive Jesus as their Messiah at His first coming, the mystery revealed to Paul is that all of Israel will be saved when the fulness of the Gentiles has come (Rom. 11:25,26).  In a day when so many nations are opposed to the Jews, we must be careful where we stand.  God will judge the nations that come against Israel.  As we approach the return of our Lord, we can expect this opposition to increase.  We must pray for God’s protection over Israel and for His mercy to the nations.  The longer judgment is delayed, the more time people will have to repent and be saved (2Pe. 3:9).  We must also pray for a great outpouring of God’s Spirit.  This is very much needed for the fulness of the Gentiles to come, and for the Jews to receive their Messiah.  Not only should we pray, but we should also yield to the Lord.  Perhaps He will use us to prepare the way for the return of our Lord.

I yield to You, Holy Spirit.  Help me pray according to the will of God.  Have mercy, Lord God, on those who oppose Your people.  Your patience and kindness will lead them to repentance.  Your shed blood is sufficient to forgive and cleanse the sins of the whole world.  I yield to You also, Holy Spirit, to be an instrument of righteousness.  May the words I speak be inspired by You and may all I do be with the strength of Your grace.  (Rom. 8:26,27; Rom. 2:4; 1Pe. 4:10,11)

July 24 (Read: Nu. 26)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 25 (Read: Nu. 27 & 28)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 26 (Read: Nu. 29 & 30)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 27 (Read: Nu. 31 & 32)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 28 (Read: Nu. 33 & 34)

“But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land in which you live.” (Nu. 33:55 NASB)

When we get saved, we cross over the waters of baptism into the land of God’s promises.  With determination and faith, we defeat the giants and begin to inhabit the land.  Little by little we take possession of our soul as Christ is formed in us.  In the beginning, there is no intention of allowing the inhabitants to remain in the land.  It is only after we begin to enjoy the blessings that we are in danger of relaxing our efforts.  The Lord has already done so much for us.  He has saved us and delivered us.  This is not, however, the time to pull back from battle.  We must continue to press forward to conquer all the land before us.  If we tire and pull back, the inhabitants we allow to remain will want to repossess the land we conquered.  If we look back and compare where we are to where we came from, we will become complacent.  We must never be satisfied with our spiritual progress.  We must continue to press forward to become more like Jesus. 

Help me, Lord Jesus, to never become lukewarm in my love for You.  I am thankful for all that You have already done in my life, but there is so much more of You that I need.  Thank You that You will perfect in me the good work that You have begun.  (Rev. 3:16; Phil. 1:6)

July 29 (Read: Nu. 35 & 36)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 29)

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.

July 16 (Read: Nu. 8 & 9)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 17 (Read: Nu. 10, 11 & 12)

“Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said, ‘Rise up, Lord! And may Your enemies be scattered, and those who hate You flee from Your presence.’ And when it came to rest, he said, ‘Return, Lord, to the myriad thousands of Israel.’” (Nu. 10:35,36 NASB)

In our relationship with God, there is a time to rest and a time to go.  We do not decide when either occurs.  For the sons of Israel, it was decided by the Lord through the movement of the cloud by day and the fire by night.  For believers in Christ, it is communicated through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.” (Rom. 8:14).  We must guard against the influence of a religious spirit which would lead us to follow our own desires.  To follow the Spirit requires humility, faith and discipline.  Coming before the Lord cannot be controlled by an agenda, whether for personal devotions or church meetings.  It may be helpful to begin with a plan birthed in communion with the Lord, but we should always linger when the Spirit lingers and move when the Spirit moves.  The discipline we require is not bondage to time or methods, but a determination to continually wait on the Lord. 

Personally, I like to begin with thanksgiving and praise, then move into worship (Ps. 100:4).  The initial time of praise and thanksgiving helps my soul to focus and become sensitive to the presence of God.  During my worship time, I may sing, or I may actively wait before Him.  I focus my attention on seeing what the Lord might be saying (Rev. 1:12).  This requires that I watch and listen.  To help me stay focused, I often include prayerful conversation.  Sometimes, it is those intimate conversations that release revelation.

When the Lord is speaking, it is not time to get busy with ministry.  I view worship as time spent in the Holy of Holies.  When I sense the Spirit leading me to move, I look to see where He is going.  He may lead me to spend time in the Holy Place to offer petitions or intercessions.  Or, He may lead me to spend time in the Outer Court to minister to the people.  He may even lead me outside the walls of the temple for ministry or spiritual warfare. 

Teach me Lord to wait before You in worship.  Too often, I have been ineffective in ministry and prayer because I have not spent enough time listening and watching in Your presence.

July 18 (Read: Nu. 13 & 14)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 19 (Read: Nu. 15 & 16)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 20 (Read: Nu. 17, 18 & 19)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.

July 21 (Read: Nu. 20 & 21)

“Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey.” (Nu. 21:4 NASB)

The things that happened to the Israelites in the wilderness were written for our instruction (1Cor. 10:11).  Their experience with the fiery serpents can teach us a few things.  First, we know that if we come under judgment, we can be healed by turning to the Lord.  He took our punishment, “for by His wounds, you were healed” (1Pe. 2:24).  Our forgiveness and our healing are provided for in the atonement, but we must turn to Jesus to receive it.

Another lesson we can learn is how to avoid falling into sin.  The Israelites started to complain against God and Moses after they became impatient.  To avoid becoming impatient, we need to rise above our circumstances.  In every situation, if we offer thanks to God, we declare His lordship over that situation. (1Thess. 5:18).  The Israelites were unhappy with the long journey around the land of Edom.  They had expected to go through, not around Edom’s territory.  Dissatisfaction will try to take hold of us also when things do not go the way we expect.  What we must do is stay in submission to God and resist the enemy (Jas. 4:7).  It does not matter what we go through if we have the Lord with us.  He provides the grace we need.  Even if the circumstances we find ourselves in are caused by the enemy, we can still thank God amid them.  Be doing so, we are not thanking Him for what the enemy is doing, we are simply declaring by faith that God is bigger than our circumstances.  He will certainly cause all things to work for our good, and He will intervene to change our circumstances, if necessary (Rom. 8:28).

I thank You again, Father, that You cause all things to work together for my good.  You are greater than the one who is in the world.  Your grace is sufficient for every situation I go through.  (Rom. 8:28; 1Jn. 4:4; 2Cor. 12:9)

July 22 (Read: Nu. 22 & 23)

The daily devotion will be added later.  Until then, please ask the Lord to give you a “wonderful thought” from today’s reading.