Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 45)

Two-Year Bible Reading Plan: Old and New Testament Balance (Wk. 45)

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.

Nov. 5 (Read: Heb. 7, 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.

Nov. 6 (Read: Heb. 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.

Nov. 7 (Read: Heb. 12 & 13)

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

Nov 8 (Read: James 1 & 2)

“So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.” (Jas. 2:12 NASB)

As Christians, we are no longer under the Old Testament Law; we are under the law of freedom.  Paul told the Galatians, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” (Gal. 5:1,6).  The law of liberty is the royal law of love (Jn. 13:34; Jas. 2:8).  Judgment by this law follows the principle of reaping and sowing.  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.” (Gal. 6:7).  If you show mercy, you will receive mercy.  This is how we triumph over judgment for ourselves (Jas. 2:13).  If we want to be forgiven for our offenses, we must forgive others for theirs (Matt. 6:15).  If we are not forgiven, we are punished for our transgressions.  God still loves us, but He disciplines us through judgement.  “But 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). 

Under the law of freedom, we have been set free from the power of sin through the death of our Lord (Rom. 6:17,18).  We are now empowered by the Spirit to walk in love and as we yield to the Spirit, we bear spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:16).  When we come to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we will receive a reward for the fruit that has been produced in our lives (2Cor. 5:10).

Thank You, Father, for setting me free from the law of sin and of death by the law of the Spirit of live.  You love me enough to discipline me so I can bear more fruit.  In Christ, I have died to this world and have been made alive to God.  Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.  (Rom. 8:1,2; Jn. 15:2; Gal. 2:20; 1Cor. 16:22)

Nov 9 (Read: James 3, 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.

Nov 10 (Read: 1Pe. 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.

Nov 11 (Read: 1Pe. 3, 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. 44)

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.

Oct 29 (Read: Ps. 119:49-96)

“The Law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” (Ps. 119:72 NASB)

Can we say like David that God’s Law is more precious to us than great sums of money?  We certainly have a high regard for God’s mercy and love, but what about His commandments?  If our desire is to please God, we will appreciate not only His words of encouragement, but also correction and instructions in righteousness.  Since our desire is to please Him, we listen attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and it increases our fruitfulness.

Personally, I value God’s instructions, but when His word brings to light an area of my life that has not yet been transformed, I find a part of me resisting it.  In those situations, I remind myself that He loves me, and I determine to cast down every imagination that rises against His word.  I understand that there is a struggle in my soul between the Spirit and the flesh.  I know that transformation comes to my soul as I submit to His word and exercise faith for the grace to obey it.  His word is alive and powerful!  What I do is receive His word into my heart as a seed, then water it by meditating on it with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 13:23; James 1:21).  God watches over it to accomplish its intended purpose (Jer. 1:12).

It is not necessary to wait for God to bring correction to our lives.  The value of His commandments is the freedom they bring.  “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”  (Jn. 8:36).   For example, when I need the peace of God, I speak the Scripture over myself as a commandment.  “Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts.” (Col. 3:15).  The obedience of faith brings it from a future hope to a present reality (Heb. 11:1).

Thank You, Father, for Your Word that is alive in me.  You sent Your word and healed me, saving me from all harm.  In Christ I have received an abundance of grace.  (Heb. 4:12; Jer. 107:20; Jn. 1:16)

Oct 30 (Read: Ps. 119:97-144)

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

Oct 31 (Read: Ps. 119:145-176)

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

Nov 1 (Read: Ps. 120, 121 & 122)

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

Nov 2 (Read: Ps. 123, 124 & 125)

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

Nov 3 (Read: Heb. 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.

Nov 4 (Read: Heb. 4, 5 & 6)

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. 43)

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.

Oct 22 (Read: Judg. 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.

Oct 23 (Read: Judg. 16 & 17)

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, ‘Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.’” (Judg. 16:28 NASB)

Samson had a calling on his life to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines.  Because of his weakness for women, he was captured and imprisoned.  God is merciful, however, and He answered his prayer to be victorious one last time.  “And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those he killed during his lifetime.” (vs. 30).  Did God ordain for Samson to be captured so he could accomplish that last great feat?  I do not believe so.  Joseph was sold into slavery so he could become a deliverer for his people, but it had nothing to do with moral failures.  Samson judged Israel for twenty years, including his time in captivity.  He could have served longer had he not allowed sin to hinder his work.  The length of service for faithful judges like Deborah and Gideon was forty years.  Even before we are born, God establishes a path for us to follow, but He never removes from us the freedom of choice.  Our choices determine our fruitfulness.  What is wonderful about the mercy of God, is that He can turn even our failures to work for our good (Rom. 8:28).  Even so, there are always consequences for disobedience (Heb. 10:26,27).

Father, I thank You that before I was born, You prepared good works for me to walk in.  You even turned for good, all that the enemy intended for bad in my life.  Your grace has been abundantly supplied to me so I can walk faithfully with You in the path You have ordained for me.   Even when I come short of all I should do, You are faithful to forgive me, cleanse me, and restore me.  (Eph. 2:10; Jn. 1:16; 1Jn. 1:9; Ps. 51:10-13)

Oct 24 (Read: Judg. 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.

Oct 25 (Read: Judg. 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.

Oct 26 (Read: Ruth 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.

Oct 27 (Read: Ruth 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.

Oct 28 (Read: Ps. 119:1-48)

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. 42)

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.

Oct 15 (Read: Josh. 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.

Oct 16 (Read: Judg. 1 & 2)

“Now the angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim.” (Judg. 2:1 NASB)

Gilgal was the location of Israel’s encampment after they crossed over into the promised land.  The Scriptures are not clear where Bochim (meaning “weepers”) is located, but since the tent of meeting was relocated to Shilow, this could be where the angel came (Josh. 18:1).  This was most likely the same angel in command of the Lord’s army, helping them to possess the land (see Ex. 33:2,3 and Josh. 5:13-15).  As a special messenger of the Lord, he carried the name of the Lord, and thus His presence (Ex. 23:21; Josh. 5:15).  The ministry of this angel, which continued throughout the time of the judges, represented a special period in the founding of Israel as a nation (Judg. 6:11).  In sending Jesus as the Messiah, the Lord restored to us His place as our King. 

We, as believers, can also experience the ministry of angels (Rev. 22:9).  We have the presence of the Lord is in us through the Holy Spirit, and we are anointed with the Holy Spirit for power (Jn. 20:22; Acts 1:8), but these angels also carry special anointings from God based on their assignments.  They are not often seen, but their presence is always recognized in the ministry of God’s anointed servants.  This is not only true for individual ministers, but for whole congregations as well.  That is why the Lord addressed to the angel of each church, the messages He had for the churches (Rev. 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14).  It should be comforting for us to know that even though we wrestle against “spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12), “those who are with us are greater then those who are with them” (2Ki. 6:16).   

Thank You, Lord Jesus for being our King!  You have been given all authority in heaven and earth.  I will not fear what man can do to me, because You are always with us, and You have assigned angels to work with us.  (Matt. 28:18)

Oct 17 (Read: Judg. 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.

Oct 18 (Read: Judg. 5, 6 & 7)

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

Oct 19 (Read: Judg. 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.

Oct 20 (Read: Judg. 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.

Oct 21 (Read: Judg. 12 & 13)

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. 41)

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.

Oct 8 (Read: Josh. 7, 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.

Oct 9 (Read: Josh. 10 & 11)

“Just as the Lord commanded His servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Josh. 11:15 NASB)

Joshua was faithful to complete all that God had commanded him through Moses.  There is so much from his life that we can apply to our own lives.  From his youth, he became the attendant of Moses (Num. 11:28).  He must have been selected for this task because of the call on his life.  Moses recognized this about Joshua so he changed his name from Hoshea, which means “salvation”, to Joshua, which means “Yahweh is salvation”.  Despite his call to be a leader, Joshua humbled himself and committed to being a servant.

As is the responsibility of every leader to train those who assist them, Moses gave Joshua opportunities to lead.  The first situation was the battle against Amalek.  The Israelites had not been trained for war; they were slave workers in Egypt.  This was Joshua’s opportunity to learn to trust God as his source of victory (see Ex. 17:8-16).  Later, Joshua was selected as one of the twelve spies.   Choosing to look at the promised land with the eyes of faith, he saw the fruit and believed that God was well able to give them the victory over the giants.

The most important thing Joshua did to prepare for his calling was to spend time with God.  Being the assistant of Moses allowed him to be present in the tent of meeting when God talked face to face with Moses.  Joshua chose to deepen his experience with God.  Even after Moses returned to the camp, Joshua would remain in the tent of meeting (Ex. 33:11).

Like Joshue, let us aspire to please God in humility, faithfulness and faith.

Thank You’ Father, that even before I was born, You knew me and planned the days of my life.  Those whom You call, you train, appoint and empower.  Thank You for the anointing that teaches me about all things and enables me to serve You.  (Ps. 139:14-16; 1Jn. 2:27; Acts 1:8).

Oct 10 (Read: Josh. 12, 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.

Oct 11 (Read: Josh. 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.

Oct 12 (Read: Josh. 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.

Oct 13 (Read: Josh. 19 & 20)

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

Oct 14 (Read: Josh. 21 & 22)

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. 40)

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.

Oct 1 (Read: Jn. 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.

Oct 2 (Read: Ps. 109, 110 & 111)

“The Lord says to my Lord: ’Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” (Ps. 110:1 NASB)

Even if the Lord sits at God’s right hand “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion”, there is still evil in the universe (Eph. 1:21).  Have you ever wondered why that is?  When I consider mysteries like this one, I keep in mind the character of God.  He is love, so whatever the reason for the delay, it must be in the spirit of love.  Paul tells us that Christ must rule until He has put all His enemies under His feet, then He will hand the kingdom over to God the Father.  There is an order to this process, and the last enemy to be abolished is death (1Cor. 15:24,25).  Believers in Christ have already been given authority over all the power of the enemy, but it is our responsibility to exercise this authority in the world (Lu. 10:19).  We are part of the process in putting all Christ’s enemies under His feet.  The reason we must still deal with the devil in this life is because of God’s mercy.  God delays Christ’s coming so more people can be saved.  At the Second Coming, when we as believers receive resurrected bodies, death will be put under our feet, but that is not the case for the rest of humanity.  This will not occur until after the Millennium, when the devil, death, and hell are all cast into the eternal lake of fire.  I do not understand fully the purpose for the Millennium, but this also must have to do with redemption.  Even God’s final judgment will not occur until the end of it. What is important for believers today, is that the enemy has been put under our feet.  He may have power over the world system, but he has no authority over us.  Christ has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33).

Thank You, Father, for planning my redemption, even before I was created.  Thank You for saving me out of the dominion of darkness and placing me in the kingdom of Your Son.  I believe, Lord Jesus, that You are coming soon.  Help me to remain blameless until the day or Your return.  (Eph. 1:4,5; Col. 1:13; 1Cor. 1:8)

Oct 3 (Read: Ps. 112, 113 & 114)

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

Oct 4 (Read: Ps. 115 & 116)

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

Oct 5 (Read: Ps. 117 & 118)

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

Oct 6 (Read: Josh. 1, 2 & 3)

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9 NASB)

Three times in the same conversation, the Lord exhorted Joshua to be strong and courageous.  That reveals to us the importance of strength and courage in serving the Lord.  Because they are such important keys to our victory over evil, we need to understand how to obtain them.  Strength, we know, is ours in grace (2Tim. 2:1).  We receive it by faith.  (Rom. 5:2).  Courage is obtained the same way.  We can be strong and courageous because “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  God’s commands always carry with them the ability to accomplish them.  What is required of us is to be willing and obedient (Isa. 1:19).  Obedience is accomplished by grace through faith.  The battle begins in our will, and then we take every thought captive to obey Christ (2Cor. 10:5).  We can defeat the lies of the enemy with the Word of God.  This is why part of the Lord’s instruction to Joshua was to meditate day and night on the Book of the Law (Josh. 1:8).  The other key instruction to him was to “be careful to do according to all the Law that Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:7).  The Israelites failed to do this after the battle of Jericho, so they could not stand before their enemies (Josh. 7:12).  As soon as they dealt with their sin, they were once again victorious in battle.

Thank You, Father, for making available to me, through Your precious promises, all that I need for this life and for godliness.  I find these all fulfilled in Christ.  In Him I make my home, as You make Your home in me. (2Pe. 1: 3; 2Cor. 1:20; Jn. 15:4) 

Oct 7 (Read: Josh. 4, 5 & 6)

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. 39)

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 24 (Read: Jn. 8)

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

Sept 25 (Read: Jn. 9 & 10)

“I am the door, if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (Jn. 10:9 NASB)

What did Jesus mean when He said He was the door of the sheep?  It is more than salvation because we are permitted to go in and out through it.  Earlier, in speaking with Nathaniel, Jesus identified with Jacob’s dream about a ladder reaching into heaven (Jn. 1:51).  Jacob called it the gate of heaven (Gen. 28:17).  Christ, therefore, is the gate of heaven.  Through Him, we have access to the Father and His kingdom.  We can go boldly before His throne because of the blood of Jesus.  We can fellowship with our Father and our Lord in the heavenly realms.  Having access to heaven is a great privilege that I am only beginning to understand and experience.  It allows me to experience heaven in ways that strengthens my relationship with God.

It is important, however, that we are careful to only go in through Christ.  The one who goes in through other ways is a thief.  The devil may offer access to spiritual things, but his goal is to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn. 10:10).  To have spiritual experiences is beneficial, but we must seek the Lord, not the experiences.  Some have gone into error by using eastern meditation practices to enter the spiritual realm.  There is a spirit behind these religions that I would not want my spiritual walk to be contaminated with.

It is important, also, that we go out to find pasture.  Loving God is not only about fellowship, but also about serving.  Like Jesus, our food should be to do the will of the One who sends us (Jn. 4:34).  When we go out to the earth through Christ, the door, we invite Him to go with us as our Shepherd.

Thank You, Lord Jesus for being my Shepherd, and for providing me access to the heavenly realm.  You help me to grow in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Help me to be clean of all defilement of flesh and spirit, as I perfect holiness in the fear of God.  (2Cor. 7:1). 

Sept 26 (Read: Jn. 11)

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

Sept 27 (Read: Jn. 12 & 13)

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

Sept 28 (Read: Jn. 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.

Sept 29 (Read: Jn. 16 & 17)

“The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You love Me.’” (Jn. 17:22,23 NASB)

Jesus prayed that those who believe in Him should be perfected in unity.  This is a unity that exists for us in God but which must be perfected for us as the church.  Paul understood this when he urged the Ephesian believers to be diligent to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).  He went on to explain that ministers were given to equip believers to fulfill their ministry of building up the body of Christ, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:13).  This unity is developed through love, “which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Col. 3:14). 

Perfected unity is a hope that I strive for.  Some of the prophetic visions that others have shared concerning the church in the end times confirm that we will reach this goal.  One of those visions (Vision of the Body of Christ and the End-Time Ministries, by Tommy Hicks) speaks of the church rising from the earth to heaven as a great giant.  The outpouring of the Spirit that follows brings about the final end-time harvest.  When the body of Christ is lifted from earth to heaven in perfected unity, Christ will draw all men to Himself (Jn. 12:32).  Some will fall back to follow religion instead of yielding the Spirit, but those who obey the truth will demonstrate God’s love to the world. 

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for praying for us to be one as You and the Father are one. You will accomplish this as You continue to pray for us and sanctify us by washing us with Your word. I offer my members as a living sacrifice, walking as crucified with Christ and resurrected to a new life in God. (Rom. 12:1; Gal. 2:20)

Sept 30 (Read: Jn. 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.

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)

“Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.’” (Jn. 6:68 NASB)

There comes a time in each person’s relationship with God that faith is tested.  Jesus was saying some difficult things to accept from a natural perspective and many disciples left Him, but those who truly believed remained with Him.  These recognized that His words were spirit and life (Jn. 6:63).  To eat His body and drink His blood is to continually identify with His death and resurrection.  When we first believe, we are baptized into His spiritual body.  We become partakers of His victory over sin and death.  As we continue the Christian walk, we must abide in this truth by faith.  When our faith is tested, we must choose to believe His words because they are words of eternal life.  Failing to do this results in death.  Too many Christians try to hope in salvation while still loving this world.  This is the doublemindedness that James cautioned us against (Jas. 1:6-8).  The choice before us is always life or death.  We must choose life!  Maintaining a pure heart ensures that we do not fall back into loving the world.  It is healthy to always allow God to examine our heart (Ps. 139:22,23).  If we find any thoughts or motives that belong to the fallen nature, we must repent. 

Father, I humble myself before You because You resist the proud but give grace to the humble.  I am not sufficient in myself, but my sufficiency is in You.  I choose to submit to You as my Lord.  As I resist the devil, he flees from me.  Help me, Lord, to maintain a pure heart so that no evil will take root and bring destruction to my life.  (Jas. 4:6-8; 1Cor. 3:5; Heb. 12:15). 

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)