Category Archives: Daily Bible Reading

A Careless Word – November 19, 2019

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Ezekiel 39.1-40.27; James 2.18-3.18; Psalm 118.1-18; Proverbs 28.2

It slips up on even the best of us … one careless word spoken in haste, without thought. The end result, however, can be disastrous. Perhaps even life-changing. How have you seen a word spoken in haste change lives forever? How do you work to ensure you “tame” your tongue?

Questions:

How does God’s blessings or punishment show his glory to other people?

In what ways is your faith so strong that good deeds are a result?

What reasons do you have to give thanks to the Lord?

How do wise and knowledgable leaders bring stability?

Consider It Joy – November 17, 2019

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Ezekiel 35.1-36.38; James 1.1-18; Psalm 116.1-19; Proverbs 27.23-27

One of the biggest challenges any of us who follow Jesus faces is the struggle to reconcile how bad things happen to us, even when we are seeking to follow him as closely as possible. It would seem our lives would get better … and easier when we follow him. James writes when we face troubles, we should consider it joy. Say what!? What we discover is that as with most things, our faith grows when challenged and stretched. Facing troubles? Know you have an opportunity for growth!

Questions:

Why would it be important for God to give the people of Israel–and us–a new heart and a new spirit?

When was the last time you asked God for wisdom?

How well do you realize that God hears you? Does your life demonstrate love for him as a result?

How well do you care for those you are able to influence and help follow God more?

A Cloud of Witnesses – November 14, 2019

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Ezekiel 29.1-30.26; Hebrews 11.32-12.13; Psalm 112.1-10; Proverbs 27.17

Hebrews 11 and 12 are some of the most encouraging chapters in all of Scripture. Who doesn’t like the idea of the great men and women of faith cheering you on so that you run without any hinderance? The truth is that we have some of those same people in our lives today. While we certainly praise God for heroes of the Bible, we also need to praise him for those who encourage us every single day to follow him better. Who would make your “modern day” list of faith heroes?

Questions:

Why would God return Egypt to its rightful place and restore it to its land? What does this say about God’s purposes for countries beyond the nation of Israel?

In what ways has your faith in God allowed you to do great things for him?

How has good come to you as a result of you lending money or operating your business in a fair manner?

How have friends sharpened you?

Remember Them No More – November 10, 2019

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Ezekiel 21.1-22.31; Hebrews 10.1-17; Psalm 108.1-13; Proverbs 27.12

“I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” (Hebrews 10.17, quoting Jeremiah 31.34) How good is this news? For most of us, we are all too aware that while we forgive people, “remembering them no more” is rarely a reality. Take a moment to think what it means that all of the things you have done in the past are forgotten. Forgiveness from God is not in play today, but revisited tomorrow. Why would we NOT seek it?

Questions:

Have you ever had a time when you tried to cover your sins, but they were so obvious, there was really no way of avoiding them being known? Knowing this, how does our passage from Hebrews mean even that much more to you?

Where would you be if Christ had not come to take away your sin, good for all time?

How do you demonstrate the confidence you have in God?

What dangers and precautions do you think the Proverb writer is referring to in today’s passage?

23 Years – October 14, 2019

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Jeremiah 23.21-25.38; 2 Thessalonians 2.1-17; Psalm 84.1-12; Proverbs 25.15

For 23 years God sent his prophets to show Israel the ways they were traveling down the wrong path. 23 years. That seems like a long, long time. Why do you think the people could not understand what God was saying to them after 23 years? Why couldn’t they understand sooner?

Questions:

Which group of people might one expect to be represented by the bad figs? The ones punished and sent into exile or the ones who remained and continued to live in Jerusalem? Why do you think this is the case?

Stand firm. Why can this be so difficult for us to do?

How have you seen a single day with God better than anything else you could experience?

In what ways can soft speech break bones?

Timely Advice – October 13, 2019

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Jeremiah 22.1-23.20; 2 Thessalonians 1.1-12; Psalm 82.1-8; Proverbs 25.9-10

Timely advice… valid criticism… trustworthy messengers. All simple moments, yet if we listen to them, able to bring us not only joy, but also good direction. When have you received timely advice that seemed like an apple of gold, a great treasure?

Questions:

God asks his leaders to be fair-minded and just. Doesn’t seem too much to ask, does it? Then why do we often need to be reminded of this truth?

How is the name of Jesus honored through how you live?

When have you cried out to God, asking him not be silent? How did the situation resolve itself?

How disappointing are clouds that appear, yet bring no rain? Why does the proverb writer use this analogy?

The Potter’s House – October 11, 2019

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Jeremiah 16.16-18.23; 1 Thessalonians 4.1-5.3; Psalm 81.1-16; Proverbs 25.6-8

We like to assume we know what is best for us and we are more than willing to tell God how he should act in our lives for that “best” to come to fruition. Unfortunately–at least from our way of thinking–God does not work that way. He is the potter and we are the clay. He, as the potter, has every right to form us in the way he deems best. (To even start over if he needs to!) And truth be known, his way really is better than our way of thinking. How how you wrestled with God’s acting on your life, only to discover that his way really was better?

Questions:

In what ways do we attempt to create our own gods? How has that worked out for us?

What do we need to do to live in a way that please God?

How has God taken a load from your shoulders or a heavy task from your hands?

Why are we so prone to push our way in amongst great people rather than waiting for an invitation, as God suggests?

Repentance – October 10, 2019

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Jeremiah 14.11-16.15; 1 Thessalonians 2.9-3.13; Psalm 80.1-19; Proverbs 25.1-5

When one reads through the Old Testament, particularly the prophets such as Jeremiah, one is struck about harsh they tend to sound. God sounds really, really grumpy, doesn’t he? Yet a closer look reveals two things. First, there is grace scattered all the way throughout the prophets. God wants to restore his people. The second thing you see, related to the first, is that God wants his people to turn to him. Return to me and I will restore you, God says. How important is it for us to repent to God for our actions and attitudes that are contrary to Him?

Questions:

How bad do you have to be if even Moses or Samuel cannot plead your case and get God to listen?

What sort of people would be considered your spiritual “pride and joy?” Describe the relationship you have with them.

Why is it only through God turning us to Himself that we are saved?

How can we go about removing the impurities of our life?

Holy and Blameless – October 5, 2019

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Jeremiah 4.19-6.15; Colossians 1.18-2.7; Psalm 77.1-20; Proverbs 24.23-25

One of the challenges those who follow Jesus face is an acceptance of the forgiveness we receive through Jesus’ reconciliation. We know ourselves too well to believe that we can be considered holy. (Does God even KNOW what I have done?) I think this is why all throughout Paul’s writings (a guy who knew what it was to do bad things, by the way) he reminds people: You stand before God without a single fault because of what Christ has done. How does such truth affect how you live for God?

Questions:

Some people assume the God of the Old Testament (Really the same God, he just seems different!) had no grace, but a close reading shows that not to be the case. Where do you see the hope of forgiveness in today’s reading from Jeremiah?

How hard do you work to present others perfect or mature before God?

What do you do when you find yourself in deep trouble? Where do you turn?

In what ways do Christians today show favoritism?

Hope in the Lord – October 4, 2019

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Jeremiah 2.31-4.18; Colossians 1.1-17; Psalm 76.1-12; Proverbs 24.21-22

Watching a movie a second time is not nearly as exciting as seeing it the first time through, yet there is something exciting about being able to enjoy a movie because you know the outcome. Life can be the same way. If you know the outcome of your life, if you are confident in the hope you have, you have a much different perspective on your life. How is our confidence in the hope we have in God able to create a better lived life for us?

Questions:

“Fickle Israel.” What did Israel do to gain such a moniker and how would you like to have to live that reputation down?

Pray Colossians 1.9-12 as your prayer for others today.

What vows do you make to the Lord and how do you work to keep them?

Why does disaster hit rebels suddenly? Why would we want to follow them in the first place?