One Year Bible

Jeremiah 35:1-36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27

How strongly do you hold onto your convictions? Are they momentary or are they lifelong? The Recabites give us a great example of holding onto your convictions for a lifetime.

Jeremiah invited them to the Temple and offered them wine but they refused to drink because of a commandment given generations before. Even though they were asked by the Lord’s prophet, in the Lord’s House, they would not break their convictions. God commends them for their commitment to their convictions while he chastises Israel for their persistent disobedience to His commands.

In a culture where people who hold convictions are criticized, we who hold onto the grace and mercy of God must never weaken our resolve. God expects us to hold on to our convictions and beliefs even in the face of fierce opposition. As a result, God says that the Recabites will always have descendants that follow Him. You will too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 37:1-38:28; 1 Timothy 6:1-21; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 25:28

Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24

Don’t ever underestimate the importance of joy in your life. It is an essential trait that the Believer needs. Joy is not related to our feelings. Joy is rooted in our convictions about God and His love for us.

Israel had received harsh punishment for their repeated disobedience. God’s word of encouragement to them is that they would be returned to their land and it would once again be fruitful. He tells them that joy will return in the streets.

Joy is a choice that you make everyday regardless of the circumstances. Joy is precious and you cannot let anyone steal it from you. Let your joy exude each day because it will encourage and inspire others.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 25:20-22

Personal accountability is a part of God’s plan. When people try to skirt accountability, they are trying to short-cut the growth process. There can be no growth without accountability. Love gives us a safe environment were we can pursue growth.

But, love alone does not cause us to grow. We need truth. Truth is the accountability factor that we cannot live without. No one is above truth. There was a time in the Old Testament when the sins of the parents would accrue to the children. So regardless of how the children lived their lives, they were propelled forward or held back by their parents actions.

God said this will no longer happen. To quote an old saying, “Every tub has to stand on its own bottom.” In other words, we are responsible for our own actions. Receive God’s love but also receive His truth. Love and truth will sustain us.

Tomorrow’s Reading:  Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24

Jeremiah 30:1-31:26; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 25:18-19

In all of our lives, we need to push a reset button. Israel needed one (in fact, they needed several). Just like with a computer, when the reset button is pushed, it clears away the memory and creates a fresh start.

God majors in giving us a clean slate so that we can start over. No matter how far we fall or how bad things get in our lives, God can turn things around and reestablish us.

Often the reset button requires a miracle to accomplish. Israel lost all its wealth, its land, its posterity and they were slaves in a foreign land. God promised that the reset button would be pushed and they would be back home, as prosperous as ever and all the things they lost would be restored. If God can do it for a whole nation, surely He can do it for you and your family!

Praise God today for a reset button being pushed in your life.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 25:20-22

Jeremiah 28:1-29:32; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 25:17

Everything that God does, He does systematically and intentionally. Even though Israel was enduring the pain of exile and punishment, God’s plans for them had not stopped.

Often we think that because we have missed the mark or made bad decisions that God has changed His plans for our lives. This couldn’t be further from the truth! God’s plans do not change for our lives because His plans for us are a part of His perfect will!

God told Israel that He had plans for her. God has plans for us too! You and I can never realize these plans until we stop looking back and start looking forward. God has done all the work and all He wants us to do is follow the plan. Like a builder who follows the architect’s plans so too God wants us to follow His plans so that we will build a lasting structure that brings glory to Him!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 30:1-31:26; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 25:18-19

Jeremiah 26:1-27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16

To speak for God in a world that hates Him is a daunting task. Jeremiah was called from his birth to speak for God. The more that culture turns from God, the more unpopular speaking God’s Word is.

Jeremiah was under a death threat because he spoke God’s judgment on Jerusalem. These Old Testament prophets had to bring unpopular messages but when people rejected the message, it did not mean the message was untrue.

When God speaks, even through His servants, it is truth. Never get to the point that you ignore God’s Word and go your own way. It will only end in destruction. Israel learned this time and time again.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-29:32; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 25:17

Jeremiah 23:21-25:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 25:15

God’s Word is powerful! His Word is the creative force that formed the world and set all creation into motion. God’s Word has the power to change situations and people. It is for this reason that God will not allow His Word to be played with or misrepresented.

Because God’s Word is so powerful. God wants us to use it as a force to create a new reality. The degree to which we speak God’s Word will determine the degree to which we walk in God’s best for our lives. Our human opinions have no creative power.

Use God’s Word liberally in your life. What you speak, you will have! Be judicious in how you apply God’s Word for you will have to give an account for the words that you use (Matthew 12) and the power of life and death is in our mouth (Proverbs 18:22). Thank God for His Word! Use it and it will work to your benefit!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16

Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14

God loves His people so much that He assigns shepherds to care for them. He feeds the shepherds so they will feed and care for His flock. But, when those shepherds lead God’s children astray or feed them the wrong food, God takes it personally.

He levies heavy punishment on those who don’t take care of His people. He even deals with the so-called prophets who give a false sense of the future.  God places great expectations on those who would lead His people.

Those who serve as shepherds need your prayer and support so they do not become distracted and get off course. Take some time today and pray for pastors and leaders who faithfully serve God. They are deserving of your prayers.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 23:21-25:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 25:15

Jeremiah 19:1-21:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 25:9-10

God wants such a close relationship with us that He desires to hear our heart even when it expresses our concerns and even doubts. Jeremiah had been faithful to God but it came at a great cost. His family abandoned him. His friends scoffed at him and waited for him to make a mistake. The general public disliked him for his message.

Yet, Jeremiah was still required to keep moving forward. In a moment of candor with God, Jeremiah is able to share what was on his heart. None of this was new to God; but Jeremiah knew that God cared about him, so he poured out his heart.

Don’t ever be afraid to share your heart with God. He welcomes it because He knows that once you have cast your cares on Him, then you will be ready to go back into the battle and keep on fighting. This is what Jeremiah did and we need to do it too.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14

Jeremiah 16:16-18:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:3; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 25:6-8

When you reduce it all down, every decision we make is one that will either honor God and draw us closer to Him or dishonor God and pull us away from Him. It is often easy for us to dwell in a gray area of uncertainty but when it comes to God, we are either all in or all out!

God says that if we put our trust (confidence) in mere humans, we are actually cursed! Think of cursed like positioned for destruction. If we build our lives on what people think and trying to please them, then we will be led to destruction. If we put our trust in God, then we are blessed, that is, positioned for promotion.

Choose today to walk according to God’s ways and honor Him because when you do it, you will be strategically positioned to prosper (do well) in life. God knows everything we don’t know. If we follow Him, we will never be led astray. Why follow someone who knows as much, if not less, than you? That will only lead to destruction. God’s way is best.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jeremiah 19:1-21:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 25:9-10