One Year Bible

Hosea 1:1-3:5; 1 John 5:1-21; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 29:5-8

God’s love is unconditional and limitless. God asks the prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute as a living example of how His relationship with Israel has gone. As much as God has loved Israel, she continued to leave Him for other gods.

Even though God had every reason to forsake Israel and give up on her, He remains committed to her— even while she is pursuing other gods. What would your threshold be before you would say, “Enough is enough?”

Thankfully God does not have a threshold for His love. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases! God keeps loving us even when we walk away from Him. God continues to believe in us even when we stop believing in ourselves. God forgives us even when we don’t see how we can forgive ourselves.

Allow God to love you today. It’s not about how much you love Him. What’s most important is how much God loves you! It is endless!

Tomorrow’s Reading:  Hosea 4:1-5:15; 2 John 1:1-13; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 29:9-11

 

Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4

This world is not made to last! It will come to an end. Daniel closes out his prophetic book with a glimpse of what will happen at the end of time. When time ends, those who are inscribed in the Book will be rescued.

Many people find it hard to believe that our deeds are being recorded but the Bible is clear that not just our actions but even our idle words will be accounted for. This should cause all of us to examine ourselves daily to ensure that we are really living our lives based on God’s standards and not by the world’s standards.

If we live by the world’s standards, we will lose the reward that God has promised us. If we live by God’s standards, we will enjoy great rewards in heaven. As Believers, we must live for an eternal purpose. When will the end come? We will not know until it comes but when it comes, there are no “do-overs”.

Let’s live a meaningful life today so that when the end comes we can boldly enter eternity knowing we fulfilled our purpose.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Hosea 1:1-3:5; 1 John 5:1-21; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 29:5-8

Daniel 11:2-35; 1 John 3:7-24; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 29:1

Trusting anything other than God will leave you unfulfilled. In many countries, people put their faith and confidence in who leads the nation. They think that the nation will rise or fall based on who is in the top position.

The truth is that politicians and leaders will come and go. There is someone who is greater than any president, monarch, or dictator! Our Sovereign God has outlasted every administration, regime, and monarchy.

Regardless of the country in which we live, Jesus is our Savior. He is our leader. He is our Monarch. He is the one who outlasts and outlives all other leaders. Here is how the Bible describes Him: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

During this season, remember that a vulnerable baby was not born in a manger but the Savior of the World came down to earth to establish His rule. Let Him rule in your life today.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4

Daniel 9:1-11:1; 1 John 2:18-3:6; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 28:27-28

Prayer still works! Daniel as a man of faith relied upon prayer. He was a true intercessor. He not only prayed for himself and his issues but he also prayed for Israel and their punishment. There is a power that God releases when we pray for others.

Too often our prayers are selfish but God also calls on us to pray for others around us. Daniel was in a privileged position even though he was in exile. His life was very pampered and he could have turned a blind-eye to the suffering of others.

But, as a real man of God, Daniel saw it as his responsibility to pray for other people. It is our responsibility to pray for those around us. If there are hurting people around you, they need your prayer. If there are broken families, people in financial distress, or even people wandering aimlessly through life, God has put them in our path so that we might pray for them. Be observant and fulfill your purpose to pray for those around you. They are depending on your prayers.

Tomorrow’s Reading:  Daniel 11:2-35; 1 John 3:7-24; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 29:1

Daniel 8:1-27; 1 John 2:1-17; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 28:25-26

We serve a God who is completely divine. He is not human and transcends all natural laws. When He has a message to give us God will make it plain to us. God does not waste His words or His time.

If He gives us a dream, vision or Word, God is obligated to make it clear to us. If He did not make it clear, then we would not be expected to obey it. Daniel was known for interpreting other people’s dreams. He had a precision and accuracy that distinguished him from all other wise men of the time.

But, when Daniel had visions and dreams, he could not interpret them. God did not allow him to struggle to discover a meaning, He sent the Angel Gabriel to give Daniel the interpretation of the dream.  If you have dreams or visions, when they are from God, He will give you understanding. If you don’t get understanding, then it’s not from Him.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 9:1-11:1; 1 John 2:18-3:6; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 28:27-28

Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 28:23-24

Nations rise and nations fall. Throughout history there have been great rulers and evil despots who have reigned for a period of time. Even the greatest of kings and presidents have died and their kingdoms have fallen.

The once great nations of the world are no longer around. So what makes us have hope for the future? We belong to an incorruptible kingdom that can never pass away.

Daniel saw a vision that showed all the great nations of the world and how they yielded to an even greater kingdom. When all the dust settles, there will only be one kingdom that lasts. Jesus is the King of an Eternal Kingdom. All those who have accepted Him can rest assured that no matter what happens around them, they will be protected by the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Our citizenship is in a different kingdom. Live as a citizen of Heaven.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 8:1-27; 1 John 2:1-17; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 28:25-26

Daniel 6:1-28;2 Peter 3:1-18;Psalm 119:129-152;Proverbs 28:21-22

Is it possible to live our lives so faithfully to God that those that don’t like us still can’t find fault with us? This was the standard that Daniel set. He stood for God and represented God so well that he continued to receive promotions and notoriety.

Daniel had served 2 previous kings and always remained at the top. When Darius took the reins of the kingdom, he retained Daniel’s high position. In jealousy, the other administrators tried to find some fault that they could exploit. “Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” (Daniel 6:4)

They could find nothing wrong. The only way that they could trap Daniel was to challenge his faith. They knew that Daniel would never compromise His relationship with God. Standing for God is never wrong and if we live for God with excellence, we actually represent a model the world will respect. Let’s commit to live as Christians who really represent the character and actions of Christ in our homes, church and workplace.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 28:23-24

Daniel 5:1-31; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 28:19-20

Each of our lives has to count for something. If we can look at the sum total of all our actions and words, what eternal value would our lives have? If how we used our time, talent and treasure was the real significance of our lives, how much would it all be worth?

King Belshazzar had seen what had happened to his predecessor. He saw what happened when a person allowed pride to cloud his judgment. Even though King Nebuchadnezzar learned his lesson as he grazed like a cow, he was a living example of how to surrender to God and let one’s life have meaning. King Belshazzar’s life was weighed and found lacking.

We have many examples before us of how humility and servanthood are rewarded by God. We have a path laid out to follow. If we use our lives to honor God and bless others, our lives will never be found lacking real value.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 6:1-28;2 Peter 3:1-18;Psalm 119:129-152;Proverbs 28:21-22

Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18

God is always revealing Himself to us. He desires that we make every effort to know Him. What happens when we ignore God and begin to see ourselves as a god? It never goes well!

King Nebuchadnezzar had seen the awesome power of God and He issued a decree that no one could defame the God of Israel. But, all Nebuchadnezzar did was respect a foreign God. God wanted to be Nebuchadnezzar’s God.

In his pride, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw his vast kingdom and all of his military might and placed himself as an equal to God. He lost his sanity, and kingdom for a period of time. It was only when King Nebuchadnezzar realized that “heaven rules” did his kingdom and sanity return.

What will it take for us to really be convinced that God rules and submit to His authority. He just wants an opportunity to show us how much He loves us! Let’s spread this message to all who will hear.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 5:1-31; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 28:19-20

Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16

Are there non-negotiable parts of your life as it relates to your faith? Are there certain lines that you will not cross? There should be! Culture attempts to constantly erase the line and take more ground. If we give in once, we will be forced to give in again and again.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been raised to believe that only one Being was worthy of worship and that was God. So, when the King decreed that everyone must bow and worship his statue, these 3 young men knew that they would not do it.

When they were dragged in front of the king to defend their actions, they let the king know that there was no circumstance under which they would ever bow down and worship a man. Under the threat of death, they remained true to their faith.

And, as a result, there was no punishment that could defeat them. Now this is real faith! They did not waver in their convictions or commitment to God and even though it should have cost their lives, God delivered them from the fiery furnace. Know for certain that God will do whatever is necessary to defend those who stand with Him! Trust this!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18