One Year Bible

Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23

When will the end of times come? For centuries people have attempted to pinpoint a specific date and all have been wrong. Some have looked at the many wars raging around the world. They have looked at the strange weather patterns that have caused hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. We have seen inexplicable earthquakes and other “natural events” which seemed to harken the end of time.

All of these things are signs that the end is near but they are not what will trigger Jesus’ return. As darkness spreads around the world the gross darkness will not hasten his return. What will trigger Jesus’ return is people coming to know who He is. “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

When we share with others the love of Jesus that is what will hasten His return. Every time you perform an act of kindness and let people know how much God loves them, you are speeding up Jesus’ return. It’s not the bad that happens it’s the numbers of people who hear the Good News. Will you commit today to sharing your faith so that others join God’s family?

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27

Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5

The introduction of the Law was an awe-inspiring event. Moses was summoned to the top of Mt. Sinai and a strict prohibition was placed on the children of Israel not to approach the mountain. There, God gave the law to Moses. These 10 commandments were the cornerstone of civil society.

Though they were so simple and straightforward, God knew that humans could never keep them completely. And, the way the law works is this: if you break one, you break them all. In truth, the first one is the one we break the most: “You must not have any other God before me.”

God knew our tendency was to wander and go looking for other gods to serve. Try as we may, we cannot perfectly keep all the tenets of the law. God knew this. In fact, it was the giving of the law that showed us how much we needed a savior.

So now, we are not under the law but grace. In Jesus, we don’t have to adhere to a bunch of rules and regulations. We have the perfect law of liberty at work in our lives. All our trespasses are forgiven. All of our failings are washed in the blood of Jesus. What a burdensome way to live when you live under the law! You can never have true relationship with a bunch of “do’s” and “don’ts.”

God loves us and wants us to come to Him drawn by His love not fearful of His wrath. Thank God today that you are not under law but under God’s Amazing Grace.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23

Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35

We are better together! Many people have the misconception that all they need is God on their side and they can dismiss people. That could not be farther from the truth. God actually draws people to us so that He can work through them to help us accomplish our purpose.

Joshua was assigned to fight the Amalakites. Moses’ job was to hold up his staff. After some time, Moses’ arms became tired. As soon as he put his arms down, the battle turned against Israel. Thank God for his foresight. God had Aaron and Hur with Moses because he needed some help. Aaron and Hur had Moses sit down and they held his arms up for him until the battle was over.

Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, comes for a visit and sees Moses trying to lead Israel by himself. Jethro gives Moses a plan for how he can delegate some of the responsibilities to others. It lightened Moses’ load.

There are people God has assigned to your life to help you. Be sensitive to those God-sent people because they have the answer to a challenge you will face. They could be in your small group or serving with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal them to you because we really are better together.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5

Exodus 15:19-17:7; Matthew 22:1-33; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 6:20-26

Israel had experienced the greatest natural miracle ever seen on earth! God took the water and separated it, dried the ground and held the water back until more than 700,000 people walked through it. Then, once His people were safe, God sent the water crushing down on the Egyptians. What a miracle!

After such a great victory, you would think that the Sovereignty of God would be settled and they would know (not only believe but know) that God would use His Mighty power to help His children. Of this, they should have had no doubt!

Three days after this great water miracle, Israel needed water. Instead of crying out to God for help and allowing Him to help them, they started to complain and long for the days of Egypt. Wow! Isn’t this a true picture of us as humans? We are so quick to forget the awesome victories that God has done for us in the past. It’s as if God has to keep on proving Himself with each problem or challenge we face. For Israel, it became progressively worse. God supernaturally purifies the water so that they can drink and a few days later, they complain about food. So what does God do? He provides a Divine Food Delivery service and they get Manna each morning.

How could someone complain about their challenges when God has a proven track record? How could someone worry about a situation when God has shown that He is a Helper in our time of need? One word: Fear! Our fear of failure, fear of lack, fear of abandonment and fear of death leads us to doubt God’s faithfulness to us. Complaining is a symptom of fear! Today, make the quality decision to reject fear whenever it rises.

Remember: “The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) You don’t need to be when God is on your side!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35

Exodus 13:17-15:18; Matthew 21:23-46; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 6:16-19

God’s ways are truly not our ways. After all that Israel had been through for 430 years, you would think God would bring them through the fastest route to the Promised Land. But, not so! God took them the long way around but it was for their own good.

God understood that if they were on the straightest route and they encountered resistance, the attraction to return to slavery would be too great to resist. And the bondage from which He had so gloriously freed them would be their new home. God knows how to lead us—oh yes He does. I can admit that it does not feel good when you are going on that road but as long as your steps are ordered by God, you will end up where God wants you and You will see His Mighty Miracles along the way.

The direct route may seem fastest but it may not be the best! When God sends us on a journey, the great part is that He goes with us. With Israel, He was a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of cloud during the day. He lit the way at night and shaded them from the scorching sun during the day.

You may question the path that you are on but if God is leading your steps, rest assured you will end up in the right place and along the way you will see God’s mighty hand at work on your behalf! You may have to cross through Red Seas but that’s what makes it a miracle! You don’t cross Red Seas on the direct route!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 15:19-17:7; Matthew 22:1-33; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 6:20-26

Exodus 12:14-13:16; Matthew 20:29-21:22; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 6:12-15

The Passover is a significant event in the life of Israel! It marks a great victory for them. God instructs them to remember this deliverance each year by a 7-day observance. What made this Passover so special?

The Passover is a foreshadowing of a greater event which would take place thousands of years later. The last plague on Egypt was the death of the first born of Egypt. In order for the death angel to pass over the Israelite homes, they needed to take the blood of a pure lamb and put it on their doorposts. Once applied to the doorpost, no one was to leave their home.

This Lamb’s blood was the key to Passover! This blood was representative of another Lamb’s blood: The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the World, Jesus! As the Son of God, He came to offer his life as a ransom for ours. His Blood is what cleansed us from all our sins.

In the same way that the lamb’s blood protected the lives of the Israelites, the Blood of Jesus protects our lives. Use today to remind yourself of the power of Jesus’ blood not only to wash away your sin but protect your very life!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 13:17-15:18; Matthew 21:23-46; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 6:16-19

Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20:1-28; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11
Have you ever encountered someone whose heart is so hardened that they refuse to hear logic, reason or common sense? Do you know of someone who completely rejects the things of God and has no use for God?

You should not allow this to intimidate you! Because we have free-will, God cannot violate our will. But, God does know how to make an unwilling person willing. You may even have people for whom you are praying and it seems like the more you pray for them, the worse they get.

When you pray for someone, God does two things. First, He dispatches angels to go to work on their behalf. Angels will bring the right people around them who will show them the right way to God. These angels will also protect them in dangerous situations. Next, God will have the Holy Spirit convict the person of their behavior and show them the way back to God.

Pharaoh was completely unwilling to obey God! Yet, when God’s children are involved, God will do what it takes to get the job done. If you are facing a stubborn person or situation that appears immovable, be encouraged! God will work on your behalf to get you the victory. Pharaoh had to change his mind and they will too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 12:14-13:16; Matthew 20:29-21:22; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 6:12-15

Exodus 8:1-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 6:1-5

As you read the story of Israel’s deliverance, one word is repeated, “worship.” Israel cried out to God because they wanted to be free from the oppression of Egypt. God desired for them to be free but not just so that they could sleep in and get a job that paid a fair salary. God wanted them to be free for a far greater reason: God wanted what freedom produces, “Worship.”

Look at the lengths to which God went to deliver Israel! He sent frogs, boils, flies, fleas and other things just to get His people free to worship. God will fight to get His people free. He will fight to get you free so you can give all honor to Him.

When you cry out for God to help you, He has a bigger picture in mind. God desires us to worship Him– after all, this is the reason we were created. Does God want you free? Does He want your problems solved? Does he desire your dreams to come true? The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

But He does not want all this just so that you can be happy! He wants what your happiness produces, which is gratitude. A grateful heart is the source of worship! God loves to hear you say, “Thank you.” He enjoys you acknowledging Him for who He is and what He means to you. If you will commit to being a worshipper, you will see the hand of God at work in your life.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 10:1-12:13; Matthew 20:1-28; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11

Exodus 5:22-7:25;Matthew 18:21-19:12;Psalm 23:1-6;Proverbs 5:22-23

Many people say that forgiveness is hard. But is it really? Today we read a story about a man who owed a creditor a lot of money. Faced with losing everything and having his entire family sold into slavery, this man pleads with his creditor to have mercy on him.

In a surprising act, the creditor forgives the debt. This man whose debt has been forgiven senses the relief of debt cancellation and starting with a clean slate. Not too long after his debt is forgiven, this man sees someone who owes him a little bit of money. Rather than extending debt forgiveness or at a minimum patience, this man, whose debts were forgiven, gives the harshest treatment possible to his debtor.

When the original creditor hears of this, he is incensed because of the hypocrisy and double standard of this man. He has him arrested and tortured until his debt is paid in full. Why was this man whose debt had been cancelled, so unforgiving?

Simple: he forgot what it felt like to be forgiven! Forgiveness is not hard when you recall how much God has forgiven you. Take a moment and remember how you rebelled against God. Think about the times you were disobedient to God. How many times did you ignore God’s leading? For all these things, you were forgiven! If God can forgive you, shouldn’t you muster the courage to forgive others?

The one who has been forgiven much will forgive much!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 8:1-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 6:1-5

Exodus 4:1-5:21; Matthew 18:1-20; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 5:15-21

Ever felt like you could not accomplish what God has given you to do. One thing is for certain, when it is an assignment from God it is always above and beyond what our regular abilities can accomplish!

Here is a simple truth: when a task is from God it will always appear impossible for you! So, don’t be surprised when there is a big vision in your heart! Only the devil gives small vision! God’s vision is big.

Yesterday, we heard God’s conversation with Moses. God speaks about how He has heard his people’s cries. God tells Moses that He is going to do something about it. And, before you know it, God says, “Moses, I’m sending you!” Huh?

Moses offered a litany of excuses as to why someone else would be better— as if God would ever accept our excuses. In such a loving way, God responds to every objection with a solution. When God finally tells Moses to go back and get started, Moses’ objections were answered and he leaves full of faith!

If God did that for Moses, won’t He do it for you? Whatever the big dream is that God has given you, trust Him to do it through you! All you have to do is be obedient! God will never tell you to do anything that He won’t help you to do!

For those who have questions about Exodus 4:24-26: Click here.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 5:22-7:25; Matthew 18:21-19:12; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 5:22-23