One Year Bible

2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

When things are taken from us, we try with all of our might to hold on to them. Our lives can become so cluttered that we have no room for God. When a purging happens it is not always bad– even though at the time it feels bad! 

Israel had been through several kings. There were kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord and Kings who followed after the example of David. Back and forth the people endured the steady flow of good kings and bad kings. At some point the people and the land had become so cluttered with false gods, pagan rituals and disobedience, that the land needed a rest. Jeremiah said that there would be 70 years of rest for the land. Foreign Kings invaded and took everyone and everything until no one was left! 

If people leave your life, or things leave your life, you may want to take it as a sign that God is giving you rest. There are things that compete against our relationship with God. We may not be aware but those things could be poisoning our future and their removal can keep us on the right road. See if there are areas in your life where you need rest. If so, plan it and get rest in that area so you can keep moving forward, drawing closer to God. When Israel returned to their land, they came back stronger and more determined to live for God. You will too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19

If you come from a godly heritage, you have been bequeathed a priceless treasure. To have Christ-followers in previous generations sets you up for the blessings of God to flow down to you. Even the unclaimed promises of God that other generations did not enjoy, you have a right to them. 

When Josiah became King, he had a heart to obey God. Scripture records that he, “began to seek the God of his ancestor David” (2 Chronicles 34:3). Even though he was several generations removed from David, he went back to King David because he was a devoted example of following God. He did not look to his father or grandfather, but he went all the way back to the one to whom God made the original promise. 

Do you have godly people in your family line? If so, take some time to discover the God of your ancestors. Claim every promise that may have been left unfulfilled. Claim every blessing and favor that God has for your family. Claim blessings that even those who would not follow God left unclaimed. There is value in knowing that God’s faithfulness passes from one generation to another. If you do not have godly people in your family line, then thank God that you are establishing one and those who follow you will one day seek for the God that you serve!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

What some people think is a weakness can actually be a strength. The King of Assyria mocked Hezekiah for his intense devotion to the things of God. Even when Hezekiah gave the people hope by telling them that the Lord would fight for them. Sennacherib made it sound like his acts of obedience to God were futile. 

In the world in which we live, the respect for God is waning. People find great comfort in spirituality but not in complete commitment to Jesus! Those of us who call ourselves Christian and seek to live out our faith daily are often seen as strange and out of touch with the “real world”. The only time that changes is when a crisis arises!

You see, when a crisis hits, that’s actually God’s time to show who He really is and those who have been faithful to Him have credibility because they were consistent to serve God even when things were going well. There is great value in your faithfulness. Your faithfulness will get you out of situations when your faith is failing. Faithfulness will open doors even when you haven’t done everything well. Be faithful to honor God everyday and even when people mock you for your commitment, whenever a challenge arises, God will show them how blessed it is to be on His side because He always wins and so do we!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

Hezekiah is recorded as a great king because he not only defended Israel but he reestablished the worship of God through the Temple. It was a massive task to uproot all of the religious heresy that plagued the land. But, Hezekiah was determined.

When the Temple was ready, the people held a Passover Celebration like no other. It was so enjoyable that they continued the celebration into a second week. Passover was all about remembering how God not only delivered His people from slavery but also redeemed them for their divine purpose (The Promised Land). After they spent time remembering all that God had done for them through the ages, Hezekiah encourages the people to provide for the Temple and its priests so that they could devote themselves to God’s Work.

The people responded overwhelmingly! They gave so much that they had to build extra storage areas. Why would they give so much? It was because they took the time to remember the goodness of God and His track record of faithfulness!

The same is true with us. If we would take the time to remember all the wonderful things that God has done for us, when God asks us to give, it would not seem burdensome. God expects His House to be fully supplied by those whose hearts are grateful for all He has done.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 18:6-7

God really does not require that much from us. Think of it like a business arrangement (not that it is). God gives us life, health, strength, the ability to prosper, a purpose, destiny, and everything we could ever need. All He asks is that we worship him and obey him. To worship Him is to put Him first. To obey is to do what He says to do.

If you balance the scales, it appears that all God has given us far outweighs what He requires of us. When you look at what God did for Israel as a nation, His request seemed so insignificant. Put me first and do what I instructed you. At every turn, they did the exact opposite; with the end result being that the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into exile in Assyria. Because God is gracious, He gave Israel opportunity after opportunity to get things in order but they never did. I suspect that when the Assyrians came, the Israelites wondered, “Why is God doing this to us?” when in fact, God had been warning them.

You don’t have to miss what God has planned for your life. If you have been receiving warnings from God, please heed them. Don’t frustrate His grace. He loves you too much to just let you walk into trouble without a warning. Make whatever adjustments you need to. There is too much at stake.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8

2 Kings 15:1-16:20; Acts 19:13-41; Psalm 147:1-20; Proverbs 18:4-5

Life is choice driven. This is a fundamental truth that we must all understand. We will rise or fall based on the decisions we choose to make. We all get the same 24 hours each day. If we choose to do the wrong things with that time, it will derail our destiny.

As you look at the life span of all the kings of Judah and Israel, each had a choice to make. They would either use their reign to serve God or ignore His righteous commands. Each one paid the consequences for his actions. Their behavior either caused blessings on the people or brought destruction through invading armies.

What choices are you making with your life? You only get one life on this earth. How are you using it? Are the decisions you make about how you use your time ones that glorify God? If not, use today to make a change. One righteous decision can alter the course of your life. Let that day be today so that it will be written of you that you served God with all your heart in your generation.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 18:6-7

2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3

Are you willing to go all the way for God? Don’t give a hasty answer. In our heart, we say, “Yes” but our actions say, “Maybe”. No one ever starts out saying, “I will go most of the way” and then quits. We start out with the intention to finish and then something happens that causes us to lose our resolve to keep moving forward. When God gives you an open door, take it!

Elisha was nearing his last moments on earth and King Jehoash came to visit him. He wanted one last word from God that this great prophet would speak. He gives him a simple instruction: “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” (2 Kings 13:18) In a timid manner, Jehoash only strikes the ground 3 times thus limiting the victory he could have had against his enemies.

Jehoash didn’t know what was at stake. He didn’t know that God was giving him an open door to victory so he didn’t give it his all. In retrospect, I know he wished he struck the ground repeatedly until he had no more strength. When God gives you an opportunity put your whole heart into it. You don’t know what other doors it will open.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20; Acts 19:13-41; Psalm 147:1-20; Proverbs 18:4-5

2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1

The devil’s plan is simple: to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). He has not changed his game plan from the beginning. When he sees something that is moving in God’s direction and fulfilling its purpose, he will do whatever he can to stop it. He will use people to be a part of his assassination squad.

Athaliah tried to stop the rightful succession to the throne of Joash, the son of King Ahaziah. She was ready to destroy her own grandson so that she could stop what God had purposed. The good news is that as much as the devil is trying to “steal, kill and destroy”, God is protecting, providing and prospering those who will stand for Him.

What she tried to kill, she couldn’t. God will preserve and protect your life from premature death. At every point in human history, the devil has particularly targeted the children because he knows if he can kill the children he can destroy the next generation. Be a protector of children because you don’t know how God intends to use them in the future. One thing is for certain, God does plan on using them to do big things. You could be the one who helps preserve their lives so that they fulfill their purpose in life!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3

2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28

God’s justice is not limited by our lifetimes. He will see that justice is done even after we have died. Naboth was viciously killed by Jezebel because Ahab wanted his vineyard. It was wrong and God judged it. At the time God said that Ahab, Jezebel and their entire family would be punished because of the injustice done to Naboth.

Like clock-work, God’s Word came to pass by the hand of King Jehu. You see, evil cannot win. In movies and TV shows, evil may win but not in a world where God lives. It may look like evil wins but when the dust settles evil loses every time. It may seem like it is taking some time but rest assured, God will not be mocked.

You may know of an injustice that happened to your family and there were some things unfairly taken. Don’t just let it go! You stand in faith that anything that was taken from your family line will be returned. Time does not matter to God. If it was taken unfairly from you or an ancestor, you believe God to get it back in your generation.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1

2 Kings 8:1-9:13; Acts 16:16-40; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 17:26

You can never forget that God is a just God! He will never let your righteousness be taken advantage of. When you have lived your life for God, nothing is ever lost. God is a God of Recompense and you will always be repaid for anything that has been taken away.

The woman whose son had been brought back to life had left the area because of a famine. When she returned, her land was in someone else’s hands and they refused to give it back to her. She appealed to the king for her property. But something interesting was taking place when she entered the palace. Gehazi was telling the king about her and the miracle that Elisha performed.

Everything that she had lost was returned to her and even the profit from her crops was restored as well. Don’t ever accept that you have lost. God can and will turn it around in your favor. If you are willing to stand and believe God’s promises, He will even make the devil pay you interest. Purpose today that whatever was stolen from you will be recompensed 7 times. It must be so!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28