F260
F260 Day 1: Genesis 1-2
Genesis 1-2 The Bible opens with an account of creation. As Christians, we are very familiar with this passage and quickly gloss over it because of familiarity. But, there is so much we can learn about God and his character in these opening chapters. What do you learn about God in the creation account?
F260
F260 Day 2: Genesis 3-4
Genesis 3-4 In Genesis 3-4 we see that humanity has a sin problem. It begins when Adam and Eve eat of the fruit God commanded them not to eat. Each person shifts blame, instead of confessing and taking responsibility. This results in all parties being cursed & expelled from the Garden. We then see this
F260
F260 Day 3: Genesis 6-7
Genesis 6-7 Genesis 6 is several generations after the original sin of Adam & Even in the Garden. Humanity has continued on a downward spiral into deeper sin. Things have gotten to a point where God wants to wipe all of humanity off the face of the earth. But then Noah found favor with God,
F260
F260 Day 4: Genesis 8-9
Genesis 8-9 These chapters show us the aftermath of the flood. After the waters recede, the first thing Noah does is build an altar and make sacrifices to the Lord. God finds this to be a pleasing aroma. The rest of the narrative shows us the faithfulness of God. Not only does he promise to
F260
F260 Day 5: Job 1-2
Job 1-2 Job is one of the more interesting books in the Bible. It gives us a glimpse of the heavenly realm that we don’t typically get to see. In these first two chapters we find a servant of the Lord named Job. Job is a man full of integrity, blameless, and upright. He does
F260
F260 Day 6: Job 38-39
Job 38-39 After more than 30 chapters of Job and his friends going back & forth about why Job is suffering, God finally shows up on the scene. But, he doesn’t show up in the way Job had hoped. At this point, Job felt entitled to question God and was quite proud. God made made
F260
F260 Day 7: Job 40-42
Job 40-42 The final chapters of Job continue where chapters 38 & 39 left off, with God confronting Job. God commands Job to answer him as chapter 40 opens. In response, Job finally gets it and says he is unworthy to speak. Instead, he covers his mouth and lets God continue. The most important question
F260
F260 Day 8: Genesis 11-12
Genesis 11-12 Today’s reading is a tale of two names. First, there are those at Babel who wanted to make their own name great. To prevent the same level of sin we saw earlier in Genesis, God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth. Then, we have Genesis 12. Here, God says that
F260
F260 Day 9: Genesis 15
Genesis 15 It had been several years since Abram first left his family to follow the Lord’s call in Canaan. He had prospered and been blessed by the Lord, but he still had no heir. In this chapter, God once again speaks to Abram and reaffirms the promise he made to him. God told Abram
F260
F260 Day 10: Genesis 16-17
Genesis 16-17 Genesis 16 shows us the second time Abram took God’s promise into his own hands. After a decade of living in Canaan he still has no heir. So, Abram & Sarai take matters into their own hands. Sarai gives Abram her slave Hagar as a wife so he can have a child with
F260
F260 Day 11: Genesis 18-19
Genesis 18-19 The Lord once again visits Abraham, this time with two other angels. Abraham has them stop as he refreshes them with food. During this time Sarah is told she’ll have a son within a year. God then tells Abraham what he is about to do to Sodom & Gomorrah. At this, Abraham asks
F260
F260 Day 12: Genesis 20-21
Genesis 20-21 These two chapters are jam packed. They are bookended with Abraham having issues with Abimelech. In-between those two events there are two other significant events. First, just as the Lord had promised, Sarah gives birth to a son, whom they name Isaac. Then, not too long after that, Hagar has once again fallen
F260
F260 Day 13: Genesis 22
Genesis 22 Some time after the birth of Isaac, the Lord tested Abraham’s commitment to him by having him sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise. Abraham was obedient in performing this task and trusted God. When asked by his son where the lamb was for the sacrifice, Abraham prophetically spoke that God himself would provide
F260
F260 Day 14: Genesis 24
Genesis 24 As Abraham nears the end of his life, he has one urgent matter he needs resolved: he must find a wife for Isaac. Abraham does not want his son to take a wife from the Canaanite women, nor does he ever want him to return to his homeland. So, he sends one of
F260
F260 Day 15: Genesis 25:19-34; 26
Genesis 25:19-34; 26 Abraham has died, and the focus of the narrative now moves to his son, Isaac. After remaining childless for years, he & Rebekah pray to the Lord for a child. In response, the Lord gives them twins, brothers who will butt heads with one another. From there we see Isaac making the
F260
F260 Day 16: Genesis 27-28
Genesis 27-28 Family drama comes to a head in Genesis 27. Jacob steals his brother’s blessing. Isaac and Rebekah are still playing favorites with their children. Esau is ready to murder his brother once Isaac has passed away. And now Jacob is on the run to save his life, while also trying to find a
F260
F260 Day 17: Genesis 29:1-30:24
Genesis 29:1-30:24 Upon arriving to Haran, Jacob gets a taste of his own medicine at the hands of his uncle. Hoping to marry Rachel, he ends up with the older sister Leah after working for seven years. Jacob then works another seven years to marry Rachel. It’s hard to blame Jacob for being tricked &
F260
F260 Day 18: Genesis 31-32
Genesis 31-32 After 20 years of working for Laban, and being blessed by the hand of the Lord, Jacob is led by God to return to Canaan. He does so secretly so as to not be cheated once again by Laban. Even though Rachel steals the household gods, Jacob & Laban make peace with one
F260
F260 Day 19: Genesis 33; 35
Genesis 33; 35 Jacob is finally back in the Promised Land, after two decades of living in Paddan-aram. What we see happening in both of these chapters is quite beautiful. First, in chapter 33, Jacob is reunited and reconciled to his brother Esau. Upon meeting, the two brothers immediately embrace and love on one another.
F260
F260 Day 20: Genesis 37
Genesis 37 In Genesis 37 the biblical narrative shifts from Jacob to his son Joseph. Joseph is the son of Rachel, the wife he loved most. Because of this, Joseph finds himself favored and loved more than his other brothers. This favoritism led Joseph’s brothers to hate him. Yet, for as much as the rest
F260
F260 Day 21: Genesis 39-40
Genesis 39-40 When we look at these chapters it would be easy to think that there’s something special about Joseph. Joseph finds favor and blessing, even while in slavery and prison. Yet, if we look more closely at the text, God is the one behind Joseph’s blessing. And, it’s not because of anything that Joseph
F260
F260 Day 22: Genesis 41
Genesis 41 After two more years in prison, Joseph finally gets his day. Pharaoh has a troubling dream that he cannot shake. His best magicians cannot interpret the dream. Then, the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph. Pharaoh brings Joseph in and he successfully interprets the dream. Next, Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge to see that the
F260
F260 Day 23: Genesis 42-43
Genesis 42-43 After twenty years of living in Egypt, Joseph finally comes face-to-face with his brothers. There’s a lot happening in these chapters, from the famine to the fulfilled dreams. But, the reaction of Joseph’s brothers stands out most. After Joseph and his men interrogate them, the brothers immediately associate their hardship with what they
F260
F260 Day 24: Genesis 44-45
Genesis 44-45 Two important things happen in these chapters. First, Joseph has one final test for his brothers to see if they have changed at all in the past twenty years. His brothers pass the test with flying colors. Judah steps up and refuses to let his younger brother, Benjamin, be taken into slavery, sacrificing
F260
F260 Day 25: Genesis 46-47
Genesis 46-47 God’s sovereignty is the focus of these chapters. He is the one who orchestrates everything that has happened to save the family of Israel. It began years ago with sending Joseph to Egypt. After many years, Pharaoh made Joseph his righthand man. Then the famine happened, which brought Joseph’s brothers to Egypt. Now
F260
F260 Day 26: Genesis 48-49
Genesis 48-49 As Jacob nears his final days, he wants to bless his children. This blessing includes the adoption of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. These two sons are included in the inheritance of Joseph’s brothers. With the addition of these two adopted sons, Jacob then speaks a prophetic blessing over his children and
F260
F260 Day 27: Genesis 50 – Exodus 1
Genesis 50 – Exodus 1 There is a huge juxtaposition as we end Genesis and move into Exodus. The narrative continues from one book to the other, but things change dramatically. At the end of Genesis, Joseph reaffirms the forgiveness that he has shown his brothers after they bury their father. Joseph knows his brothers
F260
F260 Day 28: Exodus 2-3
Exodus 2-3 The beginning of Exodus moves quickly. In the span of two chapters we’ve covered 80 years. It begins simple enough. A mother gives birth to a son and hides him until she is no longer able. Pharaoh’s daughter adopts this baby. The baby grows up as a prince of Egypt, knowing he’s a
F260
F260 Day 29: Exodus 4-5
Exodus 4-5 Today’s reading doesn’t end how you think it would. Exodus 4 begins with Moses complaining about how God has the wrong man for the job. Moses isn’t eloquent and on down the line. God gives him what he needs, even allowing his brother Aaron to be his mouthpiece. God even tells Moses how
F260
F260 Day 30: Exodus 6-7
Exodus 6-7 In today’s reading God responds to Moses’ complaints. Instead of the “I told you so” that we expect, God takes a strong but gentle approach. God reminds Moses that he is the God who made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses’ ancestors. Yet, these men only knew God as God Almighty.
F260
F260 Day 31: Exodus 8-9
Exodus 8-9 The plagues upon Egypt are in full force in chapters 8-9 of Exodus. And the story is quite cyclical. Moses requests that Pharaoh let the Israelites go worship. Pharaoh refuses. God sends a plague. Pharaoh relents. Moses ends the plague. Pharaoh hardens his heart. In these chapters there are a few interesting items
F260
F260 Day 32: Exodus 10-11
Exodus 10-11 The Lord always has a purpose for what he does. In Exodus 10-11, he makes it clear why all these plagues are happening in Egypt. God wants to make himself known. He wants to be known by both Israel and Egypt. He is no longer speaking and calling individuals, like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
F260
F260 Day 33: Exodus 12
Exodus 12 Exodus 12 has lots of important details. I dare say it’s one of the more important chapters of the Bible. God prepares to send the final plague upon Egypt, the death of all firstborn. Moses gives Israel special details for how they are to prepare for this event. He even tells them this
F260
F260 Day 34: Exodus 13:17-14:31
Exodus 13:17-14:31 The Lord shows both his power and compassion in these chapters. First, he knows the children of Israel are not ready for war, so he does not take them on the most direct route to the Promised Land. At the same time, he uses this as an opportunity to once again put his
F260
F260 Day 35: Exodus 16-17
Exodus 16-17 Exodus 16-17 finds the Israelites in the wilderness grumbling. Food and water is sparse. They wonder aloud why Moses has brought them to the wilderness to die. They would much rather go back to Egypt and be enslaved than have their freedom and trust God. Yet, God provides in the midst of their
F260
F260 Day 36: Exodus 19-20
Exodus 19-20 Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel approaches Sinai. Here, the Lord wants to meet with them. After consecrating themselves, Moses goes up the mountain to speak with the Lord as the people agree to hear from the Lord. After seeing the spectacle that is the smoke and thunder surrounding the mountain, the people
F260
F260 Day 37: Exodus 24-25
Exodus 24-25 After Israel agrees to covenant with God and to live according to his Law, Moses is once again sent up Sinai. During this 40 day period, Moses receives instructions for how to build the tabernacle and all its furnishings. Why? Because God wants to dwell with his people and the tabernacle is where
F260
F260 Day 38: Exodus 26-27
Exodus 26-27 In these chapters, Moses continues to receive the instructions for how to build the tabernacle. First he receives the instructions for how to build the tabernacle tent, then the altar and courtyard. The important thing we see is that there is another curtain inside the tent that surrounds the Most Holy place, which
F260
F260 Day 39: Exodus 28-29
Exodus 28-29 In this portion of Scripture, God gives Moses instructions for the priestly garments. The instructions are for how they are to be constructed and worn. After that, Moses receives instructions for the week long ordination ceremony to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests in Israel. Again, we see that God wants to
F260
F260 Day 40: Exodus 30-31
Exodus 30-31 In these chapters Moses receives the final instructions for the Tabernacle and how Israel is to worship God. There are lots of important details in this chapter. Two stand out. First is the census offering. This offering shows that everyone is equal in God’s eyes. No man or woman is worth more or
F260
F260 Day 41: Exodus 32-33
Exodus 32-33 Moses is still on the mountain, but Israel doesn’t think he’s ever coming back. Their response? They talk Aaron into building them an idol. This violates the commandments they agreed to follow. The Lord quickly sends Moses back down to the people to stop the nonsense. This is where the narrative turns. After
F260
F260 Day 42: Exodus 34-36:1
Exodus 34-36:1 The Lord commands Moses to make new stone tablets and to meet him on the mountain the following morning. He once again writes on the tablets, shows Moses his glory, and reminds him of the covenant obligations. This last for 40 days. Moses comes down, with a radiant face, and speaks to the
F260
F260 Day 43: Exodus 40
Exodus 40 The book of Exodus ends one year to the day after Israel has been freed from their slavery in Egypt. The workers finished everything for the Tabernacle and it is ready to assemble. On this first day of the year, Moses puts all the pieces of the Tabernacle in order and consecrates it,
F260
F260 Day 44: Leviticus 8-9
Leviticus 8-9 The book of Exodus ended with the anointing of the Tabernacle and the priesthood. But, not a lot of details were given about how this all took place. Leviticus 8-9 fills in the details of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as Israel’s priests. The ordination process was a lengthy weeklong process
F260
F260 Day 45: Leviticus 16-17
Leviticus 16-17 Leviticus 16 details the sacrifices required for the Day of Atonement. On this day, once a year, the high priest made atonement for his and the people’s sin. This is the one day of the year when he could enter the Most Holy place. The sacrifices made on this day covered Israel’s sin
F260
F260 Day 46: Leviticus 23
Leviticus 23 Leviticus 23 describes for us all of Israel’s holy days. In addition to their regular weekly Sabbath, the Lord appointed days throughout the year where they were to remember his faithfulness. These holy days aren’t without purpose. Each day points Israel back to God and his provision. These days were to be observed
F260
F260 Day 47: Leviticus 26
Leviticus 26 In God’s kingdom there are blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. Leviticus 26 outlines the results of both for the Israelites. They can expect blessing and prosperity if they obey the Lord and follow his commands. Yet, if they disobey, they can expect God’s hand of judgment to continue until they repent
F260
F260 Day 48: Numbers 11-12
Numbers 11-12 In the wilderness, Israel is all about their complaints. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. This time they complain about a lack of food choices, as if the Lord had not been providing for them. Then there is Moses’ siblings rising up against him. The Lord quickly puts an end to both
F260
F260 Day 49: Numbers 13-14
Numbers 13-14 In these chapters Moses sends men to scout the Promised Land. After forty days the men return with their report. Only Joshua and Caleb have a positive report. The rest believe they will be slaughtered if they even attempt to take the land. Unfortunately, the people believe the negative report, despite all the
F260
F260 Day 50: Numbers 16-17
Numbers 16-17 After being told they could not enter the Promised Land, the children of Israel rebel against Moses and Aaron. This begins with Korah and his friends trying to usurp the priesthood from Aaron’s family. God immediately shuts down their rebellious actions. He supernaturally proves Moses’ leadership by opening the ground, swallowing everyone alive
F260
F260 Day 51: Numbers 20; 27:12-23
Numbers 20; 27:12-23 Romans 3:23 tell us that we all fall short of God’s glory. Today’s passage is proof of this. It’s nearly time for Israel to enter the Promised Land after their forty years of wandering, but nothing has changed. This new generation is still complaining and living with the same mindset as their
F260
F260 Day 52: Numbers 34-35
Numbers 34-35 Israel is on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Two and one-half tribes have already received their inheritance east of the Jordan. Numbers 34 details the boundaries of the land they have been promised by God. The Lord then describes how the Levites are to receive 48 cities and live among the
F260
F260 Day 53: Deuteronomy 1-2
Deuteronomy 1-2 Israel is on the brink of entering the Promised Land. But, this is a new generation. Many of these people were too young or not around to remember how the Lord rescued them from Egypt. So, Moses recounts their history to remind them of where the Lord has brought them from. This history
F260
F260 Day 54: Deuteronomy 3-4
Deuteronomy 3-4 After Moses finished recounting the people’s recent history, he stresses the importance of obedience to the Lord’s covenant. The people must remain obedient to the Word of the Lord and walk in wisdom. This obedience assures blessing and longevity in the Promised Land. Walking in wisdom before the Lord is not complicated. He
F260
F260 Day 55: Deuteronomy 6-7
Deuteronomy 6-7 Deuteronomy 6 is a picture of what godly living looks like. Love God and obey his commands. When we love God with our all, everything else naturally flows from it. Our obedience, growth, discipleship, evangelism, and generosity all stem from this love. These chapters emphasize obedience to God and his Word if Israel
F260
F260 Day 56: Deuteronomy 8-9
Deuteronomy 8-9 It’s so easy to forget about God when things are going well in our lives. This can be such the case that we can even think that we acquired everything by the strength of our own hands. Moses warns Israel against such thinking in Deuteronomy 8-9. He implores Israel to keep and remember
F260
F260 Day 57: Deuteronomy 30-31
Deuteronomy 30-31 After outlining the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience, Moses urges the people to choose life and blessing. Yet, God knows the hearts of the people. He knows they will turn their back on him as soon as they enter the Promised Land and experience prosperity. God tells Moses about this, and
F260
F260 Day 58: Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34
Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34 From Exodus to Deuteronomy, we have followed Moses’ story as he led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Now, as Deuteronomy ends, Moses’ life has come to an end. Scripture remembers him as someone who had a face to face relationship with the Lord. This was unlike any other
F260
F260 Day 59: Joshua 1-2
Joshua 1-2 The book of Joshua begins with God speaking to Joshua. In the span of nine verses, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. Above all, Joshua must be strong and courageous to remain obedient to God’s Word. He must meditate on it day and night, and never let it depart
F260
F260 Day 60: Joshua 3-4
Joshua 3-4 As Israel approaches the promised land, they reach the Jordan River. In order to show himself strong, the Lord parts the waters of the river like he did the Red Sea for the previous generation. God tells Joshua to have the priests holding the ark stand in the river, and the flow of
F260
F260 Day 61: Joshua 5:10-15; 6
Joshua 5:10-15; 6 As Israel enters Canaan, the daily supply of mana stops. The people are now able to eat from the land. After observing the Passover, they prepare their conquest of Jericho. They do this by following some strange instructions, but do so in obedience to Joshua’s command. As a result, the wall crumbles
F260
F260 Day 62: Joshua 7-8
Joshua 7-8 In defeating Jericho, Achan disobeyed the Lord’s command to not take any spoil. The sin of one man brought the Lord’s anger upon the entire people of Israel, causing them to be defeated against the city of Ai. After seeking the Lord, Joshua learns of the sin and obeys God’s command to resolve
F260
F260 Day 63: Joshua 23-24
Joshua 23-24 After conquering the promised land, the people of Israel finally find rest. Before he dies, Joshua wants to give the people a final message. He urges them to keep the commands given to them by Moses. God has been faithful to his word to this point. That also means he will keep the
F260
F260 Day 64: Judges 2-3
Judges 2-3 After the death of Joshua and the elders of that generation, Israel plunges into a spiral of sin. They quickly forget the Lord and his commands. They mingle with the inhabitants they were to destroy, causing them to fall into a pattern of sin. This causes the Lord to enact judgment on Israel
F260
F260 Day 65: Judges 4
Judges 4 Israel is once again in a cycle of sin and judgment. This time, Israel is oppressed for 20 years before they cry out to the Lord for help. During this time, God raises up Deborah as a judge & prophetess over Israel. Through Deborah, Barak is called to lead Israel to victory. His
F260
F260 Day 66: Judges 6-7
Judges 6-7 Israel has once again spiraled into disobedience, and this time the Lord allows the Midianites to oppress them. God comes to Gideon and has him deliver Israel. Hesitant at first, God reassures Gideon that he is sending him and will be with him. After tearing down the altars for the idols, God gives
F260
F260 Day 67: Judges 13-14
Judges 13-14 Once again Israel has done evil in God’s sight and he has sent his judgment upon them. This time God has given them into the hand of the Philistines. After 40 years, God comes to a barren woman, the wife of Manoah. He tells her she will give birth to a son who
F260
F260 Day 68: Judges 15-16
Judges 15-16 Samson’s life and judging in Israel was marked by personal vengeance. God used this characteristic of Samson to accomplish his means. God allowed the circumstances Samson faced and used them as opportunities to attack the Philistines. Samson’s fleshly desires ultimately were his undoing, falling in love with a woman who sought to destroy
F260
F260 Day 69: Ruth 1-2
Ruth 1-2 Naomi’s family journeyed to Moab during a famine in Israel. While there, her sons married Moabite women. While there, Naomi’s husband and sons all died. So, she decided to return to her home in Bethlehem, after hearing the famine was over. After urging the women to return to their homes, Ruth insists on
F260
F260 Day 70: Ruth 3-4
Ruth 3-4 Seeing that Boaz is a reputable man, Naomi devises a plan for Boaz to redeem and marry Ruth. When Ruth makes her request known to Boaz, he quickly obliges. He says he will do whatever he can to make it happen. He redeems and marries her. As a result, the Lord blesses them
F260
F260 Day 71: 1 Samuel 1-2
1 Samuel 1-2 There are two very different things happening in the beginning of 1 Samuel. First, we see Hannah, in her anguish, asking God for a son. She even promises to dedicate and give this son back to the Lord. The Lord answers this prayer and she births Samuel. In turn, Hannah keeps her
F260
F260 Day 72: 1 Samuel 3; 8
1 Samuel 3; 8 In a day when prophets were rare, God raises up Samuel to be his voice before the people of Israel. God calls out to Samuel, and Samuel learns who the Lord is and begins to have a more intimate relationship with him. Samuel would then grow as a prophet among the
F260
F260 Day 73: 1 Samuel 9-10
1 Samuel 9-10 At this point in the narrative, Saul enters the picture. He is searching for donkeys that have run away. During his search he encounters Samuel, the prophet. God tells Samuel that Saul is to be king of Israel. Samuel gives Saul many signs to confirm this message as he returns home. A
F260
F260 Day 74: 1 Samuel 13-14
1 Samuel 13-14 In these chapters we are given a glimpse of Saul’s kingship, as well as his character. During this time Israel is in constant conflict with the Philistines and Saul is trying to free Israel from their rule. While out to battle, we see Saul making rash and unwise decisions. First he is
F260
F260 Day 75: 1 Samuel 15-16
1 Samuel 15-16 The Lord, through Samuel, sent Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. Samuel instructed Saul to not take any plunder. Instead, Saul does just that and then tries to justify his actions before the man of God. At this, God tells Saul that the kingship will be taken away from him & given
F260
F260 Day 76: 1 Samuel 17-18
1 Samuel 17-18 Some time after David is anointed by Samuel, Israel is once again at war with the Philistines. This time they are at a standoff with Goliath, a giant, wanting someone to fight, in a winner take all battle. David is sent to the frontlines to see how his brothers are doing. He
F260
F260 Day 77: 1 Samuel 19-20
1 Samuel 19-20 Saul is intent on killing David. For Saul, David is a threat to his kingship and the continued reign of his family, even though he knows the kingdom has been taken away from him. For David, he is only trying to serve the king as best he can. During these many attempts,
F260
F260 Day 78: 1 Samuel 21-22
1 Samuel 21-22 In his haste to flee to safety, David makes some rash decisions. He acts like a madman and even lives in a cave. Yet, the most impactful decision he makes is lying to the priest, Ahimelech. He said he was on a mission for Saul, instead of honestly stating he was fleeing
F260
F260 Day 79: Psalm 22; 1 Samuel 24-25:1
Psalm 22; 1 Samuel 24-25:1 First we have Psalm 22 where David is crying out to the Lord for help. He feels abandoned and knows that he has enemies seeking him out. Halfway through the psalm the tone changes. Now, David is praising the Lord for hearing his cries and encourages others to do the
F260
F260 Day 80: 1 Samuel 28; 31
1 Samuel 28; 31 In these chapters we see the final days of Saul and his sons. The entire Philistine army has come against Saul’s army leaving Saul unsure of what to do. He tries to get a word from the Lord but is unsuccessful in all his attempts. In a last ditch effort, he
F260
F260 Day 81: 2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7
2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7 After battling the Amalekites, David receives word that Saul & his sons are dead. David mourns the death of Saul & his best friend, Jonathan, knowing that Israel has lost great men & leaders. As part of his mourning, he writes a song that is taught to the people of Judah.
F260
F260 Day 82: 2 Samuel 3:1; 5; Psalm 23
2 Samuel 3:1; 5; Psalm 23 After seven years of being king over Judah, the rest of the tribes make David their king. This takes place after the assassination of Saul’s son Ish-bosheth. As king, David is able to remove the Jebusites from Jerusalem and established that as the capital city. Then God continues to
F260
F260 Day 83: 2 Samuel 6-7
2 Samuel 6-7 After recovering the ark, David brings it back to Israel. During the trip, Uzzah touches it and the Lord kills him immediately for his irreverence. Seeing this, David leaves the ark in Gath with Obed-edom. After 3 months and seeing how Obed-edom was blessed, David brings the ark to Jerusalem. After some
F260
F260 Day 84: Psalm 18; 2 Samuel 9
Psalm 18; 2 Samuel 19 In Psalm 18 David praises the Lord for delivering him from his enemies. David paints a vivid picture of the despair he was in and how the Lord came down to rescue him. Then he praises God for all he has done for him and the salvation God provided. Continuing
F260
F260 Day 85: 2 Samuel 11-12
2 Samuel 11-12 During a time when Israel was at war, David remained home instead of going with his soldiers. During this time he sees Bathsheba, the wife or Uriah. He brings her into his home & sleeps with her. After hearing she is pregnant, David kills Uriah in battle. The Lord condemns David for
F260
F260 Day 86: Psalm 51
Psalm 51 As the title tells us, David wrote this psalm after being confronted about his sin against Bathsheba & Uriah. Instead of trying to defend himself, David recognizes the error of his ways and quickly turns to God in repentance. This psalm is his prayer for restoration. He asks God to cleanse him from
F260
F260 Day 87: 2 Samuel 24; Psalm 24
2 Samuel 24; Psalm 24 In 2 Samuel 24, the Lord incites David to take a census of his military as a form of judgment against Israel. This census takes nearly 10 months to complete. Once complete, David realizes the errors of his ways and repents. David is given 3 options for how the Lord
F260
F260 Day 88: Psalm 1; 19
Psalm 1; 19 Both of these psalms establish the importance of God’s word in the believer’s life. Psalm 1 teaches that it is something we should delight in, while meditating on it daily. When we do this, we maintain a constant connection to our source, which feeds us life and blessing. Likewise, Psalm 19 shows
F260
F260 Day 89: Psalm 103; 119:1-48
Psalm 103; 119:1-48 Psalm 103 is all about praising God for the glorious benefits and gifts he provides us, namely forgiveness of sin. We bless and praise God for this. He forgives, heals, redeems, and satisfies us. God takes compassion on us and his love is so great that our sins are infinitely removed from
F260
F260 Day 90: Psalm 119:49-128
Psalm 119:49-128 In these verses the psalmist continues to share and rejoice in his delight for God’s word. God’s commands are his life’s song. The psalmist’s practice is to obey God’s commands, and he is quick to keep them, without hesitation. Yet, their life is not without struggle. The psalmist has enemies who taunt and
F260
F260 Day 91: Psalm 119:129-176; 139
Psalm 119:129-176; 139 Psalm 119 ends much the same way it began, with a reverence for and delight in God’s word. The psalmist determines to walk in obedience to God’s commands, which he knows pleases the Lord. At the same time, he is not ignorant of the enemy coming against him, as he cries out
F260
F260 Day 92: Psalms 148-150
Psalms 148-150 The Lord deserves the praise of his creation, which is the focus of these final psalms. Psalm 148 shows that all of creation has reason to praise God for his works. And God’s name alone is worthy of exaltation. Psalm 149 is a psalm of triumph, signing praise to God as he gives
F260
F260 Day 93: 1 Kings 2
1 Kings 2 As David’s life nears its end, Solomon is established and confirmed as the next king over Israel. David reminds his son of the importance of keeping and walking in God’s ways, as this will secure his blessing as king. Along with this, David gives Solomon instruction on tying up some loose ends
F260
F260 Day 94: 1 Kings 3; 6
1 Kings 3; 6 Solomon loved the Lord and walked in his ways like his father, David, did. Yet, he did not do it perfectly. He tolerated worship at the high places and he married Pharaoh’s daughter. Yet, the Lord still blessed him. One night the Lord appeared to Solomon and told him to ask
F260
F260 Day 95: 1 Kings 8:1-9:9
1 Kings 8:1-9:9 After 7 long years of construction, the temple is finished and ready to be dedicated. Solomon gathers all Israel together so the dedication can take place. This process includes moving the ark and the tent of meeting inside the temple. During the dedication, Solomon prays a prophetic prayer that speaks towards Israel’s
F260
F260 Day 96: Proverbs 1-2
Proverbs 1-2 In the beginning of the book of Proverbs, Solomon explains to his son the importance of walking in wisdom. The path of the wise and understanding is contrasted with the sinner and fool. Those who seek wisdom will have a stable and sure path. But, those who follow after sinners will find death
F260
F260 Day 97: Proverbs 3-4
Proverbs 3-4 As Solomon writes to his sons, he stresses the importance of listening to his words and keeping God’s commands. There are several ways we do this. First, we trust the Lord to lead and direct our lives. Next, we do not withhold good from others when it is within our power to do
F260
F260 Day 98: Proverbs 16-18
Proverbs 16-18 Proverbs 16-18 speak much about the words that come out of our mouths. In many ways, what we say proves whether we are wise or a fool. The wise person watches what comes out of their mouth and is careful about what is said. In contrast, the fool speaks without thought, for selfish
F260
F260 Day 99: Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31 Proverbs 31 contains proverbs from King Lemuel, which were taught to him by his mother. Wisdom impacts all areas of life, including leadership, justice, and marriage. First, those in leadership should refrain from alcoholic beverages because it can pervert their ability to lead. Second, godly leaders need to stand up for the oppressed
F260
F260 Day 100: 1 Kings 11-12
1 Kings 11-12 As Solomon aged, his heart turned from serving the Lord. Against God’s command, he married hundreds of foreign women. Over time, these women led Solomon away from following the Lord. Instead, he approved and allowed worship of foreign gods to please his wives. As a result, God tells Solomon that he will
F260
F260 Day 101: 1 Kings 16:29-34; 17
1 Kings 16:29-34; 17 With the nation divided, Israel’s kings plunge the nation further into sin and away from the Lord. To this point in their history, they now have their worst king in King Ahab. His worst offense is leading the people to worship Baal and other gods, instead of Yahweh. As a result,
F260
F260 Day 102: 1 Kings 18-19
1 Kings 18-19 After a long time, the Lord speaks to Elijah and tells him to present himself before Ahab. Then Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal and Asherah. He puts before them a challenge to see whose God is real. Of course, Elijah wins. After this the people of Israel bow down and worship
F260
F260 Day 103: 1 Kings 21-22
1 Kings 21-22 The final chapters of 1 Kings show the end of Ahab’s life. First we see Jezebel provoking Israel’s elders to sin by killing an innocent man so her husband can take possession of a field. God confronts Ahab as he takes possession of the land and pronounces judgment against him. Later Ahab
F260
F260 Day 104: 2 Kings 2
2 Kings 2 In 1 Kings 19 the Lord told Elijah the end of his life and prophetic ministry were near. Now it is time for that to take place. Elijah goes on a journey to several cities and tells Elisha to stay each time. Elisha refuses and continues with Elijah. After asking for a
F260
F260 Day 105: 2 Kings 5; 6:1-23
2 Kings 5; 6:1-23 Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, had a skin disease. During one of his raids in Israel he brought back an Israelite girl who would become his wife’s servant. One day she mentioned how he could be healed. This produced an encounter with Elisha where he was given simple instructions.
F260
F260 Day 106: Jonah 1-2
Jonah 1-2 Jonah was a prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel. The Lord called Jonah to preach against the evils of those living in the Assyrian city of Nineveh. Instead of obeying the Lord’s command, Jonah fled from the Lord’s presence to Joppa and got on a ship headed to Tarshish.
F260
F260 Day 107: Jonah 3-4
Jonah 3-4 God once again calls Jonah to Nineveh. This time Jonah heeds the Lord’s command and makes the 500+ mile journey. Once in Nineveh, Jonah proclaims that the city will be destroyed in 40 days. Upon hearing this message all the people repent and turn to the Lord. Seeing their repentance, the Lord relents
F260
F260 Day 108: Hosea 1-3
Hosea 1-3 Hosea was a prophet God used during a period in Israel’s history when they were neck deep in idolatry. God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute and then used this marriage as a visual illustration of Israel’s idolatry and unfaithfulness to him. Part of Hosea’s message was warning Israel of their impending end
F260
F260 Day 109: Amos 1:1; 9
Amos 1:1; 9 Amos is a prophet who was a contemporary of Hosea. The two prophesied at the same time about Israel’s sin and need for repentance. In Amos’ final vision he tells the people of Israel that the Lord’s hand of judgment will come upon them. Their sin and idolatry has gone on long
F260
F260 Day 110: Joel 1-3
Joel 1-3 Joel is a prophet we do not know much about. Nor do we know much about the timeframe when he made his prophecies. What we do know is this was a period of natural disaster caused by locusts. Locusts ravaged the land and left very little for sustenance for the people of Israel.
F260
F260 Day 111: Isaiah 6; 9
Isaiah 6; 9 There is a lot going on in these two chapters. First, in the year that King Uzziah of Judah died, Isaiah encounters the Lord. In this divine encounter, Isaiah sees the Lord’s glory and is called to be his mouthpiece to Israel. With this, the Lord calls Isaiah to preach a message
F260
F260 Day 112: Isaiah 44-45
Isaiah 44-45 The emphasis of these chapters is God and his uniqueness. There is no other god like him. Unlike idols, the Lord knows and predicts the future. He is not made with human hands, but is the one who fashioned all of creation by the work of his own hands. And to prove this,
F260
F260 Day 113: Isaiah 52-53
Isaiah 52-53 As a people, Israel rejected God and walked in constant rebellion. But, the Lord is bringing salvation to them. This salvation will come by way of their long awaited Messiah, but not in the way they expect. This servant of the Lord is crushed and killed so that our sins are atoned for.
F260
F260 Day 114: Isaiah 65-66
Isaiah 65-66 As the book of Isaiah closes, there is a line drawn between two types of people. First there are those who do not seek the Lord and go after their own way. God will bring judgment upon this group of people and they will face his wrath. On the other hand, there are
F260
F260 Day 115: Micah 1; 4:6-13; 5
Micah 1; 4:6-13; 5 Micah is a prophet who preached of coming judgment upon Israel, particularly the kingdom of Judah. The message is the same that other prophets have preached. Israel is facing God’s wrath because of their continued rebellion and idolatry. Basically, all the curses from Deuteronomy 28 are going to come upon them
F260
F260 Day 116: 2 Kings 17-18
2 Kings 17-18 After being warned by multiple prophets, Assyria attacks Israel and takes them captive. This was a three-year process that ended with the Assyrians deporting the Israelites. Assyria then resettled the land of Israel with other foreigners they had taken captive. Scripture tells us this all came as a result of Israel’s sin
F260
F260 Day 117: 2 Kings 19-21
2 Kings 19-21 When faced with a possible invasion by the Assyrians, Hezekiah took his concerns to the Lord. Instead of trying to figure out everything on his own or in his own power, he sought godly counsel in the prophet Isaiah. Later Hezekiah takes his concerns directly to the Lord and lays them before
F260
F260 Day 118: 2 Kings 22-23
2 Kings 22-23 After two evil kings, a good king takes the throne, Josiah at 8 years old. Josiah walked in the ways of the Lord and did what was right in his sight. He set out to repair the temple, and while doing so found the book of the law. When the book was
F260
F260 Day 119: Jeremiah 1:1-3:5
Jeremiah 1:1-3:5 Nearly halfway through the reign of King Josiah, God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet. God tells Jeremiah he was chosen for this role before he was even created, showing God’s sovereignty. As part of the call, God touches his lips like he did Isaiah (Isa. 6:7) and puts his words in Jeremiah’s
F260
F260 Day 120: Jeremiah 25; 29
Jeremiah 25; 29 After 23 years of Jeremiah’s preaching, the people of Judah have not changed their ways. For years, God sent prophets calling his people to repent and turn away from their evil. Now, in response to their continued defiance, the Lord tells the people of Judah they will fall into the hands of
F260
F260 Day 121: Jeremiah 31:31-40; 32-33
Jeremiah 31:31-40; 32-33 Even though Israel is in exile in Babylon, God has not forgotten his promises to them. God promises to make a new covenant with Israel that is better than the one he made at Sinai. Instead of stone tablets, he will write his law on people’s hearts, while also forgiving their sin.
F260
F260 Day 122: Jeremiah 52; 2 Kings 24-25
Jeremiah 52; 2 Kings 24-25 Both the end of Jeremiah and the end of 2 Kings give the details of Judah’s fall. After two years of constant attack, Babylon invades Jerusalem. Along with capturing Zedekiah and his men, Nebuchadnezzar’s army destroys the temple and everything in Jerusalem. This includes tearing down the city walls. Many
F260
F260 Day 123: Ezekiel 1:1-3; 36:16-38; 37
Ezekiel 1:1-3; 36:16-38; 37 Ezekiel was a prophet during Judah’s exile in Babylon and he lived among them. Through Ezekiel, God spoke promises over Israel about their restoration. Not only would God restore the people of Israel to their land, but he would give them a new heart and spirit. God promised to place his
F260
F260 Day 124: Daniel 1-2
Daniel 1-2 Daniel is a Judean exile in Babylon, who was either nobility or of the royal family. In Babylon, Daniel and his friends were trained for 3 years so they could attend to the king. After their period of training, the four were found to be better than all their counterparts, so they were
F260
F260 Day 125: Daniel 3-4
Daniel 3-4 Nebuchadnezzar was a proud king who was full of himself. The Lord blessed him with a vast and powerful kingdom. But, he thought he had built it by the power of his own hands. In his pride, Nebuchadnezzar built a 90-foot tall gold statue that he made everyone worship. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
F260
F260 Day 126: Daniel 5-6
Daniel 5-6 In Daniel 5, a new king is on the throne in Babylon, king Belshazzar. Much like Nebuchadnezzar in his early days, Belshazzar is full of pride and arrogance. While feasting one night, a finger appears and writes on the wall. None of the wise men can interpret the writing. Finally, Daniel is called
F260
F260 Day 127: Daniel 9-10; 12
Daniel 9-10; 12 During the reign of Darius the Mede, Daniel read the prophecies of Jeremiah. Upon seeing that the time of the exile was to be 70 years, Daniel prayed and repented on behalf of all of Israel for their sins. He confessed their sins of idolatry and rebellion against the Lord. He then
F260
F260 Day 128: Ezra 1-2
Ezra 1-2 After 70 years of exile in Babylon, King Cyrus of Persia takes the throne. During the first year of his reign, Cyrus decrees that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt. With this, he allows the Jews to return to Judah for this work. This fulfills Jeremiah’s prophecies (Jer. 25:12; 29:10-14), as well as
F260
F260 Day 129: Ezra 3-4
Ezra 3-4 Once the people were resettled in the land, they immediately worked on rebuilding the temple. Overseen by the priests, the workers first rebuilt the altar so sacrifices could resume. With the temple rebuilt, the people celebrated the Feast of Booths and made sacrifices to the Lord. From there, they worked to rebuild the
F260
F260 Day 130: Ezra 5-6
Ezra 5-6 After hearing prophecies from Haggai and Zechariah, the Israelites resumed their work of rebuilding the temple. The prophets stayed with them to make sure the work continued and to be a constant encouragement. This, of course, sparked controversy with those who had tried to stop the work. At this, the elders reminded them
F260
F260 Day 131: Zechariah 1:1-6; 2; 12
Zechariah 1:1-6; 2; 12 Zechariah’s prophecies begin with a call to repentance and turning to the Lord. Upon hearing this, the people repent. Zechariah’s visions include a restored Jerusalem full of people and bursting at the seams. The city is so full people live outside the walls and the Lord’s glory is in the midst.
F260
F260 Day 132: Ezra 7-8
Ezra 7-8 Some time after the temple had been rebuilt and dedicated, Ezra is introduced. Ezra is a scribe who was an expert. The Lord gave him favor with the king, which allowed him to go to Jerusalem with any of the priests and Levites who wanted to return with him. The Lord was with
F260
F260 Day 133: Ezra 9-10
Ezra 9-10 The book of Ezra concludes dramatically. The leaders make Ezra aware of a problem among the returned exiles: intermarriage with the surrounding people. This went against the law of Moses and is one of the major things that led Israel to its current state. Upon hearing this, Ezra tore his clothes. After praying
F260
F260 Day 134: Esther 1-2
Esther 1-2 In the beginning of Esther, we are introduced to King Ahasuerus, king of the Medes and Persians. During a period when he held a feast for 6 months, his queen, Vashti, did not come to him when requested. After seeking counseling, Ahasuerus removed her as queen and began a search for another. Hadassah
F260
F260 Day 135: Esther 3-4
Esther 3-4 Haman, one of the king’s officials, receives a promotion. This promotion places him above all the other officials. In addition to this, everyone is to pay homage and bow down. Mordecai refused to do this because it would violate God’s commands. This angered Haman so much that he sought to have all Jews
F260
F260 Day 136: Esther 5-7
Esther 5-7 After fasting, Esther begins her plan to approach the king and seek his favor. This begins by inviting both the king and Haman to a banquet she has prepared for them. She does this on consecutive nights. In the midst of this, Haman’s pride and discontent continue to grow. His friends suggest building
F260
F260 Day 137: Esther 8-10
Esther 8-10 After Haman’s death, the king gave Esther his estate and then put Mordecai in his position. Esther once again pleaded with the king to revoke Haman’s plan. Since it could not be undone, he gave Esther and Mordecai the authority to do what they thought was best. On the same date they were
F260
F260 Day 138: Nehemiah 1-2
Nehemiah 1-2 Nehemiah is a Jew who served as the royal cupbearer under King Artaxerxes. Upon receiving word from his brother about the state of Jerusalem, Nehemiah wept and mourned. His mourning turned to fasting and prayer before the Lord. He prayed God’s promises back to him and gave his request to God. While before
F260
F260 Day 139: Nehemiah 3-4
Nehemiah 3-4 Nehemiah’s third chapter gives us incredible detail about the names of people who rebuilt the walls & gates of Jerusalem. But, this work was not without opposition. Sanballat and others were furious with the Jews and mocked them. They even schemed to attack and kill the Jews. Nevertheless, the Jews resolved to continue
F260
F260 Day 140: Nehemiah 5-6
Nehemiah 5-6 While rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah receives word that some of the Jews are being taken advantage of by their own countrymen. They are taxed exceedingly, which caused them to sell both their land and children to cover the costs. Nehemiah puts a stop to this injustice. But that is not the only issue
F260
F260 Day 141: Nehemiah 7-8
Nehemiah 7-8 As the walls were completed, God moved Nehemiah to register the people according to their genealogy. With this, Nehemiah could know exactly who should serve as priests in the temple and Levites throughout Israel. The ones who could not be verified had to wait until the priests could be consulted. After this, Ezra
F260
F260 Day 142: Nehemiah 9
Nehemiah 9 After celebrating the Feast of Booths, later that month, Israel gathered again. This time they fasted, mourned, and confessed their sin to God as a nation. They spent twelve hours each day before the Lord. Israel spent six hours hearing the book of the law read to them, and another six hours in
F260
F260 Day 143: Nehemiah 10
Nehemiah 10 After confessing their sins to the Lord, Israel makes a vow to walk in faithfulness to God’s commands. The priests, Levites, and family heads all signed their names to this covenant. Everything God commanded in the law, the Jews agreed to do. They were especially attentive to mention the things their ancestors failed
F260
F260 Day 144: Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 11 With the temple rebuilt and the city walls restored, the city of Jerusalem needed to be populated. To make this happen, the leaders made their home in Jerusalem, along with a tenth of the people who returned from exile. The other nine-tenths remained in their own towns and villages. This was a sacrifice
F260
F260 Day 145: Nehemiah 12
Nehemiah 12 With the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt, the only thing left to do was to dedicate the finished work back to the Lord. To do this, Nehemiah gathers the Levites to the city walls. The Levites divide into two choirs, one heading south with Ezra, the other going north with Nehemiah. There is much
F260
F260 Day 146: Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah 13 The book of Nehemiah does not end well. Israel made promises to walk in obedience to God’s commands. As soon as Nehemiah leaves Jerusalem to return to his role as cupbearer for the king, Israel returns to its sin. The priests profane the temple. They ignore the laws for marriage. And they disregard
F260
F260 Day 147: Malachi 1
Malachi 1 God loves Israel, but the Israelites do not act like it. Instead, their priests merely go through the motions of sacrifice and offerings, giving God unacceptable items. If given to governors or officials, these offerings would be completely unacceptable, but they offer it to God as if he will accept it. God is
F260
F260 Day 148: Malachi 2
Malachi 2 Malachi makes two bold statements in this chapter. First, he sends a warning to the priests. He reminds them that their job is to stand as God’s messenger, but their ways have caused many to stumble. Secondly, he calls out all the men who have proven themselves unfaithful in their marriages. There are
F260
F260 Day 149: Malachi 3
Malachi 3 The third chapter of Malachi begins with a prophecy about the coming Lord. We are told that a forerunner will come before him to prepare the way, and then the Lord will come and set things right, particularly with the temple system. Malachi then reminds Israel of God’s promise to bless them if
F260
F260 Day 150: Malachi 4
Malachi 4 Malachi’s final words to Israel warned of the coming day of the Lord. This day is dual purposed. For the wicked, this is a day of judgment and destruction. For the righteous, it is a day of healing, restoration, and vindication. Malachi then closes with a reminder to remember the law of Moses
F260
F260 Day 151: Luke 1
Luke 1 400 years after Malachi gave his prophecy, the Lord once again speaks to Israel. First, God sends Gabriel to the priest Zechariah. He and his wife are both blameless and righteous people. Gabriel tells Zechariah his wife will birth a son who will come in the spirit and power of Elijah and will
F260
F260 Day 152: Luke 2
Luke 2 While traveling to Bethlehem to be registered, Mary gives birth to Jesus. After his birth, angels announce this good news to nearby shepherds, who hastily make their way into town to lay eyes on the Messiah. Joseph and Mary then encounter Simeon and Anna in the temple as they dedicate Jesus. Both of
F260
F260 Day 153: Matthew 1-2
Matthew 1-2 This is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth. First, Matthew provides a genealogy showing the lineage of Jesus back to from Abraham to David, and from David to Jesus. We clearly see that Jesus is both a son of Abraham and David. Next we see how God speaks to Joseph and guides him over
F260
F260 Day 154: Mark 1
Mark 1 Mark’s gospel begins with immediate action. John is introduced as the forerunner and he is in the wilderness baptizing people. During this time, Jesus comes to be baptized by John. After his baptism and wilderness experience, Jesus calls his first disciples and begins his public ministry, which includes preaching and performing miracles. Jesus’
F260
F260 Day 155: John 1
John 1 John begins his gospel by waxing philosophy about who Jesus is. We learn that “the Word” existed in the beginning with God and is God. All things are created through him. And “the Word” became flesh and dwelt among humanity. Through this, humanity got to see the nature of God. We then see
F260
F260 Day 156: Matthew 3-4
Matthew 3-4 This is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of his ministry. Unlike Mark’s gospel, we receive a much more detailed account of Jesus’ time of temptation in the wilderness. Jesus is tempted in three specific ways. Each time he refutes the tempter by quoting Scripture. Matthew also writes about the beginning
F260
F260 Day 157: Matthew 5
Matthew 5 With a large crowd gathered, Jesus went up a mountain, sat down, and began to teach. Jesus first explains the character required to enter the kingdom of God, which are best known as the Beatitudes. From there, Jesus teaches on the Law and how it is a matter of the heart and not
F260
F260 Day 158: Matthew 6
Matthew 6 In this part of the sermon, Jesus focuses on our actions and the audience we’re seeking. There are many things certain people do so they will be seen by others. Jesus says those who do that have their reward, especially when the correct audience for those actions is God. When we give it
F260
F260 Day 159: Matthew 7
Matthew 7 Jesus ends his sermon with a discourse on human relationships. We need to be mindful of how we treat others and examine our own lives before we judge. The sermon ends with an explanation on who will enter God’s kingdom. It requires taking the narrow path and walking in obedience to the will
F260
F260 Day 160: Matthew 8
Matthew 8 After Jesus finished his sermon, he continued on and performed many miracles. We see several examples of people who have great faith in Jesus and his ability to heal. Yet, we also see his closest disciples displaying a lack of faith in a trying moment. Finally, we see people sending Jesus away because
F260
F260 Day 161: Luke 9:10-62
Luke 9:10-62 As Jesus begins to set his sights toward Jerusalem, we see many events in Luke’s gospel. Jesus feeds the 5,000 and heals many of their diseases and demon possession. The three witness Jesus’ transfiguration. Finally, Jesus predicts his death and resurrection twice in this chapter, but its understanding is concealed from the disciples.
F260
F260 Day 162: Mark 9
Mark 9 The content of this chapter parallels what was read yesterday in Luke 9. The main difference is we receive greater detail for both the transfiguration and Jesus’ encounter after with the father and his demon possessed son. Of particular interest, Mark shows us the interaction between Jesus and the father before the miracle
F260
F260 Day 163: Luke 12
Luke 12 One thing Jesus did during his ministry was teach the disciples how to live. He taught them that a life worth living first has a high respect and reverence for God. When you have a high respect for God you are not ashamed to proclaim him. It also means you do not walk
F260
F260 Day 164: John 3-4
John 3-4 In these chapters, Jesus has a couple of interesting encounters. First, during the night, a rabbi named Nicodemus comes to Jesus. Jesus talks to him about being born again and how those who believe in him will have eternal life. While on his way to Galilee, Jesus has an encounter with a Samaritan
F260
F260 Day 165: Luke 14
Luke 14 One Sabbath, Jesus was invited to eat at the house of a Pharisee. While there he performs a miracle, healing a man. He then proceeds to teach on humility. Not only are we to think of others more highly than ourselves, we should seek good for the disadvantaged. Finally, following Jesus requires counting
F260
F260 Day 166: John 6
John 6 After feeding the five thousand, the crowd wants Jesus to give them more food. At this, Jesus tells them he has something greater to offer than mere food, like Israel received in the wilderness. Instead, he is here to offer eternal life, which comes through belief in him. Some of the disciples who
F260
F260 Day 167: Matthew 19:16-30
Matthew 19:16-30 This passage is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler. This young man wanted to know what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. Next, Jesus tells the man to sell his possessions and follow him. At this the young man walked
F260
F260 Day 168: Luke 15-16
Luke 15-16 Upon hearing a comment that he welcomes tax collectors and sinners, Jesus begins teaching in parables about repentance. He teaches three parables that all make the same point: heaven rejoices over the sinner who repents. This is why Jesus spends time with them. Jesus continues to teach another parable on stewardship to his
F260
F260 Day 169: Luke 17:11-18:43
Luke 17:11-18:43 As Jesus and his disciples make their way to Jerusalem, Jesus continues teaching and healing. First he heals ten lepers, with only the Samaritan returning to praise God for his healing. Jesus then teaches on the kingdom and persistence in prayer. Later he has an encounter with the rich young ruler and heals
F260
F260 Day 170: Mark 10
Mark 10 This chapter contains Mark’s take on the events that lead up to Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. This includes his encounter with the rich young ruler, predicting his death for the third time, and healing Bartimaeus. Jesus also teaches on divorce, explaining God’s original intent versus what was allowed in the Mosaic Law. Additionally,
F260
F260 Day 171: John 11; Matthew 21:1-13
John 11; Matthew 21:1-13 Jesus receives word that one of his good friends, Lazarus, is sick. He knows God is going to use this circumstance to display his glory and power. So, Jesus delays his visit a few days, until Lazarus has died. Upon arriving, Jesus speaks with the sisters about the death. Jesus then
F260
F260 Day 172: John 13
John 13 Before the Passover, Jesus has a meal with his disciples. During this meal, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. He does this to teach them about serving and following his example. After Judas leaves to betray him, Jesus commands his disciples to love one another. As followers of Christ, our love is what sets
F260
F260 Day 173: John 14-15
John 14-15 Jesus encourages his disciples and lets them know what is about to happen so they will not be surprised. In this, he reveals the way to the Father. The disciples can reach the Father by keeping the commands Jesus gave them. The primary command is to love one another in the same way
F260
F260 Day 174: John 16
John 16 Jesus explains to his disciples that persecution is coming, and it will come from those who think they are in service to God. He tells them this so they are encouraged and not taken aback when it happens. With this, Jesus also tells his disciples that he will send a helper to them
F260
F260 Day 175: Matthew 24:1-31
Matthew 24:1-31 In this passage, Jesus answers his disciples’ question about when the destruction of the temple would take place. He answers by telling them that there will be many signs attached to this event. It begins with wars & rumors of wars, persecution, and great distress in Jerusalem and Judea. During this time many
F260
F260 Day 176: Matthew 24:32-51
Matthew 24:32-51 After telling his disciples all the signs to look for concerning the destruction of the temple, Jesus gives a quick parable about the sprouting of a fig tree. In the same way they know summer is coming by watching the fig tree, the disciples will know the events are near when they see
F260
F260 Day 177: John 17
John 17 On the night of his betrayal, Jesus prays a very intimate prayer to the Father. First, he briefly prays for himself, as he prepares to return to heaven. Then he prays for his disciples. He prays that God would sanctify and guard them, protecting them from the world. Finally, he prays for all
F260
F260 Day 178: Matthew 26:35-27:31
Matthew 26:35-27:31 After Jesus finishes his prayer at Gethsemane, he is confronted by Judas and a mob. He is arrested, taken to the high priest, and put on trial. Intent on killing him, the chief priests take Jesus to Pilate for execution. Pilate wants nothing to do with him, but gives way to the people’s
F260
F260 Day 179: Matthew 27:32-66; Luke 23:26-56
Matthew 27:32-66; Luke 23:26-56 Here we are presented with both Matthew and Luke’s account of the crucifixion. Jesus in placed between two criminals and many mock him as he hangs on the cross. While hanging, Jesus asks God to forgive those who are crucifying him. After his death, Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus’s body
F260
F260 Day 180: John 19
John 19 This is John’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. John also gives more of the details of the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate. John’s gospel includes details not included in the other gospels, such as his interaction with his mother & John. We also see Jesus being pierced in his side and not having his
F260
F260 Day 181: Mark 16
Mark 16 On the third day, several women who followed Jesus went to his tomb to anoint his body. Upon arriving they find the body missing and are told he has risen. They’re then told to tell the disciples. We then see Jesus appearing to others before appearing to the Eleven, who did not believe
F260
F260 Day 182: Luke 24
Luke 24 This is Luke’s account of the events that happen immediately after the resurrection. The first report of the resurrection comes from the women, but the disciples disbelieve. That same day two disciples were on their way to Emmaus. As they talked, Jesus appears to them and joins them on their journey. He explains
F260
F260 Day 183: John 20-21
John 20-21 John’s resurrection account gives us details we do not receive in the other gospels. First we see Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus, presumably the first to see the risen Lord. Then we see Thomas’s encounter with Jesus a week after the other disciples saw him. Finally, some time later, Jesus appears to his
F260
F260 Day 184: Matthew 28
Matthew 28 Matthew’s account of the resurrection is similar to the other gospels. The key difference is the response of the religious leaders to the resurrection. They spread a lie that the disciples stole Jesus’s body, which persisted for some time. Finally, the gospel ends with Jesus giving his disciples the Great Commission of making
F260
F260 Day 185: Acts 1
Acts 1 The book of Acts begins where Luke’s gospel ends. Jesus has risen and has spent many days appearing to his disciples and teaching them about the kingdom. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit. While waiting, they remain united through prayer, and select Matthias to replace Judas
F260
F260 Day 186: Acts 2-3
Acts 2-3 On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and indwelled the disciples who had been waiting in the house. They began to speak in new languages, which caught the attention of the Jews who had traveled to Jerusalem. This gave Peter an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus, calling people
F260
F260 Day 187: Acts 4-5
Acts 4-5 Peter and John were arrested for preaching and healing a man in Jesus’s name. The religious leaders cannot deny the miracles, so they tell them to stop. Peter and John returned to the apostles and prayed for more boldness. Later all the apostles were arrested again and brought before the religious leaders. This
F260
F260 Day 188: Acts 6
Acts 6 As issues arise in the church, the apostles continue to use wisdom and rely on the Holy Spirit. To alleviate one of the major disputes, they have the people select seven who will serve as leaders to oversee their disputes. One of the men selected was Stephen, who we are told is full
F260
F260 Day 189: Acts 7
Acts 7 In response to the accusations against him, Stephen tells them about Israel’s history. He begins with Abraham and God telling him his descendants would be slaves in Egypt for 400 years.Then there was Moses. God called him as a deliverer and ruler over Israel, a man they rejected. He then continues through Israel’s
F260
F260 Day 190: Acts 8-9
Acts 8-9 After Stephen’s death, persecution of Christians breaks out in Jerusalem. Everyone scattered except the apostles, who stayed. As the people fled, they took the good news with them and continued preaching. Because of their preaching, the church spreads and those outside Jerusalem come to faith. As Saul’s persecutions increase, the Lord stops him
F260
F260 Day 191: Acts 10-11
Acts 10-11 Cornelius, a Roman officer who worships God, has an encounter with an angel. He obeys and sends for Peter. Before the men arrive, Peter has a vision from God about eating unclean animals & is told God made them clean. Peter goes and preaches the gospel to them. Upon hearing, the entire crowd
F260
F260 Day 192: Acts 12
Acts 12 Persecution once again broke out against this church, this time by the hand of King Herod. Unfortunately, this time he killed one of the apostles, James, the brother of John. Along with this, Peter was jailed and was to be executed. An angel rescued him and removed him from harm’s way. God’s word
F260
F260 Day 193: Acts 13-14
Acts 13-14 While in Antioch, the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to missionary work. In response, the two men, along with their team, traveled and preached the word of God. They would teach in the synagogues to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles. As they taught, many would come to faith. But,
F260
F260 Day 194: James 1-2
James 1-2 James, the Lord’s brother, writes a letter to the Jews who have been scattered because of persecution. He reminds them to use these difficulties as a means of perseverance and growth in their faith. James also encourages these believers to not just be bystanders, but actively live out their faith by loving others
F260
F260 Day 195: James 3-5
James 3-5 In the rest of his letter, James lays out the difference between someone who is seeking God versus their own ways. In so many ways we are double-minded, which James addressed in the beginning of the letter. This happens in our speech, how we interact with others, and even how we plan our
F260
F260 Day 196: Acts 15-16
Acts 15-16 Some Jews from Jerusalem came to Antioch and taught that Gentiles needed to follow the Mosaic law. After much debate, the church sent Paul & Barnabas to get official word from the apostles. Once the matter was discussed, minimal requirements were put on Gentile believers. The letter with this was taken back to
F260
F260 Day 197: Galatians 1-3
Galatians 1-3 In Galatians, Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about their move to bring in legalism. He makes it clear that there is only one gospel and our faith comes through faith in Jesus Christ. The law of Moses does not justify us, nor does it bring salvation. So, it has no place
F260
F260 Day 198: Galatians 4-6
Galatians 4-6 In the second half of his letter to the Galatians, Paul breaks down why he does not want them to believe that circumcision will bring anything to their salvation. He shows them that it is useless to follow one part of the law and ignore the rest. Instead, he shows how we have
F260
F260 Day 199: Acts 17:1-18:17
Acts 17:1-18:17 Paul does not let hardship stop him from preaching the gospel. He journeys to Thessalonica and then Berea, preaching until he is run out of town. Then, in Athens, he has an opportunity to speak to a large crowd about Jesus. Finally, he makes his way to Corinth where he finds some success,
F260
F260 Day 200: 1 Thessalonians 1-2
1 Thessalonians 1-2 After spending less than a month with the Thessalonians believers, Paul writes them a letter. His letter begins with much thanksgiving and praise for these believers. They are doing well and spreading the good news, which pleases Paul. He this reminisces about his time with them, particularly the example he had with
F260
F260 Day 201: 1 Thessalonians 3-5
1 Thessalonians 3-5 After Timothy’s return, Paul is encouraged by the good report he receives. With this, he moves into his encouragement for these believers. He tells them to continue doing what they have already been taught and are doing well. The love they have, keep doing it, but do it even more. Finally, he
F260
F260 Day 202: 2 Thessalonians 1-3
2 Thessalonians 1-3 In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes about the Lord’s return. He wants to make sure these believers are not deceived into believing the Lord has already returned. He then gives them signs to look for concerning this event. Along with that, he encourages them to continue in the faith
F260
F260 Day 203: Acts 18:18-19:41
Acts 18:18-19:41 After leaving Corinth, Paul continues his work of spreading the gospel and strengthening believers wherever he goes. On his way back, he stops in Jerusalem and Antioch to check in. From there he goes out again, spending significant time in Ephesus. While in Ephesus, a riot breaks out because of the impact of
F260
F260 Day 204: 1 Corinthians 1-2
1 Corinthians 1-2 After his time in Corinth, Paul writes a letter to those believers. He is concerned with divisions in the church, based on who brought them to the knowledge of Christ. Paul warns that it is foolish and only their affiliation with Christ matters. From there, he talks about how the gospel is
F260
F260 Day 205: 1 Corinthians 3-4
1 Corinthians 3-4 A couple issues Paul faced with the Corinthians was their immaturity and arrogance. They still lived like they had not encountered Christ. And, yet, they acted like they were wiser and superior than others. Paul corrects both of these issues by talking about the role of God’s servants and the example set
F260
F260 Day 206: 1 Corinthians 5-6
1 Corinthians 5-6 Paul continues to address the issues in this church. Now his attention turns to some egregious sexual immorality that the church is tolerating. He calls them out for not dealing with the issue, and the fact that they were boasting in it. Paul also calls outs their inability to resolve disputes with
F260
F260 Day 207: 1 Corinthians 7-8
1 Corinthians 7-8 After dealing with the church’s issues, Paul turns his attention to answering their questions. Their first question is about marriage. Whether married or single, Paul encourages people to stay in the state they are in. But he says that being single allows you to do more for the Lord, so long as
F260
F260 Day 208: 1 Corinthians 9-10
1 Corinthians 9-10 In chapter 9, Paul speaks of the example he set as an apostle. Even though he is within his right to be supported financially by them, he chooses not to. Instead, he does whatever he can to not hinder them from hearing the gospel. From there, he goes on to describe Israel’s
F260
F260 Day 209: 1 Corinthians 11-12
1 Corinthians 11-12 In chapter 11, Paul lays more criticism on them, this time for their handling of the Lord’s supper. He explains the importance of this meal and how it should not be taken lightly. From there, he moves on to talk about spiritual gifts. Paul talks about how God knits together the Church
F260
F260 Day 210: 1 Corinthians 13-14
1 Corinthians 13-14 Paul continues his argument on how spiritual gifts ought to be used by believers. First and foremost, it all must be done in love. Without love, it is all meaningless. And with that, when we act in love and use our gifts, the motivation should be for the edification and building up
F260
F260 Day 211: 1 Corinthians 15-16
1 Corinthians 15-16 As Paul closes his letter, he stresses the importance of Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection is essential to our faith and without it we are still in our sins. When Paul wrote his letter, there were still many alive who had witnessed the resurrected Lord with their own eyes. And because the resurrection
F260
F260 Day 212: 2 Corinthians 1-2
2 Corinthians 1-2 Paul writes a second letter to the Corinthian church. He begins his letter by discussing some of the hardships he has been through and how God has comforted him. The comfort he receives from God equips him to comfort others who are suffering. He then explains why his trip he had detailed
F260
F260 Day 213: 2 Corinthians 3-4
2 Corinthians 3-4 Paul always faced opposition when preaching the gospel. Yet the lives of those whose lives are changed by his preaching is proof of the gospel’s power. Paul details how these sufferings are difficult. But the work God is doing outshines that pain, knowing the eternal glory it will bring. And he knows
F260
F260 Day 214: 2 Corinthians 5-6
2 Corinthians 5-6 Continuing his argument about the eternal glory to come, Paul explains how we have a heavenly body to look forward to. And, God uses us to deliver his message of reconciliation that allows people to experience that future. With this, Paul also argues that believers are to be set apart for God
F260
F260 Day 215: 2 Corinthians 7-8
2 Corinthians 7-8 Paul’s motivation for the Corinthian church is that they would grow in their holiness. This is why he wrote his first letter, which grieved them. But, it had its desired result of leading them to repentance and greater diligence in the faith. He then encourages them to take that same diligence and
F260
F260 Day 216: 2 Corinthians 9-10
2 Corinthians 9-10 As Paul continues his discussion about the collection for the churches, he reminds the Corinthians of their eagerness. They talked a big game, and he wants to make sure they follow through so they are not put to shame. With this he reminds them that God loves generosity. Finally, he speaks about
F260
F260 Day 217: 2 Corinthians 11-13
2 Corinthians 11-13 The Corinthian church has put up with a lot of false teachers who have taken advantage of them. As a result, they think less of Paul because he didn’t do the same. He puts them on blast and defends his ministry. He does this by showing how his ministry is marked with
F260
F260 Day 218: Romans 1-2; Acts 20:1-3
Romans 1-2; Acts 20:1-3 Paul writes a letter to the church in Rome. He desires to meet with them in person, but until he does, he wants to encourage them with this letter. His desire is to preach the gospel to them, and his letter is a theological treatise on the gospel. He begins in
F260
F260 Day 219: Romans 3-4
Romans 3-4 Paul makes it clear that everyone is guilty of sin in God’s sight and worthy of God’s wrath. Even when it comes to the law the Jews had, its main purpose was to reveal sin. He then explains how righteousness is obtained, which is through faith in Jesus Christ. This point is then
F260
F260 Day 220: Romans 5-6
Romans 5-6 After showing how Abraham was justified by faith, Paul shows how this faith triumphs. This faith brings peace and reconciliation with God. And God did this while we were still his enemies. With this, Paul moves into how we live in this new life. As believers, we are to consider ourselves dead to
F260
F260 Day 221: Romans 7-8
Romans 7-8 Sin is a problem for all of us. And its strength grows through God’s law. The law is good, but sin uses the law to produce desire to sin by making it known. And this struggle is a constant battle we cannot win. The only way to have victory is through Christ’s work.
F260
F260 Day 222: Romans 9-10
Romans 9-10 Paul now moves to a discussion about Israel and their rejection of God’s salvation. He continues to show that salvation comes through faith and that Israel is not saved because they are Abraham’s descendants. Instead of walking by faith, they chose to pursue the law as a form of works. And, as such,
F260
F260 Day 223: Romans 11-12
Romans 11-12 In chapter 11, Paul concludes his discussion on Israel’s rejection of Christ. He shows that the gospel going to Gentiles is meant to make Israel jealous and bring them to repentance. With this, he concludes the argument he’s built for 11 chapters and moves into the practical application. As a result of these
F260
F260 Day 224: Romans 13-14
Romans 13-14 Paul continues teaching the Roman church how to live a life of worship. He does this by placing an emphasis on living and loving well. First, it means submitting to the government God has placed over you by obeying its laws and paying its taxes. From there, he explores various ways we can
F260
F260 Day 225: Romans 15-16
Romans 15-16 Paul concludes his letter by encouraging the stronger believers to lift up and encourage their weaker brothers and sisters. That is the way of Christ. The goal is for Jew and Gentile to worship together in glorifying God. Then Paul details his travel plans and sends greetings to several people. He closes with
F260
F260 Day 226: Acts 20-21
Acts 20-21 In these chapters we find Paul making his way back to Jerusalem. Along the way, he takes the opportunity to encourage the believers he has had the opportunity to minister to. Paul is constantly warned of his fate if he goes to Jerusalem, but he remains determined. And after going to Jerusalem, he
F260
F260 Day 227: Acts 22-23
Acts 22-23 After his arrest, the guards give Paul an opportunity to speak to the people. Paul then shares his testimony with the Jews. They listen until he talks about being sent to the Gentiles. The guards then bring Paul before the Sanhedrin which ends in a dispute. Finally, Paul foils a plot against his
F260
F260 Day 228: Acts 24-25
Acts 24-25 After the plot to kill him was foiled, Paul makes his defense before Felix. His defense shows that the accusations against him are false. Hoping to receive money for his release, Felix keeps Paul in custody. Eventually Felix is replaced and has another trial. This time, Paul appeals to Caesar and is asked
F260
F260 Day 229: Acts 26-27
Acts 26-27 Paul once again has opportunity to share his testimony and faith, this time before King Agrippa. After hearing his appeal, the king says Paul could have been released had he not appealed to Caesar. After this, Paul sets sail for Rome to stand trial before Caesar, but is shipwrecked along the way. The
F260
F260 Day 230: Acts 28
Acts 28 After their shipwreck, the locals offered hospitality to everyone who was on the ship. During their stay Paul healed many and ministered to them. Finally, Paul made it to Rome. While there, he met with the local Jews and shared the gospel with them. Some believed, but others turned away. Yet, during his
F260
F260 Day 231: Colossians 1-2
Colossians 1-2 Written during his imprisonment in Rome, Paul writes to the Colossians church to address some false teachings coming their way. He begins his letter with thanksgiving and a focus on the centrality of Christ. He is the fullness of God and the creator and sustainer of all things. From there, Paul shows there
F260
F260 Day 232: Colossians 3-4
Colossians 3-4 After addressing the issues of false teachings, Paul addresses how the Colossians believers should live. He tells them to put off the old self with its ways and to put on Christ. Paul also tells them to set their mind on heavenly things. In essence, everything they do should be in the name
F260
F260 Day 233: Ephesians 1-2
Ephesians 1-2 Paul writes to the Ephesian church. To begin, he explains the richness of God’s blessings that make us holy and blameless before him. It even includes the indwelling Holy Spirit. We used to be dead in sin; but, in Christ, God made us alive to now do good. Included in this is a
F260
F260 Day 234: Ephesians 3-4
Ephesians 3-4 In chapter 3, Paul explains how the Gentiles being a part of the body of Christ was a mystery that has now been revealed, and that he is called to preach. He then calls the believers to walk worthy of this faith they have received. This means walking in unity with one another
F260
F260 Day 235: Ephesians 5-6
Ephesians 5-6 Paul tells the church to imitate God. This means they are to walk in love and purity, instead of the sins they formerly practiced. Daily, Christians should pay attention to their lives to make sure it is Spirit filled and submitted to the Lord’s will. Christians must also take up spiritual armor so
F260
F260 Day 236: Philippians 1-2
Philippians 1-2 Paul writes to the Philippians church from jail. This church supports Paul and serve as an encouragement to him. He writes to thank them for this and to give an update. As a result of his imprisonment, the gospel is advancing, which strengthens him to keep going. But, he also wants to encourage
F260
F260 Day 237: Philippians 3-4
Philippians 3-4 Paul warns the church against false teachers and Judaizers who try to put confidence in things other than Christ. All those things are worthless compared to gaining Christ. Instead, the goal is Christ’s promise. To achieve it, we must live according to the example Scripture sets for us. We’re not perfect, we’re still
F260
F260 Day 238: Hebrews 1-2
Hebrews 1-2 The unknown author of Hebrews writes this letter to encourage believers in their faith. The central focus of the letter is tying together the Old Testament and showing how Jesus is its fulfillment. In its opening, he shows how Jesus is greater than the angels. Then he talks about Jesus’s relationship to humanity
F260
F260 Day 239: Hebrews 3-4
Hebrews 3-4 The author of Hebrews gives us two examples of faithfulness: Jesus and Moses. Moses was faithful as a servant. Jesus was faithful as a son. The reader is then warned against unbelief, as he recalls Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness. Unbelief caused them to miss God’s blessing. The same can happen with us
F260
F260 Day 240: Hebrews 5-6
Hebrews 5-6 The author moves the discussion to Jesus’s role as high priest. Not only is Jesus savior, he is also a high priest chosen by God. But Jesus isn’t like other high priests before him, because he was sinless and never needed to make a sin offering for himself. The writer then takes a
F260
F260 Day 241: Hebrews 7
Hebrews 7 In chapter 7, the author shows the reader how Jesus took on the priesthood. To do this, he refers to Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek. This man was a king and priest. And Scripture attributes no lineage to him. Furthermore, he quotes twice from Psalm 110:4 showing how Jesus is a priest in this
F260
F260 Day 242: Hebrews 8-9
Hebrews 8-9 The author now contrasts the Levitical high priests and Jesus by comparing their covenants. He shows that the covenant and promises that come through Jesus are better than the Mosaic law. He quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 to prove this point. The two systems are also contrasted by reminding the reader that Moses’ tabernacle was
F260
F260 Day 243: Hebrews 10
Hebrews 10 The biggest problem with the old covenant (Mosaic law) is it could never forgive sin. The constant sacrifices that were made year after year only covered sin, but never forgave them. But, Jesus did something greater. He made a single sacrifice that forgives and stands for all time. Because of that there is
F260
F260 Day 244: Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11 After writing about Jesus’s perfect sacrifice and its implications for our lives, the author gives us examples of people who walked by faith. He begins with Abel and walks through the Old Testament scriptures. At each point he shows how these people trusted in the promises God made. None realized the ultimate promise
F260
F260 Day 245: Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12 After showing all the examples of faith from the Old Testament scriptures, the author makes his point. We must lay aside our sin and anything that would hinder us and pursue Christ with endurance. He then reframes the sin and suffering we deal with. It’s not just a struggle to face, but a
F260
F260 Day 246: 1 Timothy 1-3
1 Timothy 1-3 Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith. He writes so Timothy knows how people ought to conduct themselves in the Church. Paul talks about the issues of false teachings & speculations in the church, the need for prayer, as well as the qualifications for overseers and deacons. One thing Paul
F260
F260 Day 247: 1 Timothy 4-6
1 Timothy 4-6 In the final chapters, Paul gives lots of instruction for Timothy. Some is directly for him, while the rest is for the church as a whole. Paul warns Timothy against false teachings and to shut them down quickly. Likewise, Timothy needs to set the example for the church and keep his focus
F260
F260 Day 248: 2 Timothy 1-2
2 Timothy 1-2 Once again, Paul writes to Timothy, his son in the faith. This time Paul writes to encourage and strengthen Timothy’s faith. He reminds him to not be ashamed of the gospel and to hold firm to what he’s been taught. Paul also charges Timothy with replicating his faith so that others can
F260
F260 Day 249: 2 Timothy 3-4
2 Timothy 3-4 To close his letter, Paul warns Timothy of the difficult days ahead. He lets him know that people will walk away from the faith because of false teachers and their own sinful desires. This is true even for those who are always learning. In response, Paul tells Timothy to keep the faith
F260
F260 Day 250: 1 Peter 1-2
1 Peter 1-2 Peter is the author of this letter and writes to believers in Asia Minor who are suffering persecution. The purpose of this letter is to encourage their faith and to fix their eyes on Jesus and his character as they face suffering. The salvation of their souls is their ultimate aim. As
F260
F260 Day 251: 1 Peter 3-4
1 Peter 3-4 Peter encourages believers to pursue godly behavior. In the same way Christ died for sin, we are to be finished with sin in our own lives. This is the aim of the believer. With this, Peter tells his readers to expect persecution: 1) because we are living set apart from the world,
F260
F260 Day 252: 1 Peter 5; 2 Peter 1
1 Peter 5; 2 Peter 1 Peter ends his first letter with a word of encouragement for the elders. He instructs them to do their work both willingly & eagerly, while proving to be an example to those they lead. Finally, he calls all his readers to walk in humility, knowing that Jesus will rescue
F260
F260 Day 253: 2 Peter 2-3
2 Peter 2-3 Peter warns his readers of the reality of false teachers in the church. Just like there were false prophets in the days of the prophets, it’s the same way now. They will draw some away from the faith. But, in the same way God keeps and rescues the godly, he will punish
F260
F260 Day 254: 1 John 1-3
1 John 1-3 John writes a letter to believers to strengthen them in their faith. He does this because he is an eyewitness to the truth of these things and wants people to have fellowship with God. This comes by believing in Jesus Christ. And we prove this faith by keeping his commands, primarily loving
F260
F260 Day 255: 1 John 4-5
1 John 4-5 As John closes his letter, he warns his readers of the false teachers and prophets who are in the world. But, then he gives very clear signs for how you can know if you and others are in the faith. First, do you confess that Jesus has come in the flesh and
F260
F260 Day 256: Revelation 1
Revelation 1 The apostle John received a revelation from the Lord, which he wrote down. John wrote about things that were to soon take place. He was to distribute it to the churches, seven in particular. Before he writes individually to each church, John describes his encounter with the risen Lord and how awestruck he
F260
F260 Day 257: Revelation 2-3
Revelation 2-3 Revelation 2-3 contains the letters to the seven churches. The letters are short and right to the point. Through John, Jesus points out an issue in each church or a difficulty they are facing. The admonished churches are called to repent and turn back to the Lord and their former works. The other
F260
F260 Day 258: Revelation 4-5
Revelation 4-5 After writing the seven letters, the scene shifts to heaven. John is given a vision of heaven’s throne room where 24 elders and living creatures worship God day and night. In God’s right hand he sees a scroll with seven seals that no one is worthy to open. The lion of the tribe
F260
F260 Day 259: Revelation 18-19
Revelation 18-19 Chapter 18 describes the fall of Babylon the Great, a city of great significance to the world. God punishes the city for its many sins against him, as their time has finally come. The nations’ kings and merchants mourn at the fall of this great city that will never be what it used
F260
F260 Day 260: Revelation 20-22
Revelation 20-22 Revelation ends with a glimpse of what is to come. Satan is finally judged and thrown into the lake of fire, as well as everyone whose name is not written in the book of life. Then John gives a description of the new creation that humanity will dwell in. Unlike the old heaven