Day 2 Genesis 3:1-4:26; Matthew 2:13-3:6; Psalm 2; Proverbs 1:7-9 The First Gospel The story of Adam and Eve from Genesis 1-3 establishes the fundamental conflict of the Bible—what is God going to do about the problem of evil? This is the age-old problem that has plagued humanity since the beginning. We do not have…
Day 1 Genesis 1:1‐2:25; Matthew 1:1‐2:12; Psalm 1:1‐6; Proverbs 1:1-6 New Beginnings! Welcome! Let’s get started with new beginnings! The opening chapters of Genesis set forth the major themes of the Bible: Creation, Fall, Redemption. God takes the chaos and void and creates by His Word vibrant light from the deep void, wondrous form and…
Day 365 Malachi 3:1-4:6; Revelation 22:1-21; Psalm 150; Proverbs 31:25-31 The Final Word, Come! The juxtaposition of the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, and the last chapter of the New Testament, Revelation, highlights two distinct comings of The Lord. Malachi anticipates the return of an Elijah prophet, who we…
Day 364 Malachi 1:1-2:17; Revelation 21:1-27; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 31:10-24 The Consummation of the Kingdom There is a theological tension sometimes expressed as the now and not yet. By faith we are in the Kingdom now, under the rule and reign of Christ Jesus. Spiritually, the old has passed away, and we have become a…
Day 363 >Zechariah 14:1-21; Revelation 20:1-15; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 31:8-9 Open Your Mouth, Judge Righteously, Defend the Poor and Needy! Dietrich Bonhoeffer, described in an exhaustive biography by Eric Metaxas as a pastor, martyr, prophet, and spy, was a leading figure in the Confessing Church, the center of German Protestant resistance in Nazi Germany. Early…
Day 362 Zechariah 12:1-13:9; Revelation 19:1-21; Psalm 147:1-20; Proverbs 31:1-7 God Is Good – All the Time! We are in the final few days of our year-long journey through the Holy Scriptures. So it seems fitting that our readings remind us of some of the ultimate truths of our faith. Our God exercises His divine…
Day 361 Zechariah 10:1-11:17; Revelation 18:1-24; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 30:33 Waiting in Joyful Hope In today’s reading from Revelation, we find that in the midst of Babylon’s imminent destruction, God sends word via a second messenger to bid His people to remove themselves from the destruction of a place irreparably consumed by sin. This urging…
Day 360 Zechariah 9:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 30:32 I Bless the Lord at all Times Unless you give gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas, most likely all the presents have been unwrapped. For some, the day after Christmas brings a sigh of relief, while others experience an emotional letdown. I believe many…
Day 359 Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 30:29-31 Rejoice! The King Has Come! We are nothing if not encouraged by the Prophet Zechariah’s words in chapter 8 today as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. To this point, the nation of Israel was discouraged and facing opposition. They needed a word that would…
Day 358 Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28 Jesus Gathers His Faithful In Psalm 143, the writer cries out speaking of an enemy that holds him in darkness. He asks for God’s mercy for relief. Meanwhile, in Revelation 15, St. John speaks of the angels who deliver the seven last plagues, which also…
Day 357 Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Revelation 14:1-20; Psalm 142:1- 7; Proverbs 30:21-2 Strong or Weak? “’Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” – Zechariah 4:6b From Genesis on, the Bible reveals what happens when mankind tries to do things in its own strength and power. Adam and Eve try…
Day 356Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 13:1-18; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 30:18-20 A Pleasing Prayer “I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” – Psalm 141:1-2 When it comes…
