New Testament in a Year

1 John 3:7-24
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

First John chapter 3 verse 9 is powerful in today’s readings! “Those who have been born into God’s family do not sin, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they have been born of God.”  Keep in mind that this does not mean that as a Christian you won’t stop sinning completely and be perfect.  However, you will be in the process of being sanctified and your life will be shown as someone who is compelled to do what is right, because God is in you, versus having a life that shows you are compelled to sin, if you were without God.  But, this verse is still great for believers to reflect upon – we do not want to sin anymore and we’re in the process of sinning less and less through sanctification – until the day we are in heaven with Christ when indeed we will never sin again.  Do you realize this is your eternal purpose?

Today in First John chapter 3 verse 16 we read: “We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.”  This is a powerful verse for us to reflect on. Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  He gave up his life so that we may have eternal life with the Father through faith in him.  Jesus’ giving up his life for you and me is real love.  How might we be able to show real love toward others?  How might we be able to give up our lives for others?  Not necessarily are we being called to death on a cross – but how about a figurative death in our lives on how we invest our time, energy, & passions?  Is it possible that our indulgence in luxury goods and how we waste precious time could cost the very lives of someone else in need somewhere in the world?  Can we give up our “life”, our luxury goods, and our wasting of time so that we can show real love for others?  Will we? Will we follow Jesus in the giving up of our own life for the sake of others?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in First John remind me of the song “Crown Him” sung here by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snJcqpBNyIU

Do you know the Crowned King?  Click here to meet the Crowned One!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. “ 1 John 3:9-10 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are born of God. Pray that you cannot go on sinning. Pray that you love your brothers and sisters.

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 John 2:18-3:6
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

First John 2 verse 27 stood out to me today: “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true–it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.” After we come to believe in Christ as Savior of the World – through his life, death on the cross for our sins, and resurrection – we are then blessed with the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit.  And indeed the Holy Spirit will come to live within us.  Do you believe that the Holy Spirit within you can teach you all things?  Teach you what is true?  Will you continue in what the Holy Spirit has taught you?  Will you live in Christ?

First John 3 verse 1 is encouraging: “See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!”  Do you know that our heavenly Father loves you?  Do you know that you are a child of God?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Cinderella:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWMBC6yoME

Will you dance with Cinderella?  Click here to truly Dance!

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 John 2:1-17
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

First John chapter 2 is full of tons of wisdom today!  Verses 5 & 6 are so strong: “But those who obey God’s word really do love him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.”   Do we realize that obeying God’s Word, the Bible, demonstrates our love for God?  Do we live our lives as Jesus did?  Do we really love God?  Do we obey God’s Word?

Verse 9 certainly gives us much to consider in our lives: “If anyone says, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.”  Are you living in the light?

Verses 15, 16 & 17 are worth looking at.  Bible commentaries suggest that the “world” in these verses is not the created world or people – but the world of sin, which is the dominion of Satan. “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.”  Are we doing the will of God in our lives?  Do you want to live with God forever?  Do you continually pray to God to deliver you from lust & pride?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in First John remind me of Addison Road’s song “Hope Now:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPCYpwJee7w

Do you have hope right now?  Click here for your true Hope!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:16-17 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you never give into the world’s temptations: lust of the flesh & eyes or the pride of life. Pray that you are doing the will of God. Pray that you will live forever with the Father.

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 John 1:1-10
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

We start First John today!  First John was written by one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, John son of Zebedee – who also wrote the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation.  First John was written between 85 and 95 A.D. when John was in Ephesus (in modern day Turkey) late in his life.  The purpose of this letter was in large part to dispel Gnosticism, which was a twisting of Christianity – it basically meant salvation through knowledge (gnosis is Greek for knowledge).

   

~ First John ~
Author: John the apostle
Place: Uncertain, probably Ephesus
Date:  A.D. 85-95
Content:  This very personal letter was written by the apostle John in his old age to believers who were very dear to him.  He addresses them as his little children and gives them practical instructions for Christian living.  He begins by stressing Jesus’ incarnation and builds his commands upon the truth that those who know Jesus know the Father as well.  Those who do not know Jesus do not know the Father, nor do they know the love of the Father.  Christians, however, have experienced the love of God in their lives, for God is love, and have no need to fear either in this life or in the life to come.
Theme:  John stresses the basic truths of the Christian faith in this letter in order to comfort and encourage his children in the faith.  The themes of love, forgiveness, fellowship, victory over sin, assurance, purity, and eternal life are woven together in a marvelous document that shines with the light of God in the darkness of the world.  (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 33) A great overview of First John by Daniel Wallace is at this link.

First John starts out strong right out of the gates in verse 1 and is very similar to the beginning of the Gospel of John:  “The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life.”   Do you believe that Jesus Christ has existed from the very beginning of time with God the Father?  Do you believe that Jesus is the Word of life?

And verse 5 is a message to us from Jesus via John: “This is the message he has given us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.”  I love this.  A month or so ago in this blog I reflected on God being a God of no shadows.  All light.  I love that thought.  Do you believe God is light?  And that there is no darkness, no shadows, in Him at all?

And in verses 8 & 9 we read:  “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  Do you claim to be without sin?  Do you confess your sins regularly and ask for forgiveness from God?  Do you believe that God is faithful and just and will forgive you?  And not just forgive you but purify you from your confessed sins?  And heal you from your confessed sins?  Let us not deceive ourselves any longer.  Let us allow the Truth to fully live in our hearts.  Let us confess our sins, be forgiven, and be purified from all unrighteousness.  Are you with me on this?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Natalie Grant’s song “I’m in better hands now:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exD37ONGUyA

Are you in better Hands now?  Click here for the best Hands that could ever hold you!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” 1 John 1:5-6 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are walking in the Light of God today and forevermore. Pray that you never return to walking in the darkness. Pray that you are living out the truth by walking in the Light!

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Peter 3:1-18
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link orThe ESV Bible ~

Today we finish the letter of Second Peter!  Again, I have been so blessed reading through this letter this year.  It’s always a good thing to read a letter from a guy that Jesus said this about in Matthew 16:18 – “And I tell you that you are Peter [which means rock], and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades [or hell] will not overcome it.”  Do you believe that the gates of hell will not overcome the church of Jesus Christ?  (church – that’s us.  You and me and him and her. The body of Christ.  Not the buildings…)

Verse 3 is a reminder to us all: “First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire.”  Keep in mind that we live in the last days – everything post-Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven is last days.  So, in the time of Peter and the early church there were scoffers who laughed at the truth and did every evil thing they desire.  Is this still happening today?  (I couldn’t resist this Matrix picture below of a scoffer… 🙂

Verse 9 is helpful in knowing why Jesus has not yet returned: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”  He is giving more time for everyone to repent!  Will we repent? 

 

Verses 15 & 16 are very interesting.  They are basically Peter giving praise to Paul’s writing: “This is just as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him– Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters around to mean something quite different from what he meant, just as they do the other parts of Scripture.”  Have you ever found Paul’s writing hard to understand?  I know many of my friend’s have.  And I have too on occasion.  But, there is so much going on in Paul’s letters that need to be looked at contextually and in depth.  Overall, Paul’s letter’s have been such a blessing to me personally, and I look forward to reading them and studying them again next year with you!  🙂 Below is “The Apostle Paul” by Rembrandt, circa 1657:

Peter closes the letter today with the beautiful verse 18: “But grow in the special favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and honor, both now and forevermore. Amen.”   I don’t know that I can add any more to this than simply another “Amen.” 

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of MercyMe’s song, “Beautiful:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vh7-RSPuAA

Do you know our Beautiful God who made you beautiful?  Click here for true Beauty!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that the Lord is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting all to come to repentance. Pray for all to come to repentance.

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Peter 2:1-22
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

Second Peter chapter 2 is a strong one that looks at the danger of false teachers – both in the Old Testament times through false prophets and also in the early church during the 1st century.  I have to confess that as I read this chapter I think of some current books and movies and teachers in our modern world that I am afraid apply to the warnings of this chapter.  Do you believe that there are false teachers also in our world today?  Teachers that distort the Gospel message?  Teachers that steer people away from Truth and into Darkness?  Teachers that are in it for the money?

Verses 2 & 3 warn us that: “Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.”  Do we see this type of teaching today?  Is this type of teaching true?  Is it false?  Is it shameful?  Verse 19 warns again: “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.”  What controls you?  Is it purely love for God and his ways, which is great.  Or is it something else…?  Something that is dangerous and leads down a slippery slope… ?  Will you instead pursue God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the True Freedom that only They can give you?  Please please be watchful of wolves in sheep’s clothing.  The Enemy comes in sheep’s clothing to lie, steal, and kill.  The lies may be attractive on the surface, but the core of the lie is deadly to you.  Please cling to Jesus and God’s Word, the Holy Bible, above all else.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Rebecca St. James’ song “Kingdom Come:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlQQcQc0eHU

Do you want God’s Kingdom to Come?  Click here for His Kingdom Come!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.” 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not deceived by a false teacher. Pray that you will never fall prey to destructive heresies. Pray that you will never deny the Lord.

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Peter 1:1-21
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

Today we start the book of Second Peter!  This is another great letter from Peter to the early Christian church written in approximately 65 to 68 A.D., just before Peter was martyred during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero.  1 Peter was more of a letter of encouragement to early Christians who were facing suffering, whereas 2 Peter is written to dispel false teachings within early Christianity.  Below is a fresco by Michelangelo of Peter being crucified, in the Sistine Chapel in Rome:

~ Second Peter ~
Author: Peter the apostle
Place: Uncertain, perhaps Rome
Date: A.D. 67
Content: This letter was written by Peter shortly before his death and deals with the problems that the church would face after his departure. He encourages the believers to continue in their spiritual growth, realizing the truth of the Christian gospel. It does not consist of fable but fact. He warns them of false teachers who would destroy the truth by exalting their own ideas over those of the church. Finally, he points out that Christ will return some day to destroy the old order of this world; as a result, we ought not to become too attached to it.
Theme: Second Peter is a call to steadfastness in the midst of numerous pressures to drift from the truth. The world is seeking to undo the work of God, but we must resist all such pressure by living godly lives, believing the truth, enduring persecution, trusting God, and looking for Christ’s return. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 33) A great overview of Second Peter and the other “Non-Pauline Epistles” by J. Hampton Keathley is at this link. (Scroll down just below his commentary on First Peter to get to his commentary on Second Peter.)  Below is a painting of Peter by William Holman Hunt –

2 Peter 1 verse 3 brings up a couple of good questions we should ask ourselves – “As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.”  Do you want to know Jesus better?  How will you do this?  (hint – reading the Bible daily is one great way…)  How else?  Do you want to live a godly life?  What does a godly life look like? Do you believe Jesus’ divine power gives you everything you need to live a godly life?

Verse 19 makes a One Year Bible Blogger happy 🙂 – “Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place–until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts.”  I think one of the beautiful things about the One Year Bible is going through both the Old Testament and New Testament each day.  We learn from the prophets and can play close attention to what they wrote – for as Peter says, their words are like a light shining in the dark!  Below is a stained glass image of the prophet Elijah (Elias is Greek for Elijah) –

Worship Video: Today’s readings in reminds me of the Amy Grant song “Thy Word:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSZlIVP9u0Y

Is God’s Word a Light for you?  Click here for Light!

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Peter 4:7-5:14
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible ~

We finish the letter of First Peter today!  Second Peter begins tomorrow.  In First Peter chapter 5 verse 8 today we receive a stern warning we all must heed: “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.”  Do you believe the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion?  Will you take a firm stand against him?  How will you do this?  Memorizing scripture on a regular basis I believe is one very effective tool in this battle.  As is reading and studying the Bible each and every day.  I actually was sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office recently and I picked up a Christian magazine that had an article on how to fight temptation.  This article basically said to “know thyself” – know what and where your weaknesses / temptations are.  Then, after taking this inventory, memorize a scripture verse or two that you can easily bring to mind when you find yourself in one of those times of weakness / temptation.  And to cling to that scripture verse for all its worth.  I haven’t personally tried this yet, but I think I will.  I do think that we can cling to scripture like a life preserver in our moments of weakness / temptation.  Let us not ever forget that on this side of heaven the devil is out there prowling…

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Phil Wickham’s song “This is Amazing Grace:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBbi-cFk9R8

Have you experienced God’s Amazing Grace?  Click here for Amazing Grace!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” First Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are always self-controlled. Pray that you are always alert. Pray that you always realize that your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Pray for protection for yourself, friend, family, neighbors, and world from the schemes of the devil.

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Peter 3:8-4:6
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

1 Peter 3 verse 13 is definitely something for each of us to consider – “Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?”  I think this is very true.  If you are “eager” to do good, who will want to harm you?  Well, true, maybe someone who becomes jealous or who is just plain having a bad day… but generally speaking, I think we can avoid a lot of troubles in our life if we stay focused – no, eager – to do good.  All the time.  Are you eager to do good?

Suffering.  Not something we like to think about – much less experience…  1 Peter 4 verses 1 & 2 are well worth letting sink in a bit – “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won’t spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.”  Do you believe these verses to be true?  Are you ready to suffer for Christ?  Have you decided to stop sinning?  Are you anxious to do the will of God and abandon chasing evil desires?  Do you believe this is the Way?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Rich Mullins’ song “Creed” sung here by Third Day and Brandon Heath:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3i-_VWxOAc

Do you believe in God the Father? Click here for Belief!

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

1 Peter 2:11-3:7
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

1 Peter 2 verse 11 is powerful – “So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls.”  Do you believe evil desires fight against your soul?  If so, will you keep away from evil desires?  Will you not entertain those desires anymore?

Verse 24 today about Jesus is so strong – “He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!”  Are you dead to sin?  Are you living for what is right?  Do you believe you have been healed by Jesus’ wounds?  Will you accept this healing?  Will you kneel down at the foot of the cross and be healed?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Phil Wickham’s song “The Day True Love Died:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL7Uo__ss7g

Do you know about the day True Love died??  Click here and learn!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:16-17 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living as a free person, but not as a cover-up for evil. Pray that you are a slave of God’s. Pray that you show proper respect to others, love fellow believers, and honor your leaders.

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!