Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 332: Leaven

Good morning, everyone!

I'm not feeling very well today, so this post is going to be short. Today I read 1 Corinthians 5-8, and these are some great chapters. I'm probably going to do a further study and other blog posts on some of the verses. Today, however, I want to focus on just a few verses.

First, remember context: Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, and in this letter, he is rebuking them for allowing immorality in their church, specifically, one of their members has his father's wife. I'm also going to assume at this point that she's also his mother.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

We can apply this to our lives. If we hang around with people who do not serve God, especially if they claim they do, if they are our closest friends, and are close enough to us to influence us, we need to back off so that they don't have the opportunity to influence us away from God.

Also, if we allow even one sin in our lives, it can change our entire mind and heart, even turning us away from God. Therefore, we must be vigilant to root out all sin from our lives.

Now, that said, Paul goes on to say this:

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 - I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one.

He goes on to say that God judges those who are outside the church, and that does not fall to those in the church.

So, if someone claims to be a Christian, but doesn't act like it...ever, then that isn't someone you want to associate with. Certainly, pray for them, and don't abandon them completely, but remember Paul's warning. A little leaven leavens the whole dough. Be careful about being influenced by someone like this.

But don't give up talking to people outside the church. If we don't talk to them, how can they possibly hear the good news of Christ and what He has done in our lives.

Now, that said, I want to add my own point: don't beat someone over the head with Bible verses. For example, if you see someone drinking alcohol, don't yell at them that the Bible says not to drink alcohol. Rather, by example, and by your own testimony, show them Christ. Jesus will change their hearts, just as He changed ours. It's only our job to tell people about Him.

And this can be difficult. I have great difficulty with this. But when it comes up in conversation, or makes a natural segue, I will say something. Sometimes people have questions, and sometimes they really don't want to hear anymore.

That's okay. We plant the seed. God reaps the harvest.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 9-11.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 331: The Church at Corinth

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Corinthians 1-4.

In today's reading, Paul exhorts the church at Corinth to be united, not dissenting saying that one is of Paul, and another of Apolos (another disciple) but to remember that they are all of Christ.

He goes on to say that we should not consider ourselves wise, but to remember that we are foolish compared to God.

And that we are considered temples of God, since He dwells in our hearts. He reminds the church that God's temple is holy, and that if anyone destroys God's temple, God also will destroy them.

As we continue in our reading of First and Second Corinthians, let's remember to keep it all in context. Paul wrote these letters to the church of Corinth for a specific purpose. Naturally, it can apply to our lives as well, but we must keep it in context.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 5-8.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 330: Strong Faith

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Romans 14-16.

Today I just want to share one verse, though there is much to learn from these chapters.

Romans 15:1 - Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

This comes after he warns against judging someone for having less faith than you do. Therefore, he is saying that those who are strong in faith should bear up those who are weak in faith, and not judge, because we don't know why someone doesn't have as much faith as they do.

Paul goes on to talk about accepting one another and not judging one another.

In these chapters, he also prays that God will give those who read his letter peace and hope.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 1-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 329: Arrogance

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read Romans 11-13.

In today's reading, Paul reminds us (or rather reminded the Romans) that Israel was not forsaken by God, and that God extended His mercy and salvation to the Gentiles (us) - for our sakes, certainly - but also to make Israel jealous, so that they might return to Him with zeal.

He reminds the Romans (and us by extension) that we are the branches, but that Jesus is the root, and that He supports us and that without the root, a tree will lose all of its branches. He warns the Romans against arrogance, which is a good lesson for us as well. Without Christ, we were dead in sin. And now, with His support, we can truly grow and produce fruit. But we did not accomplish this on our own.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 14-16.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 328: No Condemnation

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Romans 8-10.

Romans 8:1 - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

We are not condemned for our sins, because Jesus took that condemnation for us. We are now clean and free from that burden of atonement. That does not, however, give us leave to sin whenever we feel like it without regard for consequences. If we mess up, and ask forgiveness, however, we will receive it.

Romans 8:2-17 - For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

I'm going to break this up before I got to verse 9, because this is quite long. When we are in Christ, we are made new, and as such, Christ renews our minds, and we are to do so continually, focusing on things of God, rather than the things of the flesh. Sometimes this is difficult, because the flesh never wants to obey God. But with Christ, we can overcome our flesh.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

When we accept Christ, we become children of God. As God's children, He will help us when we ask Him. That doesn't mean the road will always be smooth, or that we won't fall or fail. Just as we sometimes fail our earthly parents, we can also fail our Heavenly Father. But we are not condemned when we are in Christ, as long as we truly live by the Spirit. When we mess up, He is faithful to forgive us.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 11-13.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 327: Trials Lead to Hope

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Romans 4-7.

And today I want to share a few verses.

Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We may go through trials that seem so tough we won't ever make it. But God is always with us, and these trials strengthen us. They prove our character and help us to persevere and lead us to hope.

There is a lot more I could talk about in these chapters, but I don't feel that I could do them justice today. Which means each concept that intrigued, confused, or stuck with me today should get its own blog post sometime in the future.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 8-10.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 326: Context

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Romans 1-3.

There are quite a few verses I could talk about today, but I'm going to do something a little different to kick off our study of Romans.

The book of Romans is actually a letter written by Paul to the Romans to tell them about the gospel of Christ. It is one of many that he wrote while in prison.

Many of Paul's letters are in the New Testament, and we'll get to them later as well. Before we do, I wanted to take a moment here at the beginning of Romans to talk about context.

Sometimes, reading Paul's letters can feel like he's hitting you over the head, as though you've done something wrong. The reason some of his letters are worded so strongly is because he was writing them for a specific group of people, specifically the churches in different areas, who professed to know Jesus and to follow Him, but were doing all the wrong things, according to their own desires.

Context means taking into account who Paul was writing to, and why he was writing to them. The purpose of his letters.

I have been following a great Bible study on Youtube, and there was recently a lesson on context. It was super informative, and I encourage you to listen to it.

So, moving forward into Paul's letters, I hope we can all remember to keep it in context. Some of it may be strong, or it may feel like Paul is scolding.

Some of it may seem like he's talking to us, or about people we know. Some of what he says may seem like it applies to your generation, or my generation.

And perhaps it does. Perhaps something Paul wrote will speak to us, teach us, or encourage us to change something in our lives that we know to be wrong.

But if we don't keep it in context - in this case, Paul is writing to the Romans - then sometimes Paul can seem abrasive.

So, that's what I wanted to share today. I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 4-7.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 325: The Shipwreck

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 27-28.

In today's reading, Paul is sent to Rome to appeal to Caesar.

They change ships along the way, and one of the ships runs into a storm. Paul advises them to put into port, but they ignore him.

When the storm then overtakes the ship, Paul tells them not to get into the little boats, that they will lose the ship, but no lives will be lost. The centurion and soldiers believed him, and cut the little boats away.

Thus, though they lost the ship, they arrived safe at Malta.

After a time there, they finally set out for and arrived at Rome, where Paul was kept a prisoner, but under the care of the jailer he was used to, and he was allowed to see his friends, and to preach and be ministered to.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 324: Paul's Trials

Good afternoon, everyone! Happy Thanksgiving to all the American and Canadian readers!

Today I read Acts 24-26.

In today's reading, Paul goes before different governors for his trials. During this time, he gets the chance to tell different people about Jesus and God's laws.

One governor even confesses that Paul almost has him converted.

It was even said that Paul would have gone free sooner, but he appealed directly to Caesar.

And I wonder if that was the point. Paul knew they had no evidence. He knew they could not condemn him.

But by appealing, his trial was prolonged and he got to tell even more people about Christ.

I wonder if he meant to do that. What do you think?

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 27-28.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 323: Paul's Arrest

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 21-23.

And to be honest, I didn't understand everything that was going on.

Paul continued on his travels, teaching and preaching, and then a man told him he would be bound if he went to Jerusalem, but he had to go, so he went and preached. Then, the priests and elders had him arrested.

He spoke to the people in Hebrew, declaring himself to be a Jew of Tarsus, and they went silent until he started criticizing them. Then they cried out for him to be taken away.

The Romans were going to scourge him, but he declared himself to be Roman, and they could not, and were afraid because they had arrested him.

This was a little confusing to me, but I think if I study it, it would make more sense.

It's possible he just didn't want to be scourged. Understandably.

At the end of these chapters, he was awaiting trial.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 24-26.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 322: Preaching to the Gentiles

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 18-20.

In today's reading, Paul and his friends were traveling all over, preaching the gospel and teaching. They would get yelled at by the Jews, and so most often went to the Gentiles. Sometimes people there, like the smiths who made graven images, thought they were disrupting their businesses, so they had them brought before the courts. But the courts didn't find any problem with them. So they continued on their way.

Still, many people believed and were baptized.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 21-23.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 321: Paul and Silas

Good evening, everyone!

I meant to post this earlier, but I got busy today and totally forgot.

Unfortunately, that means this post will be short because I have to get to bed.

Today I read Acts 16-17.

In today's reading, Paul and Silas are preaching in a city in Europe, where a demon-possessed woman was shouting how they served the Most-High God, causing a stir. So, Paul commands the demon to come out of her. Her masters are angry because they got money from her divinations, so they have Paul and Silas arrested.

While in prison, under heavy guard and bound with chains, Paul and Silas began praising God. Suddenly the earth quakes, and their chains fall off and all the prison doors open.

The jailer rushes in, and assuming that all the prisoners have escaped, prepares to kill himself. Paul and Silas step out of their cell, and stop him from harming himself, because all the prisoners are there.

The man asks how he can also be saved, so they tell him, and he and his whole house convert.

Now, the point I really took from this - though there is a lot to be learned from this story - is that Paul and Silas praised God through their imprisonment. They prayed and praised so loudly, in fact, despite their circumstances, that they were freed.

That can happen to us too. When we focus on God rather than our circumstances, they can't bind us. When we praise rather than complain and pray rather than despair, our circumstances will not become our prisons.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 18-20.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 320: Paul is Attacked

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 14-15.

In today's reading...well, a lot happened. The disciples and apostles are still preaching - to both the Jews and the Gentiles, anywhere they are welcome, even if just for a while. 

And then Paul got stoned.

No! Not like that.

I mean the Jews came to Antioch and convinced the crowds and they all picked up giant rocks and threw them at Paul until they thought he was dead, and then dragged his body out of the city.

But Paul was still alive, and he got up and walked into the city and left the next day with Barnabas to continue preaching.

The. Next. Day.

Because that's what Paul did.

I'm sorry if this post was weird. I'm in a strange mood this morning.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 16-17.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 319: God's Plans Can't Be Stopped

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 11-13.

A lot happened in today's reading, but I want to share just one part. I encourage you to read the whole thing for yourselves, so you don't miss anything.

King Herod had James, the brother of John, killed with a sword. After that, he also arrested Peter and put him in prison. There were two guards in his cell and two guarding the door, and Peter was in chains.

Acts 12:7-11 - And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a slight shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

Amazing, isn't it? Herod expected to deliver Peter to the Jewish people, to kill him. But God had other plans.

When God has a plan for our lives, no one can stop it.

He saved Daniel from the mouths of lions. He saved David from Saul, and helped him kill a giant. He saved Peter from prison.

And He has great plans for your life.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 14-15.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 318: Saul Gains His Sight

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 9-10.

In today's reading, Saul begins a journey to Damascus, where he plans to destroy any followers of Jesus that he finds in the synagogues there.

Along the way, Jesus meets him in the road.

Acts 9:3-8 - As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him to Damascus.

He stayed there for three days, still blind, while waiting. He did not eat or drink while he waited.

God calls a man named Ananias to go speak to Saul. Ananias is reluctant, knowing Saul's reputation, but of course obeys.

Ananias finds Saul, lays hands on him, and tells Saul that God has sent him so that Saul may regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

And something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight.

When the scales fell, he gained not only natural sight but also spiritual sight, for he then was baptized.

He went around preaching and proclaiming Jesus as God's Son, but the Jews sought to kill him.

He escaped to Jerusalem but the disciples were still wary of him, so he was sent to the apostles (the original 11), who heard his story and believed he was telling the truth, so he was able to move freely about the city.

A lot happened in these two chapters, but I'm going to stop there.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 11-13.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 317: The Disciples

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 7-8.

A lot happened in today's reading, so I'll give you a brief rundown.

First, Stephen, a disciple who preached the word of God, was arrested. Then, the elders, having heard his testimony of Jesus and his rebuke for them not obeying the laws God gave to their forefathers, stoned him to death.

At this point, we meet Saul, who, after Stephen's death, began persecuting the church, raiding homes and arresting men, women, and children.

Now, if you're new to this, remember Saul's name. We'll get more into his story later.

After that, Philip, another disciple, goes to Samaria to preach there, since they are not welcome in Jerusalem. And many people got saved, and were baptized in Samaria.

At this time, a man named Simon was practicing magic to earn money, and when he heard Philip preach, he believed, and gave up the magic and was baptized.

Then, Philip and the other disciples were laying hands on the people, praying that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Simon approached them and offered them money so that he might receive the Holy Spirit too.

Peter rebuked him for thinking he could buy a gift from God with money. Then told him to pray that he could get his heart right with God and thus would not have calamity come upon him. And Simon asked Peter to pray for him so that none of the calamity would come upon him.

They continued preaching, and other people from other nations also received Christ, and believed.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 9-10.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 316: Fighting Against God

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Acts 4-6.

In today's reading, Peter and John are arrested for preaching, but they are released.

They went back out, preaching, and were arrested again.

And one of the elders, Gamaliel, says something very wise.

Acts 4:38-39 - "So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."

And the elders heeded his advice.

If a plan is of men, it will fail. But if it is from God, no one can stop it.

No one can stop the plans God has put in motion for our lives - for your life, or for mine. And anyone or anything that fights against it, fights against God.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 7-8.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 315: Faith and Miracles

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read Acts 1-3.

And I want to be honest from the start. Last time I read Acts, I didn't understand everything. So, if I don't have much to say, or if I get something wrong, please leave a comment with your own insight.

So, in today's reading, Jesus has ascended to heaven, and the disciples are in the upper room. While they are there, the Holy Spirit comes down and alights on them, filling them and causing them to speak in tongues.

And they go out, speaking in tongues, and the people gathered there from many nations, hear them speaking each in his own tongue. And many come to glorify God, though some still doubt and think the disciples are drunk.

While this is happening, Peter begins to preach about Jesus and the glory of God.

Oh, but before this, a man named Matthias became the new twelfth disciple.

Then, a lame beggar was carried along to the temple gate where he meets Peter and John, and begins asking them for alms.

Acts 3:6 - But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-walk!"

And Peter pulled him upright and the man began walking, leaping, and praising God. He didn't take baby steps. He leapt into the temple.

Amazing isn't it? Jesus' miracles didn't stop when He ascended to heaven. They continued on by the faith of His disciples.

As they continue on through our faith.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 4-6.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 314: Authority

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read John 19-21.

A lot happened in today's reading, including the most important: Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

But what I want to talk about happens before that.

John 19: 6-15:

So when the chief priests and the officers saw [Jesus], they cried out saying, "Crucify, crucify!" Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God."

Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.

So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?"

Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, "If You release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar."

Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, "Behold, your King!" So they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."

Pilate declared that he found no fault with Jesus.

And the people declared that they had no king but Caesar.

Jesus declared that Pilate had no authority over Him unless given from above. No one had authority over Him that was not given by the Father.

And so Jesus went to His cross, willingly submitting to the Father's authority, as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be with Him and the Father in heaven for eternity.

So Jesus died on the cross, and Joesph of Arimathea claimed the body. Nicodemus brought the burial oils and they buried Him.

Then, Mary Magdalene came on the first day of the week, after Jesus had been buried for three days, to find an empty tomb. At first, she was distraught, thinking someone had stolen Him. She ran and told two disciples, one of whom was Peter, and they came and looked. The disciples were also upset, not yet understanding.

Once the disciples left, two angels appeared and told Mary not to worry. Then Jesus Himself appeared to her, and seeing Him, she believed.

Then, He appeared to the disciples, and stayed with them a while longer, continuing to teach them, and give them their assignments.

Then, He ascended to the Father in heaven, where He acts as an intercessor for us, having all the authority the Father has given Him.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 313: What is Truth?

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read John 16-18.

In today's reading, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, was arrested, accused by the Jewish elders, and taken before Pilate.

While before Pilate, He was questioned.

John 18:33-38a - Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?" Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation delivered You to me; what have You done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." Therefore, Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?"

What is truth?

It has three definitions, according to Merriam-Webster.

1a(1): the body of real things, events, and facts : ACTUALITY

(2): the state of being the case : FACT

(3)often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality

b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as truetruths of thermodynamics

c: the body of true statements and propositions

2a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality

bchiefly British : TRUE sense 2

c: fidelity to an original or to a standard

3a: sincerity in action, character, and utterance

barchaic : FIDELITY, CONSTANCY

Jesus is truth. He is real. He is fact.

God is truth. He is real. He is fact.

Jesus came to testify of God, and to tell the truth. And so He did.

And because He did, we now know the truth. We who believe know the truth about God.

And there are a lot of lies about Him out there.

And if we ask, like Pilate, "What is truth," then we can find the answer.

We can discover the truth about who God is through His word.

If you have been asking "What is truth," or "what is true," I encourage you to read the Bible, and discover the truth for yourself.

Don't be like Pilate, who never got an answer to his question because he didn't bother trying to understand.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 19-21.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 312: Love One Another

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read John 13-15.

John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 15:12-13 - "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:17 - "This I command you, that you love one another."

Jesus said this three times in one conversation.

Three times.

And He demonstrated love for everyone many, many times.

He didn't just say it. He showed it.

Love one another. As Jesus commanded.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 16-18.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 311: Come Forth!

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read John 11-12.

In today's reading, Jesus' friend, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, got sick. When Jesus got word of this, He tarried two days before beginning His journey. When He arrived, Martha met Him and told Him that Lazarus was dead. Soon after, Mary came to Him and told Him the same, declaring that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. And then we get the shortest Bible verse: Jesus wept (John 11:35).

But that's not all. Jesus went to the tomb, and had them open it. Then He told them to remove the stone. They argued because of the stench, but complied.

John 11:41-42 - So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."

Jesus takes a moment to thank God, so that all glory will be given to the Father.

John 11:43-44 - When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." The man who had died came forth bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

When Jesus spoke, Lazarus came forth. When Jesus speaks, even death must obey Him.

When we were dead in sin, Jesus called to us, and when we heard His voice, we too came forth from the grave. We were also bound, like Lazarus, with our burial wrappings, but Jesus removed them.

Sometimes I'm guilty of giving in to temptation and slipping back into sin - effectively trying to bury myself. But Jesus is forgiving, and keeps pulling the burial wrappings off of me. And you too.

When He called us forth, we came.

Jesus spoke our names, and we have never been the same.

"Come forth, {insert your name here}."

When I was reading this morning, I was reminded of a song I heard once, and I want to share it this morning.

The chorus begins: "When He said live, I had to breathe."

I hope you enjoy. Truly listen to the words.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 13-15.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 310: I Was Blind

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read John 9-10.

In today's reading, Jesus heals a man who had been blind from birth.

The elders and Pharisees call the man to them to ask how he can now see, and when he tells them it was Jesus, they begin to grumble about blasphemy, because Jesus healed on the Sabbath.

So, they call the man's parents, asking them if their son was really blind. When this is confirmed, they ask how he was healed. The parents tell them to ask their son, because he is of age and can speak for himself, because they didn't want to be thrown out of the synagogue if the Pharisees thought they were followers of Jesus.

So the Pharisees call the man again and ask the same questions.

The man replied that he had already told them the truth, and that they really didn't want to hear the truth.

John 9:25 - He [the formerly blind man] then answered, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."

One thing I do know. Though I was blind, now I see.

One thing I do know. Though I was a slave to sin, now I am free.

One thing I do know. Though once my eyes were closed, now they are open.

All because of Jesus.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 11-12.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 309: He Who is Without Sin

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read John 7-8.

John 8:3-11 - The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more."

Let the one without sin be the first to cast a stone at her.

And yet, the only one with no sin - Jesus - did not cast a stone either.

Their hearts were moved with compassion, and no one condemned her. Not even Jesus.

He just told her to go and not sin anymore.

Compassion.

Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough of that. Sometimes I even feel like throwing stones at people. But I know I'm no better than anyone else. Even if, in my mind, my sin isn't as great as theirs, I know that to God, all sin is equal. So it doesn't matter how "little" my sin is. That isn't the point. We all mess up. And before pointing out someone else's flaws, we should work on our own.

Jesus taught us compassion. If even He does not yet condemn, who are we to do so?

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 9-10.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 308: As the Father Does

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read John 5-6.

In today's reading, Jesus says something very profound (as always) but the verses I'm sharing today really made me think.

The people were upset because Jesus was calling God His Father.

John 5:19-24 - Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself id doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."

Jesus, being God's Son, does what He sees His Father doing.

Just as we imitated our parents and learned from them when we were children (most of us).

And as God's children, we also are supposed to imitate Him, and His Son, whom He sent for our salvation.

Sometimes life is hard. It's hard to do the right thing. It's hard to forgive. It's hard to walk away from temptation. But the more we allow God to guide our steps, the more we do as He does, the easier it gets.

I pray that you walk in Jesus' footsteps this week, and that you follow the example He set as He imitated God the Father.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I Read John 7-8.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 307: Only Begotten Son

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read John 3-4.

And there is so much I could talk about today, but I'm only going to focus on a few verses, and leave the rest for future posts. Because there's just too much in these chapters.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Jesus is God's Son, and God sent Him here so that through Him we could all be saved.

But wait! There's more!

John 3:17-21 - "For God did not sent the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save those who would come to the Light and believe.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 5-6.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 306: The Word

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read John 1-2.

John 1:1-5 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.

In the beginning was the Word.

Jesus is God's Word. Jesus was with God from the very beginning.

When God spoke, and said "Let there be..." that was Jesus. Jesus is God's Word made flesh.

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God's Word came to earth as His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us to Himself so that we might be forgiven and have eternal life with Him.

I love this part of the book of John. I just love to read "In the beginning was the Word...with God...and the Word became flesh."

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 3-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 305: Amazing Love

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Luke 23-24.

In today's reading, Jesus is accused, crucified, and buried. Then He rose again and showed Himself to His disciples before ascending to Heaven.

We have learned about this previously in the other gospels, and while trying to figure out what to say about today's reading, a song kept coming to my mind. So, whether you've heard this song or not, I hope you enjoy it, and that it speaks to you today.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read John 1-2.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 304: All We Have

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read Luke 21-22, and in today's reading, I was given a great reminder about giving God all that we have.

Luke 21:1-4 - And [Jesus] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."

Trusting God isn't just about trusting Him with what we do have. Sometimes it's about trusting Him with what we don't have. Sometimes it's about trusting Him with all we have, before we have it.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Luke 23-24.