Daily Scripture Readings
Read along with us in community as we follow this daily scripture outline.
Sunday January 25th
Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
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Fear keeps people in darkness. Fear of death. Fear of judgment and punishment. Fear of not being enough. The enemy loves when people live in darkness because it is there that the lies can continue to draw people from the light of life. Yet, Jesus has come into the world to release the prisoners and bring the light of life to man. John writes this, “in Him was light, and that light was the life of all mankind.” Here is the good news, “the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus reveals to man the love of God and the good news is that He offers all who believe eternal life. All human life has a beginning in light, as God weaves us in our mother’s womb, but in Jesus that life never ends! Praise be to God for His great love and faithfulness to us. May we life in an eternal manner, honoring God and doing good. Amen.
Monday January 26th
Judges 6:11-24; Psalm 27:7-14; Ephesians 5:6-14
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Gideon hides in fear from the Midianites, questioning what God had done for His people Israel in the past. Yet, God believes in him, calling him a “mighty warrior”. Gideon is asked to trust in God, letting go of fear and acting in obedience to His call. In the presence of God fear gives way to trust. Paul tells the church in Ephesus to put away the acts of darkness, their former way of life and live as children of light. In both passages God drives out fear, hiddenness and deception, instead calling forth a new identity from His people. The presence of the divine awakens in us the courage to life according to the truth with trust and obedience. Light exposes what is false and summons God’s people to faithful action.
Tuesday January 27th
Judges 7:12-22; Psalm 27:7-14; Philippians 2:12-18
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Gideon through a combination of humble obedience, cunning and worship, brings victory to Israel according to the word of God. It was not in powerful self-reliance that Gideon led the armies of Israel to victory but in weakness and submission. Paul calls upon the Philippians to display a similar trust in God through their obedient lives of faith. Grumbling, division and arguing does not express the truth of God’s salvation in Christ Jesus, only humility, love and unity embody that truth. It is God that is working with those that have confessed their faith in Christ, in order that they might become blameless and pure children. Our lives are a revelation of truth in Christ, that He has come to save and sanctify those who were once lost but not have been found and redeemed! May our lives be ones of sacrifice and service.
Wednesday January 28th
Genesis 49:1-2, 8-13, 21-26; Psalm 27:7-14; Luke 1:67-79
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Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers out of their jealousy for their father Jacob’s love for him. Yet God would reverse the fortunes of Joseph eventually allowing him to become second in command in the land of Egypt. Because of this he would save his family from famine in his homeland. Joseph goes ahead of his brothers and prepares the way of salvation. This prophecy in Genesis is one that reveals to us a future meaning. John the Baptist would prepare the way for Jesus, the One from whom “the sceptre will not depart”. You see Jesus is the coming king, the fulfilment of the covenant blessing of God through Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Jesus, the son of David, the Son of Jacob, he is the One who has come to bring salvation to Israel and not only to him but to the world. Praise the Lord.
Thursday January 29th
Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Psalm 15; 1 Peter 3:8-12
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The call of God is not just a mental acknowledgement of His goodness, love and grace to us. It is the willingness to be transformed by His presence with us. For any good that could be produced in us has its origin in God, let us pursue righteousness with fervor that we might become like He is and be found worthy of His calling in Christ Jesus our Lord. We do not gain righteousness as much as we participate in it. The Lord has always desired us to follow in His way of justice, truthfulness, peace and compassion. If we are constantly seeking to do good to others, even when they do not do good to us, we reflect the love of God who gave His only Son Jesus to die while we were still sinners. So while the opportunity is still fresh let us repay evil with good and seek justice and righteousness in all that we do that we might inherit through Christ salvation and blessing in heaven eternally.
Friday January 30th
Deuteronomy 24:17-25:4; Psalm 15; 1 Timothy 5:17-24
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Justice in our modern mind may seem like a matter of simple crime and punishment. But what if it;s more than about making sure bad actions are met with just retribution. Scripture seems to think so. You see Deuteronomy, focused on making sure the Israelites follow the law, not simply to follow it, but so that God will be honored and the people would be blessed in their obedience. The law is concerned with righteousness which requires wisdom and discernment. Paul makes sure that the churches follow the proper ways with its elders distributing justice not for justices sake, but so that the community might be blessed and kept pure and holy. Mercy tempers justice and justice anchors mercy, which becomes lawlessness without it. May we seek justice tempered with mercy and live wisely before God
Saturday January 31st
Micah 3:1-4; Psalm 15; John 13:31-35
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The leaders of the Israelites that Micah was preaching to were guilty of injustice against the people. Instead of administering justice, they were the ones who with cruelty lead the people astray. They lacked love. In doing so they let evil rule over them and the people. Jesus knew that it would be a struggle for his disciples to lead those who believed the gospel in His absence. His command to them was this: “Love one another.” For love cares without needing anything in return, it shows concern for others above itself, and keeps no record of wrong doing. Love purifies and perfects. Jesus knew that if his disciples would love, the world would know that their calling in Christ was true and that others would follow.