Daily Scripture Readings
Read along with us in community as we follow this daily scripture outline.
Sunday December 7th
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
The advent of Christ into the world was one that looked markedly different than the expectations the Israelites had. Jesus came with no claim to royalty or wealth with which to gain honor or position. He came with a message and a way of life under God the Father. It was simple, believe that the One true God has sent Him into the world to proclaim forgiveness of sins and peace. A message that God’s faithfulness and love was coming into the world in the form of human flesh so that through the person, Jesus of Nazareth, God could punish sins in the body and offer everlasting life through faith in Him. Christ’s coming (advent) into the world meant that everything that we had gotten ourselves into as human beings was beginning to come undone and that God was reforging the cosmos, bringing everything and everyone to its intended purpose. Praise God for His wisdom and might!
Monday December 8th
Isaiah 24:1-16; Psalm 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
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Those who live to please themselves serve a cruel and faithless master. For the desires of the flesh end only in death and misery, but those who seek to serve God, serve a purpose beyond the constraints of human bodies, they participate in eternity. Therefore all we do in our bodies must be looking forward to God’s eternal plan for our salvation, the one that has already begun once we believed in Christ and became obedient in faith to Him. If we sin, we sin against God, not just the body. When we choose the flesh, we are choosing our own desires over God’s desires for us. We must put holiness and purity of living into practice in order that the faith we proclaim might not be simple speech, but wholeness of life in Christ.
Tuesday December 9th
Isaiah 41:14-20; Psalm 21; Romans 15:14-21
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God does not forget His people. Not one of them. Even those who the chosen people of Israel didn’t consider to be a part of God’s own; they too were remembered and their futures secured through the blood of Christ. You see Israel was to be for God a people to bring about the fullness of faith, to hold the commands of God until Christ would come into the world to complete them. It is through His faithfulness that we can be in relationship with God truly and take part in His eternal life through faith. Just as God does not forget the physically poor from among human beings neither does He forget the spiritual destitute and He feeds them fully by sending Jesus Christ His only Son. May we always desire and hunger for Him.
Wednesday December 10th
Genesis 15:1-18; Psalm 21; Matthew 12:33-37
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God assures Abram with a covenant promise, grounding his future in divine faithfulness, not fear. Abram believes, and righteousness is credited to him. His faith aligns with the heart of God. Jesus teaches that words reveal the heart, exposing whether the tree is good or corrupt. Speech flows from inner reality, just as Abram’s trust flows from a heart turned toward God. God’s covenant displays His steadfast character; just as our words display our inner allegiance. Abram’s faith produces covenant life with God, while careless speech brings judgment in Jesus’ warning. Both passages call for integrity of heart before God, shown in trust and truthful expression. Faithful hearts receive God’s promises; deceptive hearts are laid bare by their own words. Let us strive for faithfulness to God’s will in Christ.
Thursday December 11th
Ruth 1:6-18; Psalm 146:5-10; 2 Peter 3:1-10
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Orpah, considering the realities that Naomi, her mother-in-law presented her with, namely that she had no sons to give to them in marriage and no future for them, decided to go back to her people. But Ruth clings fast to Naomi and vows not to leave her. She chooses to believe as she did, that the Lord would provide for them in the land of Judah, even if she didn’t know how. Peter urges his readers to have a faith like Ruth, that chooses to hope in God and not be overwhelmed with their circumstances. He encourages them to trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness, not following after those who lose faith and turn away. He teaches them to ignore the scoffers and grab hold of the faith in Christ they first professed. God is always faithful and good, He is worthy of our trust and we can hope in Him eternally.
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Friday December 12th
Ruth 4:13-17; Psalm 146:5-10; 2 Peter 3:11-18
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Patience. Obedience. Loyalty. Faithfulness. These are the things that connect the Old and New Testament readings for today. Ruth in her loyalty and faithfulness to the God of Naomi is given the blessing of bringing about the royal line that would father King David and ultimately the Messiah, King Jesus, the King of Kings. Her patience redeemed not only Naomi’s family but all of the families of the earth as we are adopted into the family of God’s people. Peter urges his readers to life out godly lives in eager expectation of their own redemption in the second coming of Christ. To be on guard from the lawless and faithless teaching of those who by pride, disobey the teachings of Christ and so destroy themselves and others in the process. Only in faith and obedience to Christ will we be those who see the new creation and celebrate in eternal life with God forever. Let us live for Christ. Amen.
Saturday December 13th
1 Samuel 2:1-8; Psalm 146:5-10; Luke 3:1-18
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Both Samuel and John the Baptist’s messages are similar. God is King over all. Samuel is set apart by his mother to serve God all the days of his life. As a prophet over Israel he urges them to stop the fighting and allow God to lead them, but they cry for a king like the nations around them. John the Baptist declares that one is coming to proclaim the good news to the world, One who was promised whose sandals John is not worthy to unstrap, the Messiah. John’s preaching instructed the people to have faith in God, who was sending a king into the world to save and redeem mankind. Repent, stop sinning against God and your fellow man and instead trust in God,for He is bringing salvation into the world. Amen.