Yahweh Speaks
Read: Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (v. 1) Of the many gods (elohim) in that ancient world, the only real God (Elohim) was the one that Abraham came to know. This God had a […]
Which God?
Read: Joshua 24:1-15 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. . . (v. 2) When the Old Testament authors write about God, which of course they […]
Read the Bible in a Year
A devotional guide to reading
through the Bible in one year.
A Peculiar Family
Read: Genesis 11:27-32 Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot. (v. 27) What an uninspiring introduction to one of the Bible’s grandest stories! You might also find some of it rather curious. Terah’s three sons, for instance. Why is “Abraham” spelled “Abram”? Isn’t Haran the […]
The Cost of Hospitality
Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners. (v. 19) Beginning in Deuteronomy 5, Moses recounted the love of God for his people and the kind of obedience God required in response. The spirit of God’s requirements is not rigid obedience to the dictates of the law. Rather, he wants their heart: […]
Our God Fights for Us
Read: Psalm 18 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. (v. 29 NLT) The term mama bear is meant to be endearing, used of a loving mother who would do anything for her family, a mother who protects her family with ferocity. The Bible offers several […]
Paul’s Letter to a Slave Owner
Read: Philemon 1-25 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. (v. 17) Onesimus was Philemon’s runaway slave. He met Paul in prison and became a Christian. Paul came to trust and value him. Philemon was a trusted Christian who Paul believed would have an open mind to the […]
Clothed in Beauty
Read: Proverbs 3:27-28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” (v. 28 NLT) Clothes. Unless you’re a toddler, you have to wear them regularly. Whether you enjoy shopping or dread it, do you ever think about who made your clothes? Where did the materials come […]
Chocolate
Read: Matthew 7:7-11 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (v. 8) Every time my family has a bonfire, my nephews and niece ask for s’mores. My mom always has graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate ready for them. Our family isn’t […]