Editor's Note: Reading through the Bible in a calendar year isn't as daunting as you might think and if you haven't already begun, now is a great time to start! Enjoy this excerpt from Daily Scripture Guidebook by Tim Wildsmith and get reading the Bible! |
Old Testament Our Old Testament readings this week pick up in the middle of Jacob's story, and in Genesis 32 we find a pivotal and peculiar scene where Jacob wrestles with God. The setting is dark—literally at night—and mysterious. Jacob finds himself alone on the banks of the Jabbok River (a branch of the Jordan), where a shadowy figure attacks him. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." — Genesis 32:24-26 The figure responds by asking Jacob what his name is.
Remember, this is the same Jacob who stole his brother Esau's blessing from their father, Isaac. Jacob's name is synonymous with this deceptive act, so by saying his own name, he is forced to admit who he really is.
And then something remarkable happens.
The shadowy figure changes Jacob's name. And it's not just any name. His name is changed to Israel. He becomes the namesake of God's chosen people.
This is what redemption looks like.
Jacob was a deceiver constantly on the run from who God had called him to be. He fought God, literally and figuratively, for a blessing that was only temporary. But God had something better planned for his life. He gave him a new name and a new destiny. He gave him a blessing that would last forever.
If you ever feel like you're running from who God created you to be, return to this passage. Read it again and again. Be reminded that God fights for you, even when it's you He has to fight.
|
|
|
Wisdom is a combination of knowledge, experience, and good judgment. |
Wisdom is a combination of knowledge, experience, and good judgment.. |
|
|
New Testament This week's New Testament readings give us snapshots of Jesus's life, including some amazing miracles, parables, and His teaching on the Sabbath. Matthew 12 opens with a face-¬off between Jesus and the Pharisees, who take issue with the fact that the disciples were disobeying the Sabbath laws of the Torah. Notice how Jesus tries to show them that their legalistic views are missing something. The Pharisees are so focused on the "letter of the law" that they can't see what the law was truly intended for. Immediately after this encounter, Jesus goes into the synagogue and heals someone. His ability to heal is affirmation of His teachings about the Sabbath, but this entire episode causes the Pharisees to despise Him even more. Why do you think the Pharisees were so bothered by the good things Jesus did?
Chapter 13 is the third of five extended teaching "discourses" in Matthew. Bible commentaries call this the Parabolic Discourse because Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God through parables, which are short stories that illustrate a deeper truth. Jesus uses things familiar to the people of His day—farming, baking, fishing, etc.—to give them clues about what God is up to all around them.
In some cases, as with the parable of the sower, Jesus offers an explanation of what the parable means. In others, we are invited to interpret for ourselves. Which ones do you find most compelling?
In chapter 14 we learn the sad fate of John the Baptist, and then Jesus performs two of His most incredible miracles when He feeds five thousand people (with only five loaves of bread and two fish) and walks on water. Things are clearly escalating, and Matthew wants us to feel the tension. When you read these passages, imagine yourself as a bystander. How would you feel if you witnessed Jesus saying and doing these things? What would you say to Him?
|
Psalms and Proverbs Proverbs is filled with short, simple sayings intended to impart wisdom to readers, but wisdom is not a simple thing, and it's not easy to attain. A lot of people equate wisdom to knowledge, but it's more than that (we probably all know people who are awfully smart yet lack wisdom).
Wisdom is a combination of knowledge, experience, and good judgment.
Wisdom is something we have to pursue and work at. Proverbs 2:4 tells us to search for wisdom in the same way that we might search for hidden treasure.
That sounds like a lot of work. Is it worth it?
Keep reading.
The pursuit of wisdom leads to knowledge and understanding (v. 6), success (v. 7), protection (v. 8), discretion (v. 11), and righteousness (v. 20). Wisdom also protects us from all sorts of bad things (vv. 12–19). So yes, the pursuit of wisdom is a lot of work, but if you want to truly live the good life, it's worth the effort.
Reflections Write down a few reflections on this week's readings. Day 15: Genesis 31:1–55; Matthew 12:1–21; Psalm 9:13–20
Day 16: Genesis 32:1–33:20; Matthew 12:22–45; Proverbs 2:1–11
Day 17: Genesis 34:1–35:29; Matthew 12:46–13:17; Psalm 10:1–11
Day 18: Genesis 36:1–37:36; Matthew 13:18–35; Psalm 10:12–18
Day 19: Genesis 38:1–39:23; Matthew 13:36–58; Psalm 11:1–7
Day 20: Genesis 40:1–41:40; Matthew 14:1–21; Proverbs 2:12–22
Day 21: Genesis 41:41–42:38; Matthew 14:22–15:9; Psalm 12:1–8
|
|
|
Are you reading through the Bible this year? Don't be put off by the date. Just jump in! Any day to start reading the Bible is a great day! ~ Devotionals Daily |
|
|
A 52-Week Journey Through the Bible |
Daily Scripture Guidebook |
|
|
The Daily Scripture Guidebook is meant to be used alongside your Bible and offers a unique blend of structured planning, commentary, and devotional content. Recent studies show that fewer and fewer people are engaging with the Bible on a regular basis. Many people want to read the Bible, but they don't have a good plan for how to make Bible reading a consistent and meaningful rhythm in their lives. And when they do try to read it, they find it difficult to understand. The Daily Scripture Guidebook by pastor, professor, and popular YouTuber Tim Wildsmith will help readers stick to a unique plan that will guide them through the entire Bible in a year, while also providing weekly insights that will help them comprehend what they are reading and apply it to their lives. Each of the fifty-two manageable sections includes a weekly reading schedule, insightful devotionals, and space for personal reflection. |
|
|
What sets this book apart from other one-year Bible reading guides? Insights on scripture from the Old Testament and New Testament, and a portion of a Psalm or Proverb are included in each day's reading to keep you from getting bogged down in certain chapters. Checkboxes next to each scheduled reading visually help to keep you on track and motivated. Devotional insights illuminate the spiritual and historical context of the scriptures, enriching your understanding and making each passage more accessible and relatable. Space for daily reflection facilitates a more personal and profound connection with scripture. The thoughtful, reflective commentary in the Daily Scripture Guidebook makes it an ideal companion for anyone wishing to undertake the rewarding challenge of reading the Bible in its entirety within a year. Whether you are seeking to deepen your faith, broaden your understanding of biblical texts, or simply incorporate a spiritually enriching practice into your daily routine, the Daily Scripture Guidebook provides the roadmap for a transformative spiritual journey. |
|
|
More Resources for Bible Study |
|
|
No More Boring Bible Study |
| |
|
The GREAT Morning Revolution Online Bible Study |
The GREAT Morning Revolution Online Bible Study |
Change your entire day by how you start your morning. In The Great Morning Revolution with Tara Beth Leach, you'll go from scattered to spiritually centered—before the day begins. Using the GREAT framework—Gratitude, Reflect, Exalt, Ask, Trust—you'll build a gentle, flexible morning practice to deepen your relationship with God Join The Great Morning Revolution Online Bible Study and get access to six teaching videos and other helpful tools—all FREE when you sign up! |
|
|
this devotion with someone who needs it today |
|
|
*Sale price ends on 02/06/26 at 11:59 PM. Limited quantities available. Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks. Free Standard Shipping for U.S. orders over $35 excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
*Offer valid until 02/06/26 at 11:59 PM. ET or while supplies last. Offer valid online and by phone only. Take an additional 15% off your purchase of $50 or more with code WINTER15, after promotions and discounts and before shipping and handling costs are applied. Shipping, gift cards, or customization of products does not qualify towards minimum purchase requirements. Offer only available to customers in the United States age 18 and older. To redeem offer, enter promo code during online checkout or provide the code to a representative during phone orders. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other discount offer. FaithGateway reserves the right to de-activate the promo code in the event of fraud or technical issues and limit quantities of individual items eligible for purchase with this discount. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Not valid for resale. *Points earned through our loyalty program can be stacked with most promotional offers, including seasonal and special promotions, with the exception of welcome codes or other select offers at our discretion. Eligibility for stacking may vary based on specific promo code terms. We reserve the right to determine which promotional codes can or cannot be combined with loyalty points. *eBook and audiobook purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose. Please note that: To access your eBooks, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly in your browser by creating a Glose account using the same email address you use to purchase the eBooks. eBooks fulfilled through Glose cannot be printed, downloaded as PDF, or read in other digital readers (like Kindle or Nook). For more information about how to access eBooks purchased on this site, click here for our FAQs. |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment