New Testament in a Year

Welcome to the New Testament in a Year Blog!

You are invited to join us on a 5-minute daily journey through the New Testament! Sign up below for our free daily emails filled with commentary, artwork, worship videos and questions for reflection.

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We are following a New Testament in a year plan with 5-minute daily readings. Your options for joining us include:
1. Subscribe to our daily readings emails above.
2. Read online using our daily links to Bible Gateway.
3. Read from your own Bible using your preferred translation. You can print out a listing of our entire year's readings in PDF at this link.
4. Email me with any questions at [email protected]

Please note you can find my One Year Bible Blog at this link, Chronological Bible Blog at this link and Old Testament in a Year Blog at this link.

God bless!
Mike

p.s. Keep scrolling down to see our latest daily readings blog post and email content below this welcome post. ⬇️

 

April 25th New Testament Readings

Luke 22:35-53
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

I don't think I've really ever noticed this visit from an angel before in Luke chapter 22 verse 43 when Jesus is praying at the Mount of Olives!  "Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him."

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 22 readings today titled "The Garden of Gethsemane" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Third Day's song "You Are Mine:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o-JPkq5rvE

Are you God's? Click here to be His!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Why are you sleeping?" Jesus asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:46 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not spiritually sleeping. Pray that you will not fall into temptation.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 24th New Testament Readings

Luke 22:14-34
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Luke chapter 22 we read about the Last Supper!

Every time I read verses 19 & 20 I am reminded of the amazing beauty of the Lord's Supper in our churches today: "Then Jesus took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you--an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you."  Do these verses remind you of the Lord's Supper at your church?  Do you find the Lord's Supper to be a beautiful experience at your church?  Why do we participate in the Lord's Supper in our churches today?

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 22 readings today titled "The Last Supper" is at this link and commentary titled "Perspective, Personal Ambition, and Prophecy" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today feels like a great day to share with you the entire 2 hour "JESUS" film based on the Gospel of Luke. Called by some "one of the best-kept secrets in Christian missions," a number of mission experts have acclaimed the film as one of the greatest evangelistic tools of all time. Since 1979 the "JESUS" film has been viewed by several billion people all across the globe, and has resulted in more than 225 million men, women and children indicating decisions to follow Jesus. Learn more about this film and ministry at https://www.jesusfilm.org/.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-o2JHhHXys

Do you know Jesus? Click here and meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:19-20 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will participate in the Lord's Supper remembering Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Pray that you will receive Jesus' broken body and shed blood remembering how Jesus saved you.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 23rd New Testament Readings

Luke 21:29-22:13
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Luke chapter 22 we read in verses 3-6: "Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around."  Sad...  Bible.org has a powerful essay on "The Biography of the Betrayer" at this link.    Below is a fresco from the early 14th century by the Italian Renaissance Florentine painter Giotto titled "Pact of Judas."  In this fresco the two priests on the right discuss Judas's treachery, while the third plots with Judas, who is in the clutches of the devil...

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke readings titled "The Second Coming of Christ" is at this link and commentary titled "Preparations for the Passion of Christ" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of the terrific worship song "Graves into Gardens:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwX1f2gYKZ4

Do you believe that graves can be turned into gardens? Click here and Believe!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Luke 21:33 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are investing your life in learning and growing in the Word, Jesus, Who will never pass away. Pray that heaven and earth are not distracting you from loving Jesus with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 22nd New Testament Readings

Luke 21:1-28
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 21 readings today titled "Jerusalem in the Last Days" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of NEEDTOBREATHE's song "Fall on Me:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIPOg_ayNBQ

Have you fallen on God? Click here and fall on Him!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 21st New Testament Readings

Luke 20:27-47
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Brief post today.  Back to a full post tomorrow.  :)

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 20's readings today titled "One Bride for Seven Brothers" is at this link and commentary titled "David's Son" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Chris Tomlin's song "Made to Worship:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FmNqozk6k

Are you made to worship? Click here and worship!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 20th New Testament Readings

Luke 20:1-16
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Okay, so it's every so often that I post up about the non-Biblical (not the original text) sub-headings that translations put into our daily readings.  For some reason I got a kick out of the NLT's subheading above Luke chapter 20 verse 9, "Story of the Evil Farmers!"  (okay, I added the exclamation point).  Is it just me, or is that kinda funny?  I mean, the evil farmers in the story are not funny - and what they did is certainly not funny...  hmmm... I think I've dug myself into a hole here.  :)  I'm sure everyone probably picked up on that the point of the farmer story is that Jesus is the son who was murdered in the story.  And Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders - who has now become the cornerstone of our Christian faith.  Nice quote by Jesus of Psalm 118 verse 22 there in Luke 20 verse 17.  Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life?

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 20 readings today titled "The Tempest in the Temple: The Abuses of Authority" is at this link and commentary titled "God and Government" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Yours:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vu9m8m1lEw

Do you believe it is all God's? Click here and give it all to Him!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 19th New Testament Readings

Luke 19:28-48
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In Luke chapter 19 today we read about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem - and of course, this scene of people shouting "Hosanna!" will far too soon turn toward people spitting on and mocking Jesus on the road to Golgotha as he carries his cross.  Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled "The Untriumphal Entry" is at this link.

Verses 41 through 44 are so beautiful as Jesus looks upon Jerusalem and cries. It makes sense because he knows that the destruction of Jerusalem in coming in 70 A.D.  Per Tyndale's commentary today, "In 66 A.D. the Jews revolted against Roman control.  Three years later Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, was sent to crush the rebellion.  Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem and broke through the northern wall but still couldn't take the city.  Finally they laid siege to it, and in A.D. 70 they were able to enter the severely weakened city and burn it.  Six hundred thousand Jews were killed during Titus' onslaught."  And so, Jesus wept over Jerusalem...

Worship Video: Today's readings in about Jesus' triumphal entry in Luke reminded me of Phil Wickam’s song “House of the Lord:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8uKldEUrPE

Are you in the house of the Lord? Click here to enter the House of the Lord!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: ""It is written," Jesus said to them, "'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" Luke 19:46 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your church is a house of prayer. Pray that your house is a house of prayer. Pray that you are a person of prayer. Pray against any robbers ever appearing in your church, house, or heart.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Has faith brought life and joy into your life?  Do you believe faith in Jesus brings eternal life and joy as well?  Are you looking forward to eternal life and joy in heaven, our eternal "city of refuge"?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 18th New Testament Readings

Luke 19:1-27
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Luke chapter 19 we read the awesome story of Jesus’ interactions with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. As we read through this story about Zacchaeus “the sinner,” does anything maybe correlate with our life story today? Consider verse 9 – “Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” What does this mean that Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost? Did Jesus seek Zacchaeus? Did Jesus save Zacchaeus? Now, take a moment if you will to reflect back on your life and your interactions with Jesus. Like Zacchaeus, were you a “sinner?” Like Zacchaeus, did Jesus seek you? Are there moments in your life where you really have felt that Jesus literally has been “pursuing” you? (I know I have had these moments in my life – thank God for them!) And, most importantly – like Zacchaeus – has Jesus saved you?

Interesting!  The Story of the Ten Servants is something I reflected on back in our readings of Matthew. But what stood out to me today was verse 11 - "The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away."  This is very interesting to note that Jesus told this story to correct the impression that the Kingdom would begin right away!  The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah that would overthrow the Roman political structure.  A fighting / revolutionary Messiah that would free Jerusalem from Rome.  Instead, as we all know, Jesus died on a cross with nails that were driven into his hands and feet by Roman soldier.  Not quite what the Jews at this time were expecting in a Messiah...  And here we have this story that's purpose is to show the Kingdom would not begin right away.  This makes sense.  It is the paradox of the Kingdom of God being already / not yet.  And while Jesus first came to usher in the Kingdom, its fulfillment is not complete until his Second Coming.  And - while we are awaiting the fulfillment of the Kingdom, how are we utilizing the talents God has given us?  How are we utilizing our time, treasure, and talents?  Is it for the Kingdom's benefit? 

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled "The Nobleman: His Slaves and His Citizens" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Mac Powell's song "River of Life:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVLJ2Xm1UM

Have you been to the river of life? Click here and be washed clean!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 17th New Testament Readings

Luke 18:18-43
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on The ESV Bible ~

Today we read the story of the Rich Man in Luke chapter 18!  There are tons of commentaries on how to interpret this story - including this commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org titled "Blessed Babes and a Miserable Millionaire" at this link.  The verses that always speak to me the most are verses 29 & 30 where Jesus teaches - "I assure you, everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as receiving eternal life in the world to come."  These are really some powerful verses for us to consider.  Basically, I read - and I know from experience - that truly following Jesus comes with some costs.  The costs may be loss of wealth, or worldliness, or power, or glamour, or friends, or even family perhaps.  But, if we are accepting these costs for the sake of the Kingdom, then they are in my estimation our crosses that we must bear to truly follow Jesus.  Following Jesus is not always easy.  The world's temptations will do everything they can for us to not follow Jesus.  "It's too hard to follow Jesus."  "Come have fun."  "It's too much cost to follow Jesus."  But...  we really need to stay in constant prayer and stay close to God to realize that following Jesus - along w/ all the costs that may be associated with following Jesus - is the only True way to live life.  All other paths will lead to misery.  Following Jesus and accepting the costs or our crosses ultimately leads to life in abundance.  And life for eternity.   Are there costs in your life that you are willing to accept to follow Jesus?

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 18 readings today titled "From the Sublime to the Ridiculous" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings in Luke today reminded me of the song "All My Hope" sung here by David Crowder and Tauren Wells:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tElvdnId4Q

Where is All Your Hope? Click here for eternal Hope!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life." Luke 18:29-30 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that the Kingdom of God is the top priority in your life. Pray that your relationship with Jesus is the top relationship priority in your life. Pray that you will follow Jesus, no matter the cost.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

April 16th New Testament Readings

Luke 18:1-17
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

The story of the persistent widow is fantastic!  I love it...   Verse 4 may be one of the most humorous verses in the Bible - "The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"  Great stuff! Jesus teaches that persistence pays off, which I think is very good to consider with our own faith journeys.  Verse 1 is the moral of the story: "One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up."  Do you pray constantly?  Do you know that you must never give up?

The moral of the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in verse 14 is so important for each of us to remember in our faith journeys - "For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."  Anyone remember the old Jars of Clay song, "Faith Like a Child"?  Great tune...  That song and verses 15 - 17 in Luke chapter 18 today remind me that my faith does not have to be super-intellectual or super-mature or super-whatever.  All that is needed is faith like a child - "One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.""

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 18 readings today titled "Piety, Persistence, Penitence, and Prayer" is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today's readings in Luke 18:1 about never giving up on constant prayer reminded me of The City Harmonic's song "Manifesto:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_6JQDsbtlM

Are you singing along with this song? Click here and sing forever!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:16-17 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have faith like a child. Pray that you will enter the kingdom of God by coming to Jesus in faith.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!