New Testament in a Year

September 17th New Testament Readings

Galatians 3:10-22
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 and 11 we read: “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith.””  What is Paul saying here?  Why would those who rely on observing the law be under a curse?  Do you rely on the law? 

Bible.org's fantastic commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "What the Law Cannot Do" is at this link. 

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the incredible song "Bring the Rain" by MercyMe!  I have a hunch this song is blessing countless numbers of people these days!  I know it has blessed me.  I had a bit of a rough week last week, and one day in particular this song pretty much brought me to tears in a beautiful way.  Yep, the storms of life can bring us closer to Jesus if we'll run to Him during those storms!  It's called intimacy with God and it is a beautiful thing.  So, below is a video of the band performing the song live in a tiny little room!  I'd loved to have been in that room worshiping along!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw4cxsqp0PQ

Are you weathering the storms of life apart from God?  Click here for your only true shelter in the storm!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." Galatians 3:22 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are no longer a prisoner of sin, because of your saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray for the whole world to come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and for the world to be saved of it's imprisonment to sin.

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!

September 16th New Testament Readings

Galatians 2:17-3:9
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Paul's message in Galatians chapter 3 verses 6 through 9 is very good news to the 1st century Gentiles and to you and me today too! "In the same way, "Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith." The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God. What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, "All nations will be blessed through you." And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith." Do you believe that you can share in the same blessing Abraham received?  How?  Are you a spiritual descendent of Abraham?  Why?  What do Paul's words "faith in Christ" mean to you?  Is this all very good news to you?  Below is a painting from the year 1850 by Hungarian artist Jozsef Molnar of "Abraham's journey from Ur to Canaan":

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "The Cost of Changing Course" is at this link. 

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the song “In Christ Alone” sung here by Celtic Worship:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvFtXphmMU

Are you Christ’s alone? Click here and and be His alone!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you have been crucified with Christ. Pray that Christ lives in you. Pray that you are living this life in your body by faith in Jesus, who loves you and gave Himself for you. Pray that your friends, family, and neighbors would come to fully know this Truth.

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!

September 15th New Testament Readings

Galatians 2:1-16
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

We have great readings today in Galatians chapter 2 as Paul confronts Peter!  I think this is a powerful lesson for us to learn.  It is okay - in fact good - to confront other Christians when they are out of line.  We should do so in the spirit of love.  Speak the truth in love to our brothers and sisters who step out of line.  But let us not be too meek in this area and let somebody we love slide by because we're too scared to say anything.  Is there anybody in your life today that you are being led by God to speak the truth in love to?  (there is someone in my life I'm being led to do this... and I confess that I have been dragging my feet...)  Let us learn today from the example of Paul confronting Peter!

I have to tell you, for some reason the parenthetical point from Paul in verse 6 today really stood out to me - "(By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)"  This is really a profound thing for each of us to realize!  No one is above you!  No one is below you!  God has no favorites!  I really really love thinking about this.  This means we should respect all, but fear none.  God is the only one we should fear.  You, your pastor, your president, the homeless person on the street corner are no more or no less favored by God comparatively.  God has no favorites!  And - if God has no favorites, what do you think this should mean to us.  Should we have favorites?  Should we give more respect to those who we think are in better social standing than others?  Should we love the pastor more than the homeless person?  Should we love the celebrity over the waiter?  This really is something for us to think about...  Paul said people's reputation as great leaders made NO difference to him.  Should people's reputations in our world today make any difference to us?

 

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "Was Paul a Man-Pleaser?" is at this link and "Peter's Capitulation and Paul's Correction" is at this link.

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

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

Are you made to worship?  Not sure?  Click here and be made to 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!

September 14th New Testament Readings

Galatians 1:1-24
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Galatia!  Paul’s letter was sent from either point #1 to point #2 or from #3 to #4 in the image below:

~ Galatians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Unknown
Date: A.D. 48 or 49
Content: Paul had preached to the inhabitants of Galatia on his first missionary journey (Act 13:14-14:23). Shortly after his departure, a group of Jewish believers arrived to insist that the Gentile Christians submit to the laws of Moses in order to be saved. Paul writes to combat this error by showing that Abraham, who lived over four hundred years before the giving of the law, was saved by faith in the gospel – so how could it be argued that the law could either save a man or make a believer in Christ more perfect? Paul couples this with a vigorous defense of himself as an apostle and with a discussion of how a Christian ought to live.
Theme: Paul energetically defends the truth of the gospel, which is that man is saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ and nothing else. Any other teaching is a perversion of the truth of God (Galatians 1:7). We are made right in the sight of God by faith (Galatians 2:16) and become the people of God (sons of Abraham) in the same way, by faith (Galatians 3:7). Because we are free in Christ, we must never allow anyone to drag us back to the idea of working for our salvation, but must live out of the gospel. This involves submission to the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:16) and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Galatians 5:14). (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 25-26) More great commentary on Galatians is at this link

Wow. I have to share with you that Paul's words in Galatians chapter 1 verse 1 stopped me in my tracks today when reading them: "This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group or by human authority. My call is from Jesus Christ himself and from God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead."  The thing that struck me about this was Paul saying that he was not appointed by any group or by human authority to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.  His call was from Jesus Himself!  And this just made me think about our modern world today, where I am afraid that sometimes we will only maybe do bold things in our life for the Gospel - for the Kingdom of God - if we feel like we have been appointed by some group or by some human authority to do it.  When, in fact the important thing is if we have been called by Jesus to do it!  I hope humbly here I can share with you that there are probably a ton of reasons of why I "shouldn't" be leading an online Bible study like this one.  I don't have a Seminary degree.  I am not an ordained minister or pastor.  Yes, I have been in a Bible study before, and I do a lot of studying each day for this ministry.  But - no group or human authority has appointed me to do this.  I have just done it because I do feel very called to it!  And I share this with you not to pat myself on the back, but to encourage you.  Maybe you've never been to Seminary.  Maybe you're not an ordained minister or pastor.  Maybe you've never done _____,  ____, or ____.  (fill in your blanks)  But, maybe God is calling you to do something bold for his Kingdom, and the question becomes when will you do it?  When will you stop relying on an old excuse of not being appointed by a group or human authority to do it? If God is calling you to something, please, please, do it!  Our time is short.  Your time is now.  The water is fine.  Please, dive in!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Galatians Chapter 1 titled "Giving Up the Gospel" is at this link and "Was Paul a Man-Pleaser?" is at this link.

Worship Video:  Okay, with my comments above on Galatians 1:1 and the picture of the boy jumping into the pool, I want to share with you today Steven Curtis Chapman's amazing song "Dive."  What in your life is God calling you to dive into?  Dive in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXqXIicm8uU

Have you dived into a relationship with God yet?  Click here and dive!

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!

September 13th New Testament Readings

2 Corinthians 13:1-14
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

We wrap up the book of Second Corinthians today!  Paul's letter to the church in Galatia begins tomorrow!

I love Paul's words today in Second Corinthians chapter 13 verse 11! "Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you."   Imagine that these words were written to you.  Are you rejoicing?  Are you changing your ways?  Are you encouraging others?  Are you living in peace?  Is God's love with you this very moment?  Is God's peace with you now?

Bible.org's commentary on today's (and yesterday's) readings in Second Corinthians titled "Paul's Closing Argument, Appeal, and Blessing" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of Matt Redman and Tasha Cobbs Leonard song "Gracefully Broken:"

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

Are you broken?  Click here to be gracefully restored!

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!

September 12th New Testament Readings

2 Corinthians 12:11-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Paul's words in Second Corinthians chapter 12 verses 20 and 21 were written for the church in Corinth.  But, imagine if you will that these words were written to you and me today... "For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won't like what I find, and then you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come, God will humble me again because of you. And I will have to grieve because many of you who sinned earlier have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure."  What would Paul find if he came to visit our lives today?  Would he find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, or disorderly behavior?  Impurity?  Sexual immorality?  Eagerness for lustful pleasure?  Or - instead, would Paul find peace, joy, love, giving, and purity in our lives?  Would we grieve Paul or make him joyful?  Better yet, let us reflect upon what Jesus would find in our lives if He came back today?  Would our lives grieve Jesus in any way?

Bible.org's commentary on today and tomorrow's readings in Second Corinthians titled "Paul's Closing Argument, Appeal, and Blessing" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings in reminded me of Brandon Heath's song "Your Love:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74HXKSYyPKg

Do you need God's Love? Click here for Love!

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 One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

September 11th New Testament Readings

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Paul's words in Second Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7 through 10 about the thorn in Paul's flesh are so powerful for each of us to consider for our lives today as well! "But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  Biblical commentaries can basically all agree that we do not know what Paul's "thorn" was.  There is some interesting speculation out there.  Some think that the thorn is Paul's flesh was perhaps something that literally affected his flesh - a health issue of some sort.  Some think it could have been a disease of the eyes, epilepsy, or even malaria.  Whatever the thorn was, it was something that affected him very seriously.  And it kept Paul humble in the midst of his incredible ministry.  Why do you suppose that Paul was given a thorn in his flesh?  Do you suppose you or I might have thorns in our flesh today?  What might those thorns be in your life today?  And why might those thorns be there?  Is there anything you can learn from Paul about your thorns?  Can you learn to live with the thorn in your flesh realizing that God's power in your life actually works strongest when you are weak?  Do you believe that God's power can actually work through the thorn in your flesh for God's glory?  Will you accept where you are weak, so that in that area of your life God will be strong?

Continuing along this point about having a thorn in our flesh.  I do think this is a powerful thing for each of us to really meditate upon.  I believe that all of us have some sort of thorn in our flesh! (or we will...)  All of us are human with various frailties.  None of us are Superman or Wonderwoman.  We will all grow older - God-willing - and will eventually have health issues that will eventually lead to our death.  As Christians we have eternal life after death where all of our thorns will be removed forever!  But this side of heaven we will have thorns in our flesh.  Perhaps many thorns.  But, this is the beauty of the thorns...  if we will accept them and give them over to God, God's power will work in our weakness!  If we will give all that we have over to God - the good, the bad, and the ugly, God will show up and move through it.  It's tough I know to really put this into practice - if we lose a loved one, or get diagnosed with a serious illness, or are struggling with an addiction, we can often think "where is God in this??"  Well, yes, where is He?  Have you opened the door to let Him in the room of that weakness?  Will you let his power in?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians titled "Boasting in our Weakness" is at this link. 

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Britt Nicole's song "Walk on The Water:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wddc8UzNiG8

Do you want to walk on the water? Click here and Walk On!

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!

September 10th New Testament Readings

2 Corinthians 11:16-33
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Amazing words from Paul today in Second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 30! "If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am."  Why would Paul say he would rather boast about things that show how weak he is?  Why would Paul want to be weak in any way?  Why would you or I want to be weak in any way?  If you must boast, what are you boasting about these days?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians titled "The Reluctant 'Fool'" is at this link and "Boasting in our Weakness" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Mercy Me's great song "Here I Am:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfU5ys2O7gA

Are you in a relationship with God such that you could reply like Isaiah did, "Here I Am, Send Me?" Click here and get sent!

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!

September 9th New Testament Readings

2 Corinthians 11:1-15
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Paul's words in Second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 14 are some of the scariest words in Scripture for each of us to take to heart: "Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light."  Do you believe these words of Paul's are true?  How would you know if something that appears to be good on the surface is not really good at all?  Let us pray for discernment in this regards!  Let us not ever be fooled by Satan and his disguises!  (Okay, I found this scary picture below for this verse... what do you think?  Too scary for this blog?  Or maybe we should get a bit scared by this verse??)

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians titled "The Father of the Bride Exposes the Master of Deceit" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the old-school DC Talk song "In the Light.” Here is a live version of the song in this video below.  This song has some powerful lyrics.  A great line in this song is: "The disease of self runs through my blood.  It's a cancer fatal to my soul...  Every attempt on my behalf has failed, to bring this sickness under control!"  Amen.  Let us each give the disease of self over to the only One who can heal us of it - Jesus!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WbI_CgT1Mk

Are you in the Light? Click here to meet the Light of the World!

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!

September 8th New Testament Readings

2 Corinthians 10:1-18
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Wow... I love Paul's words to the church in Second Corinthians chapter 10 verses 3 through 5: "We are human, but we don't wage war with human plans and methods. We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ."  This is incredibly powerful for us to realize.  We are human.  God is God.  We are not God.  But, good news is that we have access to God's "weapons" through our relationship with his son Jesus.  And trust me.  In this fallen world, we need God's weapons.  We need his strength.  We need his grace.  We need his forgiveness.  We need his miracles.  We need his Son.  These are the only ways that we will knock down the Devil's strongholds in our lives and in others lives.  How do we access God's mighty weapons?  My personal opinion is that prayer is one of the best things we can do in this regards.  I don't know about you, but I do not pray enough.  However, just lately I've been praying a bit more, and I'll tell you, God has moved!  Prayer is such a beautiful mystery.  We need it like the air we breathe.  Please pray.  Other ways to access God's mighty weapons are certainly reading and studying God's Word daily, investing in a church community at least weekly (even more is better via small groups, etc.), and confessing and repenting and fleeing from sin.  Then, with God's weapons we are called to introduce others to who God is and teach them to obey Christ.  How are you accessing God's mighty weapons these days?  Are you praying?  Are you reading and studying the Bible daily?   Are you investing in a church community weekly?   Are you confessing and repenting and fleeing from sin?  Or are you relying on your human plans and methods to make it through the day?  Are you relying on worldly weapons?  Will you seek instead God's mighty weapons?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians titled "Contrasting Christian Leaders With the Cultists" is at this link.

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Michael W. Smith's great song "A New Hallelujah!"

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

Do you want to sing a new Hallelujah? Click here and Sing!

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 One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!