1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Month: January 2012
Week 5 Bible Readings
New Testament
29 January: Matthew 26:47-27:10
30 January: Matthew 27:11-56
31 January: Matthew 27:57-28:20
1 February: Mark 1:1-28
2 February: Mark 1:29-45
3 February: Mark 2:1-22
4 February: Mark 2:23-3:12
Old Testament
29 January: Psalms 74-76
30 January: Psalms 77, 78
31 January: Psalms 79, 80
1 February: Psalms 81-83
2 February: Psalms 84-86
3 February: Psalms 87, 88
4 February: Psalms 89, 90
The Son is God
John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Week 4 Bible Readings
New Testament
22 January: Matthew 21:33-22:22
23 January: Matthew 22:23-23:12
24 January: Matthew 23:13-39
25 January: Matthew 24:1-41
26 January: Matthew 24:42-25:30
27 January: Matthew 25:31-26:13
28 January: Matthew 26:14-46
Old Testament
22 January: Psalms 57-59
23 January: Psalms 60-62
24 January: Psalms 63-65
25 January: Psalms 66, 67
26 January: Psalms 68, 69
27 January: Psalms 70, 71
28 January: Psalms 72, 73
The Father is God
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Week 3 Bible Readings
New Testament
15 January: Matthew 15:1-28
16 January: Matthew 15:29-16:28
17 January: Matthew 17
18 January: Matthew 18
19 January: Matthew 19
20 January: Matthew 20
21 January: Matthew 21:1-32
Old Testament
15 January: Psalms 37-39
16 January: Psalms 40-42
17 January: Psalms 43-45
18 January: Psalms 46-48
19 January: Psalms 49, 50
20 January: Psalms 51-53
21 January: Psalms 54-56
I Love God, or He Loves Me?
Our Love versus His Love
“I love you, O LORD, my strength” (Psalm 18:1)
Did you know that a phrase like this only occurs twice in all of the Psalms? Does it seem odd to you that a verbal expression of love to God occurs so infrequently in a collection of prayers to God in Scripture? I thought so.
It’s also interesting to note that the phrase “I love …” is directed toward God’s word at least nine times. Really? Almost five times more does the psalmist express love for God’s laws and commandments than he does for God himself.
But do you know what really amazes me? The psalmist praises God’s love for us more than twenty times! For instance: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD forever” (Ps 89:1); “I will sing of steadfast love and justice” (Ps 101:1); “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love” (Ps 143:8).
God’s Love is the Big Idea
What are we to make of this?
If the Psalms are any indication, it appears God’s love is a much bigger deal than ours. That is not to say that our love for God is unimportant. It is surely an essential indication of a regenerated life.
But the Psalmist helps us to realize that we need to make much of his love for us–even ten times more than our own love for him!
The apostle John helps us with this. He writes, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Isn’t that the good news anyway? His love, not our love.
Let’s make this our testimony: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases” (Lamentations 3:22).
That’s the big idea.
Check-In
How are you doing?
Are you already struggling to read Scripture in 2012? Have you gotten busy? Do you keep getting interrupted?
Let me tell you, you are not alone. We all struggle. Have faith in God that through his grace your desire for his word will grow and you will be refreshed in your time in Scripture.
Allow me to encourage you to carry on this week. Spend a few minutes every day to find your soul happy in the Lord. Read his word. Recite the weekly Scripture and meditate on the truth. It is a fresh start. By God’s grace you will reap the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Feedback
How has God used his word in your life this week? Share your joys.
What challenges have you faced as you attempted to read and memorize Scripture this week? Share your struggles.
Post your feedback to comments.
God is One God in three persons
Ephesians 2:18
For through him (Christ) we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Week 2 Bible Readings
New Testament
8 January: Matthew 9
9 January: Matthew 10
10 January: Matthew 11
11 January: Matthew 12:1-29
12 January: Matthew 12:30-13:17
13 January: Matthew 13:18-58
14 January: Matthew 14
Old Testament
8 January: Psalm 20-22
9 January: Psalm 23-25
10 January: Psalm 26-28
11 January: Psalm 29, 30
12 January: Psalm 31, 32
13 January: Psalm 33, 34
14 January: Psalm 35, 36
