Day 217 Bible Readings for August 6 – 1 Corinthians 26-31(ESV)

1 Chronicles 19-21, 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31, Psalm 118: 1-16

1 Corinthians 26-31(ESV)

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

I love verses 26 through 31 from 1 Corinthians. Paul writes to the Church in Corinth and tells them that God chose them not because they were wise, powerful, of noble birth, but because God is great and would work through them. Bible commentaries have said the people in the Church of Corinth were beginning to think of themselves as great, but Paul reminds them that they weren’t great. God chose them because of their faith and because he could work through them to spread his faith. We should never think of ourselves as too lowly to be used or chosen by God. God will choose whomever he wants as long as the person has faith. But Paul reminds that once we are chosen by God, we must always remember that our greatness comes from God and because Christ is within us telling us what to do, what to say, how to act to fulfill God’s plan on earth. As followers of Christ, we can all be used to further God’s plan as long as we always remember that Christ dwells within us and we daily renew our faith in God and Jesus Christ.

Day 216 Bible Readings – 1 Chronicles 17: 7-8 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 16: 37-43, 1 Chronicles 17-18, 1 Corinthians 1: 1-17, Psalm 117

1 Chronicles 17: 7-8 (ESV)

“Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.”

Verses 7 through 8 from 1 Chronicles 17 shows the Lord telling Nathan what to say to David. I love how God reminds David of his humble beginnings as a shepherd and how God has elevated David to leader of his people. God also reminds David that he has always been with him and is responsible for all his victories. God then tells David that he will make him a great name in the world. These words from the Lord to David tells me that God is completely aware of everything we are doing and what our life has been like. God also reminds David and us that he is always with us. God protects us from enemies and is with us in all our victories. God also reminds us that he has a plan for us. It might not to be like David’s life, but God has a plan for each of us that is part of his greater plan for all of humanity. We need to be reminded that God is always with us and have faith that our life is a part of God’s plan.

Day 215 Bible Readings for August 4 – Romans 16: 17-18 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 15, 1 Chronicles 16: 1-36, Romans 16, Psalm 116: 12-19

Romans 16: 17-18 (ESV)

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

Verses 17 and 18 from Romans 16 spoke to me today. Paul ends his letter to the Church of Rome warning them to watch out for people who create divisions and I believe to those who are believers in Jesus Christ. Paul says these people only serve themselves and not Christ. I am in the process of deepening my relationship with Christ, and one of the things that Holy Spirit has been convicting me about is not having enough friends who will support me in this journey. Most of friends are not followers of Christ, which is fine for me. We’ve been friends for a long time. But I do feel the need to be around more people who are on the same journey so when I can talk to people about my bible readings, my struggles with faith, and other things going on in my life. Talking with people who also have faith in Christ gives me the perspective on how other believers feel, lets me know what they do with their doubts, and often give me their favorite bible passages that they rely on and love. I love hearing about the different bible verses that people love and can recite from memory. I’m making my own list of favorite bible verses that I want to commit to memory because they are so deeply meaningful for me. Paul’s advice on choosing your friends is such a powerful message for any new and old believer in Christ.

Day 214 Bible Readings for August 3 – Psalm 116: 1-2 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 12: 23-40, 1 Chronicles 13 & 14, Romans 15: 14-33, Psalm 116: 1-11

Psalm 116: 1-2 (ESV)

“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

I love verses 1 and 2 from Psalm 116. The psalmist talks about probably what every person of faith feels about their God. You love God because he heard your voice and your pleas for mercy. Because God answered you once, you will always call on him as you live. These verses make me wonder how long it took before a person was willing to always call on her God. For some it might have been the first time, for others it might have been a long and continual pattern of feeling like God had heard you before you decided you can upon God indefinitely. No matter how long or short it look, the person’s faith God was established permanently for the rest of their life.