We invite you to join us in reading through the entire Bible together. We're not trying to complete it in a limited time frame like a month or a year; but rather, we want to create a habit (or discipline) of getting to know God's heart through what He's told us about Himself.
For a more mobile friendly view of the daily readings, try our new site at https://app.nvbc.net, still a work in progress.
During each week, we encourage you to not only read the passage, but write it down as well. The act of writing will help you think about each word, and will help you remember the verses longer.
EZEKIEL READING! We are taking a break from Ezekiel for a few weeks and looking into the parables of Jesus.
When reading, ask yourself the following questions:
- What does it say about God?
- What does it say to/about me?
- What can I learn from this reading?
September 22-28
- Sunday: Psalm 95 “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving …”
- Monday: Ezekiel 32:11-21 This is a lament over Egypt. Why would God ask Ezekiel in vs 18 “wail over the multitude of Egypt …”? Didn’t God order the destruction and suffering? Has it anything to do with God’s response to people suffering, irrespective of godly / ungodly?
- Tuesday: Ezekiel 32:22-32 When you think of the character and nature of God, what are things that come to mind about God? Obviously, those thoughts and images about God are what you relate to … hold dear. Now read vs 32 – what is your response to that side of God?
- Wednesday: Ezekiel 33:1-9 A fair and logical argument, right? The “watchman” is a person who is not responsible for the news, but just a deliverer. What is required in the integrity of a watchman to do this job?
- Thursday: Ezekiel 33:10-20 Underline vs 11, that’s the Gospel! Secondly, take serious note of how being “righteous” and doing “injustice” is a contradiction (vs 13). For a Christ follower today, who claims “righteousness” (in Christ) … what does this awareness and compliance to “justice” look like in our daily living?
- Friday: Ezekiel 33:21-33 Jerusalem falls! In vs 30f. there are people who tell each other ‘Come, let’s go to the prophet and see what God is saying to him’ (vs 30). Notice the issue God has with them (vs 32)
- Saturday: Ezekiel 34:1-10 And now God in speaking to and about Israel, points to the real problem-rot: the spiritual shepherds; their contemporaries today would be “Pastors”! Notice the list of things they failed.
September 29 - October 5
- Sunday: Psalm 96 “Oh sing to the LORD a new song, sing … all the earth!”
- Monday: Ezekiel 34:11-24 Marvel at how, in spite of their sin, God says “I, myself will search for my sheep …” (vs 11f). That’s true of our own lives – God is the one that pursued us, Jesus found us!
- Tuesday: Ezekiel 34:25-31 God initiates the covenant … He doesn’t have to (vs 25f)! He is possessive of His people – see vs 31. We are owned by God, not as slaves but adopted children!
- Wednesday: Ezekiel 35:1-15 Why would God get upset enough to prophecy against a mountain range, in this case Mt. Seir? The “land” is not separated from the “people”; in this case the prophecy is against the Edomites. God can bless people, land, and their possession … He can curse it too.
- Thursday: Ezekiel 36:1-15 An encouragement to Israel – though God will discipline and punish His people for their sins, and often use pagans, His people are always His people! God determines the boundaries of how much others can touch us …
- Friday: Ezekiel 36:16-21 One of the most important things you can learn about God – what matters to Him, what bothers Him, etc. See vs 20-21. What we say, how we live, what we project as “Christians” has a direct bearing about the God we project. Life is not about us! We are creatures, He is the Creator … we are in HIS image!
- Saturday: Ezekiel 36:22-38 Here comes the Gospel in the Old Testament! As you read it, notice who is doing the heavy lifting. If you want to have fun (and then let me know), count the # of times “I will” comes up. Also, do you see the connection between this work that God will do and the previous section (vs 22, cf. vs 20-21)?
October 6-12
- Sunday: Psalm 97