The Bible in 260: Recent Episodes
Albert Kooy
This podcast brings you through the entire bible in 260 days. Have you ever wanted to read the whole bible but struggled to do so? This podcast is meant to help you do it. With five 15-20 minute episodes per week, you will hear the entire bible read to you. There will also be occasional brief notes to help explain context as well as a concluding question or thought to consider. So, welcome to your journey through the bible in 260 days!
In this final episode we hear from God reasons why he is worthy to be praised!
Passages in this episode: Job 40-42, Psalm 150, Revelation 22
In this second last episode we come to the description of a new heavens and earth that God will bring into existence when Jesus returns, showing his glory and power, and offering hope to the world!
Passages in this episode: Job 38-39, Psalm 103, Revelation 21
As you read the bible, you can not escape the reality of God's final judgment that is coming on all who do not have their names written in the Book of Life. This final judgment is a warning that is meant to turn people to Jesus, the final judge and to see hope is found in him alone.
Passages in this episode: Job 35-37, Revelation 20
The bible consistently portrays God as both merciful and just, loving and wrathful; a Lamb and a King! This combination is found in our passages and shows us that we need to remember that we need to remember God is not properly understood when we reduce him to just one or the other.
Passages in this episode: Job 32-34, Psalm 102, Revelation 19
Job gives his last big defence of this innocence before God and while he doesn't accuse God of wrong doing, he asks why he is going through this time of suffering and loss. And while an answer from God will come, it is not what Job or we expect.
Passages in this episode: Job 29-31, Revelation 18
As Job continues to respond to his three friends, we see Job refer to the truth of true wisdom found only in God. Job is struggling with God's ways, but he tells his friends true wisdom is found in God who knows all things.
Passages in this episode: Job 25-28, Revelation 17
When people do evil to others and then experience consequences, we say, "You got what you deserved!" And it's true that evil deserves to be punished. But while that is true, it should be remembered that left to ourselves, all humanity would deserve God's wrath and judgment, and it is only by God's grace that we are shown mercy and forgiveness.
Passages in this episode: Job 22-24, Psalm 101, Revelation 16
In the midst of his friends continuing accusations wrong doing, Job says that the reason he has any hope left at all is because he knows his Redeemer lives and that one day he will see in him face to face. This is the hope that belongs to all who trust in God!
Passages in this episode: Job 18-21, Psalm 141, Revelation 15
Sometimes when we face the hardships and sorrow of life, we can feel like Job does in this section; hopeless. And in the midst of this, his friends are no comfort at all. And yet, he continues to trust in God because while he doesn't feel hope, he knows God is still the only true source of hope for him and this world!
Passages in this episode: Job 15-17, Revelation 14
Job keeps his hope in God even in the midst of his trials and suffering. How? Job trusts God's character and knows that God is just and merciful, powerful and gracious. And that is the reason we can praise God and keep our hope firmly in him too!
Passages in this episode: Job 11-14, Psalm 100, Revelation 13
As Job's friends continue to tell him he must have done some evil for God to bring these consequences into his life, Job maintains his innocence and also wonders aloud what he has done. Yet, he also admits that God is the ultimate authority and he humbly says he can not understand all of God's ways.
Passages in this episode: Job 8-10, Revelation 12
Job's three friends begin to attempt to explain why such terrible things have happened to Job. His first friend says that Job must be guilty of some evil because those who are innocent prosper. And yet, Job claims he is innocent, so how can that always be the case. This is meant to cause us to feel the tension because we know Job is innocent, and yet he suffers so much.
Passages in this episode: Job 4-7, Psalm 99, Revelation 11
This episode begins our journey through the book of Job, a book that describes the suffering of Job and the response to it of Job, his friends and God at the end. Surprisingly, Job's initial response to all of the calamity he experiences is to say that God gives and takes away and yet blessed be the name of God.
Passages in this episode: Job 1-3, Psalm 29, Revelation 10
God tells us that a King is coming who will bring judgment on those who refuse to turn to him in repentance and faith. This King is Jesus, and he is powerful and not someone to take lightly, but rather someone who each person should consider carefully how to respond to for his judgment is coming, whether you believe it or not.
Passages in this episode: Malachi, Psalm 2, Revelation 9
A common complaint about Christians is that they are hypocrites, saying one thing and doing another. We see this in the final section of Nehemiah, and if we are honest, in our own lives as well. The only one who always walks his talk is God!
Passages in this episode: Nehemiah 10-13, Revelation 8
The power of God's word can lead people to heart changing grief, confession of sin, trust in him to protect, and belief that he can restore all things in his time. This is why we take time to read and listen to God's word that has the power to save!
Passages in this episode: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 140, Revelation 7
God is a God of love and justice. Our passages show He can not turn a blind eye to evil and injustice. This gives those who experience injustice hope, and those who practice injustice warning. God is a God of justice.
Passages in this episode: Nehemiah 4-6, Psalm 98, Revelation 6
As we begin the book of Nehemiah, we meet a humble man who seeks to serve the people because he has a sense of his own unworthiness before God. But this doesn't discourage or weigh him down, but actually leads to courageous service because he knows the God who is worthy of all praise because God is a God of mercy to the unworthy!
Passages in this episode: Nehemiah 1-3, Revelation 5
God calls his people to be set apart, to be holy, because he is a holy God. God is not like any other gods because he is the only true God and all others are imposters who seek to draw people away and lead them to destruction. This episode shows the seriousness of God's holiness, but also the awe that holiness inspires, as those who are redeemed by holy King who came to make an unholy people, holy.
Passages in this episode: Ezra 7-10, Psalm 97, Revelation 4
God protects his people, even when, as we see in the book of Esther, his name is not mentioned once! And he also disciplines his people, calling them to turn back to him, trusting and resting in his gracious love, as we hear in this section of Revelation. God protects and disciplines his people.
Passages in this episode: Esther 7-10, Revelation 3
In the story of Esther and the book of Revelation, we hear a word to encourage and strengthen those who face suffering and persecution as those who trust in God. What is this encouragement? Let's listen to what God says to give hope in the midst of persecution.
Passages in this episode: Esther 4-6, Revelation 2
As we begin two new books this episode, Esther and Revelation, God's greatness and grace are on display. This humbles us as we realize how great and powerful God is in knowing all things, while also calming our fears as we see how gracious God is to those who trust in him.
Passages in this episode: Esther 1-3, Psalm 139, Revelation 1
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." This is what he is like and we see this in our passages today which describe how God overcomes opposition with justice and with grace.
Passages in this episode: Ezra 5-6, Psalm 95, 3 John 1
God warns people that he will bring justice and their blood will be shed if they refuse to turn to him and trust in him. At the same time, God offers forgiveness and grace to those who trust in Jesus, the Son of God, who's blood was shed to cleanse them from all their sin!
Passages in this episode: Zechariah 12-14, Psalm 94, 2 John
Jesus is the true shepherd King who comes not on a warhorse first, but on a donkey to proclaim a message of peace accomplished through his sacrificial death. In doing this, Jesus is the good shepherd who protects his flock, cares for them and gives his life for them in order for them to follow, trust and obey him.
Passages in this episode: Zechariah 9-11, 1 John 5
God's love is so powerful that it has the power to drive out fear; fear of punishment, fear of death, fear of failure, fears of all kinds. And it is the very love of God shown in all his acts of mercy, especially in Jesus that becomes the reason those who trust in him become able to love. We love because he first loved us, and that love drives out fear!
Passages in this episode: Zechariah 6-8, 1 John 4
One of the things God tells us over and over again is that we are weak but he is strong. Why? Because by nature we think we are strong and he is weak. And yet, when we admit we are weak and trust in him, who is strong, we discover God uses his strength and power to cleanse, restore and renew in ways that bring joy and life we can never achieve on our own!
Passages in this episode: Zechariah 2-5, Psalm 93, 1 John 3
So often those who profess faith in the God who gives life, wander away from him and then wonder why life falls apart. And yet God in his grace pursues his wandering people and works in their hearts to energize and encourage them by his power!
Passages in this episode: Haggai, Zechariah 1, Psalm 138, 1 John 2
The people of Israel who returned from exile had a great start to rebuilding the temple and city of Jerusalem. And then opposition arose and they were stopped from proceeding, leaving them confused and disappointed. How do you face opposition like this in life? The other passages in this episode provide an answer of hope in the God of justice and mercy.
Passages in this episode: Ezra 3-4, Psalm 92, 1 John 1
In our passages we see that God brings his people back from exile and restores those who even deny knowing him. Such grace and love is proof that the God of the bible is a God who heals the brokenhearted, which is good news for us all!
Passages in this episode: Ezra 1-2, Psalm 147, John 21
In a world filled with wars, suffering and evil, it's easy to wonder where to find hope and to even struggle to believe whether there is any hope at all. And yet, in our passages today, we see the devastation of war and also the reason for hope in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, proving his power over death and that he is the one who will make all things new! Jesus is the true source of hope!
Passages in this episode: Daniel 10-12, John 20
The prophets spoke of a promised King who would save his people and yet also said this King would suffer for his people. In our passages today, we see both descriptions on display as Jesus is the Glorious King who also suffers and dies to save people like you and me.
Passages in this episode: Daniel 7-9, Psalm 91, John 19
The passages from Daniel and John recount a number of stories that show a mix of justice and injustice being done, teaching us that God is very concerned with justice, so much so, that he came to bring justice even at great cost to the son of God, Jesus.
Passages in this episode: Daniel 4-6, John 18
Where do you find the courage and strength to face the hard times of life? Our passages today describe several examples of what this can be like as well as pointing to where to find that courage.
Passages in this episode: Daniel 1-3, Psalm 88, John 17
God's promises to Israel in exile and the world lost in the darkness of sin, that he will restore and renew those who belong to him so that their sadness will turn to joy! This promise is clearly seen in the last chapters of Ezekiel and in the words of Jesus the night before his suffering and death.
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 46-48, John 16
As Ezekiel continues to describe the vision of the new temple, he sees the glory of God returning to the temple and he is led to worship God. Amazingly, Jesus tells us that he has come to gain a new and even more intimate access to this holy God by uniting people to himself as branches are united to a vine. And in doing so, Jesus says those who dwell with a holy God this way, gain new power and desire to love God and love other people, out of the love God has shown to them!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 43-45, Psalm 135, John 15
God is a personal God who promises to dwell with his people, to come near them, and to live with them. While this happened by way of a temple at one point, Jesus shows an even closer and intimate experience of dwelling with God when he says that he will make a new home for those who trust in him that will bring them into a new intimate relationship with God dwelling in them and they with him!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 40-42, John 14
Power so often corrupts those who possess it that we struggle to believe anyone who has power will use it for good. But our passages today show God use his power to save and to serve in ways that show he is the only one who can be trusted to use his power to give life!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 37-39, Psalm 87, John 13
Our passages speak very clearly about God's powerful pursuing love of people who are unworthy of that love, and yet by God's grace receive it. Why? Because showing this mercy and love is how God shows the greatness of who he truly is, bringing him the glory he truly deserves!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 34-36, Psalm 86, John 12
As mortal human beings, we fear death. God warns us that death is coming to all of us, no matter who we are. And yet, he also offers resurrection and eternal life to all who turn to Jesus who is the resurrection and the life!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 31-33, John 11
We see a major contrast in our passages today between nations that used their power to oppress and do violence to others, and Jesus, the powerful Son of God who uses his power to lay down his life for helpless and weak people like us. This is why Jesus is the Good Shepherd!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 28-30, John 10
Left to ourselves, we are blind to who God is and what he has done. But God is gracious and comes to open the eyes of those who admit they are blind, so along with the man in our final passage we can say, "I was blind, but now I see!"
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 25-27, Psalm 85, John 9
God describes his people as being unfaithful to him as they worship other gods and act as if they do not belong to him, but to others. He warns them of the judgment that comes from such unfaithfulness, but also calls them to turn to him and trust in him as the one who can forgive and show mercy so they can once again belong to him!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 22-24, Psalm 134, John 8
God warns the people over and over again that worshipping idols, created things rather than the creator is offensive to God and will bring judgment on them, and it is enslaving to them, since idols can't love, forgive or provide like God. And so the call from God is to turn from idols and to worship him, the one who loves, forgives and provides all we truly need.
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 19-21, Psalm 84, John 7
God describes the people as an unfaithful wife, who cheat on him and chase after other men, or gods. In response, God brings judgment on them, but also offers hope to those who turn back to him, promising to restore them because he is the truly faithful God, keeping his promise of love, even to those who were unfaithful.
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 16-18, John 6
The bible teaches that the human heart is a slave to whatever it desires most. And by nature our hearts desire created things rather than the creator, leaving us as slaves to those things. But God, in his mercy, uses his power to recapture the hearts of people, turning them away from idols to worship him, the one who sets people free!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 13-15, Psalm 136, John 5
While God again warns the people he will remove his presence from them so they will come to see their need to turn back to him, he also promises to do a work in them by his Spirit to give them new hearts and make them new people. This promise is fulfilled in the work of Jesus and shows us why Christianity is truly the hope of the nations!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 10-12, Psalm 83, John 4
A hard truth for us to accept is that apart from God's saving work in Jesus, all of us stand condemned before God because we are people who are sinful and prefer the darkness over the light. And yet, God sends his Son, Jesus, into the world to save those who put their trust in him. This is the good news of Christianity!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 7-9, John 3
We struggle at times to see how love and justice can be anything but opposites. We think of justice apart from love, and love as ignoring justice. But in these passages we see God's justice in his righteous anger along with is amazing love in a way that teaches us that God is both loving and just!
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 4-6, Psalm 82, John 2
Ezekiel and John both speak of God's glory in ways that call all who hear it to decide how they will respond. Will you listen or ignore it? Will you respond by looking to God in awe and wonder or disregard it?
Passages in this episode: Ezekiel 1-3, John 1
We hear in this episode that a day of judgment is coming for Babylon but also a final day of judgment for the entire world. And on that day we will either rejoice in seeing God restore all things as those who belong to him by grace, or we will experience a final judgment of eternal death and sorrow as those who refuse to turn and seek his grace and mercy. In the meantime, each day is an opportunity for more people to come to Jesus, seek his forgiveness and experience new life in him.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 51-52, 2 Peter 3
As God warns people about the judgment to come over and over again, we need to consider what would be an appropriate response. In our passages we discover several responses showing us both wise and foolish responses to God's judgment.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 49-50, Psalm 80, 2 Peter 2
When someone keeps their promises and does what they say they will do, we come to have greater confidence in what they tell us they will do. Having made and kept his promises and shown his word to be true, God is the one in whom you can have the greatest confidence, knowing his word is completely trustworthy!
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 44-48, 2 Peter 1
The story of the fall of Jerusalem as told by Jeremiah provides lessons in leadership that show us how not to be a leader. In contrast, Peter's words from his letter describe the key qualities of a leader, patterned after Jesus.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 39-43, Psalm 147, 1 Peter 5
Suffering is a reality in every person's life. At some point or maybe at many points of life, you will experience suffering. Our passages today give voice to suffering in the form of lament. A crying out to God, admitting the pain, crying out for mercy and trusting he will answer because he is a God of faithful, loyal love.
Passages in this episode: Lamentations, Psalm 137, 1 Peter 4
After centuries of warnings to turn from their evil ways, shedding innocent blood and failing to love and worship him as the one true God, God finally brings judgment on the King and people of Jerusalem. These accounts reminds us of the reality of God's judgment, but they also end with a brief note of hope for the return God promised in his mercy and grace.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 23:36-25, 2 Chronicles 36, Psalm 79, 1 Peter 3
The passages in this episode show a consistent connection between trusting in God and obeying God. Trust leads to obedience and trust comes from seeing God's power and grace as he reveals himself in his words and actions, most clearly in Jesus and all he has done!
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 35-38, 1 Peter 2
Jeremiah speaks of how God promises to restore the people even though they have disobeyed him and turned their backs on him. But God also warns them not to reject his offer of mercy and instead to respond with joyful obedience, in light of his grace and love!
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 32-34, 1 Peter 1
In this set of passages we see a theme of God bringing joy to those who shed tears as they come to see their need for God's forgiveness and realize he is willing to forgive, restore and bring joy to their lives. This is the good news of what God is like, for he brings people from tears to joy!
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 30-31, Psalm 79, James 5
Throughout the bible, God sends prophets to tell the people what he wants them to hear, including his plans for them. But false prophets commonly came and prophesied lies to the people about God's plan. In this episode we see the clash between God's true prophet and a false prophet and we are warned to humble ourselves and listen to God's true prophet, even though his words are not always what we want to hear.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 27-29, James 4
Words can bring life or death, can bring people together or divide them. Words are powerful. In this episode we hear words from God and from people that show this power and remind us that listening to God's word is the path to new life and learning to use words for good rather than evil.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 24-26, Psalm 133, James 3
God cares deeply about justice and his fiercest judgment is on those who take advantage of the most vulnerable, the widow, orphan, poor or immigrant. This was one of God's big problems with the people of Israel and Judah, but we see this also in James' warning that people who truly love God should do justice as they love their neighbours in response to God's love.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 21-23, Psalm 77, James 2
The truth of the human condition is that we all have deceived hearts that need a miraculous cure only God can give. At the same time, our hearts can ache at the evil and injustice we see in this world, which ought to drive us to look to Jesus who is the true and gracious heart healer!
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 17-20, James 1
It is common for us as human beings to be given many warnings that we may hear and understand but simply ignore or dismiss as being for someone other than ourselves. In these passages, God warns us that he will bring judgment on evil and injustice, and yet will also show grace to those who turn to him and listen to his warnings.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 14-16, Psalm 76, 2 Corinthians 13
God continues to warn the people of Jeremiah's day that punishment is coming for their evil ways, but they ignore him and keep going their own way. And yet, while God will bring justice, he also offers a word of grace to those who turn back to him and reminds us that he will bring an end to evil, but he is also a God of grace.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 11-13, 2 Corinthians 12
We all usually boast about what we think we know or do best or at least better than others. In our passage today, we hear about a kind of boasting in things that are nothing compared to God, which is why God calls people to realize that he is the only one they should really ever boast about.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 8-10, 2 Corinthians 11
One of the complaints God had against the people was that their words did not match their actions. God wants more than words. He wants people to love him and love other people in ways that are right, truthful and life-giving.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 5-7, Psalm 75, 2 Corinthians 10
Jeremiah was a prophet during the final years before Jerusalem and the people of Judah were taken into exile in Babylon. He was known as the weeping prophet because he was called by God to tell the people of the coming judgment, but they refused to listen and continued to forsake God. And yet, God also spoke through Jeremiah words of hope and promise to not completely forsake the people but to show them mercy and bring them back again.
Passages in this episode: Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 9
One of the recurring themes of the prophets from the days of the final kings of Israel and Judah is that God's judgment is coming, whether you like it, believe it, or not. And yet, each of the prophets also offers a word of hope that those who heed the warning and turn back to God will be shown mercy by God who is willing save in his grace and love.
Passages in this episode: Zephaniah, Psalm 74, 2 Corinthians 8
The prophet Habakkuk prophesied during a time of great hardship and suffering, and he honestly asks God why it is all happening. What he discovers as God responds is that God will act justly against evil and in his time will restore his people as well. That mixture of God's justice and grace is what gives those who trust in him the ability to even have joy in the midst of suffering.
Passages in this episode: Habakkuk, 2 Corinthians 7
The life of King Josiah portrays the heart of a man who is changed by God's gracious reconciliation, producing a response of love, trust and obedience. This is the heart response that makes sense when you have experienced the life-changing grace and love of God in Jesus.
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 34-35, 2 Corinthians 6
An amazing truth of Christianity is that God pursues people who have rejected him and reconciles them to himself. He makes the first move and does all that is needed to bring people into restored relationship with himself. This is what leads people to respond in faith, love and obedience, seen in this episode's passages.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 22-23:35, Psalm 73, 2 Corinthians 5
God's judgment is often cited as evidence of his lack of love, and yet how unloving would it be to ignore evil and injustice? God's justice and judgment against evil is actually one of the ways we see his love because not only does he do something about evil and injustice, he offers mercy to those who turn from evil to him!
Passages in this episode: Nahum, Psalm 149, 2 Corinthians 4
In this episode we meet King Manasseh who does some of the most evil things any king in this history of Israel and Judah has done, and yet repents of his sin and turns to God for mercy. God's response shows not only his mercy but also his power to graciously give new life!
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 71, 2 Corinthians 3
The promise of God includes a new heavens and earth that he will create and give to those who respond to his call to seek him with humble hearts. This is the good news that gives hope beyond this life and is the fragrance of life to those who believe!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 64-66, 2 Corinthians 1:23-2
We long for comfort, especially when facing hardship and difficult times. In our passages we will hear how God can and does comfort those who trust in him, in a way that brings you through the hardest circumstances in his strength, not your own.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 60-63, 2 Corinthians 1:22
God's desire to save people extends to all nations and he calls those who belong to him to share this good news with all they can because Jesus is the saviour of all who trust in him. He also calls his followers to not simply speak of God's salvation but to show the love of God in doing justice, caring for those in need, and doing what is right!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 56-59, Psalm 70, 1 Corinthians 16
How do you face the reality of death in your own life and in the lives of those you love? Where do you find hope? Is it even possible to have hope? In this episode we will hear incredible promises and truths of why Jesus is the one in whom you can find real and life-giving hope!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 52:13-55, Psalm 128, 1 Corinthians 15
It is painful to feel forgotten by others. Sometimes it feels like God has forgotten us when life is hard and painful. But in these passages, we hear God make it clear that he will never forget for his love goes on forever.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 49-52:12, Psalm 69, 1 Corinthians 14
When God saves a person he loves them so much he doesn't leave them the same as they were before, but changes them and makes them new so that they can live a new life that is to be characterized by love.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 45-48, 1 Corinthians 13
The good news of Christianity is that even though we fail to worship and honour the God who made us, he comes to saved us through his Son and even gives gifts to be used to serve him and serve others. Christians are saved to serve!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 41-44, 1 Corinthians 12
In this episode we see how even though Hezekiah was a good king, he was not the truly perfect king we need because he gave in to pride and failed to trust in God in his later years. And this reminds us how much we all need God's grace which he willingly gives, even though, like Hezekiah, we are unworthy of it.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33, Isaiah 38-40, Psalm 68, 1 Corinthians 11
Throughout the bible and in the first part of the book of Isaiah, there are warnings about worshipping false gods or idols, and failing to worship the only true God, the Lord. In this episode, we hear how the only true God rescues his people and turns their hearts to him to live for his glory, bringing true joy and freedom!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 36-37, Psalm 123, 1 Corinthians 10
King Hezekiah was a faithful king of Judah but in this episode his trust in God is tested as he faces a massive invading army that threatens to destroy him. At the heart of this story is the question, "who will you trust?", a question we all need to answer when life goes in difficult directions and we face fears of many kinds.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalm 67, 1 Corinthians 9
In this episode we hear the story of a major revival in the history of the nation of Israel led by King Hezekiah. It speaks to the importance of worshipping God and the joy and life a true heart of worship makes for individuals and communities.
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 29-31, 1 Corinthians 8
The passages from this episode warn about the dangers of worshipping idols rather than the true God, describe the reasons God is worthy of worship, and depict the life of faithfulness that ought to flow out of a life of worship.
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 17, Psalm 66, 1 Corinthians 7
The theme of God's judgment comes back over and over again in the book of Isaiah, but so does the restoration of God, giving new life and forgiveness to those who turn to him. Along with this, God calls people who are restored by him to live transformed lives which reflect the grace and love God has shown in his restoration of them.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 33-35, 1 Corinthians 6
Sometimes people think that grace is a license to do whatever you want, since God will just forgive again and again. In our passages today, God confronts this way of thinking, making it clear that grace should lead to changed lives and those who misuse grace as an excuse to keep sinning ought to respond to God's discipline by repenting of their sin.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 30-32, 1 Corinthians 5
The passages in this episode remind us of the fact that the God of the bible is a God of salvation. God saves people who turn to him, trust in him and worship him in response. This is the amazing good news of the bible and is what motivates people who have been saved to live a life of service in love and thankfulness to the God of salvation!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 26-29, Psalm 65, 1 Corinthians 4
Many people speak of leaving a legacy from their life's work. In the passages today, we are given insight into a vision of life that is not about building our own kingdoms and leaving a legacy like that, but rather to see that the greatest work anyone could do is to join in God's building work of his Kingdom, the only one that brings lasting joy, purpose and life!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 23-25, 1 Corinthians 3
One of the humbling truths of the bible is that any true knowledge of God and what he has done is only understood and believed because the Spirit of God has revealed it to people. For apart from the Spirit revealing the wisdom of God to any of us, we would not understand nor believe. But God graciously reveals himself by the power of his Spirit!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 20-22, 1 Corinthians 2
Wisdom is more than knowing what to do, it is knowing when and why. Where is true wisdom found? While it is tempting to think you can find wisdom within yourself, the passages today show us that true wisdom is found in listening to God, the source of all true wisdom.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 17-19, Psalm 62, 1 Corinthians 1
A theme that runs through the bible is the reality of a king who will restore all things, which is promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. This king, Jesus, proved his ability to do this when he rose from the dead and showed that he can even restore the dead to life in every way. What a glorious resurrected King he is!
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 14-16, Matthew 28
After being rejected by even his closest followers, Jesus cries out on the cross that he was forsaken by God, quoting from Psalm 22. And in this we get a glimpse into the depth of the suffering Jesus experienced in the place of those who deserved to be forsaken for their sin. And yet, in the greatest display of love, Jesus stayed and suffered for those who trust in him, the forsaken King.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 11-13, Psalm 22, Matthew 27
Both passages from Isaiah and the Psalms speak of a promised King who will come to save his people, but who will be rejected by those very people. This is exactly what happened to Jesus as we read from Matthew 26 and shows us how great God's faithful love must be that he would come to rescue and forgive people who rejected him.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 7-10, Psalm 118, Matthew 26
Our passages today speak of the promise of a king to come who will usher in a new kingdom that will be populated by forgiven people who live new lives of love, serving the King and serving others. Jesus explains that this is what Christians should be like who call him King and look forward to his return and hearing the words, "well done, good and faithful servant".
Passages in this episode: Micah 5-7, Matthew 25
God cares about injustice and promises through his prophets that justice will come on those who take advantage of the weak, poor, and outcasts. The passages today all speak of a call for justice to be done, as well as making it clear that God will respond with justice in his time.
Passages in this episode: Micah 1-4, Psalm 10, Matthew 24
When you encounter the holy God, there is only one response that makes sense, "woe is me!" because, like Isaiah, we realize how unholy we are compared to God. And yet, as Isaiah experienced, God is willing to cleanse and forgive, to show mercy to those who admit they need to be forgiven. But as Jesus warns, woe to those who think they are good enough based on their own moral efforts and achievements.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 4-6, Matthew 23
A recurring theme of the bible is that God will not ignore evil or injustice, but will be a just judge, while also showing mercy to those who turn to him and ask for it. This truth is seen in all of our passages today, pointing to the person of Jesus who makes that mercy possible and justice sure.
Passages in this episode: Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22
Throughout the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah we discover that so many do evil and even the best are not the true king we need. And yet we have the good news from Matthew 21 of the entry into Jerusalem of the true King, the one we all need!
Passages in this episode: 2 King 15-16, Matthew 21
Throughout these passages we see a mix of pride and grace. Humans being proud and arrogant, especially while being successful, while God is so gracious and loving.
Passages in this episode: Hosea 14, 2 Chronicles 26-27, Psalm 61, Matthew 20
God shows his love to his people, who then don't love him back. He provides for them, cares for them, and they turn away from him. Often when wealth increases, people stray further from God because they don't need him, showing they don't really love him. Jesus calls this out and reminds us that love is at the heart of a relationship with God.
Passages in this episode: Hosea 11-13, Matthew 19
As we continue our reading through Hosea, God's judgment against them is seen in how they are so hard hearted towards God, sometimes acting religious, but their hearts are far from loving and serving God. This same hard heartedness is seen in Matthew 18 where Jesus warns of judgment as well.
Passages in this episode: Hosea 7-10, Matthew 18
God's warning of judgment continues in Hosea and is heard in Psalm 58 as well. But we also see in Matthew a vision of Jesus glorified as the true King and the one who has the right to judge but comes first to save his unfaithful people.
Passages in this episode: Hosea 4-6, Psalm 58, Matthew 17
The story of Hosea portrays the relationship of an unfaithful wife to the people of Israel being unfaithful to God. And while it contains warnings of judgment, it also shows God's pursuing love of his unfaithful wife and proves that love in Jesus!
Passages in this episode: Hosea 1-3, Matthew 16
Amos ends his prophecy of judgment with a note of hope that God will restore the people and bring a feast in a place where there was famine. How can God do this? Our answer is found in Matthew 15 where we meet Jesus who feeds to crowds, not just with bread made of wheat, but with a new life in him.
Passages in this episode: Amos 7-9, Matthew 15
Amos brings an indictment against the people of Israel that they have denied justice to the poor and taken advantage of the weak, betraying those in need and failing to do what God's says is right. This betrayal is also felt in personal ways in our lives with other people. Where is hope found in all this betrayal? Our final passage points us to Jesus as the true source of hope for the betrayed.
Passages in this episode: Amos 4-6, Psalm 55, Matthew 14
We begin the book of Amos in this episode which starts with a number of judgments against nations surrounding Israel and Judah and then turns to judgment of Israel as well. Those kingdoms are all doomed to fall because they reject God as the true King! And then Jesus in Matthew 13 tells us a number of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven that show us what his Kingdom will be like!
Passages in this episode: Amos 1-3, Matthew 13
The passages today give us an answer to the question, "What's wrong with humanity?". The answer, we are sinful people, with evil in us to the core. And while this is devastating news, our final passage tells us that there is hope found in Jesus who knows what we are like and came to save us!
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 25, Psalm 53, Matthew 12
The story of Jonah speaks to the need for repentance but also the incredible grace and mercy of God. Jesus also speaks about the need to repent, to turn from sin and to God, while also inviting people to come to him and find rest in him, having turned to God in his mercy and grace.
Passages in this episode: Jonah 1-4, Matthew 11
Both the book of Joel and Jesus' words in Matthew 10 speak of reality of judgment to come on those who turn from God, the need for repentance, turning back to God, and how God will restore those who repent and turn to him. These passages are warnings but also messages of great hope!
Passages in this episode: Joel 1-3, Matthew 10
We are more influenced by those we listen to than we often realize. In our passages today we are confronted with the consequences of people who refuse to listen to God as well as the great benefits of listening to him.
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 24, 2 Kings 12, Psalm 50, Matthew 9
We all experienced storms in life and our passages today describe storms of life in various ways, as well as giving us insight into the one who can calm the storms of life in ways that bring true rest.
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 22-23, 2 Kings 11, Psalm 131, Matthew 8
Our passages today describe the judgment of God against evil and injustice in ways that remind us that God can not ignore it but must bring just judgment on it. At the same time, Jesus warns us about being hypocritical judges of others, and also calls us to see how God will judge those who claim to serve him but to whom he says, "depart from me, I never knew you."
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 9-10, Psalm 49, Matthew 7
Jesus in his "Sermon on the Mount" exposes our hypocrisy in having and outer life that doesn't match our inner life. And this problem is not just ours, but is a human problem in all of history; a problem that comes from what we value most, which so often is things that do not last or can not satisfy as only God can.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 7-8, 2 Chronicles 21, Matthew 6
God demonstrates his miraculous power in the life of Elisha in quite a few different ways to show the people who is the true God and who they should listen to. Similarly, Jesus begins his "Sermon on the Mount" by presenting to his listeners what a life lived for God is supposed to look like; a truly miraculous life, which when lived out, is a light for the world of God's power to change people's lives.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 4-6, Matthew 5
This episode shows us a contrast in the main characters of the passages in their dedication to God and they way they handle temptation, showing the value of dedication to God and how temptation is resisted in dedication to God and his word.
Passages in this episode: 2 Kings 2-3, Psalm 48, Matthew 4
Where to you look for help in time of need? The stories of the kings of Israel and Judah show some looked to God and others, not at all. And yet, the reminder of our passages today is that God is the only one who can truly help in time of need because he is both powerful and merciful to help those who look to him!
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 19-20, 2 Kings 1, Psalm 20, Matthew 3
The stories of the kings of Israel and Judah show how God brings justice to bear on those who reject him, while showing mercy to those who repent and turn back to him. They also show God's protection of his people in caring for them and providing for them in the face of evil and injustice.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 21-22, 2 Chronicles 18, Psalm 129, Matthew 2
As we continue to read the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah, we see that even the best of these kings fail to be the true king that can save and love his people, caring for them as God calls them to do so. Thankfully, this changes as we begin to read Matthew 1, and meet the true God and true King, Jesus, born to save his people.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 17, Matthew 1
The importance of God's Word is the theme of this episode, especially seen in Psalm 119, which speaks over and over again of the value, beauty and life giving truth of God's Word. Ultimately, God's Word gives life because the final Word of God given is Jesus himself, the Word of God made flesh.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 17, Psalm 119, Jude
As we work through the history of the kings of Israel and Judah we see the contrast between those kings who rely on God and those who do not, making it very clear the consequences of relying on yourself as well. Along with these stories, we read from Philemon in this episode which shows the power of God's grace and how relying on God's grace and change and restore relationships with God and others.
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 15-16, 1 Kings 16, Philemon
As the stories of the kings of Judah and Israel are told in this episode we see a pattern of the sins of the fathers often being the sins of the next generation. And while there are exceptions, this is often what we struggle with as well. How do you fight against this tendency in your life? Our final passage has an answer that brings hope for us to break those patterns and live a new life!
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13-14, Titus 3
God does give warnings throughout the bible to keep people from continuing down a path that leads to their own destruction and to give them the opportunity to turn back to himself. But as we read in these passages, so often people don't listen. At the same time, we see in other passages why it is important to obey and what motivation to obey actually works to change people like you and me.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 12, Psalm 47, Titus 2
So often leaders are looked up to for their status, position or skill. But God makes clear in the bible that true leadership is primary seen in godly character. These passages today contrast the character of King Rehoboam with the description of an elder of the church and the main lesson is character matters!
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11, Titus 1
As we conclude the book of Ecclesiastes, we hear Solomon say that after all has been said and done, it is good to fear God and obey his commandments. But where is the hope in that when we are honest about our lives? Thankfully, we also read from 2 Timothy 4 which remind us of the reasons to fear God and obey that come through faith in Jesus because of his grace.
Passages in this episode: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2 Timothy 4
As we continue in Ecclesiastes and hear the on-going struggle with how life is not fair and things are futile, the question is who or what will you put your trust in as you go through life? The bible's answer is to trust in God and our other passages provide that answer which gives great hope!
Passages in this episode: Ecclesiastes 7-9, Psalm 46, 2 Timothy 3
How do you deal with the fact that life isn't fair? What do you do when you face this struggle in your own life? Ecclesiastes shows the difficulty and frustration of it, but other passages point to an answer that gives hope in seeing the ultimate justice and mercy of God in Jesus.
Passages in this episode: Ecclesiastes 4-6, Psalm 125, 2 Timothy 2
We begin the book of Ecclesiastes in today's episode and it is a book that makes us ask ourselves about what our purpose in life is all about. The writer, King Solomon, who is richer, wiser and more accomplished than anyone else in his day, is struggling with the fact that even though he has everything anyone could want, he sees it as futile, meaningless, vanity, like vapour or smoke. How do we deal with this struggle in life? Our passages today begin to answer that question as well.
Passages in this episode: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Psalm 45, 2 Timothy 1
Solomon was the wisest, wealthiest King of the world in his day. But was he content? Our passages today show us, sadly, he was not, which is hard for many of us to understand. Why was this the case for Solomon? Our final passage of this episode gives us the answer and also tells us where to find true and lasting contentment.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, 1 Timothy 6
This episode marks halfway through the Bible in 260! Congratulations on making it halfway! Today's episode describes various ways to serve the Lord in the lives of people from all stages of life and roles within the church and community. It reminds us all that we are all called to serve the Lord!
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, 1 Timothy 5
Everyone turns their eyes to whatever they think is most worthy of their attention. As Solomon dedicates the temple he calls the people to turn their eyes to God because he is worthy beyond anyone and anything else for all of our attention. And so the passages today call us to see why God is worthy for us to turn our eyes to him!
Passages in this episode: 2 Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, 1 Timothy 4
This episode speaks of God's dedication to his people, the dedication of the temple to God, and the dedication of elders and deacons to God's service. All of this tells of how God is the one who is worthy of all praise and how his dedication is possible because of his great mercy, grace and love.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 8, Psalm 30, 1 Timothy 3
A temple is a place where heaven and earth meet; a place where God and people can come near to each other. As Solomon built the temple of God in Jerusalem, people were anticipating the joy of having God be near to them. But sometimes, God doesn't feel like he is near, but rather that he feels far away. Our passages today explore this theme and provide an answer that is real and hope-filled.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4, Psalm 44, 1 Timothy 2
In the middle of the description of building the temple, God comes to Solomon to say that while no temple could contain him, he has chosen to dwell among the people of Israel and not forsake them. This is amazing because the history of Israel and of human beings in general, is a history of us forsaking God. How can this be possible? The answer is found in 1 Timothy 1 where we see God's grace for sinners.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3, 1 Timothy 1
We come back to the story of King Solomon in this episode and his preparations to build the temple in Jerusalem. In these passages and in our New Testament passage, we see the importance of work to God and how work is meant to be done with skill and good effort as a way of showing honour to God and bringing him glory!
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 5, 2 Chronicles 2, 2 Thessalonians 3
Our passages today bring together the last part of a poem about romantic love and a call to be courageous in the face of opposition and hard times. These two realities together show that God knows and is at work in every part of our lives and when we look to him we find the love and courage to live a life with true hope.
Passages in this episode: Song of Solomon 7-8, Psalm 127, 2 Thessalonians 2
We have quite a contrast in our passages today between a further depiction of love between a husband and wife and a warning about judgment on the day of Jesus' return. What holds these two passages together is love; a love designed and given by God and a love that gives hope to those who otherwise could only expect judgment.
Passages in this episode: Song of Solomon 4-6, 2 Thessalonians 1
While our world often seems obsessed with sex, it doesn't understand love. As we begin a new bible book, "The Song of Songs" or "The Song of Solomon", we hear God's word describe the joy of love, even sexual love between a husband and wife, in a beautiful and life-giving way that doesn't demean or dehumanize us.
Passages in this episode: Song of Solomon 1-3, Psalm 72, 1 Thessalonians 5
We all need to be encouraged with words from those we love. And it is amazing how powerful encouragement can be to help us keep going when life is difficult or disappointing. So, may these words you hear today be an encouragement to your heart, mind and soul.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 29-31, 1 Thessalonians 4
Friendship is very important in life. We all need true, loving friendships because we are not able to make it through life alone, and because it brings joy to love a friend well. This is actually a reflection of the nature of God as three persons, one God. As Father, Son and Spirit, he has been in loving community for all eternity and in making us in his image, we are made for community and friendship.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 26-28, 1 Thessalonians 3
Sometimes we suffer because of foolish decisions we make. But sometimes we suffer for reasons that are out of our control and sadly even sometimes at the hands of those who used to be friends. Our passages today deal with both kinds of suffering and provide an answer for how to work through it in a way that may surprise you.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 24-25, Psalm 41, 1 Thessalonians 2
The book of Proverbs speaks to all kinds of things we face in every day life in our words and actions. Proverbs caution against injustice to the poor, temptations of sex and alcohol, while promoting care for others and prudence in choosing friends. But overall, this wisdom can only be effective in a person's life, who has a power at work within that can only come from God, which is described in our final passage today.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 22-23, Psalm 117, 1 Thessalonians 1
True wisdom will lead you to not only know what true justice is, but to also act and speak for justice. And so much of the passages from Proverbs in this episode speak of the importance of justice in every day life. We see this justice ultimately coming from God in Psalm 40 which reminds us how God is the final source of justice for all.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 19-21, Psalm 40, Romans 16
Much of Proverbs addresses the importance and power of words. The chapters for today have a particularly heavy emphasis on the importance of words, reminding us that words have power to do good and to do evil. And Paul reminds us that some of the most important and powerful words we can share are words that tell people of God's grace and love to us in Jesus, the words of the gospel.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 16-18, Romans 15
One of the characteristics of wisdom in our passages today is grace. People who are wise ought to be people who are gracious. And they are gracious because they see their own need for grace and how God shows grace to them, reminding us all that true wisdom should lead to loving grace.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 14-15, Romans 14
One of the things that usually characterizes wise people is humility. Why is that? Because a wise person will admit the need to listen to others, to work with others and to even submit to others. And this is especially true of humbly oneself before God. This comes through in our passages today, encouraging us to see how humility grows out of wisdom.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13
Wisdom is personified in part of our readings today as a woman who is speaking to us in ways that will bring life to us, if we are willing to listen. And her words brings life because her words point us to the God who made us and who's ways lead to life, and ultimately a life of love.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 8-10, Psalm 144, Romans 12
It can be easy to ignore warnings as we think they're not important or don't apply to us. But wisdom says listen to warnings because it is often the very warnings we ignore that we need most to listen to and act upon, saving us from the destruction we face otherwise.
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 6-7, Psalm 7, Romans 11
Our passages today speak about the importance of words; words of wisdom and understanding, words of warning and discipline, and words of life. Since the God of the bible is one who reveals himself in words, we listen to his word so we can be not only changed by his word, but ultimately saved by his word!
Passages in this episode: Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10
It is easy to believe that we know best. Everything around us tells us today that the person most qualified to know what's best for you, is you! But our passages today confront that claim and make the claim that the person who knows what is truly best for us is God, not us.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 4, Proverbs 1-2, Psalm 43, Romans 9
True wisdom, power and love are the most valuable things we could ever have and which we know deep down we need. But where can you find or get them? So often we try to get them through our own efforts, paying any price we need to pay. But in our passages today we see that true wisdom, power and love can be ours through a gift from God, earned by Jesus at great cost to him.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 42, Romans 8
In our readings today we observe the struggle for allegiance in the lives of various people. This struggle of who to be loyal to is one all human beings face when it comes to God and in our final reading we read about how difficult that struggle can be for us.
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 2, 1 Chronicles 28-29, Romans 7
One of the most remarkable parts of what it means to be a Christian is what we read about in Romans 6. There Paul writes about being united to Jesus the King in such a profound way that he says we are united with him in his death and resurrection; and so united to him, we are given new life now and forever! Trusting in Jesus unites you to him, King Jesus, who has the power and love to raise you to new life in him!
Passages in this episode: 1 Kings 1, 1 Chronicles 26-27, Romans 6
One of the questions that comes to mind when reading the Old Testament is how can God keep forgiving and showing mercy to people who keep rejecting him and sinning against him? The answer we get in the New Testament is found in our passage from Romans 5, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us". This truth is the evidence for how much God loves his people!
Passages in this episode are: 1 Chronicles 22-25, Psalm 78, Romans 5
Last episode we heard about justification by grace. This episode we see how that justification becomes a reality in a person's life by faith. Faith is what joins you to Jesus. Putting your faith, your trust, in Jesus, joins you to his work of justifying you; declaring you righteous in God's sight!
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21, Romans 4
So much of our lives we are trying to justify ourselves to our family, friends, coworkers, ourselves and even to God. We try to prove we are worthy or good enough. But a theme that runs through the bible is that no matter how hard we try, none of us can justify ourselves. We need someone to justify us. And the only person capable and willing is Jesus! Today's passages, especially Romans 3 makes this clear.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 21-23, Psalm 18, Romans 3
Civil war has broken out in Israel because Absalom has staged a successful coup against his father David. In the midst of this story we see more devastating effects of sin and recognize as well how God can and does save David from his enemies. Sadly, this civil war is also something that can happen in our own hearts as we fight against the sin in our lives and are reminded of our need for God's deliverance as well.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 18-20, Psalm 34, Romans 2
In the passages today we learn that unchecked sin grows. When we sin and don't deal with it by confessing and seeking reconciliation, it grows like cancer in us. This is the warning of the stories from 2 Samuel and is also part of what Paul describes in Romans 1. In contrast, the psalms of David describe an honest approach that leads to restoration and trust in God who can even bring healing in hopeless situations.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 15-17, Psalm 3, Psalm 63, Romans 1
Today's episode shows us that God's grace and forgiveness takes away the penalty and condemnation of sin, but it doesn't take away consequences of our sin. When we sin against other people, there are consequences that can last a very long time, and this reminds us that working to reconcile is an important part of living a new life of obedience in response to God's grace.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 13-14, Acts 28
Today's episode focusses on some serious sin committed by David, including stealing another man's wife and having him killed to cover it up. David was so blind to his sin at first, but later comes to see it, confess it and ask God for mercy. Psalm 51 and 32, written by David are instructive for us in how we too can confess our sin, ask for forgiveness and trust in God to forgive because of all Jesus has done.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 51, Psalm 32, Acts 27
One of the ways God is very unlike us is shown in his faithful love, which continues to be shown when we are unfaithful. And it is this faithful love that gives a person the courage to trust God no matter the circumstances, which is what we see in Paul's life on trial.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 9-10, 1 Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 89, Acts 26
God makes and keeps his promises as seen in his covenant making and keeping with King David. God promised David that one of his sons would be on the throne forever, which was ultimately fulfilled with Mary gave birth to Jesus, a descendant of David and the final true and forever King!
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 7-8, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalm 132, Acts 25
David brings the ark of God into Jerusalem and celebrates by worshipping God and assigning people to fulfill musical ministry, playing instruments, singing and praising God. And centuries later while on trial, Paul explains how he too came to Jerusalem to worship God, Jesus, the one who rose from the dead and proved he is God and worthy to be praised!
Passages in this episode are: 1 Chronicles 14-16, Acts 24
Often people think of God as a doting grandfather-like figure who gives whatever you want and is never offended. But that is not the God of the bible. The God of the bible is both holy and merciful. He is not someone to take lightly, while also showing patience and love. It is important to wrestle with this combination since to miss it means you are not getting a true picture of God.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13, Psalm 60, Acts 23
In our passages today we see a contrast between war and peace that is both outside of ourselves and within. But we also see how you can find a peace that overcomes the war within and provides hope for a coming end of war outside as well.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 3-5, 1 Chronicles 12, Psalm 122, Acts 22
David becomes the new king of Israel after Saul's death, although his kingdom is not secure right away, as some of the tribes of Israel remain loyal to Saul's son and civil war goes on for a time. But what you see happening is the growing realization that we need a better king, a king who reigns over all, brings justice and also loves his people with a love that moves him to protect and rescue his people. This is the king the apostle Paul has come to know and we need to come to know as well.
Passages in this episode: 2 Samuel 1-2, 1 Chronicles 11, Psalm 96, Acts 21
We see a variety of reactions in the face of loss in our passages today, everything from despair and fear to weeping and even courage and resolve. Why the different reactions? What causes people to respond so differently to the reality of loss in their lives? We hear the answer in these passages that point us to someone greater than ourselves in order to face loss in life.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 30-31, 1 Chronicles 10, Psalm 106, Acts 20
Sometimes we can be filled with fear, even paralyzed by it. We see this kind of fear in our passages today. But we also encounter someone who should have been afraid but was courageous! How can this be? That is what we will discover today!
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 28-29, 1 Chronicles 9, Acts 19
While David, Paul and Silas faced numerous dangers, they continued to faithful serve God and trust him through it all because they knew that they were safe in God's hands. And while it is clear they didn't always feel safe, they knew they were safe because God has proven himself faithful over and over again!
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 26-27, 1 Chronicles 8, Acts 18
Do you consider yourself to be a close or open-minded person? In the passages today we meet several different people, some of whom are closed-minded and others open-minded. And we are given an opportunity to consider how we should be open-minded, with a wisdom that leads to life, as we listen to God.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 15, 1 Chronicles 7, Acts 17
In the passages we see a number of ways that God saves people, from David to Paul and Silas, as well as those who hear the good news of Jesus Christ. It reminds us not to limit God's ways he can save people and gives hope that even when we can't see how, God can and does save!
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 23-24, 1 Chronicles 6, Psalm 54, Acts 16
Do you have times when you wonder why your life is going the way it is and why it seems God is not doing anything about it? You are not alone. David clearly wrestled with this, as did Paul, Barnabas and others who follow God, wondering at times about God's ways. But through it all, we see a growing trust in God because he ways are good, even though we can't always see that right away.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 21-22, 1 Chronicles 5, Psalm 52 & 142, Acts 15
In stories of David and also of Paul & Barnabas, we witness suffering that is not caused by wrong actions, but actually is coming to these men who are doing what is good, right and true. What we learn from their stories and from what they wrote is how to keep trusting God through the suffering, as they realize God's will never stop loving them.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 20, 1 Chronicles 4, Psalm 56 & 57, Acts 14
Jealousy has a powerful affect on our lives. We see this in passages of this episode in the life of Saul and of the Jewish religious leaders. It serves as a warning for all of us to fight against the temptation to give into jealously by looking to the God who provides all we truly need in Jesus.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 18-19, 1 Chronicles 3, Psalm 59, Acts 13
Today's episode has two big stories of things only God can do. While many think the story of David and Goliath is about David, David tells us it is really about God and his power to give victory to those who trust in him. And in the story of Peter's escape from prison, we see again that only the power of God made that happen.
Passages in this episode are: 1 Samuel 17, 1 Chronicles 2, Acts 12
One of the astonishing and maybe a bit scary truths of the bible is that God can see your heart; your deepest desires, thoughts and motivations. And in seeing your heart, he is also the God who can change your heart through Jesus, bringing hope to all of us who realize our need for a new heart.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 15-16, 1 Chronicles 1, Psalm 39, Acts 11
One of the themes of the bible is that God is a Helper to those in need. Each of the passages in this episode show different kinds of help God provides, including help for his people to see how they are to share the wonderful good news of Jesus with all nations and peoples of the world!
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 14, Psalm 124, Acts 10
In each of the passages of this episode, we see the main character rebuked and his response to that rebuke. The contrast between those responses shows how humbling ourselves to God's rebuke leads to renewal and life, even though it can be painful while going through it.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 11-13, Psalm 38, Acts 9
Our passages today show the power of God to change people at the deepest heart level. This power is not something we have or that we can earn or buy from God, but is given by God as a gift based on his mercy and love, proven to us in Jesus.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 9-10, Acts 8
You may have heard the name, "Ebenezer" before in the book or movie, "A Christmas Carol", in which the main character is Ebenezer Scrooge. That same name is used of God in our passage today and shows that he is the true Ebenezer, or as the name means, "stone of help".
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 6-8, Acts 7
In this episode we hear how the God of the bible is both personal and powerful. He is not a charm bracelet or superstitious relic to be used for your purposes, nor is he distant or impersonal. Rather, he is a God who personally cares for and loves his people, using his power to do so, and yet also not someone you can manage or manipulate.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 3-5, Psalm 23, Acts 6
How do you keep trusting God when going through trials or suffering? The story of Hannah shows a woman who pours her heart out to God in honest prayer, telling us that trusting God means being willing to do the same, knowing that whatever the answer, God cares. We see this lived out in the apostles in Acts 5 as they even consider it an honour to suffer for Jesus because they are living in light of his love for them, a love that gives them the ability to trust God.
Passages in this episode: 1 Samuel 1-2, Psalm 120, Acts 5
Redemption means to buy someone back or to buy them out of slavery or debt. This means redemption is by nature, costly. What motivates someone to redeem someone at great cost? Love. And this is the great story of the bible as a whole and is seen in the courage of those we meet in our passages today.
Passages in this episode: Ruth 3-4, Psalm 37, Acts 4
We begin the book of Ruth in this episode and see a dedication in Ruth that is inspiring! Her thankful loyalty, at cost to herself is a picture of the loyalty of God for his people. In our second passage from Acts, we see this loyalty again in the changed life of man Peter and John meet on the way into the temple. And like that man and Ruth, thankful loyalty is a quality of those who have experienced the generous grace and love of God!
Passages in this episode: Ruth 1-2, Acts 3
The final story in the book of judges is very disturbing and shows why the final words of the book say that Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Judges shows us how real evil and injustice is and how desperately we need a king unlike any other leader or king. And the good news is that Jesus is that King we need, who not only forgives, but sends his Spirit to change and empower those who trust in him.
Passages in this episode: Judges 19-21; Acts 2
In contrast to the failed leaders who did what was right in their own eyes, Jesus is presented as the true and perfect King we need in Psalm 21 and in Acts 1. In the first chapter of Acts, we read about Jesus ascending into heaven as the King of kings, who gives his followers instructions to wait for his Spirit to empower them to go on mission to spread the good news that Jesus is the true and only King we need.
Passages in this episode: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1
God achieves victory in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. And his ultimate victory for people is not military or financial, but it is a victory over sin and death achieved and proven by Jesus rising from the dead! This victory is the heart of Christianity, and while always the plan of God, it was unexpected by Jesus' followers and is still the unexpected victory for people today; a victory we desperately need and God graciously shares!
Passages in this episode: Judges 12-16, Psalm 146, Luke 24
It's tempting to listen to the stories of the bible, especially ones like those we will hear today, and think of how much worse they are than us or how evil they are compared to us. But these stories are meant to be warnings of how the same evil we read about can be in our own hearts and it is this evil that leads to the trial, suffering and crucifixion of Jesus, who calls out, "Father, forgive them" because he knows the only way for us to be saved from the evil of our own hearts is for him to pay for our sin through his suffering and death.
Passages in this episode: Judges 9-11, Psalm 17,
Sometimes victory, defeat and betrayal seem obvious when we look at the circumstances of our lives or read about it in passages like those we hear in this episode. But these passages tell us that in God's eyes some defeats end in victory and certain victories end in defeat. They key is to trust in Jesus who has the power and grace to turn defeat into victory, even when facing the hardship of betrayal by those closest to him.
Passages in this episode: Judges 7-8, Luke 22
Judges and Jesus confront us with the reality of consequences for our actions. Sometimes it is easy to disregard this truth and act as if there are no consequences for our actions, but Jesus wants to make sure we don't believe that lie and warns that the only hope in facing him when he returns is to see he is offering grace to those who trust in him, made possible because Jesus took their judgement.
Passages in this episode: Judges 4-6, Luke 21
This episode includes the beginning of the book of Judges which recounts a time in Israel's history in which the phrase, "Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes", aptly described what life was like. It seems that this same sentiment is still alive today in us as we often think the best person to listen to is ourselves. May the reading of this word help us see that there is someone far greater and far more loving than we are, who it would be wise for us to listen to.
Passages in this episode: Judges 1-3, Psalm 16, Luke 20
At the end of his life, Joshua challenges the people of Israel to serve the God who has kept every promise he made to them and has acted so generously and graciously toward them. Centuries later, Jesus rides into Jerusalem and challenges the people the same way to choose whether they will serve him or not. There isn't a bigger decision you will make in your life!
Passages in this episode: Joshua 22-24, Psalm 116, Luke 19
In this episode we see the generosity of God in how he gives to his people Israel, but also how he gives to the people who most others ignore or reject. And what is also amazing about God's generosity is the cost he was willing to pay to provide it, proven in what Jesus has done.
Passages in this episode: Joshua 18-21, Psalm 15, Luke 18
One of the themes that runs through the entire bible is that of kingdom. In our passage from Joshua, we see the new kingdom of Israel being parcelled out to the various tribes. In Luke 17 we hear Jesus describe the new kingdom of God. And what is amazing about this kingdom is that it is always a kingdom that is received as a gift from God, not something that was earned. And that should produce in all who are part of that kingdom a thankfulness and humility in seeing how gracious, loving and generous God is to share his kingdom with people like us.
Passages in this episode: Joshua 14-17, Luke 17
These passages are filled with deception, defeat and deliverance, reminding us that God does bring justice on those who refuse to repent and turn to him, while also showing mercy and grace to the least and the lost. And this is all made possible by Jesus who suffered what looked like defeat in his death, only to show his power to rise and give new life to those who trust in him!
Passages in this episode: Joshua 9-13, Luke 16
While it's hard for us to admit, if left to ourselves, we are people who are lost in so many ways, disobeying God and going our own way. And while we can do this in an immoral way like some of the characters of our passages today, we can also do this in a self-righteous way as seen in Jesus' parable in Luke 15. The good news is that Jesus makes it clear that he is one who has come to seek and save those who are lost!
Passages in this episode: Joshua 5-8, Psalm 14, Luke 15
God calls people to follow him and serve him because he is not only their maker and sustainer, he is also the one who is gracious and merciful. But serving God does cost you. It means being willing to serve God and serve others, to resist making yourself the most important person in your life and to look to Jesus who came to serve by giving his life as a ransom for many.
Passages in this episode: Joshua 1-4, Psalm 143, Luke 14
Sometimes it is tempting to take God lightly and to attempt to tone down the seriousness of what God says throughout the bible. In today's episode we will hear from Moses, David and Jesus how serious God is about what he says and how important it is for all who hear to take God's words seriously.
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 31-34, Psalm 13, Luke 13
Sometimes people think Christianity is about choosing which laws or rituals to obey or follow, just like other religions. But the passages we read today tell us that both Moses and Jesus are saying the choice is whether to trust in God and obey him, which leads to life, or if you choose not to trust in God, to death. There is no more important choice to make!
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 27-30, Luke 12
Moses gives the Israelites a number of miscellaneous laws in this section and it might lead us to think that obeying these laws is how you get holy and make your way to God. But Moses says that obedience is a response to God saving them from Egypt and he points to the fact that obedience to God is to come from an inward work of God in a person's life. Jesus shows this more clearly when he calls out the most religiously devout people of his day because they were only "holy" on the outside and had not yet been made holy on the inside; a work only God can do by his grace.
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 23-26, Luke 11
God cares about justice as well as mercy. We tend to struggle to keep these two things in proper balance; failing to do justice or show mercy as we should. But God in these passages is showing both his desire for justice to be done, as well as calling for mercy in a way that reflects his own acts of justice and mercy seen most clearly in Jesus.
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 19-22, Psalm 6, Luke 10
The person you listen to most is the person who has the most influence on you. In our passages today God makes the case for why listening to him is the path to life and joy and hope because he knows we tend not to listen to him and suffer the consequences. But listening to God brings life and joy because he is the only one with the power and grace to forgive and give new life!
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 14-18, Psalm 5, Luke 9
Idols are anything we worship instead of or more than God himself. God warns his people not worship idols because they are not real gods, and also because you become like what you worship. What will keep you from worshipping idols? A greater awe and wonder of the true God, which is on display in the life of Jesus in his power and love!
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 10-13, Psalm 115, Luke 8
God makes it clear in both of our readings today that he chooses to love people not based on anything in them or their own "righteousness", but rather he chooses because he loves them. This is one of the key truths of Christianity and is what is repeated through out the bible.
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 6-9, Luke 7
Moses reminds the people of the law God gave them at Mt. Sinai, 40 years earlier, making clear to them that this law was to instruct them in how to live their lives, loving God. And Jesus, centuries later, explains that the law of God has always been connected to love, and so he teaches the law of God as the law of love, as a response to God's love, a love that has Jesus dying for his enemies, showing how great his love is for us!
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 4-5, Psalm 36, Luke 6
We begin the final book written by Moses, who has led the people of Israel out of Egypt and through the Desert for 40 years. In this book, he begins by recounting those 40 years and then giving a series of sermons to instruct the people in how to follow God as they are about to enter the promised land. Jesus, centuries later, also calls people to follow God, but he says, "follow me", making it clear that he is God come to forgive sin and call sinners to follow him!
Passages in this episode: Deuteronomy 1-3, Luke 5
The Israelites have completed 40 years in the wilderness and are on the verge of the promised land. Sadly, it won't be long after they get into the promised land, that they begin to do the same things they did in the wilderness, giving into temptation and wandering away from God. The good news is that Jesus did what they and we can not do. He passed the test in the wilderness and came to rescue those who admit we are in need of that rescue.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 33-36, Psalm 35, Luke 4
As we near the end of the book of Numbers and continue in the gospel of Luke, we see how God is someone who prepares the way for his people and for Jesus. This is what God is like, someone who prepares the way as he brings about his plans and his ways to bring salvation for his people.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 29-32, Luke 3
Throughout the book of Numbers and the Old Testament as a whole, there is a consistent looking forward to "the next one". The next leader, the next generation, the next one who will be able to lead the people into faithful loving service to and worship of God. But no one ever fills the role. And that is why Luke 2, announcing the good news of Jesus is so special, because there we meet the true "next one" who can bring people into new and living relationship with God!
Passages in this episode: Numbers 25-28, Luke 2
In the stories we will hear in the book of Numbers and the Gospel of Luke, we see God's miraculous power on display. God, the creator and sustainer of all things, at times does miraculous things to accomplish his purpose and his plan. And this leads to his word being proclaimed to bless his people and to bring the Saviour to this world through a miraculous conception.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 22-24, Luke 1
Today's passages from Numbers includes a story about Moses making a bronze snake and putting on a pole so that all who look up to see that snake would be healed from the snake bites they had received. Jesus, centuries later, says that was a picture of him being lifted up on a cross so that all who look to him would be healed of their sin.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 19-21, Colossians 4
"I can do it myself" is something a child says as they begin their quest for independence. And while it is good to learn to do things on our own, we tend to make this the goal of life and do things our own way, not wanting to listen to anyone else's way, including God. But our passages today warn of the dire consequences of such a choice and also provide true hope by describing how living God's way leads to great joy and life!
Passages in this episode: Numbers 15-18, Psalm 113, Colossians 3
The stories from the book of Numbers we will hear today are filled with complaining against God and rebelling against him. Everyone complains from the crowd all the way up to Moses. And God, while showing mercy, also brings judgment on them. But all of this shows the need for a new life in order to be the people we ought to be. Thankfully, Colossians 2 shows us how to get that new life we need.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 11-14, Colossians 2
As the big story of the bible unfolds from beginning to end, the level of intimacy with God grows. We see this in our passages today which show God watching over his people, travelling with them in the desert, protecting them and caring for them, and then after Jesus does his work, we read that those who trust in him have "Christ in us, the hope of glory"!
Passages in this episode: Numbers 8-10, Psalm 28, Colossians 1
The books we have been reading speak a lot about different kinds of sacrifices that are meant to be pleasing to God. Those sacrifices were ways to recognize the need for forgiveness, as well as to show God thankfulness and obedience in life. However, after Jesus becomes the final sacrifice, we read in Hebrews 13 that the sacrifices pleasing to God are now shown in how we live a life of love towards God and other people in response to Jesus' love for us.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 6-7, Hebrews 13
With all the laws God put in place to keep the people from coming to near his holy presence, you would wonder whether a close personal relationship could be possible for sinful people, like you and me. But in Hebrews 12, we read that Jesus is the pioneer or founder and the perfecter of faith that joins sinful people to a holy God because Jesus has achieved a new holiness for them and has taken the judgment in their place.
Passages in this episode: Numbers 3-5, Hebrews 12
Right relationship with God is by faith, by trusting in God and what he has done, not by what we can or have done ourselves. The tension through out the bible is the tension between living by faith or by your own work. Faith is what connects you to God. And the passages we look at today, especially Hebrews 11 gives a long list of people who live by faith in God, in his promised saviour to come, in Jesus!
Passages in this episode: Numbers 1-2, Psalm 64, Hebrews 11
Sometimes while reading all the laws of the Old Testament, it can leave you wondering if its all about just obeying the law. But what needs to be remembered is that God is giving these laws after he has shown his people grace in rescuing them from Egypt. This is how God works in all of history. He shows grace and rescues and then calls those he has rescued to obey him. So, God's grace should motivate those who experience it to obey his law, or as Jesus put, "if you love me, you will obey my commands".
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 26-27; Psalm 112, Hebrews 10
A Mediator is a person who goes between two parties to bring them together. Jesus is depicted as the Mediator between God and humanity, bringing sinful human beings to a holy God through his own blood shed to pay the penalty for sin. Since Jesus' blood paid completely, those who trust in him need not make any further sacrifice and can now know that there is also no fear of judgment anymore. Jesus is the final Mediator!
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 24-25, Psalm 81, Hebrews 9
The author of the book of Hebrews is making the case that Jesus is better than the angels, Moses, priests, and high priest and he is also saying Jesus brings a better covenant for his people. While the laws of God's covenant with his people through Moses helped them learn what it means to live a holy life, Jesus comes to give those who trust in him a new heart as part of his new covenant that supersedes the old one which is one reason we don't follow the old covenant ceremonial or sacrificial laws anymore.
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 21-23, Hebrews 8
God is holy and he wants his people to live holy lives. So, he gives them laws to show them the difference between what is holy and what is unholy, what is right and what is wrong. And the laws given in this section cover a wide variety of human experience, showing God cares about all of life. The problem is that none of us live this holy life God requires. Knowing this, Jesus comes to not only be the payment for the unholiness of those who trust in him, but he also gives his holy perfect life to them so they are declared holy in God's sight.
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 18-20, Hebrews 7
A key concept in this episode is atonement. God makes it clear that the blood of a person or animal represents their life, which means that to shed someone's blood is to take their life. The concept of atonement is to have someone else's blood shed on your behalf to pay for your sin. All of this atonement is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus when he sheds his blood on the cross for the sins of those who trust in him. He makes final atonement for sin.
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 15-17, Psalm 31, Hebrews 6
There has been much debate over the centuries about the purpose and meaning of all the "clean laws" of Leviticus, but in general most agree that these laws about foods, skin diseases, and such, all point to a holy God who wants his people to be a holy nation, set apart from the nations around them, reflecting the holiness of God himself. Ultimately this finds its greater understanding in Jesus who makes those unclean, clean and those unholy, holy, through his atoning sacrifice.
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 12-14, Psalm 111, Hebrews 5
A priest is someone who acts as an intermediary between God and the people. He is set apart to be in this special role and is meant to help the people be connected to God. But what we discover in today's episode is that no one can be the perfect priest we need, until we meet Jesus who is priest we need. He is the perfect priest who brings us into a new and living access to God through his final sacrifice.
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 8-11, Psalm 110, Hebrews 4
God takes sin seriously. His laws in Leviticus show this and his warning in Hebrews is for us to see how the Israelites in the desert became hard hearted by indulging in sin and unwilling to listen to Moses, which led to their death. In the same way, the warning is for us to listen to someone far greater than Moses, Jesus, who warns us to turn to him, the only one who can forgive sin and give new life in him.
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 4-7, Hebrews 3
We begin the book of Leviticus today which provides a set of instructions and laws that were meant to provide a framework for the life of a people who were enslaved for 400 years. While some of this is strange sounding, it actually points to truths about Jesus and how he is the one who saves people through the sacrifice of his own life; willingly done because of his great love for you!
Passages in this episode: Leviticus 1-3, Psalm 27, Hebrews 2
As the book of Exodus comes to a close, we see Moses put in place everything made for the tabernacle, inside and out, and God comes down in a cloud, displaying his glory for all to see, but only from a distance. This same radiant glory is seen in the description of Jesus at the outset of the book of Hebrews, showing Jesus is the glorious son of God!
Passages in this episode: Exodus 38-40, Hebrews 1
Only God has the power to change the human heart and when he does, one of the signs of a changed heart is a desire to worship God and give generously to whatever work he is doing. We see this heart of praise and generosity in our passages today!
Passages in this episode: Exodus 35-37, Psalm 26, Philippians 4
Not long after hearing God speak his word to them directly from the cloud of fire at Mount Sinai, the people of Israelite decide to make their own god and worship a golden calf made by Moses' brother Aaron. God did bring consequences on the people, but he also showed powerful grace in forgiving them and not rejecting them. This is the same God who showed powerful grace to Paul and also to us today!
Passages in this episode: Exodus 32-34, Philippians 3
The intricate instructions God gives Moses for the clothing and special ceremony for setting apart of Aaron and his sons as priests shows how seriously God is about holiness. God is pure and perfect and those who come near must be purified. At the same time, we read in Philippians 2 that Jesus, God himself, comes to earth and humbles himself, even to death on a cross, to save proud people like us, and to make us holy so we can live new lives for him!
Passages in this episode: Exodus 28-31, Philippians 2
An amazing truth of Christianity is that God chooses to live with the people he has created. We see this in the tabernacle God told Moses to build and later in the teaching of Paul that leads him to say, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain". Living with God is greatest experience a person can have, as these passages explain.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 25-27, Psalm 90, Philippians 1
God cares about people doing what is right. God cares about justice. The laws given in Exodus show this is true and presented to the people then and now how important it is to do what is right, and not give in to injustice. This is also seen in Psalm 109 which is David's call to God to give him justice because of evil that is done to him. And in Ephesians 6 we learn that the power to do what is right comes from God's spirit working in people.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 22-24, Psalm 109, Ephesians 6
A recurring theme in the bible is that God's shows his grace to people first and then instructs them how to live in response to his grace. We see this is in our passages today as God reminds us of his saving power from slavery and how that leads to his laws that show us how to live in response to that grace and love.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 19-21, Psalm 33, Ephesians 5
When God, in his love, uses his power to give you new life in him, there is a struggle between the old self and the new self. We see this is the Israelites after they are freed from slavery and in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, as he describes this battle of the old vs the new self, a battle that can only be won in the power that God gives by his Spirit.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 16-18, Ephesians 4
Today's passages show God's greatness in bringing the Israelites through the Red Sea on dry ground, while drowning the pursuing army. God has the ability to do great things to save people. And that is what leads Paul in Ephesians 3 to say that God can do far more than we ask, think or even imagine because he is so much greater that we realize!
Passages in this episode are: Exodus 13-15, Psalm 114, Ephesians 3
The story of the Passover describing God's grace to his people is told not only in the book of Exodus, but also comes through in Ephesians 2 as we hear God speak of the blood shed for the forgiveness of sins, showing that God's saves by grace.
Passages in this Episode are: Exodus 10-12, Ephesians 2
All three passages today speak of how God is more powerful than anyone or anything else and that he uses his power to make his will be done, which includes both judgment and mercy.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 7-9, Psalm 105, Ephesians 1
We see in the passages today a struggle to obey. Moses was struggling to obey God's call to go and be his messenger to Pharaoh, making excuses and becoming discouraged. In Galatians 6 Paul talks about the temptations to sin and says Christians should bear one another's burdens as they help each other be obedient to God in every day life by continually looking to Jesus.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 4-6, Galatians 6
The passages read today speak of freedom from slavery, both physical slavery and spiritual slavery. God's plan and purpose is to free people from slavery by his power and his mercy. And as a result of God's work to free his people, he calls them to live new lives of freedom that resemble the one who set them free, Jesus.
Passages in this episode: Exodus 1-3, Galatians 5
The bible emphasizes family from start to finish, including the claim that those who trust in Jesus become part of God's family, calling God Father and fellow Christians brothers and sisters in Christ. This family is one that crosses all human divisions and goes on for all eternity!
Passages in this episode: Genesis 49-50, Galatians 4
One of the unique aspects of Christianity is that you are not saved by the things you do, but you are saved by putting your faith in Jesus who saves you. This claim is at the heart of true Christianity and is what we see all over the bible, especially in Galatians 3, where Paul explains that you can never be good enough by obeying the law. Only Jesus was good enough and he willingly gave his life to take the curse for those who trust in him, giving them his righteous life instead. What freedom comes when you see you can only be saved by faith in Jesus!
Passages in this episode: Genesis 47-48, Psalm 25, Galatians 3
Each of the passages today speaks of God as the true King who saves people, even when they couldn't see how it was possible. Joseph explained to his brothers that God had sent him to Egypt in order to save them from famine. And Paul explained that he was saved by Jesus even not based on what Paul had done but on what Jesus had done for him. Jesus is the King who saves!
Passages in this episode: Genesis 45-46, Psalm 108, Galatians 2
The theme of today's podcast is "changed hearts" because we see Judah and Paul as men who have undergone a massive change of heart that is only possible due to the work of God in them. This gives great hope to all who think that they are beyond hope of change. God has the power and grace to change anyone's heart he chooses.
Passages in this episode: Genesis 43-44, Psalm 24, Galatians 1
We see in both the Genesis story of Joseph being raised from prison to the second most powerful person in Egypt, and Jesus rising from the dead, the theme of being raised to new life! This is the heart of Christianity and is why there is hope for the least and lost. Jesus has conquered sin and death and gives new life to those who trust in him!
Passages in today's episode are: Genesis 41-42, Mark 16
Being forsaken is a heart wrenching experience. Each passage speaks of someone who was forsaken, including Jesus as he hung on a cross. And yet the good news is that Jesus willingly endured being forsaken so that those who trust in him could be forgiven and welcomed into his new family, showing incredible love and mercy!
Passages in this episode: Genesis 38-40, Psalm 12, Mark 15
One of the most painful experiences of life is to be betrayed by someone close to you. Joseph and Jesus are betrayed in our passages today by those closest to them. Jesus knew this would happen and didn't stop it because he knew this was part of the suffering he had to go through to forgive those kinds of sin too, showing incredible grace and mercy.
Passages in this episode: Genesis 35-37; Mark 14
The final words of the podcast today are "stay awake", which is what Jesus says to all of us when we consider how God is a God of mercy and justice who one day will return to judge the world. Jesus warns his followers to stay awake, remembering his love and grace, and calling them to share this good news with others, even at great cost.
Passages in this episode: Genesis 32-34, Psalm 145, Mark 13
Notice in these passages that God sees all that is happening, both good and evil. And while it may be tempting to ignore the fact that this means God sees you, all of you, you can admit that is true when you see that God forgives and shows grace to those who turn to him.
Passages in this episode: Genesis 30-31, Psalm 11, Mark 12
Today's reading in Genesis exposes a lot of deception in the life of Jacob, both by him and to him. And while it may be tempting to look down on these people, it would be more honest to admit we too can struggle with speaking lies and deceiving people. In contrast, Mark 11 describes Jesus as someone who speaks the truth, and while unsettlingly as that can be, he speaks the truth in love, which we desperately need.
Passages in this episode: Genesis 28-29, Mark 11
God is so devoted to his people, even though they are not devoted to him as they should be. We see both of these truths in our passages today, ending with a Jesus showing his devotion by being the person who came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many!
Passages in this episode are: Genesis 26-27, Mark 10
The Genesis story tells of us of how Abraham and his servant trust God in every day life. Psalm 4 describes the struggle but need to trust God. And Mark 9 shows why Jesus, the glorious one is trustworthy, even in suffering because he came to give his life for you!
Passages in this episode: Genesis 24-25, Psalm 4, Mark 9
All three passages speak of how God is loyal in how he loves, even though we are not. We see it in the stories from Genesis, from Psalm 107 which has a refrain in each verse that speaks of this loyal love, and in the life of Jesus from Mark 8. May God's loyal love be a reality in your life!
Passages for this episode: Genesis 21-23, Psalm 107, Mark 8
The readings from Genesis depict God's judgment on evil and injustice, and the consequences of sin in our lives. And yet we also see God's mercy. Psalm 1 presents us with the choice of focusing our lives on God or ourselves, calling us to see the benefits of a life focused on God. And Mark 7 concludes with Jesus calling religious leaders out for their hypocrisy, while showing mercy to the weak and outcasts of society.
Passages read in this episode: Genesis 19-20, Psalm 1, Mark 7
We begin with Abram and Sarah taking matters into their own hands, which leads to misery for all. But God appears and shows himself to be a God who sees and also a God who promises grace and mercy. And we conclude this episode seeing how Jesus is the answer to the promises made and how he provides in miraculous and loving ways!
Passages in this episode: Genesis 16-18, Psalm 148, Mark 6
We meet Abram today and see a mixture of faith and fear in him that reminds us that the bible isn't a collection of people who's behaviour we are to imitate, but a story that leads to Jesus who uses his power to heal, restore and give life!
God makes a Covenant(promise) with Noah and the world that he would never flood the world again, signified by the rainbow. This is followed by a description of families of nations and the Tower of Babel where different languages came to be. And then we hear Jesus teach in parables, truths about God and us.
The story of Noah and the flood is our starting point today and then we read about Jesus doing miracles and showing us how he is calling to himself a new people by his grace.
Continuing in Genesis we read the story of sin and evil entering the world and the devastation it causes, but also we read about God's promised one who would come to save the world.
This episode begins with God creating the universe and everything in it and concludes with the beginning of the story of Jesus from the gospel account of Mark.
Have you ever wanted to read the whole bible but struggled to do so? This is the podcast for you! With five, 15-20 minute episodes per week, you will hear the entire bible read to you in one year! Each episode will include readings from the Old and New Testament providing a variety that helps you see how the bible is actually one big story. There will also be occasional brief notes to help explain context as well as a concluding question or thought to consider.
So, tune in on Monday January 3rd for the first full episode of the Bible in 260 and start your journey through the bible in one year!
Artwork for the podcast created by Allison Biersteker and the theme song is “The Call” by Emily Ruth!