God is loving and merciful, but it is a harsh truth that the spiritually dead will experience His wrath.

Ephesians 2:1-5

God’s Word is always true, but sometimes it comes across as confrontational when it exposes our erroneous thinking. One truth that’s often considered challenging is the way God describes the desperate state of those who are without Christ. They are …

• Dead in their offenses and sins. Spiritual death came to all people as a result of Adam’s sin, leaving the human race under God’s condemnation (Eph. 2:1).  
• Unable to grasp spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Their minds are darkened, and they cannot understand the things of God. 
• Outside of God’s family. Spiritually, there are only two families in the world: the family of God and the family of Satan (John 8:44).
• Under God’s wrath. Unbelievers, even the ones who are kind and loving, are under judgment because of their unforgiven sins (Eph. 2:3). 

Those without Christ are in grave danger and don’t realize it. They need to hear the bad news before they can see their need for a Savior. So find a way to carefully give them these hard truths, and explain how they can be rescued: Through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ on their behalf, they can escape God’s wrath and condemnation.  

Bible in One Year: Titus 1-3, Philemon 1

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Only a believer of God can experience full satisfaction and a yearning love for Him.

Psalm 63:1-11

David’s love for the Lord inspires us to want that same kind of relationship ourselves. But where does such passion for God come from? It’s not manufactured or created by effort or willpower, nor can we work ourselves into a genuine emotional state of yearning. Love for God comes only from Him, as a gift to those who belong to Christ (1 John 4:19).

This means the only ones who can truly hunger and thirst for God are believers. The rest of the people yearn for other things—like wealth, security, control, or prominence—which they mistakenly think will satisfy their soul. Many go through life trying to create whatever kind of personal connections they can, in hopes of fulfilling desires they don’t even understand. All too often, the result is empty relationships, excessive work, and immoral behavior. 

David knew God was the only solution to the constant yearning in his heart. As St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in [Him].” Are you feeling empty from trying to satisfy your soul with something other than the Lord? Come to Him with all your heart, and discover the fullness He offers. 

Bible in One Year: 2 Timothy 1-4

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In troubling times, turning to God’s unfailing love will be a place of refuge and escape.

Psalm 42:1-8

Where do you turn in times of trouble? For believers, the first response should be to cry out to the Lord for help. That’s exactly what we see in today’s passage. When the psalmist was in despair, his soul yearned for God. He knew that even in raging adversity, he could count on the Lord’s unfailing love being poured out on him (Psalm 42:8). It was a truth that gave him hope and the ability to praise the Lord, even in the midst of his trouble.

This is a recurring theme in the psalms, many of which begin with images of despair and hopelessness but end with affirmations of God’s unfailing love. He’s often described as a rock, a stronghold, or a refuge in times of trouble. 

When you are overwhelmed by difficulty and despair, turn to the psalms for encouragement and restoration of hope. In good times, we can easily grow distant from God, but adversity drives us to draw near Him with yearning—not just for deliverance but for intimacy with our loving Father. Then as we read about His love and faithfulness, we find hope and a sure foundation upon which to rest. 

Bible in One Year: 1 Timothy 4-6

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God doesn’t just want our obedience; He wants us to obey with loving, glad hearts.

Jonah 1

Have you ever resisted obeying God because His instructions were something you didn’t want to do? That was the case with Jonah. The inhabitants of Nineveh were Assyrians, a people known for aggression and cruelty. Since they were enemies of Israel, Jonah thought he had good reason to resist the Lord’s command to preach to them. 

While the goal was to draw the Ninevites to repentance through Jonah’s preaching, the Lord was also working to change the prophet’s unloving spirit—Jonah did not want that hostile people to experience divine grace and forgiveness. Though he eventually obeyed and went to Nineveh, his heart didn’t change.  

The same thing can happen to us. It’s possible to go through the motions of obedience while harboring resentment, anger, and a rebellious spirit. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 warns us that even our greatest acts of sacrificial obedience, done without love, profit us nothing. God wants more than begrudging compliance; He wants us to do His will from the heart (Eph. 6:6). 

The next time you’re reluctant to obey the Lord, ask Him to change your heart. He wants His children not simply to obey but to delight in doing His will.

Bible in One Year: 2 Corinthians 5-8

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If we obey God’s commands, we never know what may come of it, so we shouldn’t treat some sins as lesser than others.

Luke 5:1-11

Do you consider some of God’s commands more important than others? For instance, most people would never commit murder, but many think it’s okay to harbor anger towards someone. Yet Jesus said that both actions are wrong because they flow from the same sinful attitude (Matt. 5:21-22). Nothing the Lord tells us to do is insignificant—though we may not always recognize the importance of obedience in what we consider small matters. 

Consider today’s passage about Jesus asking to use Peter’s boat as a speaking platform. After a long night of unproductive fishing, the future apostle could have seen the request as inconsequential and hardly worth the inconvenience. But he obeyed in this small matter, not realizing the impact that simple act of obedience would have on his life—it was the first step to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

As God’s children, we should seek His direction in daily situations. That’s why it is so important for us fill to our mind with His Word—then we can more easily discern what He desires for us. As we stay attuned to Scripture and heed the Holy Spirit’s promptings, we’ll be able to faithfully obey Him throughout each day. 

Bible in One Year: 2 Corinthians 1-4

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At times when we’re struggling to trust God, we should remember all the ways He is good to us.

Psalm 100

One of the first things a child learns in Sunday school is that God is good. But the simplicity of this statement can be a bit misleading. That’s because God’s goodness is multifaceted, and it encompasses many of His characteristics.

First, the Lord is absolutely perfect and holy, which means that He alone is the standard of all righteousness. God is also unchanging, and therefore His dealings with us are determined by His character; even when we rebel, He is still good to us. As a loving heavenly Father, He responds with discipline—not to crush out spirit but to restore the broken relationship. 

We can see the Lord’s goodness in His gifts to us, including every breath we breathe. As our loving Shepherd, He provides for all our needs. But the greatest expression of God’s goodness is the cross of Christ. What appeared cruel and unfair from man’s perspective was the only way to rescue us from a hopeless eternity without God. 

God’s goodness is intertwined with each of His attributes, and that’s why it is a pillar of our faith. It grounds us with confidence during difficulties, so when we don’t understand what the Lord is doing, we can still trust that He is good. 

Bible in One Year: Romans 7-9

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When we make time to be alone with the Father and quiet in His presence, we experience His peace.

Psalm 131

Do you hurry through your prayer time so you can get to other things? If so, consider the values Jesus modeled when He spent time with His Father. 

Solitude. Though Jesus was constantly surrounded by people as He tended to their needs, His own need for seclusion was important. Often, after an intense period of ministry, He’d retreat from the crowds—and even His disciples—to pray in private. 

Safeguarded time. Jesus protected His time so He could rest in the Spirit, be with the Father, and build up physical and emotional strength. Even when people were clamoring for His attention, Jesus safeguarded this time, knowing that His ministry would flow from it. 

Stillness. Psalm 46:10 calls us to quietness with these words: “Stop striving and know that I am God.” To develop this inner peace, stop everything you’re doing, and let your soul become aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence. In Psalm 46:2 of today’s reading, David described stillness as being like a “weaned child” who’s at perfect rest and happy in his mother’s arms. 

These values may seem challenging in our fast-paced, multitasking world. But when you quiet your heart before the Lord, you’ll discover how much you need the peace of His presence. 

Bible in One Year: Romans 4-6

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The more we develop a taste for godly living, the less we’re enticed by sinful pleasures.

2 Timothy 2:20-23

It might be tempting to think that today’s passage applies only to the young. But no matter our age, every one of us should flee youthful lusts because they prevent us from pursuing what God desires: righteousness, faith, love, and peace with fellow believers. 

What exactly did Paul have in mind when he wrote about “youthful lusts” in 2 Timothy 2:22? He was referring to strong uncontrolled desires that are characteristic of the young and immature but may continue throughout life without the Holy Spirit’s guidance. In his first epistle, John wrote, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 John 2:16). These relate to the selfishness, greed, ambition, and pleasure through which Satan has influenced unbelievers everywhere.

All these longings war against God’s will for us because they are not from Him. Uncontrolled longings for pleasure, entertainment, beauty, prominence, possessions, wealth, or popularity are all self-focused and aimed at getting what we want. The way to overcome is to flee from them and begin pursuing God’s desires for our life, as revealed in His Word. 

Bible in One Year: Romans 1-3

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We didn’t earn the love God has for us, and that’s why we can never lose it.

1 John 4:7-21

Christians often hear that God loves them. This truth is repeated in church, and believers often recite Bible verses on the topic. Yet do we really grasp what it means to be cared for in this way by the Creator of the universe? Let’s explore two aspects of His love.

First, God’s love isn’t influenced by anything within or around us, because it is one of God’s unchanging attributes. We know that even while we were still living in sin, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). We didn’t do anything to earn His love, and we can’t do anything to hinder it.  

Second, divine love is eternal. Believers will never be separated from it. In fact, Ephesians 1:4 tells us that the Father chose us before the foundation of the world. We know, therefore, that His care for us has always been a fact—and always will be. 

We can trust the One who loves us completely. Jesus proved His love by dying in our place to rescue us from sin and its consequences. He promises to stay with us always and redirects us when we stray. Whether or not we feel His presence, His love surrounds and protects us forever. 

Bible in One Year: Acts 21-22

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God answers the prayers of a transformed heart that seeks His will.

1 Kings 18:17-39 

God has given us the privilege of coming to Him with all our requests and concerns. And His Word tells us the prayers of a righteous person can accomplish much (James 5:16). Isn’t that what we all desire? 

Elijah is a good example of someone who prayed effectively. He entered into a spiritual conflict with Baal worshippers to prove to Israel that the Lord is the one true God. Elijah’s petition was based on his knowledge of the Lord’s supremacy and an understanding of His will. When the prophet prayed, God responded by powerfully answering the request.

To have an effective prayer life, we must first be righteous through saving faith in Jesus Christ. Before redemption, we were sinners under God’s condemnation (Eph. 2:1-3). But in Christ, we are made new and declared righteous in His sight (Eph. 2:4-6). 

For our petitions to be effectual, they must be in agreement with God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). Getting to know our heavenly Father’s character and priorities is the key to a powerful prayer life. As we grow in our knowledge of Him, our requests will increasingly align with His plans. 

Bible in One Year: Acts 16-17

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In this fallen world, believers are to be a preserving, flavoring, healing salt for those who live in darkness.

Matthew 5:13-16

When Jesus spoke to His followers, He called them “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). In those days, salt was the only way to preserve food. As Christians, we too have a preserving effect on the earth because we have the only message that can deliver people from the corruption of sin and give them eternal life. 

This means we are to be a spiritual influence in the lives of people around us. Just as salt enhances the flavor of food, so a Christlike character and godly lifestyle can be an example that draws others to the Savior. They’ll notice our joy and contentment and may desire to have those qualities, which are available only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Salt also has unique healing properties, as does the gospel. If we take a moment to listen to people’s hurts, we’ll have an opportunity to offer the truth that brings spiritual healing to those trapped in the darkness and despair of sin.  

But remember that Jesus also warned us not to lose our saltiness. If we tolerate sin in our life, we’ll be just like the world. To be a positive influence for Christ, we must guard against falling prey to temptation.

Bible in One Year: Acts 14-15

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God promises to meet the needs of faithful believers, and He even fulfills some desires that align with His will—but we must not confuse the two.

1 Timothy 6

There are many passages in the Bible that speak about God meeting the needs of His people, but we must be careful to interpret them correctly. It’s important to understand the difference between needs and desires. A need is something essential, according to God’s will for our life. But a desire is something we want for ourselves or others, and it’s often based on the expectation of enjoyment, ease, or comfort. 

There is nothing wrong with a desire, as long as it is within the will of God. After all, our heavenly Father “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17). But He never promises to grant all our desires. Therefore, not receiving what we want is no indicator that God is unfaithful! He does, however, promise to meet all our needs.

At the end of the day, two things are required to navigate times of need—contentment in every circumstance and dependence on Jesus Christ for strength (Phil. 4:12-13). Begin each day by asking the Lord to provide whatever He deems necessary; then ask for your desires. Let the Lord determine what is best in both categories, and be content with His choices for you. 

Bible in One Year: Acts 8-9

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God uses discipline to convict our heart so we’ll be guided toward obedience and His will.

Hebrews 12:4-11

All children need discipline, but the method a parent employs varies from child to child. The reason is because each child is unique.

The same is true in God’s family—we all need His discipline. If we’ve wandered from Him, His hand of correction will feel heavy as He directs us back to the path of righteousness. This is called conviction. Its purpose is to awaken our awareness of sin so we will resume an attitude of obedience to our heavenly Father. 

Discipline is painful while it’s happening, particularly if we’ve resisted the pressure of conviction. But any wise parent knows that living with the consequences of foolish behavior teaches children valuable lessons about the importance of obedience. 

Left to our own devices, we’ll waste our life chasing after fleeting pleasures and self-centered desires. But when we’ve been trained by God’s discipline, we’ll reap the fruit of peace and righteousness. So let’s yield to the Father’s guiding hand as He draws us away from danger and back into the shelter of His protection.  

Bible in One Year: Acts 5-7

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Instead of asking God to remove a trial, ask for His strength so you can persevere through the difficulty.

       2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Would you rather be rescued from suffering and affliction or be given the grace to go through them? Our natural inclination is to escape. That’s why Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7-8). But when he understood what God was doing through it, he gladly accepted his weakness. That’s because Paul saw the value of relying on God’s all-sufficient grace and having Christ’s power dwell in him.  

Logically, you’d think that the Lord would want to make Paul’s life easier so his ministry would be unhindered, but that was not His priority. God’s goal was to humble Paul so his ministry would not be ruined by pride and self-reliance. 

Perhaps you’re struggling with your own “thorn” right now, when all you see is the pain and difficulty. And since God’s purpose isn’t obvious, you keep asking Him to rescue you from the situation. Maybe it’s time to begin asking Him for the grace and strength to endure. It’s through your weakness that the Lord proves Himself strong in your life. His goal is not your comfort but spiritual transformation—along with your increased trust and complete dependence upon Him. 

Bible in One Year: Acts 3-4

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God uses trials to condition our heart for holiness and to increase our spiritual maturity.

James 1:2-12

When difficulties come into your life, do you grumble, complain, and resist? Or do you respond the way God desires—with a joyful attitude, a humble and submissive heart, and an understanding of what He wants to accomplish in your life? 

Sometimes people mistakenly think that after their salvation, God is going to make life comfortable and stress-free, but that’s not what Scripture promises. Jesus said we would have trouble in this world (John 16:33). Peter told us not to be surprised at the fiery ordeals that come upon us for our testing (1 Pet. 4:12). And the writer of Hebrews wrote that our heavenly Father disciplines and trains us as His beloved children so we may share in His holiness (Heb. 12:4-11).

James’ command to consider trials as “all joy” (James 1:2) makes no sense unless we see them as opportunities for spiritual growth. Trials are designed by the Lord to test our faith, humility, submission, and values. We can either waste our difficulties by defiantly resisting God or benefit by trusting in and depending on Him. The first way leads only to suffering, but the second option results in spiritual maturity and eternal rewards. 

Bible in One Year: Acts 1-2

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On Earth, Jesus Christ was fully man and also the Son of God, our Savior, and God Himself—so He is worthy of praise.

John 1:1-18

While most people are familiar with the name “Jesus,” few truly know who He is. Yet knowing Jesus’ identity and mission are important because the ramifications are eternal. And the best source of information about Him is the Bible.  

Scripture tells us Jesus is God. This means that He’s eternal: He existed before His physical birth and even before time began. Jesus, the Creator of everything that exists (Col. 1:15-17), is the perfect reflection of the invisible God. Our Savior had the power to forgive sins and was worshipped by His followers—both of which are appropriate only for divinity (Matt. 9:2-8; Matt. 14:33). 

Think about the omnipotent, eternal Son of God coming to Earth as an infant. Imagine Him lying in a manger made from trees He created and under the stars He Himself had strewn across the sky! Scripture makes it clear that this was no ordinary baby. The Word also says there is only one way to eternal life, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (Acts 4:12). God has provided ample validation of His Son’s identity. Weigh the evidence, and then turn to Christ for salvation.

Bible in One Year: John 20-21

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Since God always keeps His word, misunderstanding is the only explanation for a divine promise that seemed to fail.

2 Peter 1:2-4

Have you ever become discouraged because the Lord didn’t keep a promise the way you expected? If so, the problem was not God’s faithfulness to His Word but your understanding of Scripture. 

First, not all promises in the Bible apply to us. Some of them are limited to a certain situation, person, or time. For instance, when God told Abraham and Sarah they would have a son (Gen. 17:15-16), this was His commitment specifically to them, not to anyone else. 

Second, it’s important to realize some promises are conditional. Consider the Bible verse that says, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). This isn’t an open-ended guarantee that God will give you whatever you want. There’s a qualification: delighting in the Lord and desiring what He wants.

Even though some of God’s promises have restrictions, there are many in the New Testament that apply to all believers: God promises to work all things together for our good (Rom. 8:28), to be with us forever (Heb. 13:5), and to give us an eternal inheritance in heaven (1 Pet. 1:3-5). We can claim these with full assurance because Scripture explicitly tells us they’re God’s will.

Bible in One Year: John 10-11

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Hebrews 10:19-23

Many people in the world today place little value on commitments. We see politicians retract campaign promises once they take office, and some friends are quick to reschedule when a better opportunity comes up. Certain people even take marriage vows lightly. 

Thankfully, God always keeps His word and never changes. That means we can confidently count on Him to do what He says in Scripture. The Bible is filled with His promises, which give us stability in an uncertain world. 

The Lord’s promises reveal His character. Every time we see Him keep His word, we learn a little more about His greatness, faithfulness, love, power, and sovereignty. As a result, our confidence in Him grows. What’s more, His promises bring tremendous comfort in times of distress. And when we struggle with doubts about our salvation, Scripture gives assurance for our eternal future.

In a changing world where vows are often broken, it’s reassuring to know we serve a God who always does what He says. Think about the hope His promises provide. Then praise Him for the way they reveal His character and bring Him glory.

Bible in One Year: John 8-9

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God is in complete control over every circumstance; even in our trials, He’s working all things to accomplish His good purpose in our life.

Philippians 1:12-20 

When we’re going through hard times, it’s comforting to know that nothing can touch a believer’s life unless the Lord allows it. He has complete control even in our most difficult and painful circumstances. Through it all, we’re being held firmly in our Father’s loving hand, and His good purpose is being worked out in our life. 

We may desperately wish for our circumstances to change. But to achieve His purposes, God allows us to go through trials that are designed to make us more like Christ. We’ll reap the spiritual benefits if, instead of trying to extricate ourselves, we let the Lord finish the work. 

Paul’s time in prison proved to be a benefit for the gospel. Logically, incarceration should have hindered his ministry, but it had the opposite effect. During that time Paul was guarded by many Roman soldiers, and each new shift gave him the opportunity to explain the gospel to another “captive audience.”  

We’re not promised an easy life, but God uses our trials to accomplish His will. Difficult experiences are given to us for our good, for the benefit of others, and for God’s glory. 

Bible in One Year: John 6-7

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Like Paul in prison, we may go through very difficult times, but if our focus is on God, we will be content and even joyful.

Philippians 4:10-13 

Even though Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written during a long and unjust imprisonment, it was filled with joy. The apostle never complained, blamed others, or felt sorry for himself—instead, he rejoiced in the midst of suffering because he knew and trusted God. By keeping his eyes fixed on the Lord instead of the problems, Paul was able to look beyond his chains to see how the situation was being used to teach him contentment. 

I know it’s difficult to shift our focus in times of overwhelming difficulty and intense suffering. The pain screams for our attention, and the troubles bombard our mind and emotions with anxiety. But that’s when we most need to sit down with Scripture and pour out our heart to God. He invites us to cast all our concerns upon Him because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). 

Do you believe that God cares for you? Every trial you experience is an opportunity to believe what the Bible says about God and to look beyond your circumstances to His loving wisdom and good purpose. And the more you learn to know your heavenly Father, the more content you will be. 

Bible in One Year: John 4-5

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