Acts 20:16-24

The apostle Paul was consumed by a passion that was even greater than his desire for life or the dread of suffering. He had a ministry to fulfill and a message of salvation to deliver. His words in Acts 20:24 help us understand the foundational concept involved in our salvation. Paul called it “the gospel of the grace of God.”

We’re saved simply because the Lord is gracious. He knew we could never be good enough to bridge the gap between our? sin and His holiness. That’s why you will never hear of “the gospel of the Law of God.” That would not be good news at all! Can you imagine singing, “Amazing law, how fearful the sound, that saved a wretch like me”? We could never fulfill the requirements, especially the way?Jesus enlarged the meaning of the law?in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). But grace—that’s totally different. It has nothing to do with our worthiness or good performance but is solely based on God’s unmerited favor towards us.

What’s most amazing is that the avenue for our salvation is through faith alone. The grace that God extends in saving us is His gift, and there’s nothing we can add by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Otherwise, we’d have to clean up our lives in order to be saved, and that would nullify grace.

Praise the Lord for His wonderful plan of salvation. Christ paid our sin debt with His death, and all we have to do is believe it. Even after salvation, God’s grace keeps flowing. We never have to worry that we aren’t good enough and will fall out?of favor. His grace is forever.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 19-22

Proverbs 16:1-3

The Lord wants us to reach our full potential—to become the people He’s designed us to be and achieve the tasks He’s planned for us to do. In our pressurized society, we need to have balanced schedules if we’re going to live according to God’s purposes.

Consider the following five areas. When any is out of balance, our relationship with the Lord and others will be affected, diminishing our effectiveness as servants of Christ.

1. To develop our relationship with the Lord and receive guidance, our top priority should be to spend private time with Him each day…
2. Time with family and friends is also essential because relationships are such an important part of God’s plans for our lives.
3. The area in which we are most likely to become imbalanced is our work. Although the Lord doesn’t approve of laziness, He doesn’t want us to be overly consumed with our careers either.
4. If we are to accomplish the Lord’s purposes in our lives, we need to take care of our bodies, allocating adequate time for exercise, rest, and recreation.
5. The Scriptures also clearly command meeting together regularly with other believers for worship (Heb. 10:24-25). While some people have limitations that hinder doing this, most of us have no excuse for being too busy for church.

These general areas all need space in your life, but I cannot tell you how to allocate time for them. The Lord has specific plans for each person, and He is the only one who can accurately direct your schedule. Seek His guidance, listen for His voice, and make the changes He brings to mind.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 15-18

Genesis 50:18-21

If anyone had ample opportunity to become embittered by life’s trials, it was Joseph. His brothers treated him with contempt even before they tossed him into a pit. Then, he was sold into slavery, transported to a foreign land, framed for a crime, and left to waste away in prison—all within a relatively short period of time. Despite the many injustices he suffered, this boy who grew up in bondage became a man of diligent work ethic and gentle spirit.

It’s almost impossible to understand how Joseph could seem so forgiving, peaceful, and even joyful. His secret to maintaining grace under pressure was a constant focus on God. He must have spent many hours recalling Jacob’s stories about the Lord’s faithfulness to their family—and also the divine revelations about his own future as a leader (Gen. 37:8-9). In spite of his numerous afflictions, Joseph trusted that those God-given dreams would become reality.

Imagine what kind of man Joseph might have become after 13 years of suffering and injustice. Had Joseph dwelled on his unfair circumstances, he’d likely have become cynical and vengeful. With a mind full of escape plots and revenge tactics, he might have failed at being a good worker—so instead of achieving greatness, Joseph would probably have toiled at unfulfilling menial tasks.

With his spiritual eyes trained on God’s glory, Joseph persevered through great trials. In the end, he certainly had the power to punish his brothers for their treachery, but he chose to forgive. That decision probably wasn’t easy. Yet because Joseph placed himself under God’s protection, his heart was unhindered by negative emotions.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 8-14

Deuteronomy 4:6-7

Everyone is aware of the tragedy of broken families and the domestic discord that ensues. The immoral and rebellious behavior of some teenagers, and even of some parents, is deplorable. However, we need to remember that for many of them, a contributing factor was deprivation of the normal affection that should characterize every home. Unfortunately, far too many households lack a father who knows how to express love and support in a perceptible, constructive way.

This is an age-old problem. We see it in the Bible with fathers like David, who seemed painfully unaware of how to foster strong emotional relationships with his children. This critical skill is imperative if we are to keep our families connected and healthy. It is even more important since we are supposed to demonstrate the character of God to our children. If Dad comes across as shaming and demanding or passive and detached, is it any wonder children want nothing to do with a God they assume is like that?

Fathers may not feel naturally equipped to remedy this problem, but they can begin with simple words of affirmation such as “I love you” or “That was a fine job.” They can also show love by giving meaningful gifts. Sometimes love is best expressed by spending quality time with our children and doing things with them or for them. And don’t forget physical affection. In some cases, a hug or an arm around the shoulder will unlock a child’s heart faster than anything else. Find what works best for each of your children and show that you love them—it could be life-changing.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 1-7

Romans 12:1-2

The human mind is an amazing creation of God. Nothing on earth can match its capabilities or creativity. It controls feelings, thoughts, words, attitudes, and behavior. Who we become and what we achieve? are largely due to how and what we think. Wouldn’t it make sense to let the One who created us guide our thought processes?

A clear mind is one that’s aligned with God’s Word and controlled by His Spirit. When the Lord has authority over our thoughts, discernment will guard our perspective. He empowers us to look beyond the surface and view situations as they really are. We can distinguish not just between right and wrong but also between good and best. The Lord has granted us the ability to think rightly no matter what challenges may face us.

But such clear, focused thinking must be deliberately chosen and diligently maintained. If we don’t guard against the world’s influence, we will find ourselves squeezed into its mold. Soon we’ll have a fragmented mind that cannot focus on spiritual things because it is cluttered and clogged with worldly thoughts and concerns. We must carefully consider what we allow into our minds. So ask yourself, Is this helping me become the person God wants me to be, or is it hindering the process?

A renewed mind begins with surrender to the Lord. Until you give Him full authority over your thoughts, you’ll have no power to clear out the clutter that hinders you from living in the fullness of His will. But as you yield to Him and fill your mind with His Word, He’ll transform your life.

Bible in One Year: Job 39-42

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

The best life you could possibly live is the one your Creator has designed for you. He has given believers everything they need to become more like Him and ?to achieve all He has planned for them. Since the way we think is vitally important in this process, the Lord has given us the mind of Christ. Now we have the capacity to think as He does and to see situations from His perspective.

This marvelous ability to align our thoughts with His is a gift that we receive from God at the moment of salvation. However, the practice of it is our responsibility. We all come to Christ with minds that are already “pre-programmed” to one degree or another. For example, a child who grows up hearing demeaning comments will probably incorporate them into his concept of who he is and what he can accomplish. Also, this world’s system is constantly attempting to fit us into its mold, and Satan tries to inject his lies into our thinking.

If we are to experience the abundant life the Lord wants us to have, old thoughts that do not agree with God’s Word must be replaced with truth. Then we need to screen the ideas that bombard us each day. As we cooperate with God in this ongoing process, our lives will be transformed.

Compare your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs with biblical teachings. If they don’t match, reject wrong patterns of thinking, and fill your mind with corresponding truths from Scripture instead. Since the Lord has empowered believers to think right, let’s cultivate the mind of Christ within us.

Bible in One Year: Job 35-38

John 14:7-27

When we develop a vibrant prayer life, it transforms the way we live and see things. Through prayer, the Lord can change our weakness into His strength, our ignorance into His wisdom, and our emptiness into His fullness. Jesus made an awesome promise: He is committed to accomplishing whatever we ask in His name. But what does this really mean?

Praying in His name means recognizing that Jesus has paved the way for us to have access to the Father. Anyone who believes in Christ’s death as full payment for his or her sins and who has received Him as personal Savior can, amazingly, approach the throne of Almighty God (Heb. 4:16).

Praying in His name denotes exercising the authority He has given to each born-again child of God. Jesus, the heir of all things, has made us “fellow heirs” with Him (Rom. 8:14-17). Understanding our position should give us confidence and boldness as we humbly ask and expectantly look for God’s awesome answers. We are on a mission that requires us to be people of prayer—always connected with the Holy Spirit’s power, always crying out to the Father, always depending on Him as our source.

Praying in the name of Jesus signifies agreement with His will. You are asking the Father to grant your need or desire as Jesus would, were He in your position. When you pray with this attitude, God is going to reveal His will because you want nothing less than what He wants. This is the kind of prayer that changes the world.

Bible in One Year: Job 31-34

Ephesians 1:13-21

What I do doesn’t count. Perhaps you sometimes have that thought—and you would be correct if your action is your idea, done your way. We have nothing to offer others when we rely on our own abilities and efforts. But as born-again believers seeking to live obediently, we are wrong when we fall into that kind of thinking. Scripture makes it clear what matters to God. Let us seek to think the way God does about what counts.

• New Creation. The Bible tells us that what counts is being a new creation (Galatians 6:15). We who have received Christ as our Lord and Savior are exactly that. Are you a new creation? If so, know that you are of great value to God.
• Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit indwelling us who makes what we do significant (John 6:63). Do you recognize His presence within you? He equips you to make your life count.
• Faith. A key ingredient in living a life that makes an impact is faith (Hebrews 11:6). This is not something we produce on our own—it is developed in us. Are you nourishing your soul through God’s Word in order to grow strong in faith?
• Love. Without love, faith rings hollow and discordant (1 Corinthians 13:1). Is godly love seasoning your words as well as your actions?
• Obedience. Following the Lord’s commands is what truly counts (John 15:10). Have you yielded your ways in order to obey His Word?

When we live God’s way, what we do counts in the eyes of the only One who matters—God Himself.

Bible in One Year: Job 26-30

Proverbs 3:9-10

If you knew that something you desired could destroy your life, would you keep chasing after it? The Bible warns about a certain kind of pursuit that can cause one to:

1)Fall into sin.

2)Be mastered by foolish wishes.

3)Engage in activities that erode character.

4)Plunge into moral ruin.

5)Wander from faith.

In spite of these dire warnings, many people are still ruled by a longing to get rich.

There is nothing wrong with being affluent, as long as we follow God’s rules for wise living. Specifically, we are to honor Him with our money, which includes acknowledging that He is the rightful owner (Prov. 3:9; Ps. 50:10). And we’re also to give it cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7). The desire for riches becomes a sin when accumulation is among our highest priorities. If that is the case, the god we end up serving is money.

Believers are to live by grace in every aspect of their lives, including finances. That means we surrender wages, portfolio, and charitable giving into God’s hands. Furthermore, we accept what He gives ?as enough, even when the bank account seems low by the world’s standards. He has promised to supply our needs, so we’re to regard financial gains and losses as part of His will and plan.

I am not preaching a message that suggests godly people are rewarded with riches. Poverty and tough times are as common to believers as to unbelievers. However, the Bible promises that if we live by God’s grace, He will provide amply for whatever we need (2 Cor. 9:8).

Bible in One Year: Job 13-16

Isaiah 40:28-31

God has a purpose and plan for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with “yes” or “no.” But at other times, He says, “Not now.” When this is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come while we wait.

One very practical blessing is that God strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 describes an eagle soaring—an apt metaphor for how the believer who abides in the Lord will be lifted and sustained by His Spirit. (In fact, it’s interesting to note that the Hebrew for “wind” and “spirit” come from the same word: ruach.)

When we are facing a difficult decision, the real key is learning to wait. There is no verse of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. God is the one who fights them on our behalf (2 Chron. 20:15). We are to be patient and trust in Him.

When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground (Ps. 40:1-3). He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you—His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.

In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God’s saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life. When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can’t lose.

Bible in One Year: Job 9-12

Psalms 25:3-5

Waiting for God’s timing is neither passive nor idle—it takes discipline and commitment. I can think of four basic requirements for successful waiting.

Faith. The Lord’s ways and timing are nothing like ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). From a human standpoint, the way He does things is usually totally different than expected. But as we trust Him more, we’ll discover that His approach isn’t so strange after all. And when we live in harmony with God’s will, His timing starts to make sense.

Humility. To wait for the Lord, you must be convinced of your need for Him. Submission to His divine will requires humility—you cannot charge ahead with your own plans and at the same time be fully surrendered to God.

Patience. Are you willing to remain in your current position until you receive clear divine direction? Pausing for clarity from God does not mean that you disengage and allow circumstances to fall apart around you. Waiting upon the Lord is a deliberate decision that requires patience.

Courage. Waiting for God often takes courage, especially when there is pressure to act. If you’re not careful, you might stop listening to the Lord and follow other advice. So keep your ear attuned to the voice of Almighty God, and you won’t go wrong.

Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage. When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place.

Bible in One Year: Job 5-8