http://esv.literalword.com/?q=mal+3%2C+4%3B+proverbs+27%3B+psalm+150
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 27 December 20:
Malachi 3:1, 2 — And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.
Malachi 3:13-15 — “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
Malachi 3:16-18 — Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Psalm 150:6 — Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Congratulations on reading through the entire Bible this year! Hopefully by prayerfully reading and studying the entire Bible systematically, you have been able to see the “big picture,” the truth of “His Story (history).” In a society where so many are proclaiming a hopeless philosophy of purposelessness, meaninglessness, random chance, scarcity and self-preservation, hopefully you are having a different conversation, one of hope and “Good News” about 1) God’s creation of humanity and the world, 2) the fall of humanity and the world, 3) God’s redemption of what was lost through Jesus Christ and Him alone, and 3) the final restoration when Christ will return to make all things new for eternity. Hopefully, you have seen Christ revealed throughout the entire Bible. The Bible begins with Christ (see John 1) and ends with Christ, and between the book ends of Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22 where there is no sin present on earth, God has been unfolding His redemptive plan through Christ for His glory.
Hopefully, as we approach another New Year, you are sure and are sharing that, “through Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, God gave him the authority to give all who receive and follow him in repentance and faith, a new standing from God, a new heart and life from God, a new community from God, and a promised new world from God-when Jesus returns to make all things new.” (Pathway Learning) The Good News this year is all those who will believe in Jesus Christ are saved from the penalty of sin, are being saved from the domineering power of sin in their lives, and will be saved from the presence of sin when Christ returns and makes all things new. You certainly have something to celebrate this year!
- Psalm 150:6 — Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 27 December 20: Tell everyone you can what you learned about Jesus this year from reading the Bible, and encourage others to read the Bible with you this year. Start your own Bible study going right to the source. All you need is a Bible, the Holy Spirit and receptive hearts.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 