One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional
Today’s Bible Reading: May 19
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One Year Bible Reading Plan
Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the Holman Christian Standard Bible at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.
Why do People Hate Jesus?
Learning from the Star-Belly Sneetches
We tend to like and hang out with people who are like us. And those who are not like us, we tend think of as “weird” or “different.” It reminds me of the Dr. Seuss book about the star belly sneetches. All the sneetches with stars on their bellies thought they were the best and those who didn’t have stars on their bellies were condescended. While the story really deals with discrimination, it also helps us understand why people hate Jesus.
The star-belly sneetches show us how we want to be with those who are like us. And when people are not like us, we don’t like them. Why do people hate Jesus? For the same reason. He isn’t like us — thankfully! Jesus was the perfect, sinless Son of God. The world is self-centered and sinful. Jesus is the Light of the World that exposes the darkness of sin and brings sin into the light for all to see and therefore, the world wants nothing to do with Jesus.
We don’t like it when our faults are pointed out
In Jesus’ day, there were many who did not believe that he was the Messiah and they rejected Him. But if we really get to the heart of the matter, they didn’t like Jesus because he pointed out their faults and sins. None of us like it when our sins are made known and it was true in Jesus’ day too. Instead of repenting and finding forgiveness, they chose to find a way to stamp Jesus out – they sent Him to the cross, thinking that would take care of it. But it didn’t.
The World is still sinful and it still hates Jesus
Jesus rose again from the grave and His disciples spread the gospel so that many did repent and believe in Jesus. So much so that the gospel message is still being told today and it is still changing lives today. And still the world hates Jesus because the way of the world is sin and evil. It still tries to stamp Him out. It will still pass laws so that it doesn’t have to feel guilt over their sins. The world will say that abortion is lawful – God calls it murder. It will say that homosexual marriages are lawful – God calls it an abomination and that marriage is one man and one woman. The courtrooms will remove plaques of the Ten Commandments from its walls (even though every one of the commandments are built into our laws) as if not seeing them will lessen guilt.
The more the world tries to compromise with evil, the more evil the world will see. No matter what the world tries to do, God says that His Word will endure forever and that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because He is unchanging, changing laws and removing the appearance of them, will never lessen guilt because it is still sin in God’s eyes. The only way to remove guilt and shame is through repentance, forgiveness, and salvation by faith through Jesus.
Jesus says, “Come as you are.”
The sneetches finally learned to accept everyone for who they are, whether they had a star on their belly or not. Jesus says, come just as you are. It doesn’t matter what is in your past or what you are involved in now – Come to Jesus. Just as you are and you will find grace and forgiveness.
Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As we surrender our lives to Christ, the Bible tells us that He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
Micah 7:19 tells us that He has compassion on us and casts our sin into the depths of the sea.
And Isaiah 43:25 says, “I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Exposing the darkness of sin is never easy. But Jesus, through the shedding of his blood on the cross, will wash away your sin and shame. Only then will you fully understand the unfailing, reckless love of Jesus.
#ReadYourBible #2Kings #John #BreadofLife
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Week 20: May 16-22, 2022
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Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.” Our victories come when we are on our knees praying.
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Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Kindness never goes out of style. Scatter some wherever you go.
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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars
by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
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