Daily Devotional

Jan 17

Trumped Up Evidence and Truth

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 17 Joseph's brothers present Jacob with trumped up evidence of Joseph's death-his shredded coat, dried blood, and bewildered faces. Jacob views all three and concludes that Joseph is dead. Jacob believes a lie based on trumped-up evidence, and something within him dies. Twenty-two years later, his sons return from their second trip to Egypt bearing the good news that Joseph is indeed alive. At first... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 17

Jan 16

Redeeming Failure

The One Year® Chronological Bible (Tyndale, 2013), January 16 The last words Joseph hears before he is sold to a band of traders are from Leah's son, Judah. It was Judah's idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelite traders, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh" (Gen. 37:26-27). Mission accomplished. No brother, no... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 16

Jan 15

Management Training

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 15 Joseph is the eleventh son in a large household, which must have taken some management to feed, clothe, and care for. Overseeing his father's extensive flock absorbed all of his and his brothers" time. Little does Joseph know that his boyhood experience forms the bedrock for a lifetime of management. Joseph makes the best of his circumstances when he is bought by Potiphar, the captain of the guard. He... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 15

Jan 14

Family Dysfunction and Providence

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 14 Joseph never had a chance with his brothers. When Jacob prepares to meet Esau, he places the maidservants and their children in front of his delegation (the most dangerous position) followed by Leah and her brood. He places Rachel and Joseph closest to himself (Gen. 33:1-3). Wonder what this did to impact sibling rivalry? Jacob's designing a "tunic of many colors" (37:3) for Joseph to... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 14

Jan 13

A Man of the World, A Man of His Appetites

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 13 Esau reflects the prosperous man of the world. He's a man of the land--a man of his appetities. Esau takes wives for himself from among the Canaanites and builds a prosperous nation, the Edomites. His prosperity demands separation from Jacob, "For their possession were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock. So... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 13

Jan 12

The Faith Test

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 12 The natural man defaults to making decisions based on his sinful past and present circumstances. Jacob defaulted to both as he prepared to meet Esau after more than twenty years since he had stolen Esau's blessing and lied to his father. Jacob sends messengers to inform Esau of his return and then panics when his messengers inform him that Esau is on his way to meet him, "So Jacob was greatly afraid... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 12

Jan 11

Schemers and God

The One Year® Chronological Bible (Tyndale, 2013), January 11 The possessions of others attract those whose hearts are full of covetousness. Since day one, Jacob has desired Laban's possessions: "And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother"... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 11

Jan 10

ADD: Affection Deficit Disorder

The One Year® Chronological Bibl e (Tyndale, 2013), January 10 A deep sadness envelops Leah and overshadows all that she does. She is unloved by Jacob and everyone knows it. Similarly, a deep sadness occurs, month in and month out, as barrenness hovers over Rachel's life like a dark cloud. Everyone is aware of her deficiency. Both women live with a deficit: Leah lacks love, and Rachel lacks babies. Ripe conditions for competition. Insecurity always breeds competition! ... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 10

Jan 9

Recognizing Deception

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 9 Isaac assumes he is about to die (although he lives for many more years) and promptly decides to bless his son Esau before his death. Rebekah overhears Isaac and Esau's conversation and quickly concocts a plan to secure Esau's blessing for Jacob. Jacob ignores the only reservation that he has after his mother suggests their deception of Isaac, "Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 9

Jan 8

A Promise from God and Impossible Circumstances

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 8 God's promise to Abraham requires a waiting period of twenty-five years. Barrenness of womb prevents the couple from doing for themselves what God had promised to do for them. The passing of twenty-five years taught them that a promise from God is a fulfillment by God. Isaac learned this truth from his father and mother; therefore he prayed to God and waited twenty years for God to fulfill what He had... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 8

Jan 7

Faith or Presumption, What's the Difference?

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 7 After nearly forty years of walking with God, Abraham doesn't blink an eye when God instructs him to take Isaac up on the mount and offer him to the Lord (Gen. 22). Abraham has learned a number of truths about God: God is good, knowable, and trustworthy. God's ways differ from man's. Faith in God pleases Him. Abraham also learns the difference between faith and presumption: Faith: ... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 7

Jan 6

One Choice, Many Consequences

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 6 God gives man the freedom to make choices, but the consequences are out of man's hands. Had Eve known that eating the piece of fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would cost her the death of one son, the cursing of another, problems in her marriage, eviction from the garden of Eden, and alienation from God, she would not have eaten the fruit. Consequences are always hidden and come later. One... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 6

Jan 5

Waiting on God

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 5 "So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her'" (Gen. 16:2). Like a playground bully, the passage of time picks a fight with those who have a promise from God―to win through faith or to surrender through unbelief. Sarai surrenders her faith as ten years of waiting pass. She looks down at her... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 5

Jan 4

Progenitor of a Nation

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 4 The ten generations following the flood fill the earth with idolatrous people, including Shem's descendants, one of whom is Terah, Abraham's father. Joshua 24:2 fills in the informational gap in Abraham's background, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 4

Jan 3

Noah: Man of Faith, Preacher of Righteousness

One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 3 Ten generations and more than 2,000 years have passed when Noah, descendent of Seth, arrives on a scene of earthly violence and near total corruption-people drowning in sin. God appears to him and promises a flood that will destroy every living thing upon the earth. He instructs Noah to build an ark, fill it with two of every unclean beast and seven of every clean animal. Noah believes in the veracity of God's Word and... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 3

Jan 2

The Two Paths in Life

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 2 A predator mars the beauty of the garden when he enters the garden. He speaks to the woman, not because she is weaker, but because her knowledge of God's instructions is secondhand--communicated to her by Adam. Will she trust God's goodness, honor God's designated authoritative order, and defer to God's revealed will, or will she act independently of her husband and her God? Will Adam exercise the... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 2

Jan 1

Let the Story Begin!

One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013) - January 1 God's story begins with God, revealing crucial insights into His power and person: God speaks; nothingness becomes substantial, and chaos becomes ordered. God assesses what He creates, names it, and affirms its goodness. God enables the reproduction of life by creating both maturity (plants, trees, and animals) and potential (seed). He creates things both old and new. God creates systems and holds them... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Jan 1

Dec 31

Bible Bookends

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 31 The final two chapters of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ mirror the first two chapters in Genesis. These four chapters are bookends to the entire story of the Bible. In the beginning God walked with man in a beautiful garden, in the cool of the day. In the end God dwells again with His people--"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 31

Dec 30

The Seven Blessings of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 30 Seven is the number of perfection, and the Book of the Revelation contains seven blessings: "'Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Rev. 1:3). Man's reading, hearing, and keeping the Word of God endear the heart of God to him. "'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 30

Dec 29

Overcomers

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 29 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Rev. 12:11). The Apostle John describes believers as overcomers in I John (2:13; 4:4; 5:4-5) and in Revelation (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11). Believers overcome in the battle over sin and self , in the battle with the world's thinking and system , and in the... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 29

Dec 28

No Lost Tribes

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 28 God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation and that through his seed He would bless all the families of the earth (Gen. 12:3). The story of the Bible tracks Abraham's descendants, with special emphasis on his great- grandson Judah, through whom Shiloh would come. Israel becomes a great nation in captivity under the service to the Egyptians. God brings them back to the land promised to the... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 28

Dec 27

Churches Possess Personalities and Problems

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 27 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus . . . Smyra . . . Pergamos . . . Thyatira . . . Sardis. . . Philadelphia . . . Laodicea" (Rev. 2:1; 2:8; 2:12; 2:18; 3:1; 3:7; 3:14.) Churches come in all shapes and sizes and, like people, have their own unique personalities. Churches generally take on the personalities of their leaders: Friendly pastors lead friendly churches; Legalistic pastors who... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 27

Dec 26

Never Too Old For God

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 26 The Apostle John is an old man (92 years of age) living as a prisoner on a penal colony when his life is interrupted by a voice and a revelation. He testifies, "I was in the Spirit on the LORD's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last" . . . . Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me" (1:10, 12). The... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 26

Dec 25

Born Of God

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 25 In 1 John, the Apostle John refers to the follower of the Lord Jesus Christ as one who is "born of God": "Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him" (2:29) "Whoever has been born of God does not sin" (3:9) "He cannot sin, because he has been born of God" (3:9) "Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (4:7) "Whoever believes that... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 25

Dec 24

Spiritual Fraud

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 24 Frauds are those who deceive others for personal gain. Spiritual frauds are those who claim spirituality but are self-deceived. At the conclusion of the first century, the Apostle John writes a letter to confront and expose those making fraudulent spiritual claims. He points out five such claims and offers a corresponding reality check: "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 24

Dec 23

Developing A Warfare Mentality

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 23 Canaan was Israel's inheritance and its battleground throughout history-for those entering their inheritance, for those maintaining their inheritance, and for those returning to their inheritance. One does not need go far in the lineages of 1 Chronicles to find warriors. Issachar is known for its warriors (1 Chron. 7:1-2, 5), Ephraim is noted for Israel's fearless warrior-leader Joshua (7:27), and Benjamin... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 23

Dec 22

Called to Unjust Suffering

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 22 "But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 Pet. 2:20-21) Suffering. No thank you. No, really, I shouldn't have to. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll give it a pass. How can anyone endure hurled insults or, in modern terminology,... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 22

Dec 21

Living As Foreigners

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 21 Christians don't belong in this world; they live for another time and another place. They are pilgrims--foreigners. And, like foreigners in the past and in the present, they are generally misunderstood and persecuted. The group of English Puritans who fled religious persecution and sailed in the Mayflower to found the colony of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 were called pilgrims. Their desire for religious... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 21

Dec 20

Proof of Relationship

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 20 How do you know that you are a child of God? Some people base their assurance on a decision that they have made, a prayer that they have prayed, or an experience that they have had (baptism, confirmation, church membership). The Bible offers one clear evidence to prove that we are God's children: discipline. The writer of Hebrews addresses discipline in Hebrews 12:1-13. Discipline characterized all the great... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 20

Dec 19

Copy of the Original

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 19 Moses constructed the Tent of Meeting based on the design that God had revealed to him from heaven. Priestly duties were carried out daily in the Holy Place (replacing the bread on the Table of Showbread and keeping the lampstand of seven oil lamps filled with oil). A thick veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the ark of the covenant rested. Once a year on the Day of Atonement the High Priest... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 19

Dec 18

From Outside of the System

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 18 The Book of Hebrews addressed a largely Jewish-background audience. The writer seeks to demonstrate the superiority of Christ over the Levitical system established by Moses. The system, though weak in operation, presented God’s holiness, man’s sinfulness, and the way of redemption—the shedding of the blood of the innocent on behalf of the guilty. Abraham meets Melchizedek, the “priest of God... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 18

Dec 17

Earthly Representation, Heavenly Reality

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 17 The writer of Hebrews demonstrates man’s need of human representation on earth and in heaven. Christ perfectly represented man on earth and in heaven. Earthly Representation - Hebrews 2:14-15, 17-18 “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 17

Dec 16

Breaking Up With The "Selfie" Life

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 16 New ideas and new activities demand the invention of a new vocabulary. The word “selfie” describes the 21st century cultural phenomenon of taking a digital self-portrait and editing it immediately with different filters, to publish it online and market oneself instantly through social media. The ability to take selfies and edit them reveals a fatal flaw in human nature: self-centeredness. We, rather than... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 16

Dec 15

The Knowledge That Says "NO" To Sin

The ONE YEAR® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 15 "Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness" (Titus 1:1, emphasis added). Today's media glorifies sin. TV shows promote all flavors of sin while intentionally leaving out its dark underbelly (drinking without alcoholism, drugs without addictions, gambling without... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 15

Dec 14

Church Conduct

The One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 14 Paul’s letter to Timothy, the pastor of the church at Ephesus, provides a number of guidelines that, when not followed, result in personal defeat and communal disgrace upon the church. Among these issues, Paul addresses church conduct: Church Conduct : “These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 14

Dec 13

Suffering And Submission

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 13 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4:7). Submission, the despised "S" word, is a training issue. Once our intellect understands the value of submission, faith informs the will to soften its neck and bow its knee in surrender to God. It all comes back to one's view of God. James mentions submission in light of interpersonal relationships and... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 13

Dec 12

Faith Goes The Distance

The One Year Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 12 Actions are belief-driven. They do not produce beliefs; they reveal beliefs. Perseverance, on the other hand, reveals and matures faith. "Bailing out" reveals immature faith or downright unbelief. James the Apostle connects faith with perseverance: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 12

Dec 11

A New Epicenter

The One Year Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 11 Three epicenters exist from which all people operate or navigate life: Moralists operate from an epicenter of legalistic righteousness. The Apostle Paul formerly pursued righteousness by keeping the law. He describes his own law-keeping as faultless: "If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 11

Dec 10

Characteristics of Pride

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 10 Like slices of bread, two commands sandwich Paul's description of Christ's humility: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" (Phil. 2:3) "Do all things without complaining or disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 10

Dec 9

Before And After Conversion

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 9 Before and after pictures. We've all seen them. They demonstrate the effectiveness of aesthetic medical procedures, home makeovers, weight loss, etc. Paul often uses such "before and after" pictures in his epistles to narrate the Christian life. In Colossians he offers this example: ”Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 9

Dec 8

Warfare Mentality

The One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 8 A terrorist entered the garden of Eden to capture the heart and soul of man. Adam and Eve succumbed to the enemy when they failed to appropriate God's Word, lift up the shield of faith, and stand against him. Sadly, they didn't realize the importance of that moment, and they doomed all of humanity to slavery under the dominion of sin and the enemy. A promise regarding the Redeemer (Gen. 3:15) formed their only hope,... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 8

Dec 7

Shacking Up With The Devil

The ONE YEAR® Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 7 Paul transitions from doctrinal teaching to practical application in Ephesians 4:1-3: "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." A few sentences later Paul gives another command:... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 7

Dec 6

Their Story, Our Story

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 6 Early in the Bible's metanarrative, in Genesis 3:15, God promised Adam and Eve (the originators of all humanity) a coming Redeemer. Many generations later, He isolated Abraham from all the men upon the earth and promised him, "And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3). Abraham's descendants possessed the covenants of promise in the Law of Moses, and the prophets' foretelling of Christ. In... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 6

Dec 5

God Speaks

The ONE YEAR® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 5 Paul doesn't have a hope-so faith but a know-so faith. He has a word from God: "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you" (Acts 27:24). God will have to keep him alive during the storm for this to happen. Dead men don't testify before kings. The same thing happened with Noah when God spoke to him regarding the coming flood.... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 5

Dec 4

Evangelism That Makes Men Tremble

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 4 The apostle Paul's preaching and witness to the Jews eventually bring him to be arrested by the Jews and imprisoned by the Romans. His opponents seek to kill him, so the Roman soldiers charged with his welfare send him from Jerusalem to Caesarea, to the Roman governor Felix, a particularly inept bureaucrat who has kept himself in power by sheer brute force (like many bureaucrats). His cruelty is exceeded only by his... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 4

Dec 3

The Unruly Gospel

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 3 Religious disputes are as old as the human race. Often those seeking to defuse a dispute only increase its intensity. That's what happens when Paul arrives in Jerusalem. Jewish-background believers are disputing with Gentile-background believers over the role of circumcision and the Law. The Jews believe that, because Christianity flowed out of Judaism, Gentile believers should embrace Judaism as a completion of... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 3

Dec 2

Warning to Pastors

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 2 Paul is a pastor to pastors. He bypasses Ephesus as he hurries to arrive in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, but he requests that the elders of the Ephesian church meet him at Miletus. He who has “kept back nothing that was helpful” (Acts 20:20) addresses the elders for the last time: “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 2

Dec 1

A Gospel-happy Life

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), December 1 Paul's encounter with the resurrected Christ has changed him forever. The former self-righteous and religious Jew has become a passionate servant of Jesus Christ. No distance is too far to travel or cost too great to pay to take the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul describes his depth of service to Christ, "I have:" Worked much harder ... Read More

Posted by Blog Archive at Dec 1