Daily Bible Reading - End of Hebrews and James

I'm doing my best to stay in the habit of reading first thing in the mornings, but that might change soon. I'm close to finalizing who I will work under for real estate, so mornings might become a rush out the door once the kids are on the bus. I'm praying it all works out.

I read through to the end of Hebrews and all the way through James (one of my favorites).

Hebrews 10, 11, 12, and 13

Favorite verses:

10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

12:5-6 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 James 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

If I truly followed all the instructions in James, I would be a much better person. Though short in length, it is a powerful reminder of how to live our Christian lives. There are too many favorite verses for me to quote here, so I will restrain myself and only share my most favorite; ones that mean the most to me and encourage me in the areas where I struggle. 

Favorite verses:

1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

 3:8-10 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 5:16 ...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Daily Bible Reading - Hebrews Continued

How is it more than two weeks have passed since my last update? The girls have kept me running with a variety of things. The Lil' Princess started soccer and the Lil' Diva is in rehearsals for Peter Pan Jr. MCAS testing is finally done for the year, so they are thrilled. As for me, I've been planning book tours for clients and working on finding a real estate broker to work now that I have my license. I've been very bad about my daily Bible reading, which is a shame because I am in a much better frame of mind with it than without it.

We've been studying the tabernacle at church, so some of these chapters in Hebrews solidified that learning.

Hebrews 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Favorite verses:

6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

7:22  by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

9:28 ...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Daily Bible Reading - 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews

I didn't intentionally fall off the face of the planet. During Holy Week, I spent more time reading the Bible than usual, which helped to focus and prepare me for Easter. Some time was also spent studying for my real estate salesperson exam, which I took--and passed--this past Tuesday. With this new direction in my life, I feel the need to be spending more free time in prayer. I've also discovered how much I enjoy reading the Bible on my Kindle. I can easily highlight passages to remember later. I read more at a time on my device than online. I'll be using this way for a while.

2 Timothy 1, 2, 3, & 4

Favorite verses:

1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2:11-13 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[c] depart from iniquity.”

3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Titus 1, 2, & 3

Favorite verses:

2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

3:2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Philemon

Hebrews 1, 2, 3, & 4

Favorite verses:

2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

2:8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.

4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Day 2 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on Philippians 2:8-9 and John 10:7-18.
Day 3 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on John 3:1-16, Ephesians 3:19, and 1 Peter 1:20.
Day 4 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on Luke 23:32-46 and John 15:13.
Day 5 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on Luke 23:53-55 and Luke 24:1-12.
Day 6 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on Matthew 28:11-20.
Day 7 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on John 20:19-31 and Colossians 2:13.
Day 8 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on John 14:1-6, John 14:18, and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.
Day 9 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on Romans 6:14-23 and 1 John 4:4.
Day 10 of "Our Daily Bread: The Hope of Easter" focuses on 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Romans 6:23, and John 14:2.