December Reading List

       December

❏1 Proverbs 8-11
❏2 Proverbs 12-14
❏3 Proverbs 15-18
❏4 Proverbs 19-21
❏5 Proverbs 22-24
❏6 Proverbs 25-28
❏7 Proverbs 29-31
❏8 Ecclesiastes 1-3
❏9 Ecclesiastes 4-6
❏10 Ecclesiastes 7-9
❏11 Ecclesiastes 10-12
❏12 Song of Solomon 1-4
❏13 Song of Solomon 5-8
❏14 1 Kings 5-7
❏15 1 Kings 8-10
❏16 1 Kings 11-13
❏17 1 Kings 14-16
❏18 1 Kings 17-19
❏19 1 Kings 20-22
❏20 2 Kings 1-3
❏21 2 Kings 4-6
❏22 2 Kings 7-10
❏23 2 Kings 11-14:20
❏24 Joel 1-3
❏25 2 Kings 14:21-25; Jonah 1-4
❏26 2 Kings 14:26-29; Amos 1-3
❏27 Amos 4-6
❏28 Amos 7-9
❏29 2 Kings 15-17
❏30 Hosea 1-4

❏31 Hosea 5-7

Jr. Bible Challenge Reading List

   December

❏1 2 Samuel 22
❏2 1 Kings 1
❏3 1 Kings 2
❏4 1 Kings 3
❏5 1 Kings 8
❏6 1 1 Kings 9
❏7 1 Kings 10
❏8 1 Kings 13
❏9 1 Kings 17
❏10 1 Kings 18
❏11 1 Kings 19
❏12 2 Kings 2
❏13 2 Kings 3
❏14 2 Kings 4
❏15 2 Kings 5
❏16 2 Kings 6
❏17 2 Kings 17
❏18 2 Kings 22
❏19 1 Chronicles 1
❏20 1 Chronicles 12
❏21 1 Chronicles 13
❏22 1 Chronicles 14
❏23 1 Chronicles 15
❏24 1 Chronicles 16
❏25 1 Chronicles 17
❏26 2 Chronicles 1
❏27 2 Chronicles 7
❏28 2 Chronicles 20
❏29 2 Chronicles 30
❏30 2 Chronicles 32
❏31 Ezra 3

Day 153 - Get Wisdom & Guard Your Heart

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 4-7

Get wisdom, get understanding;

do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

love her, and she will watch over you.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:5-7

Footnote:


If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it.  It takes resolve -- a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become.  This is not a once-in-a-lifetime step, but a daily process of choosing between two paths -- the wicked (4:14-17,19) and the righteous (4:18).  Nothing else is more important or more valuable.

Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

Footnote:

Our heart -- our feelings of love and desire --dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy.  Solomon tells us to guard our heart above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path.  Make sure your affections push you in the right direction.  Put boundaries on your desires:  don't go after everything you see.  Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don't get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Keep reading -- 212 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 152 - Leaning

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 1-3

Proverbs

What the book of Psalms is to prayer and devotional life, the book of Proverbs is to everyday life.  Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living.  This book is not just a collection of homey sayings; it contains deep spiritual insights drawn from experience.  A proverb is a short, wise, easy-to-learn saying that calls a person to actions.  It doesn't argue about basic spiritual and moral beliefs; it assumes we already hold them.  The book of Proverbs fouses on God -- his character, works, and blessings -- and it tells how we can live in close relationship to him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverb 3:5, 6

Footnote:

Leaning has the sense of putting your whole weight on something, resting on and trusting in that person or thing.  When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can't trust anyone -- not even God.  But God knows what is best for us.  He is a better judge of what we want than even we are!  We must trust him completely in every choice we make.  We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others.  We must not be wise in our own eyes.  We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God's Word and wise counselors.  Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide; and then follow God's leading.  He will make your paths straight by both guiding and protecting you.

To receive God's guidance, said Solomon, we must acknowledge God in all our ways.  This means turning every area of life over to him.  About a thousand years later, Jesus emphasized this same truth (Matthew 6:33).  Look at your values and priorities.  What is important to you?  In what areas have you not acknowledged him?  What is his advice?  In many areas of your life you may already acknowledge God, but it is in the areas where you attempt to restrict or ignore his influence that will cause you grief.  Make him a vital part of everything you do; then he will guide you because you will be working to accomplish his purposes.

Keep reading -- 213 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 151 - Wisdom

Daily Reading:  1 Kings 1-4

Now, O lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David.  But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

1 Kings 3:7-9

Footnote:

When given a chance to have anything in the world, Solomon asked for wisdom -- "a discerning heart" -- in order to lead well and to make right decisions.  We can ask God for his same wisdom (James 1:5).  Notice that Solomon asked for discernment to carry out his job; he did not ask God to do the job for him.  We should not ask God to do for us what he wants to do through us.  Instead we should ask God to give us the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to follow through on it.

Solomon asked for wisdom, not wealth, but God gave him riches and long life as well.  While God does not promise riches to those who follow him, he gives us what we need if we put his kingdom, his interests, and his principles first.  Setting your sights on riches will only leave you dissatisfied because even if you get the riches you crave, you will still want something more.  But if you put God and his work first, he will satisfy your deepest needs.

Solomon received "a wise and discerning heart" from God, but it was up to Solomon to apply that wisdom to all areas of his life.  Solomon was obviously wise in governing the nation, but he was foolish in running his household.  Wisdom is both the ability to discern what is best and the strength of character to act upon that knowledge.  While Solomon remained wise all his life, he did not always act upon his wisdom.

 Keep reading -- 214 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 150 - Praise Him!

Daily Reading:  Psalm 148-150

Praise the Lord

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

praise him with the string and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

Footnote:

How could the message be more clear?  The writer was telling the individual listeners to praise God.  What a fitting way to end this book of praise -- with a direct encouragement for you to praise God too.  Remember to praise him every day!

In a way, the book of Psalms parellels our spiritual journey through life.  It begins by presenting us with two roads -- the way to life and the way to death.  If we choose God's way to life, we still face both blessings and troubles, joy and grief, successes and obstacles.  Throughout it all, God is at our side, guiding, encouraging, comforting and caring.  As the wise and faithful person's life draws to an end, he or she realizes clearly that God's road is the right road.  Knowing this will cause us to praise God for leading us in the right direction and for assuring our place in the perfect world God has in store for those who have faithfully followed him.

Keep reading -- 215 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 149 - The Lord's Delight

Daily Reading:  Psalm 145-147

He takes no pleasure in the strength

of a horse

or in human might.

No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear him,

those who put their hope in his

unfailing love.

Psalm 147:10, 11

Footnote:

We spend much effort trying to sharpen our skills or increase our strength.  There is nothing wrong with doing so, and in fact, our gifts can be used to glorify God.  But when we use our skills with no regard for God, they are indeed worth little.  It is our fear (reverence) and trust that God desires.  When he has those, then he will use our skills and strengths in ways far greater than we can imagine.

 Keep reading -- 216 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 148 - Teach Me To Do Your Will

Daily Reading:  Psalm 142-144

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground.

Psalm 143:10

Footnote:

David's prayer was to be taught to do God's will, not his own.  A prayer for guidance is self-centered if it doesn't recognize God's power to redirect our lives.  Asking God to restructure our priorities awakens our minds and stirs our wills.

O Lord, what is man that you care for him,

the son of man that you think of him?

Man is like a breath;

his days are like a fleeting shadow.

Psalm 144:3,4

Footnote:

Life is short.  David reminds us that it is "like a breath" and that our "days are like a fleeting shadow."  James says that our lives are "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).  Because life is short, we should live for God while we have the time.  Don't waste your life by selecting an inferior purpose that has no lasting value.  Live for God -- he alone can make your life worthwhile, purposeful, and meaningful.

Keep reading -- 217 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 147 - Search Me, O God

Daily Reading:  Psalm 139-141

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

Footnote:

David asked God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts.  This is exploratory surgery for sin.  How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out?  Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven.  Make this verse your prayer.  If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on God's "way everlasting."

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;

keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

Footnote:

James wrote that "the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts" (James 3:5).  On the average, a person opens his or her mouth approximately 700 times a day to speak.  David wisely asked God to help keep him from speaking evil -- sometimes even as he underwent persecution.  Jesus himself was silent before his accusers (Matthew 26:63).  Knowing the power of the tongue, we would do well to ask God to guard what we say so that our words will bring honor to his name.

Two great verses from our reading!  Psalm 139 is great!

Find a quiet place.  
Listen at this link http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/Ps.139
Make this your prayer to God.



Keep reading -- 218 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 146 - His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

Daily Reading:  Psalm 136-138

Trying reading this one out loud!

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down great kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and rescued us from our foes,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Keep reading -- 219 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 145 - Become More Like Him

Daily Reading:  Psalm 133-135

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

made by the hands of men.

They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but they cannot see;

they have ears, but cannot hear,

nor is there breath in their mouths.

Those who make them will be like them,

and so will all who trust in them.

Psalm 135:15-18

Footnote:

Those who worshiped idols were as blind and insensitive as the idols themselves.  They couldn't see or hear what God had to say.  In subtle, imperceptible ways we become like the idols we worship.  If the true God is your God, you will become more like him as you worship him. 

What are your goals?  What takes priority in your life?  Choose carefully because you will take on the characteristics of whatever you worship.

Keep reading -- 220 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 144 - No Record

Daily Reading:  Psalm 130-132

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness;

therefore you are feared.

Psalm 130:3,4

Footnote:

Keeping a record of sins (or holding a grudge) is like building a wall between you and another person, and it is nearly impossible to talk openly while the wall is there.  God doesn't keep a record of our sins; when he forgives; he forgives completely, tearing down any wall between us and him.  Therefore, we fear (revere) God, yet we can talk to him about anything.  When you pray, realize that God is holding nothing against you.  His lines of communication are completely open.

Keep reading -- 221 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 143 - Unless the Lord Builds

Daily Reading:  Psalm 127-129

Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early

and stay up late,

toiling for food to eat -- 

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord,

children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their enemies in

the gate.

Psalm 127

Footnote:

Families establish homes and watchmen guard cities, but both these activities are futile unless God is with them.  A family without God can never experience the spiritual bond God brings to relationships.  A city without God will crumble from evil and corruption on the inside.  Don't make the mistake of leaving God out of your life -- if you do, all your accomplishments will be futile.  Make God your highest priority, and let him do the building.

Too often children are seen as liabilities rather than assets.  But the Bible calls children "a heritage from the Lord," a reward.  We can learn valuable lessons from their inquisitive minds and trusting spirits.  Those who view children as a distraction or nuisance should instead see them as an opportunity to shape the future.  We dare not treat children as an inconvenience when God values them so highly.

Keep reading -- 222 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 142 - A Harvest of Joy

Daily Reading:  Psalm 124-126

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Psalm 125:1

Footnote:

Have you ever known people who were drawn to every new fad or idea?  Such people are inconsistent and therefore unreliable.  The secret to consistency is to trust in God, because he never changes.  He cannot be shaken by the changes in our world, and he endures forever.  The fads and ideas of our world, and our world itself, will not.

He who goes out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:6

Footnote:

God's ability to restore life is beyond our understanding.  Forests burn down and are able to grow back.  Broken bones heal.  Even grief is not a permanent condition.  Our tears can be seeds that will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy.  When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and that you will again find joy.  We must be patient as we wait.  God's great harvest of joy is coming!

Keep reading -- 223 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 141 - Lift Up My Eyes

Daily Reading:  Psalm 120-123

I lift up my eyes to the hills - 

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Footnote:

This song expresses assurance and hope in God's protection day and night.  He not only made the hills but heaven and earth as well.  We should never trust a lesser power than God himself.  But not only is he all-powerful, he also watches over us.  Nothing diverts or deters him.  We are safe.  We never outgrow our need for God's untiring watch over our lives.

I rejoiced with those who said to me,

"Let us go to the house of the Lord,"

Our feet are standing

in your gates, O Jerusalem.

Psalm 122:1-2

Footnote:

Going to God's house can be a chore or a delight.  For the psalmist, it was a delight.  As a pilgrim attending one of the three great religious festivals, he rejoiced to worship with God's people in God's house.  We may find worship a chore if we have unconfessed sin or if our love for God has cooled.  But if we are close to God and enjoy his presence, we will be eager to worship and praise him.  Our attitude toward God will determine our view of worship.

Keep reading -- 224 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 140 - Psalm 119

Daily Reading:  Psalm 119

Psalm 119

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the Lord.

Footnotes:

This is both the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible!  Psalm 119 has 22 carefully constructed sections, each corresponding to a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet and each verse beginning with the letter of its section.  Almost every verse mentions God's Word.  Such repetition was common in the Hebrew culture.  People did not have personal copies of the Scriptures to read as we do, so God's people memorized his Word and passed it along orally.  The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization.  Remember, God's Word, the Bible, is the only sure guide for living a pure life.

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

Verse 9

We are drowning in a sea of impurity.  Everywhere we look we find temptation to lead impure lives.  The psalmist asked a question that troubles us all: how do we stay pure in a filthy environment?  We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strength more dynamic than the tempting influences around us.  Where can we find that strength and wisdom?  By reading God's Word and doing what it says?

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Verse 11

Hiding (keeping) God's Word in our hearts is a deterrent to sin.  This alone should inspire us to memorize Scripture.  But memorization alone will not keep us from sin; we must also put God's Word to work in our lives, making it a vital guide for everything we do.

119:19 Footnote:

The psalmist says that he is a "stranger on earth," and so he needed guidance.  Almost any long trip requires a map or guide.  As we travel through life, the Bible should be our road map, pointing out safe routes, obstacles to avoid, and our final destination.  We must recognize ourselves as pilgrims, travelers here on earth who need to study God's map to learn the way.  If we ignore the map, we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real destination.

Great peace have they who love your law,

and nothing can make them stumble.

Verse 165

Modern society longs for peace of mind.  Here is clear-cut instructions on how to attain this: if we love God and obey his laws, we will have "great peace."  Trust in God, who alone stands above the pressures of daily life and gives us full assurance.

Keep reading -- 225 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 139 - This is the Day!

Daily Reading:  Psalm 115-118

Footnote:

Psalms 115-118 were traditionally sung at the Passover meal, commemorating Israel's escape from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 11, 12).

Psalm 115:4-8 Footnote:

When the psalms were written, many people worshiped idols -- statues of wood, stone, or metal.  They took pride in what they could see and had contempt for what they couldn't see.  Today, we still may value tangible objects (home, clothing, possessions) rather than intangible realities (spiritual growth, salvation, giving to those in need, spending time with loved ones).  Those who spend all their time obtaining tangible objects are as foolish and empty as the idols themselves.  (For more on the foolishness of idols, see Isaiah 44:9-20).

The Lord remembers us and will bless us:

He will bless the house of Israel,

he will bless the house of Aaron,

he will bless those who fear the Lord --

small and great alike.

Psalm 115:12,13

Footnote:

"The Lord remembers us," says the psalm writer.  What a fantastic truth!  There are many times when we feel isolated, alone, and abandoned, even by God.  In reality, he sees, understands, and thinks about us.  When depressed by problems or struggling with self-worth, be encouraged that God keeps you in his thoughts.  If he thinks about you, surely his help is near.

117 Footnote:

Not only is Psalm 117 the shortest chapter in the Bible, it is also the middle chapter.  Paul quotes from this psalm in Romans 15:11 to show that God's salvation is for ALL people, not just the Jews.

This is the day the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Footnote:

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice.  Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming.  We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way.  But no matter how low the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God.  And as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise.  When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel.  You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.  God has given you this day to live and to serve him -- be glad!

Trouble viewing this video?  Visit the blog at www.biblechallengeblog.blogspot.com

Keep reading -- 226 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 138 - Blessed is the Man.......

Daily Reading:  Psalm 112-114

Praise the Lord.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

who finds great delight in his commands.

Psalm 112:1

Footnote:

Many blessings are available to us -- honor, prosperity, security, freedom from fear (112:2-9) -- if we fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.  If you expect God's blessings, you must revere him and gladly obey him.

He will have no fear of bad news;

his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is secure, he will have no fear;

in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

Psalm 112:7,8

Footnote:

We all want to live without fear; our heroes are fearless people who take on all dangers and overcome them.  The psalmist teaches us that fear of God can lead to a fearless life.  To fear God means to respect and revere him as the almighty Lord.  When we trust God completely to take care of us, we will find that our other fears -- even of death itself -- will subside.

 Keep reading -- 227 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 137 - The Fear of the Lord

Daily Reading:  Psalm 109-111

Psalm 110 Footnote:

Many people have a vague belief in God, but refuse to accept Jesus as anything more than a great human teacher.  But the Bible does not allow that option.  Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the deity of the One who came to save and to reign.  Jesus explained that this psalm spoke of the Messiah as greater than David, Israel's greatest king (Mark 12:35-37).  Peter used this psalm to show that Jesus, the Messiah, sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all (Acts 2:32-35).  You can't straddle the fence, calling Jesus "just a good teacher," because the Bible clearly calls him Lord.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 111:10

Footnote:

The only way to become truly wise is to fear (revere) God.  This same thought is expressed in Proverbs 1:7-9.  Too often people want to skip this step, thinking they can become wise by life experiene and academic knowledge alone.  But if we do not acknowledge God as the source of wisdom, then our foundation for making wise decisions is shaky, and we are prone to mistakes and foolish choices.

Keep reading -- 228 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 136 - Mighty Acts of the Lord

Daily Reading:  Psalm 106-108

Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?

Psalm 106:2

Footnote:

If we ever stopped to list all the mighty acts or miracles in the Bible, we would be astounded.  They cover every aspect of life.  The more we think about what God has done, the more we can appreciate the miracles he has done for us individually -- birth, personality development, loving friends and family, specific guidance, healing, salvation -- the list goes on and on.  If you think you have never seen a miracle look closer -- you will see God's power and loving intervention on your behalf.  God still performs great miracles!

Keep reading -- 229 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 135 - Praise the Lord, O My Soul

Daily Reading:  Psalm 103-105

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits --

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

Footnote:

David's praise focused on God's glorious deeds.  It is easy to complain about life, but David's list gives us plenty for which to praise God -- he forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice.  We receive all of these without deserving any of them.  No matter how difficult your life's journey, you can always count your blessings -- past, present, and future.  When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read David's list.

Keep reading -- 230 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 134 - Enter His Gates

Daily Reading:  Psalm 100-102

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.

Psalm 100:4

Footnote:

God alone is worthy of being worshiped.  What is your attitude toward worship?  Do you willingly and joyfully come into God's presence, or are you just going through the motions, reluctantly going to church?  This psalm tells us to remember God's goodness and dependability, and then to worship with thanksgiving and praise!

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,

that they may dwell with me;

he whose walk is blamelss

will minister to me.

Psalm 101:6

Footnote:

David said that he would keep his eyes "on the faithful in the land."  In other words, he would choose as models and as friends those who are godly and truthful.  Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on our lives.  Make sure to keep your eyes on those who are faithful to God and his Word.

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Keep reading -- 231 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 133 - Your Great and Awesome Name

Daily Reading:  Psalm 97-99

All who worship images are put to shame,

those who boast in idols -- 

worship him, all you gods!

Psalm 97:7

Footnote:

People worship all kinds of images and idols.  Although God reveals himself and his love through nature and the Bible, there are many who decide to ignore or reject him and pursue goals they believe are more important.  The Bible makes it clear that these people are idol worshipers because they give their highest loyalty to something other than God.  

One day we will stand before God in all his glory and power.  Then we will see all our goals and accomplishments for what they really are.  How foolish our earthly pursuits will seem then!

Let those who love the Lord hate evil,

for he guards the lives of his faithful ones

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10

Footnote:

A sincere desire to please God will result in an alignment of your desires with God's desires.  You will love what God loves and hate what God hates.  If you love the Lord, you will hate evil.  Learn to love God's ways and hate evil in every form -- not only the obvious sins but also the socially acceptable ones.

Let them praise your great and awesome name --

he is holy.

Psalm 99:3

Footnote:

Everyone should praise God's great and awesome name because his name symbolizes his nature, his personage, and his reputation.  But the name of God is used so often in vulgar conversation that we have lost sight of its holiness.  How easy it is to treat God lightly in everyday life.  

If you claim him as your father, live worthy of the family name.  Respect God's name and give him praise by both your words and your life.

Keep reading -- 232 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 132 - Sing to the Lord!

Daily Reading:  Psalm 94-96

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 96:1-4

Footnote:

The psalmist sings out his praises to God, overwhelmed by all that God has done.  If we believe God is great, we cannot help telling others about him.  The best witnessing happens when our hearts are full of appreciation for what he has done.  God has chosen to use us to "declare....his marvelous deeds among all peoples."  Praise for our great God overflows from his creation and should overflow from our lips.  How well are you doing at telling others about God's greatness?



Keep reading -- 233 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 131 - Be Like a Palm Tree

Daily Reading:  Psalm 91-93

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my

fortress,

my God, in whom I trust."

Psalm 91:1-2

Footnote:

God is a shelter, a refuge when we are afraid.  The writer's faith in the Almighty God as Protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life.  This should be a picture of our trust -- trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter how intense our fears.  To do this we must "dwell" and "rest" with him.  By entrusting ourselves to his protection and pledging our daily devotion to him, we will be kept safe.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:11-12

Footnote:

One of the functions of angels is to watch over believers (Hebrews 1:14).  There are examples of guardian angels in Scripture (1 Kings 19:5; Daniel 6:22, Matthew 18:10, Luke 16:22; Acts 12:7), although there is no indication that one angel is assigned to each believer.  Angels can also be God's messengers (Matthew 2:13; Acts 27:23,24).  Angels are not visible, except on special occasions (Numbers 22:31; Luke 2:9).  Verses 11 and 12 were quoted by Satan when he tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10,11).  It is comforting to know that God watches over us even in times of great stress and fear.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalm 91:12,13

Palm trees are known for their long life.  To flourish like palm trees means to stand tall and to live long.  The cedars of Lebanon grew to 120 feet in height and up to 30 feet in circumference; thus, they were solid, strong, and immovable.  The psalmist saw believers as upright, strong, and unmoved by the winds of circumstance.  Those who place their faith firmly in God can have this strength and vitality.

Keep reading -- 234 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 130 - Teach Us to Number Our Days

Daily Reading:  Psalm 88-90

For a thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

You sweep men away in the sleep of death;

they are like the new grass of the morning --

though in the morning it springs up new,

by evening it is dry and withered.

Psalm 90:4-6

Footnote:

Moses reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to the Lord.  God is not limited by time.  It's easy to get discouraged when years pass and the world doesn't get better.  We sometimes wonder if God is able to see the future.  But don't assume that God has our limitations.  God is completely unrestricted by time.  Because he is eternal, we can depend on him.

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Footnote:

Realizing that life is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely and for eternal good.  Take time to number your days by asking, "What do I want to see happen in my life before I die?  What small step could I take toward that purpose today?"

Keep reading -- 235 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 129 - None Like You

Daily Reading:  Psalm 85-87

Among the gods there is none like you, O  Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made 

will come and worship before you, O Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God.

Psalm 86:8-10

Footnote:

"There is none like you, O Lord."  The God of the Bible is unique!  He is alive and able to do mighty deeds for those who love him.  All human-created deities are powerless because they are merely inventions of the mind, not living beings.  The Lord alone is "worthy....to receive glory and honor and power" (Revelation 4:11).  Although people believe in many gods, you need never fear that God is only one among many or that you may be worshiping the wrong God.  The Lord alone is God.

Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 86:17

Footnote:

It is right to pray for a sign of God's goodness.  As David found, it may be just what we need.  But let us not overlook the signs he has already given:  the support of family and friends, the fellowship of other Christians, the light of each new day.  And we can be confident that he knows our situation no matter how desperate it becomes, and he cares.

Keep reading -- 236 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 128 - Better is One Day

Daily Reading:  Psalm 82-84

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

they go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty;

listen to me, O God of Jacob.

Look upon our shield, O God;

look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

the Lord bestows favor and honor;

no good thing does he withhold

from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 84:5-11

Footnotes:

The pilgrimage to the temple passed through the barren Valley of Baca.  No specific valley has been identified with Baca.  Because Baca can mean "weeping," it may have been a symbolic reference to the times of struggles and tears through which people must pass on their way to meet God.  Growing strong in God's presence is often preceded by a journey through barren places in our lives.  The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to re-experience God's faithfulness.  If you are walking through your own Valley of Baca today, be sure your pilgrimage leads toward God, not away from him.

Verse 11:

God does not promise to give us everything WE think is good, but he will not withhold what is permanently good.  He will give us the means to walk along his paths, but we must do the walking.  When we obey him, he will not hold anything back that will help us serve him.

I love that last verse and footnote! 

"No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."

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Keep reading -- 237 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 127 - Sing for Joy

Daily Reading:  Psalm 79-81

Sing for joy to God our strength;

shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

Begin the music, strike the tambourine,

play the melodious harp and lyre.

Psalm 81:1-2

Footnote:

Israel's holidays reminded the nation of God's great miracles.  They were times of rejoicing and times to renew one's strength for life's daily struggles.  At Christmas, do your thoughts revolve mostly around presents?  Is Easter only a warm anticipation of spring and Thanksgiving only a good meal? Remember the spiritual origins of these special days, and use them as opportunities to worship God for his goodness to you, your family, and your nation.

A timely reminder!  The holidays are here!

Keep reading -- 238 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 126 - I Will Remember

Daily Reading:  Psalm 76-78

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will meditate on all your works

and consider all your mighty deeds.

Psalm 77:11,12

Footnote:

Memories of God's miracles and faithfulness sustained Israel through their difficulties.  They knew that God was capable and trustworthy.  When you meet new trials, review how good God has been to you, and this will strengthen your faith.


Footnote for Chapter 78:

The people of Israel rebelled and were not faithful to God (78:8); forgot about the wonders God had done (78:11,12); put God to the test by making demands from him (78:18); lied to him and tried to flatter him (78:36); and continued to turn away from him even after he did great works on their behalf (78:42-56).  This is recorded in God's Word so that we can avoid the same errors.  In 1 Corinthians 10:5-12, Paul used this classic story of Israel's unfaithfulness to warn the early Christians to be faithful.

God commanded that the stories of his mighty acts in Israel's history and his laws be passed on from parents to children.  This shows the purpose and importance of religious education -- to help each generation obey God and set their hope on him.  It is important to keep children from repeating the same mistakes as their ancestors.  What are you doing to pass on the history of God's work to the next generation?

Keep reading -- 239 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV