S – Mark 2:15 “Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)”

O – Jesus hung out with people who were considered the “sinners” of his time.  Two verses later we read Jesus words: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

A – I want to make a point to put myself in the company of “disreputable” people.  I want to look for opportunities to help those who are sick spiritually.

P – Lord, help me see the opportunities you give me to minister to people that the religious world looks down on.

Are you loving sinners well?  What needs to change in your life to love them better?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Mark 1:17 – “Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people.’”

O – From the context of chapter one.  John the Baptist and Jesus were fishing for people by sharing with authority these things:

1. The Kingdom of God is near!  The time has come!
2. Repent of your sins.
3. Believe the Good News.

A – I want to be used by God to fish for people.  I want be prayerful, loving and intentional with every conversation today.

P – Lord, don’t let me waist my life.  I want to follow You and fish for men.  Help me to share the Good News the way You would desire.

What do you think it means to fish for men?  Are you doing it?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

O – God is near to those who are brokenhearted.  He saves those who are crushed.

A – I must remember that, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” God is with me.  Today is Valentines Day.  Heartbreak will take center stage in so many lives.  God meets us there.

P – Lord, Be with those I know (praying specific names that I will not post on my blog) who are heartbroken.  Be close to them.  Help me to allow You to embrace me in my pain.

Are you heartbroken?  Let God rescue you.

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Matthew 25:19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.”

Roman coins found in Old City Jerusalem

O – God will hold us accountable for what we do with what He has given us.

A – I must intentionally invest what God has given me for kingdom growth.  This story encourages me to take risks for God’s glory.

P – Lord, show me how you want me to use my time, my resources, and my influence today.  Give me the boldness to take risks.

Have you been given much?  What is expected of you?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Psalm 29:6 “He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; He makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.”

Skiing with my best friend.

O – The Lord is powerful.  He moves mountains.

A – I will be in the mountains today.  I want to think about His power.  He creates and moves mountains.

P – Lord, You are powerful.  Help me to worship You in response to Your power today.

Have you seen God’s power in creation recently?  Look around you. 

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Exodus 16:29 “They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.”

O – They must realize (raah – see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider) that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you.  He will give you enough (a two-day supply) to rest.

A – Jesus said: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).  When I don’t rest I rob myself from “the Lord’s gift” to me.  I’ve heard Sabbath defined as a day (or period of time – feast, years) when you do no ordinary work and focus on God.  I want to discipline myself to do this.  One of my goals for 2013 is to find ways to Sabbath.

P – Lord, thank You for gifting us with rest.  Help me to trust that You will provide and learn to find regular times of rest in You.

Look at your calendar.  When can you schedule a time to Sabbath?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Exodus 12:23 “For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.”

O – Judgment is coming.  When the Lord sees the blood of the lamb (Jesus – our perfect lamb without blemish), He will not permit His death angel to enter your house.

A – I must tell of the saving power of Jesus to a world in need.

P – Lord, thank you for providing a lamb to cover my sin.  Give me eyes to see the divine appointments you give me today to share Christ.

Is the blood of the lamb on the top and sides of your doorframe?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Matthew 20:26 – “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…”

O – Christians should lead differently.  Christian leaders are servants.  Our example is Christ Himself (20:28).

A – I must find and capitalize on opportunities to truly serve.  Not doing things that make me look good to others, but truly sacrificial, difficult, unrecognized, others-focused actions.

P – Lord, help me to follow your example and serve those around me.  Specifically, show me how to serve my wife.

Do you want to be a “different” kind of leader?  What can you do to serve others today?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Matthew 18:33 “’Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’” – In Jesus’ story, the king to his servant who owed him a great debt.

O – We should forgive others JUST AS Jesus has forgiven us.

A – I’m impatient and slow to forgive people, especially those close to me.  Today, I want to focus on the way Jesus has forgiven me and seek to do the same for others.  I have already failed at it today.  I need the Holy Spirit to help!

P – Lord, thank you for the forgiveness you offer through Jesus.  I am selfish and shortsighted in the forgiveness I offer.  Please help me to forgive JUST AS you have forgiven me.

Is there anyone you need to forgive today?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.

S – Exodus 3:5 “’Do not come any closer,’ the Lord warned. ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.’”

O – God warns Moses to not come any closer.   God instructs him to take off his sandals because the ground is holy.

A – I am reminded of the holiness of God.  I too often take for granted the access I have to Him through Christ.  I want to spend time in reverence and awe today.  I want to think about His holiness.

P – Lord, you are awesome!  You are king, creator, sustainer, judge, redeemer, alpha and omega, life giver, bring and morning star, etc.  You are completely other.  You are holy!

Do you need to take off your sandals today?

2013 Bible Reading Challenge: The Bible is the Word of God and the power of God is released in our life when we apply it. Join us as we follow the One Year Bible plan. Links to read digitally can be found online at www.pcbc.org/bible.