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Read the Bible with Me Today? Try 1 Thessalonians 5

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

Then, read 1 Thessalonians 5.

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

Then, read what I wrote:

- Historical -- Paul, Silas, and Timothy urge the believers in the church at Thessalonica to love as children of God/light looking forward to Christ's return; then they give them a series of important directions regarding how to keep Christ at the center of our lives and relationships.

- Doctrinal -- Christ died for people so that "whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." (See verse 10.)

- Inspirational -- God? Please give me wisdom when you want me to "Warn those that are unruly" as it says in verse 14, and when you don't.

Want to Make Disciples like Jesus or Paul? Read 1 Thessalonians 2

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

Then, read 1 Thessalonians 2.

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

Then, read what I wrote:

- Historical -- Paul, Silas, and Timothy remind the church at Thessalonica about how their missionary team conducted themselves among the Thessalonians in bringing the gospel to them.

- Doctrinal -- God is the only being that can accurately assess -- not just guess! -- other people's motives (see verse 4).

- Inspirational -- Making disciples is like serving as someone's "spiritual mom" and "spiritual dad" (see verses 7 and 11).

Is God Talking to Him or a Demon? Read Ezekiel 28

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Ezekiel 28.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

- Historical -- The Lord announces prophecies of destruction for two coastal cities south of modern day Beirut, Lebanon (Tyre and Sidon) for their arrogance before God and treating their neighbor Israel with contempt.

 

 - Doctrinal -- In the middle of talking to the leader of the city of Tyre, God begins speaking to the fallen angel Satan (formerly known as Lucifer) about his arrogance to think that he was a god.

 

 - Inspirational -- I need to remember that God highly values humility and highly hates any arrogance.

When Is Christ Not Enough? Read Colossians 2

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Colossians 2.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

 - Historical -- The apostle Paul urges the Corinthian church to find all their wisdom and knowledge in Christ and not rely upon human teachings and philosophy to conquer the flesh.

 

 - Doctrinal -- Jesus Christ has everything we need for wisdom and knowledge and power in him. We need no other spiritual resource.

 

 - Inspirational -- God help me to help others avoid the deceit found in thinking that Christ is NOT enough for their spiritual lives.

Impacting a Church I've Never Visited? Read Colossians 1

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Colossians 1.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

 - Historical -- Paul and Timothy write a church they've never visited (in Colosse), sharing their detailed prayers for their spiritual growth, teaching them that Christ is God and the preeminent Being in he universe, and urging them to root their lives in Christ alone.

 

 - Doctrinal -- Jesus Christ is creator, God, Lord, and ruler of all.

 

 - Inspirational -- Help me, Lord, to pray for churches everywhere specifically, even those churches I haven't visited before (like Paul & the Colossians).

Why Do I Absolutely Need to Give? Read Philippians 4

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Philippians 4.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

 - Historical -- From his Roman jail, Paul urges the Philippians to be united and give themselves to prayer, then explains why their financial generosity was so important to God and to themselves, ending with greetings from the church at Rome.

 

 - Doctrinal -- God always gives you every resource you need to do whatever He's called you to do.

 

 - Inspirational -- When I think I don't have enough resources, I'm wrong. Either I'm on the wrong journey, or I'm not being creative enough with the resources I/we have.

When Should a Church Send People? Read Philippians 2

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Philippians 2.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

 - Historical -- Paul writes the Philippian church from a jail in Rome, urges them to follow the example of Jesus, explains why he is not yet sending Timothy to them, and is returning Epaphroditus to them to encourage them.

 

 - Doctrinal -- Christ coming to earth, living as a mere human, and submitting to suffering and death was shocking humility.

 

 - Inspirational -- There are moments, for the sake of others, that we need to send our best leaders away for the church elsewhere.

What Is Spiritual Warfare? Read Ephesians 6

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Ephesians 6.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

 - Historical -- Paul says calls Christians to live with humility and sacrifice in the home and workplace and to intentionally clothe themselves with Christ for spiritual warfare, then asks the Ephesian church to pray for him.

 

 - Doctrinal -- God calls His followers to pray and engage in spiritual warfare.

 

 - Inspirational -- I pray, God, You would give me, my family, and Grace Church boldness to share the gospel whenever we have the chance (verses 18-19).

I Don't Need a Church, Do I? Read Ephesians 4

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

 

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read Ephesians 4.

 

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

 

Then, read what I wrote:

 

 - Historical -- God reveals the purpose of the church is help Christians grow together, serve together, and live out the gospel together.

 

 - Doctrinal -- Christ's connection to Christians in the church is like a head to a body (without the head, we die). Christians' connections to each other are like body parts to each other (without connections with each other, we die).

 

- Inspirational -- I have a long way to grow in every area of my life: until I am experiencing the fullness of Christ in each area (see verse 13).

Resurrected! From Spiritual Deadness to Spiritual Life: Read Ephesians 2

Want to read the Bible with me today? http://www.timhowey.com/2016/01/my-bible-reading-2016.html

First, ask God to see something you can apply to your life.

Then, read Ephesians 2.

Then, write down something you can apply to your life.

Then, read what I wrote:

- Historical -- Paul reveals the many miraculous changes that God makes in a person at the moment of salvation, then celebrates the fact that God made Jews and Gentiles equal partners in the God's blessings in Christ.

- Doctrinal -- God made salvation by His grace through faith alone: trying to add our own good to our salvation poisons it and keeps us from salvation (verses 8-9).

- Inspirational -- God, I thank you that I have been forgiven and resurrected from the dead spiritually because I received Christ as Savior!