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Read the Bible with Me Today? Read Ephesians 6

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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).

A Christian without a Church is a Hand without a Body: 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).

The Easiest (& Most Dangerous) Mistake for a Christian? Read Galatians 3

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 Galatians 3.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

- Historical -- Paul establishes that Christianity is based on our faith (i.e. believing God's promises as Abraham did) and is not based on us getting better at obeying any rules or laws.

- Doctrinal -- God has bases our relationship with Him on what we believe, not what we do.

- Inspirational -- I wonder how many Christians are making the foolish mistake of verse 3: trying harder to do things for God (obeying laws) instead of believing God (living by faith in what God promised).

What Does Faith Produce in You? Read Galatians 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 Galatians 5.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 - Historical -- Paul writes that anyone who tries to be right with God by being circumcised must also keep the entire Old Testament law; conversely anyone who tries to be right with God by faith in Christ will find themselves showing love.

 - Doctrinal -- The Old Testament law is an impossible taskmaster, revealing to us our need for Christ.

 - Inspirational -- God, help people to see you living inside me by faith as described in verses 22-23: “...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

What Does Leadership Really Entail? Read Galatians 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 Galatians 2.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 - Historical -- Paul describes his efforts to preserve the truth that the gospel is by faith not works: he followed God's promptings to travel to Jerusalem, he met privately with Jewish leaders before discussing it publicly, he stood against those trying to circumcise Titus a Gentile, and he publicly denounced Peter's hypocrisy regarding whether he could eat with Gentiles.

 - Doctrinal -- If there was any law or rule or religious ritual or principle we could do to be righteous, then God the Father allowed His Son Jesus to die for nothing; then Christ's death would be a stupid wasteful sacrifice (verse 21).

 - Inspirational -- It takes a lot of effort for us in the church to keep the gospel from becoming a powerless and demoralizing set of do's and don'ts.

Remind Me to Be Generous? Read 2 Corinthians 9

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

Then, read 2 Corinthians 9.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 - Historical -- Paul sends Titus and this letter to help the Corinthian church fulfill their financial commitment.

 - Doctrinal -- God is the one who gave the gift too great for words (verse 15): the humbling and suffering and death of Christ.

 - Inspirational -- It's important for me to remember that people need to be reminded and supported to implement generosity in their lives.

Sent to someone who won't listen? Read Ezekiel 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 Ezekiel 2.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 - Historical -- God sends Ezekiel to the nation of Israel, who found themselves suffering in captivity because of their rebellion against God.

 - Doctrinal -- God will send people to speak on His behalf, knowing the audience won't listen (verse 4-5).

 - Inspirational -- God wants me to deliver his message whether people like the message or not: because it's God's message, not mine (verses 6-7).

Hard Work, Inconvenience, & Endurance. Read 2 Corinthians 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 2 Corinthians 6.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 -Historical -- Paul talks to the Corinthian church about being faithful ministers who willingly endure hardships the average person won't, and living lives that are separate from a world system defiles people.

 - Doctrinal -- God, as a good father, wants His kids to make healthy choices spiritually about who they do and do not partner with.

 - Inspirational -- Help me to model and teach others about, "In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food." (In verses 4-5).

How Does Suffering Connect Me to Christ? Read 2 Corinthians 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 2 Corinthians 4.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 - Historical -- Paul tells the church at Corinth that his life has been about faithfully declaring God's word and pointing people to Jesus, recognizing that God has used his sufferings to share Christ in a greater way.

 - Doctrinal -- God designed life so that, when we suffer, we are also sharing in the sufferings of Christ so the life of Christ can be seen (see verse 10).

 - Inspirational -- Help me, God, live out verse 18 today, keeping my eyes on the invisible realm which lasts forever, not on the visible realm which will perish.

How are Christians like Diffusers? Read 2 Corinthians 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 2 Corinthians 2.

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

Then, read what I wrote:

 - Historical -- Paul writes the church to affirm that his letter was written in love, to urge them to encourage the man they forgave, and to celebrate that everywhere they go they bring the good news of Christ.

 - Doctrinal -- God makes Christians "living diffusers", to bring the fragrance of Christ wherever we go: some people like the scent, and others don't.

 - Inspirational -- Great question in verse 16: "Who is able/sufficient/adequate for this task of spreading the fragrance of Christ everywhere?" No one naturally. We are empty diffusers, without the Holy Spirit filling us.