Into the Word
I encourage you to download the FREE Bible app “YouVersion,” also
available online at bible.com or my.bible.com. In 2020, I will be reading
through the Bible using the “Bible in One Year 2020 with Nicky Gumbel.” (I
won’t be reading the daily devotional, just the Scripture passages.) If you
want to read along with me, I encourage you to download and use the app
yourself. It is surprising how quickly you can complete the daily readings
required to finish the Bible in one year. Friends have used the audio feature
to listen to the Scripture on their commute to work. I can finish the daily
reading in the time it takes me to get ready for bed … on the toilet, flossing,
brushing. So, I challenge you to join in. Some reflections from my personal
reading in December are below.
available online at bible.com or my.bible.com. In 2020, I will be reading
through the Bible using the “Bible in One Year 2020 with Nicky Gumbel.” (I
won’t be reading the daily devotional, just the Scripture passages.) If you
want to read along with me, I encourage you to download and use the app
yourself. It is surprising how quickly you can complete the daily readings
required to finish the Bible in one year. Friends have used the audio feature
to listen to the Scripture on their commute to work. I can finish the daily
reading in the time it takes me to get ready for bed … on the toilet, flossing,
brushing. So, I challenge you to join in. Some reflections from my personal
reading in December are below.
“Once again men and women of
ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in
hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls
playing there.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to
the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?”
(Zechariah 8.4-6). I love this vision of return and renewal, one that describes
the joy of a truly intergenerational community. It is one of the things I
treasure about Christ Church – the presence of old and young together.
ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in
hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls
playing there.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to
the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?”
(Zechariah 8.4-6). I love this vision of return and renewal, one that describes
the joy of a truly intergenerational community. It is one of the things I
treasure about Christ Church – the presence of old and young together.
“Grace and peace to you from
him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before
his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn
from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1.4-6).
Every time I read this expression in the Revelation, I am reminded that God
does not live or speak in my typical survey of time from past to present to
future. God is always present. God is, first of all, the one “who is,”
and only after that, the one “who was, and who is to come.” Living today in the
presence of God is my first and highest calling.
him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before
his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn
from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1.4-6).
Every time I read this expression in the Revelation, I am reminded that God
does not live or speak in my typical survey of time from past to present to
future. God is always present. God is, first of all, the one “who is,”
and only after that, the one “who was, and who is to come.” Living today in the
presence of God is my first and highest calling.