Bible League: Living His Word But you are his chosen people, the King's priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light.— 1 Peter 2:9 ERV Dear brothers and sisters, let us dwell upon the words in 1 Peter 2:9, which remind us of our identity and purpose as chosen by our God. Our verse of the day in the NIV says: "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." This verse reminds us that we are more than just ordinary people. Our God Almighty has selected us. He has chosen us specifically for one reason. We are called to serve Him with reverence and dedication as members of a royal priesthood. We are called to live as illustrations of God's holiness and love to the world around us as His sons and daughters. He loves and cherishes us beyond any measure, and we are His precious children. Remember that conveying His light and singing His praises to those who are still in the dark is our ultimate goal. In a world that has so much need, may we shine brightly as beacons of hope and grace through our words and deeds. Pray this prayer today: "Oh Lord, hear my prayer, guide me through each day. As your child, I walk in faith along your chosen way. I am a royal priesthood, called by your grace. In your loving embrace, I find my rightful place." By Romi Barcena, Bible League International staff, the Philippines Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Kings 9, 10, 11 2 Kings 9 -- Jehu Reigns in Israel; Murders of Joram, Ahaziah, Jezebel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 10 -- Ahab's Family Killed; Baal Worshipers killed; Jehoahaz succeeds Jehu NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 11 -- Athaliah Queen of Judah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 5:1-24 John 5 -- The Pool of Bethesda; Testimony about Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion This is what the LORD says:“Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!” Insight People tend to admire four qualities in others: human wisdom, power (strength), kindness, and riches. But God puts a higher priority on knowing him personally and living a life that reflects his justice and righteousness. Challenge What do you want people to admire most about you? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Romans 8:17 Joint heirs with Christ.The boundless realms of his Father's universe are Christ's by prescriptive right. As "heir of all things," he is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and he has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heirship which the Lord hath ratified with his chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our everlasting possession. All that he has he shares with his people. The crown royal he has placed upon the head of his Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned himself that we might have a coronation of glory; he would not sit upon his own throne until he had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by his blood. Crown the head and the whole body shares the honor. Behold here the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ's throne, crown, sceptre, palace, treasure, robes, heritage, are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which admit of no participation of their advantages, Christ deems his happiness completed by his people sharing it. "The glory which thou gavest me have I given them." "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." The smiles of his Father are all the sweeter to him, because his people share them. The honors of his kingdom are more pleasing, because his people appear with him in glory. More valuable to him are his conquests, since they have taught his people to overcome. He delights in his throne, because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in his royal robes, since over them his skirts are spread. He delights the more in his joy, because he calls them to enter into it. Daily Light on the Daily Path Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;Matthew 10:25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Psalm 69:20 Reproach has broken my heart and I am so sick. And I looked for sympathy, but there was none, And for comforters, but I found none. 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Hebrews 13:14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Hebrews 12:1,2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, • fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |