Daily Bible Reading - January 17th, 2021 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 17th, 2021 | American Bible Society: Luke 9:1-17: Jesus gives his disciples power and sends them out to preach and heal. He gives them instructions, and they go through all the villages preaching the Good News. Herod hears what is happening and is confused. [The Herod mentioned here is Herod Antipas, who was governor of Galilee from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. He was one of the sons of Herod the Great, king of Judea, who died shortly after Jesus was born, as noted in Matthew 2:19.] When the apostles return, crowds gather and Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. [You may wish to compare Luke’s account of this event with the one recorded in John 6:1-15, which was part of the reading for January 8.]

Daily Bible Reading - January 10th, 2021 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 10th, 2021 | American Bible Society: John 6:60-71: Today’s reading concludes the discourse that began with verse 25 (see yesterday’s reading). Jesus is aware that there are those in the crowd who will choose to turn away. Jesus says that the words he speaks bring God’s life-giving Spirit, and Simon Peter affirms that Jesus is the Holy One who has come from God.

Daily Bible Reading - December 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society: John 1:19-34: Today’s reading begins with John the Baptist being questioned by the religious authorities who wish to know if he is the Messiah. John responds by saying he is not. When John sees Jesus the next day, he testifies that Jesus is the Son of God.

Daily Bible Reading - December 20th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 20th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Isaiah 8:21—9:7: King Ahaz preferred to seek an alliance with Assyria rather than rely on God (8:1-15), and today’s reading includes Isaiah’s warning of the Assyrian attack and God’s coming judgment against Judah. After a time of trouble is foretold, Isaiah speaks words of hope about the coming of a righteous king and his reign of justice and peace.

Daily Bible Reading - December 14th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 14th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Malachi 1:1-14: The readings for the next four days will be from the book of the prophet Malachi, which was written around 470-440 B.C. after the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jerusalem and the Temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Following the defeat of the Babylonians by the Persians in 538 B.C., the Temple was rebuilt and dedicated in 515 B.C. Yet the people were now under Persian control, and many began to question whether God was really concerned about them. In today’s reading, the prophet reminds the people of God’s love for them while, at the same time, delivering a reprimanding message to the priests.

Daily Bible Reading - December 13th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 13th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Revelation 19:11-21: Today’s reading depicts two visions; the first is Christ’s return as a military leader; the second is a scene of victory in which God’s enemies are destroyed.

Daily Bible Reading - December 6th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 6th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Revelation 1:1-20: The book of Revelation, also known as the Revelation to John, was written at a time when Christians were being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. The writer’s main concern was to give his readers hope and encouragement and to urge them to remain faithful during times of suffering and persecution. The book of Revelation belongs to a kind of writing called apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic writings seek to reveal the secrets of heaven along with describing how human history will end. In today’s reading, the writer tells how he received a message from an angel sent by Christ, and he describes his vision of the risen Christ.