The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan Jan. 1st

The reading for Jan. 1st is Matthew 1:1-17, Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 1, and Genesis 1 and 2.

This will be a pretty short blog :-)

The passage from Matthew establishes Jesus' claim to the Davidic throne by showing His direct earthly descent from David. So when Pilate put the sign on the cross that read "King of the Jews", that was a legitimate earthly title for Christ and not just a heavenly one.

The passage from Acts is an interesting one. Verse 10 of chapter 1 says, "And while they were gazing into heaven..." Does this refer simply to staring into the sky or is it more than that? It seems, at least from my reading, that the apostles were given some sort of glimpse into heaven that is never described. This is obviously just speculation on my part but I wonder what they saw...

Psalm 1 is fairly well-known. This Psalm is about how God blesses the one who loves to obey Him and thinks about what is pleasing to Him, and its also about how God will not allow the wicked to stand, "for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (ESV)

Genesis 1 and 2 are about the creation of the world and of man. In verse 14 of chapter 1 God creates the sun, moon, and stars, and He says that they are to be for signs, seasons, days, and years. Now, the seasons, days, and years I understand, but what does he mean by signs? I am also having trouble with the meaning of verse 16 where it says that the greater light will rule the day and the lesser light will rule the night. What does He mean by rule?

Book Review: Growing Your Faith by Jerry Bridges

I just got finished reading the book Growing Your Faith by Jerry Bridges. I had not read any of his previous works, but when I picked this title up to look at it, it really grabbed my attention and I'm glad it did. He took chapters from his previous books, put some newer material with it, and had a ready-made handbook for spiritual growth. I look forward to reading some of his other works such as, The Pursuit of Holiness.

This work concentrates on spiritual growth in practical ways but his focus is always on the foundation of growth, that is, grace. We are to strive for growth but unless the Lord gives the increase we labor in vain. We have to rely on His grace to give us the righteousness of Christ, but also work in us with the power of Christ. In all of our striving we must rest on Christ's grace to us.

I love the way he encourages the believer to grow in Christ and to rely on Christ to give growth. I really liked his definition of grace: "God's favor through Christ to people who deserve His disfavor." I also really liked what he had to day about dependence: "We are dependent upon the righteousness of Christ for our acceptance with God, and we are dependent on the power of Christ for our ability to pursue spiritual growth."

I recommend this book to all believers both old and new. It is definitely refreshing to those of us who have been Christians for a long time and it would be a great start for new believers.

God bless and happy reading.