Week 1

Friends, Let's get started on Week 1 of the reading plan. If you know someone who could benefit from a journey like this, invite them. Here are a few major themes to hold in your mind as you read through the Bible: JESUS As you read the Psalms, remember, Jesus prayed these prayers, and they point to him. As you read through the Old Testament, pray “Show Me Jesus” and look for ways that these words prepare us for Jesus and point to him. As you read through the New Testament, think, “Wow, Jesus! You’re here too?!” :) Jesus said it himself. Check out John 5:38-39 & Luke 24:44-45. Look for him on every page. LOVE “And you shall love…” Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, (mind), and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Especially the vulnerable!) Love God, love others & love yourself. No commandment greater than these. All the Law and Prophets hang on these. Deuteronomy 6:5 & Leviticus 19:18, 33-34. Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:25-37. Love one another. Love one another. Love one another. John 13:34-35. The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6. Above all, love each other deeply. Love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8. Love enemies. Matt. 5:44. Love strangers. Luke 10:30-37. Hebrews 13:2. Through it all, don’t lose love. Live love. You have one job. WORLDWIDE ALL PEOPLE MISSION God’s love is too big to keep to ourselves. From beginning to end, God is on a mission to share his love with the whole world, every single person. God uses people like us to share it. Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Luke 24:48-49, John 20:19-23, Acts 1:7-8. Even though there are many tension points within families and between nations, God’s vision is every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping together. Revelation 7:9. It might be tempting to think this is only true in the New Testament, but God’s mission was clearly stated near the beginning as well. Genesis 12:1-3. God so loved the world… John 3:16. And finally, here’s a traditional prayer to get us going: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Godspeed, Karl