The Bible usually uses “listen” and “hear” in reference to its use. Obviously, reading it is the most practical way to get it. But, this is a plug for “The Audio Bible” on Biblegateway.com

That’s what I do. Every morning … early … I take my laptop and some headphones and “listen” to the NIV Dramatized version. I love it.

James makes it clear that the true blessing comes when we both listen and DO what it says.

That’s a good goal for each day; to intentionally focus on doing what it says.

Please join me each morning reading through the Bible in a year.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, our desire is to please You by being good hearers and doers of Your Word. To walk with You every day is the joy of our existence.

DAILY READING: James 1-3

The writer of Hebrews often stimulates the reader to endure the present challenges of life ie. temptation [11:24-27], chastening [12:5-11]. discomfort and even death [11:35-38], because our eternal reward will be more than worth it. He speaks of a destination not in this lifetime, but in the one to come. We therefore relate to Christ Jesus Who, looking forward to the joy set before Him, endured the cross ignoring its shame, and took His place at the right hand of His Heavenly Father.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” [2 Cor. 4:17]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, in whatever life challenge we find ourselves, we merely consider the suffering You endured. We gratefully anticipate the reward of an eternal existence with You. At Your right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.

DAILY READING: Heb. 10-13

Only eternity will expose and prove how valuable is the cleansing that Jesus provided for us when He died as a sacrifice for our sins. This is exactly why, along with myriads of angels, we will sing,

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”   [Rev. 5:12]

Well did the composer, Robert Lowry, say it in his great hymn,

“Oh! precious is the flow,  That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

DAILY PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we are truly awed in worship when we consider Your death and suffering for our sins. How can we but live in total surrender to Your Will and Purposes?

DAILY READING: Heb. 6-9

God’s rest is unlike our rest. When we are resting, we have ceased from our labors. When we are abiding in HIS Rest, we have still ceased from our labors, but HE is at work in us.

God’s Spirit and Word in us give us an entirely different goal and mindset. We no longer want to do the things that advantage us … we want to serve to advantage God’s Kingdom here on earth. Hence, His rest is not inactivity, it’s allowing Him to work through us.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, continue to teach us to be so carefully obedient to Your Voice and Your Will so we won’t be taken up in doing things our way.

DAILY  READING: Heb. 1-5

As Paul gives Titus practical instruction with which he can thereby teach and lead his followers, he highlights the impact God’s GRACE can have upon a person’s Christian conduct. It actually instructs us to refuse the allure of sin and empowers us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

This should be our posture and practice until we receive the Blessed Hope of Christ’s appearing.

God’s great grace is dispensed to us through His Word and its preaching.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, pour out Your marvelous grace upon us today that we might display lifestyles that bring glory and honor to Your Kingdom.

DAILY READING: Titus 1-3;  Philemon

Another passage using military terminology, Paul’s second letter to Timothy seems to get him ready for war. The Apostle knows the accompanying distresses of being a preacher of the Gospel. He doesn’t want false expectations to harm Timothy’s future, so he toughens him up in preparation.

One consolation; Paul makes it clear that God will personally avenge His ministers of any harm or debt they encounter.

No soldier goes to war at his own expense. Our military budget is limitless.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we do trust You to keep us and sustain us as we carry out Your will here on earth. We find our refuge IN YOU.

DAILY READING: 2 Tim. 1-4

Paul knew Timothy would face trials and hardships during his ministry. He gave him this command to contend for his faith. One translation says, “Keeping your faith is like running a race … keep your grip on life eternal.”

May we keep our spirit man strong by keeping in God’s Word. It will give us supernatural strength to be strong fighters for God, warriors who refuse defeat.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, give us the strength to keep contending for the victory in every faith challenge we encounter. We wait on You.

DAILY READING: 1 Tim. 1-6

Much of Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica was concerning the last days. His intention seemed to be to explain what would happen so they wouldn’t worry about themselves and their loved ones.

His tone of instruction to get ready focused on how they treated each other. “Warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” [1 Thess. 5:14,15]

His parting encouragement was to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

DAILY PRAYER: Father in Heaven, grace us to live today to encourage the saints You have redeemed and destined for heaven. You’ve given us a reason to rejoice. You’ve given us the promise of a home in heaven with You for eternity. Hallelujah!

DAILY READING: 1 Thess. 3-5;  2 Thess. 1-3

Paul’s above-reproach motivations were on display when he said, “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else.”  [1 Thess. 2:4-6]

His speech was always loving but firm. He knew God would hold him personally accountable for the way he treated people … with no favoritism.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day (of judgement) shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”  [1 Cor.3:13]

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we want hearts that are so truthful that every motive is clear before You and is not tainted by our carnal pride. We entrust all our dealings to Your judgement.

DAILY READING: Co. 3,4;  1 Thess. 1,2

Paul’s posture was: forget the past; look to the future; apply yourself as with pressure to know the Lord and fulfill His destiny for your life.

With a citizenship in heaven, he encourages us to follow his example for living, a life of faith in Christ and a life whose values and goals are centered on our eternal existence in heaven.

Beyond that, witnessing to others so they can be there too is our command from the Lord Jesus Himself.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord forgive us for becoming trapped into lives that have such a worldly, materialistic focus. We hereby declare that our forward goals will be centered in making You happy.

DAILY READING: Phil. 3,4; Col. 1,2