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Team Daily Bible Reading and Commentary Thoughts February 2025
316Judith
Posts: 9,917 Member
February 1, 2025
Bible Reading
John 14:1-3
Psalm 16:11
Commentary Thoughts
Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, the young woman who lived in a very painful set of circumstances. She had an abusive stepmother and step-sisters who hated her and wanted to make her life miserable. Every day she lived in an environment of neglect and rejection, experiencing so much heartache as she waited on her family members hand and foot.
Then, one day everything changed. It was supernatural. Thanks to the intervention of her fairy godmother, she ended up at a ball wearing a beautiful gown and catching the eye of the prince, who soon fell in love with her. When she accidentally left her glass slipper behind, the prince searched the whole countryside to find the woman to whom it belonged. In time, the writer of the fairy tale could sum it up this way: “And they lived happily ever after.”
There is a parallel to this story for those who believe in Jesus Christ. The Son of the King has searched us out so that your own story can have a happy ending. He’s going to take you home to be with Him eternally. No matter what challenges you face in your life, you have a divine Prince of Peace who has prepared a home for you!
Bible Reading
John 14:1-3
Psalm 16:11
Commentary Thoughts
Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, the young woman who lived in a very painful set of circumstances. She had an abusive stepmother and step-sisters who hated her and wanted to make her life miserable. Every day she lived in an environment of neglect and rejection, experiencing so much heartache as she waited on her family members hand and foot.
Then, one day everything changed. It was supernatural. Thanks to the intervention of her fairy godmother, she ended up at a ball wearing a beautiful gown and catching the eye of the prince, who soon fell in love with her. When she accidentally left her glass slipper behind, the prince searched the whole countryside to find the woman to whom it belonged. In time, the writer of the fairy tale could sum it up this way: “And they lived happily ever after.”
There is a parallel to this story for those who believe in Jesus Christ. The Son of the King has searched us out so that your own story can have a happy ending. He’s going to take you home to be with Him eternally. No matter what challenges you face in your life, you have a divine Prince of Peace who has prepared a home for you!
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February 2, 2025
Bible Reading
2 Corinthians 5:1
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Commentary Thoughts
Let’s talk a little bit about heaven. The first thing I want you to know about heaven is that it is a promised place.
Before He spoke about heaven in John 14, Jesus said, “Believe in God, believe also in me.”
We can trust His promise, because Jesus is not a liar, and God is not a liar. We can take their promises to the bank.
To make that promise real, Jesus is going to give us a new heavenly body.
He’s going to recraft your body—remake it so it will fit in the new environment of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Your present body cannot live forever. The body you have now is never free from the possibility of pain and decay.
You don’t have a body that is able to take in all the data that will be given to you in heaven.
Jesus will break through every limitation and give you a brand-new body—one without pain and deterioration, without the earthy restraints you experience now.
You’ve got a reservation and a confirmation number for eternity. And it is based on His promise. He’s got a place for you and your new heavenly form.0 -
Feb 3, 2025
Bible Reading
Hebrews 12:22-23
Revelation. 7:9
Commentary Thoughts
Heaven is home. It’s home because it's where your heavenly Father is. It’s a place to experience love and rest and purpose. It’s a family location. All your brothers and sisters in Christ will be there.
Heaven will be populated by those who love God.
The Old Testament saints will be there—we can have lunch with Abraham, grab a cup of coffee with Jacob, and walk the malls of heaven with Esther and Ruth.
David and Moses will be there, and we can ask Adam and Eve why they ate that fruit.
All the New Testament saints will be there as well—Paul, and Peter, and all the apostles. And we can have a glorious reunion with those we loved on earth and missed so much when they passed away.
Best of all, God will be there with open arms to receive us into our eternal home.
When He left this earth, Jesus said, “I go to
prepare a place for you” (John 14:3). The reservations have been made in your name and He’s ready when your time comes to check in.0 -
February 5
Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 16:8-9
Commentary Thoughts: A Prayer of Praise
Father, you are so worthy of it all—my attention, praise, worship, and love. Your works are amazing, beyond anything I can even express.
Help me be a light that shines toward you today. It is often hard for me to stand out from the world and be different. Give me the courage to make your goodness known and to never be ashamed.
Please give peace to my friends who are standing up for you and as a result have found themselves friendless or with few who understand them.
I thank you for your wonderful works and all that you have done and will do.
In the glorious name of Jesus Christ, amen.0 -
February 6
Bible Reading
Ephesians 5:15-16
Commentary Thoughts
Today I Will . . .
Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful.
Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity.
I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom.
I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant.
While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving.
Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes,
I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures.
I will admit them.
I will correct them.
I will press on. Victoriously.
No failure is fatal. It’s okay to stumble. . .
. I will get up. It’s okay to fail. . . . I will rise again.
Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family.
Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world.
Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening.
Today I will make a difference.0 -
February 7
Bible Reading
Luke 2:49
Commentary Devotional Comments
Be About His Business
Time on God’s anvil should clarify our mission and define our purpose. When a tool emerges from a blacksmith’s anvil, there is no question as to what it is for. There is no question as to why it was made. One look at the tool and you instantly know its function.
As a human emerges from the anvil of God, the same should be true. Being tested by God reminds us that our function and task is to be about his business, that our purpose is to be an extension of his nature, an ambassador of his throne room, and a proclaimer of his message.
We should exit the shop with no question as to why God made us. We know our purpose.
We are God’s people, and we are to be about his business. If we live our lives in this way, then we can enter our final years with the assurance of knowing that life was well spent and that heaven is but a wink away.
And is there any greater reward than this?0 -
February 8
Bible Reading
2 Timothy 1:6
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
Stay in Your Own Lane
A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie.
Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like Danny. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam.
So Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam.
Turns out, all Adam had to do was be himself.
Stay in your own lane. Run your own race.
Nothing good happens when you compare and compete.
God does not judge you according to the talents of others.
He judges you according to yours.
His yardstick for measuring faithfulness is how faithful you are with your own gifts.
You are not responsible for the nature of your gift.
But you are responsible for how you use it.0 -
February 9
Bible Reading
John 21:21-22
Galatians 6:4-5
2 Timothy 1:6
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
Your Assignment
You be you. Don’t be your parents or grandparents. You can admire them, appreciate them, and learn from them. But you cannot be them. You aren’t them. “Don’t compare yourself with others.
Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (Galatians 6:4–5 msg).
Jesus was insistent on this. After the resurrection he appeared to some of his followers. He gave Peter a specific pastoral assignment that included great sacrifice.
The apostle responded by pointing at John and saying, “‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me’” (John 21:21–22 ncv).
In other words, don’t occupy yourself with another person’s assignment; stay focused on your own.0 -
February 10
Bible Reading
Commentary Devotional thoughts
Unimpeachable Authority
Jesus has unimpeachable authority.
The Roman government tried to intimidate him. False religion tried to silence him. The Devil tried to kill him. All failed. Even “death was no match for him” (Acts 2:24 msg).
He was not kidding when he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18 niv). Jesus is the command center of the galaxies. He occupies the Oval Office. He called a coin out of the mouth of a fish. He stopped the waves with a word. He spoke, and a tree withered. He spoke again, and a basket became a banquet. Economy. Meteorology. Botany. Food supply. “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (Matthew 11:27 nrsv).
That includes Satan. The Devil was soundly defeated by Christ on the cross. Jesus outranks him in every situation. He must obey Jesus, and he knows it. Prayers offered in the name of Jesus have “divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 niv). Demolish! Not damage or hamper but demolish.
Satan setting up a stronghold in your life? Lift up a prayer and unleash the demolition power of Jesus.0 -
February 11
Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 4:5
Philippians 2:12-13
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
God’s Goal for You
Envision the day you stand before Jesus and look back over your life. “God will give to each one whatever praise is due” (1 Corinthians 4:5 nlt). Your Savior will declare the final outcome of your life:
“With God’s help John Doe took on the enemies of his promised land and drove them out.
“Greed!
“Explosive temper!
“Envy!
“Abused as a child yet stable as an adult.
“Tempted with drugs yet sober and steady.
“Strayed off course yet returned with vigor.”
One by one the conquests will be read and celebrated.
Every witness will rejoice at the work God did. This is God’s goal for you. This is your inheritance: more victory than defeat, more joy than sadness, more hope than despair.0 -
February 12, 2025
Bible Reading
Matthew 5:16
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
A Prayer . . . to Shine
Heavenly Father, work in my life in such a way that people will see you shining forth. Help me to break free from the selfishness and sin that prevent me from being conformed to your image and expressing your holiness. In Jesus’ name, amen.0 -
I will return our Bible Reading and Commentary tomorrow!
God Bless1 -
February 15, 2025
Bible Reading
Galatians 5:22-23
Ephesians 4:29-30
Isaiah 63:10
Acts 7:51
Commentary Thoughts
Wait for the Nudge
Is there anything in your life that needs to be removed? Any impediment to the impression of God’s Spirit?
We can grieve the Spirit with our angry words (Ephesians 4:29–30; Isaiah 63:10) and resist the Spirit in our disobedience (Acts 7:51).
We can even quench the Spirit by having no regard for God’s teachings.
Here is something that helps me stay in step with the Spirit.
We know that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23 nasb).
God’s Spirit creates and distributes these characteristics.
They are indicators on my spiritual dashboard. So whenever I sense them, I know I am walking in the Spirit.
Whenever I lack them, I know I am out of step with the Spirit.
To walk in the Spirit, respond to the promptings God gives you.
Don’t sense any nudging?
Just be patient and wait.
Abraham waited for the promised son.
Moses waited forty years in the wilderness.
Jesus waited thirty years before he began his ministry.
God instills seasons of silence in his plan.
Winter is needed for the soil to bear fruit.
Time is needed for the development of a crop.
And disciples wait for the move of God.
Wait for him to move, nudge, and direct you.
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February 16
Bible Reading
Genesis 12:2
Genesis 12:7
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
A Spiritual Battle
For a book about conquests, the book of Joshua sure skimps on military details. What weapons did Joshua’s army use? How many officers did his army have? The answer to these and other questions? We don’t know.
We don’t know because the emphasis is not on a physical battle but a spiritual one. The real conflict wasn’t with Canaanites or Amorites; it was with Satan and his demons.
Canaan was the choicest real estate on earth. It was marked by fertile fields and valleys. Most important, the land was God’s gift to Israel (Genesis 12:7).
God set this property apart for his people and his people apart to be a blessing for the world. God promised Abram, “I will make you a great nation” (12:2). The Hebrews were the couriers of God’s covenant to a galaxy of people. Israel was the parchment on which God’s redemption story would be written.
Satan’s counterstrategy was clear: contaminate the Promised Land and preempt the Promised Child. Destroy God’s people and destroy God’s work.
Joshua’s battle, then, was a spiritual one.
So is ours.0 -
February 17
Bible Reading
Psalm 75:7
Daniel 5:21
Jeremiah 30:24
Ephesians 1:11
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Peter 1:20
Galatians 4:4
Acts 2:23
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
The Discovery That Changes Everything
You are in the hands of a living, loving God. Random collection of disconnected short stories? Far from it. Your life is a crafted narrative written by a good God, who is working toward your supreme good.
God is not slipshod or haphazard. He planned creation according to a calendar. He determined the details of salvation “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20).
The death of Jesus was not an afterthought, nor was it Plan B or an emergency operation. Jesus died “when the set time had fully come” (Galatians 4:4 niv), according to God’s “deliberate plan and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23 niv).
God isn’t making up a plan as he goes along. Nor did he wind up the clock and walk away.
“The Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will” (Daniel 5:21 esv).
He “executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Psalm 75:7 esv).
“The Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind” (Jeremiah 30:24 esv).
Look at those verbs: God rules, sets, executes, accomplished.
These terms confirm the existence of heavenly blueprints and plans.
Those plans include you. “In him we were also chosen, . . . according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11 niv).
This discovery changes everything!0 -
February 18
Bible Reading
Psalm 96:1-4
Psalm 40:3
John 13:10
Commentary Devotional Thoughts
A New Song
God places a song in the hearts of his children. A song of hope and life. “He has put a new song in my mouth” (Psalm 40:3).
Some saints sing this song loud and long every single day of their lives. In other cases the song falls silent.
Life’s hurts and happenings mute the music within.
Long seasons pass in which God’s song is not sung.
I want to be careful here. Truth is, we do not always know if someone has trusted God’s grace.
A person may have feigned belief but not meant it.
Judas is an example of one who seemed to have been saved but in truth was not.
For three years he followed Christ.
While the others were becoming apostles, he was becoming a tool of Satan.
When Jesus said, “You are clean, though not every one of you” (John 13:10 niv), he was referring to Judas, who possessed a fake faith.
Whether or not someone’s faith is real isn’t ours to know. But we know this: where there is genuine conversion, there is eternal salvation.
Our task is to trust God’s ability to call his children home.
We join God as he walks among his wayward and wounded children, singing.
Eventually his own will hear his voice, and
something within them will awaken.
And when it does, they will begin to sing again.0