Read the Bible: Matthew 5:13-16

 
 

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible: Matthew 5:1-12

 
 

When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the humble,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

“You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible: Matthew 4:18-25

 
 

As [Jesus] was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea ​— ​for they were fishermen. “Follow me,” he told them, “and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, preparing their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 4:18-25 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible: Matthew 4:12-17

 
 

When [Jesus] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
along the road by the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people who live in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned.

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 4:12-17 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible: Matthew 4:1-11

 
 

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”`

Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:

He will give his angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone.”

Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus told him,“Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.

Matthew 4:1-11 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible: Matthew 3:13-17

 
 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me? ”

Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.

When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

Matthew 3:13-17 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible: Matthew 3:1-12

 
 

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight!

Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”

Matthew 3:1-12 (CSB)

 

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Read the Bible

 
 
 

what has your ear?

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17, ESV).

Reading well impacts how we perceive and understand the world around us, and nothing merits our time and study more than the inspired Word of God. If you have resolved to grow in faith in this new year, daily Bible reading must surely be part of the plan.

Any serious study of Scripture is profitable and many are put off by highly structured Bible reading plans. Noted pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne even published a list of dangers when sharing with his own congregation the Bible reading plan he authored for their use. Likewise, there are great benefits to a prescribed plan for the daily study of Scripture.

Here are our recommendations for your consideration as you begin a new year with a commitment grow as a student of the Word of God:

PFWB Resources

The PFWB website contains a variety of resources for individual and corporate growth, including a Bible Reading Program, a daily Bible Reading Plan, and Bible Engagement resources with an updated topic each month.

Blue Letter Bible Blended Plan

Straightforward, printable PDF with daily readings, averaging 3-4 chapters per day.

Bible in One Year

A resource of 1517.org containing links directly to daily readings of the Blended Plan, along with links to short teaching videos by Chad Bird, Old Testament scholar and Scholar in Residence at 1517. Dr. Bird shares insightful links between Old and New Testament passages that will help push through the more complicated texts, encouraging you to stick with daily Bible reading.

Read the Bible Initiative

This partnership between The Gospel Coalition and Crossway provides free access to the M’Cheyne Bible Reading plan, along with options to receive a daily newsletter, daily podcast commentary, and access to online articles to support your understanding of the assigned texts.

audio bibles & apps

The science of learning suggests that reading in print is superior to electronic options for deep reading of complex material (here and here). But for some, reading portable electronic formats on the go is better than not reading at all (for sure!). For others, reading in any format just doesn’t come easy. Fortunately, there are great options for listening to the Word of God that can be used with the Bible reading plan of your choice. If you’re looking for a good audio Bible app, consider the following (listed in no particular order). Most have options that work on any computer or mobile device.

Above all, grow as a student of Scripture in 2024. Whether on paper or in print, following a daily reading plan or working through on your own, commit to dig deeply into the revealed Word of God.

God has spoken. Does He have your ear?

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