December 31

Malachi 3-4

Revelation 22

Psalm 150

Proverbs 31:25-31

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord  of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!  Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.  Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the Lord  of Heaven's Armies.  "Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the Lord  of Heaven's Armies."

Malachi 3:10-12

I've heard Travis say that this is the only time in the Bible when God tells His people to test Him. He is telling them to bring their tithes to the Temple. He promises so much blessing in return that they will not be able to take it in. He tells them to test Him in this. He promises that if they give generously, then He will bless them generously in return. I think this is very significant. God wants us to give freely and without fear of having enough left for ourselves. Here God has taken away all reason to fear because He is guaranteeing that He will take care of those who obey Him.

Looking back on this year, I have been blessed so much by reading God's Word everyday and by being involved in this Bible reading group. To anyone who is has not decided to join us next year, I offer this guarantee: if you read God's Word everyday, you will hear His voice. You will hear Him speak to you. You will grow closer to Him. Just like bringing tithe's and offerings to the Temple guaranteed blessings from God, reading His Word everyday will bring you closer to Him.

I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you in 2014!