Author: Dave Miers

My name is Dave Miers. I love Jesus, and I’m passionate about using new mediums to communicate the timeless message of Christ crucified and risen. I currently serve the persecuted church through my work with Open Doors Australia.
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Mar 21 – Joshua 4-6; Luke 2:1-24 – THE SHEPHERDS

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Joshua 4-6 and Luke 2:1-24.

Let me read from Luke 2:8–20

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (ESV)

The following excerpt comes from John Stott’s excellent devotional guide, “Through the Bible Through the Year.”

Continue reading “Mar 21 – Joshua 4-6; Luke 2:1-24 – THE SHEPHERDS”

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Mar 20 – Joshua 1-3; Luke 1:57-80 – BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Joshua 1-3 and Luke 1:57-80.

Welcome to those who are new to this podcast today! Maybe someone encouraged you to have a listen or maybe you’ve seen it pop up in your news feed for a while and thought you would see what it was all about.

What’s it all about? My hope with this podcast is that you will develop a habit of regular bible reading… not because you need a certain quota of daily bible readings to be accepted by God… the reason you can be accepted by God is because Jesus lived the perfect life, Jesus died your death, and Jesus rose again and offers new life to all who trust in him. As those who have found life in Jesus – we have the privilege to hear God speak to us through his word.

“But first, Bible.” is about prioritising time in God’s word.

And so each day you are encouraged to read a passage from the Old Testament and a passage from the New Testament, and then listen to this podcast where I will give some reflections on one of the passages. To access the whole reading plan go to butfirstbible.com

So today, we begin a new book of the Bible – Joshua.

The opening paragraph is a great introduction in setting the scene for Joshua taking on the leadership of Israel after Moses’ death and all that the LORD calls him to do.

Continue reading “Mar 20 – Joshua 1-3; Luke 1:57-80 – BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS”

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Mar 19 – Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56 – THE DEATH OF MOSES

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Deuteronomy 33-34 and Luke 1:24-56.

These chapters in Deuteronomy mark a significant transition in the Old Testament. Reminiscent of the end of Genesis when Jacob blesses the 12 tribes of Israel upon his death… here we have Moses blessing the tribes of Israel just before he dies.

I love the clear God-centredness of Moses’ blessing in chapter 33.

Look at the introduction in Deuteronomy 33:2–5,

[2] He said,

“The LORD came from Sinai
and dawned from Seir upon us;
he shone forth from Mount Paran;
he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,
with flaming fire at his right hand.
[3] Yes, he loved his people,
all his holy ones were in his hand;
so they followed in your steps,
receiving direction from you,
[4] when Moses commanded us a law,
as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.
[5] Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun,
when the heads of the people were gathered,
all the tribes of Israel together. (ESV)

And then look at his conclusion in Deuteronomy 33:26–29,

Continue reading “Mar 19 – Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56 – THE DEATH OF MOSES”

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Mar 18 – Deuteronomy 31-32; Luke 1:1-23 – INTRODUCTION TO LUKE’S GOSPEL

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Deuteronomy 31-32 and Luke 1:1-23.

Thank you for following along with this podcast! There have been over 20,000 downloads this year, and I’m always encouraged to hear of the way that this podcast is helping people to develop a bible reading habit of their own.

Today, we begin a new book, the Gospel According to Luke. This is the perfect time to encourage others to join in with this reading plan, or perhaps you know of others who have fallen so far behind that they’ve effectively quit… encourage them to join in again! Take a moment to send a message to someone, or share via social media.

The opening paragraph of Luke’s gospel gives us a good insight into HOW and WHY Luke wrote this account of Jesus Christ.

Let me read that opening paragraph,

Luke 1:1–4

[1] Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (ESV)

Continue reading “Mar 18 – Deuteronomy 31-32; Luke 1:1-23 – INTRODUCTION TO LUKE’S GOSPEL”

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Mar 5 – Numbers 34-36; Mark 10:32-52 – WHOEVER WOULD BE GREAT

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Numbers 34-36 and Mark 10:32-52.

This is our last day in the book of Numbers – and tomorrow we begin the book of Deuteronomy. That means this is a perfect time to encourage others to either start or get back on track with this plan.

Today we will focus in on the second half of Mark 10 and in it we will learn the difference between greatness in the kingdoms of this world compared to greatness in the kingdom of God.

Let me read from Mark 10:35–44,

[35] And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” [36] And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” [37] And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” [38] Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” [39] And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, [40] but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” [41] And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. [42] And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [43] But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [44] and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (ESV)

James and John – they want to be great! That’s why they ask to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in glory! They recognise something of the importance of Jesus – hence the request. But they’ve still misunderstood what greatness looks like.

Continue reading “Mar 5 – Numbers 34-36; Mark 10:32-52 – WHOEVER WOULD BE GREAT”

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Mar 4 – Numbers 32-33; Mark 10:1-31 – POSSIBLE WITH GOD

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Numbers 32-33 and Mark 10:1-31.

In Mark 10 we will learn an important lesson about how we can receive eternal life from God. Let’s look at the interaction of Jesus with a man who asks an important question.

Check out Mark 10:17–22,

[17] And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. [19] You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” [20] And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” (ESV)

The man wants to receive eternal life, and so Jesus asks him in verse 19 if he knows a bunch of commandments. The man says he knows them AND he has kept them.

In Exodus 20 we learn about the 10 Commandments that the LORD gave to Israel after he had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. They were called to walk in obedience with the God of their salvation.

Of the 10 Commandments, commandments 1-4 are often summarised as our duty towards God, and commandments 5-10 are often summarised as our duty towards our neighbour.

Did you notice that the only commandments that Jesus mentioned are from the second half regarding our duty towards neighbour?

In response to these the man says: yep, nailed all of them.

What about the first 4 commandments? How has the man gone at keeping those?

Continue reading “Mar 4 – Numbers 32-33; Mark 10:1-31 – POSSIBLE WITH GOD”

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Mar 1 – Numbers 24-27; Mark 8:11-38 – TAKING UP THE CROSS

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Happy March! It’s a new month – a great opportunity to encourage others to develop a habit for reading the bible. If you’ve been enjoying this podcast, why don’t you share with one person today how it has helped you.

Our readings for today are Numbers 24-27 and Mark 8:12-38.

Mark 8 is the turning point in Mark’s Gospel – we go from asking the question ‘Who is this man?’ in chapters 1-8 and then in chapter 8 we find out who Jesus is: the Christ, and then from chapters 8-16 we understand what it will mean for Jesus to be the Christ and what it will mean to follow Him.

Back on January 23 I gave a whole bunch of my thoughts on this passage during the devotion on the parallel passage in Matthew 16. Go check it out if you’re interested.

I thought today I would turn to my favourite devotional – Through The Bible Through The Year – by John Stott to hear some of his reflections. He’s got a lot of reflections on Mark 8 – a whole week’s worth! But I’ll share one of them.

Continue reading “Mar 1 – Numbers 24-27; Mark 8:11-38 – TAKING UP THE CROSS”