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.
Posted on

Jan 25 – Exodus 9-10; Matthew 18:1-20 – JESUS, GREATNESS & ABORTION

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

Today we continue to see God’s judgment on Egypt through the plagues in Exodus 9-10, and our New Testament reading is from Matthew 18:1-20.

I want to spend the next few minutes focusing on the first section in Matthew 18. Let me read from verses 1–4,

[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them [3] and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (ESV)

The disciples want Jesus to give them a glimpse into what greatness looks like in the kingdom of heaven. So Jesus selects one of the weakest and smallest members of the crowd: a child. Not only is being like a child a picture of greatness in the kingdom, but it’s also the only way into the kingdom of heaven. Why like a child?

Adults often like to assert their wisdom, strength, and importance. However, a child is humble, powerless, and dependent. The way into the kingdom involves humbling ourselves before God, knowing that we are powerless to enter the kingdom based on our strength, and dependent on the king – Jesus – to show us mercy to be part of his heavenly kingdom.

Continue reading “Jan 25 – Exodus 9-10; Matthew 18:1-20 – JESUS, GREATNESS & ABORTION”

Posted on

Jan 24- Exodus 7-8; Matthew 17 – I AM THE LORD

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

Do you struggle to concentrate when reading the bible? You’re not alone. One of the things I’ve found super-helpful over the years is listening to an audio bible while reading. ESV has the exact bible reading plan that we use as a podcast! It’s called ‘Read Through The Bible’ and you can find links to it on our homepage butfirstbible.com

80% of listeners of this podcast are based in Australia. And so more often than not, the new episodes are a bit later in the day based on our timezone being ahead of North America, where ESV is based. I’ve been talking to ESV to see if they can publish it earlier in the day. But in the meantime, one thing I’ve found helpful over the years of following these reading plans is to just sit a day behind, i.e. on Jan 24 do the readings from Jan 23. That might help you too.

Today’s readings are from Exodus 7-8 and Matthew 17.

We saw in Exodus 1-2 that the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have multiplied greatly, but were now living under a new Pharaoh who was threatened by the Israelites and so had them as slaves and was treating them harshly. As we saw two days ago, God heard their groaning and said he would remember the promises he made to their forefathers.

Continue reading “Jan 24- Exodus 7-8; Matthew 17 – I AM THE LORD”

Posted on

Jan 23 – Exodus 4-6; Matthew 16 – JESUS IS THE CHRIST

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

In our readings today we continue following the story of God’s plans to rescue for himself a people by reading Exodus 4-6, and we are reading a really significant chapter in Matthew 16. It is a turning point in the gospel of Matthew.

There are 3 really important questions answered in Matthew 16.

  1. Who is Jesus?
  2. Why did Jesus come?
  3. What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Continue reading “Jan 23 – Exodus 4-6; Matthew 16 – JESUS IS THE CHRIST”

Posted on

Jan 22 – Exodus 1-3; Matthew 15:21-39 – GOD HEARD THEIR GROANING

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

Today’s readings are Exodus 1-3 and Matthew 15:21-39.

As we begin the book of Exodus, today would be a great time to join in with this reading plan. So if you’ve got friends or family who would benefit from following along with this podcast, encourage them to get started today.

The opening 3 chapters really set the scene by linking us with what has come before in the book of Genesis and introduce us to Moses – the main character that God uses to achieve his plans and purposes in the book of Exodus.

I want you to notice today the clear continuity of the storyline from Genesis to Exodus.

Let me begin with,

Exodus 2:23–25

[23] During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. [24] And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. [25] God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. (ESV)

The rest of this episode is an excerpt from “Through the Bible Through the Year” by one of my favourite Christian authors, John Stott.

Continue reading “Jan 22 – Exodus 1-3; Matthew 15:21-39 – GOD HEARD THEIR GROANING”

Posted on

Jan 21 – Genesis 49-50; Matthew 15:1-21 – GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD

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

Today’s readings are Genesis 49-50 and Matthew 15:1-21.

Our final day in Genesis… congratulations if this is the first time you’ve read through the whole of Genesis! I’ve personally loved reading it again and seeing the way that God was at work through ordinary messy people in the ancient world to bring about his gracious plans. If there’s something you’ve been struck by, send me a message or tag @butfirstbible in a social media post, I’d love to see what God has been teaching you.

As we conclude Genesis, it’s worth noting that this is not the end of the story. Genesis is just – as the name suggests – the beginning of a bigger story. The bible isn’t just a bunch of unconnected events but one big story that begins with The Creation in Genesis and ends with The New Creation in the book of Revelation.

This means, the things we have learned at the end of Genesis aren’t to be forgotten, rather they actually set us up for the next part as the narrative unfolds in the book of Exodus.

Continue reading “Jan 21 – Genesis 49-50; Matthew 15:1-21 – GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD”

Posted on

Jan 20 – Genesis 46-48; Matthew 14:22-36 – WEEKEND EDITION

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

Happy Sunday to you all!!

For God’s people in the Old Testament the Sabbath – or Saturday – was a day set aside as holy to the Lord. This side of the New Testament, Christians have set aside Sunday as a day to gather together. Why? Because on Sunday we remember and celebrate with joy that our Lord and Saviour rose from the dead!

This podcast has been downloaded in 46 different countries, which is amazing! And so wherever you are gathering with God’s people across the world today, do it knowing that not only did Jesus die in your place and for your sin but that he rose from the dead to give resurrection life to all who trust in him! He is alive! And he rules and he reigns!

Today’s readings come from Genesis 46-48 and Matthew 14:22-36.

Continue reading “Jan 20 – Genesis 46-48; Matthew 14:22-36 – WEEKEND EDITION”

Posted on

Jan 19 – Genesis 44-45; Matthew 14:1-21 – WEEKEND EDITION

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

It’s the weekend, yes!

Now, the weekend can be a good time to catch up on readings you’ve missed throughout the week… or not! I think many Christians begin the year with a Bible reading plan, but then end up giving up the plan because they fall too far behind. By all means, catch up a day here or there. But sometimes you just need to write-off a whole week or month if you’ve fallen so far behind.

Today’s readings are from Genesis 44-45 and Matthew 14:1-21. In Genesis the drama continues to unfold between Joseph and his brothers. The section in Matthew includes the gruesome death of John the Baptist.

Continue reading “Jan 19 – Genesis 44-45; Matthew 14:1-21 – WEEKEND EDITION”