Tag: Bible

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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”

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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”

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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”

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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”

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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”

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Jan 18 – Genesis 42-43; Matthew 13:33-58 – KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

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

Today’s readings are Genesis 42-43 and Matthew 13:33-58. If you haven’t had a chance to read/listen to them yet, pause this podcast to go do that now.

Welcome back.

Matthew 13 has a lot to say about the kingdom of heaven. What is the kingdom of heaven? It’s the kingdom where Jesus – the king of heaven – rules and reigns. So to be part of the kingdom of heaven is to belong to Jesus and his people, both now and for eternity. Jesus explains what the kingdom of heaven is like with a bunch of short parables.

I want to focus on just 3 verses

  • The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (verse 44)
  • The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value (verse 45-46)

Let me read them first,

Matthew 13:44–46

[44] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (ESV)

Two different people find the Kingdom of Heaven in two different ways.

Continue reading “Jan 18 – Genesis 42-43; Matthew 13:33-58 – KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”

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Jan 17 – Genesis 41; Matthew 13:1-32 – THE PIT TO THE PALACE

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

I wanted to let you know that I’ve just had an article published with Eternity Newspaper entitled “7 things to help you actually read the Bible” I’ve posted a link on our Facebook page. I hope you find it helpful.

Today’s readings are Genesis 41 and Matthew 13:1-32.

Before we discuss Genesis 41, it’s worthwhile doing a recap of Joseph’s story so far…

Continue reading “Jan 17 – Genesis 41; Matthew 13:1-32 – THE PIT TO THE PALACE”