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Bible Reading Plan
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Going deeper...to go further

Daily Bible reading strengthens our relationship with God, nourishes our spirits and equips us to live a fruitful, effective life for Him.

This month we're looking at the Christmas story alongside some passages that talk about the coming Messiah - Jesus - from the Old Testament. As we read the Word it’s important that we apply what we read and pray it out over our lives. One of the way you can do this is by using the acronym SOAP. To find out more about SOAP watch this video.

Below you’ll see what we’re reading today. To go forward or back a day in our reading plan use the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons.

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Micah 5:2-5

2“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel,whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 5And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses.We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,

1 Peter 3

Instruction to wives1Wives, let Christ's example show you how you are to have a right submissive attitude to your husbands. Those who do not believe will not be convinced by their wives' words, but by their change in behaviour.2They will need to see the purity of their hearts and lives and the respect they have for their husbands.3Your true beauty, wives, will not come from wearing expensive clothes, nor the way you braid your hair, nor from the cost of the jewellery you wear.4From deep within your spirit, your inner self, should come the beauty that can never fade with time, that of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious in God's sight.5In the past this is how holy women showed that they placed their hope in God. To them this was real beauty, to have a beautiful spirit before God. As part of this, they were submissive to their husbands.6For example, Sarah obeyed Abraham and even called him her master. You will be as Sarah's daughters if you live in right ways that please the Lord and walk by faith, not fear.Instruction to husbands7Husbands, in the same way you are to show proper consideration for your wives by the way you behave. You are to treat them with proper respect as the weaker partner for whom you truly care. Together you have inherited the great gift of life, and you do not want any wrong attitudes towards your wives to hinder the effectiveness of your prayers.Instruction to all believers8Finally, a word to all of you: Live together in the church in true harmony with one another. Be sympathetic towards those who are troubled. Love each other as brothers in the same family. Always be merciful and compassionate. And be humble!9Never retaliate in a wrong way when others wrong you. Do not insult others, even if they insult you. Instead of reacting negatively to others, bless them, because this is what God has called you to do. And if you bless others, you will yourselves be blessed.10For it is written: "Anyone who desires a life full of love and goodness should refrain from speaking evil of others or in ways that will deceive them.11-12Instead, he must turn away from all that is evil and devote himself to doing what is good and right. He must always endeavour to live at peace with others, for the Lord watches over those who live in right ways and He listens attentively to their prayers; but He turns away from evil doers."Suffering for doing right13If your aim is always to do good, how are you going to come to any harm?14Even if you have to suffer for doing what is right, you will be blessed. You know the saying: "Do not fear what others fear, neither be frightened."15Instead, Christ is to be Lord in your hearts! Of course, you must always be ready to answer those who question why you have this hope that is expressed in these positive attitudes. But do not answer in an aggressive manner, but with gentleness and respect.16If your conscience is clear you will not be troubled by those who speak critically of your behaviour when you reveal Christ's will. Instead, they will be put to shame for the ways they have slandered you.17If this is God's will, it is better to suffer for doing what is right rather than for what is wrong. This is the way Christ suffered. He did not deserve to die, but He has died for the sin of others.18-20He only needed to make the sacrifice once, for all time and on behalf of all sinners. He was the Righteous One giving His life for the unrighteous in order to bring you into right relationship with God. His body was put to death but God's Spirit brought Him back to life, enabling Him to go and preach to the spirits of those in prison through their disobedience. God had waited patiently for their repentance at the time Noah was building the ark; but only eight people were saved from the flood.21-22This water is a symbol of baptism by which you are now also saved.Your water baptism did not signify that your body was being washed, but that you were promising to live in ways pleasing to God. You were saved because in His resurrection Jesus Christ overcame death and has now ascended into heaven where He reigns at God's right hand, together with the angels, authorities and powers that are in submission to Him.
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