Monthly Bible Reading Plan - April
God is asking me to do something a bit different this month, and I'm thrilled to switch it up a little. How many of you love it when God takes us on little detour adventures? If you're like me, then you know the detour is where you get to see something you would have never encountered otherwise; and I am ready for a new encounter with Christ!
I hope you are as ready for this as I am. Get ready to experience God in a new and fresh way! I am praying that all our eyes will be opened to all God has in store for each and everyone of us!
It is my prayer that these monthly Bible readings will serve as an encouraging and safe place for you to go to hear from God; that while reading and spending time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will minister to you in ways I never could and say what I could never say, and bring peace and comfort like only He can. You will find that this blog is updated weekly with new shareable graphics and insight to go along with the reading each day. It is our hope that you would follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, however, we do understand that not everyone is on social media and wanted to make this available for anyone and everyone. As the month moves on, you will see this blog post begin to grow.
This April, the focus of our readings will be the blessings of God! The Bible is full of messages that encourage us and remind us that God is always working on our behalf and has amazing things in store for us. We have spent time battling, praising in advance and believing, but this month, we are going to look ahead to these things that God has promised us and is working to gift us!
Daily Reading: “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! ~ Revelation 3:20-21 MSG
Insight: I just love this translation for this verse! We recently had a women's conference at my church and the theme was warrior. I didn't feel much like a warrior, fear has always been where my struggle lied. But God...He showed me that weekend that I AM more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ.
I think that's why I prefer this translation for this verse, because we are referred to as conquers here. Never in my wildest dreams did I think God saw me as a conqueror, but because of Jesus, I am. He's helped me overcome fear, doubt, insecurities, and so many other pitfalls in life.
For those who don't feel like conquerors, try asking the Lord to show you what makes you a conqueror in Christ. He is always faithful and will definitely lend a helping hand. 💕💖🙌
Day 2
Daily Reading: Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ” ~ Luke 1:28 NLT
Insight: We don't always feel favored when God wants to use us. That's because it doesn't always look like what we thought it should or would. Aaaand sometimes, it's because we are in a situation that doesn't look like favor (according to the world). Look at Mary, getting ready to be married, and gifted with immaculate conception, The Christ Child. For a short period, her favor caused turmoil in her relationship, until God sent word to Joseph that she was indeed faithful and this was, in fact, all God's handy work.
This begs the question then... how many of us are running from our favor because it doesn't look like we thought it would? How many times have we dismissed a blessing because it didn't happen how we thought? How many times have we taken the FEELING of not be favored and held it higher than what God has SPOKEN over us? He is faithful to His word, and that should always trump any feeling we have (feelings are fleeting)!
Today, remember, no matter what you see with your eyes, no matter what the world tries to tell you, no matter what fiery darts the enemy unleashes towards you, you ARE blessed and HIGHLY favored! 🙌🙌💕😇
Daily Reading: ‘I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants’ ~ Luke 1:38 TLB
Insight: Each Sabbath (real quick, if I may go on this tangent, when I say Sabbath, I am not speaking of a specific day of the week, but the one day that I devote completely to God, the day my husband cooks and I can sit in my closet as long as I want), I sit down with the Lord and allow Him to both pour in and pour out of me (reminds me of the woman with the oil...2 Kings 4:1-7). As He gives me these words, I write them diligently, doing little to change them, other than proofread. This is the way God uses me to minister to others, writing/creating.
Each Sabbath I sit and read, research, look where He wants me to look, go where He wants me to go, make what He wants me to make, and say what He wants me say. While I am writing the week’s worth of posts in one day, I do believe that the Holy Spirit provides to me exactly what you, my sweet friends, need to hear and ministers to you through this way. However, yesterday (Mar 29), God told me that this month, He wants His word to speak for itself.
As I was praying to Him, I told Him that I didn’t want these readings to be about me and what I think. I told Him that I worry that too much of me muddies His word with my insight I provide with each verse, each day. It should matter what God speaks to and through you, because friends, He’s happy to use anyone who is willing and has faith (Rahab, Mary, Simon-Peter). While I may provide insight, this month, I will only provide it when I feel compelled by God to share and only in the comments. For this month, I am letting the word of God speak for itself. For this month, we will go to where the Living Water Flows and stay directly in the word of God, allowing it to minister to us in a personal and profound way.
It is my prayer that we would all share our individual insights and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us and share that wisdom with each other, however I know not everyone is as open as others. Many of us don’t want to share our struggles. But friends, I’m tired of all of us walking around wearing masks, pretending to be ok, pretending to be happy, but crying ourselves to sleep and stressing all night. I’m tired of the enemy winning because we are scared to death to be vulnerable and I am tired of the spirit of defeat running rampant throughout the church. We are children of the Most High and we need to bring everything into The Light if we expect God to be able to use it for His glory!
So, with the difference in set up this month, I must remind you that, “‘I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants.’” Now, let’s step into the river! 💕🌊💧🙌💖
Day 4
Daily Reading: During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” ~ Acts 1:3-5 NLT
Day 5
Daily Reading: You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! ~ Psalms 30:11-12 NLT
Day 6
Daily Reading: If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God! ~ James 1:12 TPT
Day 7
Daily Reading: And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT
Day 8
Daily Reading: You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. ~ Deuteronomy 28:2-6 NLT
Day 9
Daily Reading: You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. ~ Psalms 139:5 NLT
Day 10
Daily Reading: From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. ~ John 1:16 NLT
Day 11
Daily Reading: And now, it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, so that it will continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing, O Lord, it is an eternal blessing!” ~ 1 Chronicles 17:27 NLT
Day 12
Daily Reading: On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. ~ 2 Chronicles 20:26 NLT
Day 13
Daily Reading: Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. ~ Jeremiah 5:25 NLT
Day 14
Daily Reading: Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ~ James 1:17 NLT
Day 15
Daily Reading: For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Day 16
Daily Reading: Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. ~ Psalm 34:8 NIV
Day 17
Daily Reading: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ~ Matthew 5:6 NIV
Day 18
Daily Reading: You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God , prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me. ~ Psalm 119:1-8 MSG
Day 19
Daily Reading: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ~ Joshua 1:8 NLT
Day 20
Daily Reading: Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” ~ John 20:29 NLT
Day 21
Daily Reading: “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. ~ Job 5:17 NIV
Day 22
Daily Reading: For you bless the godly, O Lord ; you surround them with your shield of love. ~ Psalms 5:12 NLT
Day 23
Daily Reading: But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much. ~ Job 8:5-7 NLT
Day 24
Daily Reading: The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. ~ Habakkuk 1:5 NLT
Day 25
Daily Reading: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5 NLT
Day 26
Daily Reading: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2 NLT
Day 27
Daily Reading: The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. ~ John 10:10 NLT
Day 28
Daily Reading: What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ~ Romans 8:31 NLT
Day 29
Daily Reading: Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. ~ Psalms 37:25 NLT
Day 30
Daily Reading: I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. ~ Galatians 3:5 NLT