Dear Friends,
As we enter this first week of December and the Season of Advent, we also enter into the final month of our journey through the scriptures. This week, our Old Testament reading picks up speed as we complete the Book of Daniel as well as begin and conclude the prophecy of Hosea. In Daniel, we continue reading the apocalyptic visions of Daniel which are filled with strange images, all of which are meant to proclaim that while difficulties may come, God's kingdom will come. The simple message of these apocalyptic writings is to trust in God and keep the faith. In Hosea, we move back in history to the time prior to the exile in the 8th century before Christ. Hosea's words are not flattering as through this prophet, God accuses the people of Israel of adultery because they have worshiped and bowed down to other gods. Using the prophet and his adulterous wife, Gomer, as an example, God says that he has forgiven and reconciled with Israel over and over again, but they will not listen. While they may perform all of the rituals of the faith, their lives belie their faith.
In our New Testament readings, we move into the Letters of John which will provide some welcome relief after reading Hosea. John proclaims God's incredible love and forgiveness and encourages us to embrace God's love in all that we do. In Jude, we read a letter of encouragement to a church under persecution and concludes with a wonderful benediction: "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Svior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore. Amen."
May God continue to bless us as we move forward in our journey through the scriptures.
Grace & Peace,
Tom Lovell
A YEAR WITH THE BIBLE. Below are the daily readings for this week thru Sunday. You may also read or listen online at http://dailyaudiobible.com.
| Date | Old Testament | New Testament | Proverbs |
| Dec. 2 | Daniel 9:1-11:1 | I John 2:18-3:6 | 28:27-28 |
| Dec. 3 | Daniel 11:2-35 | I John 3:7-24 | 29:1 |
| Dec. 4 | Daniel 11:36-12:13 | I John 4:1-21 | 29-2-4 |
| Dec. 5 | Hosea 1:1-3:5 | I John 5:1-21 | 29:5-8 |
| Dec. 6 | Hosea 4:1-5:15 | II John 1:1-13 | 29:9-11 |
| Dec. 7 | Hosea 6:1-9:17 | III John 1:1-14 | 29:12-14 |
| Dec. 8 | Hosea 10:1-14:9 | Jude 1:1-25 | 29:15-17 |
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