Dave's Diary

Tomorrow we begin!

Eleven months of weekday readings focused on “everything Jesus commanded us” (Matthew 28:20). For those who want a soft copy for yourself and haven’t downloaded it yet, please find it available for download at the end of this post.

Starting at Matthew 1:1, I’ve scoured the pages of the New Testament and tried by all means to pick out every passage that contains a command, teaching, instruction or example given by Jesus, which informs us what our Lord and Master, Jesus, requires of us as His disciples. I’ve not duplicated commands. So when a command appears in multiple Gospels, I’ve not included it a second time.

Please remember that everything Jesus commanded us can be seen through the lens of LOVE. None of Jesus’ teachings or commands are for mere religious effect. Every command of Jesus is somehow related to LOVE – loving God, loving one another and/or loving our neighbours. And we’ll be looking for those connections each day.

The pattern of these devotions will be very simple:

• A prayer based on a Bible verse or two.
• A New Testament Reading (which I really encourage you to read for yourself in your hard-copy Bible),
• My devotional reflection on what the command (or commands) in that passage is (or are),
• An invitation to contemplate and apply the command(s) to your own life.

My fervent hope and prayer is that as we give ourselves to this year of reading, we will find ourselves growing closer to the Lord, loving Him more, and becoming more like Him in our love for others.

Lord Jesus, throughout this year, please feed our hunger with the Bread of Your Word, quench our thirst with the Living Water of Your Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Now and forever, Amen!