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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 scriptures which talk about Jews and Gentiles alongside a passage about love. The first scripture each day follows this outline: 
Days 1-6 - The Foundation & the Prophets
Days 7-10 - Jesus and the Nations
Days 11-19 - The Early Church & the Gentiles
Days 20-30 - God’s Plan for Jews and Gentiles United in Christ
Day 31 - The Final Reminder of God’s Global Kingdom. 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.

Love

  • The nature of God, but not an emotional love; rather a love that is expressed in positive action.
  • God’s love (agape) is expressed in the ways He gives to His people.
  • He has demonstrated His unfailing love for all mankind in sending His Son to die on the cross for them, so taking upon Himself the punishment they deserve.
  • God’s love is expressed in all He does in relation to His people, even when He needs to refine and discipline them.
  • His love is imparted to the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit.
  • Believers are to love God wholeheartedly, their neighbours as they love themselves and one another in the same way that Jesus Christ has loved them.
  • Those who truly love Jesus obey His commands.
  • To love others with His love is to live for them rather than for yourself; to lay down your life for them by seeking to bless, serve, encourage and give to them in practical ways.
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Acts 10:23-48

23So Peter invited them in to stay as his guests. On the next day Peter, together with some of the brothers from Joppa, set out with the messengers for Caesarea, where they arrived on the following day.24In anticipation of their arrival, Cornelius had gathered together his relatives and close friends.25When Peter entered the house Cornelius met him and fell before him in worship.26But Peter pulled him to his feet, saying: "I am only a man like yourself."Peter preaches the truth to the Gentiles27After talking briefly to Cornelius, Peter went into the room where he found a large gathering of people.28He addressed them: "You know it is against our religious law for a Jew to have anything to do with a Gentile or to set foot inside his house. However, God has made it clear to me that I should not consider as forbidden what He has stated to be acceptable.29So when I was sent for I responded, without raising any objections. I want to know why you sent for me."30Cornelius replied: "Four days ago, while I was praying here in my house at about three in the afternoon, suddenly a man in shining clothes stood in front of me.31He told me, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayers and has taken note of your gifts to the poor.32Send to Joppa for one known as Simon Peter, who is staying in the house of Simon the leather-worker who lives by the sea.'33So immediately I sent for you and I am grateful you have come. Now we have come together in God's presence to hear all that the Lord has told you to say to us."34-35Then Peter replied: "It is clear to me now that God certainly does not show favouritism but accepts men of all nations who fear Him and do what pleases Him.36You must have heard of the revelation that God gave to His people Israel, the good news of how peace with God has been made possible through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.37You have heard of the events that took place in Judea, the series of events that began in Galilee following the baptism that John preached.38God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. Because God was with Him, He then went from place to place doing good things and healing all who had been oppressed by the devil.39-40"We apostles saw everything He did among the Jews and what happened in Jerusalem. There they killed Him by crucifying Him, but on the third day after His death God raised Him back to life and caused Him to be seen by certain witnesses whom God had specially chosen.41He was not seen by everyone, but we actually ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.42He ordered us to preach to everyone and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.43He is the same One of whom all the prophets spoke, saying that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins in His name."44The Holy Spirit fell on the whole gathering while Peter was still speaking.45The Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on those who were not Jewish.46This undoubtedly had happened, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.47Then Peter said: "Is there any reason why these people should not be baptised in water? For they have already received the Holy Spirit in just the same way that we did."48So he commanded that they should be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. And they asked Peter to remain with them for a few days.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Characteristics of love4These are the qualities of the love God gives us: His love in us enables us to be patient and kind. When motivated by this love we do not envy others, neither do we boast. Nor are we proud!5God's love in us is not rude, nor self seeking. We are not roused to anger quickly, and we certainly do not keep a mental record of the wrongs others have committed.6When God's love works through us, we take no delight in what He regards as evil. Rather, we rejoice in the truth that sets people free from evil.7Those who truly love always protect others, they always trust and are always full of hope. They always persevere, regardless of the circumstances.8So God's love never fails us.
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