Bite of Bread Reading Plan: Verses on Living Well

One of my favorite authors is John Eldredge. I love how he employs words like a paintbrush for the heart. They aren’t just inked beautifully; the words settle deep down into the recesses of my spirit. John cuts through the religion of our faith. That of rules and regulations. In his book, Sacred Romance, John asked the ancient question: Why would God send His son to die for us? And this is his answer to his question:

We’ve been offered many explanations. From our religious camp we are told that what God wants is obedience, or sacrifice, or adherence to the right doctrines or morality. Those are the answers offered by conservative churches. The more therapeutic churches suggest that no, God is after our contentment, or happiness, or self-actualization, or something else along those lines. He is concerned about all those things, of course, but they are not his primary concern. What he is after is us–our laughter, our tears, our dreams, our fears, and our heart of hearts. How few of us truly believe this. We’ve never been wanted for our heart, our truest self, not really, not for long. The thought that God wants our heart seems to good to be true.”

He wants our hearts. Because He loves us. He’s jealous for us.

I hope you can keep this thought in mind each day as you chew on the Bite of Bread: Verses for Living Well.

Grab your journal, Bible, and something warm to drink. Jot down these scriptures. I’ve written them out below if you want to see what’s ahead. But I hope you’ll come back to each bite daily. As you write them down and chew on each verse for living well add the words “because He loves me.” Chew on that thought. I’d love to know if those words added on the end affect the way you read the scriptures. Leave a comment here or on our Facebook Fellowship page.

I’ll be broadcasting on Periscope each morning to around 8:20 ET.

I pray you have a grace-filled, abundant week. Come back Wednesday for the winner of Little Women, Big God: It’s not the size of your problems, but the size of your God, by Debbie Wilson.

This week’s Bites:

“But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in the grace of giving . . . (because He loves you).” ~2 Corinthians 8:7 addition mine.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (because He loves you.)” ~2 Corinthians 9:8 addition mine

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. . . No one can serve two masters. . . You cannot serve both God and Money (because He loves you.)” ~ Matthew 6:24 addition mine

Keep on adding. . .

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matthew 6:33,34

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you your sins.” ~Matthew 6:14,15

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” ~Luke 6:38