Here are the Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read each day this week. Note that the readings are based on the New American Bible. 

Day 248 – Sunday, Feb. 16

Amos Chapters 1-4

Read Amos 4:8-11 again. 

In spite of the hardships that the Israelites faced they did not turn to God for help. 

Ask God to remind us to spend time in prayer every day, especially when times are tough.

Is asking for help a sign of weakness or of wisdom? Have past hurts caused you to hesitate to ask for help from God or from others? 

Day 249 – Monday, Feb. 17

Amos Chapters 5-8

Read Amos 5:23-24 again.

Think about the image of righteousness flowing like a stream. Why might a passionate call to working for justice be presented together with such a gentle image?

Ask God to help us work for justice passionately, but also considerately.

Is there a matter of justice for an individual or group of people that stirs your heart? Is there anything you can do to help obtain justice regarding this issue?

Day 250 – Tuesday, Feb. 18

Amos Chapter 9, all of Obadiah, and Jonah Chapters 1-2

Read Jonah 1:1-6 and 2:1-2 (or 1:17-2:1 NRSV) again.

Jonah resisted when he was asked to pray on the ship. After three days trapped in the belly of a fish, however, Jonah started to pray again. Once Jonah started praying, the fish cast him out onto dry land.

Ask God to help us to run towards Him, and not away from Him, when He calls.

Do you ever feel like you are trapped in some “fish”? Might God be trying to get your undivided attention?

Day 251 – Wednesday, Feb. 19

Jonah Chapters 3-4 and Micah Chapters 1-2

In Jonah Chapter 4, Jonah was angry with God because He changed His mind about the mission that He had sent Jonah out to accomplish.

Ask God to help us to focus on God, and not on any particular goal, in the work that we do.

Have you ever poured your whole heart and soul into a project that you thought God directed you to do, but your efforts seemed, in your eyes, to have failed? Is there anything different in how you think about the project if you imagine looking at it through God’s eyes? 

Day 252 – Thursday, Feb. 20

Micah Chapters 3-6

Read Micah 5:1-5 again, and then read Matthew 2:1-6.

In many passages, the Old Testament points to the coming Messiah. The verses from Micah tell us that Bethlehem was to be the birthplace of a ruler who was to become a shepherd to the people and would bring them peace. This prophecy, as revealed in the verses in Matthew, was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

Ask God to help us to remember the lessons from our Old Testament readings so that we will appreciate more the arrival of the Messiah in our upcoming reading of the New Testament.

What insights have you obtained from reading the Old Testament that stand out to you the most?

Day 253 – Friday, Feb. 21

Micah Chapter 7 and Nahum Chapters 1-3

Read Nahum 3:1-3 again. These verses present disturbing images of violence.

Ask God to stir up the emotions that God wants us to have when learning of the world’s brokenness and to move us to right action in response to these feelings.

Do you find a difference in how you feel when you read verses in the Bible describing horror and violence compared to how you feel when you see horrific scenes in movies, television shows or news reports?

Day 254 – Saturday, Feb. 22

Habakkuk Chapters 1-3 and Zephaniah Chapter 1

Read Habakkuk 2:1-2 and Zephaniah 1:7 again.

These verses tell us about seeking the presence and guidance of God, in stillness and in silence.

Ask God to help us take time to be still and know that He is God.

Take five minutes and be completely silent. Observe the thoughts that are coming to you. Then spend some time in prayer writing about them. Were there any insights that were revealed to you?