Compiled by Barbour Staff - Read & Pray through the Bible in a Year: Morning and Evening Devotions for Women

Read through the Bible in a Year 2016 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Pray through the Bible in a Year 2018 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Written by Emily Marsh and Darlene Franklin.

Print ISBN 978-1-64352-462-7

eBook Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-64352-589-1

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-64352-590-7

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV .

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Published by Barbour Books, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

Printed in China.

Gods Word is life-giving (Matthew 4:4), true (Psalm 33:4), powerful (Hebrews 4:12), inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), profitable to equip and train you (2 Timothy 3:1617), a light to show you your way (Psalm 119:105), a guide for a pure life (Psalm 119:9), everlasting (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 24:35), wisdom-giving (Proverbs 2:6), freeing (John 8:32), sustaining (Deuteronomy 8:3), able to save your soul (James 1:21), and something that will give you hope (Psalm 119:114; Psalm 130:5).

God asks you to meditate on this precious gift and to make it a central part of your life. And He promises that if you do, He will make your way prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8). As one of Gods children, you simply cannot ignore His Word. The more intimately you know the Bible, the more fully you will come to know and love the Author. Look forward to how God will change your life as you read through and pray on His Word this year.

DAY 1

GENESIS 12 MATTHEW PSALM 1

(G ENESIS 1)

MORNING PRAYER

Creator God, how often You speak to me in the beauty of Your creation. I see Your eternal nature and power in the mountains. I hear Your peace and presence in the sound of waves upon the shore. I feel Your love and delight in the soft fur of a kitten purring against my hand. They prepare my soul for that personal encounter with You in scripture and in Your Son, the Word of God. I pray for those who have deafened themselves to Your voice in creation, that You will open their eyes to the truth by whatever means necessary, before it is too late. Amen.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

G ENESIS 1:31

EVENING READING

In this first reading of the year, we get a glimpse into the beautiful story that is woven throughout scripture. Genesis 1 speaks of the perfect world that God created. Psalm 1 is written in a fallen world that is marred by sin where we must actively avoid wickedness and seek purity. Matthew 1 is the beginning of God redeeming His people by sending His Son as one of us. Christs very lineage is strewn with the aroma of redemption. His ancestors include such redeemed sinners as the harlot Rahab, the incestuous Judah and Tamar, the pagan Ruth, and the adulterous David and Bathsheba. God makes it no secret that His business is to redeem sinners and to show His power through the unlikely and the weak.

DAY 2

GENESIS 34 MATTHEW 2 PSALM 2

(M ATTHEW 2)

MORNING PRAYER

Wonderful Counselor, I confess I have a lot to learn about staying still, emptying my mind of diversions so Im ready to listen. I thank You that I hear Your voice as I meditate on Your Word. There are times I would like to have clear-cut directions like Joseph received in his dreams. But You know my heart. Would I be afraid? Am I committed to the unwavering, immediate obedience that Joseph practiced? How I thank You that You know the path my life will take and You are already preparing me. Tune my spirit to the frequency You wish me to listen to. Amen.