Old and New: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

Introduction

It’s no secret that the Bible can be a difficult book to navigate, especially for beginners.

Its twin halves pivot on the central event of human history, the appearance on earth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christians and non-Christians alike observe a calendar that marks its years after the Bethlehem birth. “A.D.” stands for Anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of the Lord.”

But God seems to have two completely different systems for dealing with people, and he seems to have two completely different sets of expectations and laws for human believers. Are the commandments in the Old Testament binding on people today or not? This dilemma has caused confusion for believers, an opportunity for terrible legalism in the church and scorn on the part of atheists and other unbelievers.

Actually, both halves of the Bible fit together in a beautiful narrative of a loving God’s restless mission to regain his lost children. There were indeed two major relationship systems, or covenants, but they both pivot around Christ. This devotional plan will provide a month’s worth of daily devotions to help you appreciate God’s presence in past millennia and help you know how you fit into his plans today.


--Pastor Mark Jeske