Daily Bible Reading

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Exodus continues the record of God’s stern treatment of Pharaoh’s nation. May we learn to be sensitive, as opposed to hardhearted, when we find ourselves on the wrong side of God’s will. Today in Matthew we read some amazingly potent words from Christ. Don’t read them too quickly. Take your time, and let each paragraph make its impression on you the way God intended.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 9-10

The Fifth Plague: Egyp...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

How often we forget the way temporal disasters can yield eternal blessings. Terrible “plagues” can bring men and women to their knees to penitently consider sin, personal culpability, and the universal need for repentance. Obviously many don’t, but how many there are who do, and just ponder for a moment the unending relief that is enjoyed by some because a painful trial led them to reach out for God’s grace.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 7-8

Moses an...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a terrific reminder that God’s work can take place even through the most unlikely vessels. If God made us and graciously chooses to utilize us for his purpose, our job is to step up by faith, trusting that God can and will work even through our obvious limitations and impediments. May that truth encourage you today as you read of Moses’ encounter with God.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 4-6

Moses Given Powerful Signs

4 The...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As Exodus begins to unfold we see the birth of a deliverer who foreshadows the ultimate Deliverer – the one who frees us from the tyranny and consequences of sin. How grateful we can be for the extension of God’s grace through the redemptive work of Christ, which extends even to the Canaanite woman of Matthew 15.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 1-3

Israel Increases Greatly in Egypt

1 These are the names of the sons of Israe...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

So much of the fascinating richness of these prophetic words regarding the sons of Jacob is enhanced each time we read through the entire Bible, for each year we can appreciate more and more the unfolding of these promises throughout both the Old and New Testament writings. How great it is to serve a God who sees the end from the beginning.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 49-50

Jacob Blesses His Sons

49 Then Jacob call...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I am praying that your time in God’s word today fuels your love for the Lord, and deepens your respect for his power. May you remember afresh what it means to worship God and live for Christ wherever you go and whatever you do this day.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 46-48

Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt

46 So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offere...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I pray that the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers is an encouragement to you today. May the hope of right prevailing over wrong motivate us all to be resolute about our calling in this world. May the overwhelming evidence of Christ’s divinity as recorded by Matthew also spur us on to promote his reputation and advance his cause in our world today.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 44-45

Joseph Tests His Brothers

44...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May we all see something of God’s redemptive work in our relationships. It is so good to read of the beginnings of God’s work of restoration and reconciliation in the lives of Joseph and his brothers. Good also, is the teaching from Christ regarding the indomitable growth and ultimate success of God’s kingdom, even in the face of its regular rejection by so many.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 42-43

Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I am grateful for the vindication that eventually comes to those who walk faithfully with God. May our hearts be encouraged as we read God’s word today and recognize that, while it may take more time than we’d like, the good is always rewarded and the injustice is always made right.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 41

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

41 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 an...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we are reminded of the sins and temptations that abound in our world. May our relationship with Christ be proved genuine by the “good fruit” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 12, which God has promised to produce in and through the lives of his regenerate people. Praying that your life demonstrates the holiness that often proves costly in a world wired to please itself.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 38-40

Judah and Tamar

38 It happened...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we read of the power of envy and jealousy in the life of Joseph, may we allow the Holy Spirit to bring great conviction when these destructive sins take root in our own hearts. May we learn to rejoice in the blessings and advancement of others. May we sincerely learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and replace coveting with mutual rejoicing and thanksgiving.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 36-37

Esau’s Descendants

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The sad drama of Genesis 34 reminds us that sin has reverberating consequences. May God enable us to be people who stand up for righteousness like John the Baptist in Matthew 11. May we not be “reeds shaken in the wind” (v.7). May God grant us the wherewithal to be a part of what assists in restraining the forces of evil in our sphere of influence today.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 33-35

Jacob Meets Esau

33 And Jacob li...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

How good it is when quarrels are quelled and calm is established, even with the unscrupulous types like Laban. Sometimes, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 10:34-39, peace is not possible. And if it is not, we can rest in the fact that there were many who resisted, maligned and despised the Lord Jesus Christ. If we incur tension and conflict that cannot be quelled, may we “take up our own cross” and gladly entrust ourselves to the One who knows that pain all too well.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I am reminded by our reading in Matthew that persecution is par for the course in the Christian life. If we stand up for him, there will be consequences from a society that is at enmity with its Maker. I am praying for you, that God will strengthen you and embolden you to stand up and speak out for the truth of the gospel as those entrusted with the message of reconciliation. How privileged we are to know what is required to see people make peace with God. May you speak out to...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Again, in today’s reading of Genesis, we see the imperfection of God’s servants. Such observations should certainly make us thankful for the grace, mercy, and forgiveness we have in Christ. God is good to use imperfect people to accomplish his perfect will in each generation. May he use each of us today, as we step out into the world to make a difference for God, knowing that the “surpassing power belongs to God and not us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

— Pastor Mike

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We are only ten days into this year’s DBR and have already covered so much ground. I am grateful that you are reading God’s word each day along with us. Thank you for your investment in this fundamental Christian discipline. May God continue to bless and encourage your walk with him, as you thoughtfully and faithfully give yourself to reading and meditating on his word.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 25-26

Abraham’s Death and His De...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

It is good to read the Old Testament in light of the new. So glad that death is not the end. I can only imagine the joy of having relationships that were severed by death reunited in the next life. How grateful we should be for the Christ who showed his credentials in exercising his power over Satan and disease, in order to remind us that his salvation would accomplish for us a permanent conquest of death itself.

— Pastor Mike

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May we learn to wait on God and avoid the shortcuts that so often tempt God’s people. Praying that today we might leave our time in God’s word with a confidence that, “God knows how to give good gifts to those who ask him” (Mt.7:11) and that we need not cut ethical corners to “help him out.”

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 20-22

Abraham and Abimelech

20 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God is just. His judgment will come when societies refuse his truth. Sodom and Gomorrah become a reminder throughout the Scripture that God’s judgment is not sleeping (2Pt.2:3-10). May we respect him enough to heed his word and reverentially understand something of the consequences for ignoring his standards.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 18-19

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The book of Hebrews reminds us of the great extent to which God went to affirm his promises in the book of Genesis. This was so that we would grasp something of the truthful character of God – that he will most certainly accomplish what he says he will do (Heb.6:13-20). He will always deliver on his promises, even when it seems to take much longer than we would prefer. I pray you are trusting him today, even if you are made to “grieve for a little while” (1Pt.1:6).

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God begins his work at building a nation through which Christians of all nationalities are blessed. Let us be humbly thankful for the way that God established Israel to be the avenue through which our Redeemer was born. Let’s also be thankful for the beauty and profundity of the preaching of Christ in Matthew 5. What a terrific model for us to speak clearly and succinctly about the righteousness that God takes pleasure in.

— Pastor Mike

Genesi...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God is good to provide what we need. May we understand our need for the salvation accomplished for us in Christ, and may we praise him for his sinless life that resisted all temptation in order to offer us his perfect life in place of ours. Praying that your reflection on God’s word today makes a difference in the way you think, speak, and act.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 9-11

9 And God blessed Noah and his so...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Peter reminds us that it was with a single word that God destroyed the world in the flood. And Peter reminds us that it will only take a word from his throne to usher in the fruition of God’s redemptive plan. It could be any day that this life is over and the next begins. I trust you are ready to meet God, as you, with Noah, see sin for what it is and cling to the grace of God so mercifully provided by our Savior.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we read of the fall of mankind in Genesis 3 and the sinful consequences that follow, let us be grateful for the redemption that is arriving in Matthew 2. This sober reminder of our sin and the great lengths to which God goes to provide us with the solution, should be the source of our thanksgiving and praise today. Praying for you today as you read and ponder God’s word.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 3-5

The Fall<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I am so glad that you are reading through the Bible with us this year on the Compass DBR. Getting the big picture of God’s word is so important. We are vulnerable to so many distortions of God and the gospel when we aren’t familiar with the Bible as a whole. I am praying that your resolve to read along with us this year is one that God’s Spirit enables you to keep each and every day. Hopefully by December you will have a broadened understanding and deepened appreciation of the G...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we close out this year’s read through the Bible we end our Old Testament reading with the brief book of Malachi, which powerfully expresses God’s concern for his people. The spectrum, from God’s glory to his fidelity regarding personal commitments, helps us to understand the Lord’s standards for his people—to always affirm and reflect his holiness. The final words of the New Testament allow us to resonate with God’s good plans for his forgiven and regenerate people. May this motivate and encourage us today. Tomorrow we start again...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we finish our read through the Book of Zechariah. Many ultimate events regarding Christ are embedded in these sweeping prophecies. Don’t miss the details of these significant promises from God. In Revelation 21 we read of the final state of God’s home for his people—with the incarnate God dwelling in our midst. What a heartening reminder that sin, pain, and sorrow are all temporary realities for his people.

— Pastor Mike

Zechariah 13-14

13 “On that day...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Several aspects of the Messiah’s work and ministry are foretold in today’s reading of Zechariah. Remember how precise God is in his plan and sovereign oversight of redemption through Christ. In Revelation 20 we read of “a thousand years,” which we often refer to as the “Millennium.” These thousand years are followed by the ultimate disposal of Christ’s enemies, along with the final judgment of the lost before the “Great White Throne.”

— Pastor Mike

Zechariah 10-12

The Res...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

A reminder today in Zechariah of the possibility of having a form of godliness, which can be nothing more than a covering for selfishness. Again, as we have seen throughout the major and minor prophets, we read of God’s ultimate purpose and intention to restore, forgive, and establish his people. In Revelation 19, as we near the end of this sobering prophecy, we read of the joyful return of Christ and the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”

— Pastor Mike

Zec...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

More illustrative visions in Zechariah 4 – 6, which speak to the present situation of the post-exilic period, with a view to the ultimate summation of God’s plan in Christ’s coming kingdom. In Revelation 18 there is a final indictment of the world’s godless system of values and ideals. May the simple and timeless call to “Come out of her, my people” (v.4) be instructive for us in our day (cf. 2Cor.6:17– 7:1).

— Pastor Mike

Zechariah 4-6

A Vision of a Gold...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we begin our read through the 14-chapter prophecy of Zechariah. As with Haggai, this prophecy was a corrective regarding the post-exilic remnant. This time the focus is on their spiritual and moral preparation to worship and serve their holy God. Zechariah is highly symbolic and filled with a variety of images that powerfully express the nations needs during this critical time near the end of the Old Testament period. In Revelation 17 we read the vivid indictment of the world’s infidelity toward their Maker. In this scene the false religions and thei...