Daily Bible Plan

Bible. Pray. One Another

At City Lights, we believe that renewal starts from within and expands into every area of our lives. The three daily habits of BIBLE, PRAYER and ONE ANOTHER are vital to establishing a close, connected and organic relationship with God. Our daily devotion is designed to help, by including a short passage from the Bible, a framework for prayer and an invitation to “one another” someone. We also add short videos to help you learn how to understand, interpret and apply the Bible. Don't forget to grab a free prayer journal on Sunday too!

Day 313 2024

Friday, Nov 8 2024

BIBLE

Acts 1 (NIV) Read or listen.

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video on this book of the Bible above. It will help you understand the background and context of the reading and how it fits into the bigger story of the Bible.

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in it,’

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)

Think about how you can bring peace to your environments - work, family, marriage. Do this intentionally this week.

Previous days

Day 312 2024

Nov 7 2024

BIBLE

Psalm 46 (NIV) Read or listen.

Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease

to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Be hospitable to one another (1 Pe 4:9)

Who is one person or family who you can invite over to your house for a meal (or out for a meal). Organise to have them over.

Day 311 2024

Nov 6 2024

BIBLE

Psalm 45 (NIV) Read or listen.

Psalm 45

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song.

1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme

as I recite my verses for the king;

my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

2 You are the most excellent of men

and your lips have been anointed with grace,

since God has blessed you forever.

3 Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;

clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.

4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously

in the cause of truth, humility and justice;

let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.

5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;

let the nations fall beneath your feet.

6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.

8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;

from palaces adorned with ivory

the music of the strings makes you glad.

9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women;

at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.

10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:

Forget your people and your father’s house.

11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord.

12 The city of Tyre will come with a gift,

people of wealth will seek your favor.

13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber;

her gown is interwoven with gold.

14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king;

her virgin companions follow her—

those brought to be with her.

15 Led in with joy and gladness,

they enter the palace of the king.

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;

you will make them princes throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;

therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Pray for one another (Jas 5:16)

Who can you pray for today? Write their name down and pray for them. Send them a message saying that you are praying for them.

Day 310 2024

Nov 5 2024

BIBLE

Psalm 44 (NIV) Read or listen.

Psalm 44

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.

1 We have heard it with our ears, O God;

our ancestors have told us

what you did in their days,

in days long ago.

2 With your hand you drove out the nations

and planted our ancestors;

you crushed the peoples

and made our ancestors flourish.

3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,

nor did their arm bring them victory;

it was your right hand, your arm,

and the light of your face, for you loved them.

4 You are my King and my God,

who decrees victories for Jacob.

5 Through you we push back our enemies;

through your name we trample our foes.

6 I put no trust in my bow,

my sword does not bring me victory;

7 but you give us victory over our enemies,

you put our adversaries to shame.

8 In God we make our boast all day long,

and we will praise your name forever.

9 But now you have rejected and humbled us;

you no longer go out with our armies.

10 You made us retreat before the enemy,

and our adversaries have plundered us.

11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep

and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for a pittance,

gaining nothing from their sale.

13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors,

the scorn and derision of those around us.

14 You have made us a byword among the nations;

the peoples shake their heads at us.

15 I live in disgrace all day long,

and my face is covered with shame

16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,

because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

17 All this came upon us,

though we had not forgotten you;

we had not been false to your covenant.

18 Our hearts had not turned back;

our feet had not strayed from your path.

19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals;

you covered us over with deep darkness.

20 If we had forgotten the name of our God

or spread out our hands to a foreign god,

21 would not God have discovered it,

since he knows the secrets of the heart?

22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?

Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide your face

and forget our misery and oppression?

25 We are brought down to the dust;

our bodies cling to the ground.

26 Rise up and help us;

rescue us because of your unfailing love.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Motivate one another to love and good deeds (He 10:24)

Sometimes we need a friend to encourage us to outwork the love of Christ towards others. Get together with a friend to mutually encourage each other.

Day 309 2024

Nov 4 2024

BIBLE

Psalm 43 (NIV) Read or listen.

Psalm 43

1 Vindicate me, my God,

and plead my cause

against an unfaithful nation.

Rescue me from those who are

deceitful and wicked.

2 You are God my stronghold.

Why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning,

oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send me your light and your faithful care,

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre,

O God, my God.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Encourage and build up one another (1 Th 5:11)

Who do you know that needs encouragement? Send an encouraging message to today.

Day 308 2024

Nov 3 2024

BIBLE

Today can be used to reflect on or memorise this key verse from this week’s readings. The day can also be used to catch-up if you missed a day in the readings.

John 21:25 (NIV) Read or listen.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Speak truth to one another (Ep 4:25)

Do you need to be more honest in your relationships? Think about how you can do this with one person and organise to talk to them.

Day 307 2024

Nov 2 2024

BIBLE

Psalm 42 (NIV) Read or listen.

Psalm 42

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3  My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

4  These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

5  Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

6  My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

7  Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

8  By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

9  I say to God my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”

10  My bones suffer mortal agony
    as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

11  Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Don’t lie to one another (Co 3:9)
Think about your words and thoughts, do you need to be more honest with others and yourself?

Day 306 2024

Nov 1 2024

BIBLE

Psalm 41 (NIV) Read or listen.

Psalm 41

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.

2  The Lord protects and preserves them—
    they are counted among the blessed in the land—
    he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.

4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

5 My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die and his name perish?”

6  When one of them comes to see me,
    he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
    then he goes out and spreads it around.

7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,

8 “A vile disease has afflicted him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies.”

9  Even my close friend,
    someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
    has turned against me.

10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord;
raise me up, that I may repay them.

11 I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12 Because of my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.

13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: Lord, I receive your strength for this day, to follow your example Jesus.

ONE ANOTHER

Speak truth to one another (Ep 4:25)

Do you need to be more honest in your relationships? Think about how you can do this with one person and organise to talk to them.

Day 305 2024

Oct 31 2024

BIBLE

John 21 (NIV) Read or listen.

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: God I receive your love for me, help me to love others as you love them.

ONE ANOTHER

Bear one another’s burdens (Ga 6:2)

Who in your life would benefit from more support today? Send them a message.

Day 304 2024

Oct 30 2024

BIBLE

John 20 (NIV) Read or listen.

The Empty Tomb

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Based on today's reading, what is one thing that God is saying to you?

PRAY

Take a few moments to pray with focus, passion and purpose using P.R.A.Y:

Praise and Thanksgiving
Repent and Receive
Ask
Yes

Todays Prayer: God I receive your love for me, help me to love others as you love them.

ONE ANOTHER

Husbands and wives: don’t deprive one another of physical intimacy (1 Co 7:5)

Today, go out of your way to show your love and appreciation for your spouse.