Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Luke 2. Day 129 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Luke 2 (CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
The Birth of Jesus. Good News for All People. The Savior Revealed.
"Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11
Luke 2 records the most significant birth in human history, but it does so in the most unexpected way. The eternal Son of God enters the world not in a palace, but in a manger. While the Roman emperor believes he is directing history through a census, God is sovereignly accomplishing His greater purpose by bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy concerning the birthplace of the Messiah. From the very beginning, Luke reminds us that God is directing every detail of history to accomplish His perfect plan of redemption.
The angels announce the birth of Jesus, not to kings or religious leaders, but to ordinary shepherds watching their flocks by night. Their message reveals the heart of the gospel: "A Savior was born for you." Jesus came not merely to teach or inspire, but to save sinners. Simeon and Anna later recognize the infant Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, declaring that God's salvation has now been revealed not only for Israel but for all nations. Even as a twelve-year-old boy in the temple, Jesus demonstrates that He has come with a singular purpose—to be about His Father's work.
Luke 2 calls us to respond to Jesus the same way the people in this chapter did. The shepherds hurried to worship Him. Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. Simeon rejoiced because God's promises had been fulfilled. This chapter reminds us that Christmas is ultimately about God's faithfulness, His grace, and His rescue of a lost world. The Savior has come. God has kept His Word. Now every person must decide how they will respond to the One who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 1. Day 128 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Luke 1 (CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
The Certainty of the Gospel. God's Faithfulness to His Promises. The Birth Announcements of John and Jesus.
"For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:37
Luke begins his Gospel by assuring us that what we are about to read is trustworthy. After carefully investigating the events surrounding the life of Jesus, Luke writes so that we can know the certainty of the things we have been taught. Before Jesus ever begins His earthly ministry, Luke reminds us that God has been faithfully working behind the scenes, fulfilling promises that had been given centuries earlier. The silence between the Old and New Testaments is broken, and God's plan of redemption begins to unfold exactly as He promised.
The chapter centers on two miraculous birth announcements. First, the angel Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Then Gabriel appears to a young virgin named Mary with the greatest announcement in history: she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Most High. Mary's humble response, "I am the Lord's servant," stands in sharp contrast to Zechariah's initial doubt and reminds us what genuine faith and surrender look like. Throughout the chapter, God's sovereignty, grace, and faithfulness are on full display.
Luke 1 also reminds us that God often works in ways we do not expect and according to a timeline we do not always understand. Elizabeth's barrenness, Zechariah's silence, Mary's humble circumstances, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecy all point to a God who is never late and never loses control of His plan. This chapter challenges us to trust God's promises even when circumstances seem impossible. The same God who kept every promise surrounding Christ's first coming remains faithful today, calling us to respond with faith, worship, and joyful obedience.

Philemon. Day 127 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Philemon(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
The Power of the Gospel. Christian Forgiveness. Reconciliation in Christ.
"Perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a brief time so that you might get him back permanently, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a dearly loved brother." Philemon 15-16
Philemon may be one of the shortest books in the New Testament, but it gives us one of the clearest pictures of what the gospel looks like when it transforms human relationships. Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who had come to faith in Christ through Paul's ministry. Rather than demanding a response, Paul lovingly appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus back, not simply as a servant, but as a brother in Christ. The gospel had changed Onesimus, and now it was calling Philemon to respond with grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
At the heart of this letter is the transforming power of the gospel. Paul even offers to pay any debt Onesimus owes, echoing the greater work of Christ, who took our debt upon Himself so that we could be reconciled to God. Throughout this short letter, we see forgiveness replacing bitterness, love overcoming social barriers, and Christian fellowship becoming stronger than earthly status or position. The gospel changes not only our relationship with God but also the way we treat one another.
Philemon challenges us to ask whether we are extending to others the same grace we have received from Christ. Are there relationships that need healing? Is there someone we need to forgive or welcome back? This beautiful letter reminds us that reconciliation is at the very heart of the gospel. Because Christ has forgiven us, we are called to forgive others. Because He has welcomed us into His family, we are called to welcome one another as brothers and sisters in Him.

Colossians 4. Day 126 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Colossians 4(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
Devoted Prayer. Gospel Opportunities. Faithful Servants of Christ.
"Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2
Colossians 4 closes Paul's letter with a series of practical instructions that reveal what a Christ-centered life looks like in everyday circumstances. Paul begins by calling believers to devote themselves to prayer, remaining watchful and thankful as they seek the Lord. Even while imprisoned, Paul's concern is not primarily for his own comfort but for open doors to proclaim the gospel. His example reminds us that prayer is not simply a response to problems. It is one of the primary ways God prepares and empowers His people for ministry.
Paul also challenges believers to live wisely among those who do not yet know Christ. He encourages them to make the most of every opportunity and to speak with both grace and truth. The gospel message never changes, but how we engage people matters. Our words should reflect the character of Christ, helping us respond thoughtfully and faithfully to those around us. This chapter reminds us that evangelism is not reserved for a select few. Every believer is called to live and speak in a way that points others to Jesus.
The letter concludes with greetings from several faithful servants who labored alongside Paul in ministry. Their names may seem like a simple closing, but they remind us that the work of the gospel has always been carried forward by ordinary believers serving faithfully in different roles. Some encouraged, some prayed, some traveled, some taught, and some opened their homes. Together they advanced the mission of Christ. Colossians 4 challenges us to consider our own faithfulness in prayer, our willingness to seize gospel opportunities, and our role within the body of Christ. This chapter reminds us that God uses faithful people, often in ordinary ways, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.

Colossians 3. Day 125 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Colossians 3(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
Seeking Things Above. Putting Off the Old Self. Living for Christ in Every Relationship.
"So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1
Colossians 3 moves from doctrine to daily living. Because believers have been raised with Christ, Paul calls us to set our minds on things above rather than being consumed by the priorities of this world. This is not a call to ignore earthly responsibilities. It is a call to view every part of life through the lens of our relationship with Jesus. Our identity is no longer rooted in who we once were. Our life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Paul then describes what it looks like to put off the old self and put on the new. Because Christ has changed us, there are attitudes, desires, and behaviors that no longer belong in our lives. Sexual immorality, anger, slander, lying, and selfish ambition are to be put to death. In their place, believers are called to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love. These qualities are not simply moral improvements. They are evidence of Christ's work within us and reflections of His character being formed in our lives.
The chapter concludes by showing how the lordship of Christ transforms our relationships. Paul addresses families, workplaces, and everyday responsibilities, reminding us that whatever we do, we are ultimately serving the Lord. Whether at home, at work, at church, or in our communities, Christ is to be at the center. Colossians 3 challenges us to ask whether our actions, attitudes, and relationships reflect the new life we have received in Christ. This chapter reminds us that the gospel does not just change our eternity. It changes how we live today.

Colossians 2. Day 124 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Colossians 2(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
Rooted in Christ. Freedom from False Teaching. Complete in Him.
"Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ." Colossians 2:8
Colossians 2 calls believers to remain firmly rooted in Christ and to guard against anything that would pull them away from the sufficiency of the gospel. Paul’s concern for the church is clear. False teachers were promoting ideas that sounded spiritual but ultimately diminished the centrality of Jesus. Rather than looking for deeper truth somewhere else, Paul reminds the Colossians that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. The Christian life does not begin with Jesus and then move on to something greater. It continues by growing deeper in Him.
Paul emphasizes that believers are complete in Christ because the fullness of God dwells in Him. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished everything necessary for our salvation. He canceled the debt of sin that stood against us, triumphed over the powers of darkness, and secured our freedom through the cross. Because of that, Christians do not need additional spiritual experiences, human traditions, religious regulations, or man-made systems to make them acceptable before God. Christ is enough.
The second half of the chapter warns against legalism, mysticism, and self-made religion. Paul challenges believers not to let others judge them based on external rules or religious performance. These things may appear wise on the surface, but they cannot transform the heart. Colossians 2 reminds us that true spiritual growth comes from remaining connected to Christ, the head of the church. This chapter challenges us to examine what we are trusting in, what voices we are listening to, and whether Christ truly holds first place in our lives. The answer to spiritual maturity is not found in trying harder. It is found in holding more tightly to Jesus.

Colossians 1. Day 123 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Colossians 1(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
The Supremacy of Christ. Spiritual Growth and Fruitfulness. Reconciled Through the Cross.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Colossians 1:15
Colossians 1 lifts our eyes to one of the clearest and most majestic pictures of Jesus Christ found anywhere in Scripture. Paul begins by thanking God for the faith, love, and hope that were evident in the lives of the Colossian believers, and he prays that they would continue growing in spiritual wisdom, understanding, and fruitfulness. This chapter reminds us that the Christian life is not simply about gaining knowledge. It is about knowing God more deeply and allowing that knowledge to transform the way we live.
At the center of the chapter is Paul's powerful declaration of the supremacy of Christ. Jesus is not merely a great teacher, a moral example, or one spiritual option among many. He is the image of the invisible God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the head of the church, and the One through whom all things hold together. Paul presents Christ as preeminent over creation, redemption, and the church itself. Everything in this chapter points to the truth that Jesus is worthy of our complete trust, worship, and devotion.
Paul then turns to the work Christ accomplished through the cross. Though we were once alienated from God because of our sin, Christ has reconciled us through His death and made a way for us to stand before God forgiven and restored. Colossians 1 challenges us to remain grounded in the gospel, steadfast in our faith, and centered on Christ above all else. This chapter reminds us that spiritual maturity begins with a right view of Jesus. The bigger our view of Christ becomes, the more clearly we understand who we are, why we are here, and how we are called to live.

Philippians 4. Day 122 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Philippians 4(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
Rejoicing in the Lord. The Peace of God. Contentment in Christ.
"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4 brings Paul’s letter to a close with some of the most practical and encouraging instructions in all of Scripture. Writing from prison, Paul calls believers to rejoice in the Lord, pursue unity, replace anxiety with prayer, and fill their minds with things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. This chapter reminds us that Christian joy is not dependent on favorable circumstances. It is rooted in the unchanging character and presence of God.
Paul addresses the reality of worry by directing believers toward prayer. Rather than carrying our burdens alone, we are invited to bring every concern before the Lord with thanksgiving. The promise is not that every problem immediately disappears, but that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In a world filled with uncertainty, Philippians 4 teaches us that peace is found not in controlling our circumstances but in trusting the God who is sovereign over them.
The chapter concludes with Paul’s powerful testimony about contentment. He had experienced both abundance and need, comfort and hardship, yet he learned that true contentment is not found in possessions, success, or circumstances. It is found in Christ. When Paul says, “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me,” he is speaking about Christ’s power to sustain him through every season of life. Philippians 4 challenges us to trust God with our worries, discipline our thoughts, and find our satisfaction in Christ alone. It reminds us that no matter what we face, the Lord is near, His peace is available, and His strength is sufficient.

Philippians 3. Day 121 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Philippians 3(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
Knowing Christ. Righteousness Through Faith. Pressing Toward the Goal.
"My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death." Philippians 3:10
Philippians 3 is a powerful reminder that nothing compares to knowing Jesus. Paul warns the church not to put confidence in the flesh, religious performance, personal background, or outward credentials. If anyone could have trusted in those things, Paul could have. He had the heritage, the training, the zeal, and the reputation. But once he truly saw Christ, everything he once counted as gain became loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus.
At the heart of this chapter is the difference between a righteousness we try to build ourselves and the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. Paul is not saying obedience does not matter. He is saying obedience cannot save us. Our standing before God is not based on how impressive we are, how religious we appear, or how hard we work to prove ourselves. We are made right with God through faith in Jesus. That truth frees us from boasting in ourselves and teaches us to treasure Christ above everything else.
Paul then points us forward. He has not arrived, and neither have we. The Christian life is a continual pursuit of Christ, pressing on toward the goal and growing in the grace God has given us. Philippians 3 challenges us to ask what we are really chasing, what we are trusting in, and what we are holding onto that may be keeping us from deeper faithfulness. This chapter reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven, our hope is in Christ, and our lives should be shaped by the desire to know Him more.

Philippians 2. Day 120 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: Philippians 2(CSB)Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a YearBible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading PlanContact Sean through email here: seanbailey1985@gmail.comNTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayearNTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com
Episode Highlights:
The Humility of Christ. Working Out Your Salvation. Shining as Lights.
"Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Philippians 2 takes us straight to the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. Paul calls the church to unity, humility, and selfless love, not because those are simply good character traits, but because they reflect the very mind of Christ. He challenges believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but to count others as more important than themselves. That kind of humility does not come naturally to us. It is formed in us as we look to Jesus.
At the center of this chapter is one of the clearest and most powerful pictures of Christ’s humility in all of Scripture. Jesus, who is fully God, did not cling to His rights or use His glory for selfish gain. He humbled Himself, took on the form of a servant, became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. But the story does not end in humiliation. God highly exalted Him, giving Him the name above every name. Philippians 2 reminds us that the way of Jesus is humble obedience before glory.
Paul then turns that truth toward our daily lives. Because God is at work in us, we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This does not mean we earn our salvation. It means we live out what God has already begun in us. We are called to stop grumbling, walk in obedience, and shine like stars in a dark world. Philippians 2 challenges us to ask whether our attitude, our relationships, our words, and our service look like Jesus. This chapter reminds us that real Christian maturity is not about being noticed. It is about becoming more like Christ, serving faithfully, and pointing others to Him.