We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Guide which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons! We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors. Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Each day we include a reminder to pray. If you are new to the Adoration / Confession / Supplication method, here are some questions to help guide you as you pray:

  • Adoration: What can you praise God for today?
  • Confession: What thoughts / attitudes / actions might you need to confess to God today?
  • Supplication: What will you ask God for today?
Printable Version

Day 1 – Those who feared the Lord

Read Malachi 3:16-18. In verse 16, a new group of people are introduced in the book of Malachi. 

  • How are these people “who fear the Lord” different from the others we have been reading about in their society? (For review, see Malachi 1:6, 2:1-2, 17, 3:5, 13-14)
  • Why do you think they “talked with each other”? Why would fellowship with others who also feared God be important in their cultural and historical context?
  • Read Psalm 111. What kinds of things can those who fear God talk to each other about in order to encourage each other in the midst of a culture that is not fearing God?

 

Pray today in confession for the times you have lived more like those who don’t fear God than one who honours His name. Praise Him for His great and mighty works!

 

Day 2 – Christian Fellowship

Yesterday we read about those who feared God in Malachi’s day and how they talked with each other instead of joining in complaining about God. As Christians we are also told to have fellowship with one another that is centered around Jesus Christ. Read the following passages and note what they teach about Christian fellowship. 

  • Ephesians 5:15-20.
    • Why do we need to be careful how we live? (v 15-16)
    • How should we speak to one another? (v 18b-20)
  • Hebrews 3:12-14.
    • What is the warning in these verses? What is at stake? 
    • What is our responsibility to one another?

 

Pray today and thank God that He provides encouragement through the body of Christ. Spend some time in supplication for other believers you know that may need encouragement today. 

 

Day 3 – The God Who Listens

Read Malachi 3:16-18. 

  • What do you learn about God from these verses? What do you observe Him doing? 
  • Scripture is clear that God is attentive to His creation. Read the following passages and note what you learn about the God who listens.
    • Psalm 33:13-19.
      • Where does God watch from? (v 13-14)
      • What does He see? (v 13-15)
      • How is His gaze different for those who fear Him? (v 18-19)
    • Psalm 34:15-17. 
      • What is the difference between how God attends to the righteous versus the evil?

 

Pray today in adoration that God hears you, loves you, and protects you if you are one of those who fear Him and honour His name. Confess ways that you have not trusted Him and looked to other sources for protection.

 

Day 4 – A Treasured Possession 

Read Malachi 3:17-18. 

  • God calls those who fear and serve Him,“my treasured possession”. What will God do for these people? What relationship does He compare them to?
  • The New Testament explains how Christians are God’s treasured possession and actually called His own sons!
    • Read Titus 2:13-14. In the New Testament we see that Jesus fulfilled the obligations of the covenant. According to Titus, why did Jesus give Himself for us?
    • Read Romans 8:14-16. If you have received the Spirit of God (ie. you are a Christian), how is your relationship with God described? 
  • Reflect: What is your personal relationship with God like? How do these passages challenge or encourage you?

 

Pray today in supplication that you would fear and serve God rightly. If you are a Christian, thank Him that He spared you by the sacrifice of Jesus and that He has given you His Spirit. 

 

Day 5 – The Son not Spared

Read Malachi 3:17-18. In verse 17 note that God uses the example of a father sparing his son. Read the following passages and notice the irony. 

  • Romans 8:31-32. 
    • Who was not spared? 
    • Why was He given up? 
    • What do these verses teach us about God?
  • 1 John 4:9-11. 
    • How did God show His love to us?
    • How should we live in response?

 

In light of these passages, how do you need to respond today? If you are not God’s child yet, we invite you to repent and accept the sacrifice of His Son today! If you are saved, spend some time praising Him for His love and grace. Ask for His help to serve Him today.