Explore every episode of the podcast The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel Express

Psalm 2:1–2, Matthew 2:1–12, Genesis 3:1–15 ‘What is your first question going to be?’

Psalm 1:1–6, Matthew 1:17–25, Genesis 1:1–27 The first three words in the Bible are, ‘In *the beginning*…’ (Genesis 1:1). Each of the passages for today tells us something about new beginnings and new opportunities, and suggests some possible New Year’s resolutions.

Psalm 146:3–9, Revelation 14:14–19,15:1–4, Ezra 10:1–3 God hasn’t changed. He still pours his love into our hearts. These are the foundational principles of living in hope.

Psalm 111:2–10, Ephesians 3:4–19, Isaiah 57:19, 58:6–10 The secret God reveals in Jesus is reconciliation not only with God but also with one another.

Psalm 110:1–5, Ephesians 2:4–22, Isaiah 55:1–6 The difference Jesus makes is massive, eternal, and impossible to fully comprehend.

Psalm 109:21–31, Ephesians 1:3–23, Isaiah 52:7–15, 53:1–6 All of the blessings, including those that the Old Testament speaks about, are yours in Christ.

Proverbs 23:17–18, Galatians 6:1–10, Isaiah 49:8–25 In today’s generation, our lives have become so instantaneous that anything requiring patient perseverance can appear unattractive. We require instant returns and instant results. But sometimes the biggest pay-offs are a long time coming.

Psalm 109:1–4, Galatians 5:7–25, Isaiah 48:17–18, 49:5–7 Conflict is inescapable. Even for those of us who shy away from confrontation, it is impossible to avoid. As we go through life, we will inevitably encounter people with whom we will have conflict. Additionally, for a Christian, an internal conflict exists between the desires of our sinful nature and the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 108:6–13 Galatians 4:21–31, 5:1–6, Isaiah 45:1–24 ‘Freedom’ is the word that best sums up the Christian life. You, too, are free. Therefore, refuse to be trapped by your past.

Psalm 108:1–5, Galatians 3:26–29, 4:1–7, Isaiah 43:1–19 In the passages for today, we see how much more than just ‘nice’ God is – his goodness, amazing love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 22:29,23:4–5, Galatians 3:10–25, Isaiah 42:1–8 It is God’s plan that the church, through the victory of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, can and will succeed.

Psalm 107:35–43, Galatians 2:14–21, 3:2-9, Isaiah 40:25–31 If we love imperfect people perhaps it shouldn’t surprise us that God loves imperfect people even more.

Psalm 107:28–31, Galatians 2:1–10, Isaiah 36:4–21, 37:1–15 How do you respond to a time of trouble, danger or unexpected difficulties in your personal life?

Proverbs 31:1–9, Revelation 14:1–13, Ezra 8:21–23 Instead of using your power to indulge in self-gratification, use it for good.

Psalm 107:10–21, Galatians 1:3–24, Isaiah 33:2–6, 35:1–10 ‘Salvation’ is a huge and comprehensive word. It means ‘freedom’.

Proverbs 22:17–27, 2 Corinthians 13:3–14, Isaiah 30:20–21, 31:1–5, 32:1–17 When Jesus Christ comes to live within you, you have God’s power in your life.

Psalm 107:1–9, 2 Corinthians 12:19–21, Isaiah 29:13–16, 30:1–18 How do you make sure that you are on the right path? Once you are on that path, how do you stay on it? The words of Jesus, the New Testament and the Bible as a whole, are designed to keep us on the path that leads to life.

Psalm 106:43–48, 2 Corinthians 12:1–10, Isaiah 27:2–6, 28:16 His grace is not only amazing; it is ‘sufficient’. It is enough.

Psalm 106:32–39, 2 Corinthians 11:17–33, Isaiah 25:6–8, 26:3–4 In the midst of life’s difficulties and extraordinary challenges, Christ is the empowering presence who brings us peace.

Proverbs 22:9–12, 2 Corinthians 11:2–15, Isaiah 22:11–22 At the heart of the Christian faith is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is the closest, most important and most intimate relationship of all. What is this relationship like?

Psalm 106:16–31, 2 Corinthians 10:3–16, Isaiah 19:20–25 You are given the weapons with which to win the battle. What are these weapons? How do you use them?

Psalm 106:1–10, 2 Corinthians 9:6–15, Isaiah 14:1–15, 16:4–5, We see in today’s passage, grace, thanksgiving and generosity are very closely connected.

Psalm 105:39–45, 2 Corinthians 8:16–24, Isaiah 10:20, 11:1–9 The Old Testament enriches our understanding of what the New Testament means when it speaks of ‘The LORD’.

Proverbs 21:30–31, 22:1–4, 2 Corinthians 8:1–15, Isaiah 8:12–13, 9:6–7 The passages for today totally redefine this world’s understanding of the word ‘rich’.

Psalm 145:14–16, Revelation 13:1–18, Ezra 7:27–28 God’s invisible and intangible hand is on you: leading, guiding, encouraging, protecting, strengthening you and giving you courage.

Psalm 105:23–27 ,2 Corinthians 7:2–11, Isaiah 5:9–11, 6:1–8 However bleak things may appear, God always seems to raise up people who are instruments ‘for noble purposes… *useful* to the Master and prepared to do any good work’.

Psalm 105:12–22, 2 Corinthians 6:3–13, 7:1, Isaiah 5:7 How can your life be of ultimate lasting value?

Psalm 105:1–5, 2 Corinthians 5:11–21, Isaiah 1:2–26, 2:2 As royal ambassadors, act with diplomacy and skill because you are representing Christ on earth.

Proverbs 21:17–26, 2 Corinthians 5:1–10, Micah 6:8 God created you with a purpose in mind.

Psalm 104:33–34, 2 Corinthians 4:1–18, Micah 2:1–2, 3:1–8, 4:12 The invisible is eternal.

Psalm 104:27–30 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, 2 Chronicles 36:5-1–2 The Bible says a lot about faces and eyes.

Psalm 104:1–15, 2 Corinthians 2:14–17, 3:1–6, 2 Chronicles 34:31 Leave time for ‘ministry’ – for the Holy Spirit to *minister* to us.

Proverbs 21:13–15, 2 Corinthians 2:3–11, 2 Chronicles 32:7–26 God is love and he is also just.

Psalm 103:13–22, 2 Corinthians 1:20–22, 2 Chronicles 29:1–21, 30:18–20 What does the anointing of the Holy Spirit mean in practice?

Psalm 103:1–12, 2 Corinthians 1:3–11, 2 Chronicles 26:16 What are the ‘benefits’ that we receive from our loving heavenly Father?

Psalm 145:8–13, Revelation 12:1–11, Ezra 6:7–16 The Bible is true to *real* life. Life involves many struggles, trials, tests, temptations, difficulties and battles. Yet, in Christ you can be an *overcomer*.

Psalm 102:18–28, 1 Corinthians 16:5–20, 2 Chronicles 25:4b Not only do we have a natural family but, as Christians, we are part of the church, which the New Testament sees as ‘the family of God’.

Proverbs 20:27, 21:1–3, 1 Corinthians 15:50–58, 16:1–2, 2 Chronicles 23:21 The key to a right understanding of ‘*victory’* is to see it as *a gift* made possible ‘*through our Lord Jesus Christ*'.

Psalm 102:12–17, 1 Corinthians 15:35–49, 2 Chronicles 20:2–17 You can trust God.

Psalm 102:1–11, 1 Corinthians 15:1–28, 2 Chronicles 16:7–9 In the passages for today we see why and how we should live wholeheartedly.

Psalm 101:1–6, 1 Corinthians 14:22–40, 2 Chronicles 14:2–7, 15:1–4 In order to bring peace to others, we first need to find and hold on to peace within ourselves.

Proverbs 20:15–24, 1 Corinthians 14:1–19, 2 Chronicles 10:6–15 Many of us live in a busy and noisy world. In the midst of all the noise, talk and distractions, how do you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit?

Psalm 100:1–5, 1 Corinthians 12:27–31, 13:1–13, Song of Songs 8:6–7 God is love.

Psalm 99:1–9, 1 Corinthians 12:4–26, Song of Songs 2:4–16 There is a hunger deep in our souls for an intimate relationship with God and with other human beings.

Psalm 98:1–9, 1 Corinthians 11:11–34, 2 Chronicles 7:14 Worship is the consummation of joy. Our joy is not complete until it is expressed in worship.

Proverbs 20:5–9, 1 Corinthians 10:14–33, 11:1, 2 Chronicles 6:7–21, 7:1–3 There is no greater example in human history than the example of Christ.

Psalm 145:1–7, Revelation 11:3–19, Ezra 4:23–24,5:5 The central theme in the teaching of Jesus was the *kingdom of God*. It not only refers to kingdom in a political or geographical sense, but it also conveys the notion of activity – the activity of ruling and reigning. The *kingdom of God* means ‘*the rule and reign of God*’.

Psalm 97:1–12, 1 Corinthians 9:19–27, 10:12–13, 2 Chronicles 2:1–5 In the passages for today, we see the importance of worshipping and serving the one true God with all of our hearts and beings – giving everything we have got – no sloppy living.

Psalm 96:1–10, 1 Corinthians 9:7–18, Ecclesiastes 9:14–18, 10:1–12, 11:1–10 How can you maximise your influence and use that influence for good? Each person matters.

Psalm 95:1–8, 1 Corinthians 8:1–13, Ecclesiastes 7:11–16, 8:17, 9:1–12 It is never enough simply to have knowledge – you must also have love.