We are excited to spend time concentrating on Jesus for the next 90 days and hope you are too!

Pick up a reading guide, download the app, check it out online: whatever works best for you.

Ever feel like you just can’t understand what the Bible says or what it means? Try reading a modern translation such as the CSB or NLT. Each translation tries to balance staying true to the original meaning with being readable in today’s English vernacular. We find the CSB to balance these well. The NLT is even easier to read but loses some of the power and depth of meaning found in the CSB.

Whatever translation you chose, the important part is to get in the Bible every day. Before reading ask God to help you to understand what you read. Then sit back, read the daily reading in your Bible or using the links below, and trust God to teach you something about His love for you. Consider asking yourself the following questions:

What does this passage teach me about God?
What does this passage teach me about mankind and/or myself?
What do I need to do as a result of these?
Who can I share what I learned with?

Follow us on twitter and share what you are learning (@nlcc). We’d love for you share what you are learning.

October 22

Don't Be Afraid

Sitting on the dock, we could see the storm on the horizon. The black clouds were building and occasionally there would be a flash of lightening. It had grown very still without even a ripple across the water. We knew we should head up to the house, but the storm felt so far away. It seemed it was without warning when that first gust of wind blew down across the lake. The water went from smooth as green glass to a frothy brown. We were going to get wet. The leaves and other debris blowing on the wind started to pelt us as we ran for shelter. We made it to the house just as the rain started falling in sheets.

We were on the shore; can you imagine a storm like this on the water? The disciples were afraid as the storm blew up (and several were seasoned fishermen). Even with Jesus with them, they were afraid. So they woke Jesus from His sleep. When He calmed the storm with just His words, they were amazed.

We can run into some stormy weather as we seek to be disciples who make disciple makers. Sometimes it is scary to talk with someone about the Gospel. Today, look at your circles of influence – people you are in relationships with. Pray for one or two people that you can move the conversations from superficial to spiritual. And don't be afraid. Jesus is with you. Pray and ask Him to give you the words.

Below is the full schedule: