Sweeter Than Honey: By Faith and Through Faith

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? And what if we committed to doing that all year long, only to find that by the end of the year, we had read the entirety of God's Word—His Love Letter to us? 

​How many times have you, on January 1, resolved to read the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I’ve made that commitment more times than I can count, and I’ve failed more times than I’d like to admit. But a few years ago, I tried something different—I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary. Did you know that Genesis wasn’t the first book of the Bible written? While these plans can vary, since it's impossible to pinpoint exact dates for some books, the plan I used began with the book of Job. Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, a book patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey ​that leads the reader
​through God's Word ​in chronological order of book authorship.

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON [HARDCOVER | PAPERBACK | KINDLE | AUDIOBOOK]

On Tuesdays, through the end of the year, I’d love for you to join me as we travel through parts of Sweeter Than Honey​ together! I also encourage you to join the private Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group, where you can share your thoughts and connect with like-minded, Christian friends.

Romans 1-3: By Faith and Through Faith

Romans is the longest of the Apostle Paul’s letters, sometimes called epistles, and I am so excited to dive into his letter to the church in Rome today! Paul uses this opportunity to write to the church and explain that salvation is offered by faith and through faith in Jesus Christ. 

In his letter, Paul tells the members of the church in Rome about God, Who He is, and what He has done to secure their redemption. He writes of Jesus Christ, what His death accomplished, what they were like without Christ, and who they are after trusting in Christ. This message is to us as well.

In these first three chapters, Paul wants the church members to understand two things:

1. The righteous will live by faith.
2. The righteous will live through faith.

First, Paul writes of living by faith. "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17). Paul actually quotes here from Habakkuk 2:4. Paul wanted the believers in Rome to understand that they were no longer to live by the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Then, Paul goes on to explain in this passage, as he quotes from Psalm 14:1-7 and 53:1-6, the righteousness of God through faith.

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is One—Who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law." Rom. 3:21-31

By faith and through faith, “for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned” (Romans 3:22-23).

​How does the understanding that "the righteous will live by faith and through faith" change the way you view your relationship with God and the role of grace in your daily life?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, it brings inspiration and insight that guides my day. Let's treat His Word as the Love Letter it truly is, finding peace in chaos and strength in our weaknesses.

​Even on our busiest days, we can carve out a few minutes to focus on what truly matters. Whether it's early in the morning when the house is quiet or late at night after everyone else is asleep, we can make time for God’s Word.

Let's be intentional, letting His truths inspire us to live out our faith daily, in a way that draws others to the peace and joy we've found in Him.

Remember, God sees you, knows you by name, and cares about every detail of your life. Let's dive into His Love Letter, together!

​My top tip for successful Bible study? Be intentional with a plan. Without one, it's unlikely to happen. That's why I created Sweeter Than Honey—to give busy women like us a manageable, attainable plan to read through the Bible in a year.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey inspired by Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” This book is designed to help you find peace amid chaos and strength in your weakest moments, all while encouraging you in your daily walk with God. Each day’s reading itinerary and devotion will guide you through God’s Word, in chronological order of book authorship, and by year's end you will have read through the entire Bible!

“You’ll find encouragement on every page of this book—encouragement to seek God above all else. The strong, spiritual emphasis will challenge you to turn to God for daily direction and experience His presence in a whole new and intentional way. Sweeter Than Honey will become more to you than just another daily devotional, it will become a keepsake as you record prayers and participate in thought-provoking, practical exercises that touch every aspect of your life and draw you closer to our Creator.” —from the Prologue

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What People Are Saying About Sweeter Than Honey

"Sweeter Than Honey is the devotional book I’ve been looking for! Patsy does a wonderful job of leading us into Scripture and helping us apply it to our lives. God’s Word sometimes feels irrelevant to modern-day Christian women—especially obscure passages of the Old Testament—but Patsy has a gift for helping us connect these unchanging truths with our present realities. This devotional book is leading me closer to the heart of the Father and challenging me to apply His written Word to my everyday life. Get a copy of the powerful devotional for yourself and for your friends. You will be inspired, equipped, and empowered to go deeper in faith and live out your faith in your everyday moments!" —Stacey Pardoe, Encountering God in the Ordinary

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