5-Day Bible Reading Plan: Moving From the Outer Courts to Intimacy
-Pastor Banks
Day 1: From Bronze to Gold - Your Increasing Value in Christ
Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-10; Malachi 3:2-3
Devotional:
Just as gold increases in value through the refining fire, your worth in God's eyes grows as you draw closer to Him. You began at the altar—forgiven and cleansed. But God doesn't want you to remain there. He calls you from bronze to gold, from the outer courts into His holy presence. The trials you face aren't meant to destroy you; they're purifying fires that remove impurities and reveal Christ in you. You are part of a royal priesthood, chosen and precious. Stop seeing yourself through the lens of your struggles. God sees you as refined gold—valuable, reflective of His glory, and worthy of intimate relationship. Today, embrace your identity as His treasured possession and allow the refining process to increase your value in kingdom purposes.
Day 2: Fresh Bread for New Battles
Reading: Exodus 25:23-30; John 6:35, 48-51
Devotional:
The showbread in the tabernacle was replaced weekly because God doesn't serve leftovers. Yesterday's manna won't sustain today's warfare. Many believers are spiritually malnourished because they're trying to fight present battles with past revelations. Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life"—not "I was" but "I am." He offers fresh sustenance daily. Old prayers won't defeat new devils. Stale obedience won't birth fresh breakthrough. God invites you to His table every single day, not just on Sundays. Stop surviving on spiritual scraps when a feast awaits you. Position yourself in His presence daily to receive the fresh word, fresh strength, and fresh anointing you need. Make time to sit at His table today and feast on His Word, allowing it to strengthen you for whatever lies ahead.
Day 3: From Spectator to Priest
Reading: Hebrews 10:19-22; Revelation 1:5-6
Devotional:
Only priests could eat the showbread—not the crowd, not the curious, not the casual. God is calling you from spectatorship to priesthood, from observation to participation. Too many believers remain in the outer courts, content to watch others worship while they spectate. But through Christ's blood, you have been granted access to the holy place. You're not called to just talk about Him on Sundays; you're called to encounter Him daily. Stop dating Jesus and enter into covenant relationship with Him. This requires moving past the crowd into intimate spaces where it's just you and Him. The veil has been torn. You have priestly rights. Don't settle for watching from a distance when God has set a table for you in His presence. Step into your priestly calling today.
Day 4: God Supplies What You Cannot
Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16; Matthew 6:25-34
Devotional:
The widow of Zarephath faced impossible circumstances with only enough for one final meal. Yet when she prioritized God's prophet first, her supply never ran out. God specializes in making something from nothing. He fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, leaving baskets of leftovers. Your limitations don't limit God. He sees what's coming before you do and has already prepared provision. Stop trying to figure out how God will meet your needs—that's His responsibility. Your responsibility is to trust Him and put Him first. The same God who numbers the hairs on your head and feeds the sparrows will not neglect you. You are worth far more than many sparrows. Release your pity party and enter your praise party. Where you focus determines what flows. Today, choose to trust that Jehovah Jireh, your provider, has already supplied your need.
Day 5: Abiding, Not Just Visiting
Reading: John 15:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2
Devotional:
There's a difference between visiting Christ and abiding in Him. Dating involves occasional encounters; marriage requires daily presence. Many believers visit Jesus on Sundays but avoid Him the rest of the week. God desires more than weekend visits—He wants continual communion. The showbread remained on the table always, symbolizing God's constant presence and provision. He didn't say "occasionally" or "when convenient"—He said "always." Abiding means staying connected to the vine, dwelling in His presence, making your home in Him. When you abide, you encounter Him daily, not just acknowledge Him weekly. Intimacy requires consistency. You can't fight Monday's battles with Sunday's anointing. Make the decision today to move from casual visitation to committed habitation. Set up residence in His presence, and watch how everything changes when you stop just visiting and start abiding.
Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-10; Malachi 3:2-3
Devotional:
Just as gold increases in value through the refining fire, your worth in God's eyes grows as you draw closer to Him. You began at the altar—forgiven and cleansed. But God doesn't want you to remain there. He calls you from bronze to gold, from the outer courts into His holy presence. The trials you face aren't meant to destroy you; they're purifying fires that remove impurities and reveal Christ in you. You are part of a royal priesthood, chosen and precious. Stop seeing yourself through the lens of your struggles. God sees you as refined gold—valuable, reflective of His glory, and worthy of intimate relationship. Today, embrace your identity as His treasured possession and allow the refining process to increase your value in kingdom purposes.
Day 2: Fresh Bread for New Battles
Reading: Exodus 25:23-30; John 6:35, 48-51
Devotional:
The showbread in the tabernacle was replaced weekly because God doesn't serve leftovers. Yesterday's manna won't sustain today's warfare. Many believers are spiritually malnourished because they're trying to fight present battles with past revelations. Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life"—not "I was" but "I am." He offers fresh sustenance daily. Old prayers won't defeat new devils. Stale obedience won't birth fresh breakthrough. God invites you to His table every single day, not just on Sundays. Stop surviving on spiritual scraps when a feast awaits you. Position yourself in His presence daily to receive the fresh word, fresh strength, and fresh anointing you need. Make time to sit at His table today and feast on His Word, allowing it to strengthen you for whatever lies ahead.
Day 3: From Spectator to Priest
Reading: Hebrews 10:19-22; Revelation 1:5-6
Devotional:
Only priests could eat the showbread—not the crowd, not the curious, not the casual. God is calling you from spectatorship to priesthood, from observation to participation. Too many believers remain in the outer courts, content to watch others worship while they spectate. But through Christ's blood, you have been granted access to the holy place. You're not called to just talk about Him on Sundays; you're called to encounter Him daily. Stop dating Jesus and enter into covenant relationship with Him. This requires moving past the crowd into intimate spaces where it's just you and Him. The veil has been torn. You have priestly rights. Don't settle for watching from a distance when God has set a table for you in His presence. Step into your priestly calling today.
Day 4: God Supplies What You Cannot
Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16; Matthew 6:25-34
Devotional:
The widow of Zarephath faced impossible circumstances with only enough for one final meal. Yet when she prioritized God's prophet first, her supply never ran out. God specializes in making something from nothing. He fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, leaving baskets of leftovers. Your limitations don't limit God. He sees what's coming before you do and has already prepared provision. Stop trying to figure out how God will meet your needs—that's His responsibility. Your responsibility is to trust Him and put Him first. The same God who numbers the hairs on your head and feeds the sparrows will not neglect you. You are worth far more than many sparrows. Release your pity party and enter your praise party. Where you focus determines what flows. Today, choose to trust that Jehovah Jireh, your provider, has already supplied your need.
Day 5: Abiding, Not Just Visiting
Reading: John 15:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2
Devotional:
There's a difference between visiting Christ and abiding in Him. Dating involves occasional encounters; marriage requires daily presence. Many believers visit Jesus on Sundays but avoid Him the rest of the week. God desires more than weekend visits—He wants continual communion. The showbread remained on the table always, symbolizing God's constant presence and provision. He didn't say "occasionally" or "when convenient"—He said "always." Abiding means staying connected to the vine, dwelling in His presence, making your home in Him. When you abide, you encounter Him daily, not just acknowledge Him weekly. Intimacy requires consistency. You can't fight Monday's battles with Sunday's anointing. Make the decision today to move from casual visitation to committed habitation. Set up residence in His presence, and watch how everything changes when you stop just visiting and start abiding.