Reading the Old Testament

Let's begin at the beginning!

Try to continue your three chapters a day. I've begun a notebook for recording thoughts, observations, etc. as I read. Begin with Genesis, Chapter One.

God looked at his handiwork each day and saw that it was Good (as it should be).

Please begin whenever you are ready. I'll try to get back "into the swing" of posting on, or just prior to, Wednesdays.

Blessings. We will be reading for a long time... all the way through the Old Testament. As always, I may slip up here and there. Bear with me. This will be a wonderful experience!

SG

Ron DeCianni

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Wonderfully inspired artist.

#1 - Key New Testament Books

It is recommended in Tim LaHaye's book, How to Study the Bible for Yourself, that we reach each of the following books/selections once-a-day for 30 days. However, I'm going to suggest we vary this plan.

Instead, let's read each of the following books twice (once per day). After these 16 days, we will return to the first of these New Testament readings and re-read each book/selection once more (once-per-day). At the close of 24 days, we will have read each of the following three times through.

1. 1 John,
2. Ephesians,
3. Philippians,
4. Colossians,
5. 1 Thessalonians
6. James
7. Romans - chapters 5-8
8. John - chapters 14-17

This is indeed a milestone in our Bible-reading journey. May you be thoroughly blessed and encouraged during these next 24 days.

I apologize that I haven't posted in awhile. However, I've already begun this reading and I hope you are able to finish this section shortly behind me. :-)

OT#10 - Proverbs and the Psalms

Psalm 122 is described as "stepping into the presence of God. What Jerusalem was for the Israelites, the church is to the believer" (from my NIV introduction to this Psalm). I quote the text of Psalm 122 below, but every time the word "Jerusalem" is mentioned, I'm adding within parentheses the words "our Church."

"I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD." Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem (our Church).

Jerusalem (our Church) is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel. There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace* of Jerusalem (our Church): 'May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.'

For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.' For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity."

*Bible footnote: The peace sought in these verses is much more than the mere absence of conflict. It suggests completeness, health, justice, prosperity, and protection. The world cannot provide this peace. Real peace comes from faith in God because he alone embodies all the characteristics of peace. To find peace of mind and peace with others, you must find peace with God."

I'm hoping that you're no longer waiting for me to post in order that you may continue reading. I continue to read, even though I don't seem to get the chance to post. (I admit that my reading has been sporadic this Spring/Summer, however.)

Since the last post, you should have read Proverbs 8 through 24 (today is July 24) and Psalms 88 through 128. Thank you for keeping up. This continues our practice of reading three chapters per day.

There are 31 days in July. This means that by July 31, we will have read every chapter in Proverbs three times (with time to read a few select chapters to fill out the month) and every chapter in the book of Psalms (chapters 1 - 131).

I will wait to post again at the end of this month.

May God continue to bless us in our readings and in our understanding. May He bless us with additional insight and wisdom. And may we each be a blessing to someone, somewhere, at some time through the remainder of this month. Amen!

OT#9 - Proverbs and the Psalms

"O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you." Psalm 89:8


This is our third time reading through Proverbs. At the close of this book, we will have also read through the entire book of the Psalms once. Yea!


This Week's Assignments:
Wed: Please read Proverbs 28 and Psalms 75 and 76;
Thurs: Please read Proverbs 29 and Psalms 77 and 78;
Fri: Please read Proverbs 30 and Psalms 79 and 80;
Sat: Please read Proverbs 31 and Psalms 81 and 82;
Sun: Please read Proverbs 32 and Psalms 83 and 84;
Mon: Please read Proverbs 33 and Psalms 85 and 86;
Tues: Please read Proverbs 34 and Psalms 87 and 88.


"For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
Psalm 86:10-11

OT #8 - Proverbs and Psalm

Spring Blossoms

Viburnum burkwoodii 'Mohawk'

This week's schedule, beginning with this evening, is as follows:

Wednesday, April 21 - Proverbs 21, Psalms 61 and 62;
Thursday, April 22 -- Proverbs 22, Psalms 63 and 64;
Friday, April 23 ------ Proverbs 23, Psalms 65 and 66;
Saturday, April 24 --- Proverbs 24, Psalms 67 and 68;
Sunday, April 25 ----- Proverbs 25, Psalms 69 and 70;
Monday, April 26 ---- Proverbs 26, Psalms 71 and 72;
Tuesday, April 27 ---- Proverbs 27, Psalms 73 and 74.

We've nearly read the book of Proverbs twice through, already. Scripture says of Solomon, "Before him there was none greater, neither would there be after him." "And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon's wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men . . . and his fame was in all the surrounding nations." (1 Kings 4:29 - 31 NKJV).

Tim LaHaye comments, "I believe the book of Proverbs contains the basic principles that God wants you to obey in order to be happy and productive. He even promises that keeping them will lengthen your life (Proverbs 9:10,11).

Continue to read and check in here for next week's assignment. Blessings.

OT#7 - Proverbs and Psalm

This is the schedule for this week, beginning today:

(amaryllis blossom - 8" across!)

Wednesday, April 14 - Proverbs 14 and Psalm 47 and 48;
Thursday, April 15 - Proverbs 15 and Psalm 49 and 50;
Friday, April 16 - Proverbs 16 and Psalm 51 and 52;
Saturday, April 17 - Proverbs 17 and Psalm 53 and 54;
Sunday, April 18 - Proverbs 18 and Psalm 55 and 56;
Monday, April 19 - Proverbs 19 and Psalm 57 and 58;
Tuesday, April 20 - Proverbs 20 and Psalm 59 and 60.

Have a wonderful week.
SG