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

Please click on this link:
http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS

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

#6 The Books of Proverbs and Psalms

"I pray not only for them [disciples], but also for those who believe in me because of their message. I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you...." John 17:20-21



Are you enjoying your second read through Proverbs? I am!

Wednesday's reading was Proverbs 7 and Psalms 33-34;

Thursday's reading is Proverbs 8 and Psalms 35-36;
Friday's reading is Proverbs 9 and Psalms 37-38;
Saturday's reading is Proverbs 10 and Psalms 39-40;
Sunday's reading is Proverbs 11 and Psalms 41-42;
Monday's reading is Proverbs 12 and Psalms 43-44;
Tuesday's reading is Proverbs 13 and Psalms 45-46.

My Good News Bible gives an outline for the contents of the Proverbs:
1) In praise of wisdom . . . 1.1 --- 9.18
2) The proverbs of Solomon . . . 10.1 --- 29.27
3) The words of Agur . . . 30.1-33
4) Various sayings . . . 31.1-31

The 150 Psalms are divided into five collections:
Psalms 1 - 41;
Psalms 42 - 72;
Psalms 73 - 89;
Psalms 90 - 106;
Psalms 107 - 150.

#5 Skipping forward... Hope You've Continued Your Reading!

Wishing you a Blessed Easter

This photo shows one of the final steps in creating a pysanky (that of melting away the beeswax to reveal the finished design).

Pysanky is the art of Ukranian egg decorating. The egg symbolizes perfection, in that is has the capability of beginning and sustaining life within its perfectly formed shell. Symbols are drawn with a tool called a kitska, which is, traditionally, heated by the flame of a candle and filled with melted beeswax. Through a series of drawings and dyebaths, the egg continues to be covered with more and more beeswax. This photo shows the design as it is being revealed.

Traditionally, pysanky are given as gifts at Easter. The symbols and colors represent meaningful prayer-wishes.

My computer had to see the "doctor" during the past week or so.

In the meantime, I'm hoping you continued reading the three chapters per day, as usual.

Our last assignment had us reading through Proverbs 23 and Psalm 3-4.

This week's assignment begins with today:

Wednesday, March 31 - Proverbs 31 and Psalm 19-20;

(Tomorrow begins our second reading through the book of Proverbs)

Thursday, April 1 - Proverbs 1 and Psalm 21-22;

Friday, April 2 - Proverbs 2 and Psalm 23-24;

Saturday, April 3 - Proverbs 3 and Psalm 25-26;

Sunday, April 4 - Proverbs 4 and Psalm 27-28;

Monday, April 5 - Proverbs 5 and Psalm 29-30;

Tuesday, April 6 - Proverbs 6 and Psalm 31-32

#4 - Proverbs and Job

A Welcome Sign of Spring.

This week's assignments:

Wednesday, March 17 - Proverbs 17 and Job 33, 34

Thursday, March 18 - Proverbs 18 and Job 35-36

Friday, March 19 - Proverbs 19 and Job 37-38

Saturday, March 20 - Proverbs 20 and Job 39-40

Sunday, March 21 - Proverbs 21 and Job 41-42

Monday, March 22 - Proverbs 22 and Psalm 1-2

Tuesday, March 23 - Proverbs 23 and Psalm 3-4


That's right. We will finish Job this week and begin the Psalm book.

#3 - Proverbs and Job

This is the study book we are using.

Assignment #3

We will read according to this schedule:

Wednesday, March 10 - Proverbs 10, and Job 19 and 20;

Thursday, March 11 - Proverbs 11, and Job 21 and 22;

Friday, March 12 - Proverbs 12, and Job 23 and 24;

Saturday, March 13 - Proverbs 13, and Job 25 and 26;

Sunday, March 14 - Proverbs 14, and Job 27 and 28;

Monday, March 15 - Proverbs 15, and Job 29 and 30;

Tuesday, March 16 - Proverbs 16, and Job 31 and 32.

OT#2 - Proverbs and Job

You will find this week's reading assignments below.

(daughter Cheryl's calligraphy)

Wednesday, March 3 - Proverbs 3, and Job 5 and 6;

Thursday, March 4 - Proverbs 4, and Job 7 and 8;

Friday, March 5 - Proverbs 5, and Job 9 and 10;

Saturday, March 6 - Proverbs 6, and Job 11 and 12;

Sunday, March 7 - Proverbs 7, and Job 13 and 14;

Monday, March 8 - Proverbs 8 and Job 15, and 16;

Tuesday, March 9 - Proverbs 9 and Job 17 and 18.

OT#1 - Beginning the Old Testament

(daughter Cheryl's calligraphy below)

The wisdom books of the Old Testament include Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Tim LaHay, author of How to Study the Bible for Yourself suggests reading these books in a slightly different (more helpful?) way. The assignment of the daily reading of these books will proceed as follows:

Read one chapter of Proverbs daily, and then read two chapters of the other wisdom books, daily, beginning with Job, then Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and lastly Song of Solomon.

Since there are 212 chapters in all of Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), you will find that in less than four months --- by reading one chapter daily of Proverbs and two chapters daily of the other wisdom books --- you will have read them through once and Proverbs four times.

To fill in the remaining 32 chapters (because this actually takes 3 1/2 months), check the psalms you enjoyed most as you read them, and reread the 30 you liked best along with your Proverbs chapter each day.

Because there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, you will be able to read the chapter that coincides with the calendar... and doubling up on the months that are 30 days long, you will stay in sequence.

I've provided a link (click on the link for each day, below) for a devotional reading that will perhaps prepare us for the Old Testament readings that will begin on Monday, March 1.

Are you ready?

Wednesday, February 24: Click here for today's Upper Room Devotional reading

Thursday, February 25: Click here for today's Upper Room Devotional reading

Friday, February 26: Click here for today's Upper Room Devotional reading

Saturday, February 27 Click here for today's Upper Room Devotional reading

Sunday, February 28 Click here for today's Upper Room Devotional reading

Monday, March 1 - Proverbs chapter 1, and Job chapters 1 and 2;

Tuesday, March 2 Proverbs chapter 2, and Job chapters 3 and 4;


Enjoy the devotionals. Be prepared to take notes as we do our first reading of the Old Testament. Please leave a comment... I'd love to "converse!" :-)

Meet you back here next Tuesday afternoon!
SG

Getting Ready for the Next Step in Bible Reading

We have had a wonderful adventure, in that we've read the New Testament twice since beginning Wednesday, March 4, 2009. Hasn't it been wonderful to have everything become much more familiar?

Take a breather now, for tomorrow you will find a new post outlining the next step in our Bible Reading Plan. :-) We'll begin reading the Old Testament... in an engaging way.

A quotation provided by Tim LaHaye in our book 'How to Study the Bible for Yourself' is found on page 16. "Confucious was once asked by one of his students, 'Does it help to pray for our sins?' to which he is said to have replied, 'I'm not sure, but it can't hurt to try'."

Quoting Tim LaHaye's response to the above quotation: "That is no help at all! Only the Bible teaches that God does in fact answer prayer, and only the Bible-taught Christian fully enjoys that confidence."

God's blessings to you... see you tomorrow!

#31 Revelation

My Good News Bible states that The Revelation to John was written at a time when Christians were being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. The writer's main concern is to give his readers hope and encouragement, and to urge them to remain faithful during times of suffering and persecution.

By reading three chapters per day for six days, and four chapters on the seventh, you will finish Revelation this week. If you decide to read at a quicker pace (as I did), please read it again! Or portions of it.

Photo taken from Euro-Weekly News (on-line)

**** "Our Lord and God! You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. For you created all things and by your will they were given existence and life." Revelation 4:11

and to Jesus,

**** " The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!" Revelation 5:12

This is a Southern California Storm Satellite photo taken from The Huffington Post (on-line)

May we so look forward to our own eternal future- rejoicing and exclaiming as we joyfully live forever in glory and goodness and in the very presence of our God! Amen!

#30 - James through Jude

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. " --- C. S. Lewis

We begin this week's reading with the book of James. It has five chapters. We will take two days to read it. Likewise with 1 Peter. This week's schedule looks like this:

Wednesday - James, chapters 1 - 3
Thursday - James, chapters 4 - 5
Friday - 1 Peter, chapters 1 - 3
Saturday - 1 Peter, chapters 4 - 5
Sunday - 2 Peter, chapters 1 - 3
Monday - 1 John, chapters 1 - 3,
Tuesday - 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.

Last March 4 (2009), we determined our goal to read the entire New Testament twice! And so, it won't be long before we'll have realized that goal. :-)

Praise God for his faithfulness, goodness, and grace each day this week.

#29 - 1 Timothy 4 through Hebrews 9

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31


All the letters written below were by Paul, excepting Hebrews. My Life Application Study Bible indicates the author could be Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Philip, Priscilla and others. The author was not recorded. Whoever wrote this text speaks of Timothy as "brother" (13:23). The Good News Bible does not venture to state the name of the author of Hebrews; simply referring to the author as "the writer."

Wednesday - 1 Timothy, chapters 4 - 6;
Thursday - 2 Timothy, chapters 1 - 4;
Friday - Titus, chapters 1 - 3;
Saturday - Philemon, chapters 1 - 3;
Sunday - Hebrews, chapters 1 - 3;
Monday - Hebrews, chapters 4 - 6;
Tuesday, Hebrews, chapters 7 - 9.

Perhaps you could discern the concern of the writer of Hebrews. The letter "was written to a group of Christians who, faced with increasing opposition, were in danger of abandoning the Christian faith*." Can you note instances where the writer was encouraging the people in their faith and in the truths upon which they could stand? Are these yet applicable to you and me as Christians today?

God's Blessings as you read again this week.

#28 - Ephesians 4 through 1 Timothy 1 - 3

You are going to think we're "flying" this week! The next few books are very short; some of which we'll finish in one day or so.

Wednesday - Ephesians, chapters 4 - 6;
Thursday - Philippians, chapters 1 - 4;
Friday - Colossians, chapters 1 - 3;
Saturday - Colossians, chapter 4 and 1 Thessalonians, chapters 1 - 2;
Sunday - 1 Thessalonians, chapters 3 - 5;
Monday - 2 Thessalonians, chapters 1 - 3;
Tuesday - 1 Timothy, chapters 1 - 3;

Note Paul's earnestness. Note the desire he has that he would take no authority upon himself, save that given him by the Lord. Note that he would have all peoples see Jesus through his words and deeds.

It is my challenge to myself that I would be this earnest and diligent. Something to strive for, indeed.