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.