Psalm 119:65-80

It took about 5 minutes to read this passage. One of the thoughts repeated here is the delight that comes from God's word (vss 70 & 77). Too often Christians view the Bible as a burden to be avoided. I have seen many people challenged to read the Bible daily, but only a few have allowed God's word to get under their skin, and into their heart.  I too have found God's word to be a delight; a source of joy and peace for all the times of life.
Stuart

1 Timothy 1-3

Paul reminds Timothy of the tasks he had been assigned to complete while in Ephesus; Keep the Christians focused on the Gospel, pray for civil leaders, and guide with the appointment of elders.  This letter doesn’t appear to be addressing any serious problems like the Corinthian letters, but he does hope to encourage Timothy regarding these weighty matters.  It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Nehemiah 11-13

This passage took me 20 minutes to read, and it was a very difficult read.  I would hate to read it out loud.  For here Nehemiah lists the names of the leaders of the people who took up residence in Jerusalem, even though their inheritance was actually somewhere else in Israel.  Nehemiah describes this as a bold move, and refers to these people as courageous.  To live in Jerusalem was to leave the planting and harvesting of the gardens on the inherited land to others, or not at all.  Therefore, there was a greater dependence upon God.  There was also the issue of the continued threat against Jerusalem’s wall by her enemies.  Nehemiah names those who made that sacrifice of faith.  He also speaks of the lapse of faithfulness while he was away from Jerusalem.  The people were violating the Sabbath, and intermarrying with those outside of the covenant.  Nehemiah called them to account, with physical force as needed.  All of these actions Nehemiah offered to God; as he stated in the last line of his book.

Stuart

Psalm 119:33-64

It took almost 10 minutes to read these four stanzas. But one word I noticed in each is: promise.
Vs 38 - Fulfill your promise. . .
Vs 41 - . . . as you promised;
Vs 49 - Remember your promise . . .
Vs 58 - . . . In keeping with your promise.
Our God is one who makes, remembers, and keeps His promises; all of them. He may not answer us in our timing, but the answer is always coming. God promised; that all we need to know..
Stuart

Nehemiah 8-10

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read this passage.  Each chapter speaks of the humility and reverence of those Jewish worshipers.  They had seen the fulfillment of God’s promise to punish Israel, but also to restore them.  They had learned the truth that the prophets spoke to their fathers and they sought God’s gracious favor.  Chapter 9 is a powerful confession of the sins of Israel.  To say such things would be to humiliate themselves before God, and to take ownership of the sins their fathers had committed.  In confessing them, they were recommitting themselves to be under God’s authority.  We, in the American church should be doing the same thing; confessing the sins of our “fathers” in the church but also the leaders of this land.

Stuart

Psalm 119:1-32

This longest of psalms has been broken into numerous parts, so that the entire psalm is read over many days. I spent a little over 5 minutes reading this portion. Verses 11-13 are some of the keys I seek;
Treasuring the Words in my heart,
Teach me your ways,
I will proclaim with my mouth.
These are three very critical lessonsa that I need to allow God to apply in my life.
Stuart

Nehemiah 4-7

God had burdened Nehemiah to lead the effort to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. There were enemies nearby who tried to discourage the work with jeers. There were other enemies nearby who sought to stop the work by issuing threats. Others sought to bring legal action against them, accusing them of planning a revolt. Even creation "fought" against the work, for there was a drought and famine. Because of these conditions those within the assembly, who were focused on their own gain, took advantage of those worked, and sold some into slavery. Nehemiah stuck to his plan, and in spite of the obstacels, God brought about the completion of the project.
It took about 20 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Psalm 118

God's grace endures forever. Again and again the psalmist speaks of the great and gracious acts that God fulfills in the lives of His people. Many modern songs were birthed from the loins of this.psalm of praise, and they all go back to that same message: God's grace endures forever. Even the words of proclamation as Jesus entered Jerusalem where from this psalm. But we must remember how those events re-enforced the root message of this psalm: God's grace endures forever.
It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage. The reading plan had this psalm broken up over two days. I read it in one setting.
Stuart

Nehemiah 1-3

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read this passage. The book begins by recounting the boldness of Neheniah to request of thr king of Persia a leave to return to the land from which he was exiled. The king granted his request. The king granted him another request; to provide letters of approval of the work Nehemiah was to perform. So he began the task of rebuiding the wall. All of chapter 3 speaks of who led the construction on each part of the wall. Progress way made because the.people worked with one purpose, and it was not a focus on personal gain. The gain realized was for the good of all Israel.
Stuart

Ezra 8-10

It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage. A second group is Jews returned with Ezra to Jerusalem. But when they arrived they found that many of Israel's leaders had forsaken God's covenant by marrying women who were not of Israel. Ezra displayed his remorse and disgust at this transgrssion, and led the restoration of the hearts of the refugees. And he succeeded! This is a display of the effectiveness of those who humble themselves before God.
Stuart

Psalm 117

The question is not; how long did I read? Rather the question is; why haven't I memorized THIS psalm. I counted 22 words in the transaltion I'm reading this year. But the message God delivered through this shortest of psalms makes one of the broadest statements in the Bible: God's garce is for all people, therefore all people should come before him in worship and praise.
Stuart

Ezra 5-7

I had a couple interruptions while reading this passage, so the total clock time was 2 hours, but I only spent about 20 minutes reading.

Today’s reading was all about persevering as well.  Whereas 1-4 ended with the withering of Israel’s resolve to rebuild the temple, 5-7 shows God raising up people who will challenge the order to halt construction, the work progressing, and the enemies of Israel being forced to pay for the re-construction of the Temple; an order given by two different kings.  That is very encouraging when God moves heathens to fulfill His plan; an act of providence that we still see played out in modern times.

Stuart

Psalm 116

It took a little less than 5 minutes to read this psalm. Verse 13 stuck out to me: "I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of Adonai." I'm not sure of this allusion of salvation as a cup. That is worth further investigation.
Stuart

Ezra 1-4

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. The beginning of Ezra's story is an emotional rolller-coaster. Though the exact time frames isn't laid out, I can see the anticipation for the work of rebuilding the temple by the people of Israel, and the anxiety about this effort by the peoples surrounding Jerusalem. Eventually the work of rebuilding was halted by the political talk of those opposed to God's command. Though the text doesn't say so, the returned exiles apparently complied to this order without an appeal to the king. Maybe they were intimidated by the show of physical force by their enemies. Regardless, it resulted in a halt to the work.
Stuart

Psalm 115

I finally found a poem that makes complete sense to me. Too bad it was written centuries ago by a poet who's name has been lost. It is a psalm that is much too concrete for David. So I'll never know who wrote it. It presents a very simple message: we become what we worship. (See verse 8) the second half od the psalm re-enforces this truth by declaring that God is a blessing, so all who have faith in Him will also become blessing: through what God gives them and what we pass on to others.  No wonder He deserves our praise - verse 1.
It took about 5 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

2 Corinthians 10-13

Paul lays out the great truth regarding the power of those who carry the Gospel;  that they are weak.  Paul says that the effectiveness of his work with the Gospel was due to the weakness in his life.  Though he had “everything” going for him, they meant nothing.  He seems to indicate that the “thorn” God gave him that impeded his physical abilities was used by God to display the supernatural power at work in Paul’s body through the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, it not ability, charisma, degrees, oratory, or pedigree that produces effective people in God’s eyes.  It is the weak and humble, in the eyes of everyone, who produce the greatest results.

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

Psalm 114

It took only 1 minute to read this psalm, but the message within can carry us through a lifetime. Amazing events occurred in the natual world as Israel come out of Egypt and, eventually, entered the promised land. The psalmist call creation to give an account; to explain why nature acted so un-natural. The psalmist responds; the presence of the LORD Adonai is why. Nature knows it's maker and responded accordingly.
Stuart

2 Corinthians 7-9

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. In the first chapter Paul talks about the benefit of discipline, though he doesn't use those words. When Christians work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit the pain of discipline produces life. If we work outside of the Spirit all our efforts will only produce death.
Then Paul spends the next two chapters talking about the bounty that is ours in Christ as we give our monetary gifts to the work of God's kingdom. To reenforce his words Paul quotes from Exodus 16:18 and Psalms 112:9.
Stuart

2 Corinthians 4-6

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. Paul's first words in chapter 4 set the foundation for many things in our lives. I seldom equate mercy as the seed for courage. But that is what Paul says. So all of the mercy that God pours into our life, through Christ's sacrifice, can keep us from discouragement. It can simultaneously fill us with courage. We need rescue from discouragement because often the tasks God assigns us seem fruitless for long periods of time. But God's mercies can allow us to see past the present doldrums, and into the abundant harvest that He has prepared for us to receive; sometimes in this life, but always in eternity.
Stuart

Psalm 113

Wow! I'm not sure why I don't remember the power in this psalm. Here's some thought from the folllowing passages:
 Vss 5-6: God is so far above us, so much superior to us, that it is a humiliation, an insult, to His nature to even cast a glance our way. Now consider the afront to His nature to listen to our prayers. Next ponder how awful it was to lower himself into our "cesspool" and join the insignificant in the mire. Then he allowed that which the very existence is appalling to God's nature snuff out his physical life; this was the gravest of compounded insults.
Versses 7-8: what God did next was unbelievable. He took that puddles of insulting sewage called humanity, and offered us a place on his throne. Swill covered in royal adornment.
Verse 9: The change of heart that God brings into our lives is like the joy of a mother of many children. What is so wonderful about this is that our righteousness is so far below God that we are infertile and barren.
It took me 15 minutes to record my thoughts, and about 60 seconds to read the psalm.
Stuart

2 Corinthians 1-3

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. Paul covers a lot of topics here, but an idea from each of the last two chapters caught my attention.
Chapter 2:14-16 - Our fragrance
When we live out our faith to the heathens we will smell rotten and foul. But to other Christians it will be a very pleasing arroma; the smell of life.
Chapter 3:4-6 - Our confidence
Because of God's grace we can have a confidence that will puzzle others. It is not a confidence based on what we CAN do or HAVE done, but rather a confidence based upon God's nature.
Stuart

Psalm 112

It should be obvious from looking at the list of entries on this blog that I have difficulty, like most people, disciplining myself to read consistently. I allow the insignificant, and seemingly urgent things of life get in my way of time in the word. We need to remember to press on, and not become discouraged.
It took just a couple of minutes to read this psalm. I can't help to think that 112 is related to 111. They both spak of the fear of Adonai God. This psalm talks of the fruit that God brings about in the life of those who fear Him. Even from a purly pragmatic perspective; fearing God make sense.
Stuart

Psalm 111

It took less than 5 minutes to reads this psalm that speaks of God's great provisions. Then the psalmisat concludes with a very powerful statement:
"The first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of the LORD....."
It really does make sense to seek after God. If we truely seek after Him, we may begin with selfish motives, but He will slowly transform the desires of our heart. (No, I didn't get all that out of Psalm 111. But I think it fits well with the rest of scripture)
Stuart

Obadiah

It only took a few minutes to read this minor prophet’s words.  Yet they support the lesson Paul recounts in Romans 12:19.” Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”

When we seek revenge, it could be that, we nullify God’s sense of justice and hamper Him from acting further.

Stuart

2 Chronicles 34-36

It took me two sessions of 10 minutes to read this passage. This passage begins with the good news of the acts of King Josiah.  He was very good in following  God, but when God spoke through the king of Egypt (35:22), Josiah ignored the words and paid with his life.  The 31 years of good that Josiah had done were undone in less than 11 years.  It was so bad that God saw no recourse but to send Judah into captivity.  Yet the very end of the book is filled with God news.  While this earth remains God has not said NEVER to people who would seek Him.  I believe he will continue to leave that door open as long as there are people here.  God moved the king of Persia to send the people of Israel back to the promised land.

Stuart

Psalm 110

Melchizedek; the priest of God most high and King of peace. No known parents, no recorded date of death. His rule must have been one without attack or rebellion. I wonder if all of Melchizedek's enemies were in submission to him (make your enemies your footstool)? He must have ruled with the wisdom of Solomon, and the passion for God of David. There were many High Priest who followed Aaron, but we remember few of their names. But we remember Melchizedek's name.
It took just a couple of minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 31-33

It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage. The first two chapters focus on two events in Hezekiah's rule; the people's revival (return to God) after that "first" Passover celebration during Hezekiah'sa reign, the tests that Hezekiah faced to display his faith. It is interesting to note that chapter 32 draws the contrast betweens Hezekiah's obedience and the terror of the invading army. Yet God allowed this to expose Hezekiah's faith.
The last chapter details the rule of Hezekiah's faithless son, Manassa. But like Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, when this king repented and turned to God, he was forgiven and resatored.
Stuart

Psalm 109

This is a psalm for those 9th beatitude people. "When people insult you, revile you, and say all sort of evil falsely against you because od me." (Matt 5:11) David wrong a song when he was in that same situation; and he was in that situation numerous times. What was the lesson that God sought to teach him, and us? That God meets out justice; our priority is to serve God. Faith will guide us. The Holy Spirit will enable us.  But we must walk that walk.
This psalm took about 10 minutes to read.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 28-30

Jotham's son Ahaz learned nothing from his father, regarding obedience to Adonai God. So he fell into the same traps as the kings of Israel. Ahaz's son Hezekiah learned a lot of good from his grandfather, or what NOT to do from his father, or both. Hezekiah chose to follow God with all of his heart, in spite of the people's desire to purusue other gods. The writer spend two chapter focusing on the first Passover after Hezekiah's rise to power.
It took about 15 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart

Psalm 108

It took me only 5 minutes to read, and ponder briefly, David's words. The words that struck me strongest were in verse 12; "human help is worthless.". How many times during the reign of the kings od Judah did they forget these words of their forefather?
After reading this psalm I wondered if this were one of the songs he sang for king Saul before David began leading Israel's army?
Stuart

2 Chronicles 25 - 27

Three more chapters in this book, and three more kings were describe; about 20 minutes of reading.
Amaziah followed some of God's laws, but rejected Him more the older the king grew. Uziah followed God's laws until he was given success. Then he thought he had accomplished everything and rejected God. Jotham was faithful, while his people were not. God allowed him to build up the city of Jerusalem.
Stuart

Psalm 107

It took me about 10 minutes to read this psalm. This is another psalm that sings of Israel's needs and Adonai God's even greater provisions. What a contrast between most popular songs and many praise choruses.  Too often the focus is on God's greatness and Jesus' grace. But far too often the terrible state of our sinfulness is glossed over, or not mentioned. I know that I do not linger on the old hymns that address our sinful state. But that is a reminder that I need to hear often.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 19-24

It took me about 30 minutes to read this passage. Though it is tempting to take the vacation time and get WAY ahead of the reading schedule, the point in the schedule it to develope the discipline of Bible reading. Today provided the opportunity to read a little bit ahead.
This passage dealt with the rule of the rulers Jehosaphat, Jorham, Ahaziah, Athaliah, and Joash. Repeatedly, these kings had lives very similar to ours; failure then obedience, surrender and sinfulness. Regardless of our position in life we face the same trials, and are called to follow God's law at all times.
Stuart

Psalm 106

It took me about 15 minutes to read this psalm. It recounts Israel's flight from Egypt and the people's repeated failures to trust in God's ability to provide for whatever they needed. Every time they tested Him, many of the people received His grace. Even in their captivity, according to verse 46, they were treated with compassion.
These are lessons that we need to remember about our God.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 16-18

This passage took about 15 minutes to read. Chapter 16 deals with the end of King Asa's reign. Though he had been faithful to God through most of his years, but when Judah was attacked by Baasha king of Israel Asa quit relying on God to provide. He died in the stubborn refusal to be reconciled with God.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 8-15 & Psalm 105

Thankfully I was able to "catch up" on my reading today.  It took about 30 minutes. The Chronicles readings covered the later part os Solomon's rule, and that of Rehoboam, Abijah, and Asa.
Psalm 105 recounts God's work of providence from the time of Joseph through the many wonderous ways he provide for Israel as they wandered through the barren wilderness. This took a little over 5 minutes to read.
Stuart

Psalm 104

This past weekend was very busy, and I have gone from one day ahead in my reading to two days behind. Fortunately, vacation will provide the opportunity to catch back up.
It only took about 7 minutes for me to read this psalm. Two verses stood out for me:
24 - which speaks of the vastness and wisdom in God's creation.
34 - "May my musings be pleasing to Him;" I need to allow all my thoughts to rest on God's word and His nature.
Stuart

Psalm 103

Oh, what a wonderful message of praise David penned!! This psalm needs to be the focus of our life. These words need to flow off of our lips. Bless (speak favorablely about) our God and King.
It took about 3 minutes to read this psalm.
Stuart

Psalm 102

Verses 25-28 speak volumes about God's eternal nature: He doesn't change. I think that it is so amazing, and so much like God; that when we bring our concerns and complaints ands totally give them over to Him something happens to our words. They change, like this psalm, from words of complaint and pleading to words of thanksgiving and praise.
It took me about 10 minutes to read this psalm.
Stuart

2 Chronicles 1 - 7

I read chapters 1-4 yesterday, but didn’t get my thoughts posted.  I read chapters 5-7 today.  It took about 20 minutes each day to read each passage.

The first 4 chapters detail the efforts and costs under Solomon to build the temple.  This passage is a summary compared to the record in 1 Kings.  Chapter 5 summarizes furnishing the temple.  Chapter 6 is Solomon’s prayer of dedication, and chapter 7 shows God’s response; the initial manifestation of fire, and His vision and answer to Solomon’s prayer in a dream.  It is interesting to note that God’s response to Solomon’s prayer included a warning (7:19-22).  God is always faithful to His nature.

Stuart

1 Corinthians 15 - 16

The resurrection is a sure thing. Yet Paul explains that we will have a difficult time trying to understand it. But it is an assurance that fills us with hope for eternity. But he also notes that we have hope in this life because of Christ. I wonder if we are too satisfied with this life, so that in Christ we only hope in the next life.
Stuart