The LAST Weekly Bible Reading Update

I finished reading the OneYear Bible NLT! I have been thinking that recording my Bible reading for anybody to read might have been a bit much. Maybe it was boring to some, or maybe it seemed like I was showing off. Thank you for hanging in there with me - I needed to be able to record it because typing it up helped me stay accountable. Did I always understand what I read? No! Do I remember everything that I read? No Way! Was I always focused when I read? Of course not. I can say that making it a discipline to read the scripture changed my life and I hope that I remember that this next year and for years to come.

The December 30th passage, Malachi 2:15-16

15 Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his.^[a] And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,^[b]” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”

The passage in Proverbs, speaking of the virtuous woman, from the December 31st says:

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Sometimes I scoff at this lady, but truly I admire her. If only I could be like her. I am still a work in progress. God bless you in the new year as God continues to work in you!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am sitting here at my in-law's house enjoying the cold snowy weather. I missed writing last week, but the weekend before was filled with moving. Because of the move, out internet was disconnected and it won't be re-connected until we get back from our Christmas trip. I hadn't been writing about our trip, because we were trying to surprise Kirk's mom and dad. Although, Kirk and I messed up several times, we did succeed in pulling off a great surprise!

I am almost to the end of reading in the One Year Bible. Moving and getting ready for the trip kept me very busy, so I had gotten behind in my reading. I just caught up today. The passage that I want to highlight for last week's reading was in the December 16th reading. Micah 6:8 "No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

The passage I want to highlight in this week's reading is in yesterday's reading, December 22nd, Proverb's 30:18,19 "There are three things that amaze me - no, four things that I don't understand:how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman."

God bless you this week and I hope that you have a happy Christmas day and that you take time to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Weekly Bible Reading

I am posting a day early, but I have a busy week and I wanted to get this done.I am still caught up on my reading, but I am highlighting December 5th's reading in Hosea.

Hosea 1:2 NLT "When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute,^[b] so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”

The story of Hosea always speaks to me. Paralleling God's relationship with Israel to having a relationship with a prostitute is a very vivid picture to me. The end of the story is even more inspiring - that Hosea brings his wife back to love just how God brings Israel back to Himself to love. AND the real story is that He is that way with us. He wants to redeem us from our sin. That reminds me of my favorite book called Redeeming Love, written by Francine Rivers. It might seem like a book just for females, but I encourage men to read it as well. It is a powerful story, written with the story of Hosea in mind - read it, I know you will love it.

Weekly Bible Reading Update

November 21st reading:

1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
9 How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.

With this year coming to an end soon, I have been contemplating what I will do in the new year after I finished my One Year Bible. This Psalm is a good reminder of the power of God's Laws and His Word.

I have decided not to read it again, but I am planning to read Beth Moore's Praying God's Word. She also has a book about praying God's Word everyday. I hope to get that (maybe that would be a good Christmas present). There are 15 chapters plus an introduction, so I will probably be posting on that the first 16 weeks of the new year. Maybe you would like to buy the book and follow along and keep me accountable. Please do.

God bless you this week as you celebrate Thanksgiving. One thing that I am thankful for is being able to read God's Word and it blessing my life. Try it.

Weekly Bible Reading Update

October 28, Titus 3:1-8 NLT

1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.^[a] 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

I thought that this passage was useful to me as we draw to a close in this election season. The pastor's sermon at my church was also a great reminder. He is preaching on the Lord's Prayer. As you are voting, remember, "Your will be done." Not your will, God's will. I think it puts the election and voting process all in prospective. It also reminds me that you and I don't have to have it all worked out because God does. That is called faith. Your propositions and your candidates might not win, but God is taking care of the future. Are you ready to see what happens? I am. That is one of my favorite parts of my faith, is seeing how God works. I don't always like the process, but I like the end result. Have faith and be hopeful! God bless and have a great week!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

(I know that I haven't posted pictures of Kirk's car, but it is not working at the moment, so I am waiting. I wanted to take some picture at another location, but since it isn't running properly, the pictures are on hold. Sorry!)

I read October 8th in the OneYear Bible today. I am s l o w l y catching up. Today I read about wives submitting to husbands - not my favorite topic. I am a rebel when it comes to that subject. However, I have to keep reminding Kirk that it could be worse. On Saturday, we were in the Target parking lot waiting to turn the corner, but we were being held up by a van that was in the way. The man/husband was sitting in the driver's seat and woman/wife came out of Target and insisted that the man/husband get out so she could drive. I could tell that the man was wanting to drive, but he did move and let the woman drive. I do not know the background story here, but this woman didn't care that she was holding up traffic, she wanted what she wanted. I don't think that I am that bad. I have rebellious feelings about this verse because that is the part highlighted, but not the next part, "Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly." Everyone has definite opinions about how women can SUBMIT, but where are those definite opinions about how men can LOVE? I think it is inconsistent. Just tell me I am wrong, I would love to hear about it.

Anyway, the few verses I really want to highlight are also out of Colossians.

3:23 & 24, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ."

4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

4:5 & 6, "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."

I pray that those verses remind you today of how we should live. Do your work as if working for the Lord. Pray alertly and thankfully. Also, converse graciously. God bless you today, I have to go now and do the Lord's laundry and His dishes and pick up His clothes and clean His bathroom. (I hope I haven't confused you here, not Kirk's , but God's - remember do our work as if we were working for Him. Maybe that way of thinking might help me be a little more cheerful about housework and a little less grumbly.) Have a great day!

Weekly Bible Reading Update

I am so embarrassed, I am still behind and I am getting worse, AND I have no excuse. Even when I have a good excuse, there are NO excuses for not reading the Bible. I hope those out there that are trying to read scripture are doing a better job than I am and I want to encourage you to keep at it. I am always more blessed after I have read Scripture. I can't give up. This is the furthest I have ever gotten in the year trying to read the One Year Bible. I just have to keep trucking and making this a Spiritual Discipline. It is important.

I got up early this morning and I read 4 days worth of scripture and I finished August 1st. (I wanted to try to get caught up, but my family started getting up and when that happens, all hope is lost.) I think Romans, the way it is written, can be a hard read. I am still interested in doing a study on Romans. There are parts of Romans that are real encouraging and simple for this simple mind. For instance, Romans 15:5-6 NLT says, "May God, who gives patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for the followers of Christ Jesus. Then all you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I hope and pray that you will live in harmony with other Believers, God will give you the patience and encouragement to do that. We know that some take more patience than others, but just the same, it is important. Have a great week!