Scripture for 1.16.2022

Congratulations on choosing to Read the Word! It’s that time again when people are making New Year’s Resolutions. One of the big one’s we’ve all probably made is to read through the Bible in a year. So we’re just peeking in on how others do it, or attempt to do it. Very few of us are as highly disciplined as we would like to be.

One reader on Huff Post whose opinion hit the nail on the head which we would agree with said,

“Reading the Bible is something best undertaken with other trusted people who are on the journey too. So skip the John-Wayne-lone-cowboy methodhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1523XkfNhUqxtnn5G1Gy41-r8tI1YwH1a/view?usp=sharing most of us default to at first and go right to the better option of reading the Bible together. Other people will hold you accountable to your reading goals, but even more importantly, they’ll be a sounding board when you don’t understand something or want to discuss how the Bible applies to your life today.”

NewYearsResolution2022

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS-READ MY BIBLE

What is your New Year’s Resolution re your Bible Reading plan? If you write it down you are far more able to complete your goal.

One very successful person said, “One can’t make it in life as a wandering generality.” Meaning you have to be specific in setting your life goals.

“A survey in 1953 conducted at Yale University stated, that among the graduating seniors only 3% had taken seven steps as it related to setting goals, while only 10% had taken three steps. The final 87% had no definite plan or idea on how to proceed! And that was Yale University!

Fast forward 20 years. “The 3% who had set dates, listed obstacles, identified people, groups and organizations and what they needed to know, had a game plan of action, had WRITTEN IT DOWN IN MINUTE DETAIL, written down what’s in it for me, written down measureable goals–>>ACCOMPLISHED MORE THAN THE OTHER 97%!!

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. -Proverbs 21:5.

“Take hold of instruction, do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.” Proverbs 4:13

ANNUAL BIBLE READING CALENDAR

At Exploring God’s Library we take special care to put out an annual reading calendar calibrated to the year we are actually living in with all of its holidays.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1523XkfNhUqxtnn5G1Gy41-r8tI1YwH1a/view?usp=sharing

COACHING SESSION

Tuesday evening 6-7pm Pacific Standard time on Facebook Exploring God’s Library Group.

Each Tuesday evening we meet online for an hour and review the readings, define terms such as doctrines which appear in the course of reading select passages for the week, introduce a resource such as a commentary or Biblical help such as a Bible Dictionary or Concordance, which may help one understand a passage or build a library, and share links to other vital resources which may assist you in reading through the Bible with greater understanding.

YOU TUBE CHANNEL

Don’t forget to subscribe to our curated You Tube channel for more valuable resources as well. Make sure you look at our playlists which are extensive. Exploring God’s Library You Tube Channel.

Bible Reading Plan for 2022

So you start off your year with a list of goals and that includes the discipline of reading the Bible in a year. Then comes February and the normal litany of excuses we’ve all made at one time or another arise. It really serves no good purpose here to regurgitate them. You know all too well what I am talking about. You’re not alone. That’s one club that has far too many members

So let’s talk solution. There are numerous charts and suggestions on how to read through the Bible. You’ve probably used them or seen them at one time or another. No problem there. But it is like having a map which you pick up at a gas station. It may get you to point B or C. However, the problem is that you don’t have an experienced guide who knows the route you need to take which avoids detours or which may direct you to more enjoyable scenery. We usually miss many interesting points along the way as we pass through the area at 65 mph.

There is a better way.

Whenever we travel to points unknown, we would first go the the Auto Club where one of the travel planners would pull out a triptik (c) and carefully add sheets and highlight the route which would detail what accomodations or points of interest are along the way which can make your trip more safe, enjoyable and fulfilling.

Difference between Bible Study and Bible Reading.

A: Bible study often refers to our own personal study as you seek to find answers to one of your questions or personal needs. It also at times refers to a study in a smaller fellowship which may choose to focus on a particular book or topic

A: Bible reading moves at a much faster pace in order to read through the entire Bible in a set period of time, be it a year or over three years.

The original Bible reading plan was established by the Jewish community in the 6th century B.C. during the Babylonian captivity when the Jewish community was in exile for 70 years. It was called the Para Shah which portioned out the readings of the Old Testament Torah over an entire year. In that way everyone was generally on the same page throughout the year which promoted their cohesiveness and communication.

Exploring God’s Library is more than just Bible Reading Plan

Q: I have my own preferred plan for reading through the Bible in a Year.

A: That’s great. We also used a special Bible for a number of years designed to read the Word in a year.

Q: What makes EGL different?

A: Design. We started Exploring God’s Library as a Bible reading program which incorporates the Para shah which Messianic Jews use to schedule the readings of the Torah, aka Pentateuch or first five books of the Bible. Jewish and Christian holidays and begins not on January 1 which is based upon the Julian Calendar, but upon the Hebrew Calendar which is tied to the lunar cycles and thus begins in the fall on Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year.

“Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Variations Between Revivals”- The Memorial Stones

As we read through the Book of Joshua God speaks to us about His mysterious work throughout the ages. In our garden, we whitewashed twelve stones and painted Scripture addresses on them which have been foundational in our walk with God. One of those Scriptures is “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

It is a testament of our faith in Jesus Christ which He miraculously bestows on each believer in His household if they are truly His. This verse we had framed and occupies a honored place before our front door as a reminder of our passage from darkness of idolatry into Jesus Christ’s glorious light. I must confess however, that I don’t remember it as often as I should. For many in the Jewish faith and for many Messianic Jews, and some Christians we place a mezuzah on the outside of our door which contains a very small copy of the Ten Commandments. It is not a lucky charm, nor is it required of us, but serves as a reminder of the faith we hold so dear. To love the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our mind and all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself.

And yet, it too can be reduced to a meaningless routine as we mutter prays before a meal. Why remember? We humans are forgetful creatures, easily distracted by the business of life. We all have heard of the tired husband coming home from work, ready to put his feet up and his wife asking, Honey, have you forgot what day it is? Thursday isn’t it? No dear its our wedding anniversary. So why the stones of remembrance? Joshua 4. To remember the great and awesome God we serve and His mighty deeds. It is a prompt for the next generation to ask, What is the meaning of these stones? Joshua 4:5-6. Our LORD Jesus Christ, speaking to the Pharisees who questioned Him saying, why are the people giving praise to Him ( as He entered Jerusalem on a donkey that Palm Sunday long ago). They knew the crowd was praising God and that it meant that Jesus did not renounce the claim that He is God. Jesus replied in Luke 19:40. “I tell you if these should keep silent the stones would immediately cry out!

We are commanded in Deuteronomy 11:19, speaking of teaching your children His words, “you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” In Deuteronomy 6:9, you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones was at one time a doctor to English royalty, who grew tired of healing those who turned around and went back out to sin some more. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest expository preachers of the early 20th century