New Year’s Resolution Read My Bible

“SKIP THE JOHN-WAYNE-LONE-COWBOY METHOD”

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

Joshua 21 Cities of the Levites

In today’s reading of Joshua 21 listing the Cities of the Levites, I noticed in 21:21 that God gave Shechem to be a city of refuge from the slayer to the Levites. Although we have not yet read about Dinah’s incident in Genesis 34, the connection to Joshua 21 will become more apparent, so remember that this particular city was assigned to the Levites. Hint. Levi was involved in an event which involved circumcision, a ritual which was only to be carried out by priests.

The other verses of note in Joshua are 21:43-45 which speak to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel.

Again because there are many place names and tribal names which are difficult to pronounce we listen to Alexander Scourby and “repeat after me” so to speak. You’ll begin to become more familiar as we proceed with these names. Don’t skip this practice. Do you like when a person mispronounces your name?

Joshua 18, 19, & 20

October 13, 2021

Note: I have not had time to listen to this particular Torah class all the way through. So if anyone does, your input would be appreciated. We are on this journey together. Please post your comments here on WordPress. If you have found a better lesson or sermon, YouTube elsewhere, please let us know.

We have included the two chapters as read by Alexander Scourby on Joshua 19 and 20 for your convenience.

https://www.torahclass.com/old-testament-studies-tc/39-old-testament-studies-joshua/309-lesson-21-joshua-18-19-20

Joshua 19. Inheritance of the tribes of Israel revealed by lot.

Joshua 20. Cities of Refuge.

Alexander Scourby Reads “Genesis 10-11 Tower of Babel and Abram

October 13, 2021

Approximate listening length 6 minutes which will cover two days of Genesis. Genesis 10 lists the nations descended from Noah. Chapter 11 Tower of Babel and the genealogy of Shem, leading to Serug, Nahor, Terah the father of Abram (who will later be renamed Abraham).

Lots of names and places. So to Alexander Scourby we go. Don’t skip it now. Read the names which will assist you in proper pronunciation. Got it? Remember every word is inspired by God, every jot and tittle. 2 Timothy 3:16 and profitable.

What amazed me as I read the names along with Scourby, was how God is so concerned with individuals and families. He knows us by name. Takes away our excuse when we meet our neighbor, “Oh, I’m bad with names.” You know, it’s just an excuse for lazy thinking. I was amazed by my old Ski racing Coach Robin Morning who remembered everyone’s name. She was on the US Olympic Ski Team.

And I am still amazed at my bride Elizabeth’s ability to do so as well! I am still working on my lazy nature!! What was his name? Immediately she will tell me.Lol. Happy listening. Listening to Scourby will definitely improve your English as well. Okay, to the Word!

“A Sure Word of Prophecy”

Just finished listening to Chuck Missler’s explanation of “the sure word of prophesy” (2 Peter 1:19) which echoes and magnifies the section on the odds of 8 prophecies coming true in Christ Jesus which I read of in Josh Macdowell’s “More Than a Carpenter”, the book our friend Laurie Matisse gave us back in 1984. All I have to say is Wow! Listening to the late Chuck Missler is like drinking out of a Biblical firehose. It’s a lot, so I took notes, but he speaks fast, so I just intently listened in on the journey he leads us on. He certainly knows the word well and exhibits a formidable mind and defended the Biblical faith with excellence.

Elizabeth and I were astounded how many items he speaks of confirm the very Scriptures we are reading this week, e.g., the daughters of Zelophehad (Hebrew) in Joshua 17:3-6).

Although wikipedia is a site with a dubious reputation at times, here’s a little quick background.


“The Daughters of Zelophehad (Hebrew: בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד‎) were five sisters – Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah – mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, (Numbers 27:1-11) who lived at the end of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt as they prepared to enter the Promised Land and who raised before the Israelite community the case of a woman’s right and obligation to inherit property in the absence of a male heir in the family. Zelophehad (meaning “dark shadow”), a man of the Tribe of Manasseh, had five daughters but no sons, and therefore no male heirs.[1]”

Here’s the link to Chuck Missler’s lecture on the “the more sure word of prophecy.” I think this will be of assistance in understanding the nature of prophesy as it appears throughout our readings this year. You will notice prophecies are listed as they appear in the readings on the right side of the reading calendar. We suggest you print it out for your convenience and keep it by your Bible to remind you of where we are in the journey. Don’t be distracted, but discipline oneself and create a time and place where you read daily. If you already have that discipline established, congratulations! Please let us know if you have printed out the schedule in the comments below. All the videos we speak of are not intended to distract you from your daily reading nor study of the Word. They are merely supplementary resources.

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https://youtu.be/8maQCszE91c

Joshua 16 & 17

As we read Genesis 9:24-27 today notice Noah’s curse of Canaan where he says, “So he (Noah) awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son (Canaan, the son of Ham) had done to him. Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren. And he said: Blessed be the LORD the God of Shem and may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth and may he dwell in the tents of Shem and may Canaan be his servant.”

And in Joshua 16:10, notice the binding fulfillment of this curse many centuries later. “And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.” In the King James version it is even clearer as it says, “And they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.” The term “serve under tribute” is particularly descriptive of Noah’s curse. A tribute is a payment required from people who are under the rule of another. Such was the case for Israel when they were under the rule of Babylon and other empires.

The Book of Joshua was written in diary form covering the years 1415 B.C. to 1389 B.C. Genesis covers 2165 B.C. to 1800 B.C. Note the over 400 year span between the two books, but how perfectly intertwined are the two, Scripture verifying Scripture wherein the Curse of Noah spoken to Canaan are fulfilled in the Book of Joshua over 4 centuries later. And even then the time of Noah preceded it being spoken of in the Book of Genesis. Is that clear to you?

Here is Alexander Scourby’s reading of today’s Scripture reading of Joshua 16.

Also notice in Joshua 17:13 again the forced labor of the Canaanites.