Monday, July 26, 2010

8 Down

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth...FINISHED!

I will finish 1 Samuel today and head into 2 Samuel.  I am really loving reading the Bible in 90 days.  Some things have better context than the Sunday school lessons give.  Patterns are falling into place.  Lessons are being learned.  And God is using it to convict me.  All of that is great!  

Well, this is super short because I need to go read!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Leviticus, part 2

I really enjoyed reading Leviticus.  I was dreading it a little because of what I had heard from others.  So I armed myself with my highlighter and set to it.  What really jumped out at me at the end of Leviticus was how often the Lord said:
I am the Lord. 
or:
I am the Lord, your God.
and a couple of times:
Be holy because I am holy.

First, I think Leviticus is important because it helps us understand Jewish culture and that will be important in understanding future passages.

Second, you can see how God is protecting His people from hurt or damage.  Each rule is designed to protect them.  He cares deeply.

But more than that, God is showing us that He is Lord.  He is sovereign.  He rules over all.  And He is holy...He is giving them a way to have a relationship with Him by making themselves clean.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Leviticus

I am finished with Genesis and Exodus and halfway through Leviticus.

I wrote earlier about the SOAP method.  I'm putting that on the back burner and will give it a go the next time I read through the Bible.

Instead, I'm just highlighting passages that jump out at me.

For example, Leviticus 5:1 is highlighted:
If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.
What I take from that is that we are to speak up for the truth.

Another verse highlighted is Leviticus 5:4:
Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil - in any matter one might carelessly swear about - even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty.
In other words, take your words seriously.  Be careful what you promise.

And Leviticus 10:3:
Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all people I will be honored.'"  Aaron remained silent.
Two of Aaron's sons (priests) were struck dead because they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord.  God's commands are serious.

This is further than I've ever made in a reading-the-Bible program.  I look forward to finding nuggets in other lesser-known/read books of the Bible.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

SOAP

What is SOAP?  Good question.  Here's a great synopsis.  Since I am doing the 90-day Bible reading, I wanted it to be more than just a goal.  I want God to use this to change me.  So I am going to use the SOAP method.

It's funny.  As I read, verses that you think should jump out and grab you, don't.  You know, the ones you are familiar with from Sunday School or sermons.  Oh, sometimes, they do, but not like some other verses.

I would like to share some of my SOAPs here.  But a word to the wise...I am not a learned Bible scholar; just a mom working her way through the Bible and asking God to show me His heart.  These are my thoughts and insights.  I am open to people sharing theirs as well.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

My Peach Tree...No Burning Bush, but....

My peach tree is no burning bush, but I sense God's message all the same.  Granted, it's not an audible voice, but it is a gentle tug on my heart.

Here is my peach tree:


It's not what you expected is it?  When we moved into our house 6 years ago, it was a proper tree, all upright and proud.  Then a few years ago, a spring storm blew through and I woke up to this:



This portion of the tree was on the ground.  The other half was still standing tall.  I was sure that it was dead.  It had been battered and beaten by that storm.  I noticed a couple of weeks after the storm that the leaves were all still green...and it was producing fruit!  How odd and cool!  And it's been that way since.  It has changed because of the past storm, but it was now thriving.

Then, this spring, another storm blew through and this happened:


I wondered if that would be the end of my tree.  Well, it wasn't.  Two months later and it still has its fruit growing and ripening.



The lessons I've learned:
  • Battered and bruised by this world, we can still produce fruit.
  • God is in control.  Even when we are at our lowest, He can bring forth fruit.
  • When we stand proud, we will be humbled.
  • God can take the most unfortunate circumstances and make it a blessing.

First Thoughts on 90 Days

Well, I started strong!  I've done 2 days of the 90 day reading schedule.  I am excited for this!

I've tried the reading in a year thing and it just doesn't work.  A year seems like a really long time.  It seems too difficult to commit to something every single day for a year.  I know, take it one day at a time.  But still, it has always seemed like such a long road to travel.

This 90 day thing seems just right!  Some say that it's not enough time to absorb deep meaning.  Maybe not, but I believe my God is bigger than that.  I will absorb the meaning He wants me to absorb during this first go.  I'm doing other Bible studies for deeper meaning.  Besides that, we can get something more each and every time we read a verse or passage.  I plan on doing the 90-day reading many times.  Each time, I'll discover new nuggets - just what my Lord wants me to see at the right time for me.

I love how God reiterates the covenant He made with Abraham with Isaac and then Jacob.

Lord, I pray for Your covering and Your protection over this group that is taking this journey.  Protect us from the enemy.  Open our eyes and our hearts to Your truth and let us absorb exactly what You want for each of us.  Let it strengthen us and be a refuge.  In Your Son's Holy Name I ask this.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Reading the Bible in 90 days

I've never read the Bible straight through.  It is something I have felt convicted about lately.

I came across this post this morning regarding this group doing that exact thing starting today.  Join us!

I'll post weekly (or more often) with thoughts, questions and insights.