Reading the Bible in 90 Days
I’d like to say after a lot of prayer and contemplation, God spoke to me and told me to take on the challenge of reading the bible in 90 days. In actual fact it was Mr Isaacs following me around with a paper and pen, asking if he could add me to the list of participants, had I gone from a maybe to a right on definite! So I said yes, why not, I’d read the bible before, so doing it in 90 days, how much of a challenge could that be!
Well, I started two days behind everyone else, then got three days ahead (smugness, not a virtue the big guy likes us to have! and I am talking about God here not Mr Isaacs!). Then I fell by the wayside and trailed behind by nearly four days at one point! But as always God removed many obstacles from my path (smugness been one of them!) and sure enough I finished the book of Revelation right on time not a minute too soon or a minute too late!
Many lessons were learned along the way, discipline and time keeping were two of the practical ones; God demonstrates both of these to perfection and with absolute love for his people. The evidence for this is overwhelming throughout the bible, especially in some of the old testament books, let’s face it in the book of Exodus, he sets his people free from slavery, meets their every need and what do they do? Whinge! Wow, does that sound familiar!
During my big catch up on the readings I had missed, I was mistaken for a homeless person, (those of you who know my dress sense might think an easy mistake to make!) Seriously, I was sitting in the sunshine on a park bench, somewhere in Brussels, shoes off, legs crossed, reading my bible on an Amazon kindle! (I do have to add, I had just bought some cheap looking silk flowers for a work project and they were strewn across my knee!) When a very sweet lady walked passed and popped money into my shoe! I tried to explain I wasn’t begging but she insisted I keep the money. Many other people of course had walked by me that day. I felt very humble indeed!
So, what were the benefits of reading the bible in 90 days, I hear you ask, well it is just a fantastic way of soaking up God’s word, it can bring up some interesting questions and situations and it absolutely makes you find time for God. We all like to think we do that anyway and it doesn’t have to be done in 90 days, but the sad truth is most of us don’t! The joy for me has been the passion and desire to keep soaking up this wonderful book, because 45 minutes reading a day, is really very doable and reaps a multitude of benefits! I even found myself interested in the book of Numbers, now if that’s not God working in me what it is!
So next time you see Mr Isaacs with a list, ask what it is first before you head for the nearest exit!
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
Day 66 - Jonah and a 1 verse summary of the Old Testament
It is both a good thing and a bad thing that Jonah is so well known for having been swallowed by the big fish. A good thing in that practically everyone has heard of Jonah, even if some people think he doesn't exist. He is referred to in 2 Kings 14:25, so his existence is better attested to than some of the other prophets. The bad news is that as a result, it seems harder to get beyond the fish.
This is a shame as Jonah is a very interesting prophet. Told to go the very headquarters of the most evil and ruthless empire the world had seen, not surprisingly he legs it the other way as far as he can go. What is more interesting is the justification Jonah gives. it is not out of fear that he runs away, but because he knew that God wanted to forgive the Assyrians, and he wanted God to destroy them instead (Jonah 4:2).
In Jonah's prayer in chapter 2, there is a good 1 verse summary of the consequences of our decision on whom to worship:
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
Can I also recommend this 50 minute radio programme with Michael Card, Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor talking about Jonah.
This is a shame as Jonah is a very interesting prophet. Told to go the very headquarters of the most evil and ruthless empire the world had seen, not surprisingly he legs it the other way as far as he can go. What is more interesting is the justification Jonah gives. it is not out of fear that he runs away, but because he knew that God wanted to forgive the Assyrians, and he wanted God to destroy them instead (Jonah 4:2).
In Jonah's prayer in chapter 2, there is a good 1 verse summary of the consequences of our decision on whom to worship:
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
Can I also recommend this 50 minute radio programme with Michael Card, Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor talking about Jonah.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Day 61 - Ezekiel's vision of the Temple
Ploughing through the very detailed description of Ezekiel's temple at the end of the book, I was struck by the question - why didn't the returning exiles use this design when they came back to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel?
I think the simple explanation is that they chose to use the same dimensions as for Solomon's temple. I guess this is understandable. Would they have recognised Ezekiel's prophecy? If they did, how would they have reached the decision to prefer Ezekiel's vision to the temple they were mourning?
Am I correct in thinking that the design for the temple came from David and is not set out in scripture, unlike the Tabernacle?
Questions, questions? Can anyone shed any light on this?
I think the simple explanation is that they chose to use the same dimensions as for Solomon's temple. I guess this is understandable. Would they have recognised Ezekiel's prophecy? If they did, how would they have reached the decision to prefer Ezekiel's vision to the temple they were mourning?
Am I correct in thinking that the design for the temple came from David and is not set out in scripture, unlike the Tabernacle?
Questions, questions? Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Day 54 - Isaiah 66:19 - Jeremiah 10:13: Let me boast in this
Jeremiah 9:23-24:
This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Day 45 (Valentine's Day) - A verse about money
This verse leapt out from our reading today -
Proverbs 3
9 Honour the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
I know that some people are frustrated that there has been so much talk at St Paul's recently on the extremely worrying financial position of the church. Indeed, it would be fair to say that noone is more frustrated at having to mention it that Chris, because he wants us to look focus on everything God is doing in and through his people in Tervuren. However, the reality is that we are currently looking at a critical shortfall, which potentially could mean that we are unable to meet our commitments.
How to respond? Do we grumble and groan that they are banging on about money yet again? Do we harden our hearts as we and all of God's people are prone to do (Ps 95:8)?
Or do we instead turn and repent of our greed and idolatry and seek to honour God with our wealth, with the best part of our produce? Surely this is the correct response - as we offer up ourselves daily to be a living sacrifice, as we seek to renew our minds daily, to take up our cross daily, as we seek daily to become more like Jesus, shouldn't we seek to honour God every day with our wealth, with the best of what we have.
Proverbs 3
9 Honour the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
I know that some people are frustrated that there has been so much talk at St Paul's recently on the extremely worrying financial position of the church. Indeed, it would be fair to say that noone is more frustrated at having to mention it that Chris, because he wants us to look focus on everything God is doing in and through his people in Tervuren. However, the reality is that we are currently looking at a critical shortfall, which potentially could mean that we are unable to meet our commitments.
How to respond? Do we grumble and groan that they are banging on about money yet again? Do we harden our hearts as we and all of God's people are prone to do (Ps 95:8)?
Or do we instead turn and repent of our greed and idolatry and seek to honour God with our wealth, with the best part of our produce? Surely this is the correct response - as we offer up ourselves daily to be a living sacrifice, as we seek to renew our minds daily, to take up our cross daily, as we seek daily to become more like Jesus, shouldn't we seek to honour God every day with our wealth, with the best of what we have.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Days 36-38 - Thoughts on Job
I know this is slightly out of sequence, but I have been mulling over Job for a couple of days now. One of the points that I had in mind when starting Job was to try to be clear what is was that Job's friends said about God that was inaccurate.
My impression is that they had a very simplistic, almost binary view of God and God's law - if everything was fine and you were healthy and wealthy, you must be righteous; if you were suffering it was because you must have sinned. Yet at the beginning of Job, God pronounces that Job is righteous (1:8). Indeed we can only be righteous in God's sight, if God imputes His righteousness to us. 2 Cor 5:21 tells us that God does this through Jesus and his death for us on the cross. The basic truth is that we cannot earn the status of righteousness through our own actions. As Elihu says in Job 35:6-8:
6 If you sin, how does that affect God?
Even if you sin again and again,
what effect will it have on him?
7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him?
What could you possibly give him?
8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself,
and your good deeds also affect only humans.
The point is God is God and we are not. This and this were quite helpful in this.
There were a few verses which stood out for me:
Job 9:33-35 -
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.
Also 16:21 - "I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends."
Compare that with1 Tim 2:5, "For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus".
Job 13:16 - "But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him".
Compare this with 2 Tim 2:11-13
11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
But the one verse I have taken away with me is 19:25-27, which gives a clear a statement of believe in the resurrection as anything in the Old Testament:
25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
26 And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
27 I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!
My impression is that they had a very simplistic, almost binary view of God and God's law - if everything was fine and you were healthy and wealthy, you must be righteous; if you were suffering it was because you must have sinned. Yet at the beginning of Job, God pronounces that Job is righteous (1:8). Indeed we can only be righteous in God's sight, if God imputes His righteousness to us. 2 Cor 5:21 tells us that God does this through Jesus and his death for us on the cross. The basic truth is that we cannot earn the status of righteousness through our own actions. As Elihu says in Job 35:6-8:
6 If you sin, how does that affect God?
Even if you sin again and again,
what effect will it have on him?
7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him?
What could you possibly give him?
8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself,
and your good deeds also affect only humans.
The point is God is God and we are not. This and this were quite helpful in this.
There were a few verses which stood out for me:
Job 9:33-35 -
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.
Also 16:21 - "I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends."
Compare that with1 Tim 2:5, "For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus".
Job 13:16 - "But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him".
Compare this with 2 Tim 2:11-13
11 This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.
But the one verse I have taken away with me is 19:25-27, which gives a clear a statement of believe in the resurrection as anything in the Old Testament:
25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
26 And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
27 I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!
Day 40 - Psalm for the day
Reading through the bible as we are doing presents particular difficulties when reading the psalms, as the tendency is to want to linger over each of them. I have no obvious suggestion to offer on this, but to try and enjoy them as much as time allows. One psalm struck me today in our times of uncertainty, particularly verse 7. Enjoy!
Psalm 39
For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath. Interlude
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.
Psalm 39
For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.
8 Rescue me from my rebellion.
Do not let fools mock me.
9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word,
for my punishment is from you.
10 But please stop striking me!
I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.
11 When you discipline us for our sins,
you consume like a moth what is precious to us.
Each of us is but a breath. Interlude
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord!
Listen to my cries for help!
Don’t ignore my tears.
For I am your guest—
a traveler passing through,
as my ancestors were before me.
13 Leave me alone so I can smile again
before I am gone and exist no more.
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