Sunday, February 28, 2010

90 Days: Day 59

Finished Lamentations and read Ez 1-12.

Bible In 90 Days: Jeremiah

For 1- 609, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions" link below.

610.  Jeremiah began his prophecies during Josiah's reign.  Jeremiah spoke of death and exile while Israel was ruled by a good king.
611.  When Israel is restored, it will no longer mourn for the "good old days" when it possessed the Ark.
612.  Like in Isaiah, Israel's idolatry is likened to adultery.
613.  God is not just concerned about Judah and Jerusalem; if they repent, all nations will be drawn to Him.
614.  Judah's punishments a message for all nations.
615.  Judah thought the Temple's presence would save Judah from destruction.
616.  Jer. 8:8- "How can you say, 'We are wise because we have the Law of the Lord,' when your teachers twist it so badly?"
617.  Boast in the Lord alone, who is just, loves forever and delights in these things.
618.  The Lord will punish all who are circumsized in body, but not in heart.
619.  The Lord will uproot all the nations surrounding Israel, but if they repent, they will be given a place among God's people.
620.  Even Jeremiah's own family turned against him.
621.  The Lord continually orders Jeremiah not to pray for Judah.
622.  In the future, Israel will remember returning to the land after the exile more than being brought out of Egypt.
623.  Only the Lord knows how wicked our hearts are.
624.  The people mock Jeremiah because judgement has been delayed.
625.  The Lord will judge Israel for doing business on the Sabbath, treating it just like any other day.
626.  The people plotted against Jeremiah, even though he pleaded for them.
627.  The Lord gave Judah a choice- death by war, plague or famine or captivity.
628.  If Judah repented and justice prevailed, God would not have brought judgement.
629.  The Lord would make sure the first exiles to Babylon would be treated well and return to the land and recognize that the Lord is God.  Those in Israel during the second exile will face utter destruction.  This was prophesied before the 1st exile.
630.  Did the Lord Himself cause the Kings to drink from the cup of the Lord's anger?
631.  King Jehoiakim is the only King of Judah or Israel to actually kill a prophet with his own hands- Uriah son of Shemiah.
632.  Israel and all the surrounding kingdoms were ordered by God to submit to Babylon.  Israel's later refusal to pay tribute to Babylon was rebellion against God.
633.  The Lord promised the exiles in Babylon that they could find Him if they sought Him, but they must stay in Babylon 70 years.
634.  Jer. 31:30- "All people will die for their own sins..." We are not punished for Adam's specific sin in the Garden.
635.  Jer. 31:38- "And I will give them one heart and mind to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their decendents."
636.  Jer. 31:40- "...I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me."
637.  Jer. 33:17-18- There will always be a king on David's throne (Jesus).  There will always be Levitical priests to offer sacrifices.  Are these priests those who follow Jesus, the royal priesthood?
638.  King Zedikiah freed the Hebrew slaves, but the people changed their mind and took them back.
639.  The Recabites didn't drink because their ancestor, Jehonidab, forbad them.  Yet the Lord repeatedly commanded Israel not to worship idols and Israel would not listen.
640.  It took one year for Jeremiah to dictate the Lord's messages to him onto a scroll.
641.  King Johoiakin and his officials showed no repentance when they heared the scroll read to them.
642.  King Zedikiah wanted Jeremiah to tell him what the Lord said, but had no intention of obeying.  He vowed not to kill Jeremiah, then told Jeremiah he would kill him if he told anyone the Lord told Zedikiah to surrender.
643.  The Judeans who fled to Egypt failed to trust in the Lord by staying in Judah.
644.  Jer 46:10- On the Lord's destruction of Egypt using the Babylonians- "...The Lord, the Lord Almighty, will receive a sacrifice today in the North country beside the Euphrates River."
645.  The Philistines will finally be destroyed by Egypt.
646.  Jer. 48:10- This is what the Lord says to those He uses to destoy Moab: "Cursed be those who refuse to do the work the Lord has given them, who hold back their swords from shedding blood!"  Still the Lord says He will restore the fortunes of Moab and the Ammonites.  The orphans and widows of Edom will be cared for by the Lord, even though Edom will be destroyed.  Babylon, which destroyed the Lord's temple, will not be restored.

Leviticus:

647.  Written in Jerusalem by Jeremiah after the exile.  Repentance for injustice, reliance on foreign allies.  The priesthood is condemned.  Laments the loss of Jerusalem's former glory.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

90 Days: Day 58

Finished Jeremiah and read the 1st chapter of Lamentations.  Impresions for both books will appear together either today or tomorrow.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Lesson Taught

Tonight I taught at the Grafton Road Church of God in Morgantown, WV.  I taught on praying in the name of Jesus and reflecting the nature of Jesus.  Perhaps I will post the lesson on my audio blog. 

90 Days: Day 55

Read Jer. 11- 23.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

90 Days: Day 53

Finished Isaiah.

Bible In 90 Days: Isaiah

For 1-572, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions" link below.

573.  The Lord wonders why Israel rebels after experiencing so much punishment.
574.  The sins of Israel consisted of crimes against the innocent as well as idolatry.
575.  Judgement will be felt first by the leadership and the women of Judah.
576.  Israel and Judah are pictured as an unfruitful vineyard.
577.  Isaiah was first cleansed and then ready for service.
578.  The prophesy of Immanuel was made in response to Ahaz's unbelief.
579.  Although the Lord uses Assyria for His purposes, He will destroy Assyria's army.
580.  Chaper 11- Prophecy of Christ attracting the nations.
581.  After Ethiopia experiences God's judgement, it will later worship in Jerusalem.
582.  Egypt, Assyria and Israel will worship God together.
583.  Tyre will be destroyed, then 70 years later, rebuilt, its wealth will provide fine food and clothing for the Lord's priests.
584.  Is. 25: 7-8- "In that day he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.  He will swallow up death forever!  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears..."
585.  Is. 26:3- "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you."
586.  Is. 26:10- "Your kindness to the wicked does not make them do good.  They keep doing wrong and take no notice of the Lord's majesty."
587.  Is. 26:19- "Yet we have this assurance: those who belong to God will live, their bodies will rise again!  Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy!  For God's light of life will fall like dew on his people in the place of the dead."
588.  The kingdom of Israel is run by drunkards.  It was angry that the Lord repeated His messages in simple terms, so now God will speak to them through the language of conquerors.
589.  Is. 29:18- "Destruction is certain for those who try to hide their plans from the Lord."  The wicked think God cannot see.
590.  The Lord's anger burns against Israel because Israel relied on Egypt instead of on Him.
591.  Is. 40: 27- Israel believes God does not hear of its troubles.
592.  What is it to be blind? To see and understand what is right but refuse to act on it.  What is it to be deaf?  To hear but not really listen.  Israel was deaf and blind to what the Lord required.
593.  The Law was to show the world that God was righteous, but Israel disobeyed.
594.  Idol makers never reflected that what they were making was a lie.
595.  God says in Is. 45: 19-"...I publicly proclaim bold promises.  I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so no one can understand what I mean..."
596.  The Lord is the source of our salvation, our righteousness, our strength.
597.  Even though Babylon was used to punish Israel, Babylon was punished for mistreating Israel.  Babylon felt it was self sufficient and accountable to no one.
598.  Isaiah prophesied of Cyrus to demonstrate that God is the only true God.
599.  A day of final vindication for Israel is coming.
600.  Is. 53- Prophecy of Christ as the suffering servant.
601.  Come to the Lord while there is still time to receive His abundant pardon.
602.  God will bless the Gentiles who keep His Sabbath.
603.  Is. 57:8- Idolatry is adultery.  Idolators search world wide for new gods to worship.
604.  True fasting is treating workers and the weak rightly, not accusing them falsely and keeping the Sabbath.
605.  Is. 58:13- "Keep the Sabbath day holy.  Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord's holy day."
606.  Is. 59:20- The Redeemer will buy back those who turn from sin.  The Lord's covenant is that His Spirit will never leave them.
607.  All the world will honor Jerusalem.
608.  Is. 61 read by Jesus in Lk. 4.
609.  Is. 65- There will be a new creation.    

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

90 Days: Day 48

Finished Ecc. and read all of Song of Solomon.

Bible In 90 Days: Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

I wrote nothing down for Song of Solomon.
For 1- 537, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions Link" below.

Proverbs:
538.  These proverbs give wisdom and discipline to all.  They make the simple minded clever and give knowledge and purpose to young people.
539.  Obedience to what parents teach is what allows grace to operate in your life and you receive honor.
540.  Wisdom reaches out to all, but the wicked reach a point of no return.
541.  Wisdom is to be actively sought after.
542.  Wisdom protects us from evil people.
543.  Trust in the Lord's wisdom, not your own.
544.  Wisdom brings honor, wealth and health.
545.  Do all the possible good to others that you can.
546.  Pr. 4:23- "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
547.  Mark a straight path for your feet, stick to it, don't get sidetracked.
548.  Stay true to your spouse.
549.  Work hard to avoid debt.
550.  The Lord hates haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who sows discord among brothers.
551.  Pr. 8- The advantages of wisdom are for all to see.
552.  Rebuking the unwise results in abuse, but the wise will love you for rebuking them.  The wise are able to grow in wisdom, the righteous in righteousness.
553.  Pr. 12:1- "To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction."
554.  Pr. 16: 1-2- "We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answers."
555.  Pr. 16:33- "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall."
556.  Pr. 19:21- "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."
557.  Pr. 20:11- "A simpleton can only learn by seeing mockers punished; a wise person learns from instruction."
558.  Pr. 22:3- "A prudent person foresees the dangers ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."
559.  Pr. 24:11-12- "Rescue those who are unjustly sentanced to death; don't stand back and let them die.  Don't try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn't know about it."  This verse implies that there are those justly sentenced to death.
560.  Pr. 24: 17-18- "Don't rejoice when your enemies fall into trouble.  Don't be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them"
561.  Pr. 25:20- "Singing cheerful songs to a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing one's jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in a wound."
562.  Pr. 26:2- "Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an unfair curse will not fall on its intended victim."
563.  Pr. 29:7- "The godly know the rights of the poor; the wicked don't care to know."
564.  Pr. 29:25- "Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the Lord means safety."

Ecclesiastes:
565.  Without God, no one is truly happy.
566.  Ec. 5:19- "...To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God."
567.  Ec. 6:10- "Everything has already been decided.  It was known long ago what each person would be.  So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny."
568.  Ec. 7:10- "Don't long for 'the good old days,' for you don't know whether they are any better than today."
569.  Ec. 7:21- "Don't eavesdrop on others--you may hear your servant laughing at you.  For you know how often you yourself have laughed at others."
570.  Ec. 9:18- "A wise person overcomes weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good."
571.  Ec. 11:4- "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."
572.  Ec. 12:1- "Don't let the excitment of youth cause you to forget your Creator..."    

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

90 Days: Day 47

Finished Proverbs and read 1st 2 chapters of Ecclesiastes.  Comments for Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon will appear together.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Sunday, February 14, 2010

90 Days: Day 45

Finished the Psalms and read the first six chapters of Proverbs.

Bible In 90 Days: Psalms

For 1-367, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions" link below.  Reminder: these impressions are just a record that I am indeed reading the daily readings as others in my church do.  Since Psalms is so voluminous and my time on the computer is limited, I will only leave a one or two sentance summary of each psalm.

368.  Ps. 1- Abide in the Lord always, then one always spiritually prospers.
369.  Ps. 2- God's Son is preeminent.
370.  Ps. 3- God is our shield, His omniscience and omnipotence protects us always.
371.  Ps. 4- Those who try to ruin our reputations should not make us consumed with anger.
372.  Ps. 5- Only God's guidance protects us from our enemies traps.
373.  Ps. 6- Forgiveness and restoration sought.
374.  Ps. 7-  The wicked fall into their own traps.
375.  Ps. 8.- God is all glorious and has given us authority on earth.
376.  Ps. 9.- v. 10.-"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you."  David prays that God would show the nations they are merely human.
377.  Ps.10- The wicked oppress the weak because they think God does not see.
378.  Ps.11-  Why fear the wicked when we know God is a God of justice.
379.  Ps.12-  The Lord will protect the weak from lying tongues.
380.  Ps.13.-  How long must we suffer?
381.  Ps.14.-  Israel suffers oppression which will be judged by God.
382.  Ps.15.-  Only the holy can enter God's presence.
383.  Ps.16.-  v. 10-"...for you will not leave my soul among the dead, or allow your godly one to rot in the grave."
384.  Ps.17.-  David had been tested and not found wanting.
385.  Ps.18.-  David praises God for final delivery from Saul.
386.  Ps. 19.-  On the natural world revealing God's glory, the goodness of God's Laws and a plea for God's cleansing.
387.  Ps. 20.-  David prays for 3rd parties.
388.  Ps. 21.-  David praises God for giving him all he desired.
389.  Ps. 22.-  The psalm Christ quoted from the Cross.
390.  Ps. 23.-  The Lord our shepherd.
391.  Ps. 24.-  God is creator.  Do not worship created things.
392.  Ps. 25.-  David asks God to forgive David of his past sins and show David the right way.
393.  Ps. 26.-  David does not keep company with sinners.
394.  Ps. 27.-  David rests in God's protection and prays he will enjoy God's presence forever.
395.  Ps. 28.-  David prays that he would not share the fate of the wicked.
396.  Ps. 29.-  David praises the awesome power of God.
397.  Ps. 30.-  When David sinned, the Lord turned away from him; when David repented, God forgave him.
398.  Ps. 31.-  David asks God to rescue him for God's name's sake.
399.  Ps. 32.-  The blessings of repentance.
400.  Ps. 33.-  Only God can save.
401.  Ps. 34.-  The Lord freed David from all his fears.
402.  Ps. 35.-  Those David showed kindness toward turned on him.
403.  Ps. 36.-  v.6- "Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice is like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike."
404.  Ps. 37.-  Don't fret over the transient good fortune of the ungodly.
405.  Ps. 38 and  39-  A prayer of repentance
406.  Ps. 40-  Praising God for past deliverences.
407.  Ps. 41.- Those who are kind to the poor will be treated kindly by God.
408.  Ps. 42.-  Our only desire should be for God.
409.  Ps. 43.-  A prayer to God to lead us into His presence.
410.  Ps. 44.-  Concerning God's dealings with Israel.
411.  Ps. 45.-  In honor of God's annointed King.
412.  Ps. 46.-  God protects Israel as he causes other nations to crumble.
413.  Ps. 47.-  In praise of God.
414.  Ps. 48.-  God's city is Jerusalem.
415.  Ps. 49.-  The rich in this world will lose everything in death; God can snatch us from the power of death.
416.  Ps. 50.-  God doesn't want sacrifices but wants us to give thanks, trust Him in times of trouble and fulfill our vows to Him.
417.  Ps. 51.-  David's repentance for adultry and murder.
418.  Ps. 52.-  God will punish the unrighteous like Doeg the Edomite.
419.  Ps. 53.-  All have turned from God.
420.  Ps. 54.-  David cries out to God after he has been betrayed.
421.  Ps. 55.-  David fears the ungodly around him more than a foreign enemy.
422.  Ps. 56.-  David trusts God, so he will not fear.
423.  Ps. 57.-  David praises God for delivering him from his enemies.
424.  Ps. 58.-  A plea to God to judge injustice.
425.  Ps. 59.-  A plea from David to God to destroy those seeking to kill David.
426.  Ps. 60.-  David asks God to go with him as he goes out to war.
427.  Ps. 61.-  David asks God to protect him since he follows God's ways.
428.  Ps. 62.-  Trust in God, not in riches.
429.  Ps. 63.-  v. 11- "But the king will rejoice in God.  All who trust in him will praise him, while liars will be silenced."
430.  Ps. 64.-  Liars are confident they will never be exposed.
431.  Ps. 65.-  God cares for all creation.
432.  Ps. 66.-  A call for all the earth to praise God.
433.  Ps. 67.-  A prayer for all the nations to praise God.
434.  Ps. 68.-  God enriches Israel and impovrishes Israel's enemies.
435.  Ps. 69.-  David prays that the godly would never be ashamed because of him.
436.  Ps. 70.-  Let those who trouble David be ashamed.
437.  Ps. 71.-  David had followed God all his life.  He pleads to God not to abandon him in his old age.
438.  Ps. 72.-  A prayer to God from David that Solomon will flourish and rule with justice.
439.  Ps. 73.-  Thanks to God for keeping Asaph from going the way of the wicked.
440.  Ps. 74.-  A plea to God to avenge His enemies for oppressing His people.
441.  Ps. 75.-  God will ultimately judge the wicked.
442.  Ps. 76.-  Asaph praises God for defeating Israel's enemies.
443.  Ps. 77.-  Will Asaph experience past blessings again?
444.  Ps. 78.-  A history of Israel's sin and God's choosing of Judah and David.
445.  Ps. 79.-  A plea to God to forgive Israel's sins and defeat Israel's enemies that mock God.
446.  Ps. 80.-  Asaph asks God to allow Israel to return to Him.
447.  Ps. 81.-  God freed Israel from slavery, but Israel followed other gods.  So God let Israel go its own way.
448.  Ps. 82.-  God judges those who are supposed to dispense justice.
449.  Ps. 83.-  Asaph asks God to destroy Israel's enemies as He had done in the past.
450.  Ps. 84.-  Desire to worship God in the Temple rather than waste time in rich houses.
451.  Ps. 85.-  The Lord will put away His anger at Israel.
452.  Ps. 86.-  No pagan god hears us like the God of Israel.
453.  Ps. 87.-  All those from other nations will become citizens of Jerusalem.
454.  Ps. 88.-  Don't let me die; can the dead praise the Lord?
455.  Ps. 89.-  v. 35- "I have sworn an oath to David, and in my holiness I cannot lie..."
456.  Ps. 90.-  v. 12- "Teach us to make most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom." Moses.
457.  Ps. 91.-  God will protect His own so they will not strike a foot upon a stone.  Satan quoted this verse to Jesus when Satan tempted Him.
458.  Ps. 92.-  Those that abide in God's presence will always flourish, at any age.
459.  Ps. 93.-  God is eternal, greater than the power of the ocean and the nature of His reign is holiness.
460.  Ps. 94.-  Those who oppress Israel think God isn't watching.
461.  Ps. 95.-  Worship God our maker and creator of the universe.
462.  Ps. 96.-  All the nations are to worship the Lord.
463.  Ps. 97.-  All those who worship idols will be disgraced.
464.  Ps. 98.-  All nations seeing how God has dealt with Israel should worship the Lord.
465.  Ps. 99.-  Worship the Lord for He is holy and rules with justice.  Moses, Aaron and Samuel called on Him and He heard them.
466.  Ps. 100.- Worship God for He is faithful.
467.  Ps. 101.- David pledges private integrity, association only with the Godly and to work to thwart sinners.
468.  Ps. 102.- A prayer for both personal deliverence and for Jerusalem.
469.  Ps. 103.- The Lord is gracious and does not deal with us as we deserve.
470.  Ps. 104.- The work of God the creator.
471.  Ps. 105.- A history of God fulfilling His covenant with Abraham.
472.  Ps. 106.- A history of Israel's sin.
473.  Ps. 107.- Encouragement to those delivered by God to praise Him.
474.  Ps. 108.- David states that without God Israel could not defeat its foes.
475.  Ps. 109.- Let the curses made by those who oppress others become the Lord's punishment for them.
476.  Ps. 110.- David prophecies that Christ will reign over all His enemies.
477.  Ps. 111.- Praise the Lord for what He has done for all His people.
478.  Ps. 112.- Those who are generous to others will be blessed.
479.  Ps. 113.- The Lord from on high protects the weak.
480.  Ps. 114.- All creation trembles before the Lord.
481.  Ps. 115.- Trust in the Lord, our helper and shield, not in idols.
482.  Ps. 116.- The Lord rescues from death.
483.  Ps. 117.- God's love endures forever.
484.  Ps. 118.- v. 22- "The stone rejected by the builders has become the corner stone."
485.  Ps. 119.- v. 1-8-         I will obey your law.  Please forgive my transgressions.
486.                 v. 9-16-       The word is our best defense against sin.
487.                 v. 17-24-     Only God can reveal the truths of His word.
488.                 v. 25-32-     Know the law, then you will know thyself.
489.                 v. 33-40-     God will change our desires as we read His word.
490.                 v. 41-48-     Love the word and publicize its decress.
491.                 v. 49-56-     Meditation on the law brings joy.
492.                 v. 57-64-     The Law is stronger than the temptation to sin.
493.                 v. 65-72-     The Lord disciplines us to bring us back to obedience.
494.                 v. 73-80-     Let the righteous be pleased with me.
495.                 v. 81-88-     Lord, when will your promises come true?
496.                 v. 89-96-     The Lord's faithfulness is forever.
497.                 v. 97-104-   Knowing and obeying the Law makes us smarter.
498.                 v. 105-112- Be determined to obey the Law at all times.
499.                 v. 113-120- Those who disobey God are evil.
500.                 v. 121-128- Pleading for deliverence from enemies.
501.                 v. 129-136- v. 30 "As your words are taught, they give light, even the simple understand them."
502.                 v. 137-144- God's promises have been tested and found true.
503.                 v. 145-152- David meditates on the Law all day.
504.                 v. 153-160- David pleads for rescue from the ungodly.
505.                 v. 161-168- v. 164 "I will praise you seven times a day because all your laws are just."
506.                 v. 169-176- Let the Law produce obedience and praise.
507.  Ps. 120.- A prayer against liars and those not peaceful.
508.  Ps. 121.- The Lord always watches over Jerusalem.
509.  Ps. 122.- A prayer  for Jerusalem.
510.  Ps. 123.- God's own look to Him.
511.  Ps. 124.- The Lord rescued Israel from its enemies.
512.  Ps. 125.- The Lord protects Israel.  A prayer to remove the wicked from Israel.
513.  Ps. 126.- The restoration of Israel.
514.  Ps. 127.- Look only to God for protection.
515.  Ps. 128- A prayer for the the flourishing of the godly and Jerusalem.
516.  Ps. 129- A prayer concerning individual oppression and oppression against Jerusalem.
517.  Ps. 130- Hope in the Lord that He will free you from sin.
518.  Ps. 131- David's soul is like that of a small child.
519.  Ps. 132- The Lord made His home in Jerusalem.
520.  Ps. 133- Live in harmony with each other.
521.  Ps. 134- A call to priests serving in the Temple to bless the Lord.
522.  Ps. 135- "                                                                                   "
523.  Ps. 136- God's faithful love endures forever.
524.  Ps. 137- Lamenting the exile from Jerusalem.
525.  Ps. 138- v.6-"Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but keeps his distance from the proud.
526.  Ps. 139- The Lord made us, knows everything about us and is with us everywhere.
527.  Ps. 140- David prays for protection from the wicked and that the wickeds' traps for others would be a snare to them.
528.  Ps. 141- The same as Ps. 140.
529.  Ps. 142- David prays for deliverence so he can thank God.
530.  Ps. 143- David again prays for deliverence from his enemies.
531.  Ps. 144- Let God confuse the enemy and make Israel flourish.
532.  Ps. 145- The Lord protects those who love Him.
533.  Ps. 146- Trust and fear the Lord, not powerful people.
534.  Ps. 147- Praise the Lord for His rule over creation.
535.  Ps. 148- Let all creation praise the Lord.
536.  Ps. 149- Worship the Lord and fight His enemies.
537.  Ps. 150- Praise the Lord with instruments.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Friday, February 12, 2010

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010

90 Days: Day 39

Read Psalms 1-24.

Bible In 90 Days: Job

For 1-340, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions Link" below.

341.  Satan can affect natural conditions, with God's permission.
342.  Did Job's sacrifices on behalf of his children really atone for their sins?
343.  Job's wife's comments sprang from her own bitterness over the losses.
344.  Job's servants, no matter what their standing before God, died in Job's testing.
345.  Job first falls into self-pity: "Cursed be the day of my birth..."
346.  Eliaphaz's arguement: Bad things happen to bad people as punishment from God; good people and those that repent have only good things happen to them.
347.  Eliaphaz said he heard a spirit tell him this; was this Satan himself speaking to him.
348.  Job said in 6:26- "Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?"
349.  Job knows nothing of Satan's involvement.
350.  Bildad's arguement the same as Eliaphaz's.
351.  Job 9- Job declares his innocence but labels God as cruel, unfeeling, not concerned with justice, not caring for the misery of humans.  He wishes a mediator would come between him and God.
352.  Zopher's arguement the same as Eliaphaz's and Bildad's.
353.  Job 14:14- "If mortals die, they can live again.  This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release."
354.  Eliaphaz said the wicked never prosper and if they do, they will lose it all.
355.  Job states that if the situation were reversed, he would ty to comfort his friends, not condemn them.
356.  Job 16:21- "Oh, that someone would mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends."
357.  Even when Job complained against God, he hoped God would vindicate him.
358.  Job 19:25-26- "But as for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God."
359.  Job defends himself, but does not directly respond to what his companions say about the wicked until chapter 21.  He refutes the notion that the wicked always suffer.
360.  Job states that children should not suffer for their parents' wrongdoing.  The wicked care nothing about what happens to their children after they are dead.
361.  By chapter 23, Job seems to be wallowing less in self-pity and proclaims that God will find him innocent, but that now he is being tested, being refined by fire- v.10.
362.  In chapter 24, Job states that while the wicked prosper, death and being forgotten are their punishment.
363.  Job 28:28- "...The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is true understanding."
364.  Job thought his goodness would lead to perpetual blessings and no trials.
365.  Elihu's arguements along the same lines as the 3 others, but Elihu states that if people suffer, God will let them know why.
366.  Elihu was more arrogant in manner and its was he whom finally brought God to respond.
367.  The Lord did not demand Elihu sacrifice for the sins of his conduct and words, nor did God have Job pray over him.  Why?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

90 Days: Day 38

Finished Job.  Will post my impressions of Job tomorrow.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010

90 Days: Day 36

Read all of Esther and the 1st 7 chapters of Job.

Bible In 90 Days: Ezra, Nehemiah And Esther

For 1-312, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions" link below.

Ezra:
313.  God specifically stirred the hearts of the priests, Levites and leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to return to Judah to rebuild the Temple.
314.  The Levites intended to worship God properly.  If one claimed to be a Levite but could not prove it, they could not eat from the offered sacrifices.
315.  At first, opposition to rebuilding the Temple was masked as friendly cooperation.
316.  Royal decrees in Babylon could not be rescinded, so Cyrus' decree to rebuild the Temple had to be obeyed by subsequent Kings.
317.  Ezra had to have access to Babylonian royal papers when Ezra wrote this book.
318.   Even while Judah was in exile, some gave up their idol worship and worshipped God.
319.  Even during the exile, the Law and the knowledge of it was preserved.
320.  Many Levites were recluctant to return to Jerusalem.
321.  Ezra and company traveled to Judah without royal protection to prove God would protect them.
322.  Perhaps because Levites married foreign wives was the reason they were reluctant to return to Jerusalem.

Nehemiah:
323.  Neh. 1:8-9- Does this verse indicate that God has promised land for the Jews that is still valid for this day?
324.  People repaired Jerusalem's gate in the vicinity of their homes.
325.  Israelite lenders were charging their fellow Jews interest.  Nehemiah made them pay it back.
326.  Nehemiah was Governor of Judah for 12 years.
327.  Neh. 5:19- "Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it."
328.  Nehemiah's enemies trembled with fear when they realized the Wall was built with God's help.
329.  Ezra just did not read the Law, but had it explained.  Later the leaders of Israel met with Ezra for further study.
330.  The reading of the Law was to be a joyous event, not a sad one.
331.  The Festival of Shelters had not been celebrated in such a way since Joshua.
332.  Neh. 9- a historical explanation of Israel's disobediance and God's response.
333.  Israel vowed not to intermarry with pagans and to keep the Sabaath, care for the Levites, support the maintenence of the Temple and make the proper sacrifices. Those that signed their name bound their descendants to that vow.
334.  Nehemiah returned to the King who allowed Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem.
335.  The people broke all the vows they made while Nehemiah was absent.

Esther:
336.  The writer of Esther had access to Babylonian Royal documents and officials.  The author was probably Mordecai.
337.  Xerxes took 4 years to find a new Queen.
338.  Esther must have lived in total isolation not to have heard of the King's decree.
339.  Was there a religious connotation to bowing to Haman that caused Mordecai not to bow to him?
340.  Even Haman's wife and friends realized that God protected the Jewish people. 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

90 Days: Day 34

Read Ezra.  Impressions from Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther will be posted together.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Bible In 90 Days: I and IIChronicles

For 1-273, click the "Bible in 90 Days: Impressions" link below.

IChron.:
274.  All the Cannanites were descended from Ham.
275.  The tribe of Simeon didn't have large families.  Was this punishment for Simeon's actions in Genesis?
276.  Reuben's dishonoring of his father cost him the birthright as the eldest son.  So, his family was not listed first in the geneology of Jacob's sons.
277.  Mephibosheth is not listed in the geneology of Saul.
278.  Even when Judah was in exhile, the Levites were able to pass down the proper worship of God.
279.  Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord to the point of consulting a medium.
280.  Joab was David's nephew.
281.  Saul had neglected to bring the Ark back, as he was unspiritual.
282.  David never did try to repeat what the Lord did in previous battles.  He always asked God for fresh instructions.
283.  Uzzah died not just for touching the Ark, but first because he was not a Levite and no one had purified themselves before moving the Ark.
284.  Why was David allowed to wear the Linen Ephod?
285.  IChron. 16:28-30- "O nations of the world, recognize the Lord, recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.  Give the Lord the glory he deserves!  Bring your offering and come to worship him.  Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.  Let all the earth tremble before him.  The world is firmly established and cannot be shaken."  What God did for Israel was to be a witness to the nations so they would put away their gods and worship only the Lord.
286.  In IChron. it says Satan caused David to conduct a census; in the earlier account God is said to have caused it to happen because He was angry at Israel and wanted to punish Israel.
287.  It appears that David's wanting Solomon to succeed him on the throne was not just David's personal desire, but that the Lord told David Solomon would succeed him.
288.  David told Solomon to ask God for wisdom.  Perhaps this is the reason Solomon asked God for wisdom after he became King.
289.  It was David who gave Solomon the instructions for building the Temple.
290.  If David gathered materials for the Temple, why did Solomon need to gather more from other kingdoms? 

IIChron.:
291.  Solomon bought horses and chariots from Egypt in violation of God's Law.
292.  The sacrificing of thousands of animals at the dedication of the Temple was a celebration that proper worship of the Lord could take place in Jerusalem in the place the Lord had chosen.
293.  IIChron. 7:7- "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land."  Does this promise apply to us today, or only to ancient Israel?
294.  Jeroboam was present when the people of Israel asked Rehoboam to lighten their load.
295.  The Levites sided with Rehoboam.  Jeroboam kicked them out of Israel.  All those who truly wanted to worship God fled Jeroboam and fled South to Judah.
296.  Rehoboam consolodated his power and then abandoned the Lord.  When God punished him, he repented.  But he never truly followed the Lord.
297.  Many moved to Judah during Asa's reign when they saw the Lord was with him.
298.  When Asa quit relying on the Lord, he began to oppress some of his people.
299.  Jehosaphat not only followed the Lord, he made sure the people were taught the Law.
300.  Jehosaphat had some evil tendencies as he allowed his son to marry Ahab's daughter and he was enticed to fight the Arameans with Ahab.  He did evil, but the Lord recognized some goodness in him .  Yet again he allied himself with Israel.  He never learned his lesson.
301.  Even though Jehosaphat made sure the people were taught the Law, the people never fully committed themselves to following the Lord.
302.  Apparently Joash could be hidden in the Temple because Athaliah and her retinue did not worship there.
303.  Joash's entire devotion to God was dependent upon Jehiada the priest.
304.  Many kings like Uzziah followed the Lord until they consolodated their power.  Then they abandoned Him.
305.  King Ahaz completely shut down the Temple.
306.  When Hezikiah rededicated the Temple, the Levite people were more conscientious about purifying themselves than the priests.  The people's celebration of the Passover, especially when the celebration was extended, caused the priests to be conscious stricken.  So they purified themselves and celebrated the Passover.
307.  The Passover was not celebrated according to the letter of the Law because there were not enough priests, probably because they did not purify themselves.  Still, God looked at the intent of the peoples' hearts and blessed them anyway.
308.  God withdrew from Hezikiah to test what was in his heart.
309.  Manasseh repented of his sins and his name is in Christ's geneology.
310.  When Josiah heard the Law, he repented.
311.  Zedikiah took an oath in God's name to be subject to Babylon.
312.  God continually sent prophets to Judah because of His compassion.  But the people refused to hear them and they reached the point where God's judgement could no longer be delayed. 

90 Days: Day 33

Finished IIChron.

Monday, February 1, 2010

90 Days: Day 32

Read IIChron. 7:11-Chapter 23.