Bible 365: Week 22

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us.  And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!"  Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm in the Bible folks. It only has 2 verses.  As many times as I have read the book of Psalm, I never noticed this little fact.  Although short, Psalm 117 reminds us that we should give God thanks for all that He has done.

It reminds us that no matter what lies and foolishness we as men and women put into the word, the truth according to God will always reign supreme!  The longest Psalm is Psalm 119.  It has 176 verses!  When I first read the 119th Psalm as a teenager, I thought it was written by multiple people.  However, that's not the case.

Those strange symbols and words at the top of every 8 verses aren't names but are actually letters from the Hebrew alphabet and the word tells you how to pronounce it.  Learning something new every day with this Bible studying I tell you.  I really like the 119th because it's one big poem about how great God and His word is.  If you've never read the 119th Psalm, I suggest that you do so.

And while you're reading be sure highlight or right down any verses that stand out to you.  Then mediate on those verses daily.  You'll definitely notice that small things won't bother you as much.  You'll be too busy reminding yourself of how wonderful God is and thinking of all the great things He's done for us already!

Week 23 Readings

6/3: Psalms 130-134

6/4: Psalms 135-137

6/5: Psalms 138-140

6/6: Psalms 141-144

6/7: Psalms 145-150

6/8: Proverbs 1

6//9: Proverbs 2

Bible 365: Week 21

Happy Memorial Day!!  Hope that everyone took the time to celebrate and/or honor the courageous men and women have fought and continue to fight for our freedom and safety.  Moo, JJ and I have been hit by a really bad cold bug.  I'm talking wheezing, runny noses, watery eyes and sore throats.  I haven't had a decent sleep in three days, but since the Mr was home today, I passed out and sleep for hours!  So pardon the late night post.

With today being Memorial Day and a day to honor our past and present military men and women, I couldn't think of a more appropriate Psalm than Psalm 91.  It's a Psalm about the safety of abiding in the presence of God.  When I was a kid, my mom would pray Psalm 91 and the prayer of Jabez with us every single day.  And if she was out of town or on a rare occasion that we stayed over at a friend's we'd still pray the Psalm 91.

This Psalm reminds us that God is our place of refuge and a fortress at all times.  It says that, " He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.  You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday" (Psalm 91:4-6).

I know that it takes a lot of strength and faith for our soldiers to do what they do.  They're willingly going into the enemy territory and putting their lives at risk for millions.  It's comforting though to know that God is always with them and that "He shall give His angels charge over you" (Psalm 91:11).  I'm beyond thankful and grateful to an American and to have this opportunity to celebrate those who fight for me and my family.

So, I will definitely be praying the Psalm 91 on behalf of all our military men and women tonight and every night.  These soldiers need our prayers of safety and I am more than willing to intercede on their behalves.  It's the least I can do in return for what they do for us.

How did honor our military heroes today?

Week 22 Readings

5/27: Psalms 107-109

5/28: Psalms 110-112

5/29: Psalms 113-115

5/30: Psalms 116-118

5/31: Psalm 119

6/1: Psalms 120-124

6/2: Psalms 125-129

Bible 365: Week 20

Almost to the halfway mark!  We're still in the book of Psalms. In week 20, we read Psalms about fellowship, praise and mercy.  I'm telling you, if you ever need to be lifted up, this is the book in the Bible to come to.  There's a Psalm for almost everything.  

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water," says Psalm 63:1.  This couldn't be more true for me.  Lately, I've been making the effort to get up early before the kiddies awake to do my Bible study.  I can focus better on what I'm reading and understand the word better also.

Never forget that God is awesome.  Psalm 66:5 reads, "Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men."   Many times we're so busy dwelling on the negative things that we forget just how wonderful God truly is.  I mean think about it.  He is pretty awesome.  He's the giver and creator of life.

He made the Earth in seven days.  Seriously, we give ourselves as humans too much credit.  The truth of the matter is that without God nothing would be possible.  We wouldn't even be alive!  And if that isn't enough, Psalm 68:5 tells us that "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation."

And when we are in trouble He know our "foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You" (Psalm 69:5).  Despite our faults and transgressions, He will still be there for us like He was for the Israelites.

Again, thank you to everyone who continues to support and read these Bible 365 posts!

Week 21 Readings

5/20: Psalms 85-89

5/21: Psalms 90-92

5/22: Psalms 93-95

5/23: Psalms 96-98

5/24: Psalms 99-101

5/25: Psalms 102-104

5/26: Psalms 105-106

Bible 365: Week 19

Happy belated Mother's Day and sorry for the late Bible 365 Week 19 recap.  However, I've been a little down because I received some horrible news this past weekend.  Miss J died last Friday.  While I'm sad and heartbroken, I know that she's in better place now.

Most of the Psalms from week 19 had to due with suffering and keeping the faith during troubled times.  So, I truly believe it was a sign all things considered.  And what I learned is that God is always there for us even when it seems like to us, He has hung us out to dry.  Psalm 37:7-8 tells us to "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way.  Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm."

These verses couldn't have spoken to me more.  Whether it's dealing with death or people who seek to cause drama in our lives, we often don't get the positive outcome we seek because we haven't given God a chance to act on our behalf.  We're too busy letting our frustration and anger get the best of us.  So, in the end we end up causing more harm than good and digging the our pit of torment a little deeper.  I've had a lot of hurt in my life and I'm finally at a place where I'm making the wiser choice to not react negatively or in my anger to bad situations.

I pray the answer and wait for God to guide me and resolve issue.  And because of that I'm not putting myself through unnecessary stress, jeopardizing my character/reputation and I genuinely feel happier.  "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined me, and heard my cry.  He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps," says King David in Psalm 40:1-2. There's your proof that if you just hold out and give God time to do what He does, things will be okay.

If don't remember anything else, remember that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling" (Psalm 46:1-3).

Week 20 Readings

5/13: Psalms 63-65

5/14: Psalms 66- 68

5/15: Psalms 69-72

5/16: Psalms 73-75

5/17: Psalms 76-78

5/18: Psalms 79-81

5/19: Psalms 82-84

Bible 365: Week 18

 Week 18 was all about the book of Psalms.  This is one of my all time favorite books of the Bible.  Psalms is a collection of songs mostly written by David.  Think of it as a greatest hits album.  There are Psalms about thanksgiving, anger, joy and more.  Most importantly there are lessons and truths to be found throughout the book of Psalms.

For example, Psalm 9:1 says, "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works."  Many times we forget to and like we are too cool to testify when God has moved in our lives.  It's really sad though considering the fact we aren't scared or too cool to call on Him in our times of trouble.  I'm not saying you have to shove God down their throats but it's ok to brag on Him every so often.

And with all the talk of "haters" and enemies, Psalm 10:8-9 reminds us that our enemies "are secretly fixed on the helpless.  He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net."  So, you have to be on guard.

And is it me or does it seem like sometimes the most worldly or evil people appear to have it all?  They're rich, sport the latest designer clothes and live in big houses.  But what we have to keep in mind is that one day they will get their just reward (punishment).  "But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand" (Psalm 10:14).

They think (and we think) that just because they have it all they are untouchable.  But not so because God sees and keeps record of their evil doings.  And for all their unkindness Psalm 11:6 says that their punishment is to be a rain of "coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind..."

At the end of the day we have to remember that "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" according to Psalm 23:1.  Despite what we may go through in life He will continue to "prepare a table before me" (Psalm 23:5 and that "goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;" (Psalm 23:6).  We have tasted and saw that the Lord was good (Psalm 34).

Hope to see ya next week!

Week 19 Readings

5/6: Psalms  37-41

5/7: Psalms 42-45

5/8: Psalms 46-49

5/9: Psalms 50-53

5/10: Psalms 54-56

5/11: Psalms 57- 59

5/12: Psalms 60-62

Bible 365: Week 17

Yay, 17 weeks down!  We're closer that halfway mark.  I already feel like I've learned so much thus far.  Thank you again to everyone who stops by and supports my Bible 365 posts!   I greatly appreciate it.

In week 17, we finished reading about Job.  Last week we read how, God had asked Satan if he'd tried his servant Job.  Then Job lost all of his riches, his children and good health.  Hid friends tried to talk him into cursing and forsaking God, but Job wasn't having any of that.

Anyways, I guess since he refused to forsake God, his friends decided that Job had caused this terrible fortune on himself.  They accused him of not being a good Christian, but having turned his back on those in need, being a thief and more.  Of course, Job (and God) knew this all to be lies.  Job defended himself saying, "My foots has held fast to the His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.  I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:11-12).

I know it sounds like Job was tooting his own horn, but he really wasn't.  Job was indeed more righteous or obedient than the average man during his time.  Somehow, Job knew that this was test of his faithfulness because he told his friends, "When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).

Don't know of many of you have heard the gospel song goes "have you been tried in the fire/did you come through as pure gold," but that verse made me think of it.  We all go through fires (trials) in our lives.  And we all have the ability to come through them as pure gold and not faltering in our faith in God and His word.

We live in a time where evil is no longer confined to the dark.  Job 24:14 says, "The murderer rises with the light; he kills the poor and needy; and in the night is life a thief."  After the Boston bombing and all the recent murders I have heard about, I couldn't agree with this verse more.  Crooks aren't scared of getting caught anymore.  They boldly attack and destroy in broad daylight where they can be easily recognized.

It's almost like they're taunting us and daring us to take a stand against them.  "The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight saying, 'No eye will see me,' and disguises his face," reads Job 24:15.  You all already know that adultery is something that has affected my life.  Needless to say, I wondered if my father had this same thought of logic when he stepped outside of his marriage with my mom?

I wonder if he even cared if would get caught.  We lived in a very small town where everyone knew us because both my mother's and father's family had good reputations.  He had to have known that the truth would come out at some point, right?  I digress.  That's another post for another day.

In the end, God sat the record straight and told Job that he was indeed a righteous and faithful man.  He also told Job that his friends were pretty much haters who had no clue what they were talking about.  If you think about it they weren't really good friends at all.  God restored everything Job had lost twice over.

He had more children, got his health back and his possessions plus extra.  I'm definitely striving to have faith like Job.  I'm not saying that I want God to test me in the same way He did Job, but when hard times strike I want my faith to be unwavering and not falter.  I don't want to doubt God for even a millisecond.

If you were Job, how would have reacted if your friends started accusing you of being bad Christian/person?

Week 18 Readings

4/29: Psalms 9-12

4/30: Psalms 13-16

5/01: Psalms 17-20

5/02: Psalms 21-24

5/03: Psalms 25-28

5/04: Psalms 29-32

5/05: Psalms 33-36