Readings

Monday: Hebrews 10, 11 Tues: Heb 12, 13 Wed: James 1, 2, 3 Thur: James 4, 5 Fri: 1 Peter 1, 2 Sat: 1 Peter 3, 4, 5 Sun: 2 Peter 1, 2, 3

Readings

Monday: 1 Timothy 4, 5, 6 Tues: 2 Timothy 1, 2, 3, 4 Wed: Titus 1, 2, 3 Thur: Philemon Fri: Hebrews 1, 2, 3 Sat: Hebrews 4, 5, 6 Sun: Hebrews 7, 8, 9

Readings

Monday: Ephesians 4, 5, 6 Tues: Philippians 1, 2 Wed: Phil 3, 4 Thur: Colossians 1, 2 Fri: 3, 4 Sat: 1 Thessalonians 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Sun: 2 Thess 1, 2, 3

Readings

Monday: Ephesians 4, 5, 6 Tues: Philippians 1, 2 Wed: Phil 3, 4 Thur: Colossians 1, 2 Fri: 3, 4 Sat: 1 Thessalonians 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Sun: 2 Thess 1, 2, 3

Readings

Monday: 2 Corinthians 4, 5, 6 Tues: 2 Cor 7, 8, 9 Wed: 2 Cor 10, 11 Thur: 2 Cor 12, 13 Fri: Galatians 1, 2 Sat: Gal 3, 4, 5, 6 Sun: Ephesians 1, 2, 3

Readings

Monday: Romans 15, 16 Tues: 1 Corinthians 1, 2, 3 Wed: 1 Cor 4, 5, 6, 7 Thur: 1 Cor 8, 9, 10 Fri: 1 Cor 11, 12, 13, 14 Sat: 1 Cor 15, 16 Sun: 2 Corinthians 1, 2, 3

readings

Monday; Acts 25, 26 Tues: Acts 27, 28 Wed: Romans 1, 2, 3 Thurs: Rom 4, 5, 6 Fri: Rom 7, 8 Sat: Rom 9, 10, 11 Sun: Rom 12, 13, 14

readings

Monday: Acts 6, 7 Tuesday: Acts 8, 9, 10 Wednesday: Acts 11, 12 Thursday: Acts 13, 14, 15 Friday: Acts 16, 17, 18 Saturday: Acts 19, 20, 21 Sunday: Acts 22, 23, 24

Readings

Monday: John 10, 11 Tues: John 12, 13 Wed: John 14, 15, 16, 17 Thur: John 18, 19 Fri: John 20, 21 Sat: Acts 1, 2, 3 Sun: Acts 4, 5

Readings

Monday: Luke 17, 18, 19 Tuesday: Luke 20, 21 Wednesday: Luke 22, 23, 24 Thursday: John 1, 2, 3 Friday: John 4, 5 Saturday: John 6, 7 Sunday: John 8, 9

This Week's Readings

Monday: Mark 15, 16 Tuesday: Luke 1, 2, 3 Wednesday: Luke 4, 5, 6 Thursday: Luke 7, 8 Friday: Luke 9, 10, 11 Saturday: Luke 12, 13, 14 Sunday: Luke 15, 16

New Testament Readings

Monday: Matthew 24, 25 Tues: Matt 26, 27, 28 Wed: Mark 1, 2, 3 Thurs: Mark 4, 5, 6 Fri: Mark 7, 8, 9 Sat: Mark 10, 11, 12 Sun: Mark 13, 14

New Testament Readings

Monday: Matthew 5, 6, 7 Tuesday: Matt 8, 9 Wed: Matt 10, 11, 12 Thur: Matt 13, 14 Fri: Matt 15, 16, 17 Sat: Matt 18, 19, 20 Sun: Matt 21, 22, 23

Readings

Monday: Zechariah 1, 2, 3 Tues: Zech 4, 5, 6 Wed: Zech 7, 8, 9, 10 Thur: Zech 11, 12, 13, 14 Fri: Malachi 1, 2, 3, 4 Sat: Matthew 1, 2 Sun: Matthew 3, 4

Readings

Monday: Micah 1, 2, 3 Tues: Micah 4, 5,6 Wed: Micah 7 Thur: Nahum 1, 2, 3 Fri: Habakkukk 1, 2, 3 Sat: Zephaniah 1, 2, 3 Sun: Haggai 1, 2

Readings

Monday: Hosea 10, 11, 12 Tues: Hos 13, 14 Wed: Joel 1, 2, 3 Thurs: Amos 1, 2, 3 Fri: Amos 4, 5, 6 Sat: Amos 7, 8, 9 & Obadiah Sun: Jonah 1, 2, 3, 4

Readings This Week

Monday: Daniel 1, 2, 3 Tuesday: Dan 4, 5, 6 Wednesday: Dan 7, 8, 9 Thursday: Dan 10, 11, 12 Friday: Hosea 1, 2, 3 Saturday: Hosea 4, 5, 6 Sunday: Hosea 7, 8, 9

This Week's Readings

Monday: Ezekiel 29, 30, 31, 32 Tuesday: Eze 33, 34 Wednesday: Eze 35, 36, 37 Thursday: Eze 38, 39 Friday: Eze 40, 41, 42 Saturday: Eze 43, 44, 45 Sunday: Eze 46, 47, 48

This Week's Readins

Monday: Ezekiel 7, 8, 9, 10 Tuesday: Eze 11, 12, 13 Wednesday: Eze 14, 15, 16 Thursday: Eze 17, 18, 19 Friday: Eze 20, 21, 22 Saturday: Eze 23, 24, 25 Sunday: Eze 26, 27, 28

Readings

Monday: Jeremiah 43, 44, 45 Tuesday: Jer 46, 47, 48, 49 Wednesday: Jer 50, 51, 52 Thursday: Lamentations 1, 2 Friday: Lam 3, 4, 5 Saturday: Ezekiel 1, 2, 3 Sunday: Eze 4, 5, 6

Readings

Monday: Jeremiah 22, 23, 24 Tuesday: Jer 25, 26, 27 Wednesday: Jer 28, 29 30 Thursday: Jer 31, 32, 33 Friday: Jer 34, 35, 36 Saturday: Jer 37, 38, 39 Sunday: Jer 40, 41, 42

Readings

Monday: Jeremiah 1, 2, 3 Tuesday: Jer 4, 5, 6 Wednesday: Jer 7, 8, 9 Thursday: Jer 10, 11, 12 Friday: Jer 13, 14, 15 Saturday: Jer 16, 17, 18 Sunday: Jer 19, 20, 21

Readings

Monday: Isaiah 46, 47, 48, 49 Tuesday: Isaiah 50, 51 Wednesday: Isaiah 52, 53, 54 Thursday: Isaiah 55, 56, 57 Friday: Isaiah 58, 59, 60 Saturday: Isaiah 61, 62, 63 Sunday: Isaiah 64, 65, 66

Readings

Monday: Isaiah 27, 28, 29 Tuesday: Isaiah 30, 31, 32 Wednesday: Isaiah 33, 34, 35 Thursday: Isaiah 36, 37 Friday: Isaiah 38, 39 Saturday: Isaiah 40, 41, 42 Sunday: Isaiah 43, 44, 45

Readings

Monday: Isaiah 4, 5, 6 Tuesday: Isaiah 7, 8, 9 Wednesday: Isaiah 10, 11, 12 Thursday: Isaiah 13, 14, 15, 16 Friday: Isaiah 17, 18, 19 Saturday: Isaiah 20, 21, 22, 23 Sunday: Isaiah 24, 25, 26

Readings

Monday: Job 25, 26, 27, 28 Tuesday: Job 29, 30, 31 Wednesday: Job 32, 33, 34 Thursday: Job 35, 36, 37 Friday: Job 38, 39, 40, 41 Saturday: Job 42 Sunday: Ecclesiastes 1, 2, 3

Readings

Monday: Job 4, 5, 6 Tuesday: Job 7, 8, 9 Wednesday: Job 10, 11, 12 Thursday: Job 13, 14, 15 Friday: Job 16, 17, 19 Saturday: Job 19, 20, 21 Sunday: Job 22, 23, 24

Readings

Monday: Nehemiah 7, 8 Tuesday: Neh 9, 10 Wednesday: Neh 11, 12, 13 Thursday: Esther 1, 2, 3 Friday: Esther 4, 5, 6 Saturday: Esther 7, 8, 9, 10 Sunday: Job 1, 2, 3

Readings

Monday: 2 Chronicles 35, 36 Tuesday: Ezra 1, 2, 3 Wednesday: Ezra 4, 5, 6 Thursday: Ezra 7, 8 Friday: Ezra 9, 10 Saturday: Nehemiah 1, 2, 3 Sunday: Nehemiah 4, 5, 6

Next Week's Readings

Monday: 2 Chronicles 16, 17, 18 Tuesday: 2 Chron 19, 20, 21 Wednesday: 2 Chron 22, 23, 24 Thursday: 2 Chron 25, 26 Friday: 2 Chron 27, 28 Saturday: 2 Chron 29, 30, 31, 32 Sunday: 2 Chron 33, 34

Readings

Monday: 1 Chronicles 25, 26, 27 Tuesday: 1 Chron 28, 29 Wednesday: 2 Chron 1, 2, 3 Thursday: 2 Chron 4, 5, 6, 7 Friday: 2 Chron 8, 9 Saturday: 2 Chron 10, 11, 12 Sunday: 2 Chron 13, 14, 15

This Week's Readings

Monday: 1 Chronicles 6, 7 Tuesday: 1 Chron 8, 9 Wednesday: 1 Chron 10, 11, 12 Thursday: 1 Chron 13, 14, 15 Friday: 1 Chron 16, 17, 18 Saturday: 1 Chron 19, 20, 21 Sunday: 1 Chron 22, 23, 24

Readings This Week

Monday: 2 Kings 12, 13, 14 Tuesday: 2 Kings 15, 16, 17 Wednesday: 2 Kings 18, 19, 20 Thursday: 2 Kings 21, 22, 23 Friday: 2 Kings 24, 25 Saturday: 1 Chronicles 1, 2, 3 Sunday: 1 Chronicles 4, 5

Readings this Week

Monday: 1 Kings 17, 18 Tuesday: 1 Kings 19, 20 Wednesday: 1 Kings 21, 22 Thursday: 2 Kings 1, 2, 3 Friday: 2 Kings 4, 5 Saturday: 2 Kings 6, 7, 8 Sunday: 2 Kings 9, 10, 11

readings this week

Monday: 2 Sam 22, 23, 24, Psalm 64
Tuesday: 1 Kings 1, 2, 3
Wednesday: 1 Kings 4, 5, 6
Thursday: 1 Kings 7, 8, 9, Psalm 65
Friday: 1 Kings 10,11, Psalm 66
Saturday: 1 Kings 12, 13, 14
Sunday: 1 Kings 15, 16, Psalm 67

readings this week

Monday: 2 Sam 1, 2, 3, Psalm 62
Tuesday: 2 Sam 4, 5, 6
Wednesday: 2 Sam 7, 8, 9
Thursday: 2 Sam 10, 11, 12, Psalm 63
Friday: 2 Sam 13, 14, 15
Saturday: 2 Sam 16, 17, 18
Sunday: 2 Sam 19, 20, 21

readings this week

Monday: 1 Sam 10, 11, 12, Psalm 61
Tuesday: 1 Sam 13, 14, 15
Wednesday: 1 Sam 16, 17, 18
Thursday: 1 Sam 19, 20, 21, 22
Friday: 1 Sam 23, 24, 25
Saturday: 1 Sam 26, 27, 28
Sunday: 1 Sam 29, 30, 31

readings this week

Monday: Judges 15, 16; Psalm 58, 59
Tuesday: Judges 17, 18, 19
Wednesday: Judges 20, 21; Psalm 60
Thursday: Ruth 1, 2, 3, 4
Friday: 1 Samuel 1, 2, 3
Saturday: 1 Sam 4, 5, 6
Sunday: 1 Sam 7, 8, 9

Readings This Week

Monday: Joshua 19, 20, 21; Psalm 55
Tuesday: Joshua 22, 23, 24
Wednesday: Judges 1, 2, 3
Thursday: Judges 4,5; Psalms 56, 57
Friday: Judges 6,7,8
Saturday: Judges 9, 10 , 11
Sunday: Judges 12, 13, 14

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Joshua 4, 5, 6

Comments:

We all have things that cause of to remember the past. Just today I had a former student from East Central University in Ada visit me in Ponca City. He is working on a second degree at OSU and had time to get away since it is Spring Break. While having lunch, he mentioned an event we had been a part of in Tulsa, probably around 2005. It was something I had completely forgotten.

The stones that the Israelites placed as a memorial were to help them remember and recall God’s faithfulness. What things do we do today to help us remember? Holy Communion is one of those events, something we do, which helps us never forget God’s love for us and the sacrifice of Christ.

In our homes, we have pictures of our loved ones. Sometimes we collect mementos such as movie stubs, or postcards, or gifts given to us by friends. All of these help us to remember a person or a time we don’t want to forget.

Sometimes we feel very far away from God. We need things in our lives to help us remember God’s love for us and God’s faithfulness to us. That is why we turn to the Bible time and time again. It is why we are encouraged to worship on a regular basis. For many of us favorite songs are just the thing we need to turn from sorrow to joy.

When I walk through the church and I see little plaques on pieces of church furnishes and I see the names of people I never knew, I know that God was moving in the lives of those who have gone before us at Albright.

But when I hear the footsteps and laughter of children and youth, I am also reminded that God is moving today.

As the Israelites move into the promised land, they need to remember what God has already done in their lives.

Through the Bible in 2012: Joshua

Readings:

Joshua 1, 2, 3

Comments:

The first five books of the Bible are what the Jewish people call the Torah – or the Law. Moses, although God called him to lead the people out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land, never made it to the Promised Land. Joshua was the one who would do that.

What role does Rahab play? She’s a prostitute. And she assists the spies that Joshua sends to scout out the land God had promised his people. We might think of her as a minor character in the story. However, she is a part of the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), she is said to be an example of faith (Hebrews 11:31) and also an example of works (James 2:25). It’s truly amazing who God uses to accomplish God’s goals. No one is beyond the reach of God. No one.

Chapters 1 – 3 prepare us for when God’s people finally enter the land God had promised so long ago to Abraham and Sarah.

But the land is not sitting empty. And inhabiting the land will not be easy. Buckle your seat belts!

Principles of Bible Study

Principle #3 of Bible Study:

"We must assume everyone has Christian integrity and not accuse one another of being unchristian, no matter how unusual are the opinions."

- from Disciple Bible Study

Principles of Bible Study

#7 - Different biblical understandings can remain among us, but we can still be warm Christian friends. In fact, as we grow to better understand our differences, we can grow in appreciation of one another.

Principles of Bible Study

#6 - While we accept our differences, we do not feel that those differences are unimportant, or that they should be ignored or treated as if they did not matter.

Principles of Bible Study

#5 - Few of us will know Hebrew and Greek, and we therefore need to use a variety of English versions to try to understand the text.

Principles of Bible Study

#4 - We must further assume that we will arrive at different understandings of portions of Scipture and that that will not disturb God as much as it will some of us.

This Week's Readings

Monday: Deuteronomy 33, 34; Psalms 52, 53
Tuesday: Joshua 1, 2, 3
Wednesday: Joshua 4, 5, 6
Thursday: Joshua 7, 8, 9, Psalm 54
Friday: Joshua 10, 11, 12
Saturday: Joshua 13, 14, 15
Sunday: Joshua 16, 17, 18

Through the Bible in 2012

Principles of Bible Study #2

'No Christian has a monopoly on understanding either God's Word or the words of the Scripture. This includes biblical scholars and the most unlearned Christian. All of us must listen to one another as we seek to understand the richness of God's gifts.'

- From Disciple Bible Study

Through the Bible in 2012

I will pick back up writing notes on the day's readings when we get to Joshua.

In the meantime, I want to share over the next few days principles for Bible study that come from the Disciple bible study series.

"The Word of God is Jesus Christ, and the words of the Bible tell us about that Word. Therefore, when we study the words of the Bible we always look behind, in, and through those words for God's Word - Jesus Christ."

Through the Bible in 2012

"Deuteronomy" means "repetition of the law" and is based on Dt. 17:18 (where the Hebrew means "copy of this law"). In the Hebrew, this book is "These are the words" or simply "words". (Often the Hebrew names of these books are not the same as what we have today in our English translations.)

Some of what we have already read will be repeated in this book. Partly this is Moses' farewell address to the people before they enter Canaan. Before, the law was giving matter-of-factly. Now they will be given to the people from the heart of Moses. According to the NIV Study Bible, the love relationship between God and God's people is the major theme of this book. It is a call to total commitment to Yahweh in worship and obedience.

This Week's Readings

Monday: Duet. 12, 13, 14; Psalm 50

Tuesday: Duet. 15, 16, 17

Wednesday: Deut. 18, 19, 20

Thursday: Deut. 21, 22, 23; Psalm 51

Friday: Deut. 24, 25, 26

Saturday: Deut. 27, 28, 29

Sunday: Deut. 30, 31, 32

This Week's Readings

Monday: Numbers 28, 29, 30, 31
Tuesday: Numbers 32, 33, 34
Wednesday: Numbers 35, 36, Psalm 47
Thursday: Deuteronomy 1, 2, 3; Psalm 48
Friday: Deuteronomy 4, 5; Psalm 49
Saturday: Deut. 6, 7, 8
Sunday: Deut. 9, 10, 11

Through the Bible in 2012

I have fallen behind in my reading and comments the past couple of weeks! Sorry about that! It happens. I am going to pick right back up and keep truckin'. That's what you have to do in life most of the time.

Some people are readers. A lot of folks aren't. For those who would like to listen to the Bible as it's read, you can go to www.biblegateway.com, find the passage of scripture for the day, and click on the button with the speaker. Amazing! You don't have to purchase tapes (remember those?) or CD's or download files you purchase online. You can read and listen to the entire Bible for FREE on the internet!

Give it a try: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers%204&version=NIV (This is the NIV translation but you can pick other translations as well.)

This Week's Readings

Monday: Numbers 11, 12, Psalms 41, 42
Tuesday: Numbers 13, 14, 15
Wednesday: Numbers 16, 17, 18
Thursday: Numbers 19, 20, Psalms 43, 44
Friday: Numbers 21, Psalms 45, 46
Saturday: Numbers 22, 23, 24
Sunday: Numbers 25, 26, 27

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Numbers 1, 2, 3

Comments:

Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and is the account of the 38 year period of the nation of Israel’s wandering in the desert following the establishment of the covenant at Mt. Sinai. The term “numbers” is based on the census found in chapters 1 and 26. The Hebrew title is “in the desert” and is descriptive of the action of the book.

Chapter 1 is basically the census. Chapter 2 talks about how the people are arranged in tribal camps. Chapter three talks about one of the tribes – Levi – and how they are set apart as the priests.

In Numbers we are going to read of Israel’s journey toward the Promised Land. There will be murmuring and rebellion along the way. And we will see how God deals with all this.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Leviticus 25, 26, 27

Comments:

What strikes me in these last readings from Leviticus is how God designed us. Our bodies are designed to have rest on a daily basis. I remember in college pulling a few "all-nighters." We can go for awhile without sleep, but eventually our bodies must have rest.

The Sabbath (Saturday) is God's gift to us of having a day of rest. The Christians eventually transferred the idea of "Sabbath" to the Lord's Day (Sunday, or the first day of the week.) But regardless of what day we take as a day set apart as "different" from the other days of the week (rest or worship, etc), God has designed us for creativity and recreation. People can't go very long with "working" before they need a break in routine.

In Leviticus 25, we have the idea of a Year of Jubilee. It's an incredible gift! It's wild! It's crazy. And we have no record of God's people (or anyone) ever observing it.

What happened in the Year of Jubilee? Not only were slaves freed and debts cancelled, but people were to return property!

This concept was rooted in the idea that the land was not "owned" by anyone - it was God's land! People were to take care of the land - but whatever happened in that fifty years everything was to be restored in the year of Jubilee.

What do you think - did God intend for his people to really observe this? What was the message? What is the meaning for us today?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Leviticus 25, 26, 27

Comments:

What strikes me in these last readings from Leviticus is how God designed us. Our bodies are designed to have rest on a daily basis. I remember in college pulling a few "all-nighters." We can go for awhile without sleep, but eventually our bodies must have rest.

The Sabbath (Saturday) is God's gift to us of having a day of rest. The Christians eventually transferred the idea of "Sabbath" to the Lord's Day (Sunday, or the first day of the week.) But regardless of what day we take as a day set apart as "different" from the other days of the week (rest or worship, etc), God has designed us for creativity and recreation. People can't go very long with "working" before they need a break in routine.

In Leviticus 25, we have the idea of a Year of Jubilee. It's an incredible gift! It's wild! It's crazy. And we have no record of God's people (or anyone) ever observing it.

What happened in the Year of Jubilee? Not only were slaves freed and debts cancelled, but people were to return property!

This concept was rooted in the idea that the land was not "owned" by anyone - it was God's land! People were to take care of the land - but whatever happened in that fifty years everything was to be restored in the year of Jubilee.

What do you think - did God intend for his people to really observe this? What was the message? What is the meaning for us today?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Leviticus 19, 20, 21

Comments:

I've sat down three times to write some thoughts on these chapters from Leviticus and I've become distracted every single time.

So many of these laws may seem foreign to us while others seem to resonate with us. God had a purpose for his people to follow these laws. We try to figure them out - the "why" of the laws. Why could they not eat certain foods but we enjoy them today? Growing up I was taught that they didn't have refrigeration back then. Food would spoil. Surely this was God's reasons for telling the people to not eat certain foods. However, the basic idea, the bottom line really, is that God was calling his people to be DIFFERENT from the other peoples. They were to be "holy" which is to say they were to be "set apart." Certain things were not to be mixed - thus you couldn't wear clothes made of two different kinds of materials. Obviously we DO wear clothing today made of different kinds of materials. Are we breaking God's laws?

Each of us has to decide what God's word means to us today and how we apply it to our lives today. Certainly the New Testament will speak to this issue of the "law."We know, for example, that the food restrictions are abolished in the book of Acts. That may explain why we don't think we are sinning today if we eat bacon. But what of the rest of the law. Some laws are ceremonial. Some laws are about relationships. Some laws are reiterated in other parts of the bible, including the New Testament.

Which laws are the most confusing to you?
Which laws make sense?
Which laws appear to be laws we should follow today?
How do you decide if the law was meant "for then" or "for now" as well?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Leviticus 22, 23, 24

Comments:

I'm not going to lie: It's difficult to read Leviticus. Remember, for those who may be reading the Bible for the first time, we are trying to get a sense of the "the grand sweep" of the story. We can't get bogged down into too many details. But keep a list of verses, stories, and sections you want to study in greater detail at a future time.

Just a few more days, and we will be into Numbers.

This Week's Readings

Monday: Leviticus 19, 20, 21, Psalm 37
Tuesday: Leviticus 22, 23, 24
Wednesday: Leviticus 25, 26, 27
Thursday: Numbers 1, 2, 3, Psalm 38
Friday: Numbers 4, 5, 6
Saturday: Numbers 7, 8, Psalm 39
Sunday: Numbers 9,10, Psalm 40

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Leviticus 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Comments:

The story of Nadab and Abihu may surprise us. But the story is a reminder that the worship of God is serious business. What went wrong that they died? Perhaps they were intoxicated. All of us know we should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle if we have been drinking alcohol. The same is true for all we do – whether it be making important decisions or whether we are in charge of others or whether we are leading others in the worship of God. We are called to be level-headed.

What about the unclean and clean foods? I like how Dr. Elsworth Kalas puts it: holiness is not just a matter of how we worship God in a formal setting, holiness is about all of life. In our day people might act one way in church, but act quite differently just an hour after church. We may fool other people, but we certainly don’t fool God. And it seems God is concerned with every detail of our lives.

What is holiness? Holiness is the quality or state of being holy. And “holy” means to be set apart. We think of things that are holy as being “pure.” An object that is holy is said to be set aside to be used for religious or spiritual purposes. When we call the scriptures holy (as in “Holy Bible”) we mean these words (or this book) is a sacred book, a special book, a book that is used in our religious life.

We are called to holiness because God is holy (Leviticus 11:45). Jesus will echo this call to holiness. What does that mean to us? We are called to be holy people. Does it mean we are “pure” or that we are better than others? Or does it mean we are to be different, set apart for God’s purposes? Do you think of yourself as holy?

Some of the concerns of these ancient people do not concern us today. There may be people today we try to keep all these ancient laws. We know as Christians we are not bound by the laws concerning what we can eat or not eat. There are some who say it is very wise to still follow these laws. We know, for example, that pork is not the healthiest meat for us to eat. Should we refrain from eating pork simply because it may not be healthy for us, or should we refrain simply because God told people to not eat pork?

Over time, these were issues God’s people had to deal with especially after the time of Christ as the new community called the church was forming.

We must be careful when reading these ancient laws. We may see laws that we agree with and want to hold others to these same laws today. At the same time we will see laws we know we don’t follow today nor do we want to or feel that we need to in order to still follow God and be obedient to God.

So how do we determine what is what? That is a very good question!

We must seek the wisdom not of single verses taken from the Bible but of the whole Bible in the context of history and the wisdom of the community in which we are a part. That wisdom comes to us down through history as well as from contemporary sources. We look to the wisdom of the church as a whole today. And even then, we know that the church as a whole does not always agree on everything.

Through the Bible in 2012

Growing up, I kept every greeting card ever given to me. I had cards from my early birthdays. Cards from other occassions such as graduations, Christmases, Valentine's Day. Eventually I had to start throwing cards away. But I kept special cards and they are in box somewhere. Most of them are from people who are long gone such as grandparents and great aunts and such. Occassionally I will come across those cards and look at them. I cherish those cards from people such as my grandmothers.

The Bible is often referred to as a "love letter from God." We come back to it and read it and re-read it because it's God's word to us. Re-reading words I have already read... I see new insights... I have more knowledge now than before (hopefully!) and I glean new information each time I read the words.... some parts obviously mean more to me than others.... But I cherish the Bible as I cherish cards and letters from family and friends.

How do you approach reading the Bible?

.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Leviticus 8, 9

Comments:

These readings are about the priesthood. In many ways foreign to us. But we can see the detailed ways they worshipped. And in many ways they appear much more formal (or even what we might call "high church") than we worship at Albright.

Keep reading!

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:
Leviticus 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Comments:

Okay, Leviticus can be a rather boring book. It’s about ancient ways of worshipping God and living in community a couple thousand years ago. Times have changed. Why is it important for us to read this?

It’s important because it’s God’s word to us! We may not read it in order to follow it 100%, but we look for the overall meaning and how we can apply it to our lives today.

First, Leviticus takes place at the foot of Mount Sinai where Moses has received the Ten Commandments and other laws from God. The people of God have escaped from Egypt. And they are on their way to the land God has promised them. It’s going to take them awhile to get there.

As we read through Leviticus, it’s important to not get bogged down in details. Don’t get discouraged at what you don’t understand. Just skim. Get a feeling for the overall picture and the big ideas.

We can divide Leviticus into two parts: WORSHIP (1:1-17:6) and INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVING A HOLY LIFE (18:1-27:34.)

In this first section on worship, we have instructions for offerings, for the priests, for the people, and for the altar itself.

These first seven chapters we have read yesterday and today are all about the offerings.

Offerings were made for different occasions and different purposes.

How are these offerings similar to our offering in worship today? How are they different?

This Week's Readings

Monday: Leviticus 1, 2, 3
Tuesday: Leviticus 4, 5, 6
Wednesday: Leviticus 7, 8, 9
Thursday: Leviticus 10, 11, Psalm 33, 34
Friday: Leviticus 12, 12, Psalm 35
Saturday: Leviticus 14, 15, Psalm 36
Sunday: Leviticus 16, 17, 18

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 37, 38, 39, 40

Comments:

Sometimes parts of the Bible repeat. Often we can tell why. Sometimes it's because the same story is being told from different perspectives or from different story-tellers. Sometimes we are not sure why.

In reading about the details of the furniture and objects used in worship of God, I am struck by the details. Is it important to us in our worship that our baptism water is placed in a certain area in the worship space? Is it okay for the baptistry or bowl to be empty? Or should it always be full of water? What about the Communion Table? Are we careful about where we place it? What we set on it? Do we make sure it is free of dust and other markings?

Some churches are very particular about where objects are placed, how they are used, and how we treat them. Others are less concerned. Some churches use a Commnunion Table to place brochures in the entry to their church on Sundays that they are not observing the Lord's Supper. Other churches would throw a fit if anyone set anything on the table other than objects used in worship.

What does our worship say about our view of God and our relationship with God?

The last few verses of Exodus tell us that God's presence filled the worship space. God's presence, in the form of a cloud, let the people to stay put or set out on their journeys. What is the evidence of God's presence in our lives and our community of faith today? How does God lead us?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 27, 28, 29, 30

Comments:

These chapters in Exodus can be tedious reading since they give us details of a way of life that are far removed from our life in our Ponca City.

But we do know that our worship space is also sacred and holds meaning. The Communion Table, the Pulpit, the Baptistery and the Baptismal Font, the Communion Rail, the Stained Glass – each holds special meaning and we treat these objects with dignity and respect.

One item that stands out to me is that the priest wore clothing that had the twelve stones on the breastplate which bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The priest was always carrying the names of the people before God in prayer. The names of the people were never far from the priest’s heart. So too a pastor holds his or her people in the church before God in prayer. A pastor has the people of the church always on their minds and near their heart.

As church members we not hold every single church member in prayer. But we do belong to smaller groups in the church. Many of us belong to a Sunday School. Prayer requests are shared there that are not shared in worship or with the whole church. We know all the names of those in our Sunday School class. We can pray for them on a regular basis. When someone in our small group is in need, the whole group is there for them. When one rejoices, the whole group rejoices. The small group is a place for deep learning – we cannot learn all we need to learn about the Christian life by listening to the pastor’s sermon each week – we need more. And many of us fail to learn solely by ourselves. We need each other. That is why it is important to be a part of a small group.

Who is on your heart and mind today? Who are you holding in prayer?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 24, 25, 26

Comments:

We now read about the details of God’s people creating worship space called the “tabernacle.” The details might be boring to us, since we don’t worship the same way. However, it’s important for us to see the evolution of how God’s people worshipped throughout the Bible. We see here that God is greatly concerned with the details of the furnishings and how the people were to approach God. What we need to do is not focus on the details but look for the meaning behind how the Hebrew people were worshipping. What is the symbolism of these ancient ways of worshipping?

Imagine if we wrote down why the sanctuary at Albright was built the way it was. How would you explain to someone what takes place in our sanctuary on a Sunday morning? What would be the most important? What do our actions on Sunday mornings say about God, about us, and about how we approach and interact with God?

Do we approach God casually? With respect? With great intention? Do we take God for granted?

All of these are very important questions! Worship is the one time every week when the most people are gathered together. For many worship is at the heart of what the church is about. What does our worship say about us and our beliefs about God?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 21, 22, 23

Comments:

So far we have mostly been reading a story with a few genealogies thrown in. Now we begin a trek through the “laws.” It is easy to get discouraged if the laws seem so far from the situations we encounter on a regular basis. However, these laws, remember, were given to a people who for the first time in hundreds of years are living “on their own.” They are no longer slaves in Egypt. How are they to now live together and govern themselves? They are to be governed by God’s laws. And we see a respect for truth. There is also a restraint of power. If a slave owner breaks a slave’s tooth, the slave is set free in compensation (21:27). Where else do we see restraint of power in regard to people’s relationships – with men and women, with the alien among us, with the those with money and those without money? Can we see among all these laws God’s concern for fairness, for justice?

Exodus 19-20

Readings:

Exodus 19
Exodus 20
Psalm 31
Psalm 32

Comments:

I have not kept up with my readings on a daily basis, and it’s obvious I have not kept up taking notes each day. It’s easy to do that. And once it happens, it’s easy to get discouraged. But I’m not going to bother with discouragement. I’ll just pick back up and keep going.

God delivers the people from their slavery in Egypt. Once free, the people of God begin to complain and grumble. But God provides for them in the desert. Food. Water. God is with them. And because this is a community of people, they have to learn to live together. Additional leadership is needed. And we all need rules and guidelines to live by.

Exodus 20 contains the “ten commandments.” The first four have to do with our relationship with God. The last five with our interaction with other people. The fifth commands, the only one with a promise attached, deals with how we treat our parents. The ten commandments are often seen as the basis for our society and how we govern ourselves. However, there were more than just ten commandments that God gave this people. As we will see in the rest of Exodus and in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, there are over 600 laws given to the people.

Some people feel that laws inhibit what we can do. Laws are restrictive. But in reality, laws help provide order and also help us avoid chaos. Laws are also meant to protect us.

Some people might think of God as a “killjoy.” What about you? How do you view the ten commandments? Can you name all of them without looking? Which ones are easy for us to follow? Are these ancient commandments still relevant for us today?

This Week's Readings

This Week's Readings:

Monday: Exodus 19, Exodus 20, Psalm 31, Psalm 32
Tuesday: Exodus 21, 22, 23
Wednesday: Exodus 24, 25, 26
Thursday: Exodus 27, 28, 29, 30
Friday: Exodus 31, 32, 33
Saturday: Exodus 34, 35, 36
Sunday: Exodus 37, 38, 39, 40

Through the Bible in 2012

Comments:

If you were to ask United Methodists what is the central act we do based on our history, some might say “worship” while others might say “singing” or “missions” etc.

For the Hebrew people Passover is an annual celebration which recalls their freedom from slavery in Egypt as described in the book of Exodus.

For followers of Christ, we also have a sacred meal which recalls our freedom from slavery! What are (were) we slaves to? The scriptures tell us we are slaves to sin and death. Followers of Christ believe that we have been set free by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sacred meal is called by many names – the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, Holy Communion.

Tomorrow at Albright we will celebrate this sacred meal. Listen for images of the Passover. Listen for images of slavery. Listen for images of freedom.

All are welcome! Please come.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 8
Exodus 9
Exodus 10
Psalm 29

Comments:

God's people were slaves in Egypt and God had heard the cries of his people. And God met Moses in the burning bush. God called Moses to be the one to lead the people to freedom. But Moses had his excuses, didn't he?

"Who am I to do this?"

"Who will I say told me to do these things?"

"What if the people don't believe me or pay attention to me?"

"Hey, God, I'm not very good at speaking in front of people!" (I hope God didn't notice how well Moses was at speaking up and protesting what God was asking him to do!)

"God, PLEASE just send someone else!"

What excuses to do we give when we have been asked to serve God? Is it possible God wants to stretch us, to push us out of our comfort zone, to cause us to grow?

What is God calling YOU to do right now? This month? At Albright? In our community? In your spheres of influence? In this world?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Exodus 1
Exodus 2
Psalm 26
Psalm 27

Comments:

What image comes to your mind when you think of Moses? Charlton Heston on the epic movie “The Ten Commandments”? Maybe the cartoon “The Prince of Egypt” which was made in the late 1990s? What happens when we study our heroes closer?

We see that Moses very easily could have been killed as a baby boy. We also see that Moses killed an Egyptian. We would call him a murderer? Today, we want our murderers to be locked up forever, if not put to death by lethal injection. Moses was a murderer, who runs away. He is a fugitive. He becomes a shepherd, marries, and starts a family.

But God will use Moses in something very incredible. God does not use “perfect” people. God uses ordinary people just like you and me. And sometimes God even uses very imperfect people.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 49
Genesis 50
Psalm 25

Comments:

Re-read Genesis 50:20. Memorize it. It is one on the best verses in the entire Bible. "You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it." That is the way the new Common English Bible (CEB) phrases it. When bad things happen to us, we can believe in the power of God to bring good out of it. No matter what we think about how the world operates, God's role in how events unfold, our free will, or even the intent of people towards us, God is able to bring about good!

What Joseph's brothers meant as bad toward him in the end God brings about good. Joseph's story ends well. As we prepare for Exodus, we see however that life has its ups and downs. Israel (the nation) is about to entire a very trying time. It's a time that will define for them who they are as a nation and as God's people.

Through the Bible in 2012

This Week’s Readings:

Monday: Exodus 1, Exodus 2, Psalm 26, Psalm 27

Tuesday: Exodus 3, Exodus 4, Psalm 28

Wednesday: Exodus 5, Exodus 6, Exodus 6

Thursday: Exodus 8, Exodus 9, Exodus 10, Psalm 29

Friday: Exodus 11, Exodus 12, Psalm 30

Saturday: Exodus 13, Exodus 14, Exodus 15

Sunday: Exodus 16, Exodus 17, Exodus 18

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 46
Genesis 47
Genesis 48

Comments:

The story of Joseph is one of the great stories of the Bible! We have two more chapters to go and I promise you there is no surprise sad ending or cliffhanger. It’s a story full of drama, but one that ends well.

One piece of information that Joseph and brothers could not know, however, is what would happen in the future – not to them, but to those who will come after them. The story of the famine and the move of Jacob’s family to Egypt will set the stage for the second book of the Bible, Exodus. And what happens in Exodus will be a defining moment in the life of the nation of Israel.
For now, let’s just enjoy the story of Joseph.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 37
Genesis 38
Psalm 21

Comments:

In Jacob’s life we see that he loved one of his wives more than the other and now we see he loves Joseph more than his other children. Sometimes parents mess up.

We also see that Joseph for whatever reason doesn’t handle his dreams very well. Could there have been a better way for him to tell his family about his dreams? Understandably, his brothers are not happy with what the dreams seem to be implying.

Jacob ends up mourning a son who is not dead. However, this same son will save his family in the end.

What can I say about the story in chapter 38? One thing is sure, the Bible is not always rated G or even PG. The Bible is a book full of stories that show human beings in their best light and their worst light.
 
Matthew 1:3 reveals that the ancestry of Jesus is through Perez and his father Judah. What does this tell us about people and people God can work through?

Through the Bible in 2012

(I forgot to post this here on Tuesday.)

Readings:

Genesis 34
Genesis 35
Genesis 36
Psalm 21

Comments:

Again, the Bible does not present to us a perfect world. It’s a world where not only is there beauty and goodness, but it’s a world that also contains sin, pain, depravity, and evil. Dinah, Jacob and Leah’s daughter, is raped. Her brothers, understandably upset, take matters into their own hands. This leaves Jacob in the position of being retaliated against. That is human nature, isn’t it? We want to get someone back, then they want to get us back, and the cycle repeats itself. Of course, those who harmed Dinah needed to be punished.

Jacob returns to Bethel and builds an altar there. The promise of God is repeated: God will make Jacob the father of many. It’s the promise that was given to Abraham and Sarah, to Isaac, and now to Jacob. Despite all the faults and misgivings and even sinful behavior, God works through people like Jacob! We are reminded that God has changed Jacob’s name to Israel, the one who struggles with God.

We also see Benjamin born to Jacob and Rachel. Jacob’s family is complete. Watch these children closely - they will play an important role in the rest of Genesis and for much of the nation of Israel’s history.

We also see that Esau and Jacob bury their father. Despite their tumultuous relationship when they were younger, we know that Esau and Jacob were able to get along in their older years. However, their descendants will not get along. The list of Esau’s descendants in chapter 36 may bore us and appear to be meaningless to us, but Esau’s descendants will be a thorn in the side of Israel. Watch for them in the rest of the Bible.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33

Comments:

I like how Rev. Ellsworth Kalas* puts it – Jacob has unfinished business to attend to. First, he has unfinished business with his father-in-law. We see that played out in chapter 31.

Second, he has unfinished business with his brother, Esau, whom he hasn’t seen in years. We see that played out in chapter 32. But before it’s resolved, Jacob is confronted by a stranger (or a Stranger). They wrestle throughout the night. The stranger gives Jacob a new name. The new name is “Israel” and means “one who struggles with God.” The relationship of Jacob/Israel and God is a picture of the relationship of the emerging nation of Israel and God. We will see that begin in the second book of the Bible, Exodus.

After his struggle with the stranger, Jacob and Esau are able to resolve their differences and make peace with their past.

Are you struggling with God at the moment? What issues need to be resolved in your life? What does God have to say about it?

*Kalas, Ellsworth. The Grand Sweep. page 15

This Week's Readings

This Week’s Reading:

Monday: Genesis 34, 35, 36; Psalm 20
Tuesday: Genesis 37, 38; Psalm 21
Wednesday: Genesis 39, 40, Psalm 22
Thursday: Genesis 41, 42, Psalm 23, 24
Friday: Genesis 43, 44, 45
Saturday: Genesis 46, 47, 48
Sunday: Genesis 49, 50, Psalm 25

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 28
Genesis 29
Genesis 30

Comments:

My head is spinning as I read these chapters! Such drama! Such deceit! Odd customs! Sexual tension!

Last week, on a television sit-com, it appeared as if a pre-school age child was saying a very naughty word. The word was bleeped and her mouth was pixilated, but it was obvious what word the writers wanted the audience to think the girl was saying. In reality, the actress was saying “fudge.” Predictably, some people were upset saying this shouldn’t be shown during prime time when children may be watching! Predictably some Christians were upset at the kind of programming being shown on network television. While agreeing, there are some things that can go too far, I did not think this situation was one of them. And as I read today’s chapters from the Bible, I have to wonder what some Christians make of the situations we see our ancestors in the faith getting themselves into! A father who lies to his future son-in-law by saying he can marry his youngest daughter. When the time comes, the father deceives him by giving him the older daughter. After discovering the deceit and confronting the father, the father offers the man both the older daughter and the younger daughter. So between Leah and Rachel and their two servants, Jacob has twelve children who become the “twelve tribes of Israel.” The promise of being blessed and being a blessing and being the father of many is passed from Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. Don’t forget that Jacob’s nickname could very well be “Grabber” as he is a deceiver and one who “grabs” things that are not his to grab! In his father-in-law, Jacob meets his match, however!

Saints of the Bible? Heroes of the faith? How in the world can it be that God is going to work through Jacob and his children? But that is exactly what God does! And if God can work through them, then surely God can work through us! We may not appear to be as bad as some of these characters, but truthfully, we are not angels either. We will hear Paul say to us in the New Testament, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Tomorrow’s Readings:

Genesis 31
Genesis 32
Genesis 33

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 26
Genesis 27
Psalm 19

Comments:

Some days you have to fasten your seat belt because a lot of information is packed into just a couple of chapters of the Bible.

The promise to Abraham is now also to Isaac. Isaac is to be given “the land” and he will be blessed by God. All the nations will be blessed because of Isaac’s descendants. We see that the work God began in Abraham and Sarah continues after their deaths.

Isaac and Rebekah’s two sons – Jacob and Esau – are very different. And there is a struggle between them. We see how this struggle plays out with all the usual family dynamics of most (if not all) families – parents who favor one child over the other, children going against their parents’ wishes, siblings outsmarting one another. Deceit. Strife. Sin.

Rebekah is successful in making sure her favorite, Jacob, receives his father’s blessing. But there’s a price – she sends him away for his own protection!

The Bible is full of stories of people like people we all know! Not saints. Not perfect. Not exactly heroes. People just like you and me. Perhaps that’s why we can relate so well to it and to the people we find in its pages. They are ordinary people. And many of them do extraordinary things because of the power of God in their lives.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:
Genesis 24
Genesis 25
Psalm 17
Psalm 18

Comments:

The birth of Isaac was a miracle. But for Abraham to have as many descendants as the stars in the sky, Isaac will need to marry and also have children. Isaac marries Rebekah and she gives birth to two very different boys – Jacob and Esau. Esau is the older and should be the heir. But it is not to be. Jacob is God’s pick. Why should we like Jacob? Would we pick Jacob?

Do you see why I always say the Bible (and especially Genesis) is just like a good movie or television mini-series?

Sarah and Abraham die. The saga moves to the next generation. The story of God and God’s people is unfolding. Has the promise died with Sarah and Abraham?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 22
Genesis 23
Psalm 16

Comments:

There are parts of the Bible that are troubling, deeply troubling. Genesis 22 is one of those parts. God, who was upset with Cain when he killed his brother Abel, now tells Abraham to sacrifice his own son. You know, the son that he promised to Abraham more than once. In Abraham’s old age! The son who was born after Abraham tried to pass off his servant as his heir. The son who was born after Abraham had a son with his wife’s servant! Oh yeah, THAT son. God tells Abraham to now sacrifice Isaac. “Laughter”? Not much to laugh about in chapter 22.

What kind of God is this?

I have to admit at this point I do not have any easy answers. Except to say the story ends well in that Abraham is stopped from going through with it by God. The story tells us that God was testing Abraham. Evidently Abraham passed the test!

Yesterday in church we were exploring the idea of God communicating with us and how to determine if it’s really God or not. Someone asked, “Why is it important to prove that it’s God?”

I think in my own personal example from yesterday’s sermon, there were no real implications. It was not a matter of life or death. However, in this story, it is a matter of life or death – Isaac’s life!

If God told you to sacrifice your own child today, every one of us would think you were crazy. We would say that is not God!

It’s a perplexing story. It’s a tough story. We should not read it too quickly and move on to nicer stories. Nor should we be satisfied with easy answers. “Well, God KNEW he would provide the ram. God KNEW Isaac would not really die! God was MERELY testing Abraham.” Those very well may be true statements, but when listening for God’s voice, it is very important for us to know when God is truly speaking to us.

What bothers us most about this story? That God would ask this of Abraham? That Abraham was evidently willing to do it? Or that Abraham’s commitment to following God appears stronger than ours? How many times have we felt God calling us to do something, but we don’t follow through? Or we give up easily?

What are your thoughts about Genesis 22?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 20
Genesis 21
Psalm 15

Comments:

Abraham is called by God to be an important figure in the history of God’s people. We see that clearly in chapter 12. Abraham is to have an heir and will be the ancestor of many, many people. He is the patriarch of God’s people. Nevertheless, the author of Genesis shows us Abraham with all his faults as well as his good features. In chapter 20, Abraham is afraid that something bad will happen to his wife Sarah if people in Gerar know she is his wife. So he lies and says she is his sister. As the story unfolds, we see the consequences. How often do we think fibs, white lies, and half-truths won’t really matter? In this story, everything ends well. But we know in life that is not always the case.

Isaac is born in chapter 21. Remember his name means ‘laughter’ for not only did his parents laugh, but he himself brings laughter into their lives. As you can imagine, there is trouble ahead as Abraham’s other son (Isaac’s brother by a different mother!) is still in the picture. Sarah wants to send Ishmael away along with his mother Hagar. God takes care of Hagar and Ishmael. In fact, God says Ishmael will also form a great nation. Do you think these two parts of Abraham’s family will get along? Do you think they will cross paths in the future?

Do you see why I like Genesis? It has all the drama of a good television mini-series or movie. Many people become bogged down in details and bored in many parts of the Bible. I don’t see how that can be the case in Genesis.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 18
Genesis 19
Psalm 13
Psalm 14

Comments:

Previously, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. Abram means “exalted ancestor” and Abraham means “ancestor of multitudes.” The name Abraham would be a reminder that God is going to make this man the father of many! Sarai and Sarah both mean “princess.”

In chapter 18, we again hear the promise that Abraham and Sarah will have a child. Previously, Abraham has tried to have the head of his household become his heir. Sarah made sure Abraham had a child with her servant Hagar. This was not God’s plan, however! But upon hearing the promise again, Sarah laughs. When Sarah does conceive and have a son, they name him Isaac which means “he laughed.”

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is a sad one indeed. Evidently, sin was rampant. What do you make of the conversation between Abraham and God in 18:22-33? What do you make of Lot’s daughters in 19:30-38? Are there echoes here of the story of Noah – God saves Lot and his daughters but soon after sin enters the picture! Sin is a concept and reality woven throughout the entire Bible.

God is a God of forgiveness and grace. God is also a God of judgment. Humans are created in the image of God and are “very good.” But humans also are sinful creatures. The Bible is humanity’s story of this struggle and it’s our story too.

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 16
Genesis 17
Psalm 12

Comments:

I have often said that Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s literally like watching a mini-series on television. It has all the drama of any good movie or even a soap opera. There’s love, marriage, cheating, murder, reconciliation, squabbling among siblings, etc. With chapter 16 we see the story already taking some interesting turns.

Sarai decides that since she and her husband Abram do not have children, and they are advanced in years (and presumably won’t be having children of their one), to have a child by her servant Hagar. You can imagine what kinds of problems unsued. Abrahm sleeps with Hagar and Sarai eventually resents this and the child Hagar gives birth to. Surprise, surprise!

Oftentimes I fear we think of the people in the Bible as being closer to God or more perfect than we are. That is not the case! The people in the Bible are real people, just like you and me! God has called Abram and Sarai, they respond, God has a plan, they try to “help” God with that plan… but things don’t work out in the most positive ways. Nevertheless, we will see that God does not abandon Abram and Sarai nor does he give up on the plan. In fact, in chapter 17, we see God reaffirming the plan.

What are God’s plans for us? How do we try to “help” God? In what ways do we thwart God’s plans? Does God ever give up on us?

Through the Bible in 2012

Readings:

Genesis 14
Genesis 15
Psalm 11

Comments:

I am reading through the Bible in a new translation this year, the Common English Bible. It’s good to read in different translations because we can benefit from the insights of the latest scholarship. Also, we can become so familiar with the words and phrasings of our own Bible, that when we read familiar sayings or stories in new and different ways, we can be stretched and see the scriptures in a new light. What translation do you use? Many use the King James because its available. But they become bogged down in a language not written for the 21st century. The New International Version (NIV) is a popular Bible and one I recommend. I’ll let you know if I like the Common English Bible (CEB) or not.

One reason this is on my mind is because in today’s reading God is referred to as El Elyon (chapter 14 verses 17-19.) At first I was not clear about the meaning. I know “El” refers to God. So I looked it up in the New Revised Standard (NRSV) which is what we use in worship at Albright. It’s translation “God Most High” and the footnote indicates that the Hebrew (the language the Old Testament was written in) is El Elyon. I can totally understand why people become so bogged down in the details of reading and understanding scripture!

Chapter 14 begins with a lot of foreign sounding names! We cannot become discouraged. The important thing in this story is that a war is declared and Lot, Abram’s nephew ends up being captured. Abram rescues him. After this battle, Abram refuses any reward, but he does give Melchizedek the king of Salem a tenth of everything.

In chapter 15 we are reminded that although God has promised Abram to bless him and his descendants, Abram has no children, no heir. Abram tells God that the head of his household will be his heir. But God tells Abram he will have a biological child. Abram trusts God.

As part of some mysterious ceremony which is perplexing to us, Abram makes a sacrifice. There is foreshadowing of tough times to come. And again, God talks about covenant. God is going to give this land to Abram and his descendants.

Through the Bible in 2012

Day 7 Readings:

Genesis 12
Genesis 13
Psalm 10

Comments:

Genesis 12 begins the story of Abram and Sarai and their family. We are starting a story that will span generations and continues even today. The Jewish people trace their history to Abraham. As followers of Christ, Abraham is our ancestor also. This is our story.

I well remember when I graduated from Oklahoma State University and headed off to seminary (graduate school). I had applied to Asbury Seminary in Kentucky and was accepted. But I never visited the campus. I just knew in my gut it was the place for me to go. My car was packed full of my essentials, and I backed out of my parents driveway in August of 1991 and started my journey to Kentucky. This was the farthest I had ever been by myself. And this was before cell phones! It was a two day journey for me. I arrived, started school, and the rest is history! Here I am, at Albright, twenty some years later!

Imagine you are Abram and Sarai. God asks you to pack up and go on a long journey. God asks you to go to a place you have never been. You know you will probably never go back home again. You will have a new home. That is what Abram and Sarai do. They leave Haran and head to Canaan. God promises to bless them and they in turn will be a blessing to others. He gives them the land as a new home and this new home will also belong to Abram and Sarai’s descendants.

The journey is just beginning.

Through the Bible in 2012

Day 6 Readings:

Genesis 9
Genesis 10
Genesis 11
Psalm 9

Comments:

In our readings it is not that important that we match up with the day of the calendar (you will notice I didn't start this until January 2). If you fall behind, don't sweat it. The important thing is to develop consistency in reading and studying the Bible. But we don't need to beat ourselves up for missing a day or not staying on track. If you miss a day, just pick back up where you left off. This reading plan and the comments by me are to be read at your pace. We want to dig into God's word rather than be concerned with calendar dates or never missing a day.

In Genesis 9 we have the details of the covenant that God makes with Noah. God tells Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply. This is the same as he told Adam and Eve. Now Noah's family is responsible for filling the earth. We also see that God gives them permission to eat everything. Some believe that prior to this, people did not eat meat or they did not have God's blessing to eat meat. Now they do. However, we do see the value God places on human life: We are not to kill another human being. If we do, there will be consequences.

The sign of the covenant is a bow in the sky. Traditionally this has been interpreted to be a rainbow. That makes sense in the context of rain and floods. However, recent scholars have shown us that the "bow" may in fact not be a rainbow but a bow like a hunter would use. What word does your Bible use for "bow"?

Unfortunately we see that very quickly, humans blow it again. Noah becomes drunk and lies naked. Ham, one of his sons, sees this and tells the other two sons. They cover him and see embarrased and ashamed by this. When Noah awakes, he is upset. A curse results. How quickly we humans go from the highs of mountain top experiences to the lows of our humanity.

Chapter 10 gives us some genealogy. Chapter 11 is the story of the tower of Babel. How quickly we stop relying on God and start relying on our own devices. "Let us build a tower to heaven... let us make a name for ourselves..." The rest of chapter 11 is more genealogy. The important thing to notice here is that it ends with a man named Terah and his son Abram and his grandson Lot and Abram's wife Sarai. Abram and Sarai are to become key figures in the story of God's people.

Through the Bible in 2012

Day 5 Readings:

Genesis 7
Genesis 8
Psalm 8

Comments:

The story of Noah is one of the more well known stories. It is one that children love to hear. It has a big boat. And lots of animals. You can often find an ark with animals and Noah's family in children's toy stores.

As we grow older, we may wonder about this God who destroys everyone except Noah and his family. This will not be the first time we will wonder about God's actions. A careful reading of chapters 7 and 8 reveal not a focus on the destruction, however. The focus is on Noah and God's response to Noah after the flood. Noah worships God after building an altar to God. God is pleased with this. And God makes a promise. Never again will God destroy all the living creatures as he did in the flood. In chapter 9 we will see that God establishes a covenant with Noah. God is not a far off God. On the contrary, God seems to have a desire to be involved in the lives of God's creations. It would appear God is interested in relationship.

On the one hand, we see a God who is able (and does) destroy. On the other hand, we see a God of graciousness. God does not completely destroy, but saves Noah and his family through an ark. In the context of judgement, there is mercy and grace.

There are times today when people bemoan the state of humanity. Famines, wars, evil. Just today I saw online that a woman drowned her one year old in a bucket while her husband watched live over the Internet via Skype. My first thought was how awful and my second thought is that no matter how much we think we have advanced as a society, there is still a great capacity to sin. Evil still exists.

What was it about Noah that God saved him? What was it about everyone else that God destroyed them in a flood? I may not ever figure it out, but what I do know is that God does not give up on us! The story continues.

Through the Bible in 2012

Day 4 Readings:

Genesis 5
Genesis 6
Psalm 7

Comments:

Chapter 5 is genealogy. The names probably mean very little to us. What do we learn from this chapter? Adam and Eve had another son after Cain and Abel, a son named Seth. People lived a long time in those days. The genealogy ends with Noah and his three sons. Undoubtedly there is more that we can glean from chapter 5. But people often get bogged down in details and then become discouraged. The Bible is, after all, a rather large book! We don't need to get bogged down and discouraged. There is time later to study more indepth. For now, let's move to chapter 6.

6:1-8 explains how humanity spiraled downward. Wickedness and evil prevailed and God was pained by this. God decides to wipe everything humankind from the face of the earth. But one man, Noah, found favor with God. God's plan is to destroy the world with a flood but save Noah. He instructs Noah to build an ark, or a boat. God will also establish a covenant with Noah and Noah's family. Noah is to bring two (male and female) of every animal with him into the ark.

Noah does as God instructs.

Ellsworth Kalas points out that chapter 5 reads like an obituary. In chapter five we are told not about people's lives, but we are told they lived and they died. (Except Enoch. Enoch apparently did not die in the traditional sense.) Kalas says that chapter 6 also is like an obituary. In chapter 6 we see the death of a society.

The story of the Bible is about a God who creates a good world, with very good people in it, and the struggle that ensues as sin, evil, wickedness become a part of the picture.

Week 1 Readings

Week 1, Day 1: Genesis 1; Psalms 1, 2
Week 1, Day 2: Genesis 2; Psalms 3, 4
Week 1, Day 3: Genesis 3, 4; Psalms 5, 6
Week 1, Day 4: Genesis 5, 6; Psalm 7
Week 1, Day 5: Genesis 7, 8; Psalm 8
Week 1, Day 6: Genesis 9, 10, 11; Psalm 9
Week 1, Day 7: Genesis 12, 13; Psalm 10

Through the Bible in 2012

Day 3 Readings:

Genesis 3-4
Psalm 5
Psalm 6

Comments:

By chapter three, the paradise that God has created begins to fall apart. Adam and Eve disobey God and their son Cain kills their son Abel.

Maybe you feel that way as we enter into the new year. Things are good for awhile, then they fall apart. Psychologically, we feel that January 1 is a brand new start. We desperately want things to be different this year! Over and over, however, people discover that the world has not changed that much. WE have not changed that much. New Year's resolutions we made with gusto may already be abandoned. The so-called good luck effect of the black-eyed peas is dimming. It's only January 4 for crying out loud!

I don't mean to sound depressing today. Just a realist. And the scriptures are real about humanity. We are created in the image of God and God calls us good. AND we blow it horribly. We sin. We mess up.

The good news is that God does not give up on us. One striking feature to me is that when Adam and Eve sin and then begin to feel the effects of their sin (they become ashamed of their nakedness; they hide from God), God comes to them. God does not abandon them. They hear the sound of God walking in the garden. God calls out to them. This is the first question of the Bible: God asks, "Where are you?"

This is the message of Christmas which we have just celebrated. God with us. Emmanuel. A few thousand years before the birth of Christ, God was also with us.

We are beginning a fantastic journey as God walks with his people through history. It all begins right here in Genesis. And you and I are a part of it today.

Day 2 Readings:

Genesis 2
Psalm 3
Psalm 4

Comments:

The chapter and verses were not a part of the scripture when it was first written. They were added much later. Because we are human, we tend to read the Bible as it is divided for us. But sometimes the divisions do not make sense. For example, Genesis 2:1-3 are the concluding verses for all of chapter 1. Verse 4 begins a new section. Why did someone start chapter 2 where they did? I do not know.

Chapter 2 verse 4 begins the second creation story. By that, I don’t mean a completely different story. It’s the same creation, just a different version. Can you feel the difference? One of the first obvious differences is that in the first creation story God is referred to as “God.” In the second creation story, God is referred to as “LORD God.” It is important to note the difference.

“God” is a generic word referring to a deity. “God” is not God’s name. We will learn God’s name in the second book of the Bible (Exodus 3:15). Whenever you see in your Bible “Lord” written with the “ord” in small caps (LORD) it is referring to God’s name as God gave it to Moses in Exodus. We are not entirely sure how to pronounce that name, often written as YWHW or Yahweh. And the Jewish people believed that to mispronounce it or even to write it improperly would be breaking one of the ten commandments, so they came up with another way to write and say it. Thus, LORD is their way of acknowledging God as God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3:15. To add the word “God” to LORD as in LORD God is to emphasize which God we are talking about. Whoever you think God is, God in this story is the one who revealed himself to us as “I Am” or YHWH or Yahweh. (If you see the word Jehovah in your Bible or in some old hymns, it is the same as Yahweh, just a different way of spelling and pronouncing it.)

Confused? Don’t be! What’s important here is that the first creation story uses the generic term “God” for God and the second creation story is more specific by using LORD God to refer to God.

What other differences do you read in the two creation stories?

How are these differences important?

What reason could there be for these differences?

Through the Bible in 2012

Day One Readings:

Genesis 1
Psalm 1
Psalm 2

Comments:

Each day will have three readings with a couple days each week having four readings. If you read all the scriptures for each day, you will read through the entire Bible in one year. Let the journey begin!

The first book is called Genesis which means beginnings. The sciptures start with the assumption that God exists. There is no explanation of God or how God came into being. We learn about God and God's characteristics as we read about the actions of God in human history. The first chapter is one of the creation stories and tells us that God created but not necessarily how God created. Well, honestly, it does tell us God simply speaks and what God speaks comes into existence.

One key term repeated throughout this chapter is good. Everthing God created was called good. And when God created humans, God called them very good.

Most of us know that the world often does not appear to be good. Bad news is broadcast everyday in the newspapers, on the televisions, and across the internet. And quite a lot of us have experienced "bad news" in our own personal lives.

But we begin with all of creation as good. And despite all our shortcomings and failures and sins, humankind is very good.