Read through the Bible…2018

Another Roman New Year – have you made your ‘resolutions?’

Let me challenge you to read through the Bible – in a year.  While it may seem a daunting task it’s easily done.  Less than 15 minutes a day - and the wealth of discovery in reading our Father’s Word?  Priceless!

Over the years I’ve used a variety of programs, such as chronological and many sites offer variations, such as:  Bible Study Tools, Ligonier Ministries, Back to the Bible (to name a few - not to mention the plethora of apps).

I toyed with reading through chronologically; however, I’m still studying/researching the original order of the books of the Bible and decided to follow this plan:

1-Jan	Genesis 1-3	LAW Part 1 Genesis = In the Beginning
2-Jan	Genesis 4-7
3-Jan	Genesis 8-11
4-Jan	Genesis 12-15
5-Jan	Genesis 16-18
6-Jan	Genesis 19-21
7-Jan	Genesis 22-24
8-Jan	Genesis 25-26
9-Jan	Genesis 27-29
10-Jan	Genesis 30-31
11-Jan	Genesis 32-34
12-Jan	Genesis 35-37
13-Jan	Genesis 38-40
14-Jan	Genesis 41-42
15-Jan	Genesis 43-45
16-Jan	Genesis 46-47
17-Jan	Genesis 48-50
18-Jan	Exodus 1-3	LAW Part 2 Exodus = These are the Names
19-Jan	Exodus 4-6
20-Jan	Exodus 7-9
21-Jan	Exodus 10-12
22-Jan	Exodus 13-15
23-Jan	Exodus 16-18
24-Jan	Exodus 19-21
25-Jan	Exodus 22-24
26-Jan	Exodus 25-27
27-Jan	Exodus 28-29
28-Jan	Exodus 30-32
29-Jan	Exodus 33-35
30-Jan	Exodus 36-38
31-Jan	Exodus 39-40

2014 - Day 21

Exodus 1-4 - ahhh...and we come to the passage where the midwives are told to kill the baby boys:

Exo 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

According to the dictionary - the definition of a lie is:

1.a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.

To some it may cause a discordance within themselves to think the midwives 'lied' and yet God rewarded them.

Exo 1:20-21 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

If (notice IF) the midwives were breaking the 9th commandment (which hadn't technically been given yet):

Exo_20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

What does it mean to bear false witness?

My pastor, and his instruction regarding the midwives and Rahab the harlot, challenged my understanding about a false witness. His devotional on Proverbs (which can be viewed here) makes valid points about the issue.

Pro 14:25  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

The midwives (and Rahab) delivered the babies (as well as the spies) from destruction.  Interestingly as I researched this topic 'lies' I came across several articles based upon a recent study on how lies negatively impact one's health.

Study Finds That Avoiding Lies Can Improve Your Health

Little White Lies May Be Bad For Your Health

Thought provoking about how many lie - or hedge the truth, side stepping responsibility or potentially 'throwing someone under the bus.' The challenge is to be as honest as possible, while not endangering lives obviously, but accepting responsibility for one's words, actions or deeds.  I'd like to think I don't lie...but do I?  Do I hedge the truth, or 'run around' or not speak directly either to avoid confrontation or risk hurting someone?

Is it easier to NOT be honest, remaining silent when something should be said, or padding or white washing what is said...how direct and honest am I?  Without being callous or hard?  Do I accept the responsibility to speak, and then willingly give the time and effort to work through the ongoing conversation or other responsibilities for following through?

And...flipping the coin...how willing am I to hear a true witness?  To examine myself when someone speaks (either lovingly or not)?

365 Day Challenge

People like a challenge - do I measure up?  Can I pass muster?  Can we?  Do we?  God's gauntlet:

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I did a post last year exhorting us to Read Through the Bible and I'm finishing up 52 Weeks for this year.

I've been perusing Ligonier's list from last year, and decided to go the Legacy route this upcoming year.

I like the idea of reading Proverbs daily, it causes me to reflect back and remember how my children and I read the Proverbs daily.  I'll post later once I have 'my' plan in place for the daily reading.

The question for you (and me) - we eat physically every day - there isn't often we pass up food, so how diligent are we to ourselves (and to exhort and encourage one another) to partake of the eternal food?  To nourish and feast ourselves upon manna from heaven?

If you are already 'challenged' - is there someone you can challenge?

I'm hoping to post as I read through this year - I'd appreciate prayer for my diligence in reading and sharing (if the Lord leads) and also, I'd like to 'hear' from you!  Which plan are you using? What nuggets of eternal gold have you gleaned in your readings?