A Chronological Bible Reading 1 Introduction

I try to read my Bible every day. The God says that the Bible is cleansing (Eph. 5:26). Since I take a shower everyday to keep my body clean I should make sure my soul and spirit are cleansed everyday as well.

I read the King James Bible because I believe it is God's word. I need to know what God is saying to me no matter how hard it is to understand because I want to do what is pleasing to God. I do not think the King James Bible is hard to read. I love my King James Bible.

I have started to read The Reese Chronological Bible by Edward Reese.  It is the King James Bible in Chronological order. Have you every thought about that?  I am going to have a lot of fun posting my readings and sharing what I am learning.

Mr. Reese makes it very clear that no one agrees on some of these dates but it is a great tool to help you study your Bible better. Only the King James Bible verses are inspired and they are they most important thing.

Before I can get started I need to address an issue about creation. I am going to tell you where Mr. Reese stands and then I will share with you how I am going to present it because of what I believe.

Mr. Reese stated that he believes in the Late Creation Theory. I have looked it up and even asked my Facebook friends which include preachers but did not get a response. Mr. Reese does believe in a literal 24 hour day for creation.

I am familiar with the Gap Theory. Basically, it is that God created the heaven and the earth, Gen 1:1. Then Satan fell and God had to start over with Gen 1:2. That is how they say the world is millions of years old.

When did Satan fall? Was is it before creation? Was it after God started creation? Did it have to take millions of years for Satan to fall?

Please continue reading here to find out where I stand on this issue.


Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

Looking for a Hero

 

John Wayne rides into town and he is not fooled by the bad guys. He has the upper hand and with his guns, a straight shot. He out smarts the bad guys and with the quick draw of his gun, he wins the battle for the good guys.

Superman catches the falling girl from the building and stops the train before it crashes. There are no worries with Superman flying around. He shows up just in the nick of time to save the day.

I have been watching the television series Highway to Heaven. In the show, Jonathan who is an angel, gets sent by God to go from town to town helping people who are in a crisis. Jonathan is no Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life. Jonathan is tough and yes, he turns the other cheek, but then he gives out a heavenly punch to set things straight. He is there to help out the underdog and to give everyone a happy ending. The bad guys do not get away with anything. Jonathan makes sure they get their consequences, immediately. Why isn’t Jesus like Jonathan from Highway to Heaven? Why doesn’t Jesus come in to our world of stress and confusion and save the day?

Those dreams of a hero may be promoting doubt in the God of the bible because there is such a significant difference in behavior and outcome between Jesus and this world’s heroes. As all the heroes claim to be good and want the good people to have victory; Jesus, who is our Saviour, acts so much differently than the heroes of this world.

Do I so easily forget that Jesus came to seek them which are lost? To bind up the wounded and heal the broken hearted. Isn’t that every one of us? Jesus doesn’t take sides. He seeks everyone. That doesn’t seem fair. It’s unjust. Everyone is loved not matter what they do. Jesus came to seek that which is lost. You know… the bad guys.

John Wayne doesn’t come to help the bad guys.

Jesus is meek, mild, and humble. Jesus would not act like John Wayne but I still want him to come into my situation and make things right. I want Jesus to right the wrongs in my life, to vindicate me and to give me the happy ending of my problems. To make it all right.

Is that how the Jews misunderstood the Bible? They were looking for a king to come and take over and wipe out the enemy.  When this child came, born in a manger, I think that threw them off. This meek man who healed the lame and cured the sick and sought after the unlovable; He was not the king who they had learned about in the temple their whole life. They did not see that he was the King of kings and Lord of lords. Did they see someone weak? The Jews did not see his plan and they would not listen to his message. They missed it. The missed Him. He was right there and as they were looking for a hero they missed the real Messiah right in their midst.

If Superman, Jesus, and John Wayne were in a line up, would we really pick Jesus? I would not have. I would have picked John Wayne. I would have liked John Wayne to come riding up on his mighty horse Duke and beat up the bad guys and save my honor. He would have given me justice.

Justice.

Jesus doesn’t deal in justice. He deals in mercy. “He looked beyond my faults to find my need,” so the song goes. So that means he must look beyond the faults of the ones hurting me and see their needs as well. Superman just wants the good people safe and the bad people punished; brought to justice. Not Jesus. He is merciful. The Bible is full of verses on mercy.

God’s children are under His grace. So what if I need saving from another Christian?  Where I am looking for justice, there is only mercy and grace. I so soon forget the wrongs I do to others. The ones I offend by my words or my actions. I don’t want justice then. I beg for mercy. I seek forgiveness. I wonder if that is what my offender is doing. Would it matter if it wasn’t?

Do I want to have the outcome be what God’s will is for my life; or would I secretly still like John Wayne to come riding in to make everything all right?

Jesus is no John Wayne and I have learned to be very thankful that he is not. Because when I was God’s enemy he did not seek justice from me. He sought a solution to reconcile us together. He had mercy on me and showed me grace. God knew there was a price to pay and I was unable to ever pay that price for sin. So, God sent his only begotten Son to die for my sins and yours. There on the cross, justice is served.

I learned I do not need a hero. I do not want justice. I need Jesus. Jesus is not a superhero. He is mercy. I have learned I need mercy.

 



I May Be Down...

But God is still using me.

I must say watching Facebook with my friends getting killer deals has encouraged me and has also challenged me. "I want to play, too!" is what I am thinking when I see the deals that are going on around me. So here is mine.

 I was able to get 5 boxes of Finish Tabs (20 ct.) for 98 cents PLUS $10 in ECB's. That was including tax.

I bought (that word is so funny to use now) this hairspray for 38 cents. Yes, I do have to pay tax, sometimes.

I do not normally picture the feminine things but I was on a roll with this. I purchased all of these for 89 cents.

God put into my hands a tool a little over a year ago and I know that couponing works. Now, when things are super tight I know how to make a dollar or even a quarter squeal!

God also put the Bible and prayer into my life a long time ago when things were going just fine. I have learned that reading my Bible and prayer works. As I go through a valley right now I know what to do. I know what works. When change happens and I may not have the answers I still know what to do and I know Who to turn to.

What is the point of learning new things when you do not allow God to use them for His glory. I know that reading my Bible and praying does a lot for me but I think it also gives God glory just as when I save money and I am able, just like you were to me, to encourage someone to keep going even when it is harder to keep going.

When it is hard, read your Bible and pray. When it is not so hard, read your Bible and pray. That is one thing that does not have to change where you are up or down.

Smith's Shopping Spree III

OK, I realize this is just insane but when you have a business that is just giving their product away what is a mother of 4 suppose to do??

I paid $2.10 for everything on the table. As you can see I really feel that God is blessing my home. I am so extremely thankful to him for looking out for me and even my new Sunday School class because now I know what the "Best Boy" and the "Best Girl" are going to get.

Strange Work ~ Day 50

Today's reading Isaiah 14:1 - Isaiah 28:29

"...that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his act, his strange act." Isaiah 28:21 KJB

Foretelling of Destruction

City after city there was judgement pronounced on them. They had lived a life serving false gods and doing their own thing and now judgement day has come. Even though they seem to deserve this punishment God calls it a strange work.

God wanted his creation to serve him. To have a relationship with him. Because we have a choice we do not always make the right choice. Even when God sets up the rules, explains the consequences I do not see that he enjoys giving out the punishment. It must be done but he describes it as his strange work.

Help me to see countries who have rejected God and his people in a more compassionate way not rejoicing in their coming judgement. God is not happy to destroy any one.

Pure Religon ~ Day 49

Today's reading Isaiah 1:1 - Isaiah 13:22

"Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17 KJB

God is expressing anger at Israel for their vain worship (1:13). He wants to destroy them like he did Sodom and Gomorrah (1:9) but for a very small remnant keeping back his wrath. God explains their sin in 1:17. They are not taking care of their people. He mentions it in other places how they grind the poor (3:15) and turn aside the needy (10:2). If you think women would have done a better job if they were in charge, well, they were! (3:12) They got busted for that, too.

By chapter 9, Isaiah speaks to Israel of a child that will be born (9:6). Their king is coming and he will not only rule them but rule the world. What they did not expect was Jesus. When he did come he took care of the sick and the needy (11:3,4) That upset the religious people still.

When will we get it? When will I get it? It is not about titles and positions, money or power. It is about taking care of people. It is about our neighbors, our fellow church members, the sick and hurting, the broken. The child with ADD and the poor. It is all about people.

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27 KJB

Enjoy ~ Day 48

Today's reading Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Song of Solomon 8:14

"And also that everyman should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:13 KJB

There was an underlining theme as I read through Ecclesiastes. It was about enjoying life, enjoying the fruits of your labor and even enjoying the wife (or husband, in my case!) of your youth. It would seem that Solomon is at a point in his life where he is taking inventory on what is really important and valuable. He does not want us going through our lives just working even working for the Lord without enjoying the blessings of that work.

Our church works at inviting people to come to church. This Sunday there is going to be a picnic after church so we will be able to get to know each other better. After putting in the time to work at the church and work in the neighborhood inviting people it will be really nice to get to know the people that have come to our church plus our co-laborers in Christ.

God wants us to work and he also wants us to enjoy life. What a great God we have that he wants us to live a balanced life of work and also pleasure.

Learn ~ Day 47

Today's reading Proverbs 20:22 - Ecclesiastes 2:26

"Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction." Proverbs 24:32 KJB

All the verses about wisdom can teach us so much. We can also learn from others who have not done so well. Proverbs 24:30-31, speaks of a slothful man whose vineyard is all over grown and ruined. Vs. 32 says how when another person saw it, that person learned from this bad example and decided not to follow in his foot steps.

You do not have to figure it out for yourself to do bad or even to do good, for that matter. You can look at other people's lives and learn from them and make the choice for yourself.

When raising children, for example, I watched other families and when I saw something I liked I found out how they got those results and I did the same thing. When I saw something I did not like I watched and figured out how they got those results and then tried to avoid that in my life.

This life really has come with an instruction manual. It is your King James Bible. Read it and learn so much of what God has for you.

Wisdom vs. Foolishness ~ Day 46

Today's Reading Proverbs 7:1 - Proverbs 20:21

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20 KJB

It is the contrast of the benefits of wisdom and the consequences of the foolish or the wicked. Every verse pretty much could stand on its own as a gem of wisdom concerning our daily living and the choices that are set before us. You could read one chapter a day every month and not exhaust the wisdom you would gain in a lifetime.

Praise the Lord/ Wisdom ~ Day 45

This is the half way point of my 90 day read through the King James Bible!

Today's reading Psalms 135:1 - Proverbs 6:35

"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee." Psalms 143:8 KJB

Today's reading was both praise and wisdom. The idea of Praising the Lord took up a lot of chapters. It was refreshing to just keep reading the words over and over. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord. It showed me that I need to praise the Lord more in my life. Praise the Lord!

I started in Proverbs which covers how to get wisdom (from an ant 6:6). Also the benefits of wisdom:

1. 1:33 "But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."
2. 3:2 "For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee."
3. 4:9 "She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."
4. 4:22 "For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

It is amazing to me how God has to convince us to get wisdom. It is not something we are going to naturally be drawn to do.

Praise the Lord that our God wants us to be wise!

Great Spoil ~ Day 44

Today's reading Psalms 109:1 - Psalms 134:3

"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." Psalms 119:162

I loved reading that description of my Bible. A great spoil. That makes me think of treasures and riches. Chapter 119 of the Psalms is speaking of the word of God.

Delight. That word is often used to describe the feelings of the one reading and meditating on the Bible (vs.35)

The Bible also has things you can expect from reading your Bible. Comfort (vs. 76), liberty (vs. 45), wisdom and understanding (vs. 99 & 100), and you will learn to hate sin (vs. 104).

It just makes me want to keep reading my King James Bible. Besides, who doesn't like hunting for hidden treasure!

Remember ~ Day 43

Today's reading Psalms 89:14 - Psalms 108:13

"And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies." Psalms 106:45 KJB

Through these chapters we are reminded of who God is (90:2). We are reminded of where to find gladness (92:4). We are reminded that the wicked will not get by (94:23). We are reminded of his holiness (97:12).

What I find interesting is in chapter 106 where the sins of Israel are recapped and God has to remember for them his promises. Israel had forgotten all that God had promised them. They stayed in their sin because they forgot.

Here are a few ways to help us remember all that God has promised us:

1. Read your Bible everyday.
2. Pray everyday.
3. Go to church.

There are probably more ways to remember Gods goodness and mercy toward us and all his other wonderful promises but those three can keep us busy for while. Remember, don't forget!

Testify ~ Day 42

Today's reading Psalms 69:22 - 89:13

"Marvelous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan." Psalms 78:12 KJB

God is telling us not to forget what he has done for you. Do not forget his deliverance, his mercy, and grace. Do not forget his free gift of salvation through his son Jesus. Speak of it to your children, your family and friends. Testify of his goodness today while your amongst your Christian friends at church today. God is not done. There is more great things to come.

Emotions ~ Day 41

Today's reading Psalms 45:15 - Psalms 69:21

"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;" Psalms 61:2 KJB

I saw praise, I saw rejoicing, I saw vengeance, and I saw depression. There are a lot of emotions being expressed with such fervor. The need to be lifted up (61:2). The storing of tears (56:8). The expectation of blessings everyday! (68:19)

What an awesome God we serve to be able to handle our problems from without and the challenges we have from within.

God Is In Control ~ Day 40

Today's reading Psalms 25:1 - 45:14

"But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me." Palms 40:17 KJB

There are different men writing the psalms at the point. Psalms 25-40 are written by David. He was pleading a lot for deliverance from his enemies. He did not want them to have the last laugh on his life. David spoke about betrayal from men he once thought of as friends (41:9). He wants the wicked punished. He also saw how frail he was (39:4). If the Lord did not deliver him he was going to be in trouble.

The song, I Need Thee, comes to my mind. I am lost with out God. I need to rely on the Lord for everything. I need to allow God to work in my life when others do me wrong, let God take care of it.

Righteous ~ Day 39

Today's reading Psalms 1:1 - Psalms 24:10 KJB

Righteous.

That seemed to be the theme word for the first part of the reading.

• 1:6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous
• 7:11 God judgeth the righteous
• 7:17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness
• 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness
• 11:7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness

Then there are chapters of Psalms that plead for help 12:1 & 17:1. He seems pretty desperate by chapter 22. Then chapter 24 is praise to God.

It is hard to lump this reading all together because the chapters seem like separate poems. But no matter how unworthy we see ourselves the Lord is good to his own and not just good but very good!

• 13:6 " I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
• 16:11 "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

It makes me want to do right, to stay close, to not disappoint God. He makes following Him very easy. Not because I am righteous but because He is righteous.

Your God ~ Day 38

Today's reading Job 25:1 - Job 41:34

" I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eyes seeth thee." Job 42:5 KJB

Job is in the midst of being put in his place by three of his friends. He is defending himself well. Finally, Elihu has a chance and he goes on and on about being young himself he is wiser than Job. I find it interesting that God does not even acknowledge Elihu when he is doling out punishment to the three friends.

Job hardly speaks when the Lord shows himself to him. All that Job had been taught, all that he had read and all the sacrifices he had done, the worship to God and it did not compare to the actual time when Job himself was confronted with God on a personal basis.

We can go through the motions. Maybe we have done this Christian thing all our lives. Maybe it is expected of us now. We are in our spots on Sunday and we even talk the talk and walk the walk.

Have you been confronted with the Lord God Almighty on a personal basis? Is He your God or still your parents' God? Have you seen for yourself what the Lord can do for you like Job just realized? Have your own walk with the Lord. Take the God of the Bible and make Him your God.

Where Is He? ~ Day 37

Today's reading Job 8:1 - Job 24:25

"For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?"

Job 14:7-10 KJB

Job was going through a devastating time with losing his wealth, his children, his health, his wife turns on him, and then his friends betray him. Through it all he knew he was innocent. He was not boastful how he stood before God.

A healthy opinion of ones self is good to have. Not too high but not a doormat either. Job knew when it was all said and done that he would get his strength back from the Lord. Job 23:6 "Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me."

In God We Must Trust ~ Day 35

Today's reading Nehemiah 1:1 - Nehemiah 13:14

" Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God." Nehemiah 4:9 KJB

Nehemiah had a huge task ahead of him yet he was not detoured by what others were saying or doing. He knew what had to be done. He knew it would not happen unless the trusted God to get it done.

Even when you are out numbered and it does not seem like what you know needs to get done is getting done, you need to keep praying and giving it to God because God will bless your good works like he did Nehemiah's.

Joyful ~ Day 34

Today's reading II Chronicles 35:16 - Ezra 10:44

" for the Lord had made them joyful." Ezra 6:22 KJB

The Israelites were able to worship with joy because they realized all that God had done for them and all he had forgiven them for.

This is what worship should be like. Going to God's house and joyfully praising God for who he is and what he has done. For his son Jesus who died on the cross so I would not have to go to hell.

I think they went home more joyful then when they showed up to worship. What a good example for me in how I should attend church. Thank you Lord for a great church I get to attend.