Reading the Bible In One Year-Jan. 3

Genesis 6-9

Wow!  That was a long one!  Especially when you consider that Noah was 6 hundred years old!  That was repeated alot of times, wasn't it?  I wonder at the importance, but it made it stand out to me like this--when you've lived 600 years and your sons have lived 100 years--40 days doesn't seem as long!  But did you notice how long they were actually on the boat!  It was over a year, I think, by the time the water receeded enough to get off with all those animals.  So, when I'm waiting for "God's timing" on my next prayer, I'm going to have to consider the length of time Noah waited and lived. 

I noticed that God also decided that man should only live 120 years.  I still don't know anyone who has lived THAT long.  And I noticed that after living in the ark, God gave the animals for man to eat as well.  I'm not sure what to make of that.  Is that what shortened their lives? 

I also noticed that they began tilling the earth and planted the first vineyard.  And they didn't know the power of it yet.  I laugh to think that Noah got drunk after that voyage.  I can't really blame him--I'm sure it was an ordeal!  But we must remember, it was only after the vineyard had grown, the fruit had fermented, and the wine had been made.  So, we're looking at years again, instead of the days that it seems like when you read it all at once. 

And amazing story, that also mentions the cycles at one point again.  So--good things come to those who wait.  May I always trust in your planning and your timing, dear Lord.

Reading the Bible In One Year-Jan. 2

Genesis 3-5

So now we understand the phrase as old as Methuselah!  It amazes me how long everyone lived!!  Were the years measured the same?  Was the world turning faster?  Slower?  Someone once told me that because of the mist instead of rain that bodies did not age. The sun was blocked and that had an effect as well.  I’m just not sure.

My other thought today.  Did you notice how God kept asking man questions?  You know He already knew the answers!   It really made me think about how God wants a relationship with us.  He talks to us even if He knows the answer already because He wants to know how we will tell the story--what will be our perspective?  It so much sounds like when I teach children.  I ask them questions that I know the answer to so I can judge their understanding of the situation.  God is a great model of teaching, isn’t He.  He is just trying to help us understand the situation by asking us to say it outloud. 

Have you ever had to admit something to someone?  Even to yourself?  While it is more easily done in your head, sometimes it is almost impossible to say the words outloud.  But after you do, you have moved toward fixing the problem.  And until you say the problem outloud, sometimes it seems impossible to move toward a solution.  Yep, admitting the problem is the first step—God knows that and so He is going to ask—and we must have the courage and strength to answer if the problem is going to be solved. 

Lord, help me to see the problems clearly and know they are “fixable”.  Thanks for loving me enough to see EVERY problem through, even when it means a lot of work is on the way!

Reading the Bible In One Year

So my New Year's Resolution is reading through the entire Bible in a year.  I've done it before, thanks to my sister who gave me a daily walk Bible in 1987!  My viewpoint then was dramatically different than it is now.  And since the Bible is the LIVING word, I know it is always alive and different according to your life circumstances.  So, I'm going to read through it again.  This time, I'm taking a very studious approach.  I'm going to pray before I start, read the "prescribed" selection according to the date, and then close the book and journal about what my thoughts are, what stands out to me, what it means to me according to what life and the Holy Spirit are guiding me to that day.  I'll be writing my thoughts here in this blog and you are invited to join me.  I hope you will hold me accountable.  I hope you will read and let God guide you through this process as well.  I hope it will be more fun than work!!  It should be at least insightful!  So, Happy New Year and may God Bless Us One and All!!  You in? click here to download.dailybibleguide.com if you are on a PC (not compatible to mac yet)