About this time every year, people begin thinking about where they are at in life, where they have been and where they are going. It seems to be a tradition to look into the future, into the upcoming year; and set some goals. With the stroke of midnight on December 31st, many people will set New Years resolutions. One resolution you might want to consider is to read through the entire Bible in 2011. Here are some links to help you:
This site gives you 19 different English translations to choose from; with options as to the order (i.e. Old to New testaments or New to Old; chronological or historical). It will break the readings down to each day and even display the text. Some have audio versions to listen and read at the same time. This is a great way to keep your reading speed up. Professional narrators can read through the entire Bible; Genesis to Revelation in about 70 hours. E-sword also provides a free downloadable Bible program for your computer that is awesome. There are many free translations, commentaries, Bible dictionaries and more. It is my daily tool!
Free downloadable Bible for your computer. Some newer add on translations have a nominal fee; but the main program, includes KJV, KJV plus Strong’s numbers; basic commentaries and dictionaries; cut and paste options into the E-sword built in word processor or any other word processor. This is a must for every serious Bible reader.
Bible Gateway Audio Bibles has five different English translations for online audio listening.
Reading through the Bible in a year is easily accomplished, if you break it down to daily readings. Devote one hour a day to reading along with a narrator and you can do it in 70 days! Devote one hour a day to just reading and hearing the WORD together and you can read through the Bible Genesis to Revelation, easily, five time in a single year. Make this a 2011 challenge!
Getting back to our series on The Essentials of the Bible; as a review, the Bible is a manual for human life. It is a step by step plan of salvation and transformation from mortal human life to eternal spirit life with Jesus Christ. We are using an overview of the entire Bible as it is broken down into the seven segments below:
1. God yearns for a people or God wanted someone to talk to
Creation – Garden of Eden – Adam & Eve
2. God chooses a people
Through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel)
3. God delivers the people
Through Moses
4. God judges and restores the people
Through the prophets
5. God comes to the people
Through Jesus Christ/Emmanuel (God with us)
6. God saves the people
Through the cross at Calvary
7. God sends forth the people
Through the Apostolic Church/Ecclesia (Called out ones)
We have started at the beginning of the story; the beginning of the plan with the Creation Account in Genesis and the pre-creation story of John 1:1 Completing segment 1, today we will start with segment 2.
GOD CHOOSES A PEOPLE
Through Abram (Abraham), Isaac and Jacob (Israel)
God scattered the people through changing their one common language into many different languages. People began to live apart from God once again and idolatry became common place as before the Great Flood. In all of this multi-theistic world, of pagan worship; God called a man named Abram, whose name would be changed later to Abraham. God simply said to Abram, get up and go into a foreign land and Abram went,
Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (2) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: (3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
When God moves in our lives and illuminates a new path for us, we are blessed if we follow. God looks after us all and He sees our heart. A promise is made in the WORD, for every righteous man/woman, that the LORD Himself will order his/her steps and illuminate a pathway.
Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Abram went; no questions asked, he left his family and relatives behind and took a leap of faith into the unknown.
ABRAM WAS PROMISED THE FOLLOWING:
- That God would make Abram and his descendents a great nation.
- That God would bless Abram
- That God would make Abram’s name great
- That God would make Abram a blessing to others
- That God would bless those who bless Abram
- That God would curse those who curse Abram
- Through Abram God would bless all of the families of the earth
This was an incredible list of blessings; but it took great faith to venture into the unknown, for a belief in God, when everyone else around him worshipped idols. Yet making dramatic changes for a Christian today, takes no less faith. There are many easy “Christian” paths in our society that teach a false Christ. Jesus predicted this.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Extremes, on both ends of the spectrum from ultra liberal, where there is no sin and every thing is permissible; to ultra conservative, salvation by works. Such churches add rules and regulations that are not found in the Bible. It is very important that we all know the scriptures of the Bible, so that we can prove that which is acceptable to God.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, you have called me to your way of life. You have called me out of the world to be separate from sinful lifestyles. Thank you for your WORD that illuminates my way. Guide, lead and direct my life, soften my heart that I may be your child in whom you are pleased; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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