Hi Crosspoint Family,
Well, this is the year! We're all going to read through the entire Bible in 2010 as a church. It's going to be an amazing thing and you're probably excited. It sounds like no big deal at first! But it will be hard. The first week or so will be no problem. But it will be hard as time goes by. You'll be tempted to quit if you miss a day or two. You'll think it's boring at times during the long stretches when you're reading the genealogies and historical records of Jewish law. But don't quit! Don't give in. Stay with it. You can do it! We're in this together!!
Feel free to leave comments here daily or whenever you feel led to write something. Try to be positive but tell how you feel as you read. Let's encourage one another and cheer each other on! I'd love to hear your comments!
I've tried multiple times to start a Read the Bible Through program, and I've never completed one. As a result, I've read a lot of the books of the Bible, but can't say I've ever gotten all the way through. I pray that along with Crosspoint, I can do it in 2010! I think the Blog discussion could really help, along with the inspiration of the rest of you who have signed up!
ReplyDeleteLORI - I'm right there with you! I have tried multiple times as well - and always seem to fall off the wagon! I too am hoping that with support and encouragement I will have a new excitement and passion for completing it!
ReplyDeleteI have not read the Bible all the way through in my entire life. I have read Genesis on numerous occasions and cannot understand a part we just read. Adam and Eve were blind--their eyes were closed. But then it says in 3:6 that she "SAW that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at..." So she ate from the tree and her eyes were opened. If her eyes were closed, how could the tree look delightful? Can someone clue me in on what I am missing? I assume that they were only blind to the knowledge of good and evil?
ReplyDeleteI don't think they were physically blind, just innocent to certain things....
ReplyDeleteYeah, Lori is right. They could already see physically, but when they sinned there eyes were opened to see things differently than before. They lost their innocence and when they ate the fruit, they saw each other naked in a way that made them embarrassed. They had never seen themselves that way before. Great question though! Thanks for reading guys!!
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea to do this together. I am enjoying the time reading with the family!
ReplyDeleteSo - my take on yesterday and today is this: The world hasn't changed much!
ReplyDeleteWomen were jealous....told their men to do things and then got mad when they did them ... (Abram and Sarai)
They struggled with sexual sin and improper use of wine
Sin was more important to them than God.
Not trying to be a downer...but to me this shows that they were dealing with many of the same issues we deal with today...and yet, the faithful were able to remain just that! It is encouraging to me to know....I can DO this! I can remain faithful to serving God! I'm loving this so far....not excited about the "begats" section. :)
This morning I flew out of Charlotte around 6 AM and began reading. The sun was rising and it was just a great time with God. No lightning or thunder, just stillness...... I am currently flying into Ohia and really just taking the scenery in. The first few days of this project have been very good for me....
ReplyDeleteTo Thesawhooks....I agree, nothing has changed. They were just like us..... Without the cool Iphone.....
I love this give and take among our fellow sojourners! Thanks for taking the time to share. I invite ALL who are reading to jump in from time to time!! The water's warm!!!!
ReplyDeleteDay 6 and I'm still keeping up. YAY! Since going back to work after New Year's, I've found that a good time for me to read the verses is on my lunch break, which I usually take at my desk anyway. And since I'm addicted to my e-mail, then it's 'right there' and I'm constantly reminded to read today's chapters. So far, so great!
ReplyDeleteWow, some of these stories make a soap opera seem tame! It's amazing how flawed the ancients were, and how God still chose to bless them and use them. I suppose we're not much different are we? Just a great reminder that God's grace is so much greater than we realize!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteThis morning I woke up and realized that I was officially 5 days behind on my Bible reading - 5 unopened emails on my Blackberry (stressed!). I decided during my lunch break at work today to take some time and do some catch-up on my reading. I really want to stick with this. What I realized is that my lunch is a perfect time to do my reading and meditate (I paid attention on Sunday, Jimmy!). Just want to encourage everyone to keep up - even if you get a little bit behind. I pray you'll find those quiet moments during your day to spend time with the Lord. Now I'm only one day behind. :)
A couple of comments about todays reading (Jan 20 Exodus 14-16...the verse that jumped out at me to to memorize and repeat is: EXO 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."-Can it really be that easy?
ReplyDeleteSecondly-MANNNA-anyone know where I can get something similar? "It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey"...I think there is a jar with the recipe floating around Isreal!
One thing that stood out to me recently, was that the LORD hardened Pharoah's heart. I guess I just thought Pharoah was the one being stubborn....but it appears that the Lord was making it that way. Why do you think that was?! Was He testing Moses' faithfulness!? To me - this was a reminder that we are called to perservere! If we are doing the things God has called us to do...we must continue with faithfulness - even if it seems we are getting nowhere!
ReplyDeleteHere's a good one. 16:27Nevetheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it,(manna) but they found none. 28Then the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?"Why don't we listen to God? Why do some get it and some don't? The human dilemma!
ReplyDeleteHey gang,two down and only 64 books to go!!! Don't quit!!
ReplyDeleteFinished Exodus and glad to be moving into the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God seemed to be so different than how I feel He is in the New Testament and how He is to me today. I know that we're now under the New Covenant instead of the Old, but it makes me wonder--God was so interactive with his people and so formal and exact in his desires (e.g., the design of the Tabernacle) and I'm so not formal and exact in my worship. Is that OK with Him? The other thing that bugs me is that when we read the OT, we read it from the perspective as if WE were one of the Chosen People. I keep wondering about all those non-chosen people, like the Amalekites (sp?), or some other people that were not in his favor--what if God sees me as one of those, instead? I hope the difference is my faith in Him, but it seems those people were lumped into disfavor collectively, not based on any individual belief or non-belief. Thank goodness for Jesus and the New Testament!
ReplyDeleteGotta love the Sermon on the Mount! Now if we can just live this way of Jesus. "It's not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord."Zechariah 4:6
ReplyDeleteGotta say, I got bogged down in Exodus with all the "And this was gold," "And that was bronze," cubits and measures and bells and arg.
ReplyDeletebut the thing that stood out in that whole building of the tabernacle bit was the word "Skillfully." "The skillful among them," "they skillfully made." It made me wonder if the job of "craftsman in the tabernacle" was the coolest job there...And did Moses ever have to say, "You know what, Achbelmidad, thats a NICE drape, but I think you'd be better as a shepherd."
And how faithful are we, to really place people in ministry out of skill and not out of fill.
Hey Jiggs-like the comment "out of skill not out of fill"-powerful. btw-I started getting caught up in the directions for the tabernacle until I googled it and learned how much symbolism is in that chapter-check out this website for more:http://thesentone.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/exodus-25-27-the-tabernacle-pt1/
ReplyDeleteGood point Jenn! Especially in a plant church...when the "fill" is so needed! I pray God sends us SKILL!
ReplyDeleteI'm telling you - reading Matthew is making me love Jesus! Just reading about all the stories and ways he spoke to His people in parables....
makes me wish I could sit at HIs feet! How THANKFUL am I that I CAN! I don't have to go through a priest or an elder - I can sit and talk to Him anytime I want....
now - to slow down enough to do just that!
Okay, I have this really big red bump on my cheek and it's got it a hair in it and....
ReplyDeleteShow it to the priest. Except... oh, yeah, that's you!
ReplyDeleteHey guys, don't give up on your reading!! Leviticus is tough but we all can do it! And don't forget to read as if God is speaking! Peace!
ReplyDeleteBoy I feel like I'm plodding along through Numbers! What a tough book of the Bible. As I read I sometimes think to myself, "I'm so glad I didn't live as a Jew and in that time period. Life must have been tough with all the rules and regulations to keep! Whew! I would have been a miserable failure, but isn't that the point of the Law? To show us we can't keep it anyway? We need a Saviour! Thankful for grace!!!
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm still at it, getting through Numbers. I'm just a few days behind but will catch up. Yes, I'm glad I didn't live in those days. I admit I don't understand everything going on there, especially why God would tell Balaam to go somewhere and then use an angel to block his way.... that's very confusing.
ReplyDeleteSo behind! This week away REALLY killed me.....trying to do 2 a day to catch up....sigh....I'm disappointed in myself...
ReplyDeleteBe determined, and you'll catch up. I get behind then catch up. I probably read about 3-4 days out of 7 and eventually get caught up. I really like getting the readings by email. Since I check email virtually everyday, it's a great reminder. I notice, though, that sometimes we only read 2 chapters a day--I thought you had to read 3 a day to get through the Bible in a year???
ReplyDeleteHey, has anyone else been behind on their readings like me? Wow, I've let other things crowd out my reading time. I'm sad to have to admit it but it's true. I'm determined to catch up through John and Joshua but I will do it! How's everyone doing?
ReplyDeleteI'm hanging in there. Usually a few days behind, but so far no more than a week, thank the Lord. I'm halfway through Joshua, anyway. Lots of battles and warfare in this part of the Bible....
ReplyDeleteWell, it has been a long year of Bible reading and I have a funny feeling most if not all of us, are behind on their reading! Not fret. Don't feel guilty! It's not a sin! Hopefully you've done your best! Why not try to do a little catch up these final eight or nine days and see where you end up! Would love to hear from all of you on your feelings about this! Merry Christmas!
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