To teach, to preach, and to heal

Friday 31Dec2021

Today's Passages:
Genesis 42:1 - 45:28 NWB (134 verses)
Matthew 8:1 - 10:42 KJV (114 verses)

In today's New Testament reading, Matthew chapters 9 tells of our Lord going from place to place teaching in synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing the sick. We read that the Lord was moved with compasssion when he saw that they were like sheep without shepherd. He told his disciples that there were few labourers to work in a plentiful harvest, and he asked them to pray to "the Lord of Harvest" to send forth labourers.

Matthew 9:35 - 38  KJV  King James Version

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Most probably the disciples did not know that the labourers would be chosen from among them. Immediately after the above account in Matthew 9, the first verse of Matthew 10 tells us that the Lord Iesus chose twelve disciples and gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal the sick. He sent them out to preach the kingdom of heaven to the "lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:5 - 7).

Matthew 10:1  KJV 

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

The following are the disciples whom Iesus called (Matthew 10:2 - 4 KJV):

• Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother
• James ben Zebedee, and John his brother
• Phillip, and Bartholomew
• Thomas, and Matthew the publican
• James ben Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus Thaddaeus
• Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus Anointed, like the unsuspecting disciples who were told to pray that God would send out labourers into the harvest, God may call us to be His labourers too. Let us pray that God will show us what he has sent us to do in his harvest field.

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." (John 6:27 KJV)

From Overseer to Ruler, From Prison to Palace

Thursday 30Dec2021

Today's Passages:
Genesis 38:1 - 41:57 NWB (133 verses)
Matthew 5:1 - 7:29 KJV (111 verses)

Genesis chapters 39 to 41 in today's Old Testament readings tells of Joseph's journey from being sold to Pharaoh's officer Potiphar, to being appointed as overseer over Potiphar's household, to being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and imprisoned by Potiphar, and subsequently to his successful and impressive interpretation of Pharaoh's disturbing dream resulting in his appointment by Pharaoh as ruler over all the land of Egypt, being given Pharaoh's very own signet ring.

Indeed, Joseph has impressed and won the favour of everyone he served with his wisdom and trustworthiness, from Potiphar, to the prison captain, to Pharaoh himself.

Genesis 39:1 - 4  NWB  Noah Webster Bible
1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt: and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down thither.
2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man: and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Genesis 41:41 - 44  NWB
41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had: and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

A few noteworthy verses are found in the passage above. Genesis 41:40 says that Pharaoh gave Joseph so much authority over the kingdom that "only in the throne will I be greater than thou". Pharaoh gave Joseph the name "Zaphnath-paaneah" (Gen 41:43 NWB) and verse 42 tells us that Pharaoh even took off his own signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand!

With such absolute power, it is no wonder that wherever Zaphnath-paaneah went in Pharaoh's second chariot, the people were ordered to "Bow the knee!" before him. (Gen 41:43 NWB).

This reminds us that our Lord Iesus was likewise anointed by God to rule over heaven and earth, in a manner similar to Joseph (Zaphnath-paaneah) being appointed by Pharaoh to rule over the land of Egypt. In Matthew 28:18, our Lord told the disciples after his resurrection, "All power is given to me in heaven and upon earth".

Indeed, the Lord Iesus is given such a high position that Philippians chapter 2 tells us that God has highly exalted him and has given him a name that is higher than every other name. And just as Genesis 41:43 tells us that every one was to bow the knee before Zaphnath-paaneah, Philippians 2:10 says that every knee shall bow at the name of Iesus. In fact, the name of Iesus is far higher over and above the name of Zaphnath-paaneah because those who bow the knee at the name of Iesus include all things in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth.

Philippians 2:11 goes on to state that every tongue shall confess that Iesus the Anointed is Lord, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

Philippians 2:9 - 11  NWB
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us also bow our knees at the Name of our Lord Iesus who has been Anointed and Highly Exalted by God to rule over every thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Let us confess that Iesus is Lord and give glory to God our Father in Heaven.

Starting the 5th Cycle of New Testament Reading

Wednesday 29Dec2021

Today's Passages:
Genesis 33:1 - 37:36 KJV (159 verses)
Matthew 1:1 - 4:25 KJV (90 verses)

Today I begin my Fifth Cycle of New Testament reading. I covered the first four chapters of the Gospel according to Matthew, reading a total of 90 verses.

For my Old Testament reading, I continue with the Third Cycle which I began recently, reading Genesis chapters 33 to 37 with a total of 159 verses.

Checkpoint: End of 4th Cycle of New Testament Reading

Tuesday 28Dec2021

Today I completed my Fourth Cycle of New Testament reading, cycle which I started three months ago in September.

Whilst the First Cycle of New Testament Reading took me nine months to finish, the Second Cycle took five months, and both the Third and Fourth Cycles took me only three months each to complete.

There are 7,957 verses in the New Testament. I plan to complete my next cycle of reading in another three months by reading about 88 verses a day.

The Fifth Cycle of New Testament reading will begin tomorrow 29Dec2021 and I hope to complete it by the end of March next year.

The Apha and Omega, The Beginning and the End

Tuesday 28Dec2021

Today's Passages:
Genesis 32:1 - 32 ASV (32 verses)
Revelation 20:1 - 22:21 ESV (63 verses)

In today's New Testament reading, I come across two passages containing the words of God Almighty saying, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end".

In Revelation chapter 21, these words are attributed to the one "who was seated on the throne" (Rev 21:5 - 8).

Revelation 21:5 - 8  ESV  English Standard Version

5And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
7The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
8But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

Later in Revelation chapter 22, similar words, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" are conveyed by the angel who was speaking to the Apostle John, and these words are attributed to one who is "coming soon" and who will "repay each one for what he has done", clearly referring to the rewards and punishments from God Almighty described earlier in Rev 21:5 - 8 above.

Revelation 22:12 - 15  ESV

12“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.

Following this, the angel who was speaking to John conveyed the words of our Lord Iesus in Rev 22:16, describing himself as "the root and the descendant of David" and "the bright morning star".

Revelation 22:16  ESV

16“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Over the past seven years, I have written short notes on the worship of God who sits on the throne, and distinguishing the titles given to God from those given to the Lord Iesus in various chapters of the book of Revelation. See links given below.

• Worship Him who sits on the Throne, August 2014
• Titles of God vs Titles of Iesous, November 2020

The woman on a scarlet beast

Monday 27Dec2021

Today's Passages:
Genesis 31:1 - 55 ASV (55 verses)
Revelation 15:1 - 19:21 ESV (92 verses)

Today's New Testament reading is taken from the English Standard Version.

After the account in Revelation chapter sixteen of the outpouring of seven bowls of God's wrath, chapter seventeen tells us that one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls invited the Apostle John to see "the judgment of the great prostitute" (Rev 17:1, 2 ESV)

John was taken by the Spirit into a wilderness where he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast with seven head and ten horns. (Rev 17:3 - 5 ESV)

Revelation 17:3 - 5  ESV  English Standard Version
3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.”

Who is this great prostitute? Who is this woman who sits on a scarlet beast?

Revelation 17:5 above tells us that she is Babylon. Further on in verse 18, the angel explained to John that she is "the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth."

Revelation 17:18  ESV
18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.

Later in Revelation 18:3, we read,

. . . all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.

This prophecy brings to mind that we are living in these last days where a single powerful and abominable authority (the great city of Babylon) is in the process of dominating all other authorities and governments on earth.

In Revelation 18:4 - 5, the Apostle John heard a voice from heaven telling him,

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us watch and pray that we do not fall into the abominations and sexual immorality of Babylon, the woman on a scarlet beast.

Keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Iesus

Sunday 2021.12.26

Today's Passages:
Genesis 30:1 - 43 ESV (43 verses)
Revelation 8:1 - 14:20 KJV (119 verses)

In my New Testament reading today, I came across a verse in Revelation chapter fourteen telling us about the "patience of the saints". This patience involves keeping the commandments of God and the faith of our Lord Iesus.

Revelation 14:12 KJV King James Version Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

After that, the Apostle John heard a voice from heaven telling him to write:

Revelation 14:13b KJV Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us strive to keep the faith of our Lord Iesus. Let us live in obedience to the Lord, that we may also die in Lord and rest from all our labours.

Blessed are those who hear and keep . . .

Saturday 2021.12.25

Today's Passages:
Genesis 29:1 - 35 BBE (35 verses)
Revelation 1:1 - 7:17 KJV (130 verses)

Yesterday I did not read the Scriptures but spent most of the day making changes to my online passwords, a routine which I carry out every three months. Due to the large number of online accounts that I use, I couldn't finish changing all my passwords. I will be spending the next two days on this long and tedious task.

This morning in my New Testament reading, I read the first seven chapters of the Book of Revelation, beginning with the introduction to the visions seen by the Apostle John, to the opening of the seven seals.

Over the recent year, I have written an outline of John's visions of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls recorded in Revelation chapters 5 to 16, link below:

• Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, Seven Bowls

Revelation chapter one tells us that the one who reads these prophecies aloud is blessed. Also, blessed are those who hear and keep the words of these prophecies.

Revelation 1:3  ESV  English Standard Version

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Love not the world, it passes away

Thursday 2021.12.23

Today's Passages:
Genesis 28:1 - 22 BBE (22 verses)
2 Peter 1:1 - 3:18 KJV (61 verses)
1 John 1:1 - 5:21 KJV (105 verses)
2 John 1:1 - 13 KJV (13 verses)
3 John 1:1 - 14 KJV (14 verses)
Jude 1:1 - 25 KJV (25 verses)

This morning I finished reading the epistles of 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude, leaving me with only the Book of Revelation before I complete my Fourth Cycle of New Testament Reading. I look forward to finish reading Revelation before the end of the month.

My Old Testament reading today covers only one chapter from the book of Genesis.

From today's readings, 1 John chapter 2 tells us not to love the world, for the the world and its lust passes away, but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15 - 17  KJV  King James Version
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
    If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world,
    the lust of the flesh,
    and the lust of the eyes,
    and the pride of life,
    is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
    but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us beware of falling in love with the things of this passing world. Instead, let us strive to do the will of God our Father in Heaven that we may abide forever.

Ten chapters through James and 1 Peter

Wednesday 2021.12.22

Today's Passages:
Genesis 27:1 - 46 ESV (46 verses)
James 1:1 - 5:20 RSV (108 verses)
1 Peter 1:1 - 5:14 RSV (105 verses)

Today I managed to read another long portion of scripture from the New Testament, covering the entire epistle of James and 1 Peter.

In my Old Testament reading, I read only Genesis chapter 27.

Finishing the Epistle to the Hebrews

Tuesday 2021.12.21

Today's Passages:
Genesis 26:1 - 35 ESV (35 verses)
Hebrews 7:1 - 13:25 ESV (202 verses)

Today I continue sprinting through the last seven chapters of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Epistle General of James.

In Hebrews chapter 9, I am reminded that our Lord Iesou is our Eternal High Priest who has "appeared once for all at the end of ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb 9:26 ESV).

Hebrews 9:24 - 28 ESV English Standard Version
24For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement, 28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

A High Priest tempted as we are, yet without sin

Monday 2021.12.20

Today's Passages:
Genesis 25:1 - 34 ASV (34 verses)
Titus 3:1 - 15 GNB (15 verses)
Philemon 1:1 - 25 WEB(25 verses)
Hebrews 1:1 - 6:20 (101 verses)

Today I continue my sprint by pushing on with Titus, Philemon and the first six chapters of Hebrews, a total of a hundred and forty-one verses. I intend to read about 150+ verses a day for the remaining eleven days of December so that I can finish my Fourth Cycle of New Testament reading by the end of the year.

From today's readings, Hebrews chapter 4 reminds us that our Lord Iesou the Son of God is our High Priest who was tempted "in all points" (WEB) as we are, yet without sin.

As such, we are urged in the next verse, we can draw near to God, to His throne of grace, for help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14 - 16  WEB  World English Bible
14 Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us draw near to the throne of God, at Whose right hand our Lord Iesou, our High Priest, is seated. Let us find help in time of our need.

A short sprint through the pastoral epistles

Sunday 2021.12.19

Today's Passages:
Genesis 24:1 - 67 ASV (67 verses)
1 Timothy 4:1 - 6:21 GNB (62 verses)
2 Timothy 1:1 - 4:22 GNB (83 verses)
Titus 1:1 - 2:15 GNB (31 verses)

Today is a rainy day. Many parts of the country has been hit by bad floods after two days of continuous rain brought by Tropical Depression 29 that blew in from the South China Sea. There is news of people trapped in cars and buildings, stranded on roof tops and by the roadside, mothers with newborn children whose calls for help went unheeded for many hours and other heartbreaking stories. I prayed for all who have fallen victims to this sudden disaster. May the Lord have mercy on us all.

On this first day of the Biblical Week, I decided to read through longer portions of the New Testament. This is because I have less than 60 chapters to go before I complete my Fourth Cycle of New Testament reading. I hope to complete this cycle by the end of the year, which arrives in about two weeks' time

Four benedictions in Second Thessalonians

Saturday 2021.12.18

Today's Passages:
Genesis 19:1 - 23:20 ASV (134 verses)
2 Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18 GNB (47 verses)
1 Timothy 1:1 - 3:16 GNB (51 verses)

Today I begin reading longer portions of readings, covering about 128 verses of the Old Testament and 88 verses of the New Testament each day. With a total of 23,145 verses in the OT and 7,957 verses in the NT, I hope to finish reading the OT in about six months and the NT in about three months. In this way I can read two cycles of OT and 4 cycles of NT in a year.

This afternoon in my New Testament reading, I came across four benedictions written by the Apostle in Second Thessalonians. The first one is found in chapter 2 with the remaining three in chapter 3 of the epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 17 GNB Good News Bible

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you always to do and say what is good.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 GNB

May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God's love and the endurance that is given by Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 GNB

May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:18 GNB

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesou Anointed, let us learn to bless one another with such benedictions.

Oak of Moreh, Oaks of Mamre

Friday 2021.12.17

Today's Passages:
Genesis 12:1 - 18:33 ESV (158 verses)
1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 5:28 NKJV (89 verses)

This morning I finished reading the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians. Tomorrow I will proceed with Second Thessalonians.

In Genesis chapters 12, 13 and 18 from my Old Testament reading today, I came across instances where oak trees (in some versions terebinth trees) are mentioned, particularly in two places: Shechem and Hebron.

Genesis chapter 12 gives an account of Abram, Sarai and Lot leaving their hometown of Haran and going to the land of Canaan at the LORD's command. In Canaan, they came to the "oak of Moreh" (literally the Teacher Oak) in the town of Shechem where Abraham built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 12:4 - 6 ESV English Standard Version
4So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.

Later, in Genesis chapter 13 we read that after Lot separated from Abram and settled in the region of Sodom, Abram moved to Hebron where he settled by the "oaks of Mamre". Again, he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 13:18 ESV
So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 18 tells us that one day the LORD appeared to Abram by the oaks of Mamre as Abram was sitting at the door of his tent.

Genesis 18:1 - 2 ESV
And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth . . .

The firstborn over all creation

Thursday 2021.12.16

Today's Passages:
Genesis 4:1 - 11:32 NIV (219 verses)
Colossians 1:1 - 4:18 NIV (95 verses)

Today I have finished reading the epistle of Paul to the Colossians. Tomorrow I will begin reading First Thessalonians.

In Colossians chapter 1, from my New Testament reading today, I am reminded of a detailed description of the Anointed One by the Apostle. Our Lord Iesou is described as the "firstborn" in at least three ways:

1. He is firstborn over all creation (verse 15)
2. He is before all things (verse 17), and
3. He is firstborn from among the dead (verse 18)

Colossians 1:15 - 20 NIV New International Version

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us remember that our Lord is the firstborn of all creation, that he existed before all things, and that in the assembly he is the firstborn from the dead, having been raised by God on the Third day and be seated at the right hand of God in Heaven.

Checkpoint: End of 2nd Cycle of Old Testament Reading

Monday 13Dec2021

Today I reached the end of my 2nd Cycle of reading the Old Testament, a cycle that began six months ago on 13Jun2021.

This 2nd Cycle is faster that the 1st Cycle which took me about 15 months to finish, from May2020 to Jun2021. It is also carried out in a different manner from the 1st Cycle, in that I followed the Hebrew division of Old Testament Books into Torah, Neviim, and Khetuvim (the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings) instead of the usual order of OT books that we find in our present day English Bibles.

Today I have also begun my 3rd Cycle of Old Testament reading. In this new cycle, I am going back to the order of OT books in our Bibles.

There are altogether 23,145 verses in the OT and I would like to finish my next cycle of OT reading in six months from now by reading about 128 verses a day.

A Summary of Readings over two weeks

Monday 2021.12.13

Today's Passages:
2 Chronicles 33:1 - 36:23 RBV (108 verses)
Genesis 1:1 - 3:24 NIV (80 verses)
Ephesians 5:1 - 6:24 NIV (57 verses)
Philippians 1:1 - 4:23 NIV (104 verses)

Sunday 2021.12.12
Passages:
2 Chronicles 32:1 - 33 ASV (33 verses)
Ephesians 3:1 - 4:32 RBV (53 verses)

Friday 2021.12.10
Passages:
2 Chronicles 30:1 - 31:21 ASV (48 verses)
Galatians 6:1 - 18 RBV (18 verses)
Ephesians 1:1 - 2:22 RBV (45 verses)

Thursday 2021.12.09
Passages:
Galatians 4:1 - 5:26 RBV (57 verses)

Mon 2021.11.29 to Wed 2021.12.08
Cumulative Passages:
2 Chronicles 10:1 - 29:36 (432 verses)
2 Corinthians 1:1 - 13:14 (233 verses)

I was away from my computer for the last two weeks, visiting my daughter's family whom I have not seen for two years because of border restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

At last, I am back again at my desktop, writing this post and waking up to the reality of how many chapters I had managed to read while travelling and visiting my grandchildren.

From the end of November when I began preparing to embark on my journey, to the first week of December, I finished reading the entire epistle of Second Corinthians along with nineteen chapters of Second Chronicles up to the end of chapter 29.

Then from 09December until today, I read Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. At the same time, I finished the remaining seven chapters of Second Chronicles, bringing me to the end of my 2nd Cycle of Old Testament Reading.

Today I embark on my 3rd Cycle of Old Testament Reading, beginning with the book of Genesis, covering the first three chapters.

All in all over the last two weeks, I have read a total of 701 verses from the Old Testament. From the New Testament, I read a total of 567 verses, bringing me to the end of Philippians in the current 4th Cycle of New Testament Reading.

Follow after charity, desire gifts

Sunday 2021.11.28

Today's Passages:
2 Chronicles 7:1 - 9:31 ASV (71 verses)
1 Corinthians 12:1 - 16:24 KJV (166 verses)

In my New Testament reading today, I came across 1 Corinthians 14:1 which tells us to pursue charity (Gr agape, Godly love) and desire spiritual gifts in our lives.

This verse brings to mind the situation of a runner in a long marathon race, pursuing his goal of reaching the finishing line ahead of others, while he desires water from drinking stations along the route.

1 Corinthians 14:1 KJV King James Version
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts . . .

"Follow after", the KJV says. Let us follow after charity, the Love of God. Let us pursue charity like a marathon runner pursuing his prize at the finishing line. And along the way let us desire gifts of the Holy Spirit to equip us for our pursuit.

Lawful may not be helpful

Saturday 2021.11.27

Today's Passages:
2 Chronicles 1:1 - 6:42 BBE (130 verses)
1 Corinthians 10:1 - 11:34 WEB(67 verses)

Shabbat Shalom

Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. Let us keep the Fourth Commandment by resting from all our work until sunset this evening.

This morning in my New Testament reading, I came across verse 23 in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, telling us that sometimes the things that we think are right for us to do may not be helpful to our fellow believers around us. "Not all things are expedient, . . . not all things build up", the Apostle writes.

1 Corinthians 10:23 WEB World English Bible
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient.
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.

In the next verse, the Apostle enjoins us to seek our neighbour's good rather than our own.

1 Corinthians 10:24 WEB
Let no one seek his own,
but each one his neighbor`s good.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us strive to seek one another's good. Let us refrain from doing things that mislead, stumble or discourage our fellow believers around us, even if our knowledge and reasoning tell us that those things are "lawful" to do. Let us remember that all things may be lawful but not all are helpful.

One God and One Lord

Friday 2021.11.26

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 26:1 - 29:30 NIV (117 verses)
1 Corinthians 7:1 - 9:27 KJV (80 verses)

This morning I have finished reading the last four chapters of the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament. Tomorrow I will embark on reading Second Chronicles while I continue reading chapter 10 of First Corinthians in the New Testament.

Second Chronicles is the last book of the Old Testament in my current 2nd Cycle of OT reading. After this I will go back to the book of Genesis to begin the 3rd Cycle of OT reading, probably in about two weeks' time.

In this morning's NT reading, First Corinthians chapter 8, verses 5 and 6, the Apostle wrote that to us there is only one God, who is the Father of all creation, and "we in Him", and one Lord Iesus His Anointed, through whom all things are created, and "we by him".

1 Corinthians 8:5 - 6 KJV King James Version

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

The expressions "we in him" and "we by him", referring to one God and one Lord respectively, is translated in a less ambiguous way in the New International Version as "for whom we live" and "through whom we live":

1 Corinthians 8:5 - 6 KJV King James Version

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus the Anointed One, let us remember that we have only One God our Father from whom we came and for whom we live our lives. And let us remember that we have only one Lord Iesus the Anointed, through whom we came and through whom we live.

Dark secrets and hidden purposes

Thursday 2021.11.25

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 22:1 - 25:31 NKJV (113 verses)
1 Corinthians 3:1 - 6:20 GNB (77 verses)

Today in my New Testament reading, I am reminded of the Judgment Day when the Lord Iesus comes back again. The Apostle writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 4 that on the day of final judgment, the Lord will bring to light the dark secrets and hidden motives in our hearts. As such, we should refrain from passing judgment on others while we live our lives on earth.

1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV New International Version

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

1 Corinthians 4:5 GNB Good News Bible

So you should not pass judgement on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgement must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

Readings on a busy Wednesday

Wednesday 2021.11.24

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 17:1 - 21:30 ASV (101 verses)
Romans 12:1 - 16:27 KJV (118 verses)
1 Corinthians 1:1 - 2:16 (47 verses)

Today is a busy day.

I have been running errands and going through government red tape besides having to buy and install a new printer to replace the old one which is out of order.

For today's readings, I read a total of two hundred and sixty-six verses from the Bible. I have finished reading the Epistle to the Romans and have embarked on the first two chapters of First Corinthians.

Seek Yehovah and His strength

Monday 2021.11.22

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 13:1 - 16:43 ASV (103 verses)
Romans 9:1 - 11:36 KJV (90 verses)

This morning while reading First Chronicles chapter 16, I am reminded to seek God and to remember all His wonderful works in all circumstances.

1 Chronicles 16:11 - 12  ASV  American Standard Version

Seek ye Jehovah and his strength;
---- Seek his face evermore.
Remember his marvellous works that he hath done,
---- His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us continually seek God and His strength. Let us seek His presence. And let us remember all the marvellous works He has done in our lives.

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christos

Sunday 2021.11.21

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 10:1 - 12:40 GNB (101 verses)
Romans 6:1 - 8:39 NKJV (87 verses)

About eighteen years ago, in March 2003, I wrote and delivered a sermon entitled, "The Three Spiritual Laws" to the Chinese Methodist Church in Kampar, the town where I worked and stayed. This sermon is based on the teachings about the Law of God, the Law of Sin and the Law of the Spirit written by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, chapters 7 and 8, linked below:

• The Three Spiritual Laws

This morning I pondered over the Law of the Spirit of Life as explained in Romans 8:1 - 6, and it occurred to me that this Law of the Spirit involves three steps.

First step: the Spirit dwells in our bodies

Romans 8:9 - 10 KJV says,"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."
It is also written in 1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
Similarly in 1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Second step: the Spirit directs our lives

Romans 8:13 - 14 KJV says,"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Likewise, Galatians 5:25 KJV tells us, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Third step: the Spirit delivers us from death

In Romans 8:10 - 11 KJV we read, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to direct our lives and to deliver us from death to life.

Reading long genealogies on Shabbat

Saturday 2021.11.20

Today's Passages:
1 Chronicles 1:1 - 9:44 NIV (405 verses)
Romans 1:1 - 5:21 RBV (138 verses)

Shabbat Shalom

On this Sabbath Day I read through the genealogies of the descendants of Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Esau and Israel, and the Twelve Patriachs, including the clans who returned from exile, recorded in the first nine chapters of First Chronicles. The Patriach Joseph is represented by two tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh.

For my New Testament reading, I read the first five chapters of the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.

Today I have read a total of five hundred and forty-one verses from both OT and NT.

Reading portions for two days

Thursday 2021.11.18

Today's Passages:
Nehemiah 8:1 - 13:31 KJV (201 verses)
Acts 25:1 - 28:31 WNT (134 verses)

I missed yesterday's Bible reading so I read a double portion today, covering two hundred and one verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and thirty-four verses in the New Testament. I finished reading the last six chapters of Nehemiah and the last four chapters of Acts of the Apostles.

Tomorrow I will begin reading 1 Chronicles (the second last book of the Khetuvim in this 2nd cycle of OT reading), and the Epistle of Paul to the Romans.

I learnt from reading Nehemiah chapter 8 that the people of Israel had not observed the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in the Seventh Month of the Biblical Year since the days of Joshua ben Nun until their restoration and revival led by Nehemiah in Jerusalem. In particular, the children of Israel had not "made booths (sukkah) and sat under the booths".

Nehemiah 8:15 - 17 KJV King James Version

15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

Although Ezra 3:4 tells us that the Israelites who returned to Jerusalem earlier had kept the Feast of Tabernacles, the verse says they had only offered the daily burnt offerings as required in the Law. Most probably, they had not constructed booths to stay in them throughout the week of the Feast, from the 15th to 22nd day of the 7th month, as commanded in Leviticus 23:42 - 43.

Leviticus 23:42 - 43 BBE Bible in Basic English

42 For seven days you will be living in tents; all those who are Israelites by birth are to make tents their living-places:
43 So that future generations may keep in mind how I gave the children of Israel tents as their living-places when I took them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us also keep in mind how the Lord Yehovah Almighty sheltered the children of Israel throughout their sojourn in the wilderness after He had brought them out of Egypt. Let us trust in Him to provide for us likewise.

The Apostle Paul confesses his faith before Governor Felix

Tuesday 2021.11.16

Today's Passages:
Nehemiah 5:1 - 7:73 KJV (111 verses)
Acts 22:1 - 24:27 ASV (92 verses)

Today I have read a total of one hundred and eleven verses from the Old Testament and ninety-two verses from the New Testament.

In Acts chapter 24, we read about the Apostle Paul making his defence before Governor Felix in the city of Caesarea in the presence of his Jewish accusers from Jerusalem. In verses 14 to 16, the Apostle confesses his faith in the following manner:

Acts 24:14 - 16 ASV American Standard Version

But this I confess unto thee,
that after the Way which they call a sect,
-- so serve I the God of our fathers,
believing all things which are according to the law,
-- and which are written in the prophets;
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,
-- that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Herein I also exercise myself
-- to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us likewise confess our faith in God our Father to anyone who asks of us, that according to the writings of the Law and the Prophets, we serve the God of Our Fathers, that our hope is in God and that we look forward to the day of Resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Let us live our lives with a clear conscience, with no offence toward God and Man.

Readings on a rainy Monday afternoon

Monday 2021.11.15

Today's Passages:
Nehemiah 1:1 - 4:23 RSV (86 verses)
Acts 20:1 - 21:40 NIV (78 verses)

A thunderstorm is approaching.

This afternoon I read Nehemiah chapters 1 to 4 for my Old Testament reading. In the New Testament, I read chapters 20 and 21 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Today I have read a total of eighty-six verses from the Old Testament and seventy-eight verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will be reading chapter 5 of the Book of Nehemiah while I continue with chapter 22 of the Acts of Apostles.

A scribe called Ezra

Sunday 2021.11.14

Today's Passages:
Ezra 7:1 - 10:44 RSV (123 verses)
Acts 17:1 - 19:41 NIV (103 verses)

During the reign of King Artaxerxes 1 of Persia, the scribe Ezra ben Seraiah was granted permission by the king to return to his homeland Judah, to the city of Jerusalem with a group of priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants to restore the worship of God Almighty according to the Law of Yehovah.

King Artaxerxes 1 decreed in a letter given to Ezra that Ezra be given silver and gold to make freewill offerings to his God in the Temple in Jerusalem.

In Ezra chapter 7 verses 1 to 5, a genealogy Ezra ben Seraiah is recorded tracing his ancestors all the way back to Aaron the first priest of Israel.

Ezra 7:1 - 5 RSV Revised Standard Version

1Now after this, in the reign of Ar-ta-xerx'es king of Persia,
Ezra the son of Serai'ah,
son of Azari'ah,
son of Hilki'ah,
2son of Shallum,
son of Zadok,
son of Ahi'tub,
3son of Amari'ah,
son of Azari'ah,
son of Mera'ioth,
4son of Zerahi'ah,
son of Uzzi,
son of Bukki,
5son of Abishu'a,
son of Phin'ehas,
son of Elea'zar,
son of Aaron the chief priest —

Verse 6 in the same chapter tells us that Ezra the scribe was skilled in the Law of Moses, that the hand of God was with him, causing King Artaxerxes to grant him all that he asked for. In verse 10, we read that Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of Yehovah, to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances to the children of Israel.

Ezra 7:6 RSV

6this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses which the LORD the God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

10For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Finally, after leaving Babylon on the 1st day 1st month, in the 7th year of the reign of King Artaxerxes, Ezra and his contingent of priests, Levites, and temple servants came to Jerusalem on the 1st day 5th month . The journey had taken them altogether four months. (Ezra 7:9).

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us follow the example of Ezra ben Seraiah to study the Law of Yehovah, to do it and to teach it to one another.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and twenty-three verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and three verses from the New Testament. I have finished reading the Book of Ezra. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Book of Nehemiah while I continue with chapter 20 of the Acts of Apostles.

Have faith, Have baptism, Have joy

Saturday 2021.11.13

Shabbat Shalom.

On this Sabbath Day, I read Ezra chapters 3 to 6 in my Old Testament reading. In the New Testament, I read chapters 14 to 16 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts chapter 16 contains an account of the baptism of the jail-keeper at Philippi after Paul and Silas were set free from the city jail by the hand of God Almighty through an earthquake.

From the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist, people have been called to show their repentance from sin and their faith in God by going through baptism, in those days typically in the waters of a river. This practice of baptism (or mikveh in Hebrew) is described by the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:21 as ". . . not the washing off of bodily dirt, but the promise made to God from a good conscience".

One can say that baptism is something one must do outwardly to make a promise to God from a good conscience inwardly. In other words, baptism is an outward demonstration of inward repentance from sin.

In Acts chapter 16 we read, similarly, in the account of the Philippian jail-keeper who asked Paul and Silas, "What must I do to get salvation?", the jail-keeper was baptised immediately after he put his faith in the Lord Iesus (Acts 15:30 - 34).

Acts 16:30 - 34 BBE Bible in Basic English

30 And took them out and said, Sirs, what have I to do to get salvation?
31 And they said, Have faith in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will have salvation.
32 And they gave the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And that same hour of the night, he took them, and when he had given attention to their wounds, he and all his family had baptism straight away.
34 And he took them into his house and gave them food, and he was full of joy, having faith in God with all his family.

From the above passage, we learn that there were three things that the jail-keeper had in his life on the day of his salvation:

1. he had faith in the Lord Iesus (v 31)
2. he had baptism (v 33)
3. he had fulness of joy (v34)

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us likewise hold fast to these three things that we have in our lives: we have faith in our Lord Iesus, we have gone through the waters of baptism, and we now have the fulness of joy that comes from the Spirit of God.

Today I have read a total of seventy-six verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and nine verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will continue to read Ezra chapter 7 and Acts chapter 17.

Today's Passages:
Ezra 3:1 - 6:22 WEB (76 verses)
Acts 14:1 - 16:40 BBE (109 verses)

In Him every believer is absolved from all offences

Friday 2021.11.12

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us finish all our tasks for the week, tie up all loose ends, and prepare to enter into Sabbath Rest when the Seventh Day begins at sunset this evening.

This afternoon for my Old Testament reading, I read the remaining last two chapters of the Book of Daniel and continued with the first two chapters of the Book of Ezra.

In the New Testament, I read chapters 12 and 13 of the Acts of the Apostles.

In Acts chapter 13, the Apostle Paul, on his First Missionary Journey, spoke to a Jewish congregation in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia on a Sabbath day, saying in verses 38 and 39:

Acts 13:38 - 39 WNT Weymouth New Testament

"Understand therefore, brethren, that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is announced to you;
and in Him every believer is absolved from all offences, from which you could not be absolved under the Law of Moses.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus, let us remind ourselves that through Iesus we have forgiveness of sins. Let us keep in our hearts that in Him we are absolved from all offences. Let us therefore strive to live an upright life, holy and acceptable to God our Father and our Lord Iesus the Anointed One.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and thirty-nine verses from the Old Testament and seventy-seven verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will proceed with reading Ezra chapter 3 and Acts chapter 14.

Today's Passages:
Daniel 11:1 - 12:13 JND (58 verses)
Ezra 1:1 - 2:70 JND (81 verses)
Acts 12:1 - 13:52 WNT (77 verses)

The Eleventh King of the Fourth Kingdom

Thursday 2021.11.11

This afternoon, I read chapters 7 to 10 of the Book of Daniel and chapters 10 and 11 of the Acts of the Apostles.

In Daniel chapter 7 we find an account of Daniel's vision of four beasts. In this vision, Daniel was particularly by the fourth beast which at first appeared to have ten horns. Daniel described this beast as "terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth and was devouring, breaking in pieces, and stamping what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that preceded it, and it had ten horns" (Daniel 7:7).

Later, an eleventh horn appeared and destroyed three of the earlier horns. Daniel asked an angel in his vision for the meaning of this fourth beast with its eleventh horn. The angel's reply is found in verses 23 - 28, as follows:

Daniel 7:23 - 28 NRSV New Revised Standard Version
23This is what he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth that shall be different from all the other kingdoms; it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them. This one shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.
25He shall speak words against the Most High, shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his power for a time, two times, and half a time.
26Then the court shall sit in judgement, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and totally destroyed.
27The kingship and dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’
28Here the account ends. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly terrified me, and my face turned pale; but I kept the matter in my mind.

Today I read a total of one hundred and three verses from the Old Testament and seventy-eight verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will read Daniel chapter 11 and Acts chapter 12.

Today's Passages:
Daniel 7:1 - 10:21 NRSV (103 verses)
Acts 10:1 - 11:30 NIV (78 verses)

A disciple named Gazelle

Wednesday 2021.11.10

This afternoon, in my Old Testament reading, I read chapters 3 to 6 of the Book of Daniel. In the New Testament, I read chapters 8 and 9 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts chapter 9 tells of a disciple in the city of Joppa, a sister whose Aramaic name was Tabitha. In Greek, her name was called Dorcas. Both Tabitha and Dorcas means "gazelle", a type of antelope. The dorcas gazelle is smaller than the mountain gazelle, standing only about two feet tall at shoulder height.

In Acts chapter 9 verse 36, we read that Dorcas was very kind. She was always doing good and helping the poor.

Acts 9:36 NIV New International Version
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.

One day, Dorcas fell ill and died. The other disciples called for the Apostle Peter to come over from a nearby town called Lydda. Subsequently, Peter came to Joppa, entered the room where Dorcas' body was laid, knelt down and prayed to God. He then turned to the dead woman and said, "Tabitha, get up".

Dorcas opened her eyes. She was alive again.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, let us do good and help the poor like Dorcas did all her life.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and twenty-five verses from the Old Testament and eighty-three verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will proceed with reading chapter 7 of Daniel and chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Today's Passages:
Daniel 3:1 - 6:28 NRSV (125 verses)
Acts 8:1 - 9:43 NIV (83 verses)

Beginning the Book of Daniel

Tuesday 2021.11.09

This afternoon, I begin reading the Book of Daniel for my Old Testament reading, covering the first two chapters.

In the New Testament, I continued to read the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 6 and 7.

Today I read a total of eighty verses from the Old Testament and seventy-five verses from the New Testament.

Today's Passages:
Daniel 1:1 - 2:49 NRSV (80 verses)
Acts 6:1 - 7:60 NIV (75 verses)

God has given glory to His Servant Iesus

Monday 2021.11.08

Today in my Old Testament reading, I finished reading the remaining six chapters of the Book of Esther.

In the New Testament, I read chapters 3 to 5 of the Acts of the Apostles.

In Acts chapter 3 verses 13 and 21, Peter stated two undeniable facts about Iesus the Anointed One in his message to the people of Jerusalem who had gathered in Solomon's Porch in great amazement after seeing the crippled beggar of Beautiful Gate standing together with the apostles, completely healed.

The first fact is that the God of their ancestors has given glory to Iesus the Anointed One, whom Peter referred to as God's Servant, "His Servant Iesus".

The second fact is that, after his resurrection and ascension, Iesus the Anointed One must remain in heaven until the end of times when all creation will be renewed.

Acts 3:13 GNB Good News Bible

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has given divine glory to his Servant Jesus. . . .

Acts 3:21 GNB

He must remain in heaven until the time comes for all things to be made new, as God announced through his holy prophets who lived long ago.

Brothers and Sisters, let us hold fast to these two facts about our Lord Iesus: that God Almighty has glorified His Servant Iesus, and that Iesus must remain in heaven until the time of renewal.

Today I have read a total of seventy-six verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and five verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will go on to read the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament while I continue with chapter 6 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Today's Passages:
Esther 5:1 - 10:3 NRSV (76 verses)
Acts 3:1 - 5:42 GNB(105 verses)

If I perish, I perish

Sunday 2021.11.07

This morning I read the first four chapters of the Book of Esther and two chapters from the Acts of the Apostles.

In Esther chapter 2, we read that Hadassah was an orphan girl who lost her parents when she was small. She was brought up by her cousin Mordecai ben Jair ben Shimei ben Kish of the tribe of Benjamin.

Hadassah was also called Esther.

When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Mordecai and Esther were taken captive to Babylon, and after it was conquered by the Persians, they lived in the citadel of Susa during the reign of King Xerxes.

Subsequently, Esther was chosen by King Xerxes to replace the deposed Queen Vashti. At last, the poor Jewish orphan girl Hadassah has risen to become Queen Esther of the Persian Empire. It must have been a dream come true.

One day, the dream turned into a nightmare.

An evil nobleman called Haman son of Hamedatha was offended by Mordecai's refusal to kneel and bow to him at the King's gate. Haman convinced the King to issue an edict on the First Month 13th day (one day before Passover of the Jews) to all provinces in the empire that all Jews, young and old, men, women, and children, must be killed on the Twelfth month 13th day. That year was the Twelfth Year of the reign of King Xerxes.

Mordecai desperately urged Queen Esther to appeal to King Xerxes to withdraw this evil edict. However, King Xerxes has not summoned Queen Esther to see him for the past thirty days and by law, anyone who appeared in the presence of the King without his order would be executed if the King was not pleased.

Queen Esther was in great danger.

If she sought an audience with the King, she might die. If she didn't, all the Jews in exile in the empire would die. In Esther chapter four verse fifteen, we read:

Esther 4:15 - 16 NIV New International Version

15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:
16‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One. Let us put our trust in God Almighty just like Queen Esther did. If necessary, let us fast and pray when facing difficult, and even dangerous circumstances.

Today I have read a total of seventy-seven verses from the Old Testament and seventy-three verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will continue reading chapter 5 of the Book of Esther and chapter 3 from the Acts of the Apostles.

Today's Passages:
Esther 1:1 - 4:17 NIV (77 verses)
Acts 1:1 - 2:47 KJV (73 verses)

Better a youth poor and wise

Saturday 2021.11.06

Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the Biblical Week. It is a day of Sabbath Rest.

On this Sabbath, I read through the all twelve chapters of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, I finished reading the last four chapters of the Gospel according to John.

Ecclesiastes chapters 4 and 5 contain two gems of advice about the futility of wealth and the value of wisdom, as follows:

Ecclesiastes 4:13 RBV Revised Berkeley Version

Better is a youth poor and wise,
than a king old and foolish,
who no longer knows how to take advice.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 RBV Revised Berkeley Version

The lover of money shall not be satisfied with money,
nor the lover of wealth with his gain;
this too is futility.

Today I have read a total of two hundred and twenty-two verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and thirty-eight verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow, I will begin reading the Book of Esther for my Old Testament reading and the Acts of the Apostles for my New Testament reading.

Today's Passages:
Ecclesiastes 1:1 - 12:14 (222 verses)
John 18:1 - 21:25 (138 verses)

The LORD's unfailing love and mercy

Friday 2021.11.05

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week again. It is Preparation Day. Let us tie up all loose ends, finish all our tasks for the week and prepare to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin at sunset this evening.

Today in my New Testament reading, I read chapters 15 to 17 of the Gospel of John.

In my Old Testament reading, I read the entire book of Lamentations, from chapter 1 to chapter 5.

In the midst of all the sad verses lamenting the fall and destruction of Jerusalem, the writer held on to his hope and trust in the unfailing love of Yehovah. In chapter 3 verses 22 and 23, we read that the love and mercy of Yehovah is "fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise".

Lamentations 3:22 - 27 GNB Good News Bible

22The LORD's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
23Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
24The LORD is all I have, and so I put my hope in him.
25The LORD is good to everyone who trusts in him,
26So it is best for us to wait in patience — to wait for him to save us —
27And it is best to learn this patience in our youth.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord. Let us hold on to our trust in the unfailing love and mercy of the LORD. In times of trouble, let us wait in patience for Him to save us.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and fifty-four verses from the Old Testament and eighty-six verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow, I will continue my reading of the Five Megillot (Scrolls) in the Khetuvim division of the Hebrew Scriptures by proceeding with the book of Ecclesiastes.

In the New Testament, I will go on to read John chapter 18.

Today's Passages:
Lamentations 1:1 - 5:22 GNB (154 verses)
John 15:1 - 17:26 KJV (86 verses)

Ruth, the mother of Obed

Thursday 2021.11.04

This morning I read through the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament while in the New Testament, I read chapters 13 and 14 of the Gospel of John.

It is noteworthy that while Bo'az agreed to marry Ruth after her husband Chillion ben Elimelech had died in the land of Moab, "to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren" (Ruth 4:10), the Book of Ruth ends with a brief genealogy showing the lineage of descendants of Perez down to David, with Obed listed as the descendant of Boaz, the son borne to Boaz by Ruth, rather than the descendant of Chillion his nominal father.

Ruth 4:18 - 22 RSV Revised Standard Version

Now these are the descendants of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,
Hezron of Ram,
Ram of Ammin'adab,
Ammin'adab of Nahshon,
Nahshon of Salmon,
Salmon of Bo'az,
Bo'az of Obed,
Obed of Jesse,
and Jesse of David.

It is also significant that a similar and more complete genealogy is recorded in chapter 1 of the Gospel according to Matthew, beginning with the generation of Abraham and going down the lineage all the way to Joseph the husband of Mary, the mother of Iesus the Anointed One:

Matthew 1:1 - 16 RSV Revised Standard Version

1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2Abraham was the father of Isaac,
and Isaac the father of Jacob,
and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,
and Perez the father of Hezron,
and Hezron the father of Ram,
4and Ram the father of Ammin'adab,
and Ammin'adab the father of Nahshon,
and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5and Salmon the father of Bo'az by Rahab,
and Bo'az the father of Obed by Ruth,
and Obed the father of Jesse,
6and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri'ah,
7and Solomon the father of Rehobo'am,
and Rehobo'am the father of Abi'jah,
and Abi'jah the father of Asa,
8and Asa the father of Jehosh'aphat,
and Jehosh'aphat the father of Joram,
and Joram the father of Uzzi'ah,
9and Uzzi'ah the father of Jotham,
and Jotham the father of Ahaz,
and Ahaz the father of Hezeki'ah,
10and Hezeki'ah the father of Manas'seh,
and Manas'seh the father of Amos,
and Amos the father of Josi'ah,
11and Josi'ah the father of Jechoni'ah
and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12And after the deportation to Babylon:
Jechoni'ah was the father of She-al'ti-el,
and She-al'ti-el the father of Zerub'babel,
13and Zerub'babel the father of Abi'ud,
and Abi'ud the father of Eli'akim,
and Eli'akim the father of Azor,
14and Azor the father of Zadok,
and Zadok the father of Achim,
and Achim the father of Eli'ud,
15and Eli'ud the father of Elea'zar,
and Elea'zar the father of Matthan,
and Matthan the father of Jacob,
16and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary,
of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

One may say that the whole purpose of the narrative of the Moabitess Ruth, returning to the land of Israel with her mother-in-law Naomi, is to show that Ruth was predestined to become the great-grandmother of King David, God's chosen king, from whom the Messiah will come.

It also shows the sovereign hand of the LORD Yehovah in preparing for the arrival of King David to rule over Israel, and eventually for the Messiah, the Seed of David to be the Anointed One, the chosen eternal High Priest and King over the Kingdom of God Almighty.

Today I have read a total of eighty-five verses from the Old Testament and sixty-nine verses from the New Testament.

Today's Passages:
Ruth 1:1 - 4:22 RSV (85 verses)
John 13:1 - 14:31 NIV (69 verses)

Save now, I beseech Thee

Wednesday 2021.11.03

Today for my Old Testament reading, I read all eight chapters of the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs).

In the New Testament, I read John chapters 11 and 12.

John 12:13 tells of the people welcoming our Lord Iesus into Jerusalem with the exclamation, "Hosanna", a Greek word which some scholars believe is a combination of the Hebrew words “yasha” (to save or deliver) and “anna” (please, I beseech).

We can see this meaning reflected in Psalm 118:25,26, a prophecy that was eventually fulfilled in John 12:13,

John 12:12 - 13 KJV King James Version

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 118:25 - 26 KJV

Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

The meaning of the expression of praise, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD" becomes much more meaningful if we recognise that the word translated "LORD" refers to the Name of God, YeHoVaH, from the tetragrammation Yod-He-Vav-He.

Thus when our Lord Iesus was entering Jerusalem triumphantly that day, the people were exclaiming, "Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of YeHoVaH". In other words, the people recognised that Iesus came to them in the Name of his God.

Brothers and Sisters in Iesus the Anointed One, let us ponder over the meaning of these words of praise, "Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the LORD".

Let us likewise call upon our God in our own words, "Save us, we beseech Thee" and bless the Anointed Lord Iesus, "Blessed is he who comes to us in the Name of Yehovah".

Today I have read a total of one hundred and seventeen verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and seven verses from the New Testament. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Book of Ruth while I continue with reading chapter 13 of the Gospel of John.

Today's Passages:
Song of Songs 1:1 - 8:14 ESV (117 verses)
John 11:1 - 12:50 KJV (107 verses)

Finished reading the Book of Job

Tuesday 2021.11.02

Today I finished reading the last five chapters of the Book of Job in the Old Testament.

In the Khetuvim of the Hebrew divisions of scripture, I have finished reading Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. The next section of the Khetuvim to be read will be the Five Megillot (Five Scrolls) which consist of the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Song of Songs.

Please visit the link below for an overview of the Hebrew division of scripture into Torah, Neviim, and Khetuvim:

• The Law, the Prophets, the Writings

In the New Testament, I read John chapters 9 and 10 today. Tomorrow I will continue with chapter 11.

Altogether, I have read a total of one hundred and forty-six verses from the Old Testament and eighty-three verses from the New Testament.

Today's Passages:
Job 38:1 - 42:17 KJV (146 verses)
John 9:1 - 10:42 ASV (83 verses)

I am not from this world

Monday 2021.11.01

This afternoon I read the Book of Job chapters 32 to 37 in the Old Testament and the Gospel of John chapters 7 and 8 in the New Testament.

John chapters 7 and 8 records the account of our Lord's visit to Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) where the Jewish leaders questioned him about his authority.

The following verses record our Lord's replies to their critical questions:

John 7:16 GNB Good News Bible

Jesus answered, “What I teach is not my own teaching, but it comes from God, who sent me.

John 8:23 GNB

Jesus answered, “You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world.

John 8:25 - 27 GNB

25“Who are you?” they asked him. Jesus answered, “What I have told you from the very beginning. 26I have much to say about you, much to condemn you for. The one who sent me, however, is truthful, and I tell the world only what I have heard from him.” 27They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father.

John 8:42 GNB

Jesus said to them, “If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us ponder over these words of our Lord and remind ourselves that our Lord Iesus came from God above, that he did not come to this world on his own authority but was instead sent by God, and that his teachings came from God who sent him.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and sixty-five verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and twelve verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will be reading Job chapter 38 and John chapter 9.

Today's Passages:
Job 32:1 - 37:24 GNB (165 verses)
John 7:1 - 8:59 NIV (112 verses)

Do not work for food that perishes

Sunday 2021.10.31

Today, for my Old Testament reading, I read chapters 26 to 31 of the Book of Job.

In the New Testament, I read chapters 5 and 6 of the Gospel according to John.

In John chapter 6 verses 27 to 29, our Lord Iesus told the crowds of people who came to him for more food after he had fed 5,000 of them with five loaves and two fish on the previous day, not to work for food that perishes but instead for food that brings about eternal life. When the people asked him what kind of work this is, Iesus replied, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent".

John 6:27 - 29 NRSV New Revised Standard Version

27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.’ 28Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ 29Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’

Further on in verses 47 to 51, our Lord told the Jews who were murmuring against him, that he is the living bread that came down from heaven, and that whoever believes in him has eternal life.

John 6:47 - 51 NRSV

47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

Over the last eleven years, I have written my observations about the words of our Lord Iesus in John chapter 6 in my devotional blog, links below:

• The Heavenly Man (2010)
• The Heavenly Man (2012)
• Words of Life (2017)
• Iesus, ascending to where he was before (2019)

Today I read a total of one hundred and sixty-one verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and eighteen verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow, I will go on to read Job chapter 32 and John chapter 7.

Today's Passages:
Job 26:1 - 31:40 NIV (161 verses)
John 5:1 - 6:71 NRSV (118 verses)

I shall come forth as gold

Saturday 2021.10.30

Shabbat Shalom.

On this Sabbath Day, I read Job chapters 15 to 25 from the Old Testament and John chapters 3 and 4 from the New Testament.

In Job's answers to his friends' accusations, Job likened the painful trials that he was going through to gold being tested by fire.

Job 23:10b NKJV New King James Version

. . . When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold

A similar analogy is used by the Apostle Peter in chapter 1 of his First Epistle, telling the believers that the grievious trials they faced would prove the genuineness of their faith which was more precious than gold and which was tested by fire.

1 Peter 1:6 - 7 NKJV

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Today I have read a total of two hundred and sixty-four verses from the Old Testament and ninety verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will continue to read Job chapter 26 and John chapter 5

Today's Passages:
Job 15:1 - 25:6 NKJV (264 verses)
John 3:1 - 4:54 RBV (90 verses)

The Word of God

Friday 2021.10.29

Today is the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week. It is Preparation Day. Let us make preparations to rest for the Seventh Day Sabbath which will begin after sunset this evening.

This afternoon for my Old Testament reading, I read chapters 10 to 14 of the Book of Job.

In the New Testament, I began reading the Gospel according to John, covering the first two chapters.

The Gospel of John begins with a detailed description of the origin, advent, and purpose of the Word of God. The first eighteen verses of chapter one tells us at least eight things about the Word of God.

(1) The Word was with God in the beginning.

John 1:1 - 2 ASV American Standard Version

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.

(2) All things were created through the Word.

John 1:3 ASV

3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

(3) Life and Light was in the Word

John 1:4 - 5 ASV

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

(4) The Word came into the world but the world did not recognise him. His own people rejected him.

John 1:9 - 11 ASV

9 There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

(5) Whoever received him by believing on his name was given the right to become children of God.

John 1:12 - 13 ASV

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(6) The Word came into this world physically, "in the flesh".

John 1:14 ASV

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

(7) John the Baptist bore witness of the Word and the Grace and Truth of God that came by the Word.

John 1:15 - 17 ASV

15 John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.
16 For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

(8) The Word was in the bosom of God the Father, was the Only Begotten Son of God, and had declared God to us.

John 1:18 ASV

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Today I read a total of one hundred and seventeen verses from the Old Testament and seventy-six verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will continue my reading with Job chapter 15 and John chapter 3.

Today's Passages:
Job 10:1 - 14:22 KJV (117 verses)
John 1:1 - 2:25 ASV (76 verses)

They rested on the Sabbath

Thursday 2021.10.28

In my Old Testament reading today, I read chapters 6 to 9 of the Book of Job using the Good News Bible, while in the New Testament I finished reading the last three chapters of the Gospel of Luke from the King James Version.

Luke chapter 23 verses 54 to 56 tells us that, after the crucifixion and burial of our Lord Iesus the Anointed One, it was approaching sunset of Preparation Day (the Sixth Day) and the Sabbath was drawing near. Having looked at how the body of our Lord was laid in the tomb prepared by Joseph of Arimathea, the women who followed Iesus returned home, prepared spices and ointments and rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 23:54 - 56 KJV

54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, tomorrow will be Preparation Day, the Sixth Day of the Week. Like the women who followed Iesus in Luke chapter 23, let us prepare to rest on the sabbath according to the Fourth Commandment after sunset tomorrow.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and eight verses from the Old Testament and a hundred and seventy verses from the New Testament.

I have finished reading the Gospel of Luke. Tomorrow I will begin reading the Gospel of John for my New Testament reading. Meanwhile, I will continue with Job chapter 10 for my Old Testament reading.

Today's Passages:
Job 6:1 - 9:35 GNB (108 verses)
Luke 22:1 - 24:43 KJV (170 verses)

Naked I came, Naked shall I return

Wednesday 2021.10.27

Today in my Old Testament reading I read began reading the Book of Job, covering the first five chapters.

For my New Testament reading, I read chapters 20 and 21 of the Gospel according to Luke.

Job chapter 1 tells us that Job was a wealthy man. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she-asses, and very many servants.

All these were taken away from Job in one day.

Verses 20 to 22 tells of Job's well known response to his great loss:

Job 1:20 - 22 RSV Revised Standard Version
Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Job was a patient man. In the Epistle General of James, a reference is made about the steadfastness of Job in chapter 5 verse 11, how his steadfastness brought forth the purpose of God in his life:

James 5:11 RSV Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Today I have read a total of one hundred and nine verses from the Old Testament and eighty-five verses from the New Testament.

Tomorrow I will be reading Job chapter 6 and Luke chapter 22

Today's Passages:
Job 1:1 - 5:27 RSV (109 verses)
Luke 20:1 - 21:38 GNB (85 verses)