Reading 124 chapters in 12 days

Sunday 20Mar2022
Esther 1:1 - 2:23 GNB (45 verses)

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Monday 21Mar2022
Esther 3:1 - 10:3 NWB (122 verses)
Job 1:1 - 12:25 ASV (284 verses)

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Tuesday 22Mar2022
Job 13:1 - 22:30 KJV (266 verses)

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Wednesday 23Mar2022
Job 23:1 - 37:24 WEB (374 verses)

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Thursday 24Mar2022
Job 38:1 - 42:17 WEB (146 verses)
Book 1 : Psalms 1 to 41
Psalm 1:1 -9:20 RBV (102 verses)

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Friday 25Mar2022
Book 1 : Psalms 1 to 41
Psalm 10:1 - 22:31 RBV (194 verses)

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Sunday 27Mar2022
Book 1 : Psalms 1 to 41
Psalm 23:1 - 25:22 RBV (38 verses)

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Tuesday 29Mar2022
Book 1 : Psalms 1 to 41
Psalm 26:1 - 37:40 RBV (217 verses)

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Wednesday 30Mar2022
Book 1 : Psalms 1 to 41
Psalm 38:1 - 41:13 RBV (65 verses)

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Thursday 31Mar2022
Book 2 : Psalms 42 to 72
Psalm 42:1 - 72:20 RBV (465 verses)

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I have been away from my desktop PC for the past twelve days (and still am!). I'll be returning home from my travelling in a couple of days' time.

having not updated my Bible reading blog for almost two weeks now, I decided to buy a simple spiral bound note nook to jot down details of my Bible reading log so that I won't lose track of them altogether.

So here I am today, writing down a summary of my OT reading progress on pen and paper

Since two Sundays ago, after completing the 5th Cycle of my NT reading, I have devoted all my daily Bible reading time to the OT.

I read throught all ten chapters of Esther on Sun 20Mar22 and Mon 21Mar22. this was followed by42 chapters of the Book of Job, completed by Thu 24Mar22.

Then, I proceeded to read Book 1 of the Psalms, covering Psalm 1 to 41. I finished it yesterday, Wed 30Mar22

This morning, being uncertain whether I have kept up with my target quota of 128 OT verses a day, I decided to read a much longer portion to catch up.

Today I have read through all thirty-one psalms from Book 2 (Psalm 42 to 72), covering a total of 465 verses.

Over the last 12 days, some of my longest readings were done on:

• 21Mar22 (284 verses),
• 23Mar22 (374 verses), and
• 31Mar22 (465 verses)

The days when I managed to read only small portions of the OT were:

• 20Mar22 (45 verses),
• 27Mar22 (38 verses), and
• 30Mar22 (65 verses)

Tomorrow, Fri 01Apr22, I will resume reading the NT, embarking on my 6th Cycle of the New Testament. I plan to complete this cycle in three months' time, by the end of June. To do so, I will have to continue my daily quota of 88 NT verses a day.

Meanwhile, my OT reading will continue with Book 3 (Psalm 73 to 89) of the Psalms. I hope to finish my current 3rd Cycle of the Old Testament by the end of June, at the same time as I finish my 6th NT Cycle.

Checkpoint: end of 5th Cycle of New Testament Reading

Wednesday 16Mar2022
Revelation 12:1 - 17 KJV (17 verses)

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Thursday 17Mar2022
Nehemiah 8:1 - 13:31 GNB (209 verses)
Revelation 13:1 - 22:21 KJV (193 verses)

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Today, 17Mar22, I arrive at the end of my 5th round of reading the New Testament. It is Checkpoint time.

I began this 5th Cycle of New Testament reading at the end of last year, on 29Dec2021, and have taken about two and a half months to finish reading all twenty-seven NT books.

This 5th cycle is a little faster than the 4th Cycle which took me three months, from 27Sep21 to 28Dec21.

I shall be taking a short break from New Testament readings from tomorrow until the end of this month, and will embark on the 6th NT Cycle only on 01Apr22

Meanwhile I will spend the next two weeks reading longer portions from the Old Testament, currently in the middle of my 3rd cycle. I hope to complete this 3rd OT Cycle of reading by the end of May.

You can see my ongoing progress in Bible reading, both Old and New Testament cycles as well as the current books and chapters, in the following links:

• Bible Reading Cycles
• Old Testament Books
• New Testament Books

Seven Seals and Seven Trumpets - revisited

Tuesday 15Mar2022
Nehemiah 1:1 - 7:73 GNB (197 verses)
Revelation 6:1 - 11:19 JND (98 verses)

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This afternoon as I read from Revelation chapters 6 to 11 the breaking of the Seven Seals by the Lamb of God, followed by the sounding of the Seven Trumpets, right until the moment when the Seven Bowls are about to be poured out, I am reminded of the vision that was revealed to the Apostle John in an earlier chapter:

In Revelation chapter 5, John saw a vision of God sitting on His throne surrounded by twenty-four elders. In the midst of the elders appeared four living creatures. On the right Hand of God on the Throne John saw a book sealed with seven seals.

When no one was found worthy to break the seals and to read the book, John began to weep.

After one of the twenty-four elders comforted John, telling him not to weep because the Lion of Judah has overcome to open the book and its seven seals (Rev5:5), John saw in his vision a Lamb standing in the midst of the elders and the living creatures, "a Lamb standing, as slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [which are] sent into all the earth:" (Rev 5:6 JND).

When the Lamb took the book from the right hand of God on the Throne, a series of sinnging and praises rang out:

First, from the four living creatures and twenty-four elders:

Revelation 5:6 - 10  JND  J.N.Darby's Translation

6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [which are] sent into all the earth:

7 and it came and took [it] out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when it took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp and golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints.

9 And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

10 and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth.

Then, a host of angels, ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands, joined the four living creatures and twenty-four elders:

Revelation 5:11 - 12  JND

11 And I saw, and I heard [the] voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and their number was ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands;

12 saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Finally, every creature in the heaven, upon the earth and under the earth, upon the sea and all things in them, joined in to glorify God and the Lamb:

Revelation 5:13 - 14  JND

13 And every creature which is in the heaven and upon the earth and under the earth, and [those that are] upon the sea, and all things in them, heard I saying, To him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing, and honour, and glory, and might, to the ages of ages.

14 And the four living creatures said, Amen; and the elders fell down and did homage.

The breaking of the seven seals of the book from the right Hand of God sets in motion a long series of calamities and judgments that will sweep across the world.

Over the last two years, I have put together an outline of these calamities and judgments under the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets and Seven Bowls, link below:

• Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, Seven Bowls (18Dec20)

To him who overcomes

Monday 14Mar2022
Ezra 6:1 - 10:44 WEB (145 verses)
Revelation 1:1 - 5:14 NWB (96 verses)

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In my reading of the Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 today, I observed that our Lord promised a reward "to him who overcomes" after he has praised and reproved each assembly. I have listed these rewards briefly below:

(1) To the angel of the assembly of Ephesus ("thou hast left thy first love" Rev 2:4):

Revelation 2:7  NWB  Noah Webster Bible
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

(2) To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna ("I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)" Rev 2:9):

Revelation 2:11  NWB
He that overcometh, shall not be hurt by the second death.

(3) To the angel of the assembly in Pergamos (some hold the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans Rev 2:14, 15):

Revelation 2:17  NWB
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, he excepted, that receiveth it.

(4) To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira ("thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit lewdness, and to eat things sacrificed to idols." Rev 2:20):

Revelation 2:26 - 28  NWB
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:) even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning-star.

(5) To the angel of the assembly in Sardis ("thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead." Rev 3:1):

Revelation 3:5  NWB
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(6) To the angel of the assembly in Philadellphia ("thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." Rev 3:8):

Revelation 3:12  NWB
Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

(7) To the angel of the assembly of the Laodiceans ("thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot" Rev 3:16):

Revelation 3:21  NWB
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on his throne.

Back in November 2020, I also wrote my observations on the titles given to our Lord in the letters to the Seven Churches, link below:

• The Amen, Faithful, True Witness, Head of God's Creation

And this is His Commandment . . .

Sunday 13Mar2022
Ezra 1:1 - 5:17 WEB (135 verses)
1 John 3:1 - 5:21 NWB (66 verses)
2 John 1:1 - 1:13 NWB (13 verses)
3 John 1:1 - 1:15 NWB (15 verses)
Jude 1:1 - 1:25 NWB (25 verses)

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Today I am reminded from First John chapter 3 in my New Testament reading that God has given us His commandment, "that we should believe" on the name of His Son Iesus the Anointed One, and that we should love one another

1 John 3:22 - 24  NWB  Noah Webster Bible

22 And whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment; That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments, dwelleth in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us hold fast to our belief in the Name of Iesus, the Son of God, and let us never fail in our love for one another. This is His Commandment.

Escaping the pollutions of the world

Saturday 12Mar2022
2 Chronicles 32:1 - 36:23 WEB (144 verses)
2 Peter 1:1 - 3:18 WNT (61 verses)
1 John 1:1 - 2:29 WNT (39 verses)

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Shabat Shalom.

In chapter two of the Second Epistle of Peter, we read detailed descriptions of false prophets and teachers of falsehoods among the assembly of believers. People like these false teachers are said to be full of "pollution of the world", a term used in verse 20. The following is a list of some descriptions of people full of worldly pollutions mentioned in this chapter:

2 Peter 2  WNT  Weymouth New Testament

verse 10

sensuality--craving

scorning control

fool-hardy and self-willed

verse 12

abusive in matters of which they are ignorant,

verse 13

feeding luxuriously at their love-feasts

verse 14

eyes full of adultery

verse 18

frivolous and arrogant talk,

use earthly cravings--every kind of immorality to entrap others

Towards the end of the chapter, the apostle Peter warns the brethren in the assembly that if they are ever to be entangled again with such pollutions, and are "overcome" by them, they are akin to a dog returning to its vomit, and a sow rolling in its filth after washing itself. (See Proverbs 26:11)

2 Peter 2:20 - 22  WNT  Weymouth New Testament

20 For if, after escaping from the pollutions of the world through a full knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, people are once more entangled in these pollutions and are overcome, their last state has become worse than their first.

21 For it would have been better for them not to have fully known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandments in which they were instructed.

22 Their case is that described in the true proverb, 'A dog returns to what he has vomited,' and also in the other proverb, 'The sow has washed itself and now goes back to roll in its filth.'

Proverbs 26:11  WEB  World English Bible

As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.

Readings on 8th day of 13th month

Friday 11Mar2022
2 Chronicles 26:1 - 31:21 WEB (143 verses)
1 Peter 1:1 - 5:14 WNT (105 verses)

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Today is the 8th day of the month of Adar II (intercalary 12th month, or 13th month) of the Biblical Year. It is also the Sixth Day of the Biblical Week.

It is preparation day. Let us prepare for the Sabbath rest starting this evening by finishing all our tasks for the week.

On this preparation day, I read six chapters of the book of Second Chronicles and all five chapters of the First Epistle general of Peter. Tomorrow I wil begin reading the Second Epistle of Peter.

Your faith must be proven by your works

Wednesday 09Mar2022
(No reading)

Thursday 10Mar2022
2 Chronicles 13:1 - 25:28 ASV (279 verses)
Hebrews 12:1 - 13:25 KJV (54 verses)
James 1:1 - 5:20 KJV (106 verses)

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Today in my New Testament reading, I am confronted with an assertion in James chapter 2 about a believer's faith and works. It is a teaching, an undeniable truth, that is seldom taught in the Church.

In this chapter, the Apostle James asks in verse 14, "

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"

He goes on to point out that if any of us sees a brother or a sister without clothes or without food, and if we only say,

"Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled . . ."

without doing anything for that brother or sister, then our faith is dead.

In verses 17 to 24, the apostle has this to say:

James 2:17, 18, 24  KJV  King James Version

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This passage in James chapter 2 reminds us of the teaching of our Lord Iesus in Matthew chapter 5:

Matthew 5:16  KJV  King James Version

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anonted One, today we see that our faith must be proven by our works. Faith without works is dead. Let us live our lives before all men in this world such that they can see our good works and so glorify God our Father in Heaven.

If my people . . .

Tuesday 08Mar2022
2 Chronicles 7:1 - 12:16 GNB (129 verses)
Hebrews 8:1 - 11:40 BBE (120 verses)

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Today I read in chapter seven of 2nd Chronicles the words of YHWH to King Solomon at the consecration of the First Temple, promising the children of Israel that He will hear them when they humble themselves and seek Him:

2 Chronicles 7:14  RSV  Revised Standard Version

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us turn from our wicked ways. Let us pray to God our Father in Heaven and seek His face. Let us humble ourselves, that He may hear from heaven and forgive us of our sins and heal us.

An everlasting Priest of the Order of Melchizedek

Sunday 06Mar2022
1 Chronicles 25:1 - 29:30 RSV (148 verses)
Titus 1:1 - 3:15 NWB (46 verses)
Philemon 1:1 - 25 NWB (25 verses)
Hebrews 1:1 - 2:18 RSV (32 veeses)

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Monday 07Mar2022
2 Chronicles 1:1 - 6:42 WEB (130 verses)
Hebrews 3:1 - 7:28 JND (97 verses)

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Over the last two days, I finished reading the last five chapters of 1st Chronicles along with Paul's epistles to Titus and Philemon. I have also gone on to read the first six chapters of 2nd Chronicles and seven chapters of the Epistle general to the Hebrews.

Altogether, I have read 278 verses from the Old Testament and another 200 verses from the New Testament.

From my reading of Hebrews chapter 6 today, I came across a verse mentioning the priestly Order of Melchizedek, below:

Hebrews 6:19 - 20  KJV  King James Version

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The mention of Melchizedek in verse 20 above is a reference to the promise in Psalm 110:4, made with an oath by the LORD, that the Anointed One will be a priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek

Psalm 110:4  KJV

The LORD hath sworn,
and will not repent,
Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Between the years 2020 to 2014, I wrote seven blogposts about my observations on what the Bible says concerning this everlasting Priest. A list of links to these seven posts can be found via the link below:

• A Priest Forever after the Order of Melchizedek (Oct2021)

Flee these things, Follow after . . .

Friday 04Mar2022
(No readings today)

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Saturday 05Mar2022
1 Chronicles 16:1 - 24:31 NRSV (226 verses)
1 Timothy 4:1 - 6:21 ASV (62 verses)
2 Timothy 1:1 - 4:22 ASV (83 verses)

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Today, in my New Testament readings, I finished reading the last three chapters of the First Timothy and went on to read all four chapters of Second Timothy. Tomorrow I will proceed with the next pastoral Epistle to Titus.

1 Timothy 6:3 - 5  ASV  American Standard Version

3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.

In the short passage from 1 Timothy chapter 6 above, the Apostle describes the behaviour of some people who, thinking that "godliness" is a way of making gains, have become puffed up with questions and disputes, bringing about envy, strife, railings and "evil surmisings" in the assembly.

A little further in verses 9 and 10, the Apostle points out that such profit-minded people, who are "minded to be rich", fall into temptation which leads to their destruction because the love of money in the root of all evil.

1 Timothy 6:9 - 10  ASV  American Standard Version

9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In verse 11, the Apostle calls Timothy a man of God and tells him to flee "these" things, things such as temptations and snares, and foolish and hurtful lusts, things that drown men in destruction perdition, all arising from the love of money.

He tells Timothy to follow after a list of six other things instead:

1 Timothy 6:11  ASV  American Standard Version

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Iesus the Anointed One, let us flee from the love of money. Let us instead follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness in our lives.

King David's Famous Three

Wednesday 02Mar2022
1 Chronicles 7:1 - 10:14 ESV (138 verses)
1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 5:28 ASV (89 verses)

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Thursday 03Mar2022
1 Chronicles 11:1 - 15:29 GNB (140 verses)
2 Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18 KJV (47 verses)
1 Timothy 1:1 - 3:16 KJV (51 verses)

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In my Old Testament reading today, a passage in First Chronicles chapter 11 tells us that King David had Three Famous Soldiers (or Three Mighty Warriors, in some translations).

1 Chronicles 11:10 - 14  GNB  Good News Bible

10 This is the list of David's famous soldiers. Together with the rest of the people of Israel, they helped him to become king, as the LORD had promised, and they kept his kingdom strong.

11 First was Jashobeam of the clan of Hachmon, the leader of “The Three”. He fought with his spear against 300 men and killed them all in one battle. 12 Next among the famous “Three” was Eleazar son of Dodo, of the clan of Ahoh. 13 He fought on David's side against the Philistines at the battle of Pas Dammim. He was in a barley field when the Israelites started to run away, 14 so he and his men made a stand in the middle of the field and fought the Philistines. The LORD gave him a great victory.

The above passage, however, mentions the names of only two famous soldiers, "Jashobeam, clan of Hachmon" and "Eleazar son of Dodo". It appears that a third name has been left out.

A cross reference of this passage can be found in 2 Samuel chapter 23 where the names of all three famous soldiers are mentioned in verses 8 to 11, with the leader's name rendered as "Josheb Basshebeth from Tachemon" (a variation of "Jashobeam from Hachmon"):

2 Samuel 23:8 - 11  GNB  Good News Bible

8 These are the names of David's famous soldiers: the first was Josheb Basshebeth from Tachemon, who was the leader of “The Three”; he fought with his spear against 800 men and killed them all in one battle.

9 The second of the famous three was Eleazar son of Dodo, of the clan of Ahoh. One day he and David challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites fell back, 10 but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so stiff that he could not let go of his sword. The LORD won a great victory that day. After it was over, the Israelites returned to where Eleazar was and stripped the armour from the dead.

11 The third of the famous three was Shammah son of Agee, from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of peas. The Israelites fled from the Philistines, 12but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The LORD won a great victory that day.

From both the accounts in 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11, we learn that King David's Famous Three are as follows:

1. Josheb Basshebeth from Tachemon ("thou will make me wise"),
2. Eleazar ("God has helped") son of Dodo ("his beloved") clan of Ahoh ("brother of rest"), and
3. Shammah son of Agee from Harar.

The Father made us fit, delivered us, translated us

Tuesday 01Mar2022

Today's Passages
1 Chronicles 1:1 - 6:64 NIV (246 verses)
Colossians 1:1 - 4:18 WEB (95 verses)

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Colossians 1:9 - 13 WEB World English Bible
9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, haven't ceased to pray and make requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 to walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, to all patience and perseverance with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;

Brothers and Sisters in the Anointed One, let us give thanks to our God and Father who has made us fit to be partakers of His inheritance, who has delivered us out of darkness, and who has translated us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son.

I have written my thoughts on this Prayer in two other blog posts, links below:

• The Prayer for the Colossians
• A devotion on the Prayer for the Colossians