Showing posts with label Nehemiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nehemiah. Show all posts

29 March 2026

Wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed

OT
 
7th Cycle.
  
NT
 
14th Cycle.
  
Sun 29Mar2026
Sat 28Feb2026
Ezra 1:1 - 10:44 (284 verses) WEB
Mark 3:1 - 4:41 (76 verses) KJV
Sun 01Mar2026
Nehemiah 1:1 - 9:38 (253 verses) NIV
Mark 5:1 - 6:56 (99 verses) NIV
Mon 02Mar2026
Nehemiah 10:1 - 13:31 (153 verses) WEB
Mark 7:1 - 8:38 (75 verses) KJV
Wed 04Mar2026
Mark 9:1 - 10:52 (102 verses) KJV
Sun 29Mar2026
Esther 1:1 - 10:3 (167 verses) NIV
Mark 11:1 - 16:20 (253 verses) NIV

WEB — World English Bible
KJV — King James Version
NIV — New International Version

Overall Progress
OT = 12,731 / 23,145 verses (55.0 %)
NT = 1,749 / 7,957 verses (22.0 %)

The recent month has seen me reading through the Old Testament books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. In the New Testament, I finished reading the Gospel according to Mark.


Passage for Today
2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

Nehemiah 1:2 — 4
 
King James Version

23 September 2024

The Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and End

OT  6th Cycle.   NT  11th Cycle.   Mon 23Sep24

Wed 18Sep24
2 Chronicles 1:1 – 20:37 (430 verses) WEB
Thu 19Sep24
2 Chronicles 21: 1 – 36:23 (392 verses) WEB
Ezra 1:1 – 2:70 (82 verses) WEB
Fri 20Sep24
Ezra 3:1 – 10:44 (199 verses) WEB
Nehemiah 1:1 – 7:73 (197 verses) WEB
Revelation 1:1 – 12:17 (211 verses) WEB
Sat 21Sep24
Nehemiah 8:1 – 13:31 (209 verses) WEB
Esther 1:1 – 10:3 (167 verses) WEB
Revelation 13:1 – 22:21 (193 verses) WEB
Sun 22Sep24
Job 1:1 – 42:17 (1,070 verses) WEB
Mon 23Sep24
Psalm 1:1 – 41:13 (616 verses) WEB

WEB — World English Bible

Overall Progress
OT = 14,350 / 23,145 verses (62.00 %)
NT = 7,957 / 7,957 verses (100.00 %)

During a quiet retreat away from home over the past four days, I have managed to complete some long readings covering 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and the Book of Revelation, the final book in the New Testament. Today, I went on to read Book I of Psalms (Psalm 1 to 41).

My overall reading progress has reached 62 percent of the Old Testament, with slightly more than three months left before the year ends for me to cover the remaining 38 percent of this Sixth Round of the OT. Meanwhile, I have finished reading my Eleventh Round of the NT.


Passage for Today
Revelation 21:5 – 6 World English Bible
5 He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.'
6 He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.

28 May 2023

If I perish . . .

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Sun 28May23
Nehemiah 4:1 – 13:31 (343 verses) NKJV
Esther 1:1 – 10:3 (167 verses) NASB

NKJV — New King James Version
NASB — New American Standard Bible

Today is Pentecost Sunday in the Methodist Church Calendar. I arrived early in church and was able to read through ten chapters of the book of Nehemiah, from chapter four to chapter thirteen at the end of the book.

After worship service, I continued to read the entire book of Esther at home.

Tomorrow, I will embark on reading the book of Job, a long book of forty chapters, which I hope to finish reading over the remaining three days until the end of the month.


Passage of the Day
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.’

Esther 4:15 – 16  New International Version

Today's passage from the Book of Esther reminds me of a post I wrote in my devotional blog two years ago, link below:

27 May 2023

According to the hand of my God

OT  5th Cycle.   NT  10th Cycle.

Sat 27May23
Ezra 1:1 – 10:44 (280 verses) NIV
Nehemiah 1:1 – 3:32 (63 verses) NKJV

NIV — New International Version
NKJV — New King James Version

This morning, while waiting to for my wife to board a flight to Singapore at the Ipoh Airport, I read through the entire book of Ezra. After returning home later in the day, I continued to read the first three chapters of the book of Nehemiah.


Passages of the Day
27Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way 28and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
Ezra 7:27 – 28  New International Version
4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”
So I prayed to the God of heaven.
8 . . . And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me

Nehemiah 2:4, 8b  New King James Version

Two years ago, I wrote a post in my devotional blog, from Ezra chapter 7, about how the hand of God was on Ezra as he set his heart to study the Law of YeHoVaH, to do it and to teach it to the children of Israel.

28 September 2022

Reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

OT  4th Cycle.    NT  8th Cycle.

Tuesday 27Sep22
Ezra 1:1 - 10:44 ASV (280 verses)
Nehemiah 1:1 - 13:31 ASV (406 verses)

Wednesday 28Sep22
Esther 1:1 - 10:3 ASV (166 verses)
Job 1:1 - 12:25 ASV (283 verses)


I'm still in the midst of trying to catch up with my recent disruptions from Bible readings.

Yesterday, I finished reading through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. I continued with the book of Esther today, after which I went on to read the first twelve chapters of the book of Job.

Passage of the day

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Esther 4:16  American Standard Version

17 March 2022

Checkpoint: end of 5th Cycle of New Testament Reading

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


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


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:

15 March 2022

Seven Seals and Seven Trumpets - revisited

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


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:

18 November 2021

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.

16 November 2021

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.

15 November 2021

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.

19 March 2021

Friday 19Mar21

Friday 2021.03.19

2 Kings 8:1 - 29 BBE
2 Kings 9:1 - 10:36 ASV
Nehemiah 12:1 - 13:31 WEB
Esther 1:1 - 22 KJV
Romans 14:1 - 16:27 WNT
1 Corinthians 1:1 - 31 KJV
Wisdom 11:1 - 26 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
ASV = American Standard Version
WEB = World English Bible
KJV = King James Version
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

18 March 2021

Thursday 18Mar21

Thursday 2021.03.18

2 Kings 4:1 - 5:27 BBE
2 Kings 6:1 - 7:20 ASV
Nehemiah 11:1 - 36 KJV
Romans 13:1 - 14 KJV
Wisdom 10:1 - 21 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
KJV = King James Version
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

17 March 2021

Wednesday 17Mar21

Wednesday 2021.03.17

2 Kings 1:1 - 3:27 BBE
Nehemiah 10:1 - 39 KJV
Romans 12:1 - 21 KJV.
Wisdom 9:1 - 18 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
KJV = King James Version
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

16 March 2021

Tuesday 16Mar21

Tuesday 2021.03.16

1 Kings 19:1 - 22:53 ASV
Nehemiah 7:1 - 9:38 KJV
Romans 10:1 - 21 WNT
Romans 11:1 - 36 KJV
Wisdom 8:1 - 21 LXX

ASV = American Standard Version
KJV = King James Version
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

15 March 2021

Monday 15Mar21

Monday 2021.03.15

1 Kings 15:1 - 34 BBE
1 Kings 16:1 - 18:46 ASV
Nehemiah 5:1 - 19 WEB
Nehemiah 6:1 - 19 KJV
Romans 9:1 - 33 WNT
Wisdom 7:1 - 30 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
ASV = American Standard Version
WEB = World English Bible
KJV = King James Version
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

14 March 2021

Sunday 14Mar21

Sunday 2021.03.14

1 Kings 14:1 - 31 BBE
Nehemiah 4:1 - 23 WEB
Romans 8:1 - 39 WNT
Wisdom 6:1 - 25 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
WEB = World English Bible
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

13 March 2021

Saturday 13Mar21

Saturday 2021.03.13

1 Kings 13:1 - 34 BBE
Nehemiah 3:1 - 32 WEB
Romans 7:1 - 25 WNT
Wisdom 5:1 - 23 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
WEB = World English Bible
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

12 March 2021

Friday 12Mar21

Friday 2021.03.12

1 Kings 11:1 - 43 BBE
1 Kings 12:1 - 33 ASV
Nehemiah 1:1 - 11 WEB
Nehemiah 2:1 - 20 KJV
Romans 5:1 - 21 WNT
Romans 6:1 - 23 KJV
Wisdom 4:1 - 20 LXX

BBE = Bible in Basic English
ASV = American Standard Version
WEB = World English Bible
KJV = King James Version
WNT = Weymouth New Testament
LXX = Septuagint Brenton

A prophecy about two messengers

OT   7th Cycle.    NT   14th Cycle.    Wed 2026-10-07 Mon 21Sep2026 Daniel 1:1 - 7:28 (224 verses) WEB ...