Week 8 - Learning to Love Leviticus

I hope you are trekking along through the Psalms and the One Year Bible with me here in 2009. If you are - AWESOME! If you aren't - why not start with today's reading? Either way, we are at the threshold of triumph or disaster for many. Tomorrow we begin the book of Leviticus. It is perhaps one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible.

Let me encourage you, right now, to stop and read the following article which I have found most helpful and inspiring at this point in my One Year Bible - Learning to Love Leviticus, by Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.

May God continue to bless you as you read and apply His eternal Word!

Week 5 - Reading Trek Update

Week 5 - Congratulations! If you are following the One Year Bible reading plan in 2009, then you will be crossing the one month threshold on Saturday of this week. It is a major first mile-marker in this reading marathon and shows your commitment and determination to make daily Bible readings and prayer part of your everyday life!

I pray our lives will be fertile ground for the WORD this week as we read of: Moses and the Exodus, Psalm 23 and 24, The Transfiguration, Jesus and the Rich Young Man, and The Triumphant Entry.

Here are the links to this week's One Year Bible readings:

Sunday, January 25
Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10 ~ Matthew 16:13-17:9 ~ Psalm 21:1-13 ~ Proverbs 5:1-6

Monday, January 26
Exodus 2:11-3:22 ~ Matthew 17:10-27 ~ Psalm 22:1-18 ~ Proverbs 5:7-14

Tuesday, January 27
Exodus 4:1-5:21 ~ Matthew 18:1-20 ~ Psalm 22:19-31 ~ Proverbs 5:15-21

Wednesday, January 28
Exodus 5:22-7:25 ~ Matthew 18:21-19:12 ~ Psalm 23:1-6 ~ Proverbs 5:22-23

Thursday, January 29
Exodus 8:1-9:35 ~ Matthew 19:13-30 ~ Psalm 24:1-10 ~ Proverbs 6:1-5

Friday, January 30
Exodus 10:1-12:13 ~ Matthew 20:1-28 ~ Psalm 25:1-15 ~ Proverbs 6:6-11

Saturday, January 31
Exodus 12:14-13:16 ~ Matthew 20:29-21:22 ~ Psalm 25:16-22 ~ Proverbs 6:12-15

Sunday, February 1
Exodus 13:17-15:18 ~ Matthew 21:23-46 ~ Psalm 26:1-12 ~ Proverbs 6:16-19

Monday, February 2
Exodus 15:19-17:7 ~ Matthew 22:1-33 ~ Psalm 27:1-26 ~ Proverbs 6:20-26

Week 4 - Reading Trek Update

Week 4 - Here we go! It's been a great week in God's Word. I hope you've experienced God in a fresh way. Just this week I was reminded by a friend how important it is to be a good observer when you read. Don't just skim through it; take time to read for comprehension. Good observation is the first step toward understanding, application, and life change.

I hope you have an amazing week in God's Word. I am praying for each of you who read this post. May God continually pour His blessings into your life through His sustaining Word.

Here are the links to this week's One Year Bible readings:

Saturday, January 17
Genesis 35:1-36:43 ~ Matthew 12:1-21 ~ Psalm 15:1-5 ~ Proverbs 3:21-26

Sunday, January 18
Genesis 37:1-38:30 ~ Matthew 12:22-45 ~ Psalm 16:1-11 ~ Proverbs 3:27-32

Monday, January 19
Genesis 39:1-41:16 ~ Matthew 12:46-13:23 ~ Psalm 17:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:33-35

Tuesday, January 20
Genesis 41:17-42:17 ~ Matthew 13:24-46 ~ Psalm 18:1-15 ~ Proverbs 4:1-6

Wednesday, January 21
Genesis 42:18-43:34 ~ Matthew 13:47-14:12 ~ Psalm 18:16-36 ~ Proverbs 4:7-10

Thursday, January 22
Genesis 44:1-45:28 ~ Matthew 14:13-36 ~ Psalm 18:37-50 ~ Proverbs 4:11-13

Friday, January 23
Genesis 46:1-47:31 ~ Matthew 15:1-28 ~ Psalm 19:1-14 ~ Proverbs 4:14-19

Saturday, January 24
Genesis 48:1-49:33 ~ Matthew 15:29-16:12 ~ Psalm 20:1-9 ~ Proverbs 4:20-27

Sunday, January 25
Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10 ~ Matthew 16:13-17:9 ~ Psalm 21:1-13 ~ Proverbs 5:1-6

Monday, January 26
Exodus 2:11-3:22 ~ Matthew 17:10-27 ~ Psalm 22:1-18 ~ Proverbs 5:7-14

Week 3 - Reading Trek Update

Week 3 - Here we GO! I hope you are starting to gain some confidence and momentum in your daily devotions or quiet-times. Reading God's Word and praying everyday has truly revolutionized my life.

As a matter-of-fact, to live a God centered, Christ exalting, fruit bearing life without reading the Bible and praying everyday would be like a scuba diver diving without his oxygen tank - utterly impossible. We need His eternal Word to sustain us each day.

Spiritual disciplines are formed just like habits. Keeps working on it everyday. Strive for consistency. The best thing to do is to make a regular date with God. Set the time and place and SHOW UP! If you can't seem to make that happen then I recommend you start with the suggestions below or (ever better) make some for yourself.

Come up with some non-negotiable helpful ideas to strengthen your devotional habits like...

• I will not watch TV without first reading my Bible.
• I will not get out of bed without first praying.
• I will not eat breakfast/lunch/supper without first reading my Bible.
• I will not crank up the car without first praying.
• I will not read the news paper/internet newsreader without first reading my Bible.

Feel free to share your ideas in the comment area here on the blog or via email. I'd love to know what helps you the most.

Here are the links to this week's full readings:

Saturday, January 10
Genesis 23:1-24:51 ~ Matthew 8:1-17 ~ Psalm 9:13-20 ~ Proverbs 3:1-6

Sunday, January 11
Genesis 24:52-26:16 ~ Matthew 8:18-34 ~ Psalm 10:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:7-8

Monday, January 12
Genesis 26:17-27:46 ~ Matthew 9:1-17 ~ Psalm 10:16-18 ~ Proverbs 3:9-10

Tuesday, January 13
Genesis 28:1-29:35 ~ Matthew 9:18-38 ~ Psalm 11:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:11-12

Wednesday, January 14
Genesis 30:1-31:16 ~ Matthew 10:1-23 ~ Psalm 12:1-8 ~ Proverbs 3:13-15

Thursday, January 15
Genesis 31:17-32:12 ~ Matthew 10:24-11:6 ~ Psalm 13:1-6 ~ Proverbs 3:16-18

Friday, January 16
Genesis 32:13-34:31 ~ Matthew 11:7-30 ~ Psalm 14:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:19-20

Saturday, January 17
Genesis 35:1-36:43 ~ Matthew 12:1-21 ~ Psalm 15:1-5 ~ Proverbs 3:21-26

Sunday, January 18
Genesis 37:1-38:30 ~ Matthew 12:22-45 ~ Psalm 16:1-11 ~ Proverbs 3:27-32

Monday, January 19
Genesis 39:1-41:16 ~ Matthew 12:46-13:23 ~ Psalm 17:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:33-35

Week 2 - Reading Trek Update

I hope you've had an amazing first week in the One Year Bible. Remember it's a marathon not a sprint, so take it steadily - one day at a time.

If you've never attempted this before then it's likely that you will fall behind at some point in the journey (you may already be behind). That being the case here's a bit of advice from someone who has experienced this same thing: "If you are more than one or two days behind in your readings just skip ahead to today's reading and don't fret. You can read those sections next year." Another good option is to set aside a portion of time to catch up perhaps on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

This week (like every week) will cover some amazing texts including:

(Genesis)

• The Tower of Babel
• God's Covenant with Abram
• Sodom and Gomorrah
• The Birth of Isaac
• Abraham is tested

(Matthew)

• Jesus' Temptation
• The Sermon on the Mount
• Many Miraculous Healings

(Psalms)

• many authentic expressions of worship including one of my favorite Psalms: Psalm 8

(Proverbs)

• Practicle Wisdom including Proverbs 3:5-7

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."


Here are the links to this week's full readings:

Sunday, January 4
Genesis 8:1-10:32 ~ Matthew 4:12-25 ~ Psalm 4:1-8 ~ Proverbs 1:20-23

Monday, January 5
Genesis 11:1-13:4 ~ Matthew 5:1-26 ~ Psalm 5:1-12 ~ Proverbs 1:24-28

Tuesday, January 6
Genesis 13:5-15:21 ~ Matthew 5:1-26 ~ Psalm 6:1-10 ~ Proverbs 1:29-33

Wednesday, January 7
Genesis 16:1-18:15 ~ Matthew 6:1-24 ~ Psalm 7:1-17 ~ Proverbs 2:1-5

Thursday, January 8
Genesis 18:16-19:38 ~ Matthew 6:25-7:14 ~ Psalm 8:1-9 ~ Proverbs 2:6-15

Friday, January 9
Genesis 20:1-22:24 ~ Matthew 7:15-29 ~ Psalm 9:1-12 ~ Proverbs 2:16-22

Saturday, January 10
Genesis 23:1-24:51 ~ Matthew 8:1-17 ~ Psalm 9:13-20 ~ Proverbs 3:1-6

Sunday, January 11
Genesis 24:52-26:16 ~ Matthew 8:18-34 ~ Psalm 10:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:7-8

Monday, January 12
Genesis 26:17-27:46 ~ Matthew 9:1-17 ~ Psalm 10:16-18 ~ Proverbs 3:9-10

Reading Trek Update: Three Days Left in 2008

We have only three days left in our 2008 New Testament readings and then we will dive into the whole Bible in 2009. I sincerely hope and pray that you will make Bible reading, study, and application a significant part of your life each day in 2009.

Here are some helpful links to the readings we will cover this week.

Monday, December 29
Revelation 20

Tuesday, December 30
Revelation 21

Wednesday, December 31
Revelation 22


****START 2009 ONE YEAR BIBLE*****


Thursday, January 1
Genesis 1:1-2:25 ~ Matthew 1:1-2:12 ~ Psalm 1:1-6 ~ Proverbs 1:1-6

Friday, January 2
Genesis 3:1-4:26 ~ Matthew 2:13-3:6 ~ Psalm 2:1-12 ~ Proverbs 1:7-9

Saturday, January 3
Genesis 5:1-7:24 ~ Matthew 3:7-4:11 ~ Psalm 3:1-8 ~ Proverbs 1:10-19

Sunday, January 4
Genesis 8:1-10:32 ~ Matthew 4:12-25 ~ Psalm 4:1-8 ~ Proverbs 1:20-23

Reading Trek Update: Revelation 13-19

Today we begin the last full week of the 2008 NEW TESTAMENT readings. The finish-line, of course, is next Wednesday December 31. And, it is then and there that you and I will need to make a choice. What next? I am planning to read the entire Bible in 2009 along with our church, First Baptist Church of Trussville, but I've not determined exactly how I intend to blog (Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, all, or any of the above, or something other).

Either way, I have a week to decide and we have some great readings in Revelation to wade in. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Here are this week's reading links:

Monday, December 22
Revelation 13

Tuesday, December 23
Revelation 14

Wednesday, December 24
Revelation 15

Thursday, December 25
Revelation 16

Friday, December 26
Revelation 17

Saturday, December 27
Revelation 18

Sunday, December 28
Revelation 19

Reading Trek Update: Revelation 6-12

We have some great readings coming up this week. I hope you are enjoying the book of Revelation as much as I am.

Here are this week's reading links:

Monday, December 15
Revelation 6

Tuesday, December 16
Revelation 7

Wednesday, December 17
Revelation 8

Thursday, December 18
Revelation 9

Friday, December 19
Revelation 10

Saturday, December 20
Revelation 11

Sunday, December 21
Revelation 12

ONE YEAR BIBLE 2009 (Great Links!)

Now is a great time to decide to read the entire Bible in 2009. It may seem like a daunting task, but I promise you will not regret it, especially if you take time now to begin praying about it and searching out some helpful resources. Did you know that with about 15 minutes each day you could read all 66 books of the Bible in one year? (That's a small library!)

Reading God's Word has had a profound impact on my everyday life. There are many reading plans and strategies at your disposal, but the one I have enjoyed the most is the OneYear Bible reading plan by Tyndale. In it you will read some of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs each day. It has worked well for thousands of people, and it is the plan my church (FBC Trussville) is following in 2009.

As my church is planning to do a church wide reading and preaching initiative through the One Year Bible in 2009, I have come across some great free online tools to help in the daily readings. I hope they will serve as a catalyst in your reading and study of God's Word.

One Year Bible Online
One Year Bible Blog
Printable OYB Reading Plan (PDF)
OYB Gadget for your webpage
OYB iGoogle Gadget
OYB Facebook Ap
OYB for your phone (Type www.oneyearbibleonline.mobi in your mobile browser.)
One Year Bible MP3 podcast (Daily Audio Bible)
BibleGateway.com (just a great online Bible!)

Here are a couple of books you may want to purchase for your journey.
The One Year Bible for New Believers
The One Year Bible Companion

Reading Trek Update: Jude and Revelation

This week our New Testament readings will cover the entire short book of Jude today before plunging into the last book of the Bible: Revelation. We will read the first five chapters Revelation through Sunday, December 14.

Monday, December 8
Jude 1:1-25

Tuesday, December 9
Revelation 1:1-20

Wednesday, December 10
Revelation 2:1-17

Thursday, December 11
Revelation 2:18-3:6

Friday, December 12
Revelation 3:7-22

Saturday, December 13
Revelation 4:1-11

Sunday, December 14
Revelation 5:1-14

Reading Trek Update

This week we will cover the three letters from John. He is also the beloved disciple of Jesus who wrote the gospel of John and book of Revelation (which is coming next week!). Here's the plan we are following.

Monday, December 1
1 John 2:1-17

Tuesday, December 2
1 John 2:18-3:6

Wednesday, December 3
1 John 3:7-24

Thursday, December 4
1 John 4:1-21

Friday, December 5
1 John 5:1-21

Saturday, December 6
2 John 1:1-13

Sunday, December 7
3 John 1:1-15

Reading Trek Update: 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and 1 John

This week we have some great readings in 1 Peter and 2 Peter. We also begin 1 John next Sunday. I hope you are ready to press on, as we continue our trek together. Remember it's important to note that these are simply the New Testament readings from the OneYear Bible reading plan. (To learn more about the OneYear Bible visit www.oneyearbibleonline.com) I hope you will being praying about committing to read the whole Bible through in 2009. Our church will be doing it following the OneYear Bible plan and it is going to be awesome. Hear are some quick links to this week's New Testament readings.

Monday, November 24
1 Peter 2:11-3:7

Tuesday, November 25
1 Peter 3:8-4:6

Wednesday, November 26
1 Peter 4:7-5:14

Thursday, November 27
2 Peter 1:1-21

Friday, November 28
2 Peter 2:1-22

Saturday, November 29
2 Peter 3:1-18

Sunday, November 30
1 John 1:1-10

James: The Most Applicable Book in the Bible

I am looking forward to our readings through the book of James. This week is sure not to disappoint those who struggle to apply the Bible. James is rich with content that is practical for everyday life. It will be a short quick trek through the book. We will begin Peter's first letter to the believers scattered throughout the world on Saturday. Here are the links to this weeks readings.

Monday, November 17
James 1:1-18

Tuesday, November 18
James 1:19-2:17

Wednesday, November 19
James 2:18-3:18

Thursday, November 20
James 4:1-17

Friday, November 21
James 5:1-20

Saturday, November 22
1 Peter 1:1-12

Sunday, November 23
1 Peter 1:13-2:10

Completing Hebrews

This week we will complete our eighteen day trek through Hebrews. The major themes to be aware of as you read are: Jesus' perfect sacrifice, the call to persevere, a call to walk by faith, and the discipline of the Lord. Here are some helpful links for this leg of our journey.

Monday, November 10
Hebrews 10:1-17

Tuesday, November 11
Hebrews 10:18-39

Wednesday, November 12
Hebrews 11:1-16

Thursday, November 13
Hebrews 11:17-31

Friday, November 14
Hebrews 11:32-12:13

Saturday, November 15
Hebrews 12:14-29

Sunday, November 16
Hebrews 13:1-25

Continuing Hebrews (Days 5-11 of 18)

This week we will continue our eighteen day trek through Hebrews. The major themes to be aware of as you read are: Jesus is our High Priest, Jesus ushered in the New Covenant, and The Blood of Christ. Here are some helpful links for our journey.

Monday, November 3
Hebrews 5:1-13

Tuesday, November 4
Hebrews 6:1-20

Wednesday, November 5
Hebrews 7:1-17

Thursday, November 6
Hebrews 7:18-28

Friday, November 7
Hebrews 8:1-13

Saturday, November 8
Hebrews 9:1-10

Sunday, November 9
Hebrews 9:11-28

Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews

Yesterday we began reading Paul's final pastoral letter - Titus. It is a short letter, and we will complete it tomorrow. Wednesday we will breeze through Philemon. Then on Thursday we will begin an eighteen day trek through one of the New Testament's most fascinating books - Hebrews. It is going to be a great week in God's Word!

Monday, October 27
Titus 2:1-15

Tuesday, October 28
Titus 3:1-15

Wednesday, October 29
Philemon 1:1-25

Thursday, October 30
Hebrews 1:1-14

Friday, October 31
Hebrews 2:1-18

Saturday, November 1
Hebrews 3:1-19

Sunday, November 2
Hebrews 4:1-16

Completing the Pastoral Letters

We have some great readings ahead of us this week as we trek through the New Testament. Specifically, we will be completing what are known as the Pastoral Letters (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus). If you have gotten behind in the daily readings do not allow any feeling of guilt to enter or linger in your mind. Today is a new day. You can always start fresh right now reading the entire New Testament daily readings or just reading along with the daily excerpts posted here on the blog. Here are some helpful links to this week's readings. Ready, set, go!

Monday, October 20
1 Timothy 5:1-25

Tuesday, October 21
1 Timothy 6:1-21

Wednesday, October 22
2 Timothy 1:1-18

Thursday, October 23
2 Timothy 2:1-21

Friday, October 24
2 Timothy 2:22-3:17

Saturday, October 25
2 Timothy 4:1-22

Sunday, October 26
Titus 1:1-16