I have truly enjoyed reading from my New International Version Halley’s Study Bible. My current Bible reading challenge has been to read the Old Testament in two years and the New Testament and Psalms both years. Since this is the fourth time for me to read through the Bible, I have been paying extra attention to minor details I rushed over in previous years. This Bible has given me many delightful insights into the hows and whys for my questions as they arrise. I’m currently reading about King David’s reign and the nations he conquered. I’ve been trying to keep straight which nations descended from whom, and the footnotes have been very helpful. Other inserts are especially insightful as well. For instance, an insert with chapter 10 of 2 Samuel ties together the promise of an eternal king given to King David with the prophets Amos, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, as well as the message Mary received from the Angel Gabriel. Continue reading →
2 Corinthians
Those following the two-year Bible reading plan with me will begin reading the book of Second Corinthians tomorrow, September 12 (Link to the Two-Year Bible Reading Plan)
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he defended his authority to teach the Christian faith and warned the people against following false teachers. Paul also shared with the Corinthians the hardships and persecutions he had endured as he carried the message of Christ to the various communities on his missionary journeys.
Photo credit: https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/btbm-paul-soldier/
2 Samuel
Those following the two-year Bible reading plan with me will begin reading the book of Second Samuel tomorrow, September 7. (Link to the Two-Year Bible Reading Plan)
Second Samuel is about King David’s reign, first over Judah (two tribes) and eventually over all of Israel. Even though he had been anointed to be King of Israel by Samuel several years earlier, it was not a simple transition. Even after Saul’s death, Saul’s son Ish-bosheth assumed the kingship over the northern 10 tribes of Israel, until he was murdered by two of his own men. Continue reading →
I Corinthians
Those following the two-year Bible reading plan with me will begin reading the book of First Corinthians tomorrow, August 27 (Link to the Two-Year Bible Reading Plan)
Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth addresses many problems that had arisen in this early church. These included incest, immorality, questions about marriage, use and abuse of personal freedoms, appropriate worship, and spiritual gifts. The great love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) is also included in this book.
Photo credit: Nancy Cunningham / Rachael Coate / Basic Training Bible Ministries. https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/btbm-paul-soldier/
1 Samuel
Those following the two-year Bible reading plan with me will begin reading the book of First Samuel tomorrow, August 11. (Link to the Two-Year Bible Reading Plan)
The book of 1 Samuel begins with Hannah’s desperate prayer for a child and her promise to give the child to God. God honored her prayer and Samuel was born.
Samuel became the last judge of Israel. He served God faithfully. The Israelites demanded a king and Samuel reluctantly, and under God’s direction, anoints Saul as king of the Israelite nation. Saul’s rule is chronicled in the book of 1 Samuel. Continue reading →