Bible Reading Plan

Shortly after I started blogging, I began a Bible reading plan to read thru the Bible in one year.  Until about 2 weeks ago, the plan was going really well.  I was using my laptop to read the Bible at One Year Bible Online.  However, when we went on vacation, we didn't have internet access in our condo.  I didn't take time before we left to print out my reading plan and as a result, I just gave up the plan.  I did read each morning from the book of Luke while were on vacation.  But when we made it home, I gave up completely.  I hardly read anything this week.  After catching up on some apparently much needed sleep, I'm beginning to feel like my normal self once again.

My husband bought me a Kindle for Mother's Day.  So, today I found and downloaded SearchByVerse Daily Bible in One Year on my Kindle.  I think this will be much better than using my laptop.  I really like having the scripture ready to read instead of having to look up the passages and check off that I read that day's section.  So, I'm starting over!

Sharing the Daily Word - Moved to Facebook

I'm moving the Sharing the Daily Word posts to Facebook.  If you like reading those, like My Walk with God on Facebook and you can see them there.  I recently started a Bible reading plan to read through the Bible in one year.  I have been posting scripture from each day's reading and sometimes my thoughts on those on verses.  Posting Sharing the Daily Word has provided a wonderful accountability "partner" for me on my daily reading.  However, I think it would be better to do that only on Facebook.  Look for my daily Bible reading posts there!

Sharing the Daily Word

⁴ This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. ⁵ All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. ⁶ His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.  Mark 1:4-6

 

Sharing the Daily Word

⁹ Instruct the wise,
    and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
    and they will learn even more.

¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Proverbs 9:9-10

 Is your foundation built on God?  Did you notice above where the foundation of wisdom was mentioned?  The foundation of wisdom is fear of the Lord.  Do you want wisdom?  Then seek the Lord and you will find wisdom and direction for every area of you life.  God wants you to have a wonderful life here on earth, but you must follow God and ask for His direction in order to have that life.  He loves you!  Cry out to Him!

Sharing the Daily Word

⁵⁰ Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, ⁵² and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. ⁵³ They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.  Matthew 27:50-53


Can you imagine what the days surrounding the crucifixion were like?  I wonder if the people were overwhelmed with what had happened.  The verse above is amazing to me where it mentions that godly men and women who had died were not only raised from the dead, but they went to the city and appeared to people.  What an amazing God He is!

Sharing the Daily Word

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¹⁵ Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. ¹⁶ This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. ¹⁷ As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” ¹⁸ (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

¹⁹ Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

²⁰ Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. ²¹ So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

²² Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

²⁵ And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”

²⁶ So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Matthew 27:15-26

Sharing the Daily Word & Accountability

I started this post, "Sharing the Daily Word" to encourage others with a little scripture each day and to provide accountability for myself in reading through the Bible in one year.  I'm so excited to say that this is working!  I have always heard others talk about accountability, but I never thought about how accountability could work with simply writing things down and therefore, sort of being accountable to yourself.  Years ago, there was a time that I wrote down for a few months everything that I ate.  (This wasn't done out of my own desire, but a requirement for a cheerleading team.)  That really helped.  I wouldn't eat certain things because I didn't want to write it down.  If you are struggling with following through on improving your life in an area, take a few minutes and think about what you could do to hold yourself accountable.  Ask the Lord for wisdom and creative ideas and His strength to see you through! 

 For the word of the Lord holds true,    and we can trust everything he does. 

 Psalm 33:4

If you ever feel alone as I do sometimes, remember that you can trust God!

Sharing the Daily Word

Psalm 32

¹ Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sin is put out of sight!
² Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
³ When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.
⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

What a joy to know that my sins have been forgiven!  I love the feeling of joy and peace that comes with reading the Word and being encouraged by God himself!

Sharing the Daily Word - Wisdom

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Wisdom?  Is it really that big of a deal?  I've always known it was important to make good decisions.  But, can you make good decisions if you don't even know what a good decision is?  As we walk with God, the wisdom that we have today becomes so much more tomorrow.  Ok, so that sounded good, whether it made any sense or not.  I feel that God is beginning to do something much bigger in our life.  By "our", I am referring to Dale (my husband), myself and our two children.  I don't know what and really am not concerned with that.  But what I feel happening is that He is opening our eyes to greater wisdom.  Often, the wisdom that we have at a certain point in our lives can really be taken so much further.  But, only if we allow God to change us and bring us to the place that He wants us to be in our thoughts, words, finances, health, relationships, love for Him and understanding of the Word.  If you think that you already know everything, there really isn't anything God can do for you.  If you want to see your life get better, cry out for Wisdom and know that God has many things to teach you!

Proverbs 8:14-21 - Wisdom

¹⁴ Common sense and success belong to me.
    Insight and strength are mine.
¹⁵ Because of me, kings reign,
    and rulers make just decrees.
¹⁶ Rulers lead with my help,
    and nobles make righteous judgments.

¹⁷ “I love all who love me.
    Those who search will surely find me.
¹⁸ I have riches and honor,
    as well as enduring wealth and justice.
¹⁹ My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
    my wages better than sterling silver!
²⁰ I walk in righteousness,
    in paths of justice.
²¹ Those who love me inherit wealth.
    I will fill their treasuries.

Sharing the Daily Word

⁶ Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. ⁷ While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

⁸ The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. ⁹ “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? ¹¹ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. ¹² She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. ¹³ I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Matthew 26:6-13

I love the story of the woman who poured the perfume on Jesus' feet and dried his feet with her hair.  Can you imagine loving Him so much that you would give that type of offering?  He wants that from us!  She knew that she was loved!  Look at the last line.....it says her deed will be remembered and discussed.  How true that is!

Sharing the Daily Word

My daily reading from Exodus the past couple of days has been really difficult for me to get through.  Today's passage was about the details of how the Tabernacle was to be made.  There are parts of the Old Testament that I just find hard to read.  However, I believe God has a purpose for us to read it.  I just don't know what that might be.  Below I shared a couple verses from Proverbs that were part of today's reading selection.

My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
    clear to those with knowledge.

Choose my instruction rather than silver,
    and knowledge rather than pure gold.

For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
    Nothing you desire can compare with it.  

Proverbs 8:9-11

Sharing the Daily Word

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
    You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30:11-12

 My life with God is so much better than my life was without God!  Thank you Lord!

Sharing the Daily Word

Today I want to share with you part of Psalm 29 from my daily Bible reading.  What does it mean to honor and worship the Lord?  I believe that we honor God by following His commands.  We can worship Him by giving Him praise for being a good God, sending Jesus to save us from our sins, blessing us and helping us live each day for Him.  Tell God that you love Him and show Him by obeying His Word.

¹ Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
    honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
² Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
    Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:1-2

Sharing the Daily Word

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²⁵ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.  Matthew 23:25-26   

As I read my Bible reading today, I was reminded of the importance of letting God clean me up.  I am not perfect, as no one other than Jesus is either.  There are lots of things inside of me that are not of God.  God wants to cleanse me of those things and transform me so that I become more like Him.  It is more important to God that I have a clean heart and love towards Him and others than that I "look" like I have life together on the outside.  God knows my heart.  I can't hide from Him.  Lord, change me!

Encouragement for Singles

Psalm 27:14   

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

When I graduated from college, I also began my walk with God.  I had a great desire to someday be married and wanted to follow God's will for my life.  I was feeling sad and thinking poorly of myself because I did not have a boyfriend and was not able to "see"  anything happening in that area.  I began to pray every morning on my way to work for my "future husband" that of course I did not yet know.  About six months later, after believing that God had a husband he was preparing for me, I met the man that I was to marry.  At some point during this time, my aunt bought the Bible pictured above for me.  She asked if I wanted my name on it.  I said I wanted to wait because I was believing God that someday I would have a new name as my future husband's wife.  If you are in the place that I was several years ago, be encouraged.  God loves you and wants to fulfill the desires of your heart as you walk with him.  The waiting may take longer that you would like.  It almost always does in my life.  But the blessings God will bring to you are worth the wait!

Sharing the Daily Word

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Psalm 27

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
² When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
³ Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.

⁴ The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
⁶ Then I will hold my head high
    above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
    singing and praising the Lord with music.

 I love this Psalm.  As I read through it today, I could feel my heart being encouraged.  I am so amazed at the power of the Word of God.  To read words and feel God's power in them as you speak them forth is wonderful.  

So, I am very thankful to say that I am enjoying reading the Bible online in the mornings.  I really like the site that I am using for my reading plan.  It is nice to not have to keep track of where I am and it is encouraging to see what day I am on.  The verses I would like to share with you today are below.

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”  Exodus 13:17

When you begin to walk with God, He knows which way to take you to help you stay on the right road.  Satan really does want to destroy each one of us and therefore, he does everything he can to keep us from even trying to walk with God.  I want to encourage you to give God a chance.  Really what are your alternatives?  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10  There it is, the thief wants to destroy you and God has an abundant life for you.  Which one would you like?  I want the best life that God has for me.  You will have to endure being different from others and not fitting in with the world, but a life with God is so much better than what the world has to offer.  I love having peace!  I didn't have that before I began to walk with God.  Choose life!

Sharing the Daily Word

Today I am thanking the Lord for helping me read through the Bible.  I have made it to Day 31.  The scripture that I would like to share today is:

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.  You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”  Matthew 21:21-22

This is one of the verses that I put on an index card in our home to help me learn the Word.    Do you believe the verse?  I believe the entire Bible.  But, I need God to encourage my faith and make this real in my life.  Today, I'm going to start praying without doubting about a specific situation that God has been nudging me to pray for using the above verses.  

Sharing the Daily Word

Show me the right path, O Lord;

point out the road for me to follow. 

Lead me by your truth and teach me, 

 for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love 

 which you have shown from long ages past. 

 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
    Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
    for you are merciful, O Lord.

Psalms 25:4-7

 This is a wonderful prayer to pray for our own lives as we walk with God!

 

Sharing the Daily Word

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on 

them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven 

belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and 

blessed them before he left.   

Matthew 19:13-15

Did you catch the part of the scripture above that says the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children?  Trust and believe God like a child would!  What a wonderful way to love your Heavenly Father!