30-31/Matt 13:31-58

Tomorrows Reading Job 32-33/Matt 14:-21

Job
Well.. that’s it; this was “Job’s last stand” and outlining his innocence and the injustice based on his character. He has nothing else to say until the last chapter (42).

Matthew
Jesus continues with parables, the mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasures/pearls, and the net.

Job 28-29/Matt 13:1-30

Job’s character gets outlined - Job was quite the man in his community, well respected for his knowledge, wisdom, seems to have been a true gentleman, and 'a ladies man' (ok.. had to throw in a joke about v13 and making a "widows heart sing").

Take a 'new' look at Matthew and 'sewing of the seed' – there are some fresh insights that are sticking in my brain about when is it [sharing the gospel/witnessing] ‘good enough’; I’m struggling with/thinking of Paul and his ‘shaking the dust off his boots’ (forget where that is - God tells Paul to just move on, you've said your peace) and this verse... the ‘path’ example. Thoughts if you got time… just 'throwing the seed', is that good enough?

Comments for more..

Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin, and teaches...

What's the difference, their role in biblical times, the death of Jesus, etc..

I've not read/soaked thru the information I'm posting, but thought it was a good place to start. I've not found information on 'the Teachers of the Law' yet, but do understand them to be highly studied in Moses law.

Comments for more..

Job25-27/Matt 12:22-50

Tomorrows reading: Job 28-29/Matt 13:1-30

We say good-by to Bildad (not sure that’s such a bad thing) and Job ‘stands tall’ in his faith/patience.

Matthew is still in the same vicinity in Capernaum where he was gathering wheat and healing man in the synagogue. Pharisees accuse Jesus of performing miracles thru powers of Beelzebub and makes a reference in Matt12:40 to the resurrection.

Comments for more..

Praise!

We have a baby! We got our referral yesterday!

Go and check him out: www.jeffandabbey2001.blogspot.com

Job 22-24/Matt 12:1-21

Tomorrows reading: Job 25-27/Matt 12:22-50

More of the same – Eliphaz make his last ‘plea’ to Job. Job wants to meet with God (this has relevance to the end of this book)…

The plot to kill Jesus begins...

Request: someone want to post a mini-lesson on Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin, and the teachers of the law? It is huge to understand their roles/position bible reading, especially to the reading of Jesus trial.

Important EMAIL I received:
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Got a note from a dear 'friend' that said she is reading every day and visiting this sight, multiple times a day. She said 'I AM learning and enjoying it' - this is huge!! Love ya, by the way!

Then follows up with:
'Where is everybody? I really enjoy reading everyone's comments. Hope to see them back soon'.
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Me too (wink/wink) ahah.. I do appreciate all the synergy this team has generated. This has become just great tool to open 'conversational doors' with folks that need to hear and/or you have always wanted to 'reach' - or, just those times where 'it feels right' to talk about God and your not sure where to start. I think we all like talking about salvation, 'God stuff', but are just afraid where to start.

You guys/girls rock!

If time permits, drop notes and thoughts - there are many 'first time readers' that can benefit from our 'every day' comments about our reading. Please, don't be shy to share (like Kajagoogoo's 'Too Shy').

Comments for more….

Job 20-21/Matt 11

Tomorrows reading: Job 22-24/Matt 12:1-23

Job
Zophar returns and congers up some very vivid imagery of evil doers and wicked men (ie.. Job, as Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are all are claiming).

Job's response is 'what's the point' - why do the wicked seem to be 'getting by'. I've thought this before (yeah.. not good, but it happens).

Matthew
John the Baptist is introduced and Jesus speaks 'highly' of him.

Comments for more....

Job 17-19/Matt 10:21-42

Tomorrows reading: Job 20-21/Matt 11

Job
Job continues to speak from yesterdays reading – his outlook not getting any better at all although, there is a ‘high point’ for Job in chapter 19 of his concerning his understanding/relationship with God.

Matthew
We will be hated by ‘all men’ (and a target of Satin too, but not mentioned here) for faith/following Christ – Jesus speaks to this and his protection. In today’s reading as well, there are warnings of end times.

Comments for more…

'Buddy check' request; if you're reading OR just just dropping in from time to time (either way is great), please drop a note here or send me an email (scott.baker@boltedup.com) . Part of the 'buddy system' is knowing someone is going to check in with you from time to time to a) make sure all is ok b) could have questions on reading, c) to ask for prayer requests, etc...

This group has grown past our original goal (as is seems) and I just wanted to help 'admin' that - I have lost track/count. Thanks in advance.. csb

Job14-16/Matt10:1-20

Tomorrow's read: Job 17-19/Matt 10-42

Eliphaz steps back up with a little different tone than his first appearance to Job - before he was noted as the most kind of the the three (Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar) - but this time, 'brings a little more heat' to the discussion. Job remains steady on his position - his patience with theses three elders is running out.

Cut/pasted from yesterday's post - I read today's date, yesterday... and yesterday's today. Please re-visit yesterday's post/comments for 'discussion topics/observations on Matt 9:18-38.

See Comments for more...

11-13/Matt9:18-38

Tomorrows Reading: Job14-16/Matt10:1-20

Zophar the Naamathite steps up; origin of Naamah not known exactly but thought to be just East of the Jordan, around Ammon, Moab, and Edom (areas immediately adjacent to the Salt sea)

Jesus identifies the 12 and sends them on their way.
Please see Comments for more..

Job8-10/Matt9:1-17

Tomorrow's Reading: Job11-13/Mat9:18-38

Job continues to suffer... and continues to proclaim innocence. Bildad is introduced and has a similar story as Eliphaz.



Matthew's reading outlines healing of a Paralytic, Matthew joins the team of Disciples (note; when called, like the others, 'got up and followed')




Oh.. remember, Job was from the Mesopotamia (dark green on this map);

See Comments for more...

Prayer Request

Please pray for our friends Jerry and Carolyn Ellis. Jerry is having major heart bypass surgery tomorrow. When Mrs. Carolyn asked how many, the doctor replied, "I don't know if I can count that high." Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Carolyn are the founders/owners of Catfish House and are members are FBC Joelton. I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Jeff

Job5-7/Matt 8:18-34

Tomorrow's reading: Job8-10/Matt9:1-17

Job for me was a hard book to read 1st time thru – almost all 42! Chapters are repetitious and somewhat pound on the same points from Job and/or friends over and over – but some ‘inward teachings’, perhaps, is patience to maintain focuses on the details… and more importantly the point that God is revealing in this book. There are so many 'meanings', that may take a few reads to catch them all:

See comments for more:

Job3-4/Matt8:1-17

Tomorrows reading: Job5-7 and Matthew8:18-34

Again.. long post for today's reading - will add as comments to this message. I do hope all are enjoying our read and are staying caught up and understanding...

Job 1-2/Matt7

Tomorrow's reading: Job3-4, Matt 8:1-17

Long post for today's reading.. will add as a comment to this original post. In short, Job has a great life, God recognizes that. Job's life turned upside down to see where his heart is. Matthew's reading also about 'where your heart is'.. good read.

Gen 20-22/Matt6:19-34

Tomorrow's Read: Job1-2/Matt 7: This is a chronological read realitive to time.. as it took place.

Gen20:1-10 The take-away for me was how deception is definitely not part of God’s plan (be we all know that), and how it directly and/or indirectly effects others. Sarah is no longer young – Abimelech probably in his ‘golden years’ as well, has no idea this situation is ‘not good’ – I’m not sure I would have known. Then God was going to bring ‘the smack down’ on him. Note that this is the 2nd time Abraham missrepresented things as 'full truths' about his relationship with Sarah (even though she really was his ½ sister). How bad was this really?

v15 – represents a true state of fear, desperation, and even love for Ishmael (who was probably about 15-16 at this time). Why do you think God ask Hagar what was wrong in v17 – he knew, right?

Gen21
v32 – Beersheba - Well Of The Oath... because they swore on oath there – The name Beersheba is a compound of two elements. The first section is the word (ba'ar) to declare or make plain, with as derivative (be'er), well, pit. The second section is the verb (shaba ) meaning swear, adjure. This too is the place where Jacob, Isaac, and Elijah meet God later in our reading.

Gen22
v5 Abraham taking Isaac up for an offering – why did he say ‘.. we will come back to you’ to the servants?

Matthew's reading –v19 don’t store up on earth, v21 where your treasure is, there you’re heart will be, v24 cant serve both God and money (this is hard even for devout Christians), v34 don’t worry about tomorrow. Good speak to put life in perspective.

A lot of SMV’s (Scott’s Memory Verses) will come from these chapters – more on this later.

3/19/2007 Prayor Reqest

My mom is going into out-patient surgery this morning to hopefully complete a full-cycle of hospital visits, etc.. for the past year realitive to her kidney. Enlisting your prayers that all will go smoothly with anesthesia, the process, and/or the results.

NOTE: I had invisioned this forum for not only bible-reading/study, but fellowship/support.. as in this example. I encourage you all to post similar notes.

Thanks in advanced - have a blessed day!
csb

Gen18-19/Matt6:1-18

Sorry for length of this post
Tomorrow's read: Gen20-22 Matt 6:1-18

Note: I'm hoping to make a posting each day on our reading but gotta tell you, I don't see that happening. I'm reaching out to you to help keep this going - we are all 'new learners' in the grand scheme of things, but there are some that are reading with us are very new (counting myself) or reading for the first time.

I found out today there were two folks reading with us that I wasn't aware - one of which I had a long 'sit down' tonight on just general discussions and bible 'favorite topics'. This individual was just awesome on his knowledge. The point!!!!, please post your questions.. if you don't know, you gotta ask. Where did dinosaurs fit into biblical days.. ? Hmm.. see, those are the type things that I got questions on this week- why not share with rest of the team (.. we are the body, right?)

We have a growing team of just outstanding individuals that are quite versed with the bible; teachers, Chief editors (yeah, gotta say - I'm impressed), lawyers, doctors, veterinarian, staff members (so no swearing), deacons, several that attend seminary, oh and me (I ran two miles in the rain, didn't I Kevin? heheh) - we should be so lucky to have them, I'm very, very happy that each are participating. Ok.. I'm done.

Gen18
v3 – “.. if I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by” – wow, that is my prayer tonight for each on this ‘reading team’

v12-18 – Sarah laughs with a little sarcasm it seems, God calls her out, she lies about it (just like a woman.. just kidding ladies – ahah), then God definitively states – ‘yes you did’.

v17 – Just one of my favorite times in the entire bible – “Then the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham what I’m about to do”, when talking to Abraham - God just 'checking in with his 'boy' to just to let him in on what was about to happen. My notes say that ‘God convened his Heavenly Counsel at Abraham’s tent’.. and ‘He thus even gave Abraham the opportunity to speak in His court and to intercede for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah’. You catch that.. Abraham speaking to ‘His Court’… sitting at the ‘table with God’ discussing 'what was about to go down’. To me, this is just huge

32 – Abraham had ‘talked God down’ (wow.. insert a ‘huge' here too) from 50 to 10. I wondered why he stopped at 10. My notes suggest possibly Lot had in his mind; Lot and his wife, two sons, his 2 married daughters and their husbands (that’s 8), his two unmarried daughters making 10.

Gen19
v8 – what are your thoughts here – Lot offering his virgin daughters to an angry mob?

v22 – Zoar was just below the Salt sea.... almost at the lake's edge on it's most southern point, it seems.

Matt 6
This is a great read about giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. I love the part about prayer and 'dont babble'. v8 ‘…for your father knows what you need before you ask him’.

God knows our heart..

Gen16-17; Matt5:27-48

Tomorrow Gen18-19/Matt 6:1-18 - it's getting difficult to follow unless you print off and high-light what you've completed. I'm still working on recreating with 'our' dates.

Abram's wife Sarai is barren Gen11, and God's Covenant w/Abram was to make him into great nations in Gen12:1/15:4, 'son from your own body' so how was that going to happen? Sarai gets a little frustrated and takes things into her own hands... notice Sarai says "I can build a family" in 16:2 and 'Abram agreed'.. in the very next sentence. Reminds me a little of Adam/Eve; Abram failed as well. Best part, in v5, Sarai lashes out (just like a woman.. heeh, no offense ladies) and blames Abram for her suggestion. (snicker).

What's in a name: Abram = [God is] Exalted Father, Abraham is Father of many. God marks him as Special . Sarai/Sarah both = Princes, Ishmael=Misery (Hagar, Sarai’s maidservant, in misery because Sarai mistreated her), and Isaac = 'He laughs'(NIV notes) – Abram thought it was a little humorous to have kids at his age, I’d say

Circumcised = God's appointed 'sign of the covenant', God’s covenant with Abraham. Ishmael got Circumcised at age13*/Abraham at 99. NIV notes say that the Arabs use circumcision as transition from childhood to manhood (* wonder if this is why).

Matt5:27-48 Adultery not just a physical act.. Jesus points out, 'deal with sin' as required - remove sin/temptations from your life. Being 'in the word' displaces sinful desires over time!!

Gen 13-15/Matt 4/5:1-26

Lot was son of Haran… great ‘hair band’, Haran-Haran (‘Hungry like the Wolf’ biggest hit) came from this area I think. Note: Lot’s dad died so I wonder if there was a little closer bond between he and Abram – I hadn’t remembered that on first read.

Gen 14:18 ‘Salem’ short for Jerusalem. Seems obvious I’m sure, but I didn’t get it at first. Gen15:18 from the Nile (West) to the Euphrates (East) was a lot of land – and, just on the other side of Euphrates was Babylon.

Matt4:5 ‘.. the Devil took him’ Hebrew ‘Satan’, Greek was ‘Devil’.. means accuser or slanderer.. the devil is a personal being not a mere force or influence… the great archenemy of God and leader of the hosts of darkness. I wonder how he ‘took’ him – vision, physical?

Like Abram, Matt4:20.. Peter/Andrew ‘at once’ left to follow Jesus and James/John ‘immediately’ left their boats.. responding to the call!

Matt 5: the Beatitudes .. ie, Declarations of blessedness. My notes indicated that there is debate as to this was a summary/collection of teachings or a single sermon. The point: a standard for all Christians, realizing the demand can not be met on our own.

Gen 10-12/Matt 4

Gen 9:26 Remember Ham saw Noah naked/drunk and told his brothers; 'May Canaan [son of Ham] be the slave of Shem'.. Shem lineage of Abram (Abraham). Always like to point out Nimrod [part of the Ham clan] was a mighty warrior… heeh

A few notes from where I led Sunday School on this topic
11:3 building the tower of Babel… interesting read; trying to ‘make a name for themselves and not be scattered’. Significance of tower was to preserve their security and union rather than increase in numbers and ‘reflecting His Glory by creating humans in His image who subdue the whole Earth’.
Tower – a ziggurat; zig-yoor-at; square/rectangular stair-step structure
V5 ‘.. the Lord came down’, was that necessary (no…)
V7 ‘.. let US go down’
V8 ‘.. scattered all over the face of the earth’ – G’s original intentions before sin: Gen1:26-28 ‘... rule over the earth’, ‘… fill the earth subdue it’
To date, United nations recognizes 191 nations; 6,912 languages, and 11,200 people groups with distinct cultural identities
--> Question: why do we come to church? What are we preparing for…
Self, God, others?
This has been my motive to 'get into the Word' to be better prepaired as a witness... (more on this later).

Gen 7-9/Matt 3

Notice the ol' 2x2 story is a little different that what we may remember: it was 7x7 (food source) of every clean and 2x2 of unclean in Gen7:2 Ever wonder just how deep the waters got during the flood. As trivia goes, in 7:20, seems to have been 20' higher than the highest mountain. In 7:4, "Seven days from now.. ", did Noah only have 7days to gather all animals, etc.. wow. I've often wondered if there was any significance to the raven vs. the dove in 8:6-9, my NIV study doesn't make any mention. And lastly in Gen for this read, is 9:13; was this the first time Rainbows appeared and/or were 'created' - I had thought so, but my notes seem to say otherwise.

Matt3:7 'you brood of vipers' - Pharisees were hypocritical in their 'faith' - they did keep the law of Moses, but guessing it was on their terms. My notes indicate that the Sadducees denied the resurrection, angels, and spirits and didn't make that distinction with the Pharisees.. did they think differently?

Gen 4-6/Matt. 2

NOTE: please, I encourage you to to create a new post (like this one) for new topics/thoughts so as to 'containerize' discussion threads to refer back to. There will be days where I'll be behind and won't get to initiate conversation on "today's reading" and will rely on you to keep things rolling when Kevin Wood starts to slack, as he often does.

Did you notice it wasn't Cain's offering that offended God, it was his attitude - the result, sin. 'Get right or get left' (Song from my good buddy Tim Tyler and Group Theropy), right? I love Gen4:7 "... sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it".

There are lots of discussions that surround these first few chapters of Genesis. Gen4:14, who was Cain afraid of, 4:17, where did Cain's wife come from, etc.. my notes suggest two things 1) others on earth or 2) anticipation of rapidly growing population. What's your take?

As Jeff mentioned in his post , Enoch didn't experience death, nor Elijah.. how cool is this? Thoughts?

Matt:2 - I hadn't noticed in first reading that the Magi deceived Herod but escaped death (possibly) because they were warned in a dream to leave Bethlehem. And it was because of this that Herod gave orders to kill all boys in Bethlehem/surrounding area that were two and under.

Please start your reading with January 1st..

Start Reading Monday 3/12: I will try to recreate this list, converting existing dates to 'our dates', to make things a little easier to follow.

New Learners: I recommend purchasing a copy of 'The Message' for a much easier read - I prefer the NIV Study, but that's just what I use. Unless you have the patience of Job (will be reading about this cat soon), ... I would NOT start with King James.

Action Requested: we have over 20-30 that have committed to read with us - wow, good job (not Job) to all for passing word around. I don't have an email address for everybody that is reading - if you have a personal/work address I can use, please send to me (scott.baker@boltedup.com). Just a blank email with subject line bible will be fine - if you want to add comments, that would be great too.

Brace Up (Job 40:7), make it happen.

13 group-members so far.. what about a total of 20?

This is getting good; I made several phone-calls tonight and found a common theme - almost all had started reading the bible at some point, but never completed it. I too fell into this category. I appreciate all giving me a few minutes to speak with you.

I had in fact read about 3/4's of a study bible.. which took me 6-years. I thought about how I'd 'finish' someday, but that was 3 years ago since I had stopped reading. So, 'someday' was looking a little far off. It wasn't until Kevin and I hooked up and became 'accountability' partners that it worked.

If you have someone in mind that may benefit from reading the bible (yeah.. there's a concept), I'm guessing you'll get the ol' "I really wanted to, tried it, but never finished it" story. This is where step in with a real-life story.

Pick up the church pictorial and flip thru it... faces will jump out at you that need to be called. Let's see if we can reach 20 people or more. It's easy, just call them with an invitation!

Welcome

Thanks to everyone for joining in reading the bible thru in a year. Gotta tell you, Kevin and I just completed our 'first read' this Feb'07 and it was most awesome. My life seems clearer, I have a new focus, I'm more confident as a witness...

There will be times of frustration, panic, dread, and confusion (and others) but the rewards are eternal. As a 'support team', we'll be encouragers to one another to 'keep the pace' - BRACE UP! (.. as God laid the 'smack down' on Job in Job 40). Expect the greater reward.. His reward.

In Rev-A (Kevin and my initial read thru), we really didn't badger each other about our reading, but each knew we were being held 'accountable'. Huge. Since life seems to be in full-swing for most, I choose to create this blog as a centralized discussion-point for high-lights, prayer concerns, etc.. just a place to praise.

I can make this a private 'venue', but will wait until things get rolling befor making changes.