Read Your Bible

I have seen several Bible reading plans before and I guess any of them or good as long as they get you to read your Bible. I would like to share this one I came across on Ken Collins's web site.

1. Read Genesis through 2 Kings as if it were one, long novel.
2. Read each gospel as a complete unit, but don't  read them back to back.
3. Read Acts as the sequel to Luke, which it is.
4. Read each epistle as a unit. Try to relate them back to Acts and to each other.
5. Read Ecclesiastes from beginning to end on a day when you are down.
6. Read the prophets after having studied up on them.
7. Read a psalm or two each day, until you get a feel for them; then read the ones that are appropriate for your needs each day.
8. Read Proverbs like you eat grapes; just pick out a few and read.
9. Back fill by reading the rest of the Bible whenever you like.

God Bless

Challenge for the New Year!

Mark 16, 15-16 - Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. HCSB 

A couple of years ago I finally gave my life to Jesus. It was the greatest day of my life. The slow process of the Holy Spirit remaking me has not only yielded happiness and contentment for me, but my gradually movement toward a more Christ like attitude and life has impacted all those around me. What I used to see as self-control or self-depredation has turned out to be blessings. Now, with the positive impact I have experienced why would I not proclaim the virtues of Jesus to everyone I see?   This is a mystery. It is only in the last year that I have started freely sharing my faith with people other than friends and family. At first it was hard and scary for some reason but when I over came that fear and spoke freely about my relationship with Jesus and all he means to me to an acquaintance I felt a burden lift off of me. I no longer define myself by my job or status but as a Christian. So I challenge everyone if you don't already live with your faith on your sleeve to start off the new year that way. Tell someone you know that you have gave your life to Jesus. It will not only give glory to God but it will also motivate you to think about what you do and say in life since you will be representing our faith. God Bless

From Richard

An eye witness account from New York
 City , on a cold day in December,
 some years ago: A little boy,
 about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the
 roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering
 With cold.

   A lady approached the young boy and said,
  'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'

 'I was asking God to give me a pair of
 shoes,’ was the boy's reply.

   The lady took him by the hand, went into
  the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks
 for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water
 and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.

 She took the little fellow to the back
 part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed
 his little feet, and dried them with the towel.

 By this time, the clerk had returned with
 the socks.. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him
 a pair of shoes..

      She tied up the remaining pairs of socks
 and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, 'No
 doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'

   As she turned to go, the astonished kid
 caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears
 in his eyes, asked her.
  'Are you God's wife?'

This weeks Bible study continued our look at Paul's ministry.  We discussed his arrest and defense in Jerusalem. We began in ACTS ch. 20-21 as a recap from our last meeting.  It was noted that when Paul reported on his trip and all the great miracles that God worked that he took no credit and gave glory to God. Every town he went to the Holy Spirit had warned him of what would happen. When the Spirit warned him of the bad that would happen to him in Jerusalem it was not to discourage him but to prepare him. We discussed personal experiences of being falsely accused of something, like Paul being accused of bringing a gentile into temple. We discussed how Paul quieted the angry mob then spoke to them in their native Hebrew.  In ACTS 24 we learned of  Paul's captivity and how the Holy Spirit sustained him. In GALATIANS 2, 15-16 and  GALATIANS 3, 26-28 we learned of how we are not saved by works or strict adherence to Jewish Law but by faith  in Jesus Christ. That salvation is not earned but freely given by grace. We are all the same in Christ.

Next week we will discuss Paul's trip to Rome.
God Bless