Each morning, I read from three different places in the Bible. The guide that I use follows a lectionary (a proscribed list of readings) which are designed to guide the reader through the Bible in two years. Each morning I read a selection from the Old Testament, a selection from one of the books in the New Testament, and a reading from one of the Gospels.
My conversation reminded me that as I choose which of those three to address in my note to you, it isn't all that easy for you to know how I got there and why.
There is so much to learn in the Bible. As we will discuss at next week's Bible study - so much to learn that we might have a full and wonderful life. Learning all this, or remembering all this is not a preparation for some "test" or "entrance exam" for heaven. It is an opportunity to live the life God holds before us.
I have already written too many paragraphs to even address today's selections. Let me tease you by saying that in I Kings 20 & 21 you will find the references to King Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab let's his power go to his head; Jezebel uses that power for evil ends. Thus, when you get to the Book of Revelation, hers is the name used for those who oppose God.
The New Testament reading is the opening verses of I Corinthians. It is likely, over the next couple of weeks, that I will make reference to these.
Same is true for the Gospel lesson. We are in Matthew 4 (today it was the story of Jesus' temptation). We will be reading Matthew for the next several weeks.
The Bible is a collection of 66 different books. Approach it this way - you cannot read "The Bible," you can only read one of the books within the Bible. Pick one of those books and read it (very few require more than an hour to read.) You may not know every thing which happens in all the books, but you will remember some of the things which happen in I Corinthians.
Stick with me - make small steps - and realize that useful knowledge is obtained over time.
No comments:
Post a Comment