Reading the Scriptures

In Sept/Oct of 2010, Greg and I set a goal of reading the Bible front to back without skipping.  Genesis ~ Revelation.  Neither of us met our goal of 1 year but we are still reading.  What I have found is difficult is reading in order, then skipping around to the Bible passages for our Sermons and Bible Study and Sunday School, then going back to the goal.  Maybe difficult isn't the right word, it gets confusing sometimes.  (I've individually read all the books ~ just not in the order they are presented in the Bible)

Last week I was reading the New Testament book of John, and I was was reading I kept thinking "I've already read this."  And I had....on the Kindle.  So now I am trying to keep up with the reading on 2 sources.  The cool thing with the Kindle is ~ it tells me the % finished of the entire Bible and right now I am 95% completed.  That is exciting!

Paul wrote some divinely inspired letters to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians.  And they were dealing with many of the same issues that we deal with today.  So my take on this is ~ we as humans, never learn.  We are always trying to do it our way, in spite of the repeated warnings in scripture.

1 Corinthians 2:9  But it is written : "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

1Cor. 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 3:19 For the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God.

1 Cor. 7:3  Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

1 Cor. 12:4-6 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

1 Cor. 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

2 Cor. 4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2 Cor. 5:9  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation' old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Cor. 7:10a  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation

2 Cor. 13:11  Finally brethren, farewell.  Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mine, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.

Gal. 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 6:9 Let us not grow weary while doing doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of words, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand that we should walk in them.

Eph. 4:31 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Philipians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others. 

Phil.  4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

These passages are among the ones that "jumped off the page" to me as I read.  They are about 1/4 of all that I highlighted on the Kindle.  It is continues to amaze us to hear of certain passages or scriptures being twisted, turned, and mutilated by Pastors trying to present their own agenda or support their churches doctrine.  Agendas, doctrines, sermons, interpretations are fine as long as they support the Bible & the Lord, not individual churches or denominations or religions. (my opinion)    The Holy Bible is the living, breathing word of the Lord and it applies as much to us today as if did in the time it was written. 

Read the Bible in the context it was written ~ not just a verse pulled out to support a view.  I've learned alot during this reading journey.  But the main theme remains ~ we are all sinners in need of a Savior.  The Lord provided the perfect Savior through Jesus Christ.