Day 72

Good morning Friends,
Woo hoo the weekend is here! Have a great one!
Oh my goodness! A quote from Willie Nelson!?!? But it is beautiful!
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 852-864 (Mark 9 - Luke 1)

Something to ponder
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Jesus says, "Everything is possible for him who believes." (Mark 9:23b) What should you believe that you are NOT?

Key passage
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"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:14b-15

Reminder
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The four Gospels offer eyewitness accounts of Christ's ministry from four different perspectives, yet both the similarities and distinctions in the accounts come together to form a consistent portrait.

Encouragement
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Family Bible, by Willie Nelson

There's a family Bible on the table
Each page is torn and hard to read
But the family Bible on the table
Will ever be my key to memories
At the end of day when work was over
And when the evening meal was done
Dad would read to us from the family Bible
And we'd count our many blessings one by one
I can see us sittin' round the table
When from the family Bible dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing rock of ages Rock of ages cleft for me

Now this old world of ours is full of trouble
This old world would also better be
If we'd find more Bibles on the tables
And mothers singing rock of ages cleft for me
I can see us sittin' round the table
When from the family Bible dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing rock of ages
Rock of ages rock of ages cleft for me.

Day 71

Good morning Friends,
I am a bit pressed for time this morning but wanted to get this posted. So no pearls of wisdom. Ha ha
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 840-852 (Matthew 26 - Mark 8)

Something to ponder
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Pick one: condemned to death by opponents (Matthew 27:1) or abandoned by friends (Matthew 26:69-75)?

Key passage
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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Matthew 26:26-28

Reminder
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We're reading some of the most familiar passages in the Bible... within the context of the whole.

Encouragement
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"The Bible among other books is a diamond among precious stones."

John Stoughton

Day 70

Good morning Friends,

30 more days. It has occured to me that on our last meeting we will not have finished our readings. Hopefully tonight I will have an answer on how to address that issue. I would love to know the context of Queen Elizabeth's quote below.
Have a blessed day.
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 828-840 (Matthew 16-26)

Something to ponder
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Distinguish "testing" (Matthew 16:1) from "asking" (Matthew 21:22).

Key passage
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"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Matthew 21:22

Reminder
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As you come across passages you want to study, mark them and keep reading. You'll have plenty of time to dig deeper once you've experienced the whole story.

Encouragement
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tell your prince that this book is the secret to England's success."

Queen Elizabeth

Day 69

Good morning Friends
Brrrrrrrr!!! Loving it! Thank you Lord that I've been needing a blanket! Interesting quote by Theodore Roosevelt today - typo is not mine. And oh that his quote was true of today's "man"
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 816-828 (Matthew 5 - 15)

Something to ponder
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As your continue your reading, view the NT with new eyes. See if Christ doesn't actually "up the ante." (e.g. Matthew 5:21-22)

Key passage
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"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."

Matthew 5:21-22

Reminder
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The NT is serious stuff, as illustrated above. It is NOT all about GRACE, as we sometimes come to believe from the popular verses we may encounter frequently in various venues. At the same time, we've just seen that the OT is littered with GRACE. Isn't it something to see the "whole story" come more into focus?

Encouragement
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"Almost every man who has by is lifework added to the sum of human achievement... has based his lifework largely upon the teachings of the Bible."

Theodore Roosevelt

Day 68

Good morning Friends,
Oh my gosh it is COLD this morning! Woo hoo!
Have a blessed day!
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 804-816 (Zechariah 10 - Matthew 4)

Something to ponder
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Malachi reminds of us rampant human failure reflected throughout the Old Testament. Why are we worthy of the gift we'll come to know in the New Testament?

Key passage
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She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

Reminder
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One important reason for reading is so we'll know "the whole story." Occasionally people get complacent when entering the New Testament, because it is more familiar to most of us.Don't get complacent! Continue reading with vigor. If the NT is familiar to you, you'll nevertheless see it in a whole new light.

Encouragement
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"Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed."

Douglas MacArthur

Day 67

Good morning Friends,
Today we read Zephaniah - it contains my life verse which is today's key passage. I picture myself sitting in God's lap as He sings over me. Good thought for me when I'm feeling down.
Have a blessed Lord's Day.
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 792 - 804 (Habakkuk - Zechariah 9)

Something to ponder
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Habakkuk's central complaint to the Lord: "Why do you tolerate wrong?" (Habakkuk 1:3b) Does God tolerate wrong?

Key passage
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The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Reminder
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Just one more day after today in the Old Testament.Keep going. We'll soon be treated to good news.

Encouragement
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"No lawyer can afford to be ignorant of the Bible."

Rufus Choate

Day 66

Good morning Friends!
Have a blessed Saturday!
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 780-792 (Amos 9 - Nahum)

Something to ponder
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Most of us have at least one Jonah moment - a time when God calls & we flee in the opposite direction. Describe yours. (Jonah 1:1-3)

Key passage
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The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.

Jonah 1:1-3a

Reminder
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As children, many of us focused on the big fish in the story of Jonah.Perhaps this is the first time you've revisited Jonah in some time.Isn't it funny what a different story the same words can tell at different times in our lives.

Encouragement
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"A single line in the Bible has consoled me more than all the books I ever read besides."

Immanuel Kant

Day 65

Good morning Friends!
Happy Friday to you! Oh my goodness - look at the point to ponder! Should make for interesting reading! Have a blessed day!
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 768-780 (Hosea 13 - Amos 9)

Something to ponder
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Comparing a group of women to cows (Amos 4:1) isn't politically correct by today's standards. Why did Amos do it?

Key passage
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The ways of the LORD are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hosea 14:9b

Reminder
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The Bible in 90 Days' Participants Guide has a section called "Putting the Prophets in Their Place" that begins on page 85.

Encouragement
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"Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible."

Ronald Reagan

Day 64

Good morning Friends,
Have a blessed day.
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 756-768 (Daniel 9 - Hosea 12)

Something to ponder
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Which one are you in the story of Hosea and Gomer? Why?

Key passage
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But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always.

Hosea 12:6

Reminder
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Humans are impatient. Right now, some of us are impatient to get to the New Testament. Often, God wants us to wait... on Him.... for His reasons.

Encouragement
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"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."

Sir Isaac Newton

Day 63

Good morning Friends
My thanks and gratitude go out to all Veterans today. Without them I would not be sitting her at my laptop posting God's Word to all of you. Without them we would not be able to have our Bible in 90 Days class. Thank you Lord for these men and women who protected and protect our country and our freedoms and rights. Amen
Barbara

Today's reading
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Pages 744-756 (Ezekiel 47 - Daniel 8)

Something to ponder
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We see Daniel's life as one of flawless faith. Why do you think the God never made Daniel a king?

Key passage
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"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

"For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.

He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."

Daniel 6:26-27

Reminder
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In our reading we've seen instances where God is honored by others, sometimes more than by His own people. Something followers might consider during this journey: how can we act so that others will be drawn to our God?

Encouragement
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"If we will not be governed by God, then we will be ruled by tyrants."

William Penn

Resources + Community
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Following up on the reminder above, is there someone in your community that you can attract to Christian faith through acts of kindness or charity?

Day 62

Good morning Friends,
So many distractions! I pray for all of you that as we come to the final leg of our journey and the busyness of the upcoming holidays that your quiet time for reading will be protected by the Lord.
Blessings on your day.
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 732-744 (Ezekiel 35-46)

Something to ponder
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Imagine a pile of dry bones rattling together, clothed with tendons and then flesh (Ezekiel 37:7-8). Why this image?

Key passage
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

Reminder
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Periodically we reflect that we are reading the Bible to be changed. The passage above reminds us that God intends this for us, too.

Encouragement
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"I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and pleasure."

Woodrow Wilson

Resources + Community
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Have you considered how you might stay engaged in the Word after this journey has ended?

Day 61

Good morning Friends!

Have a blessed day!

Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 720-732 (Ezekiel 23-34)

Something to ponder
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What is your flock? (Ezekiel 34:1-6) Where is your flock?

Key passage
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The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.

Ezekiel 34:1-6

Reminder
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Back in Genesis God made clear that He was giving humans certain responsibilities. Thus, from the very beginning of the Bible we've been charged with being good stewards.

Encouragement
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Francis Bacon's assessment of the Bible: "The book of God's Word."

Day 60

Happy Lord's Day Everyone!
We hit another milestone today! We are 2/3 of the way through our journey! A mere 30days left. I'm so proud of all of you! You can do it! You can complete the journey.
Have a blessed day.
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 708-720 (Ezekiel 12-23)

Something to ponder
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Reconcile Ezekiel 12:21-25 with the argument that it has already been a long time and Christ still hasn't come again.

Key verse
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The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: 'The days go by and every vision comes to nothing'? Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.' Say to them, 'The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious house, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.' "

Ezekiel 12:21-25

Reminder
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God gave us time. And His sense of time differs from ours.

Encouragement
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Q: "I find the Bible confusing whenever I try to read it. Am I wrong to feel this way?"

A: (from Billy Graham) "I encourage you to make the Bible part of your daily life. Don't worry about what you can't do; focus instead on what you can do-and then do it."

Resources + Community
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By now, when you don't understand something on this journey, you have probably learned to read on anyway: either your question will be answered, or you'll move to an even bigger question. That doesn't mean you can't jot down Big Questions for Future Study. If you are using The Bible in 90 Days Participant's Guide, turn to page 138.

Day 59

Good morning Friends!
Thank you Lord for lovely cool weather! Have a great day!
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 696-708 (Lamentations 2 - Ezekiel 11)

Something to ponder
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"It is good for man to bear the yoke..." (Lamentations 3:27a). What yoke do you currently bear?

Key verse
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You, O LORD, reign forever;
your throne endures from generation to generation.

Lamentations 5:19

Reminder
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One yoke we all bear right now is our commitment to read all of God's Word.If you are struggling, put the burden on Him by praying for the time, patience, focus and/or anything else you need to keep this commitment. Ask and it will be given.

Encouragement
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"For almost two thousand years Christians have agreed that the Bible alone is God's Word, and that it tells us everything we need to know about Him."

Billy Graham

Day 58

Good morning Friends,
Have a great day! Woo hoo the start of the weekend!
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 684-696 (Jeremiah 48 - Lamentations 1)

Something to ponder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How does the fall of Jerusalem (Lamentations 1) compare to the original fall?

Key verse
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How deserted lies the city,
once so full of people!
How like a widow is she,
who once was great among the nations!
She who was queen among the provinces
has now become a slave.

Lamentations 1:1

Reminder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The phrase "there but for the grace of God go I" is a good one to remember as we read the books of the prophets and Lamentations. Viewed from God's holy perspective, our approach to life is no better than the lives depicted in these books. Notice, too, though, the grace and hope throughout.

Encouragement
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"The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible."

Dwight L. Moody

Resources + Community
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As we read Lamentations, these questions arise:

* Are there people you know who have suffered great loss and never fully recovered?
* Do they know God's Word?
* Should you add them to the list of people with whom you might share The Bible in 90 Days experience?

Day 57

Good Evening Readers:

Sorry for the delay in posting. I finally figured out what day I should be posting.
Blessings,
Barb

Today's reading
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Pages 672-684 (Jeremiah 33-47)

Something to ponder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Go figure: even after Jeremiah's repeated warnings, people were shocked at Jerusalem's fall. Any modern day events seem similar?

Key verse
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"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

Reminder
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Our reading makes it clear that WHO we listen to is extremely important.

Encouragement
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"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can take away from it."

James Bryce

Resources + Community
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For many, Jeremiah is a particularly good book to experience using Listen While You Read.