November 15, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments

James 5 begins with a stern warning to rich oppressors, much like Old Testament teaching, but this letter is to the Jews scattered around the world. He tells them to be patient, persevere, meet each other’s need and above all do not swear, but let their yes be yes and their no be no. If anyone is sick, call in the elders and pray for him.  ” The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Bring Back erring Brothers. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Proverbs 19, Proverbs of Solomon. There is wisdom in getting along with others, but do not give in to the wicked ones, a prudent wife is a gift is from the Lord, but a foolish son is his fathers ruin.

Psalm 114 is the second Psalm of the Hallel. In eight short verses it retells of God’s miracles of delivering them out of Egypt and into the promised land. Short and to the point.

November 4, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments

Hebrews 11:23-40 is called “the great faith chapter”. The writer of Hebrews continues his history of faith with Moses’ parents, Moses, the people crossing the Red Sea, the fall of the walls of Jericho and the friendly innkeeper Rahab. Then the author ran out of time to mention Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Proverbs 18, Proverbs of Solomon. God looks at the heart, take heed and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, not men.

Psalm 106 is a follow-on of Psalm 105. While Psalm 105 tells of the story of God’s people from Abraham to Moses, Psalm 106 continues from the crossing of the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds) to the sins committed ,even to the child sacrifices to the gods of Canaan. The psalmist prayed for deliverance from the heathens and return and restoration of the promised land. The Psalm begins and ends with a Hallelujah (praise the LORD).

October 14, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments

2 Timothy 4. The Apostle Paul gave the charge to Timothy: Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season. At the end of the letter Paul gave his farewell message. Although he called himself the abandoned apostle, the Lord is faithful, now and forever.

Proverbs 17. Proverbs of Solomon. God looks at the heart, take heed and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, not men.

Psalm 94. This time the psalmist prayed for the LORD to execute vengeance on all who disobey the LORD, and bring comfort to all who follow the LORD.

Psalm 95 is a song of praise to God, but also a warning that they should not harden their hearts as they did in the wilderness and thus were not allowed to enter God’s rest.

October 11, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments

2 Timothy 2:1-16. God, through the apostle Paul gave advice to the young Timothy, such as: Be strong in grace, be not ashamed of the truth as you are an approved worker.

Proverbs 16, Proverbs of Solomon. God looks at the heart, take heed and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, not men.

Psalm 89, of Ethan the Ezrahite. “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever“. A Psalm of praise to God and His covenant with David, His glory and holiness, His faithfulness to deliver His promises, but also the trouble with the unfaithful. It ends up with a plea for a speedy restoration.

Psalm 90, a Prayer of Moses, the Man of God. This is his prayer in the wilderness, and is the only song of Moses in the Psalms, but there are two others in the Pentateuch (Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32-33).

September 19 read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Philippians 4. The Apostle Paul’s theme is joy “dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” and “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” and this gem “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” and this one “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This letter of joy and encouragement ends with a greeting: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Proverbs 14. These Proverbs of King Solomon mark the contrast between the foolish and the wise.

Proverbs 15, Proverbs of Solomon. Solomon speaks of the value of following the LORD and the pursuit of righteousness and virtue as opposed to folly, pride and wickedness, all of which God hates.

Psalm 82, of Asaph. Jesus quotes this Psalm when he confounds the people accusing him of blasphemy.

Psalm 83, of Asaph. An urgent prayer for God to help when war is threatening.

August 15, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

1 Corinthians 15:1-34. In this great resurrection chapter the Apostle Paul spoke of the risen Christ: Faith’s reality, the risen Christ: Our hope, the last enemy destroyed, the error of denying the resurrection, the glorious body and our final victory!

Proverbs 13 lists more proverbs of Solomon.

Psalm 69, of David. When you get that sinking feeling, this Psalm lifts you back up, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

August 11, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34. The Apostle Paul deals with with desired conduct at the Lord’s Supper and the very institution of the Lord’s Supper. Examine yourself so you may participate in a worthy manner.

Proverbs 12 is one chapter in the collection of Proverbs of Solomon.

Psalm 67, a Song. A short, beautiful Psalm of praise and singing. It ends with the prophetic “God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Psalm 68, of David. George Horne described how this psalm was assigned to Pentecost in the Anglican liturgy, no doubt because it describes gifts given upon ascension and is quoted in Ephesians 4. “This beautiful, sublime, and comprehensive, but very difficult Psalm, is one of those which the church has appointed to be used on Whitsunday.”

July 21, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Romans 8:28-39. This is my favorite chapter in all the Bible, and is far too important for my feeble comments. Read it together with all the Old Testament references, let them serve as the commentary; then read it again. Let it sink in, then pray with thanksgiving. 

Proverbs 11. The list of Solomon’s Proverbs is many chapters long.

Psalm 62, of David. David, as always claimed God to be his rock and salvation, even when surrounded by false and evil men, he would not be moved. All power belongs to God.

July 16, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Romans 5:1-11. This is a great chapter and tells how faith triumphs in trouble, one quote: “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Proverbs 10 contains some of the wise sayings of Solomon, with New Testament thoughts sprinkled in.

Psalm 56 , of David. The Psalm is from the time when the Philistines captured him in Gath  It deals with the period between the visit to the tabernacle at Nob and David’s arrival at Adullam. David was alone, desperate, afraid – and had no one left to to trust but  the LORD.

Psalm 57 , of David. Charles Spurgeon noted, “There are four of these ‘Destroy not’ psalms, namely, the 57th, 58th, 59th, and 75th. In all of them there is a distinct declaration of the destruction of the wicked and the preservation of the righteous.” It ends with “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 58, of David. A short, but intense prayer that God would punish the wicked and judge righteously.

July 9, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Acts 27:13-44. Against better advice from God via Paul the captain and Centurion ignored Paul’s warning, and sure enough a great storm grew up and they were shipwrecked on Malta, but all got safely ashore.

Proverbs 9 contrasts the way of wisdom from the way of folly.

Psalm 51, of David, written after Nathan confronted David after his adultery with Bathsheba. This Psalm explains fully, how God would say, after David was pointed out to be both an adulterer and a murderer: “He was a man after God’s own heart”.

Psalm 52, of David. The Psalm is a contemplation of David, contrasting the final end of evil men with the rewards of the righteous.

Psalm 53. This is a short Psalm telling about fools that say “No God”