Category: Romans

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

Romans 7. Thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are free from the Law when we belong to Him. Yet, we struggle with sin; “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” The chapter ends up with “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” It will all make sense in chapter 8.

Esther 5. Esther prepared for a banquet with only her, the King and Haman in attendance. Meanwhile Haman’s rage against Mordecai was so great that he had built a seventy-five feet high gallows, on which to hang Mordecai.

Esther 6. As it so happened, the king had a case of insomnia. To become drowsy he had the annals read to him, which told that Mordecai had averted a coup. During the banquet the king wanted to honor somebody, and rather than Haman, Mordecai was honored.

Esther7. And so it was, Haman was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Psalm 61, of David. As so often happened, David was in trouble and cried out to God, proclaiming his trust in God, singing praises.

July 18, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Romans 6. The three most important truths are:  “Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.“ and “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is a fantastic chapter, read it and meditate.

Esther 2. The search for a new queen was on and Esther became the new queen. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, uncovered a conspiracy against the king.

Esther3. Enter Haman, an Agagite. (There was great animosity between the Agagites and the Jews since the time of king Saul.) He was great in the kingdom, and everybody bowed down to him – except Mordecai. This enraged Haman, so he offered 750 tons of silver to the king’s treasury for being allowed to kill all Jews. Fair enough, deal signed and sealed, (and the king’s seal cannot be undone.)

Esther 4. Mordecai persuaded Esther to risk her life to save the Jews, and Esther agreed, responding “If I perish, I perish”.

July 17, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Romans 5:12-21. Death came through one man, Adam, but “if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Let that sink in.

Esther 1. A fantastic book that made it to the Holy Bible, even though the name of God is not mentioned, not even once! Yet, the hand of God is everywhere in it. Read all of it! It starts with a big, decadent feast, and queen Vashti refused to make a spectacle of herself so she was deposed. Now what do you do without a queen?

Psalm 59, of David. A prayer for deliverance from Saul and his men seeking to kill David. It ends up with David singing God’s praises.

Psalm 60, of David. A Psalm intended for teaching. Even though they were defeated, David gave God the glory for future victories and deliverance.

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

Romans 4. Abraham was justified by faith, not works and definitely not by circumcision. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness. And “for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Nehemiah 12 lists the priests and Levites, the time had come for Nehemiah to dedicate the wall, and the temple responsibilities were specified.

Nehemiah 13. The final reforms of Nehemiah are recorded, the temple service is given its due, and a final admonition from Nehemiah: Observe the Sabbath and don’t marry strange women.

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

Romans 3 is full of memorable quotations: “let God be true, but every man a liar.” It speaks of God’s faithfulness and God’s Judgment, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” , “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,“and “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law,” just to name a few. Read them all, and marvel.

Nehemiah 11 lists the people of Jerusalem and the people outside Jerusalem.

Psalm 55, of David. When treacherous friends and a multitude of enemies attacked, David still trusted God.

July 13, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Romans 2. The Apostle Paul pointed out that you have no excuse, God’s judgement is righteous, Jews and Gentiles are equally guilty, and circumcision is of no avail.

Nehemiah 9. The people did confess their sins and recited Israel’s miraculous history.

Nehemiah 10 lists the people who sealed the covenant and its content.

July 12, read the Bible in a year in PowerPoint; with comments.

Romans 1:18-32 The Apostle Paul explained how the wrath of God was to come on mankind because they “changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”

Nehemiah 6. There arose a conspiracy against Nehemiah, but he was on to them and managed to get the wall completed.

Nehemiah 7. Finally the wall was finished, and the chapter gives a list of the captives who returned to Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 8. Ezra read the Law and the returnees celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles.

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

Romans 1:1-17 starts with an eloquent greeting to all in Rome, and it is just as valid for us today as it was then. The Apostle Paul longed to visit Rome and impart scriptural spiritual wisdom, such as “the Just shall live by Faith.”

Nehemiah 4. Through strong opposition the building of the wall was defended.

Nehemiah 5. Nehemiah encountered oppression but showed great generosity.

Psalm 54 , of David. A short prayer with conviction that God is David’s helper.

July 30, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Romans 16. Sister Phoebe is commended, the Apostle Paul gave thanks, especially to Priscilla and Aquila, followed by a long list of greetings by name. Paul then warned the Romans to avoid divisive persons, followed by greetings from Paul’s friends, even Tertius the scribe wrote a note. The letter ends with a benediction.

Job 17. Job continued praying for relief.

Job 18. Bildad pours it on; the wicked are punished. 

Job 19. “I know that my redeemer liveth“.

Psalm 65, of David. A Psalm full of thanksgiving for atonement for iniquities, setting things straight in nature and among people, and providing for an abundant harvest, and the response is to burst out in song.