October 10: Reading the Holy Bible in a year.

2 Timothy 1 starts out with the customary greeting. The Apostle Paul was encouraged by Timothy’s Faith, which he got from his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” Then Paul urged Timothy to be loyal to the faith.

Jeremiah 51 tells of the time of the Lord’s vengeance, the Destruction of Babylon. The words of Jeremiah end with his command to Seraiah.

Jeremiah 52 is a historical epilogue to the book of Jeremiah. It tells of the fall of Jerusalem, the temple plundered and burned, the important people taken into captivity in Babylon, and finally Jehoiachin was released from jail but remained in Babylon.

September 30: Reading the Holy Bible in a year.

2 Thessalonians 1. After the customary greeting and prayer of thanksgiving, the Apostle Paul dealt with God’s final judgment and God’s glory.

Jeremiah 27. The prophecies continue; Babylon will put nations under a yoke , Judah will serve Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah 28. The prophet Hananiah was proven false by events. Rather than defeating Babylon, Judah would go into captivity.

Jeremiah 29. Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles, a letter of hope, and a promise of return “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord“. Then follows a message to Shemaiah, a not so promising message.

Psalm 85, of the Sons of Korah. A prayer of thankfulness.

September 7: Reading the Holy Bible in a year.

Ephesians 1. This letter has a wonderful explanation of the Christian Gospel. The Apostle Paul stars out with a greeting, then explains what it means to get redemption in Christ and ends up with a prayer for spiritual wisdom.

Isaiah 44. Israel is the chosen nation, God is supreme, idols are worthless. Sing, for the LORD has done it. God is the one “That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.”

Isaiah 45. Cyrus was God’s instrument. God gave him “the treasures of darkness”, though he did not acknowledge Him. The Lord is the only savior, there is none else. God said: “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

August 31: Reading the Holy Bible in a year.

Galatians 1. The Apostle Paul started the letter with a greeting and blessing. Then he tore into the Galatians: There is only one gospel, Paul gave his defense for it, and explained his call to apostleship.

Isaiah 30 emphasizes “Don’t trust in Egypt!” But they were a rebellious people; in spite of that God will be gracious to Israel but execute judgement on Assyria.

Isaiah 31 proclaims woe to the Egyptophiles. The LORD will pass over Israel, but not Assyria.

Isaiah 32 ushers in the reign of righteousness, warns against complacency, and says (in King James Bible) “The vile person shall be no more called liberal” (NIV translates liberal as noble) so a few verses down it says (in NIV) “But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.” The promise is that the Holy spirit is righteousness and “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace.”

July 11: Reading the Holy Bible in a year.

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. 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.