April 19: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Mark 14:32-72. After Judas Iscariot left the eleven remaining disciples, they and Jesus went to the Mount of Olives where there is a garden called Gethsemane. While they were there Jesus Prayed intensely. Judas Iscariot reappeared and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. The accompanying soldiers arrested Jesus, and he was brought before the Sanhedrin. Peter was waiting outside and denied Jesus three times, after which the cock crowed twice.

1 Samuel 3 tells of Samuel’s first prophecy, a prophesy against Eli and his sons, because Eli failed to restrain them.

1 Samuel 4. The Philistines captured the Ark of God. Soon after that Eli died, and Phineas died and his wife gave birth to Ichabod, which means “No Glory”, for the glory had departed from Israel.  

Psalm 39, of David. At the later part of his life David wrote this Psalm to give words of wisdom, knowing the end for him was near. It is sometimes quoted in part during funerals to give comfort when words are hard to find.

April 18: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Mark 14:1-31 starts out in Bethany, where Jesus was anointed. The next day Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and predicted Peter’s denial.

1 Samuel 1 begins with telling of the birth of Samuel. Elkanah had two wives, one was fruitful and the other, Hannah, was barren. As always with polygamy there is strife, but Hannah prayed and gave her vow that if she conceived a son she would give him to the LORD. Her wish came to pass and so Samuel was born and dedicated to the LORD.

1 Samuel 2 starts out with Hanna’s Prayer, a beautiful piece of poetry. Then is recorded the story of the wicked sons of Eli, how they took and ate the fat that was supposed to be burned! It tells of Samuel’s childhood ministry and finally a man of God gave a prophecy against Eli’s household, both his wicked sons would die on the same day.

April 17: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Mark 13, Jesus told his disciples of the Signs of the End of the Age, the Great Tribulation, the Coming of the Son of Man, the lesson of the Fig Tree and the Day and Hour of his return, which shall remain unknown.

Proverbs 2 is, telling of the moral benefits of wisdom.

Psalm 37, of David. With two lines dedicated to each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, this psalm is one of the longer acrostics in the book of Psalms. David wrote it late in life (“ I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.“) It is full of promises and praise, and was intended for memorization.

Psalm 38, of David, a Petition. This is a Psalm of deep despair and remorse. David acknowledged his sin and cried out to God. Yet, in failing health and abandonment by friends and family his hope in God remained steadfast.

April 16: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Mark 12:28-44,Mark 12. Jesus answered the question: “What is the Greatest Commandment,” by changing the question into a the riddle “whose son is the Christ?” Finally, looking at temple offerings Jesus noticed the widow that gave her all, two mites.

Ruth 3. Ruth’s Redemption was assured.

Ruth 4. Boaz redeemed Ruth, and that’s how Ruth came to be in the genealogy of David and Jesus.

Psalm 36, of David, the Servant of the LORD. This Psalm also tells of wicked people, but then shows the mercies of God and ends up with David recognizing that without God’s protection he too is vulnerable, as are we all.

Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas in Prison, the Philippian Jailer Saved, Paul refuses to Depart Secretly.

Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas in Prison, the Philippian Jailer Saved, Paul refuses to Depart Secretly.

April 15: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Mark 12:1-27 begins with Jesus telling the parable of the unfaithful tenants, and after that the Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus with the question “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” You know the answer, if not, check it and ponder. Then it was the Sadducees’ turn to entrap him with the question what happens to  marriage at the Resurrection. Jesus answered: “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.” 

Ruth 1. Elimelech’s family went to Moab, and all the men in the family died.  Naomi returned back to Israel with Ruth, a Moabite. The famous quote from Ruth 1: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:”.

Ruth 2. Ruth met Boaz.

Psalm 35, of David. An urgent call for God to execute His righteous judgment on the enemies of God and vindicate David. (This is the Psalm that has received the most hits of any Psalm on my blog)

Acts 16:1-15, Timothy joins Paul and Silas, the Macedonian Call, Lydia Baptized at Philippi.

Acts 16:1-15, Timothy joins Paul and Silas, the Macedonian Call, Lydia Baptized at Philippi.

Acts 16, Timothy joins Paul and Silas, the Macedonian Call, Lydia Baptized at Philippi, Paul and Silas in Prison, the Philippian Jailer Saved, Paul refuses to Depart Secretly.