May 30, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we are reading one chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans and one chapter in 2 Kings.

May 30: Romans 8, 2 Kings 10 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 8. 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.

2 Kings 10. Jehu was at it big time is this killings chapter,  Ahab’s seventy sons were killed, Ahaziah’s forty-two brothers killed, the rest of Ahab’s family killed, worshipers of Baal killed, and finally the normal death of Jehu himself.

May 29, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we are reading one chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans and two chapters in 2 Kings.

May 29: Romans 7, 2 Kings 8, 2 Kings 9 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

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.

2 Kings 8. The King Restored the Shunammite’s Land, and then Hazael murdered Ben-Hadad. The chapter lists two more kings of Judah, Jehoram and Ahaziah.

2 Kings 9, Jehu, a man of action was anointed king of Israel, Joram of Israel was killed, Ahaziah of Judah likewise, and finally Jezebel suffered the most humiliating and violent death possible, thrown out from a window, trampled to death by horses and was then eaten by dogs.

 

May 28, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we are reading one chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans, and three chapters in 2 Kings.

May 28: Romans 6, 2 Kings 5, 2 Kings 6, 2 Kings 7 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

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.

2 Kings 5. Naaman’s Leprosy was healed. This was so important that Jesus mentioned it to the self righteous Jews, proving they were not that special.  Elisha refused payment for healing Naaman, but his servant Gehazi accepted payment instead, so he became leprous instead of Naaman.

2 Kings 6. Elisha made an ax head float, “The Floating Ax Head”, the Syrians tried to capture Elisha from which we get the quote”Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” But later Syria besieged Samaria with famine.

2 Kings 7. When the siege was about to succeed Elisha prophesied “Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” During the night the Syrians fled and four lepers discovered it. After feasting they went and told the good news to the no longer besieged.

May 26, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we are reading one chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans, and starting with two chapters in 2 Kings.

May 26: Romans 4, 2 Kings 1, 2 Kings 2 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 4. Abraham was justified by faith, not works and definitely not 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.

2 Kings 1. God Judged Ahaziah. Elijah the prophet delivered the messages from God, and so Ahaziah died, left no heir, so Joram, son of Ahab became king.

2 Kings 2, Elijah was taken up to heaven, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and received it, because he witnessed Elijah’s ascension.

May 25, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we read one chapter in Paul’s letter to the  Romans, and one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 25: Romans 3, 1 Kings 22 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

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.

1 Kings 22. Micalah prophesied against Ahab, Ahab disguised himself for protection but died in battle by a stray arrow. Jehoshaphat became King of Judah, followed by Ahaziah.

May 24, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we one chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans, and two chapters in 1 Kings.

May 24: Romans 2, 1 Kings 20, 1 Kings 21 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 2. 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.

1 Kings 20. Ahab defeated the Syrians and he did it twice. After that Ahab made a treaty with Ben-Hadad, and that led to the prophecy of Ahab’s Condemnation.

1 Kings 21. Naboth was killed for his vineyard and for that the LORD condemned Ahab.

May 23, read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we are the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 23: Romans 1, 1 Kings 19 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Romans 1 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.” Then he 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.

1 Kings 19. After the fantastic victory at Mount Carmel Elijah fled from Jezebel, the “exhibit A” of names of evil women featured in literature and films.  He fled, got strengthened by an angel that fed him a meal that gave him enough strength to go all the way to Mount Horeb. There he heard “The Still Small Voice.” God reminded Elijah  that “I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” Elisha then received the call to follow Elijah.

May 22 read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Tomorrow we begin reading Paul’s letter to the Romans, but for today we read two Psalms and one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 22: Psalm 35, Psalm 36, 1 Kings 18 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 35, of David. An urgent call for God to execute His righteous judgment on the enemies of God and vindicate David.

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.

1 Kings 18. This chapter alone makes the reading of 1 Kings up to now worthwhile. Elijah met Obadiah and sent a message to King Ahab. When they met, Elijah challenged Ahab to a competition: Four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah against Elijah alone on Mount Carmel to see whose God is victorious! You know the rest, enjoy reading!

May 21 read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today, still in between the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s letter to the Romans we are reading two Psalms one chapter in 1 Kings.

May 21: Psalm 33, Psalm 34, 1 Kings 17 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Psalm 33, is a Psalm about the sovereignty of God in creation and history. Here and in many other places of the Bible it encourages us to “sing a new song”.

Psalm 34, of David. This Psalm is an almost acrostic psalm (except for the letter waw). Like many acrostic Psalms, this is to be sung and memorized as it is full of praise and good advice. It contains one notable prophetic reference: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.”

1 Kings 17. With Baal worship in full swing Elijah prayed fo a multi-year drought. He then went into the wilderness by a brook and was fed by ravens. But the brook dried up so he went to a widow in Zarephath. He asks her for water and some bread. That was the last of the flower she had, but she gave it to Elijah anyway. Later the widow’s son died and Elijah revived him. The jar of flour and the jug of oil never emptied as long as Elijah was in the house, miracle upon miracle!

May 20 read through the Holy Bible in a year in Power-point, with comments.

Today we are reading one chapter of Proverbs and three chapters in 1 Kings, taking a pause between the Acts of the Apostles and the letter of Paul to the Romans.

May 20: Proverbs 6, 1 Kings 14, 1 Kings 15, 1 Kings 16 (click on the chapter to begin reading)

Proverbs 6 warns against cosigning documents with neighbors, condemns sluggards of their sleepy and lazy habits and points to the destruction of wicked men. It tells about seven detestable things to the LORD, and finally it takes a dim view of adultery, a sure way to destroy yourself and others.

Not much good in 1 Kings 14, it tells of judgment on the house of Jeroboam and his death, and Rehoboam taking over power and his death.

1 Kings 15, the evil king Abijam reigned in Judah. After his death Asa became king over Judah and he was a good king. Meanwhile in Israel Nadab reigned, and after him Baasha both doing evil things in the eyes of the LORD.

1 Kings 16 displays a depressing list of kings over Israel, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, one worse the the other, finally culminating with Ahab, the worst of them all, setting up Baal worship in Israel.