November in the Jesse Tree and BBC Review

INTRODUCTION TO THE JESSE TREE

1. Genesis 1 & 2
2. Genesis 3
3. Genesis 6:5-8:22
4. Genesis 12:1-9, 15:1-6
5. Genesis 22:1-19
6. Genesis 28:10-17
7. Genesis 37:1-28; 50:15-21
8. Exodus 20:1-17
9. Numbers 13 & 14:6-9
10. Ruth 1-4
11. 1 Samuel 16:1-13
12. 2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3
13. Isaiah 11:1-5
14. Isaiah 11:6-9
15. Isaiah 9:2-7
16. Isaiah 40:9-11
17. Isaiah 53
18. Jeremiah 31:31-34
19. Micah 5:2-4
20. Daniel 3
21. Ezra 1:1-8
22. Matthew 3:1-12
23. Luke 2:25-38
24. Luke 1:26-56
25. Luke 2:1-20
26. Preparing for Advent
27. Advent Week 1
28. Advent Week 2
29. Advent Week 3
30. Advent Week 4

October in 2 & 3 John, Jude, and Revelation!

1. 2 John
2. 3 John
3. Jude
4. OFF
5. Intro to Revelation
6. Rev. 1
7. Rev. 2:1-17
8. Rev. 2:18-29
9. Rev. 3
10. Rev. 4
11. Rev. 5
12. Rev. 6
13. Rev. 7
14. Rev. 8
15. Rev. 9
16. Rev. 10
17. Rev. 11
18. Rev. 12
19. Rev. 13
20. Rev. 14
21. Rev. 15
22. Rev. 16
23. Rev. 17
24. Rev. 18
25. Rev. 19:1-10
26. Rev. 19:11-21
27. Rev. 20
28. Rev. 21:1-8
29. Rev. 21:9-27
30. Rev. 22
31. Reflection Day and Introduction to the Jesse Tree

It is finished!

BUT WAIT, there is more. 

Review the Scarlet Thread of Redemption: 

November - The Jesse Tree

December - Handel's Messiah

September in James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 John

1. LABOR
2. DAY
3. WEEKEND
4. START OF
5. SCHOOL
6. BBC
7. BREAK
8. James 1:1-18
9. James 1:19-27
10. James 2
11. James 3:1-12
12. James 3:13-18
13. James 4
14. James 5
15. 1 Peter 1
16. 1 Peter 2:1-10
17. 1 Peter 2:11-25
18. 1 Peter 3:1-7
19. 1 Peter 3:8-22
20. 1 Peter 4
21. 1 Peter 5
22. 2 Peter 1
23. 2 Peter 2
24. 2 Peter 3
25. 1 John 1
26. 1 John 2:1-14
27. 1 John 2:15-29
28. 1 John 3
29. 1 John 4
30. 1 John 5

August in 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews

1. Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles & 1 Tim 1
2. 1 Tim 2
3. 1 Tim 3
4. 1 Tim 4
5. 1 Tim 5
6. 1 Tim 6
7. 2 Tim 1
8. 2 Tim 2:1-13
9. 2 Tim 2:14-26
10. 2 Tim 3:1-13
11. 2 Tim 3:14-17
12. 2 Tim 4
13. Titus 1
14. Titus 2
15. Titus 3
16. Philemon
17. Hebrews 1
18. Hebrews 2
19. Hebrews 3
20. Hebrews 4
21. Hebrews 5
22. Hebrews 6
23. Hebrews 7
24. Hebrews 8
25. Hebrews 9
26. Hebrews 10:1-18
27. Hebrews 10:19-39
28. Hebrews 11:1-16
29. Hebrews 11:17-39
30. Hebrews 12
31. Hebrews 13

July in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians

1. Eph. 1:1-14
2. Eph. 1:15-23
3. Eph. 2:1-11
4. HAPPY 4^th!
5. OFF
6. OFF
7. OFF
8. Eph 3
9. Eph 4
10. Eph 5:1-17
11. Eph 5:18-6:9
12. Eph 6:10-23
13. Phil 1:1-11
14. Phil 1:12-30
15. Phil 2
16. Phil 3
17. Phil 4
18. Col 1:1-14
19. Col 1:15-23
20. Col 1:24-29
21. Col 2
22. Col 3
23. Col 4
24. 1 Thess 1
25. 1 Thess 2
26. 1 Thess 3
27. 1 Thess 4:1-12
28. 1 Thess 4:13-5:21
29. 2 Thess 1
30. 2 Thess 2
31. 2 Thess 3

June in 1 & 2 Corinthians and Galatians

1. 1 Cor. 9
2. 1 Cor. 10
3. 1 Cor. 1
4. 1 Cor. 12
5. 1 Cor. 13
6. 1 Cor. 14
7. 1 Cor. 15
8. 1 Cor. 16
9. 2 Cor. 1
10. 2 Cor. 2
11. 2 Cor. 3
12. 2 Cor. 4
13. 2 Cor. 5
14. 2 Cor. 6
15. 2 Cor. 7
16. 2 Cor. 8
17. 2 Cor. 9
18. 2 Cor. 10
19. 2 Cor. 11
20. 2 Cor. 12
21. 2 Cor. 13
22. Gal. 1
23. Gal. 2:1-10
24. Gal. 2:11-21
25. Gal. 3:1-14
26. Gal. 3:15-29
27. Gal. 4
28. Gal. 5
29. Gal. 6
30. Tool Time: Structuring and Word Studies in Ephesians

May in Romans and 1 Corinthians

Introduction to the Epistles

1. Romans 1
2. Romans 2:1-16
3. Romans 2:17-29
4. Romans 3: 1-20
5. Romans 3:21-31
6. Romans 4
7. Romans 5
8. Romans 6:1-14
9. Romans 6:15-23
10. Romans 7
11. Romans 8:1-17
12. Romans 8:18-39
13. Romans 9
14. Romans 10
15. Romans 11
16. Romans 12:1-8
17. Romans 12:9-21
18. Romans 13
19. Romans 14
20. Romans 15
21. Romans 16
22. 1 Cor. 1
23. 1 Cor. 2
24. 1 Cor. 3
25. 1 Cor. 4
26. 1 Cor. 5-6
27. 1 Cor. 7
28. 1 Cor. 8
29. Take Three Days Off
30. Sometime During the Month
31. For Memorial Day Weekend

April in Acts

1. Acts 1
2. Acts 2
3. Acts 3
4. Acts 4
5. Acts 5
6. Acts 6
7. Acts 7
8. Acts 8
9. Acts 9
10. Acts 10
11. Acts 11
12. Acts 12
13. Acts 13
14. Acts 14
15.  Acts 15
16. Acts 16
17. Acts 17
18. Acts 18
19. Acts 19
20. Acts 20
21. Acts 21
22. Acts 22
23. Acts 23
24. Acts 24
25. Acts 25
26. Acts 26
27. Acts 27
28. Acts 28
29. OFF
30. Introduction to the Epistles

March in Luke and John

If you are reading according to the yearly schedule, you can start the Friday before Palm Sunday in John 12 and follow the schedule differently from below. Then get back on schedule after that. See below for the Palm Sunday dates in the future.

1. Luke 16
2. Luke 17
3. Luke 18
4. Luke 19
5. Luke 20
6. Luke 21
7. Luke 22
8. Luke 23
9. Luke 24
10. John 1
11. John 2
12. John 3
13. John 4
14. John 5
15. John 6
16. John 7
17. John 8
18. John 9
19. John 10
20. John 11
21. John 12:1-11 (or the Friday before Palm Sunday of the year you are doing this)
22. John 12:12-19 (or Palm Sunday)
23. John 12:20-50 (or Monday of Holy Week) 
24. John 13-14 & 15:1-18:24 (or Tuesday-Thursday of Holy Week) 
25. John 18:25-19:42 (or Good Friday of Holy Week)
26. TOMB REST DAY
27. John 20:1-23 (or Easter Sunday)
28. John 20:24-21:25 (Now get back on schedule - you have some cushion days)
29. OFF
30. OFF
31. OFF

• Palm Sunday in future years:
• 
  
• 2027: March 21

• 2028: April 9

• 2029: March 25

• 2030: April 14

• 2031: April 6

• 2032: March 21

• 2033: April 10

• 2034: April 2

• 2035: March 18

February in Mark and Luke

1. Mark 4
2. Mark 5
3. Mark 6
4. Mark 7
5. Mark 8
6. Mark 9
7. Mark 10
8. Mark 11
9. Mark 12
10. Mark 13
11. Mark 14
12.  Mark 15
13. Mark 16
14. Luke 1
15. Luke 2
16. Luke 3
17. Luke 4
18. Luke 5
19. Luke 6
20. Luke 7
21. Luke 8
22. Luke 9
23. Luke 10
24. Luke 11
25. Luke 12
26. Luke 13
27. Luke 14
28. Luke 15
29. LUKE LEAP DAY!

January in Matthew and Mark

I wanted to give a "heads-up" that you can also read the integrated Gospels chronologically on the Gospel Harmony Book Club blog.

Here is a page with all the Microsoft Word Downloads for the Bible Book Club:

Bible Book Club Page of Download Links (links will be updated by the end of 2023)

JANUARY

1. Overview of the Four Gospels/Matt 1
2. Matt 2
3. Matt 3
4. Matt 4
5. Matt 5
6. Matt 6
7. Matt 7
8. Matt 8
9. Matt 9
10. Matt 10
11. Matt 11
12. Matt 12
13. Matt 13
14. Matt 14
15. Matt 15
16. Matt 16
17. Matt 17
18. Matt 18
19. Matt 19
20. Matt 20
21. Matt 21
22. Matt 22
23. Matt 23
24. Matt 24
25. Matt 25
26. Matt 26
27. Matt 27
28. Matt 28
29. Mark 1
30. Mark 2
31. Mark 3

Introduction to YEAR ONE of the Bible Book Club

We are starting our FOURTH three year cycle of the Bible Book Club! Come and read 1-2 chapters a day.

There is a page entitled "How the Bible Book Club Came to Be" above to hear the story!

My approach to the Bible is what Dallas Willard says below: 

Its purpose is practical, not academic. An intelligent, careful, intensive but straightforward reading—that is, one not governed by obscure and faddish theories or by a mindless orthodoxy—is what it requires to direct us into life in God’s kingdom. Any other approach to the Bible, I believe, conflicts with the picture of the God that, all agree, emerges from Jesus and his tradition.
Willard, Dallas (2009-02-06). The Divine Conspiracy . Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

So come join us for a three year, practical, intensive but straightforward reading. Each day I will have a . . .

BACKGROUND - If you get stuck, it helps give information that might be helpful.

REFLECTION - My musings on the passage

APPLICATION - An idea for a possible "I WILL" statement for you!

PRAYER

The only thing that is missing is accountability from others so you can do "Kingdom" living together! Try to find someone so you can hold each other accountability in your "I WILL's"!  

YEAR ONE involves Creation to the Kingdom of Israel with Psalms and Proverbs interspersed in their time periods. 

Day 31: Worthy is the Lamb - Scene 4 (53)

Part of "Worthy is the Lamb", the final chorus of Messiah by Handel, from the composer's autograph score.
By Novello Ewer & Company Uploaded by Tim Riley at en.wikipedia
 [Public domain, Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

HEART HEARING

Movement 53 (2:15:21)

(For those of you reading on the "by Christmas" schedule, I have you ending on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning as this is a very reflective last movement of Messiah and perfect for the night before Christmas, especially the very long "Amen" segment of the movement. I suggest going back to the "Hallelujah Chorus" for Christmas morning!) 

Do not miss listening to the entire "AMEN"! It is beautiful.

Scene 4 - "The glorification of the Messianic victim"

53. Chorus 2:15:21 (a link that goes directly to the song)

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (Revelation 5:12, 9, 13-14)

MIND MEDITATION

Revelation 5

This chapter is the culmination of all that we have learned in the three years of Bible reading in the Bible Book Club and The Scarlet Thread of Redemption that we have been tracking from Genesis - Revelation! If you are just doing this devotion and have not been part of the Bible Book Club, consider doing it in the next cycle that starts January 1!

Revelation 5 opens with God, on His throne, holding a book (scroll) that is sealed up with seven seals. The loud voice (the first of 20 in the book of Revelation) of a strong angel asks, 

"Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" (5:2)

The only one worthy was the "Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David." Remember that David came from the tribe of Judah, and Jesus came from the line of David (Matthew 1:1). Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of a King who would come. 

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to
 testify to you these things for the churches. 

I am the root and the descendant of David, 
the bright morning star.”

(Revelation 22:16)

Revelation 5:5 says that the Lion has "overcome." This statement ties in with the "victory" songs at the beginning of the last scene. "Overcome" and "victory" are derived from the same Greek root word, nike. Jesus is the victor in the battle against Satan and sin, and He has given us the victory.

Even though Jesus was introduced as a Lion, John saw a "Lamb standing, as if slain." In His first coming, Jesus came as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). In His second coming, He will be the conquering Lion. Revelation 5 is the only place in this book where Jesus is referred to as a Lion, but He is referred to as a Lamb 27 times! "He is a lion to conquer Satan, a lamb to satisfy the justice of God" (Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, p. 2471). 

What about the scroll?

The scroll represents Christ’s “title deed” to all that the Father promised Him because of His sacrifice on the cross. “Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen [nations] for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession” (Ps. 2:8). Jesus Christ is the “Heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2). He is our beloved “Kinsman-Redeemer” who was willing to give His life to set us free from bondage and to restore our lost inheritance (see Lev. 25:23–46; the Book of Ruth; Jer. 32:6–15). (The Bible Exposition Commentary Volume 2, p. 584, Re 5:1)

A title deed can only be opened by the heir, and Jesus is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2).

Also, Jesus "purchased" (agorazō means "to redeem") people from every tribe, language, people, and nation (salvation is available to ALL). His blood bought us all out of slavery. 

When the Lamb takes the scroll, the only response of the elders, living creatures, and eventually angels, totaling an innumerable multitude, is WORSHIP. Then, every created thing in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on and in the sea give power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, blessing, and full-on WORSHIP to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb because He is so very WORTHY! 

HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!!!

SOUL SEARCHING

Whew! That was so fun to meditate in the Messiah every day for a month. How lovely to wake up every morning with the musical movements of Scripture playing in my head. This has been so enriching. I will never tire of it.

And speaking of the music, I love the way Handel built this last chorus to where there is this piling up of a multitude of voices going higher and higher with instruments coming in all over the place. It is so moving, but imagine what heaven will be like when we are in full-on worship of Him!

Jesus is the Lamb that was slain for US. He bore it all on the cross for US.  "In His wounding, we found our healing" (Isaiah 53:5, The Passion Translation).

And for that, we can be eternally grateful and can only say AMEN and (for me) cry like a baby.

Thank you, Jesus, for your gift of love. May my life be worthy of the price that You paid. I want to give You everything and hold nothing back until my last breath on earth because YOU are WORTHY.

And all God's people said, AMEN!

STRENGTH STRETCHING

Listen to the Amen again and worship Him as we conclude this wonderful time in Handel's Messiah . . . 

and the end of the THREE-YEAR CYCLE of the Bible Book Club! 

May your new year be blessed!

Light Looked Down 

Light looked down and beheld Darkness.

"Thither will I go," said Light.

"Thither will I go," said Peace.

Love looked down and beheld Hatred.

"Thither will I go," said Love.

So came Light and shone.

So came Peace and gave rest.

So came Love and gave brought life.

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. 

by Laurence Housman

In 2025, we will be ending the 6th cycle of the Bible Book Club. (I did it all in 2023 because I decided to read mostly the Bible this year and read through the Bible Book Club. What an encouraging time! I am so grateful to have this record of God's faithfulness!)

Maybe, I will see some of you at the next three-year cycle of the Bible Book Club! Go to. . . 

LINKS TO ALL THREE YEARS OF THE BIBLE BOOK CLUB