Today’s reading schedule covered Romans 1 through 14. Romans is only 16 chapters so I decided to read the entire book. It took me exactly one hour, and that included a five minute stop where I discussed the idea of stumbling blocks vs. love with my husband. I think I’ve reached a better understanding of that topic but I will wait to see if the rest of the New Testament has anything further to say.

When I started reading, I immediately found a text that is a wonderful promise.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith
Romans 1:16-17.

Where is the righteousness of God revealed? Not in works. Not in our actions, much as we love to believe that our good works will earn us entrance to heaven. The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel of Christ. Amen!

I also came across another of my favorite promises:

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together
Romans 8:15-17.

There are so many promises and assurances in these three verses. My favorite is the word “Abba.” In the Aramaic, this word literally means “my father.” This is the term Christ used as He was praying in Gethsemane.

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt
Mark 14:36.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible says this about the word Abba: “It denotes an affectionate endearing importunity, and a believing stress laid upon the relation. Little children, begging of their parents, can say little but Father, Father, and that is rhetoric enough.”

There are two terms used in both Romans 8:15 and Mark 14:36, “Abba” and “Father.” Abba is Aramaic for “my Father,” which is what the Jews call God the Father. “Father” is actually the Greek word “pater.” Why are there two different words for God the Father in one verse? Matthew Henry writes that “it also denotes that the adoption is common both to Jews and Gentiles: the Jews call him Abba in their language, the Greeks may call him patēr in their language; for in Christ Jesus there is neither Greek nor Jew.”

And in Romans, we are given the ability to call God the Father by the same term that Christ used. Even though I am struggle with sin, I can have a very close relationship with Abba. That’s amazing!

Today’s reading was Acts 17 through 28. Paul was certainly blessed and saved from many dangers. He was saved from being persecuted by the Jews because he was a Roman. He survived a shipwreck, a storm, and a poisonous snake bite. And this was all in quick succession!

I don’t have any stories of God saving me from death by persecution or disaster. But I do have other practical stories of how God has led in my life. One of the clearest examples is how I’ve been in five car accidents and only have a twinge in my shoulder because of it. I was protected in each car accident when the other drivers were not paying attention.

Also, last year both my husband and I were out of work for six months. In that time, we had a bit of help from family members and very small unemployment checks. That income did not add up to our expenses/bills/debt payment. And yet we were able to pay tithe and pay every single bill that was due during that six month period. On time. It was a miracle because no accountant could have made that situation work.

God is very, very good. We just have to open our eyes and see it.

Today’s reading, Acts 7 through 16, provoked wonder and some questions. It’s amazing how people responded to the preaching of the disciples. Thousands were saved in one day! What was it about their preaching that was so on fire? Was it their conviction in what they had seen and knew about Christ? Was it their preaching style? The simplicity of the message? Or was it that their faith combined with the Holy Spirit was convicting people of the truth about Christ?

I also have a question about a text. I can’t build doctrine on only one text, but this is the first time in this read-through that I’m seeing this idea.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed
Acts 13:48.

My first thought is that I’m not understanding King James’ Version of this text and that I need to look it up in another translation.

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. – NIV

When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. – NASB

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. – NLT

Nope, they all say the same thing.

The simplest explanation is that every single person who heard the message believed. Everyone is chosen. But I’m not sure that is what this text says.

I am reminded of this text, from the mouth of Christ:

For many are called, but few are chosen
Matthew 22:14.

I will definitely need to study this further.

Today I read John 16 through Acts 6. I love the book of John and am really disappointed that I’m already done reading it.

Jesus’ love amazes me.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home
John 19:26-27.

While Jesus was dying on the cross, He thought of others. He forgave the thief for his sin. He placed His mother in John’s care. He prayed for the forgiveness of the officers who were crucifying Him.

If I was undergoing difficulties, would my first thought be for someone else? Based on past experience, no. I want that pure love that Christ had for everyone around Him. “Amazing love! How can it be that You, my King, should die for me.”

Today’s reading covers John 6 through 15. There was so much in these chapters that I felt like I was missing most of it by reading so quickly. Maybe after I’m finished with this reading plan I will study the gospels for a quarter. That’s an idea that definitely appeals to me.

Christ is so important. He is our connection to our Father. He is the giver of life. He is the Creator. The Saviour. The law-giver.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
John 15:4-5.

These two verses are packed with information and guidance. Christ instructs us to abide in Him. Not only that, but He will abide in us. A vine gives nutrients and life to its branches. Christ gives us instruction and life. If I abide in Him, I will bring forth much fruit.

What is the fruit?

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God
Philippians 1:10-11.

Christ gives us fruits of righteousness if we abide in Him. This is important because it offers glory and praise to the Father. Amen!

I didn’t get to read this morning, as I received a message from my brother immediately after I got out of bed. He was coming through town to pick up his daughter and wanted to know if I was interested in joining them for the morning and lunch. Yes! So I completed my Bible reading shortly upon returning home this afternoon.

The reading covered Luke 21 through John 5. I love John. It’s my favorite gospel. I feel John is packed with great advice, information about Christ, and motivational verses. John even starts out wonderfully.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men
John 1:1-4.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth
John 1:14.

This tells us that the Word is Christ. He existed in the beginning and is God. Christ created the world and formed Adam with His own two hands. For some reason, this makes the creation story so much more personal. Jesus Christ, the one who offered up His life for me, created cats and trees and water and whales and MAN. Not only did Christ create us, He is life. He is our life source. My overwhelming response is gratitude. What an amazing gift.

Today I covered Luke 10 through 20. I challenged myself to keep my eyes on Christ, to focus on what He was saying and doing. I had to remind myself several times to focus on Christ but the reading went well.

I marked one passage during my reading.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Luke 11:13

For some reason, I only knew this passage as it is worded in Matthew.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 7:11

The first part of each passage is identical. The second half is where they differ. Matthew says that my Father will give me “good things” if I ask. This is how I’ve always understood this promise. However, Luke says that my Father will give “the Holy Spirit” if I ask. Luke’s version is so much more powerful. Good things are always a blessing. But the Holy Spirit being in my life is vitally important. This passage promises that I all I have to do is ask.

This morning I read Luke 3 through 10. Only 15 days left to go. I’m starting to wonder what I’m going to do after this read through is complete. I’ve thought about repeating the 90 day program but I want to savor passages rather than speed read them. I’m afraid that if I don’t plan my upcoming Bible study, I will flounder.

I don’t have anything specific to say about today’s reading. I just read with a sense of sadness that the gospels are such a short account of such an important life. Christ’s life should span 1,000 books. We have that much to learn from Him.

Today I finished Mark, reading Mark 10 through Luke 2. While Mark does cover a few details that the other gospels don’t, there were no additional stories unique to Mark.

I noticed something today that made me very uncomfortable. As I was reading through the stories, I realized that I was concentrating on what other people were doing. For instance, in reading the story of Christ and the rich young ruler, I was focusing on the rich young ruler. In the story of Jesus and Caiaphas, I focused on Caiaphas and the false witnesses. While I believe there is much to learn from the stories of other human beings, my focus is in the wrong place.

The Bible is supposed to be a revelation of Jesus Christ and His Father. While reading it, I should be concentrating on what I can learn about God. Learning from the mistakes of others is beneficial. However, I want to be like God. In order to do that, I must study the character of God, His actions while on Earth, and how He deals with people. To become more like Christ, I must study Christ more than I study other sinful people.

I’m going to read the Bible again and intentionally direct my focus to God instead of people. I think I’ll learn more that way.

Today’s reading covered Mark 1 through 9. So far, there is very little in Mark that is not covered in either Matthew or Luke. There is a parable of the growth of a seed, a sermon about evil coming from the heart, and two healings that are unique to Mark.

I’ve noticed in many of the healing miracles that Jesus is asking people to have faith before they are healed. He will ask them if they believe Jesus can heal them. Or He will ask them to rise up and walk. When the person makes the effort to rise, that is when they are healed. We can’t just ask miracles of God without having faith that He will perform them. It is when we believe that we begin to see Him working in our lives.