The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword.
Bible reading brings our temporal life and struggles into God’s eternal life and victory. Simply reading the scriptures brings us into life, power, and focus. With one stroke of the word, we can be brought into separation of our soul from spirit, and joints from marrow. The word goes so far as to discern for us the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. I know no other book that can do that.
This is why the word is truth, and when read with a soft heart receiving the truth of the word, we are transformed from glory to glory. Sometimes, the scripture catches (convicts) before it releases (frees) us. Sometimes, it frees us from lies we have held as truth. Sometimes, my motives are revealed, and God’s will becomes primary to me again. It is simply amazing how full of life, power, and clarity the word of God is.
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GOSPELS
Luke 20 – 24
Jesus is being examined by the Pharisees and Sadducees. He in turn examines them in their hypocrisy. The widow’s two mites are more than all have given, He speaks of the signs of the end times and the importance of watching in prayer. Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, tells of one who will betray Him, and the disciples argue among themselves which will be the greatest. Prayer in Gethsemane (Jesus often went there to pray) and when He came this night, He came “to the place.” Prayer builds a place, both in heaven and on earth, of heavenly communication and union. Jesus faces Herod. He is crucified and buried. Then comes the resurrection. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:7), the angels ask the women. In Chapter 24, we witness and can claim for ourselves, the burning hearts caused by the opening of scriptures and an opened understanding that brings comprehension of the scriptures.
John 1 – 2
John is the disciple whom Jesus loved. John spent time in Jesus’ bosom. John is old at the writing of the Gospel of John, and so we gain many insights into the heart of God and the workings of His Son. Behold the Lamb of God! We witness the first miracle of turning water into wine, and the temple is cleansed at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
EPISTLES
Colossians 3 – 4
“…seek those things which are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2-3). Paul compels us into the new creation in Christ. Put off the old man, and put on the new man, but above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. In Chapter 4, he exhorts us to apply all these truths while we continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 1 – 5
As one of Paul’s first letters written, this epistle is filled with calling us into faith, hope, and love, and turning to God from idols. Paul uses himself as an example of love by identifying with their persecutions and acknowledging our union together in glory and joy. Chapter 3 is an encouragement amid trials and the truth that we are all one in these testings and rewards. Chapter 4 is the call to purity in our conduct with one another, especially in possessing our bodies in sanctification and honor. The revelation of the rapture is presented as a comfort to those who have lost loved ones in the faith. They sleep now but will precede those alive at Jesus’ coming. Chapter 5 builds on this revelation and many other charges to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
2 Thessalonians 1
Hold your patience and faith in the persecutions and tribulations that you endure. God is coming to be glorified in His saints and to be admired
TORAH
Exodus 20 – 27
The Ten Commandments are given. The people are afraid and stand back. They ask Moses to continue the conversation with God and to tell them what to do. Moses is then given more laws in Chapters 21 – 23. The promise of the Angel keeps them and brings them into the place God has prepared. In Chapter 24, the covenant is confirmed, the elders come up on the Mountain and they see His heavenly realm. Moses is called up further “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there” (v.12). For seven days Moses waits outside the cloud of glory until the Lord calls him from within the cloud, and Moses then enters. God’s plans for His Tabernacle are now given to Moses in Chapters 25 – 27. “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it” (Exodus 25:8, 9).
POETRY
Psalms 15 – 19
These Psalms of David are some of my favorite Psalms. “Who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1). “O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot” (Psalm 16:5). “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I wake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). Psalm 18 is David’s famous Psalm that he writes on the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalms 19:1).
PROPHETS
Isaiah 58 – 63
We are in some very powerful prophecies, beginning with the fast the Lord has chosen in Chapter 58. The Lord saw there was no intercessor, so He sent His own right arm (Jesus). Isaiah 59. “Arise shine for your light has come!” (Isaiah 61). “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because the Lord has anointed me…” (Isaiah 62). “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem” (Isaiah 62). “I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; Therefore, My own arm brought salvation for Me and My own fury, it sustained Me” (Isaiah 63: 5).
