The Bible Project @ Kelsey

DAY 170 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 7-9 & Psalm 15 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 7 Notice the emphasis of God's house having God's name.  It belongs to God, but the people, through their unrighteous actions, have made it theirs.  God's house has been turned into a "den of robbers" (vs. 11).  Remember when Jesus said that (Matthew 21:13)? According to Jesus, what was the Temple supposed to be called? Remember when the people tried to use the ark of the covenant as a weapon against the Philistines (1 Samuel 4)?  That was at Shiloh.  Jeremiah brings that event to our minds again as a sign (vs. 14).  God says that human sacrifice was not his command, nor did it come to his mind.  You'll have to do some wrestling with the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22). Jeremiah 8 Jeremiah (God) says to unearth the kings' bones and lay them before the sun and moon and all the other gods they served and worshiped.  Ouch. Even animals ...

DAY 169 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 4-6 & Psalm 14 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 4 Perhaps the people swore "As the Lord lives," but they did not do so in truth, justice or uprightness.  That's a sobering reminder that our words about God must match the way we live. Jeremiah (God) wants the people to move from an empty adherence to a covenant behavior (circumcision) to an attitude of praise before God.  In other words, empty religion is not appealing to God. God will ask the people to "wash" their heart "clean of wickedness" (Verse 14). Jeremiah feels as if God has deceived the people (Verse 10).  Maybe God didn't predict the peace Jeremiah was thinking of.  False prophets? Jeremiah 5 The same theme.  There were people who said, "As the Lord lives," because that was the religious thing to say.  But God says there is not one person who acts justly or seeks truth.  The people used the right words, but lived the wrong way.  #Pr...

DAY 166 Young love.  It's the thing of life.  Movies. Imagination.  The Bible?  That's what it looks like.  Let's get started with Song of Solomon and, hopefully, discover, truly, the answer to the long-held question: What's love got to do with it? DAILY READINGS Song of Solomon 1-4 & Psalm 11 DAILY NOTES Song of Solomon 1 We get our first taste of what so much of the book is about in Verse 2: Your love is better..... Even others (daughters of Jerusalem) admire and love the bride's husband (to be?). Does she feel less worthy of others because of her appearance? Verse 7 shows us that she desired to be with him.  She was not one "who is veiled beside the flocks."  That is, a woman of "low sexual morals." Song of Solomon 2 Verse 2 tells us how the man feels about the women.  She is "a lily among bramble." I've read two ideas about Verse 7.  That verse is repeated in Chapter 3.  First, the woman doesn...

DAY 165 We're finishing another book of the Bible today.  How does that feel?  Well, don't let that get to your head.  It's all vanity😂😂😂 You've been reading Ecclesiastes.  So, you know what that means! My favorite verse from today's reading is 9:4: But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. Stay blessed...john DAILY READINGS Ecclesiastes 9-12 & Psalm 10

DAY 164 You're about to see why this is one of my favorite books in the Bible.  Of course, we're going to hear a lot more about wisdom.  But we're also going to be reminded that "it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment...."  In other words, enjoy life.  It's a gift.  That's not a call to unrighteous living.  Rather, it seems that one of the righteous things we can do with our days is be appreciative enough to enjoy them. Stop chasing money.  Stop chasing notoriety.  Don't get, as my momma used to say, "too big for your britches."  Live life in awe of God and live.  That's how I try to live.  What about you? Stay blessed...john P.S. I've always been accused of being "against" church tradition.  Of course, that is a silly notion.  I'm not against tradition.  I'm against church tradition, for the sake of church tradition, over the mission of God.  Where do I get that from?  Jesus, of co...

DAY 163 We're starting the book of Ecclesiastes today.  It'll only take us 3 days to complete it.  See what you can learn from this book of wisdom.  I love this book because it seems to bring tension to common beliefs about God.  Don't worry; we grow through that tension. Here's t he Bible Project video illustrating the book's main points. Stay blessed...john DAILY READINGS Ecclesiastes 1-4 & Psalm 8

DAY 160 Why would anyone envy the wicked?  None of us think "I want to be wicked."  So, why is Proverbs (and it seems like there are several psalms, too) so concerned with reminding us to "not envy the wicked"? It's because of what they have.  Power. Money. Control. Stuff. Comfort. Whatever they want, really. Everything, seemingly, works out for them.  We don't realize it, but that's what a lot of us really want.  We want to do what we want to do.  We want what we want.  Look how much we work (and work) just to get more stuff.   And look where that has brought us.   Maybe there's something better to seek after in this life.  I wonder what it is. Stay blessed...john DAILY READINGS Proverbs 22-24 & Psalm 5

DAY 159 I've got a lot to do today.  That's why I wanted to hurry through and post today's readings for you.  Thank God it only took me 2 verses to remember to slow down.  Of course, I didn't remember on my own. These proverbs have a way of speaking to us.  As busy as most of us think we are, we would do well to read, reread, contemplate and pray about Proverbs 19:2: "...and one who move too hurriedly misses the way." That's God's way of things.  We think of we hurry up we'll get more done.  How's that working for you?  I can't tell you how many times I hear from people about how busy they are, but they're still behind.  That's not a fulfilling way to live.  There's wisdom in slowing down.  Don't rush to the next activity.  Enjoy the one that's before you. We tease one of our children because sometimes, as he's eating breakfast, he asks, "What's for lunch?"  We think about lunch (or our nap) whe...

DAY 158 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion" (Proverbs 18:2).  Wow!  How many meetings had that guy gone to to learn that one? We all have opinions.  That isn't the point of the proverb.  There are appropriate times to share opinions. RANT ALERT: If you're speaking, you don't have to say, "That's just my opinion."  RANT OVER. But we can be so eager to share our opinions that we miss the understanding that could be trying to develop around us.  I wonder if there is an undercurrent to that proverb.  If we're more concerned with expressing our opinion than listening for understanding, could that mean the opinion we're so attached to is probably foolish to begin with?  Well, in my opinion, I think.... Stay blessed...john DAILY READINGS Proverbs 16-18 & Psalm 3

DAY 157 We've been talking about how wisdom comes from God.  It is a gift from God available to all of us.  There's another way for us to attain it.  It still comes from God, but Proverbs says, "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise" (13:20). So, speak with wise people.  Listen to wise people.  Ask wise people questions.  Eventually, you'll be all the wiser.  You'll be asking wiser questions.  People may start asking you wise questions. Stay blessed...john DAILY READINGS Proverbs 13-15 & Psalm 2

DAY 156 I won't be sharing too much as we finish Proverbs.  Of course, there's a lot we could say about the implications of every verse, but that's not our intent on this site.  So, I won't include Daily Notes until we get to the book of Ecclesiastes. In the meantime, read each proverb and envision how you've seem their truth play out in your life. Oh, and welcome back to Psalms! Stay blessed...john DAILY READINGS Proverbs 10-12 & Psalm 1

DAY 155 DAILY READINGS Proverbs 7-9 & Psalm 150 Wisdom is God's delight (Proverbs 8:30).  And I love the idea of wisdom delighting at us.  What about "the human race" did wisdom delight in?  Was it like when we watch videos of our children doing new things?  Was it when the light bulbs went off in our minds? I just think it's wonderful to consider that there is much joy for us as we seek wisdom, and that wisdom rejoices at us, too. Stay blessed...john

Let's talk a little more about Proverbs. Lady Wisdom has something to say .

Let's learn about Proverbs . Today's Bible Project video gives a good outline of the book.

DAY 152 You read your schedule correctly. Today, we're reading Psalms 1 & 2 and Psalm 147.  Tomorrow we're starting the book of Proverbs.  Make sure to watch today's Bible Project video .  It gives a great understanding of the psalms and help you see why we're reading Psalm 1 & 2 today before starting Proverbs. When we're done with all 150 psalms, we'll start over reading them again.  If you watch the video, you won't read them the same! DAILY READINGS Psalms 1-2 & Psalm 147 No Daily Notes today. OTHER OBSERVATIONS Have you ever heard someone comment that they don't feel they can be honest with God?  That is, they feel a certain way about a situation, but don't think it's right to tell God how they feel.  Instead of praying honestly about pain, disappointment and anger, they take a "smile and wave" approach to prayer, life and faith. Hopefully, as we've read the Bible together, you've seen that is ...

DAY 151 Congratulations!  You're finishing another book of the Bible today. God and Job finish their conversation and God restores Job. DAILY READINGS Job 40-42 & Psalm 146 DAILY NOTES Job 40 God has revealed himself to Job.  Now, Job does not want the same attention of God that he so desperately wanted before.   Some translations indicate Job as "vile" (vs. 4).  The better idea is insignificant .  Job seems to realize how small he is compared to who God is. Job 41 The last thing God speaks to Job about Leviathan.  What/Who is Leviathan?  A mythical creature?  Sea monster?  Ancient dragon?  Big crocodile?   Leviathan is mentioned in Isaiah 27:1; Psalm 74:14; Psalm 104:26 and a couple of other times in Job. Of course, the implication of Job 41 is that Leviathan's power is under the control and authority of God. Job 42 God got on to Job.  Now, God turns his "wrath" toward Job's frie...

DAY 150 You can do a lot of things in 150 days.  Did you realize that you have already read 144 psalms and 22 books from the Old Testament (you're almost done with another one!)?  Great job! In today's reading, God speaks to Job.  This should be interesting. DAILY READINGS  Job 38-39 & Psalm 145 DAILY NOTES Job 38-39 A storm appears and God speaks to Job.  Does this mean God didn't have much to say to his friends? We haven't heard from God in over 30+ chapters. Job hasn't heard from God at all.  The first thing God talks about is the world's design.  Surely, God says, Job knows how all the earth was formed and how it works.  Surely. And surely Job can do all the things God does on a daily basis. Of course, God's questions aren't difficult to answer! Psalm 145 God is worthy to be praised.  The psalmist lists many reasons why God should be celebrated.   The psalm ends with the psalmist's commitment to "...

DAY 149 DAILY READINGS Job 35-37 & Psalm 144

DAY 148 We've heard from Job's friends, and we've heard a lot from Job.  Someone new is introduced to the story. DAILY READINGS Job 32-34 & Psalm 143 DAILY NOTES Job 32 Is Elihu a friend of Job?  He is introduced and we are told he is mad at Job's friends and at Job. He waits to speak up because he was waiting for the right time to voice his opinion.  Elihu is younger and wanted to show respect.  He held his tongue for as long as he could. He reminds us that wisdom doesn't, necessarily come with age.  It is the breath of the Almighty that makes someone wise.   He is upset with the friends because they could not offer Job any words of wisdom. Job 33 Elihu doesn't appreciate Job's contention with God.  Job seems to be forgetting how God answers people and what God does for the well being of his people. Job 34 So far, Elihu seems to be voicing much of what Job's friends have already said.  He says that Job, "a...

DAY 147 DAILY READINGS Job 29-31 & Psalm 142 DAILY NOTES Job 29 Job remembers a time when he felt close to God.  He is longing for those days.   Job remembers the good he did. Job 30 Job faces his new reality, that he is ridiculed and afflicted. He turns his attention back to God and remembers that God did not answer him.  Even though Job wept "for those whose day was hard," he feels that God has left him. Job 31 Job is saying that if he has done any wrong, he would, more than gladly, accept the punishment.   The end of the chapter indicates that "the words of Job ended."  He will speak again, but this is the last time he speaks to his friends. Psalm 142 The psalmist is asking God to deliver him from his "persecutors" (vs. 6).