Thursday, June 1, 2023

New Testament Reading Plans


I found this hand-written reading plan that I wrote out circa 2003/2004--long before blog days. I've typed it up and include it below as the "first." If memory serves, I wrote it specifically to read during Holy/Passion Week. 

New Testament in A Week


Day 1

Mark, James, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians

Day 2

2 Corinthians, Galatians, Matthew

Day 3

Romans, Luke

Day 4

Acts, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians

Day 5

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Jude

Day 6

Hebrews, John

Day 7

1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation


New Testament in Twenty-Two Days


Day One: Matthew 1-11

Day Two: Matthew 12-20

Day Three: Matthew 21-28

Day Four: Mark 1-8

Day Five: Mark 9-16

Day Six: Luke 1-9

Day Seven: Luke 10-24

Day Eight: John 1-11

Day Nine: John 12-21

Day Ten: Acts 1-14

Day Eleven: Acts 15-28

Day Twelve: Romans

Day Thirteen: 1 Corinthians

Day Fourteen: 2 Corinthians

Day Fifteen: Galatians, Ephesians

Day Sixteen: Philippians, Colossians

Day Seventeen: 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians

Day Eighteen: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Day Nineteen: Hebrews

Day Twenty: James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter

Day Twenty-One: 1, 2, 3 John, Jude

Day Twenty-Two: Revelation 


New Testament (Optional Psalms and Proverbs) in Fourteen Days

 

Old Testament

New Testament

Day 1

Proverbs 1-15

Matthew 1-11

Day 2

Proverbs 16-31

Matthew 12-28; James

Day 3

Psalms 1-18

Mark; 1 Peter, 2 Peter

Day 4

Psalms 19-34

Romans, Galatians

Day 5

Psalms 35-50

Hebrews

Day 6

Psalms 51-62

Luke 1-12, 1 Corinthians

Day 7

Psalms 63-72

Luke 13-24, 2 Corinthians

Day 8

Psalms 73-89

Acts 1-15, Ephesians

Day 9

Psalms 90-107

Acts 16-28, 

Day 10

Psalms 108-118

Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians,

Day 11

Psalms 119

1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Jude

Day 12

Psalms 120-132

John 1-13

Day 13

Psalms 133-140

John 14-21

Day 14

Psalms 141-150

1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation


And for the more ambitious, New Testament in 48 Hours

New Testament in 48 Hours

Day 1

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

Day 2

Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, May 27, 2023

Sunday Salon #22


Current Bible plans and projects:

KJV. Proverbs 21-27. Psalms 105-131. Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. 1 Chronicles 1-12.

Williams New Testament (1937?) Matthew 1-7. 

ESV (Large Print) Power 60 Revised (see my revision). Genesis. (I am also reading the Book of Confessions published by the Presbyterian church). 

BSB M'Cheyne. Numbers 30-36. Psalms 74-80. Isaiah 22-28; 2 Peter 3. 1 John 1-5. 2 John.

Growing 4 Life. May is Jonah. This week I read: NIV 2011. KJV Evidence Bible. ASV. Living. KJV. 

NIV 75 (73/75/76) New Testament. I read Acts through Revelation. I reviewed it earlier this week

NKJV. Isaiah 20-66; Jeremiah through Malachi. I finished this one this week. I reviewed it as well

Currently reading: 

Short of Glory by Mitchell L. Chase

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Friday, May 26, 2023

5.5 New International Version New Testament with Study Helps


New Testament with Study Helps: New International Version. God. 1973/1976. 489 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,

I am a BIG fan of the NIV 1984 version. I am. It's what I grew up reading. From fourth grade through senior year--this translation was my primary translation. It was the translation I memorized verses and passages. Before it was available as a whole Bible, however, it released as a New Testament. This is the New Testament forerunner. (There is a whole Bible NIV that came out in 1978 as well. The 1984 revision "stuck" until 2011. Let's not talk about 2011. Some of us are still bitter.) 

I got it for around two dollars at my local charity shop. It looked well loved. The condition isn't the absolute best. But I thought for two dollars, it would hold up for at least one read through. (It did. It required extra hand support when reading Acts (the center point) but it held up.) 

It is single column. It is black letter. It is definitely out of print. That being said, I think it can be found if you are patient and visit lots of thrift stores and/or search for it online. As far as I know, this 1973 text of the New International Version is not available online.

Romans 3:23-26 (1973)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forebearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus. 

Romans 3:23-26 (2011)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Revised Power 60 Days Bible Reading Plan

The original Power Read the Bible in 60 Days with Jeff Anderson plan can be found on YouVersion. I've read through this plan at least twice--maybe three times. I always end up reading ahead some days. Because some of the days reading selections just seemed odd. Reading everything in a book but the last chapter? the last two chapters? Finishing a whole book of the Bible and then reading one chapter from the next book? Some of the starts and stops just seemed not me. 

I usually read the plan on YouVersion. But I thought this time I might use a book-book "print" Bible. So I made this little chart to print out and keep next to my Bible. 

Day 1: Genesis 1-25

Day 2: Genesis 26-50

Day 3: Exodus 1-19

Day 4: Exodus 20-40

Day 5: Leviticus

Day 6: Numbers 1-17

Day 7: Numbers 18-36

Day 8: Deuteronomy 1-15

Day 9: Deuteronomy 16-34

Day 10: Joshua

Day 11: Judges

Day 12: Ruth; 1 Samuel 1-15

Day 13: 1 Samuel 16-31

Day 14: 2 Samuel 1-12

Day 15: 2 Samuel 13-24

Day 16: 1 Kings 1-11

Day 17: 1 Kings 12-22

Day 18: 2 Kings 1-14

Day 19: 2 Kings 15-25; 1 Chronicles 1-9

Day 20: 1 Chronicles 10-29

Day 21:  2 Chronicles 1-16

Day 22: 2 Chronicles 17-36

Day 23: Ezra; Nehemiah; Esther

Day 24: Job 1-31

Day 25: Job 32-42

Day 26: Psalms 1-41

Day 27: Psalms 42-72

Day 28: Psalms 73-89

Day 29: Psalms 90-107

Day 30: Psalms 108-150


Day 31: Proverbs 1-15

Day 32: Proverbs 16-31

Day 33: Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, 

Day 34: Isaiah 1-23

Day 35: Isaiah 24-39

Day 36: Isaiah 40-66

Day 37: Jeremiah 1-17

Day 38: Jeremiah 18-34

Day 39: Jeremiah 35-52; Lamentations

Day 40: Ezekiel 1-24

Day 41: Ezekiel 25-34

Day 42: Ezekiel 35-48

Day 43: Daniel; Hosea; Joel

Day 44: Amos, Obadiah; Jonah; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk

Day 45: Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi

Day 46: Matthew 1-17

Day 47: Matthew 18-28

Day 48: Mark

Day 49:  Luke 1-14

Day 50:  Luke 15-24

Day 51: John 1-13

Day 52:  John 14-21

Day 53: Acts 1-15

Day 54:  Acts 16-28

Day 55:  Romans

Day 56:  1 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians

Day 57: Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians

Day 58: 1 Thessalonians; 2 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy; 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon

Day 59:  Hebrews; James; 1 Peter; 2 Peter

Day 60:  1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

5. NKJV Deluxe Reader's Bible

NKJV, Deluxe Reader's Bible. God. 2018. 1952 pages. [Source: Bought] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

I read the hardcover edition of the New King James Version Deluxe Reader's Bible. It is a reader's Bible. For those not in the know, a reader's bible does not have verse numbers, usually. Sometimes they lack chapter numbers as well. Sometimes chapter numbers are at the top or bottom of a page. 

I bought mine on a clearance sale. The paper was remarkably better--less ghosting--than the usual stuff printed these days. And I always appreciate a reader's Bible. 

This one is single column. (Most reader's Bibles are.) It is black letter as well, I believe. (It's been a few weeks since I read the New Testament. I definitely don't remember seeing any words of Christ in red. And since that is not my preference, I think I'd remember. Still, if you are interested in this one yourself, I'd look at the description and details before purchasing.

It does have two ribbon markers. (I like two ribbons. Four ribbons are even better, but two is good.)

I believe it is ten point font. 

This was not my first time reading the New King James Version. It was my first time to read it without chapter and verse numbers. 

I started on April 6, 2023 and finished on May 25, 2023. 

Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Monday, May 22, 2023

48. Be Concerned


Be Concerned: Making a Difference in Your Lifetime (Minor Prophets). Warren Wiersbe. 1996. 148 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: If the prophet Amos were to come to our world today, he would probably feel very much at home; for he lived at a time such as ours, when society was changing radically. 

This commentary covers the books Amos, Obadiah, Micah, and Zephaniah. It is one of three commentary books written by Warren Wiersbe that treats the Old Testament minor prophets. Each book covers multiple books of the Bible. 

To be honest I have almost always struggled with the minor prophets. Some of the books I find a little intimidating to digest. I know that they are the Word of God. I know they are there to teach, to edify, to convict, to encourage, etc. I know they are still God-breathed despite me not quite "getting" them. 

I enjoyed reading Warren Wiersbe's commentary. I felt that the book was definitely relatable. It made me want to try harder, or, perhaps pray more fervently for wisdom and understanding when reading the Bible. Perhaps a realization that I need spiritual eyes to read this spiritual book. 

Favorite quotes:

From Amos:

The test of a spiritual experience is not “Do I feel good?” or “Did we have a big crowd and a good time?” The real test is “Do I know God better, and am I more like Jesus Christ?” 
Christian music is big business today, but we wonder how much of it really glorifies the Lord. What we think is music may be nothing but noise to the Lord. 
Whether we’re looking at the broader religious scene or the services in our local churches, it takes spiritual discernment to separate the wheat from the chaff. We need to ask, “Where is prayer in this meeting? Is God getting the glory? Is there a brokenness before Him? Does the fruit remain, or is it gone when the meeting is over and the enthusiasm dies down? Are we overwhelmed by the holiness and the glory of God, or are we just applauding religious celebrities?” 
The way we treat God’s Word is the way we treat God, and the way we treat God’s messengers is the way we treat the Lord Himself (John 15:18–21). “God … has in these last days spoken to us by His Son. … See that you do not refuse Him who speaks” (Heb. 1:1–2; 12:25 NKJV). 
To seek the Lord means first of all to change our thinking and abandon the vain thoughts that are directing our wayward lives.  
Children of God are thinking wrongly about God, sin, and life. They think God will always be there for them to turn to, but they forget that sinners reap what they sow. To walk “in the counsel of the ungodly” is folly indeed (Ps. 1:1 NKJV), for it leads to a fruitless and joyless life. 
True repentance begins with naming sins and dealing with them one by one. 
No matter how much “religious activity” we participate in, if we don’t love our brothers and our neighbors, we can’t honestly worship and serve the Lord.

From Micah:

Few men are as pitiable as those who claim to have a call from God yet tailor their sermons to please others. Their first rule is “Don’t rock the boat”; their second is “Give people what they want.” But a true servant of God declares God’s message regardless of whether the people like it or not. 
Any theology that makes it easy for us to sin is not biblical theology. 
To make Micah 6:8 a salvation text is to misunderstand what the prophet was saying to God’s disobedient covenant people. None of us can do what God requires until first we come to God as broken sinners who need to be saved. Unsaved people who think they are doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God are only fooling themselves, no matter how moral their lives may be. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5).

From Zephaniah:

When was the last time you sang a hymn about the future judgment of the world? Most modern hymnals don’t contain songs about the day of the Lord, and you certainly won’t find the phrase in your daily newspaper or weekly news magazine. 
Our God is a “singing” God. God the Father sings to the Jewish remnant entering the kingdom (v. 17). God the Son sang at the close of the Passover Feast, and then went to the garden to pray (Matt. 26:30). He also sang after His triumphant resurrection from the dead (Ps. 22:22; Heb. 2:12). God the Spirit sings today through the hearts and lips of Christians who praise God in the Spirit (Eph. 5:18–21).

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Sunday Salon #21


Current Bible plans and projects:

KJV Topaz -- Proverbs 14-20; Psalm 71-104.

NIV 84 "Rainbow Study Bible" I finished the Old Testament! Jeremiah 46-52. Lamentations. Ezekiel. Daniel. Hosea. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. Nahum. Habakkuk. Zephaniah. Haggai. Zechariah. Malachi. 

NIV 75 (73/75/76) New Testament. Mark. Luke. John. (It's really hard not to type and John).

NKJV. Psalm 26-150. Proverbs. Ecclesiastes. Song of Songs. Isaiah 1-19.

BSB M'Cheyne. Numbers 23-29. Psalms 64-73. Isaiah 13-21. 1 Peter 1-5. 2 Peter 1-2. 

Growing 4 Life -- May is Jonah. This week I read ESV, NASB 77, 1599 Geneva, NASB 95, ESV, NASB 77. (NIV 84)

Currently reading: 

Short of Glory by Mitchell L. Chase
Be Concerned (Minor Prophets) Warren Wiersbe

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible