Week Two, Treasury of Truth

Welcome to the mini-challenge, Treasury of Truth! I hope you benefit from reading, meditating, and studying the Word this month! Perhaps Bible reading isn't a daily part of your life, this would be a great opportunity to start! Here are the goals for this week:


Week two, May 5-May 11

Primary goal: read Psalm 139 five to seven times
Secondary goal: read Psalm 103 three to four times
Extra Credit: read the book of Philippians
Song of the Week: "Meant to Be" by Steven Curtis Chapman (amazon mp3)

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100:3)

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (Romans 11:33-36)

From Jesus in the Present Tense by Warren W. Wiersbe

God knows us thoroughly. In the Scriptures He tells us what we are, and we had better agree with Him. But what we are in ourselves isn't important; it's what we are in Christ that really counts. (157)

From "Rubbing Hope into the Reality of Death" by Timothy Keller

Nobody who knows you completely can love you completely. There are people who think you're great because they don't really know you. There is nobody on the face of the earth who could know you to the bottom and love you to the skies. But we want that. When someone likes you but doesn't know you, it's not that satisfying. And when someone knows you and doesn't like you, that certainly isn't satisfying. What we want is to be utterly known and utterly loved. And on that day, at the coming of the Lord, we'll finally get what we've longed for--from him and one another. We'll be utterly known and utterly loved. Yes, the future is a world of love, the kind of love you want, a personal love. (89-90)

From A Million Ways To Die: The Only Way to Live by Rick James

Jesus is truth, and He relates to us in truth. We do not relate to Him with any intimacy in our mental story, the one that pits us as the hero and sees the world orbiting around us. The "us" of our vain imaginings is fictional, and Jesus does not relate to fictional people. It is only when we humble ourselves that we experience Him and taste His presence. Jesus relates to us as we are, not as we imagine ourselves to be. (264)

From Expository Thoughts on Matthew by J.C. Ryle

There is something unspeakably solemn in the thought that the Lord Jesus knows all things. There is an eye that sees all our daily conduct. There is an ear that hears all our daily words. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him, with whom we have to do. Concealment is impossible. Hypocrisy is useless. We may deceive ministers. We may fool our family and neighbors. But the Lord sees us through and through. We cannot deceive Christ. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Psalm 139 1-12

From the New English Bible

Lord, thou hast examined me and knowest me.
Thou knowest all, whether I sit down or rise up;
thou has discerned my thoughts from afar.
Thou has traced my journey and my resting places,
and art familiar with all my paths.
For there is not a word on my tongue
but thou, LORD, knowest them all.
Thou hast kept close guard before me and behind
and has spread thy hand over me.
Such knowledge is beyond my understanding,
so high that I cannot reach it.
Where can I escape from thy spirit?
Where can I flee from thy presence?
If I climb up to heaven, thou art there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, again I find thee.
If I take my flight to the frontiers of the morning
or dwell at the limit of the western sea,
even there thy hand will meet me
and thy right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, 'Surely darkness will steal over me,
night will close around me',
darkness is no darkness for thee
and night is luminous as day;
to thee both dark and light are one.

From the Revised English Bible

Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
You know me at rest and in action;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You trace my journeying and my resting-places,
and are familiar with all the paths I take.
For there is not a word that I speak
but you, LORD, know all about it.
You keep close guard behind and before me
and place your hand upon me.
Knowledge so wonderful is beyond my grasp;
it is so lofty I cannot reach it.
Where can I escape from your spirit,
where flee from your presence?
If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I travel to the limits of the east,
or dwell at the bounds of the western sea,
even there your hand will be guiding me,
your right hand holding me fast.
If I say, 'Surely darkness will steal over me,
and the day around me turn to night,'
darkness is not too dark for you
and night is as light as day;
to you both dark and light are one.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Roses Have Thorns (2013)

Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I. Sandra Byrd. Simon & Schuster. 336 pages.

I just LOVED this one! I remember really enjoying Sandra Byrd's previous novels in this series--the Ladies in Waiting series, but this one may just be my favorite!!! The first novel is To Die For; the second novel is The Secret Keeper.

The heroine of Roses Have Thorns is Elin von Snakenborg (aka Helena, Marchioness of Northampton). Elin travels to England in the service of a Swedish princess; she remains in Britain to serve Queen Elizabeth. Elin has fallen in love and plans to marry. Until the time her marriage can take place--certain things have to be put in order first--she will joyfully serve Queen Elizabeth. There is some adapting to be done, of course, but Helena does settle into her new life.

Roses Have Thorns is dramatic and romantic. And as you might have come to expect from any book on this time period--politics! If you love reading about the Tudors, then Sandra Byrd's series is a must!!! I've read a handful of books set during Queen Elizabeth's reign, and this is one that presents her at her best and worst. In other words, she's believably human.

I loved so many things about this one!!! I loved getting to know Helena. I loved seeing the details of court life! The writing is wonderful!


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: April 28-May 4

Week In Review

New English Bible (NEB)

• Numbers 
• 2 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Psalm 100 (6)
• Psalm 139 (6)
• Ecclesiastes
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi
• Matthew
• Mark
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Ephesians
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter

Revised English Bible (REB)

• Psalm 100 (2)
• Psalm 139 (2)
• Ephesians

NASB

• Psalm 100
• Psalm 139

ASV

• Psalm 100
• Psalm 139

CEB

• Psalm 100
• Psalm 139

NLT

• Psalm 100
• Psalm 139

NKJV

• Psalm 100 (2)
• Psalm 139 (2)

HCSB

• Psalm 100
• Psalm 139

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

May 2013 Goals

Bible reading goals: I'm hosting Treasury of Truth a Bible-reading mini-challenge focusing on the Psalms, specifically Psalm 139 with highlights from Psalm 100, 103, 25, 23. Also Romans 8! Other bible reading goals include Numbers and 2 Chronicles. I'd also like to read the whole New Testament, if possible. (I try to do this each month. Sometimes it happens; sometimes it doesn't.)

I'd also like to read at least four or five Spurgeon sermons

1) The Remembrance of Christ
2) The Sin of Unbelief
3) The Personality of the Holy Ghost
4) The Comforter
5)
6)

Sermons Listened to

Scott Brown, Bethlehem Bible Church, Bible Study 101 parts one and two

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

May's Booklist

The Scriptures Testify About Me: Jesus and The Gospel in the Old Testament. Edited by D.A. Carson. 2013. Crossway. 192 pages. 

Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary. J.D. Greear. 2011. B&H Publishing. 388 pages. 

Foundations of Grace: A Long Line of Godly Men. Steven J. Lawson. 2006. Reformation Trust Publishing. 577 pages. 

Revelation 14-22 (Thru the Bible Commentary Series) J. Vernon McGee. Thomas Nelson. 204 pages.

Words to Winners of Souls. Horatius Bonar. 72 pages. 

Radical Cross. A.W. Tozer. Wingspread. 148 pages.

Christ the Eternal Son. A.W. Tozer. Wingspread. 162 pages.

Roses Have Thorns. Sandra Byrd. 2013. Howard Books. 336 pages.

According to the Pattern. Grace Livingston Hill. 1903. 186 pages. 

Love's Unending Legacy. Janette Oke. 1984. 239 pages. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

My Year with Spurgeon, Week #17

To what end have we preached unless we see souls born into the family of grace? My inmost soul longs to see all my hearers born anew: this would be my greatest joy, my highest blessedness. ~ Charles Spurgeon, Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient

Are saints ever made rich with treasures under their feet? Undoubtedly they are. The Word of God has mines in it. Even the surface of it is rich, and it brings forth food for us; but it is with Scripture as Job saith it is with the earth: "As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold." There are treasures upon the surface of the Word which we may pick up very readily: even the casual reader will find himself able to understand the simplicities and elements of the gospel of God; but the Word of God yields most to the digger. He that can study hard, and press into the inner meaning—he is the man that shall be enriched with riches current in heavenly places. Every Bible student here will know that God has put under his feet great treasures of precious teaching, and he will by meditation sink shafts into the deep places of revelation. I wish we gave more time to our Bibles. We waste too much time upon the pretentious, poverty-stricken literature of the age; and some, even Christian people, are more taken up with works of fiction than they are with this great Book of everlasting fact. We should prosper much more in heavenly husbandry if we would "dig deep while sluggards sleep." Remember that God has given to us to have treasures under our feet; but do not so despise his gifts as to leave the mines of revelation unexplored. ~ Charles Spurgeon, Shoes of Iron and Strength Sufficient 

We ought to climb: the higher our spiritual life the better. It is written of the believer, "He shall dwell on high." We ought not to be satisfied till we reach the highest places of knowledge, experience, and practice. High doctrine is glorious doctrine, high experience is blessed experience, high holiness is heavenly living. Many souls always keep in the plains: the simple elements are enough for them; and, thank God, they are enough for salvation and for comfort. But if you want the richest delight and the highest degree of grace, climb the hills and roam among the mysteries of God, the sublimer revelations of his divine will. Especially climb into the doctrines of grace: be not afraid of electing love, of special redemption, of the covenant, and all that is contained in it. Be not afraid to climb high, for if thy feet be dipped in the oil of grace, they shall also be so shod that they shall not slip. ~ Charles Spurgeon, Shoes of Iron and Strength Sufficient

These shoes are for travelling, for trampling, for climbing; they are also made of iron and brass for perseverance. You would not need such shoes for a little bit of a run—for a trip up the street and back again. Since the Lord has shod you in this fashion, it is a warning to you that the way is long and weary, and the end is not by-and-by. The Lord has furnished you with shoes that will not wear out. ~ Charles Spurgeon, Shoes of Iron and Strength Sufficient

Where would you store away your extra grace? You would put it in the lumber-room of your pride, where it would breed worms, and become an offence. A storage of what you call "grace" would turn into self-sufficiency. ~ Charles Spurgeon, Shoes of Iron and Strength Sufficient

Come, child of God, be peaceful, be happy in the prospect of the future. Do more, be joyous, and show your joy. You are out of harm's reach, for Christ has you in his hand. You shall never be staggered nor overcome, for the Lord is your strength and your song, and he has become your salvation. This text is a royal banquet for you. Here are fat things full of marrow. Eat abundantly, O beloved. Feel your spirit renewed by the Holy Spirit. Be prepared for whatever is yet to come; for such a word as this, not from me, but from the Lord himself, may gird up your loins for another march towards Canaan; "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass, and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." ~ Charles Spurgeon, Shoes of Iron and Strength Sufficient

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible