Monday, January 18, 2010

Ruth to Lamentations

Journal: Ruth - Lamentations

Bible Reading & Date
Ruth & Jonah: Jan 23, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Books:

The books of Ruth and Jonah are significant for several reasons. One, we learn so much about God’s power and his love. We also learn about behaviors that God rewards versus behaviors that he punishes.
In Ruth, we see love and kindness rewarded. The book of Ruth reveals to us that God blesses those who seek to live obedient lives and he extends mercy to the merciful. We learn from Ruth that at times, love may require sacrifice and regardless of our lot in life, we can live according to God’s precepts. In the book, we see Ruth’s determination to stay with Naomi and care for her and that in the end; Ruth was rewarded for her love with a husband, a son and a position in the royal lineage of Jesus Christ.
In Jonah, we learn never to put country before God and that we cannot hide from God. Jonah also reveals that God sometimes does his greatest work through the least likely candidates and that he loves us regardless of our reputation, nationality or race. Jonah teaches us to rejoice in the salvation of others because it is an experience that God wants us to share with him. Finally, Jonah reveals that God uses nature, weather and animals or any part of creation to bring us closer to him.

Bible Reading & Date
I Samuel – II Kings: Jan 24-30, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Books:

In I - II Samuel, we learn that God is bigger than any problem and that with God’s help, our emotions can be kept under his control. We see that even God’s children can fail and fall into sin and that any life full of sin and defeat can have victory and accomplishment if repentance and obedience are begun. We also learn that our sin may encourage God to take away our blessings and give them to others. I – II Samuel also reveals that our ultimate leadership should be of God, not man and that obedience is more important to God than sacrifice. Finally, we learn that we, like David, should be people after God’s own heart.
In I – II Kings, we see that God uses history to show us examples of successful and of defeated lives. We learn we must follow godly leadership and be godly leaders for others and that God is more concerned that we have wisdom and a heart for him than in our personal accomplishments. In Kings, we learn of Solomon’s construction of the temple and of the miracles and ministry of the prophet Elijah. In addition, we see that the consistent company we keep in family and friends can affect us in both positive and negative ways. Finally, we discover we can have complete confidence that God will never leave us or forsake us.

Bible Reading & Date
I Chronicles, Ezra & Nehemiah: Feb 1 – Feb 6, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Books:

In I Chronicles, we learn that God will never forsake his people, his promises or his covenant and that we must fulfill our covenant with God to be obedient to his Word. We see that to do a great work for God, we must first have a heart for God. In addition, we understand that God is always working in our lives. Still yet, we see that even though people and nations sometimes fail, God never fails. We learn that we should appreciate our heritage and significance in God’s eyes. Finally, we see that God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience.
In Ezra, we learn that God sovereignly looks over and protects his children and that no problem is too big to stop a plan made in the will of God. From Ezra, we learn that our goals should be worthy in God’s eyes as well as our own and that the sorrows of yesterday can be our successes today. We also see that pure love includes correction.
In Nehemiah, we learn that at times, we may have to give up our own comfort in order to minister properly to others and that we must believe in a cause before we will give our time or money to it with a right heart. Nehemiah teaches us to have genuine compassion for others who are hurting and to help them.

Bible Reading & Date
Psalms: Book I Feb 7-13, 2006 100 % read
Psalms: Book II Feb 14 - 20, 2006 100% read
Psalms: Book III Feb 21-27, 2006 100% read
Psalms: Book IV Feb 28 - Mar 6, 2006 100% read
Psalms: Book V Mar 7 – Mar 13, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

The book of Psalms is significant in that it was used as a temple hymnbook. It covers almost every area of human experience and emotion and some refer to Jesus Christ, the Messiah of God. In Psalms, we learn that sin is always rebellion against God and that it will always be punished. Psalms reveals that a life of righteousness hates sin and a life of praise is a life of victory. We learn from Psalms that God can be trusted during our times of sorrow as well as our times of joy and that he loves each of us and is concerned for every area of our lives. We see that we can approach God just as we are and with all our concerns.

Bible Reading & Date
Proverbs: Feb 7-13, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

Proverbs is a book of practical and timeless instruction for every area of human life. It contrasts the godly view of the wise with the fools view. It presents truths that counsel and helps to prevent and correct ungodly lifestyles. In Proverbs, we learn that wisdom cannot be gained apart from God and we should not rely on our own understanding but on God’s truth. We see that God will direct our paths and that godly success comes from obedience to God. Finally, we see that God desires for us to be happy and that he has made happiness available if we fear, trust and obey him.

Bible Reading & Date
Job: Feb 14-20, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

Job raises the question: Why do the righteous suffer? We learn from Job that Satan cannot bring destruction upon us unless it is within God’s permissive will. We understand that it is beyond our human ability to understand the why behind all the suffering in the world. We learn that the wicked will receive their punishment and that we cannot blame all the suffering on the sin in a sufferer’s life. In addition, Job reveals that suffering may sometimes be allowed in our lives to purify, to test, to teach or to strengthen the soul and teach us that God is all we need. Still yet, we know that God deserves and requests our love and praise regardless. Finally, we learn that God will deliver all suffering believers.

Bible Reading & Date
Song of Songs: Feb 21-27, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

The Song of Songs is a celebration of love between a man and a woman and is a collection of poems, in the form of songs. The author portrays sex and marriage as ordained by God and good in his sight when combined. The parallel can be drawn that Christ’s love for the church, his bride is much greater than human love. In addition, we see that although a person may be poor, the person can be rich spiritually by loving God and knowing that God loves him/her. Finally, we learn that an ideal marriage will be tender, affectionate and strong during times of trial.

Bible Reading & Date
Ecclesiastes: Feb 28-Mar 6, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

In Ecclesiastes, we learn that neither earthly goals apart from God, money, fame, power, accomplishments nor human wisdom will bring us happiness. We hear from the author that only a life submissive and devoted to God will bring happiness. In addition, we see that the closer we walk with God, the more aware we become of his blessings in our lives. Still yet, the author reveals that following God in our youth will bring joy to our latter years and disobedience in our youth will bring sorrow in our latter years. Finally, we hear the conclusion to happiness is to fear God and keep his commandments.

Bible Reading & Date
Lamentations: Mar 7-13, 2006 100% read

Theology & Significance of the Book:

In Lamentations, we see Jerusalem is destroyed as Jeremiah prophesied and the five poems make up a funeral song for the death of Jerusalem. We learn from Lamentations that the judgment of God is certain and a forgiven sin may still have consequences with which we must deal. In addition, we learn that suffering may be allowed to help us repent. Still yet, we learn that God will strengthen and comfort us if we will only let him. Finally, we learn that if we have ever experienced sorrow, we are great candidates to console another who is hurting.

Bibliography

The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version, Rainbow Studies,
Inc., El Reno, Oklahoma, 1992.

No comments:

Post a Comment