Here is the reading plan for the final week of the reading plan- congratulations on reading the entire Bible!!!
Sunday (Epistles): Jude
Monday (The Law): Deuteronomy 32-34
Tuesday (History): Esther 6-10
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 149-150
Thursday (Poetry): Song of Songs 7-8
Friday (Prophecy): Revelation 18-22
Saturday (Gospels): Acts 27-28
Starting next week there will be a new plan to follow and your facilitators in 2012 will be Dick de Roover and Dr. Chuck Conniry. A different reading plan will be in place and there are some plans in progress to intertwine this reading plan into the Woodhaven website.
Discipline with regards to reading the Bible a regular basis has been a primary focus at Woodhaven this past year- here is to more of the same in 2012 and have a Happy New Year!
In Him,
Mike
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Week 51: Living in the truth like Gaius
This week's reading plan is as follows:
* Sunday (epistles): 3 John
* Monday (the Law): Deuteronomy 29-31
* Tuesday (history): Esther 1-5
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 146-148
* Thursday (poetry): Song 5-6
* Friday (prophecy): Revelation 12-17
* Saturday (gospels): Acts 25-26
We're nearing the end of another year of reading through the Bible! I hope you've stuck with us as we diligently read through the pages of scripture. And I hope you're ready to continue in the New Year! As far as I'm concerned, I will continue to read through the Bible every year for as long as I live. Each year, God reveals new insights and draws us closer to Him.
This week's SOAP is from the 3rd book of John:
Scripture
3 John 4: "I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth".
Observation
John writes this letter to Gaius, his dear friend. Gaius is helping out in the church by taking care of the needs of "traveling teachers" [New Living Translation], even though they are strangers to him. These "traveling teachers", are "brothers" who are traveling, probably missionaries sent by the mother church. This helping of Gaius is opposite of what Diotrephes, another church leader, is doing. Diotrephes discourages people in his church to help these missionaries, and even throws people out of his church who help them (verse 10). The apostle John will deal with him personally when he will come to visit.
It is in the above context that John writes verse 4. He is very pleased with all that Gaius is doing, and John "has no greater joy than to hear that Gaius (his faith child) is living in the truth.
Application
In a similar way, it brings me no greater joy than to see my own children "get it" and starting to live in the truth. Or my brothers and sisters at the church "get it". Baptisms that are happening, bible studies that are starting up, men mentoring men, women mentoring women, people doing their daily SOAP exercises. It's a wonderful thing when people "live in the truth" by obeying God's commands.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, what a rich blessing to see our children live in truth. I pray they will all become strong warriors for you, just like Gaius. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Have a great week. Merry Christmas to all!
In Him,
Dick
* Sunday (epistles): 3 John
* Monday (the Law): Deuteronomy 29-31
* Tuesday (history): Esther 1-5
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 146-148
* Thursday (poetry): Song 5-6
* Friday (prophecy): Revelation 12-17
* Saturday (gospels): Acts 25-26
We're nearing the end of another year of reading through the Bible! I hope you've stuck with us as we diligently read through the pages of scripture. And I hope you're ready to continue in the New Year! As far as I'm concerned, I will continue to read through the Bible every year for as long as I live. Each year, God reveals new insights and draws us closer to Him.
This week's SOAP is from the 3rd book of John:
Scripture
3 John 4: "I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth".
Observation
John writes this letter to Gaius, his dear friend. Gaius is helping out in the church by taking care of the needs of "traveling teachers" [New Living Translation], even though they are strangers to him. These "traveling teachers", are "brothers" who are traveling, probably missionaries sent by the mother church. This helping of Gaius is opposite of what Diotrephes, another church leader, is doing. Diotrephes discourages people in his church to help these missionaries, and even throws people out of his church who help them (verse 10). The apostle John will deal with him personally when he will come to visit.
It is in the above context that John writes verse 4. He is very pleased with all that Gaius is doing, and John "has no greater joy than to hear that Gaius (his faith child) is living in the truth.
Application
In a similar way, it brings me no greater joy than to see my own children "get it" and starting to live in the truth. Or my brothers and sisters at the church "get it". Baptisms that are happening, bible studies that are starting up, men mentoring men, women mentoring women, people doing their daily SOAP exercises. It's a wonderful thing when people "live in the truth" by obeying God's commands.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, what a rich blessing to see our children live in truth. I pray they will all become strong warriors for you, just like Gaius. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Have a great week. Merry Christmas to all!
In Him,
Dick
Friday, December 9, 2011
Week 50: Bringing Eternity into the Present
This week's reading unfolds like this:
* Sunday (Epistles): 2 John
* Monday (The Law): Deuteronomy 26-28
* Tuesday (History): Ezra 6-10
* Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 143-145
* Thursday (Poetry): Song of Solomon 3-4
* Friday (Prophecy): Revelation 7-11
* Saturday (Gospels): Acts 23-24
Scripture: Revelation 7:9-11
"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout,
“'Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!'
"And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,
“'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.'”
Observation:
Revelation is a hard book to understand...and it seems that the less clear a passage is, the more adamantly people assert their interpretations. The Book of Revelation, perhaps more than any other book in the Bible, has been the subject of endless controversies and misinterpretations.
The message of Revelation is really very simple. In a word it is, WE WIN!
And this passage presents a beautiful picture of our victory.
Just before these verses, John mentions 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel. Problem is, the tribe of Dan is missing. The same group of people is mentioned again in chapter 14, but there, if we take the passage literally, we see that the group consists only of men (those who have not defiled themselves with women).
Here's my best guess at what all this means...
John uses numbers in the Book of Revelation to represent certain things. The number 12 (and its multiples) signify God's people (like the 12 tribes of Israel and the people of the 12 Apostles). The number 10 and its multiples represent wholeness or completeness. When John adds or multiplies the number 12, he is alluding to God's people in both the old and new covenants (the 24 elders that cast their crowns before the throne, for example, are representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and the people of the 12 Apostles). Here (and in chapter 14), John uses the following equation: 12 x 12 x 1,000 = 144,000.
Bottom line: the 144,000, and the innumerable crowd mentioned in these verses, is one and the same. The totality of God's chosen, saved people...which includes you and me!
And look at what they are singing. Do you recognize the words? We sing this song at Woodhaven.
Application:
Every time we sing this song, we are leaning into our future as God's chosen and saved people. Next time we sing this, let's remember that!
Prayer:
O Lord, thank you for giving us a glimpse of heaven in this passage. Help to stay focused on the fact that we are your people...and that every time we sing praises to you, we help to bring eternity into the present. Praise and glory be to you! In Jesus' name. Amen!
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
* Sunday (Epistles): 2 John
* Monday (The Law): Deuteronomy 26-28
* Tuesday (History): Ezra 6-10
* Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 143-145
* Thursday (Poetry): Song of Solomon 3-4
* Friday (Prophecy): Revelation 7-11
* Saturday (Gospels): Acts 23-24
Scripture: Revelation 7:9-11
"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout,
“'Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!'
"And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,
“'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.'”
Observation:
Revelation is a hard book to understand...and it seems that the less clear a passage is, the more adamantly people assert their interpretations. The Book of Revelation, perhaps more than any other book in the Bible, has been the subject of endless controversies and misinterpretations.
The message of Revelation is really very simple. In a word it is, WE WIN!
And this passage presents a beautiful picture of our victory.
Just before these verses, John mentions 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel. Problem is, the tribe of Dan is missing. The same group of people is mentioned again in chapter 14, but there, if we take the passage literally, we see that the group consists only of men (those who have not defiled themselves with women).
Here's my best guess at what all this means...
John uses numbers in the Book of Revelation to represent certain things. The number 12 (and its multiples) signify God's people (like the 12 tribes of Israel and the people of the 12 Apostles). The number 10 and its multiples represent wholeness or completeness. When John adds or multiplies the number 12, he is alluding to God's people in both the old and new covenants (the 24 elders that cast their crowns before the throne, for example, are representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel and the people of the 12 Apostles). Here (and in chapter 14), John uses the following equation: 12 x 12 x 1,000 = 144,000.
Bottom line: the 144,000, and the innumerable crowd mentioned in these verses, is one and the same. The totality of God's chosen, saved people...which includes you and me!
And look at what they are singing. Do you recognize the words? We sing this song at Woodhaven.
Application:
Every time we sing this song, we are leaning into our future as God's chosen and saved people. Next time we sing this, let's remember that!
Prayer:
O Lord, thank you for giving us a glimpse of heaven in this passage. Help to stay focused on the fact that we are your people...and that every time we sing praises to you, we help to bring eternity into the present. Praise and glory be to you! In Jesus' name. Amen!
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Monday, December 5, 2011
Week 49: Loving God Through Loving Others
This week's reading:
Sunday (Epistles): 1 John 4-5
Monday (Law): Deuteronomy 23-25
Tuesday (History): Nehemiah 5-9
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 140-142
Thursday (Poetry): Song of Solomon 1-2
Friday (Prophecy): Revelation 1-6
Saturday (Gospels): Acts 21-22
Many folks hold dear to prejudices and contempt for others as they proclaim their love for God. Are you one?
Scripture: 1 John 4:20-21
"If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
Observation: The culture of this country is divisive- it thrives on drama and anger. Take a news channel for a spin some time to see what I am talking about. Many of these commentators on the news claim to follow a path of faith, but their path is aligned with a political agenda that is divisive and stirs some very negative emotions with their viewers. Closer to home, how do you feel about the guy across the street? Yes, the one who fires up his unmuffled Harley at 6am on a Sunday? Or the guy who cut you off as you were pulling onto the freeway? How about your child who needs help (again!) with that math problem?
Application: Loving God means loving His creations- all of them. Temperance and a holding of the tongue may be how we love some of the "unlovable." Others may need to be invited to church. Some may just need a smile at the store in passing. Extra time for our kids and our spouses so we can listen to them. Taking time to rest and get energized will help us love ourselves. I don't consider myself a liar, but this passage definitely convicts me on certain occasions and I must become more integrated with God to better love God.
Prayer: Lord, please guide me on my path, especially as it crosses other people's paths. My desire is for my wake to not be disruptive for others and actually be a source of encouragement- reflecting and modeling how You love us. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your son Jesus Christ who modeled that love. Thank you for the gift of your creation(s) so we can learn to love them as you already do in a perfect way. I pray this in your name, Amen!
Have a great week!
-Mike
Sunday (Epistles): 1 John 4-5
Monday (Law): Deuteronomy 23-25
Tuesday (History): Nehemiah 5-9
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 140-142
Thursday (Poetry): Song of Solomon 1-2
Friday (Prophecy): Revelation 1-6
Saturday (Gospels): Acts 21-22
Many folks hold dear to prejudices and contempt for others as they proclaim their love for God. Are you one?
Scripture: 1 John 4:20-21
"If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
Observation: The culture of this country is divisive- it thrives on drama and anger. Take a news channel for a spin some time to see what I am talking about. Many of these commentators on the news claim to follow a path of faith, but their path is aligned with a political agenda that is divisive and stirs some very negative emotions with their viewers. Closer to home, how do you feel about the guy across the street? Yes, the one who fires up his unmuffled Harley at 6am on a Sunday? Or the guy who cut you off as you were pulling onto the freeway? How about your child who needs help (again!) with that math problem?
Application: Loving God means loving His creations- all of them. Temperance and a holding of the tongue may be how we love some of the "unlovable." Others may need to be invited to church. Some may just need a smile at the store in passing. Extra time for our kids and our spouses so we can listen to them. Taking time to rest and get energized will help us love ourselves. I don't consider myself a liar, but this passage definitely convicts me on certain occasions and I must become more integrated with God to better love God.
Prayer: Lord, please guide me on my path, especially as it crosses other people's paths. My desire is for my wake to not be disruptive for others and actually be a source of encouragement- reflecting and modeling how You love us. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your son Jesus Christ who modeled that love. Thank you for the gift of your creation(s) so we can learn to love them as you already do in a perfect way. I pray this in your name, Amen!
Have a great week!
-Mike
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