CPC Discussions: April 7

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April 7 - 14

Readings can be accessed in full by clicking on the links below:

Apr 7: Ruth
Apr 8: 1Sam 1-3
Apr 9: 1Sam 4-8
Apr 10: 1Sam 9-12
Apr 11: 1Sam 13-14
Apr 12: 1Sam 15-17
Apr 13: 1Sam 18-20; Ps 11/59
Apr 14: 1Sam 21-24

To view the full schedule: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/niv1984/c.htm

4 comments:

jenniferApril 7, 2011 at 6:16 AM
4:14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! // I love the beautiful story of Ruth!
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John PennylegionApril 7, 2011 at 2:32 PM
I love being able to read an entire book in one sitting - it gives you the whole of the story.
The faithfulness of Ruth in the story is wonderful. How she loved Naomi - "Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her." It is a sweet picture, that of Ruth clinging to Naomi.
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John PennylegionApril 8, 2011 at 7:54 AM
When reading the Bible I try and look for how people respond to the event or the conversation that has just taken place. I haven’t done a thorough study of this, but I’ve found that quite frequently, when God’s people witness, observe, or participate in something that God has done, their response is song. I think of Adam when he saw Eve, Moses’ song after the Exodus, Deborah after the battle, the angels at the announcement of Jesus’ birth, and here, Hannah.
Hannah asks for a son and vows that she will give this son to the service of the Lord. Now when he comes, we don’t have a record of her being slow to give Samuel to the Lord, or her saddened that the desire of her heart was not to be with her. Instead, she erupts into praise and sings to the Lord! “My heart exults in the LORD;...There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” When she sees the work of God, she sings.
I can’t help but think that in the midst of my days, I miss the works of God because I’m not looking for them, and thereby I miss out on praise and joy. “Lord would you open our eyes to see your works. Soften our hearts and open our mouths that we would sing to you at the appearance of your deeds.” Perhaps this is a prayer I should be praying more often. For when we have chance to delight in the Lord we are delighting in our heart’s greatest desire.
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jenniferApril 8, 2011 at 1:15 PM
Thanks Penny; great thought. I'm going to keep my eyes open to songs as I read; and pray that I'll be singing them too.
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Seven Tips For Staying On Track

1. Read through the Bible together with other people.

2. There will be some passages that you may not find interesting and / or difficult to read. Remember 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as you read these passages: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work." Ask yourself why God spoke this particular passage, and how it is profitable to you.

3. Do the whole reading for each day, but look for a "best thought" for each day - something you can ponder the rest of the day, a verse to memorize, something memorable.

4. As you come the Word each morning, ask God to open your eyes to the wonders found in his word.

5. Let your prayers for others flow out of what you read. Pray and read Scripture. After you read a passage, pray that passage for yourself and for others.

6. Some readings will be long and some short. Take advantage of shorter passages by reading them carefully, reflecting, asking questions, praying for answers, engage.

7. Look for ways you can practically live out what you're reading. James 1:22, "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

*The above is taken from Stephen Witmer, http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/12/29/two-year-bible-reading-plan/