December 22, 2015. Daily Reading: Nehemiah 1-7. Background: Until the third century AD, the book of Nehemiah was combined with the book of Ezra in a work that was referred to as either Ezra or Ezra-Nehemiah (see intro to Ezra). The book is a record of history continuing on after the temple was rebuilt under…
Tag: prayer
Ezra 5-10: Finishing the temple and seeking the Lord.
December 15, 2015. Daily Reading: Ezra 5-10. Background: Ezra 1-4. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 5 The rebuilding begins again: After a long period of cessation due to persecution, Haggai and Zechariah, prophets of the Lord, stirred up the Jews who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem to begin again rebuilding the temple. The two strong leaders,…
II Chronicles 33-36: The decline of Judah.
December 1, 2015. Daily Reading: II Chronicles 33-36. Background: II Chronicles 29-32. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 33 Manasseh and Amon: The beginning and ending of this chapter is very similar to II Kings 21:1-9 and II Kings 21:19-24, respectively. The difference we find in Chronicles about Manasseh’s reign is a record of his prayer and…
Acts 9: Saul’s conversion.
November 21, 2015. Note that I have decided to only do Acts 9 today, as chapters 10 and 11 shouldn’t be split up in my opinion. Thus, next week we will do Acts 10-12. Thank you for following along with me. ___________________________________ Daily Reading: Acts 9. Background: Acts 7-8. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 9 1….
Habakkuk 1-3: What the Lord is doing.
November 20, 2015. Daily Reading: Habakkuk 1-3. Background: Very little is known about the prophet Habakkuk, as we are not given his family linage, hometown or who was in power when he carried out his ministry from the text. His name even is not a common Hebrew name and it is only found twice in…
James 4-5: Drawing near to God.
November 8, 2015. Daily Reading: James 4-5. Background: James 1-3. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 4 Drawing near to God: In this chapter James deals with the ever present threat of worldliness, offering practical wisdom to fight against the desires of the flesh. Notice how James doesn’t lay the blame on worldliness, however, but rather on…
II Chronicles 16-20: Jehoshaphat.
November 3, 2015. Daily Reading: II Chronicles 16-20. Background: II Chronicles 11-15. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 16 The final years of Asa: For much of this chapter, see II Kings 15:17-24. The only part that is added here is verses 7-10, in which the Lord speaks to Asa through Hanani the seer rebuking him for relying…
Acts 1-4: Witnesses.
October 31, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 1-4. Background: The book of Acts is Luke’s second writing to Theophilus (see background to Luke), who was probably a Roman, perhaps even a high ranking Roman, which continues the story of the unfolding of the gospel. His first book detailed the life and ministry of Jesus Christ through eye…
Jonah 1-4: The prophet who hated people.
October 30, 2015. Daily Reading: Jonah 1-4. Background: The book of Jonah is the fifth of the minor prophets and tells quite a story of a prophet who tried to run from his call from God. This story is a favorite children’s story, though the version that is told to children is often very different…
II Chronicles 6-10: The end of Solomon and beginning of Rehoboam.
October 20, 2015. Daily Reading: II Chronicles 6-10. Background: II Chronicles 1-5. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 6 Solomon’s blessing and prayer: The majority of this text can be found in I Kings 8:12-15, see this section for notes. In short, Solomon blesses the people and prays a prayer of dedication after the completion of the…
Amos 5-9: Woe to those who are at ease in Zion.
October 16, 2015. Daily Reading: Amos 5-9. Background: Amos 1-4. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 5 1. Seek the Lord and live: Though the Lord is in the middle of rebuke and Amos’ message has been one of destruction, an ever present characteristic of God is found here as He offers reconciliation to His people. Though…
John 16-18: Jesus’ final days.
October 10, 2015. Daily Reading: John 16-18. Background: John 13-15. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 16 A final discourse with the disciples: As we near the passion narrative as presented by John, he gives us one of the final discussions that Jesus has with His disciples before He is taken to trial and the cross, followed…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 