How can this book help you in your spiritual growth?  Here’s what one pastor-missionary says: “John’s approach is clear, simple and manageable for anyone who is interested in getting to know their Bible. “Cover to Cover” reminds its readers that God wants us to reflect upon His Word so that our lives will be challenged to grow in Christ. But it does so in a manner that makes reading the entire Bible a delight. This book is valuable for personal devotions or for use in fellows

In case you missed it, the kindle (e book) version of Cover to Cover:through the Bible in 365 days will again be available for free on Amazon on December 29, 31, 2018 and January 1 2019. [Click here] I am thankful to say that 277 e books were given away at Christmas and now there is a second opportunity to get a free Kindle version of this book that gives you a Bible reading plan and daily encouragement to find the treasures of God’s word that bring spiritual growth. Just cli

If you have ever tried reading through the entire Bible and wondered how it applies to your life, I have a free book for you for a limited time. For five days between now and New Years you can get a free (regular price is $4.99) Kindle edition of Cover to Cover here.  This will be available only on Dec. 24, 25, 29, 31, 2018 and January 1, 2019.  On those days (and only those days) you will have 24 hours to order at NO cost.  The offer ends at midnight on New Years Day.  Pleas

Isaiah challenges us, but we can learn to relish this prophecy. Here’s why and how to glean much from the prophet Jesus quoted frequently. This blog is based on our scheduled reading through July 31:  The book of Isaiah (suggested “chunks” Isaiah 1-27; 28-39; 40-66) “Summertime and the livin’ is easy” goes the old song.  I have found it easy to get out of my regular reading and writing routine.  If you are following my “through the Bible Book by Book in 2018” schedule you wil

Our readings this week show that nothing in this world will ever completely satisfy us. But there is One who does fill our souls. Contentment has been an issue since the Garden of Eden.  The serpent sowed seeds of discontentment in Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit that brought death.  In this week’s readings, Ecclesiastes warns us not to expect too much of life under the sun while Colossians challenges us not to expect too little of Jesus Christ in whom we find all our suf

Ever wonder why we read about the failed kings of Israel and Judah? Are there good lessons from bad kingdoms? Yes, indeed! Read on and see. [Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: 1 Kings] The Sad Record of Failed Kingdoms The history of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah does not provide support for currently popular theories of social evolution or the basic goodness of mankind.  Rather, the books of 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings display the perversity of human being

It is hard to exaggerate all the joy of life in Christ.  Do you know what it means to be in Him?  This theme runs through Paul’s letters. [Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: Ephesians; Philippians] Last week we delved into two well-known but very different letters of Paul.  Ephesians tells us essential truths we need to know and what we need to do about those truths. [1]  We could call it “Cosmic Perspectives for Daily Living” as Paul lays a theological fou

Slow driving; slow reading Mary and I recently took a drive through a scenic part of our rural Virginia county on a beautiful late Spring afternoon. We drove as slowly as was prudent in order to drink in the sights and smells of newly mowed hay fields, wildflowers and honeysuckle, cows and calves, sheep and goats, rolling hills and mountain peaks. Our leisurely  drive that day is not unlike reading through Psalms and Proverbs. Have you noticed how you have to slow down and th

The Bible gives us a rather in depth look at the life of David. We are fortunate in this because there are many great lessons to learn from one whose life would otherwise be an enigma. Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: 2 Samuel This week we returned to the life of David beginning with his mourning for the death of Saul and Jonathan and ending with some final words and his purchase of the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite for use as an altar to the Lo

Our emotions can be troublesome leading us down paths we later regret, but should we attempt to escape them? Or can they be redeemed by God for a good purpose? Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Song of Solomon Our Emotions and God’s Image One theme that links the two letters of Paul (2 Corinthians and Galatians) and the Song of Solomon, is the theme of human emotions.  God created mankind in His own image and endued us with emotio

I hope you were able to complete our scheduled reading for last week in 1 Samuel 21-31 and Psalms 16-30. I apologize for not writing a blog this week as I work to meet a writing project deadline.  Thank you for following this blog.  I look forward to writing again soon.             ]. This week’s reading: 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Song of Solomon Share this: Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Print Pinterest #Biblereading #devotional #Timeout

Many ask why certain occurrences happen. The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions, but it does teach us what we need to know–that God is in control of the most personal details of human life as well as of the events at the highest levels of nations and empires. [Note: This post is based on last week’s reading: 1 Samuel 1-20]. A Personal Story and a National Crisis Two weeks ago, we read the books of Judges and Ruth which prepared us for 1 Samuel and the beginning of the kin