Bible in 90 Days - Day 19

Bible in 90 Days Day 19 Using the SOAP Method

Scripture

Judges 15:13-20 to I Samuel 2: 1-29

Observations

Judges 15 Samson again escapes from the Philistines

16 Samson fell in love with Deliah who was not a good woman, but a deceiver, a user and a liar

17 A Levite priest comes to live and work with Micah who served gods other than God

18 The Levite left the house of Micah to be a priest over the tribe of Dan and took the idols from Micah’s house with him

19 The story of a man and his concubine and the man divided her into 12 parts and shipped them throughout Israel (I did not understand this chapter)

20 The tribes of Israel gathered to discuss the concubine and were told by the Levite that his concubine was raped and left dead. The Israelites agreed to go and fight the perpetrators but the Benjaminites decided not to wait for the rest and had problems because of that and the other tribes turned against them

21 The tribes of Israel agreed not to allow their children to marry with the tribe of Benjamin so the Benjaminites ended up marrying with the children of shiloh so the tribe would not die out

Ruth 1 The story of Ruth, a widow, and her mother in law Naomi and Ruth refused to leave her mother in law to go back to her parents after the death of Ruth’s husband

2 Ruth went to gather after the workers in the fields of a relative of Naomi’s so that she and Naomi could survive and Ruth found favor in the eyes of Boaz, the owner of the field

3 Naomi tells her daughter in law to go to Boaz to win his favor and he agrees that if no other relative is available to marry her, he will

4 Boaz purchased Ruth as his wife and she had a son

I Samuel 1 The story of Samuel’s birth from a mother who had been barren and teased for being barren

2 Samuel’s mother, Hannah, praised God for giving her a son that she dedicated to God

Application

Of course, the famous story of Samson and Delilah caught my attention. What stood out to me now, as always, is the fact that Samson knew Delilah was not good and was trying to destroy him, but he continued to act as though she was a good and true woman. One thing we must learn is not to cast our pearls before swine. If a person proves themselves to be unworthy of trust repeatedly, as Delilah did, we should not continue to allow that person into a position to destroy us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the new day, for new revelations and for new life. I thank you fo r allowing me to read your word and having a new chance to learn at your feet. I respectfully ask that you give me discernment and help me to see what people have in their hearts so that I can act accordingly. As always, I will give you the glory, the honor and the praise. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Bible in 90 Days Day 18

Bible in 90 Days Day 18 Using the SOAP Method

Scripture

Judges 3: 28-31 to Judges 15: 1-12

Observations

3 The Israelites had their enemies delivered to them followed by a period of peace

4 Again the Israelites acted contrary to God’s rules and were punished with enslavement and Deborah became the judge over the Israelites and God gave the Israelites victory over their enemies at the hand of a woman

5 A song of praise for the victory God gave the people and the woman who God used

6 Again the Israelites acted contrary to God’s rules and were punished and oppressed by their enemy. The Israelites cried out to God for relief and God sent relief through Gideon and proved Himself God over the other gods

7 God granted the Israelites victory through Gideon in such a way that they could not claim to have gotten the victory for themselves, but only through God could it have been obtained

8 After obtaining victory again, the people ask Gideon and his son to rule, Gideon refused and said God would rule over the people and after Gideon’s death, the Israelites once again worshiped false gods

9 Abimelech tried to become ruler over the Israelites and ended up dead partially at the hand of a woman and partially at the hand of a man he asked to kill him quicky before the woman’s blow actually killed him

10 After a few years of living correctly, the Israelites again worshiped false gods and were oppressed by their enemies as punishment and the Israelites begged forgiveness for their sins

11 Jephthah who was the son of a harlot driven out by his step brothers, was asked to lead the Israelites into battle. Jephthah made a promise to God that lead to Jephthah sacrificing his only child, his daughter to God

12 Some of the people became agree with Jephthah because he went to battle without them and threatened to kill him, but did not. After his death, other judged Israel for a period of years.

13 Again the Israelites acted contrary to God’s rules and were punished with enslavement and a barren couple were promised a child by an angel of God, this child was named Samson

14 Samson found a wife who was not a good woman and told his secret- the key to a riddle and his wife was given to a companion of Samson

15 Samson became angry that his wife was given away and set fire to the fields

Application

This group of scriptures was interesting to me personally for several reasons. First God granted miraculous victories to the people and he forgave them for sin over and over. In my life I have had many miracles happen. I have had victories that could only come from God, successes that I could not have achieved on my own:

- becoming pregnant after medication and doctor intervention was unproductive

- passing the bar exam after arrived 2 hours late to the 4 hour morning session and finishing with 30 minutes left in the exam period.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are so good, kind, and merciful. You are wonderful in every way and in every thing you do. I thank you for your kindness and mercy. I thank you for all you do for me and through me. I thank you for the miracles you have done in my life. I ask that you help me to be useful to you and to et done what you would have me do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Bible in 90 Days Day 17 Choice

Bible in 90 Days Day 17 Using the SOAP Method

Scripture

Joshua 15 to Judges 3: 1 -27

Observations

15 Geographic description of the border of the land given to the various tribes

16 Geographic description of the border of the land given to the various tribes

17 Geographic description of the border of the land given to the various tribes

18 Seven tribe had not gone to get their land and Joshua made arrangement for them to go get their land

19 Provision were made for the remaining seven tribes to go and possess the land

20 God told Joshua to have the tribes create cities of refuge

21 Each tribe set aside land for the Levites

22 The tribe of the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh were told to go and take their land and to remember to serve God

23 Joshua is old and peak to the people and tells them to take the land, follow the commandment from Moses, to be courageous and that none of the enemies they encounter will be able to defeat them

24 Joshua gathered the people and God spoke to them, told them the history of leaving Egypt and what happened after that on the way to the promised land and were told to serve God, to choose this day if they would serve God or the other gods they encountered in the land and the people said they would serve God.

1 Joshua died and the Israelites went to posses their land and to fight to get/keep it

2 The people did not keep their word and they forsook God and served false God

3 God was angry when the Israelite forsook God and served false gods

　

　

Application

The part of these passages that resonates most with me today is the part where the Israelites are told to choose whom they would serve. God did not take away the Israelites ability to make a choice, instead He allowed them the freedom to choose. We still have that freedom today in o many way and so many places. We can choose to serve God and obtain the many blessings associated with the decision or we can choose false gods and the punishment associated with that choice. It is incredible that with all the information we have, all the proof behind us, that still we do not always choose to follow God. I am making the decision today to be careful in my choice making to make choice that are pleasing to God.

　

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me the gift of choice. It is a wonderful thing that you allow me to choose to worship you, to choose to be your child rather than forcing it upon me. Choice is a wonderful thing and an abundant gift. So I thank you God for blessing me with the ability to choose. Now I humbly ask you to guide me and help me to make the right choices. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Bible in 90 days Day 11

Bible in 90 Days Day 11 Using the SOAP Method

Scripture

Numbers 8:15-26 to Numbers 21: 1-7

Observations

8 The first born of all the Israelites are consecrated to the service of God

9 The Israelites are ordered to keep the passover, and the appearance of fire over the tabernacle

10 Moses instructed to make trumpets to call the people to the tabernacle and the people travel with the tabernacle

11 The Israelites murmured and complained against God because they wanted meat and not manna

12 Miriam and Aaron are angry with Moses because he married a Cushite woman, and Miriam was punished for seven days

13 God told Moses to send men out to spy on the land of Canaan, some said the Israelites could overtake the land while others said that the people in the land were stronger than the Israelites

14 The Israelites complain again and say they should return to slavery in Egypt and God says he should smite the Israelites and make other nations over them but Moses pleads with God not to do that because the Egyptians would hear about it and it would take away from God’s reputation

15 God tells Moses of the sacrifice he wants the people to make when they reach the promised land

16 Some of the people complain that Moses acts as if he is better than the rest, and God separated some of the people and had them swallowed up by the earth

17 God speaks to Moses and makes a test for the people to show who God has called unto his service, and the proof is that Aaron and the house of Levi are chosen by God

18 The rules and guardianship for the tent of the testimony are given

19 The laws of uncleanliness concerning dead bodies



20 Miriam died, the Israelites complain and again say they should not have left Egypt, God enables Aaron to get water from a rock

21 God heard the cry of the Israelites and delivered Canaan into their hands

Application

Once again the Israelites are complaining and acting ungrateful. Last time it reminded me of my children. Today it reminds me of myself. I have a good and wonderful husband who I truly believe is a gift from God. This morning it seemed that all he knew how to do was get on my nerves. I complained, I murmured and I was not happy. Later, I talked to a friend whose husband truly seems to have lost his good sense and is acting as if his wedding vows were for worse and for worse. It made me feel terrible. Not for her but for me. Instead of thanking god for giving me a good and kind husband who seems to find joy I making me smile I was acting ungrateful and unappreciative. I need to stop complaining about the small things, the things that in the true grand scheme do not matter and instead concentrate on what does matter and how blessed I am to be where I am at this point in life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for all you do for me and through me. I thank you fo rbeing a good God and for knowing what is best for me and putting me in a position to use my free will to accept the best option. Lord I ask that you help me to appreciate you and those you have put around me for my good. Lord I thank you, praise you, and give you the honor. In Jesus name, Amen.

Bible in 90 Days: Day 5

Bible in 90 Days Day 5 Using the SOAP Method

Scripture

Exodus 1 to Exodus 15: 1-18

Observations

1 The new Pharaoh is afraid of the Israelites who multiply greatly and orders the midwives to kill all male children

2 The birth and early life of Moses

3 The burning bush speaks to Moses and tells him of God’s promise to Abraham and Moses is called to go to Pharaoh to request freedom for the Israelites and God tells Moses that the Pharoah will not agree and so God will perform wonders

4 God tells Moses he can do the task, but Moses doubts himself and angers God and God tells Moses to take Aaron with him as spokesperson.

5 Moses and Aaron asks Pharaoh to let the Israelites go and Pharaoh refuses an instead makes it even harder for the Israelites to do their work

6 The lineage of Israel (Jacob) is detailed

7 God tells Moses to go to Pharoah to request freedom for the Israelites and that when he does, God tells Moses that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened, it is, and the plagues against Egypt begin

8 Moses again asks Pharaoh to free the Egyptians and again Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and Egypt is plagued with frogs, lice and flies

9 Moses again asks Pharaoh to free the Israelites and again the Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and the Egyptians are plagues with death of cattle, boils and hail

10 Moses again asks Pharaoh to free the Israelites and again the Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and Egypt is plagued with locusts, darkness

11 Moses is told that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened and that all the firstborn in Egypt will be killed

12 The firstborn of Egypt are killed, but the Israelites are passed over

　

13 The Israelites leave Egypt and take the bones of Israel (Jacob) with them.

14 God hardens Pharaoh’s heart again and Pharaoh chases the Egyptians to the sea. When they reach the sea, it is parted for the Israelites to pass and closed against the Egyptians.

15:1-18 A song of praise to God for all He has done to bring the Israelites out of captivity

　

Application

This section of the Bible troubled me as a young person. It troubled me because I did not really understand why God continually hardened Pharaoh’s heart against the Israelites. It seemed to me not to be fair for God to punish Pharaoh for not letting the Israelites go free when God continually hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites free. As an older person, I realize that I do not have to understand the story for it to be a good and proper exercise of God’s power. After all, God is God and all that is on the earth is His creation. God has the power and authority to do what he wants with anything on the earth. If He saw fit to harden Pharaoh’s heart and to use the plague of the Egyptians to show His people the Israelites His wonder, power and majesty, it was good and proper. It reminds me of things that happen in my own life. At times things go very wrong and no matter how I fast and pray and believe, things do not work out the way I want. I see people around me suffer hurt and wrong. I see people who should do things my way do the opposite seemingly intentionally and to my harm. However, when this happens I remember that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I know that I do not have to understand why thing happen for them to be the will of God or part of his plan, just as my children only see that I punish them, and not the reason or the lesson I am trying to teach them. I know that I serve a good and wonderful God and even if I do not understand His will, it is His will and it is good. There is an old Andre Crouch song, with the lyrics, "It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous." I plan to try to live my life with this in my mind and to be accepting and grateful for what the Lord does for me and around me.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I ask that you help me to accept and appreciate your will even when it is not what I want or even what I like. I ask that you help me to be more of what you want from me - more accepting of your will, more grateful for your actions, and more of the child you want me to be. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Bible in 90 Days, Day 4

Bible in 90 Days Day 4 Using the SOAP Method (Scripture, Observations, Application, Prayer)

Scripture

Genesis 40:12 to Genesis 50

　

Observations

40 Joseph interprets dreams and is told he will be remembered when his captors are free, but he is not

41 Joseph’s former cell mates remember him and tell Pharaoh that he can interpret dreams and Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and Joseph is rewarded

42 Joseph’s brothers come to him to buy grain and do not recognize him

43 Joseph’s brothers return to him again to buy grain and he feasts with them and they still do not recognize him

44 Joseph sets his baby brother up to appear as a thief in order to keep him in Egypt

45 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and rejoices with them, Israel learns Joseph is alive and plans to go see Joseph in Egypt

46 Israel travels to Egypt to see Joseph

47 Israel comes to Egypt and he and his children are given good positions, the people of Israel give up their cattle and land to Egypt in exchange for food, Isreal(Jacob) asks to be buries with his people, not in Egypt

48 Jacob blesses Joseph’s children, and gives the younger the greater blessing as happened with Jacob and his elder brother Esau

49 The twelve tribes of Israel are described

50 Jacob dies and Joseph’s brothers become afraid, but Joseph comforts his brothers by saying "ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" and Joseph dies

Application

There are so many parts of these passages that apply in my life. So many things that mirror my life and that I need to work on, pray about and deal with. I think the most applicable to day is the section dealing with how Joseph interpreted dreams for his fellow captors and was told he would be remembered when they were restored to power, but was not. It reminds me not of the sibling relationship, but of motherhood. Often we do things for our children, cook, clean, heal the sick, pray, homework, plan for fun, keep a home and so many other things and our children seem to think we do nothing at all. It does not change the fact that as mothers it is our job, obligation and duty to do these things. We are given our children as gifts from God and must do what we must for our children.

Our reward is that in the end we are remembered for our mothering duties. Just as at the end, the captor remembered Joseph and referred him to Pharaoh, our children will remember the work we put into taking them from crayons to perfume/cologne and thank us. As is it says in Proverbs, will can look forward to the day when our "children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:28 How interesting, often the Joseph story is thought of as a story about siblings, but as with many things in the Bible, there are numerous interpretations and lessons to be learned.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you for allowing me to be the mother to four children. I thank you for the kindness you showed in giving me that gift. I thank you for giving me a cup of children that runneth over. I ask that you help me in my job of mother. Help me to be the kind of mother you want me to be. Please help me to improve where I need to be improve. Strengthen me where I am weak and make me more of what I am, but more of what I need to be. And as always, I will give you the praise, glory and the honor. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.