The Voice

Reading Galatians 3 for Tuesday, November 25th. All christians are saved by believing, not by observing the law. The law brings death.

Reading Galatians 2 for Monday, November 24th. Paul’s mission to the Gentiles is accepted. Paul opposed Peter because he stopped living according to the gospel, but reverted to fearing the law as practiced by the circumcision group, and enforced Jewish laws on the Gentiles.

Reading Job 7 for Saturday, November 22nd. Job asks God why he is being subjected to this great suffering. What wrong has he done? If so, would he not still be able to forgive him?

Reading Job 6 for Friday, November 21st. Job asks why his friends accuse him of wickedness. He asks for evidence. He yearns to die.

Reading Job 5 for Thursday, November 20th. Eliphaz suggests Job’s curse could be from folly and reprimands his attitude for complaining.

Reading Job 4 for Wednesday, November 19th. Eliphaz speaks to Job.

Reading Job 3 for Tuesday, November 18th. Job wishes be had not been born, or that he were dead, for then he would be comforted in heaven. As it was, he was suffering.

Reading Job 2 for Monday, November 17th. Satan believed that Job would curse God if his flesh was attacked. God allowed Satan to inflict painful sores as long as he did not kill him. Job’s wife was no support and his friends mourned for him.

Reading Job 1 for Saturday, November 15th. Job, who was upright was tested because Satan wanted to prove that he was righteous only because God blessed him so much. His wealth and children were killed, but he still praised God.

Reading Esther 10 for Friday, November 14th. Mordecai was held in high esteem by the Jews for his advocacy and was highly regarded by the king.

Reading Esther 9 for Thursday, November 13th. The Jews defended themselves and wiped out their enemies, then Purim was celebrated to commemorate the victory after mourning and established regularly to be celebrated for two days every year.

Reading Esther 8 for Wednesday, November 12th. The king allowed Mordecai to issue another edict on his behalf to allow the Jews to protect and defend themselves and plunder their enemies. Also, Mordecai was given Haman’s property.

Reading Esther 7 for Tuesday, November 11th. At Esther’s banquet, she requested the lives of her people and herself and implicated Haman. This enraged the king. Then Haman begged Esther for mercy, which looked like molesting to the angry king, so Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai as suggested by a… Continue reading Esther 7

Reading Esther 6 for Monday, November 10th. The king reflected on his history because of his trouble sleeping, and realized that Mordecai never was recognized for exposing the assassin’s plot to kill the king. In the morning, Haman was asked for creative direction for honoring someone, and gave it, thinking it was for himself. The… Continue reading Esther 6

I spoke at my local church men’s Breakfast about being a man of peace. Here are my notes: Men’s Breakfast Talk: Peace Isaiah 9:6 NIV [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty… Continue reading Men’s Breakfast Talk: Peace

Reading Esther 5 for Saturday, November 8th. When Esther entered the king’s court, he allowed her to live. Then he offered her a pre-approved request for up to half of the kingdom. She requested a dinner date with him and Haman, then another banquet to present her real request. Haman was proud to be asked… Continue reading Esther 5

Reading Esther 4 for Friday, November 7th. Mordecai mourns for the edict that would have all the Jews killed and plundered. Esther noticed his sadness and sends and receives messages about the edict and a possible solution involving her. Esther calls for a three day fast, then decides to risk her life to approach the… Continue reading Esther 4

Reading Esther 3 for Thursday, November 6th. Haman gets promoted, Esther’s Foster dad refuses to bow, and Haman angrily decided to legally plot the demise of all the Jews in the kingdom.

Reading Esther 2 for Wednesday, November 5th. All young women were gathered to be groomed and treated to be presented to the king as possible candidates. Esther was chosen to be queen, because the king was attracted to her. Then her foster dad overheard a plot to assassinate the king, told Esther, who told the… Continue reading Esther 2

Reading Esther 1 for Tuesday, November 4th. The king is disrespected by the queen’s refusal to come and be shown off, so he consults advisers who instruct him to banish her and choose a new queen who respects him, for the sake of all households in the kingdom.

Reading Nehemiah 13 for Monday, November 3rd. Nehemiah pulls the hair of those who intermarry with foreigners.

Reading Nehemiah 12 for Saturday, November 1st. The wall was dedicated.

Reading Galatians 1 for Friday, October 31st. Warnings are given for other gospels, that they are false gospels and those who deliver such gospels are in grave spiritual danger.

Reading 2 Corinthians 13 for Thursday, October 30th. Paul speaks about his third visit to Corinth. He asks them to test that they are really Christians. Then he blesses them.

Reading 2 Corinthians 12 for Wednesday, October 29th. Paul continues discussing his boasts, but mentions that the “thorn in his flesh” is where God’s strength is made perfect.

Reading 2 Corinthians 11 for Tuesday, October 28th. Paul writes as a fool to make his point.

Reading 2 Corinthians 10 for Monday, October 27th. Don’t brag about yourself. Let God lift you up.

Reading 2 Corinthians 9 for Saturday, October 25th. Give cheerfully and generously as though planting seeds.

Reading Nehemiah 11 for Friday, October 24th. 10 percent of the people live in Jerusalem, while the other 90 percent stay in their own towns.

Reading Nehemiah 10 for Thursday, October 23rd. The people signed an agreement committing to take care of the Temple.

Reading Nehemiah 9 for Wednesday, October 22nd. The Israelites put their apology to God in writing, recognizing their history of turning away after He blesses them.

Reading Nehemiah 8 for Tuesday, October 21st. Ezra read the law to the people gathered, and they were grieved, but were asked not to mourn, because it was not the proper time to mourn. then they made booths to live in outside near their houses.

Reading Nehemiah 7 for Monday, October 20th. The wall was finished and the gates were guarded. Everyone registered to validate their being the exiles that left in the first place. some did not have their paperwork, though

Reading Nehemiah 6 for Saturday, October 18th. People keep trying to stop the building and repairs through intimidation and lies.

Reading Nehemiah 5 for Friday, October 17th. Nehemiah reprimands the Israelites for charging interest to their brothers, forcing them into bondage.

Reading Nehemiah 4 for Thursday, October 16th. Some opposed the rebuilding of the wall, but Israel adapted to their threats by adding guards and spears to their tools.

Reading Nehemiah 3 for Wednesday, October 15th. Details about the workers building the wall.

Reading Nehemiah 2 for Tuesday, October 14. The king asks his cupbearer why his face is sad. Then he is allowed to go rebuild Jerusalem with provisions and security.

Reading Nehemiah 1 for Monday, October 13th. Nehemiah confesses the sins of the people and admits their guilt.

Reading Ezra 10 for Saturday, October 11th. Ezra wept and mourned over the sin of Israel, but someone suggested separating from the wives and children they had.

Reading Ezra 9 for Friday, October 10th. The people sinned by intermarrying with people who practiced idolatry and didn’t acknowledge God.

Reading Ezra 8 for Thursday, October 9th. Families are listed of those who return with Ezra to Jerusalem. Note a correction from reading in bold: “Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and… Continue reading Ezra 8

Reading Ezra 7 for Wednesday, October 8th. Ezra is given authority to appoint leaders and travel and other things to facilitate the building and operations of the temple.

Reading Ezra 6 for Tuesday, October 7th. The king, Darius, decreed that the rebuilding not only would be allowed, but also supported, and that any who interfered would be impaled.

Reading Ezra 5 for Monday, October 6th. Some people tried to stop the rebuilding by sending a report about it, but did not stop them.

Reading Ezra 4 for Saturday, October 4th. A Letter was written to the king to convince him to stop the rebuilding efforts. It worked.

Reading Ezra 3 for Friday, October 3rd. The altar was made and the first sacrifices were burned. Rejoicing commenced before the work started.

Reading Ezra 2 for Thursday, October 2nd. People are listed, though some did not have their paperwork ready.

Reading Ezra 1 for Wednesday, October 1st. King Cyrus allows the Israelites to return from exile to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

Reading 2 Corinthians 8 for Tuesday, September 30th. Live to please God, and it is ok to be also approved of by men.