read the Bible

Most people think about reading the Bible in a year, or in a lifetime. So where did 90 days come from? We interviewed Ted Cooper, the founder of the Bible in 90 Days program, to find out how he drew up three months as an appropriate time frame, and why this former skeptic even started to read the Bible. Find out and hear for yourself how God took ahold of Ted’s life through His word.

We all think about what we need to be doing and doing better in a brand-new year and that includes reading the Bible, doesn’t it?

For as many people who have now done this, there are still tens of millions, hundreds of millions, even billions of people who haven’t, so this is the crusade, this is the mission, to help all of God’s people read God’s word.

Tell us what was going on in your life when you even started to read the Bible.

This all started for me back in 1999. We were at a point where I was agnostic, my wife was agnostic, and we had three children at that point who were getting to the age where they were impressionable. And we decided that rather than have them grow up in a non-Christian household or in a household in which we were blatantly disavowing God and Jesus Christ, we thought, well gosh, you know, let’s let them go to church, be in Sunday School and make up their own minds. We had otherwise remained silent on the subject. So we decided to bundle them up, throw them in a car one Sunday, take them to a church that we knew had a great youth program, and that I had in fact attended as a child, and walked through the door with them. And as we joke now, that was our big mistake. Becky and I crossed the threshold ourselves.

You were Thomas. You were a doubter.

I had gone to church as a child, gone through in fact, even the confirmation process, but very much the kicking-and-screaming approach and did it more than anything else because it was going to make my parents happy. And I walked away from that. The bottom line was that we were agnostic, and I’ve always felt that the reason we were agnostic was we just weren’t brave enough to be atheists. We weren’t brave enough to say, “No, absolutely, there is no God.” But we just don’t think that there is one, and even if there is, why waste the time, frankly? Why waste our lives wondering about this thing that will never be proven, until in fact we die? That was very much my mindset. However, let’s don’t impose that thinking on our children. And if we were wrong, we didn’t want to impose that on them.

We joined a class called Discovery 101 that was led by a wonderful pastor by the name of Carl Hamilton, and a woman by the name of Susan Ray. They just did a wonderful job, for four weeks, of introducing what were prospective members of the church to the Christian faith, to the faith as practiced by that church. So we just went, and thought, “Well, we’ll see what they have to say.” And frankly, we would leave every week, kind of shaking our head, and going, boy, they’ve got this wrong. I remember vividly the opportunity to study the prodigal son. And Becky and I both left there thinking, “Wow, that’s just all about bad parenting.” But what did happen during this particular hour each week for four weeks, was that Carl Hamilton would ask a question, pose a question, that I just couldn’t answer, that my worldview couldn’t answer. And that would make me mad. And he suggested that the Christian worldview really did have the answer. This made me mad, it took me out of my comfort zone, and I wanted back in my comfort zone just as quickly as possible. The noodling that I did arrived at a point … and the plan was, I want to get back into my comfort zone, the way that I can do that is to actually read the book that’s supposed to tell me all about the Christian faith and I needed to do it and do it as quickly as possible so that I could go back to my disbelief and my own comfortable life.

Ted, how did you work this out? You’re a linear thinker, and you decided you wanted to check the book out to see if it was really true. 

I’m a businessman and I was used to thinking in terms of projects and I was used to thinking through things, how I make sure this project was going to be successful. This particular project was to read all of God’s word. I knew and had met plenty of people who had started out to read the entire Bible and the vast majority had failed. So I thought through the process of what kind of resource do I need, and that would mean a particular Bible, what would be the timeframe that would be successful for me, and in my case, I thought, “I won’t stick with it over a year.” And so 90 days made a lot of sense for me. I thought, “I can do anything for three months.”

It’s amazing that you did this, and went to all this trouble, to not believe in something—that you didn’t expect to be having any impact in your future or in your kid’s lives, either. But you started the project, and you started reading the Bible through in 90 days. So I guess, as they say, the rest is history, but what happened?

The first half, I was reading along. I was trying to be very open-minded about it. I didn’t want to go in with a defeatist attitude. I didn’t expect to have my mind changed by it, but I didn’t want to read it in such a way that I would clearly not have my mind changed by it. So with a fairly open mind, I started reading it. I kept reading it. I read 12 pages a day. And darned if halfway through, I didn’t realize that I was actually believing what I reading.

For anyone who’s never read the Bible all the way through, you were still in the Old Testament, you hadn’t even gotten to the New Testament yet, had you? 

I was still in the Old Testament, somewhere in Isaiah or Jeremiah. And you know, this was my first time through. I wasn’t keeping them straight, which one was which. But yes, in the Old Testament, and then back in the major prophets, which is not a particularly likely place to become a believer, but I did.

So you actually lost your agnosticism somewhere between Isaiah or Jeremiah. The spirit of the living God was actually speaking to you.

I believe so. I wouldn’t believe it before. But at this moment, this great revelation was, I believe this. It changed my life so dramatically and yet so subtly at the same time. When I woke up the next morning, I still had the same personality, I still had a lot of the same quirks and approaches to life and my compass had been changed. The big issue for me had been, I had always thought that I was in control. And once I accepted that there is a God, and that He sent his son to die for his sins, to be our savior, I had to accept that I wasn’t in charge but that he was in charge, is in charge. And if I’m going to have a life that has meaning, I better figure out what the creator’s plan for me is, and get with the picture.

I am so amazed. This is a risky thing. If you do not believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior, you know in your heart that you’re not a believer, we’re going to ask you to do this, but you better be careful for what you ask for.

I think that’s what people’s big fear is. And I do understand it, coming from one side to the other. The neat thing that I can guarantee is that if you take the leap, you will not regret it. If we accept the notion that God created us, that He created this incredible universe, with wonderful blessings, and also horrible tragedies, then what we want to do, I believe, is be on His team. And if we’re not, then what we have to understand is, that we’re in a battle against the creator. And that doesn’t make any sense. We’re not going to win that battle. So as much as we may fear change at any point in time, the great thing is, he has wonderful plans in store for us.

And I can tell you, 13 years ago, I would have been very, very cynical if I heard somebody telling me. What I would just ask people, invite people, very heartily to do, is to go find out for yourself. That is a big part of what we think the mission of this ministry is, to help people find out for themselves what this wonderful scripture says. God gave us this gift. And most of us including the vast majority of Christians, have never fully unwrapped it. Please do. When you do, you get to respond to it. You get to decide whether it makes you happy, it makes you mad, it makes you knowledgeable, it confuses you. You go through this process, and I think you’re going to come out on the other end going, “Gosh, I’m glad I did that.”

As the leader of the 80-year-old Haven Ministries, Charles Morris is always thinking of ways to lead Christians and non-Christians to Christ—hence the familiar slogan, “Telling the great story … it’s all about Jesus.” Charles is a former secular journalist, working for United Press International, and a former press secretary for two U.S. senators. After seminary, he started working in the Christian world, coming to Haven as the fourth speaker in 2000. He and his wife Janet are looking forward to their soon-to-be-released book Missing Jesus: Find Your Life in His Great Story.

“How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:2).

This week we are solidly in the prophetic section of the Old Testament as we read the end of Isaiah and all of Jeremiah. So far we have covered books of historical narrative, law, and wisdom literature. In the prophetic literature the tone, message, and style changes significantly from prior books.

We have already seen Israel and Judah subjected to exile. And we have seen some who returned to God. Isaiah and Jeremiah are reminders that God had sent prophets warning His people away from their sin and begging them to return to Him. In fact, Isaiah’s whole life was dedicated to imploring the people of Israel to return to God!

At this point we can see that Israel has fallen far, her former glory a distant memory. Yet God’s glorious promises remain. Abraham’s line has grown through the generations, but it does not yet number more than the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore. These promises are still waiting for their ultimate fulfillment. And that great day is now closer than before.

Isaiah 14:1—Jeremiah 33:22   Themes

Isaiah  Throughout Isaiah, God tells the Israelites that they have cursed God and will therefore be cursed if they don’t turn from their ways. Israel had already succumbed to the Assyrians. Judah was now threatened with destruction by the Babylonians. God had called Isaiah to tell Israel to turn from her ways and avoid his wrath. It is a warning that still echoes to our ears.

And yet, Isaiah overflows with hope and a deep longing for the coming Messiah. We see shadows of Him in the first chapters, and it ultimately the messianic theme culminate in chapter 53 with the “suffering servant.” In fact, throughout Jesus’ future ministry it would often be the words of Isaiah used to describe and authenticate it.

This is an incredible picture of the biblical tension that exists throughout Scripture – that a holy and just God will punish sin, yet will Himself pay the ultimate price to rescue the people He loves.

Jeremiah   Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet.” This book of prophecy is also full of messianic themes predicting the coming Messiah, and also foretells a new covenant between God and His people.

Throughout his writing, Jeremiah pleads with his countrymen to turn from evil and repent – but to no avail. God had called Jeremiah to be His witness to a generation that would never listen or repent.

Still, he foretells a day to come when God’s law will be written on the hearts of His people.

 

Encouraging Comments from B90 Readers

Wow, what a difference reading through the Bible in 90 days makes. I’ve just turned 90, and I have tried several reading plans to get through in a year. The readings would often end in the middle of an idea or event, leaving you sometimes wondering where you left off. But reading through in 90 days means you go from one complete event to another. I really can’t wait until tomorrow to see where He is leading us. Just because I’m 90, doesn’t mean I’ve stopped living or waiting. I don’t see anyone in the Old or New Testament retiring. So bring on the kingdom.  

Sugar Ray, Washington

 

I hope it isn’t wrong to say that I am proud of myself, but I am. I have never enjoyed reading the Bible like I have come to now. I find that my focus all day, every day, is to complete my reading. Reading a sufficient amount of Scripture each day gives me a much clearer vision of this awesome Word.

Victoria Clark, Tennessee

B90 Insight of the Week

After seeing Israel fail over and over to keep the law, our first thought might be disbelief: “How could they be such incredible failures?” But our second thought, if we’re honest, is that we are the incredible failures as well.

At the end of Isaiah and Jeremiah, God offers hope through the promise of a new covenant. Israel turned from God and suffered His punishment, but God would send one person who would listen and obey Him. And even better, He would listen and obey on the behalf of others.

How much does God love you that He would see your failures, forgive you, then see you as righteous because of Christ?


The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

With week eight completed, you are now more than two-thirds of your way through the Bible!

The readings for the coming week are fascinating. All of the prophecies are forward-looking. Some will come to pass in the lifetime of the exiles, others will come to pass before the end of the New Testament, but some of it remains a mystery even today from our vantage point.

Doubtlessly you will find yourself asking questions for which there are no apparent answers in the text. This is where keeping the 90-day schedule gets difficult. It’s tempting to stop and consult a study Bible or a commentary, but if you do it will be difficult to complete each day’s reading.

When you come upon an intriguing passage and have a question, discipline yourself to wait until you complete your reading. Then go check out what your study notes have to say. This discipline will help motivate you to get through your reading and stay on track!

Jeremiah 33:23 — Daniel 8:27 Themes

Jeremiah  As Israel continues to reject God and persist in sin, we see God’s judgment and faithfulness beautifully intertwined. Israel claims God has rejected them, but here is His response:

I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws that govern night and day, earth and sky. I will never abandon the descendants of Jacob or David, my servant, or change the plan that David’s descendants will rule the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead, I will restore them to their land and have mercy on them.
(Jer 33:25-26)

A new covenant is coming and God will not desert His people!

Lamentations   The prophecies and warnings of Isaiah and Jeremiah have come to pass. Israel had placed their hope in countless things that were not God, and now they must realize the futility and foolishness of their disobedience. Jerusalem is gone. The temple is gone. Their ability to worship God as prescribed in the books of Moses is gone. Has God deserted His people?

This is a book of lament, full of grief, regret, and desperation for God.  In it we see God’s purpose for the exile of His people as their hard hearts soften into repentance. They knew they deserved to be destroyed completely, but God had allowed them to survive as a people. From the poet-writer of Lamentations, here is their response to God’s mercy:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
(Lam 3:22-23)

God knows what He is doing!

Ezekiel   Ezekiel is a book of prophecy written by the man who bears the same name, overlapping the time period in which Lamentations was written. Ezekiel was one of 10,000 people taken as a captive by Nebuchadnezzar into Babylon. There his visions and prophecies explained to Israel what was happening to them.

The central theme of this book, as noted in How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, is that “God’s presence is the key to life.”

As God’s presence departed from the temple, so did the life of the nation of Israel. They were dying a slow death, but were stubbornly unwilling to repent until they were completely conquered and all of their former glory was gone.

The most poignant moment comes as Ezekiel looks out over a valley of dry bones, symbolizing God’s people. But God says to the bones, “I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” (Ez 37:5)

It would be more than 600 years before the fulfillment of this prophecy would take place, as Emmanuel (God with us) brings life and the very presence of God back to His people in a way no one expected.

Daniel   Next to the book of Revelation, Daniel contains more eschatological (end-times) prophecy than any other book of the Bible. Daniel was only a young boy when the exile to Babylon took place. He was quickly identified as someone with a promising future and was selected to be groomed for service to the very king who had just defeated Israel and carried her into captivity.

Amazingly, Daniel serves a pagan king with integrity and excellence, while remaining faithful to God. When faced with a crossroads, he always chooses obedience to God, even at the cost of losing his own life. But God miraculously preserves his life year after year.

 

Encouraging Comments from B90 Readers

Lamentations is such a sad, sad book…yet one of my most favorite passages comes in the middle of it: Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lam. 3:21-23)

Nancy, California

B90 Insight of the Week

Referencing the lessons of the book of Ezekiel, Bible commentator Michael Williams notes that, like Israel, “A lot of us have spiritual attention deficit disorder. We get so distracted by the things that surround our lives that we forget where our life comes from in the first place.”

Can you relate? It will be a couple more weeks before we get there, but this theme shows up prominently in the Gospel of John. Jesus tells us in John 4 that He is the “Living Water” who sustains life. And again in John 6 that He is “true bread and true drink,” more important to our continued existence than our next meal.

The weaknesses of Israel are our weaknesses too. We are quick to forget that all life comes from and is sustained by God Himself. And we are so apt to place our hope in things that are not God.

So today ask the Lord to remind you that true life is found in Him. Ask God to make you even more hungry for His Word and for His presence.


The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

Welcome to week 10! You are now about to crest the hill and enter into the New Testament.

Take a moment and look at what you’ve accomplished so far. You’ve packed 63 days of straight Bible reading under your belt. You have read 862 chapters of Scripture. And now you have just a few, short weeks left. That’s worth celebrating.

And now look back on what you’ve learned. You have studied God’s law for the Israelites. You’ve seen the power of the Lord deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, turning them into a real nation. You’ve seen kings rise and fall, God’s people taken into exile, and the Israelites return to the Promised Land.

You’ve read history, poetry, and prophecy. Now you will finish the Old Testament by reading the Minor Prophets and enter the turning point of all history – the moment everything has been leading up to – the coming of the Messiah.

Daniel 9:1 – Matthew 26:56 Themes

Daniel  In the first half of Daniel, you read what most people think of when referring to this particular Old Testament character. But after chapter 7, this book starts looking more like Revelation. When you get to the end of you’re the 90-Day-Challenge, remember what you read in this book.

Pre-Exile Prophets
These men prophesied to the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel in the time leading up to the exile.

  • Hosea is the first to appear, though he was the last to prophecy in the Northern Kingdom before the Assyrians took them into exile. He was told to marry a prostitute and then, when she inevitably cheated on him, he was told to take her back. Through these circumstances, Hosea is an example of God.  He also married an unfaithful bride – Israel. But what does God do? He takes her back. Does she deserve it? No. Will God take us back? Yes. Do we deserve it? No.
  • Joel prophesied during a time of severe drought and a plague of locusts. His main message to the Israelites is that the day of the Lord is coming, bringing judgment before restoration.
  • Amos spoke of false religiosity. He told the people that God was not interested in religious routines, but rather in the heart of His followers. Amos foretold that Israel would face judgment, but God would be merciful.
  • Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. He prophesied against the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. They took advantage of Judah when they were attacked by the Babylonians. But God repays injustice.
  • Jonah is the most well known minor prophet because of his compelling story. He runs from God, gets swallowed by a large fish, and is purged once he finally repents. But what happens when he finally gets to Nineveh? This book teaches us that no one is outside the realm of God’s mercy and compassion.
  • Micahsaw the coming judgment for Israel, but he also saw the coming restoration. The Lord sentences Israel for her crimes, but God will not stay angry forever. Micah also told of the One who would come out of Bethlehem to “be our peace.”
  • Nahum also had to preach to the people of Nineveh. Many years after Jonah, the repentant people of Nineveh sunk back into sin, and Nahum came to proclaim judgment. This time there was no repentance and God did not let the guilty go unpunished. They did not realize that God is the true shelter of peace for those who trust in Him.
  • Habakkuk lived in a time of violence, conflict, and injustice among God’s people. God tells Habakkuk that He is raising the Babylonians to come and bring justice to Judah. But the Babylonians were worse sinners than the Israelites. Why would they be chosen to bring the judgment to Israel?
  • Zephaniah came after Habakkuk to proclaim the judgment to come. But the people of Israel were ignoring God, saying, “The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.” Zephaniah proclaimed judgment, but, echoing the future message of Jesus, he also preached that there is security and safety in the Lord.

Post-Exile Prophets
These men prophesied to the Israelites when they were released to return to the Promised Land and rebuild the temple. This took place in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.

  • Haggai urged the Israelites to reorient their priorities. When they were being discouraged by their neighbors, they became stagnant and stopped rebuilding. How did Haggai respond? He proclaimed the glory and majesty of the temple to be a symbol for peace and blessing – which would inevitably point them to the coming Messiah.
  • Zechariah was a prophet and priest who had the difficult task of receiving a series of complicated visions. Fortunately for him, and for us, an angel was sent to interpret what he saw. Over and over again, we are pointed to the branch who would come, to the messianic offspring of David, to the day when a Good Shepherd would suffer for His sheep, to remove sin and purify God’s people.
  • Malachi is the final prophet to write an Old Testament book. The temple was finally rebuilt, and Malachi came to remind the people not to turn away from God like their fathers did, but to patiently serve Him. God will fulfill His promises. There will be a Messiah. And His coming will be preceded by a prophet like Elijah, who we all know to be “John the Baptist.”

Matthew 1 – 26:56  As Malachi closes out the Old Testament, you’d expect Matthew to pick up where he left off, right? Wrong. There are 400 years of history that takes place between the testaments – and much has happened.

The Israelites are conquered again, the temple gets desecrated, a family of priests lead a revolt against the Syrian Seleucid Empire, Greece conquers much of the surrounding land, Rome grows to be more powerful than Greece, and Israel is set up under kings who have to answer to the Emperor. Enter King Herod and the census, and we’ve made it to Matthew chapter 1.

As you read the Gospel of Matthew, try reading it from a 1st century Jewish perspective. Matthew was a Jew and he was writing the account of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension in light of all the books you just read.  This is when reading the Bible in such a short amount of time begins to pay off! Now you can finally start putting together the pieces from many of the Old Testament cliffhangers.

 

Encouraging Comments from B90 Readers

When reading at this pace, it’s amazing to see the recurring themes of worship, commands of holiness, and treatment of the poor and needy that run like a fabric throughout Scripture. It truly instructs us how to live! Also, for those who are a little behind (or ahead) in the 90 Day Plan, I can’t help but wonder if the reading you have for today, is precisely what the Lord has for you TODAY! … Hey, only about 3 weeks to go!

Mike Bingham, Florida

On to the New Testament. Having traveled through the Old Testament it’s nice to arrive and meet Jesus the Messiah! Have you noticed how much the Old Testament is quoted in just the first 4 chapters? Thus saith the Scriptures! Confirming and validating everything that had been said. The Word is alive! Having read the Old Testament as fast as I did I love how I see the New Testament in a whole new light. How is everyone who is on track doing? Don’t quit. This Bible bus we are on is on a non-stop course to Revelation:} ALL ABOARD!

Jim Martenson, Michigan

B90 Insight of the Week

“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness’”
– Exodus 34:6

Why quote Exodus when we’re at the end of the Old Testament? Because this verse concisely states who God is and how He revealed Himself throughout history. This verse shows up again and again in the Minor Prophets, and it is what we should all have in mind when reading about God in Scripture.

“Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” – Joel 2:13

How many times do we need to be reminded of who God is? The Israelites needed to be reminded again and again. When we read God’s Word and discover His perfect plan for redemption – we can’t help but respond with thanksgiving and praise.

This week, find the many different ways you can worship the Lord through the reading of His Word. Try to find out something about God that you never knew before and give us your thoughts in the comment section below.


The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

In some ways The Bible in 90 Days is a sprint, but in other ways it’s a marathon. The good news is … you just turned the last corner and the finish line is in sight!  You can almost hear the crowd cheering for you at a distance.

Congrats! Week 11 is here. And by the end of next week, you will have read the entire Bible. What an accomplishment! Of course, more than finishing a great task, you have encountered God in new and deep ways.

Would you take a moment to share with us some of your newfound insights about God’s Word on our website? In doing so, you will encourage others.

The coming week will bring Jesus to the forefront of your attention. He is now clearly the main character of the Great Story, in the flesh, up close, and personal. Each account of Jesus’ life and ministry will give you new perspectives about the same person. The end of the week leads you into “part two” of Luke, where you read about how God expanded and empowered His church through His Spirit in the book of Acts.

Matthew 26:57 – Acts 6:7 Themes

Matthew  What a cliffhanger!  As you finished reading yesterday, you left Jesus before the high priest after He was betrayed in the garden by Judas.  From here, you’ll read about Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. Just before He leaves, He commissions His followers to make disciples around the world.

Mark  Many believe John Mark wrote down the apostle Peter’s reflections about his time with Jesus. Mark describes Jesus as both the Son of God (1:1) and the Son of Man (10:45). The former title represents Jesus’ divinity, and the latter explains His humanity. Both titles fulfill Old Testament prophecy.

Luke  Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament and he approaches the task like a journalist. He examines the stories and interviews eyewitnesses with the desire that anyone who reads his narrative may be certain that the events he reports about are true (1:1-4). Luke, under inspiration from the Holy Spirit, does not shy away from the truth he has learned. He continually reminds us that Jesus is the Savior (2:11) and, near the end of the gospel, that Jesus came to “seek and save the lost” (19:10).

John  The apostle John says he wrote his gospel account so that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:30-31). John does not tell Jesus’ story chronologically as the other three gospels do, but rather chooses important and profound events to support his thesis. In fact John spends nearly 40% of his time documenting the last week of Jesus’ life.  As Pastor Scotty Smith writes, this is “the most crucial week of our Lord’s life and of human history.”

Acts  Following the continuous action that took place after Christ’s resurrection, the “Acts of the Apostles” was written by Luke to document the expanding Kingdom of God. Full of Spirit-powered action, this book covers a period of nearly 30 years and was written to encourage God’s people that Jesus is always working to advance His kingdom and bless His people.

 

Encouraging Comments from B90 Readers

It’s amazing how reading quickly through the Old Testament has illuminated the interconnectedness of the whole Bible. How much later books echo things from earlier books. It is truly faith-building to see the unity that God, the same yesterday, today and forever, the alpha and omega, who was, and is, and is to come, inspired writers from so many different time periods and settings to write down pieces that form such a cohesive whole. Praise His Holy Name!

P.J., Texas

B90 Insight of the Week

The gospels are full of truthful contrasts. Jesus is both God and Man (John 1). Humans are created in God’s image yet full of sin (Luke 15). We were created to know God and enjoy Him, but our sinful desires continually keep us separated from Him (John 3).

Only Jesus can fulfill the law that we broke and take our sin’s penalties (Matthew 5). Only a perfect sacrifice could be acceptable to God (Mark 10:45). That’s why, even before the world was created, our Triune God planned that God the Son would become the God-man and would die so that He could save His people from their sins.

Even those of us who are living in Christ still feel contrast. The guilt of our sin has been lifted, but we still feel tempted (and sometimes give in) to sin because of our flesh. We are already in Christ’s kingdom, and yet His kingdom is still to come. 

That is why Jesus left us His word and His Spirit to give us direction and power to redeem our time and glorify Him in all the earth (Acts 1:8).


The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

You have read more than 1000 chapters of Scripture! God’s plan to save His people has come to pass with the coming of Christ. And the story did not here. Nor did it end after the Resurrection or Ascension.

Much to the joy of Jesus’ friends and followers, and the frustration of Jewish leaders, this was just the beginning. Rather than killing the Author of life Himself, the Crucifixion had only managed to set off a wildfire that would soon spread all over the world!

As we read this week, God was (and still is) making a kingdom for Himself through His church and the power of the Holy Spirit. The plans and ways of God are always different than ours and tend to surprise us. The first century disciples of Jesus would never have guessed their Teacher needed to die so that they could receive the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. But this is exactly how the Lord intended to bring about His kingdom on earth.

Acts 6:8-Philemon 25 Themes

Acts   “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). These were Jesus’ last words to His disciples. They would soon meet the third person of the Trinity who, for the first time in Scripture, would be seen, heard, and recognized by God’s people.

Romans  Being a Christian is much more than just waiting to go to heaven. God calls believers to live as members of a new creation. In the letter to the Roman church, Paul outlines why this should change how they live. He writes, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (3:23). And he shares, “But now a righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (3:21). This does not give us freedom to live however we please, but to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship” (12:1). The good news of faith in Christ completely changes us!

1 Corinthians  Paul saw himself as a father taking care of his spiritual children from far away. He accomplished much of his spiritual parenting by writing to those he called, “my beloved children” (4:14). His “children” in Corinth had split into various divisions, some calling themselves followers of Paul, and others of Apollos or Peter. The young church was sexually immoral, they were bringing lawsuits against each other, and they were marrying unbelievers. They needed to be admonished, but Paul still had great hopes for them. Paul reminds them of the pure simplicity of following Jesus, “I decided to know nothing while I was among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2).

2 Corinthians  Whereas the first letter Paul wrote was a rebuke, the second is softer. He reminds them that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ “comforts us in all our troubles” (1:4) so that we can extend a comforting word to others. Paul points these Christians to place their hope in heaven which, after they have suffered for a little while, will surely come.

Galatians  Paul gets right to the point: “I am astonished you are so quickly turning to a different Gospel” (1:6). Among other things, Jesus’ death and resurrection meant the walls between Jews and Gentiles had been torn down, and this made Jewish people uncomfortable. They wondered if they should go back to their old ways. This letter presents a clear decision that must be made: justification by faith or by works? On this specific point there is no middle ground.

Ephesians  Few books have occupied the attention of those who love God’s Word like Ephesians. The enthusiasm of Paul for the gospel of Jesus Christ is contagious. All you have to do is scan the first chapter and count how many times Paul references Jesus to realize the depth of his passion. The first half focuses on our blessings in Christ and the new reality we live in as children of God. The second half devotes itself to the implications of those truths. Our identify in Christ impacts how we live, what we do privately and in public, how we treat others, and how we make a stand in our world while continuing to grow in Christ.

Philippians  Written from Rome by Paul while he is “in chains” for the gospel, Philippians is a letter to the church in Philippi. It is one of the most joyful books in the Bible, as Paul encourages his readers to rejoice no matter their circumstances. He models it for them as he fixes his eyes on Christ, regarding everything else as “rubbish” by comparison. As you read, look for words and phrases related to joy. There are at least 20 of them in Philippians.

Colossians  One of the so-called “prison epistles,” Colossians was written while Paul endured his first imprisonment in Rome. Unique from other New Testament letters, this one was written to confront specific challenges and heresies that had risen up against the gospel. Most of his attention is placed on the supremacy, sufficiency, and lordship of Jesus Christ over all of creation. It also clarifies the full deity of Christ as Paul writes, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (2:9).

1-2 Thessalonians  Like the church at Philippi, the church at Thessalonica was a fairly healthy church. Paul commends them for their love for each other and for the way they live in eager expectation of the return of Christ. However, shortly after sending the first letter, Paul received a report that the Thessalonians had accepted a false teaching that the “day of the Lord” had already passed. While confronting this false teaching, Paul clarifies several points related to the doctrine of heaven and provides some answers to the age-old question, “What happens when we die?”

1 Timothy  Paul loved Timothy like a son and had travelled extensively with him. Paul likely wrote this letter after being released from his first imprisonment. In it he encourages Timothy to persevere in his ministry and admonishes him to live a life of Christ-centered godliness. This letter is jam-packed with doctrine applicable to life, godliness, and church oversight.

2 Timothy  Written a few years after his first letter to Timothy, this letter is deeply moving. The apostle Paul seems to realize that he has reached the end of his life and ministry. Soon Jesus will call him home and, at least in this life, he will never see Timothy again. Read in this light, 2 Timothy is almost like a last will and testament. But Paul has few earthly possessions to be concerned with. His greatest concern is for Timothy’s faithfulness, effectiveness, and endurance as an overseer and leader of the church.

Titus  Titus is a young pastor who leads the church in Crete. This body of believers has two problems, one on each end of the spectrum. One on hand, they struggle with godless, rule-free living. On the other hand, they struggle with legalistic rule-following. The apostle Paul helps Titus see that the root of the problem is the same – putting hope in the flesh. Paul guides Titus toward the antidote – living in the grace of the Lord Jesus, from which springs godliness motivated by gratitude.

Philemon  Philemon is a unique letter. It is a case-in-point as Paul writes to a wealthy Colossian Christian whose former life was that of a slave owner. Both he and one of his runaway slaves have encountered the grace of Jesus Christ, which presents them both with a conundrum … how to reconcile their past lives with their new identity in Christ. This short letter is as fascinating as it is rich!

 

Encouraging Comments from B90 Readers

I am now reading the exciting story of the birth of the church, and the living presence of Jesus among the early Christians. My thoughts went back to the years the Israelites spent in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. There, too, the living God was manifest among them, but now in the book of Acts, Christians now know Jesus alive & powerful among them. I look forward to the conclusion of the wonderful story in the Book of the Revelation.

Ken Seburn, International

B90 Insight of the Week

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From time to time, we all catch ourselves regarding someone as beyond the reach of God’s grace. At times, in our heart of hearts, we may not even want them to repent and turn to Jesus. Somehow it feels justifiable to condemn them in our hearts for the evil they have done or the things they stand for.

The life of Saul-who-became-Paul is a powerful testimony to the fact that nobody is beyond the reach of God’s grace! Aren’t you glad that this persecutor of the church and accessory to murder encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus?

Next time you find yourself regarding someone as unworthy of God’s grace, stop to consider the matter from another perspective. How greatly would this person’s conversion showcase the saving power of Jesus Christ! Instead, pray that, like Saul, they might become a Paul for the glory of God.


The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

Only one week left! Throughout the last 12 weeks surely there have been times when the finish line seemed impossible to reach. But here you are in the home stretch. Take a moment to praise God for His faithfulness.

What sections or themes in your reading of the Scriptures stood out? Which of these would you like to study further? Please post on this page to encourage others as you finish strong!

This week you will read the “Non-Pauline Epistles.” These letters were written by some of Jesus’ disciples and close followers. Though Jesus was no longer physically on earth, His church was growing and needed guidance. These letters show continuity in doctrine and serve as encouragement to all Jesus’ followers.

Hebrews – Revelation Themes

Hebrews   Some scholars believe that Paul wrote this epistle, but since it wasn’t “signed” by him they refrain from calling it a “Pauline epistle.” This letter further explains God’s plan of redemption for both the Jew and the Gentile, and how it’s fulfilled in the person of Jesus, the promised Messiah. The first few words of Hebrews powerfully describe Jesus as, “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (1:3).

James  It is easy to read James’ epistle as a “list of rules” that Christians must follow in order to be saved. In fact, James even states, “faith without works is dead.” One of the most misquoted verses from the Bible, this verse is used by many cults to promote “works-based salvation.” However, we must read and interpret James in its entirety. In the last chapter, he reminds us that God “gives more grace” (4:6). This is not an excuse to keep sinning, but a reminder to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (4:10).

1 Peter  Both of Peter’s epistles were written with the heart of a pastor for his flock. In the first epistle, Peter reminds his readers, who were suffering in life, that it was God’s great mercy that saved them and gave them “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable” (1:3-8). It is this living hope in Jesus that abides in our lives and helps us endure suffering. Christ gives us the strength so we can “stand firm” in Him (5:10-14).

2 Peter  Peter once again felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to admonish his brothers and sisters in Christ because of the heretical teachings and destructive stories which had begun to creep into the church. He encourages his fellow believers to “be on guard” against these false teachings and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (3:17-18).

1, 2 & 3 John  As he neared the end of his life, John, “the disciple Jesus loved,” was the only original disciple still living. As a spiritual father he shows his affection for his fellow members in Christ when he addresses them as “dear children.” John’s first letter encourages us to be more like Christ. He explains that God is love and, if we are in Christ, we can love like Him (ch. 4).

John’s second and third epistles talk about hospitality. He teaches that our full hospitality cannot extend towards false teachers and their teachings, but we are instructed to be welcoming towards those who are in Christ.

Jude  Jude, the brother of James, writes this epistle to encourage fellow believers to “contend for the faith” (3) and avoid false teachers (4). He reminds us that we cannot “live” a godly life without Jesus. It is He who “keeps us from stumbling” and it is He who will present us “blameless” to the Father (24-25).

Revelation  This final book was written to the “seven churches” that were facing very real challenges in their day. John reminds us that Jesus Himself walks in the midst of His churches, encouraging the faint and exhorting the lukewarm. Despite your interpretation of how some of the “apocryphal” descriptions will play out in the future, the ultimate purpose of Revelation is to encourage all followers that Jesus will triumph over evil. The Lamb will win! (19:1-21)

 

Encouraging Comments from B90 Readers

I am almost there! It has been extremely tough keeping up with it but I am keeping up. It has been a lot of fun and I have learned a lot.

Elizabeth Bell, Connecticut

I started late and it has been a struggle to catch up … wanted to finish with everyone today, but here I am on Day 81 … what I find amazing about God’s ways … is that wherever I am His Word is pertinent to the things I am going thru … God speaks thru His Word, it is alive and active in my life and I am so thankful. This has been a real discipline for me to read so much in a day, and not to stop and study … and it still takes me a lot longer than half an hour. : )

Marilyn, International

B90 Insight of the Week

Well done! You have now finished reading through the Bible in 90 Days. Now what will you do with your time? We want to encourage you to keep reading.

Some people will turn back to Genesis and start it all over again (perhaps at a slower pace this time). Others will select a book that really stood out to them and begin to dig deeper. Maybe you want to look closer at Isaiah and read more about the promised Messiah. Or maybe you want to look closer at the gospel of Matthew and read how Jesus fulfilled the promises of Isaiah.

No matter where you go next in the Bible, we want to encourage you to stay connected with God through His word. It is the only trustworthy place where you can read and hear His thoughts about life. And He’s given it to us so that we can grow closer to Him.


The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

From the very first words of the Bible, the foundation for all of human history is laid out – creation, the fall of humanity, and God’s promise to redeem us from the curse of sin.

The first week of your 90-day challenge should be an enjoyable one. This section is fast-paced and covers a lot of ground. Pay close attention as you read stories that may be quite familiar. God has a way of bringing fresh insight to what we have heard and read many times before.

And if you get behind, don’t be discouraged! Pick up where you left off. Or catch up by going to a coffee shop, settling in for a couple of hours, and maybe even getting ahead! 

Genesis – Exodus:   Themes

Genesis and Exodus are packed with stories tracing the history of one particular family, often with great attention to detail. Here are the major characters and storylines to watch for:

  • Gen 1-11: Creation to Babel
  • Gen 12-25: The Life of Abraham
  • Gen 26-36: The lives Isaac and Jacob
  • Gen 37-50: The story of Joseph and how the family of Jacob came to Egypt
  • Exodus 1-4: God Calls Moses
  • Exodus 5-11: Moses Returns to Pharaoh
  • Exodus 12-15: Passover and God’s Deliverance
  • Exodus 16-23: Ten Commandments and Giving of the Law
  • Exodus 24-31: The Tabernacle and Worship
  • Exodus 32-40: Israel Sins, God Forgives, then God Comes to Abide with His People

Genesis and Exodus are full of stories foreshadowing God’s great plan of salvation through Jesus. Look for this especially in the stories of Noah, God’s promise to Abraham, and Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery. Consider the parallels between the details of the Passover and the cross of Christ, such as the blood of the sacrifice covering those who took shelter under it as the angel of death passed over. This is perhaps the greatest foreshadowing of the cross in all of scripture!

How did God speak to you through His Word this week?

Encouraging Comments from another B90 reader

Like Hagar we cannot run away from our problems….

El Shaddai “I am God Almighty” Or More than enough, Not God I am getting by, More than enough!

Nothing is too hard for God, He gave Abraham and Sarah a son, He can help you too.

I did not realize that after Sarah died, Abraham married again and had several more children.

God has no Grand Children, we each must have our own relationship with Him. We cannot get into heaven on someone elses coat tails.

Wow I am really excited about this, the Holy Spirit is shining light where before I had not understood, I am also reading this in my Life Application NIV, and it sheds alot of info.

Connie L.

B90 Insight of the Week

Again and again Abraham and his descendants sinned terribly against God, often to such an extent that we wonder why God chose them in the first place. Yet God commends the faith of Abraham and confirms His promise to save all nations through him.

This is the same God who calls us to Himself today, not because we are so morally righteous or deserving, but because of His great love for fallen and helpless sinners. So great was His love that even thousands of years beforehand, He shows us evidence of His plan to send His own Son to do what we could not and to bring us back to Himself.

The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

Congratulations!  You’ve completed Week 1 of your 90-day challenge. And in the process you have read hundreds of years of biblical narrative; a family history of sorts that sets up the rest of the Bible!

The plot of God’s great story has taken shape. His perfect world was shattered by our sin and the curse of death held creation captive. But God did not leave us there. He promised to redeem, he showed the dramatic rescue from slavery (a detailed picture of God’s great rescue yet to come), and the journey of God’s people through life as they learn to love, trust, and obey him from the wilderness to Canaan.

When we read these first books of the Bible it can be tough to see ourselves in Israel’s story. It’s tempting to look at the sin of God’s people and wonder how they could be so foolish. And yet, if someone else were to read a history of our life – complete with the details we would rather leave out – would we really look that different than Israel?

As the Apostle Paul later wrote about sin’s continuing presence in our lives, “Nothing has overtaken you except that which is common to man.” God wants us to see our own inability to keep his perfect law, and then see how big a savior we need.

“For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the human flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us…”
Romans 8:3-4

Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy:   Themes

Leviticus  Named for the tribe of Levi, who assisted the sons of Aaron with the priestly duties in the tabernacle. This book gives detailed instructions for various types of offerings and sacrifices.

  • Burnt Offerings:  To make atonement for sin, this sacrifice was totally devoted to the Lord and completely burned.
  • Grain Offerings:  Given to honor God’s provision for life, also includes instructions for other types of “firstfruits” offerings.
  • Fellowship Offerings: Given out of love and devotion for one’s relationship with God.
  • Sin Offering:  For unintentional sins which, although accidental, still made someone impure before God.
  • Guilt Offerings: For sins committed intentionally (sometimes referred to as “sins with a high hand” in defiance of God) to restore relationship with God and atone for the evil committed.

The rest of the book is devoted to instructions for worship, priestly service, laws for cleanliness and daily life.

INSIGHT:  Note how many of the laws and regulations are not simply arbitrary “because-I-said-so” rules, but are for the good of God’s people. In this era of history before germs and diseases were better understood, these laws prescribed basic hygiene that would have made life better for everyone. Indeed ALL of God’s laws are for our own good, that we might live life to the fullest as God lovingly intends!

Numbers  So named because of the censuses taken of God’s people at the beginning and end of the book. Sadly, much of Numbers is the story of how, despite God’s miraculous provision again and again, the Israelites doubt, grumble and rebel against God.

As Michael Williams notes in How to Read the Bible Through the Jesus Lens:

The Israelites had been delivered from Egypt with mighty displays of divine power. Before their very eyes they had witnessed incredible demonstrations of God’s sovereignty … but in the Israelites’ eyes, the visible, physical challenges they saw lying ahead of them in that land seemed greater than the invisible, un-physical God who was with them. Their trust gave way to doubt and rebellion. God’s patience love and forgiveness had to make room for his discipline.

Deuteronomy  The first five books of the Bible are sometimes referred to as “The Law” or the “Books of Moses”. This final book of Moses contain God’s final instructions through Moses to the Israelites. Soonthis great prophet of God will die, and then Joshua will take his place as leader. In effect, Deuteronomy summarizes the previous four books, highlighting events and instructions to remind God’s people to follow Him in faithfulness as they proceed to take the Promised Land.

In the final day of your reading this week, note how Moses summarizes the purpose and intent of the Law:

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.  (Deut 10:12-13)

How did God speak to you through His Word this week?

 

Encouraging Comments from another B90 reader

 

It amazes me how God’s people kept up with all the sacrifices and offerings that they had to make. When I think of all the offerings: the grain offering, the peace offering, the drink offering, the burnt offering, etc., I am thankful that Jesus was all those things because of His life that he poured out for us. And now, He is the perfect sacrifice and there will never have to be another because He has done it once and for all!

Debra Reed

B90 Insight of the Week

You might think Israel would have learned something by now about grumbling against God. But once again, in Numbers 21, Israel’s stomachs growled and the rumblings of discontent began. In response, God sent snakes into the camp whose venomous bites were deadly.

It’s hard to mistake the visual imagery of how God provided relief from the venomous curse of the serpent. When the Israelites repented, God responded by instructing Moses to set up an image of their sin, a bronze snake, on a pole. Anyone who gazed upon – as they were dying – it would be given back their life.

In the same way, later God would raise his own Son on the cross and all who turned from their sins and looked to him would receive eternal life. John 3:14-15: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” Jesus would be lifted up on the cross so that those who grumble and complain against God could turn from their sins and – in him – have eternal life.

The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!

You made it to week three! If you are still on schedule, then you’ve completed one of the hardest weeks in the 90-Day challenge.

If you’ve fallen behind, don’t give up. Reset your schedule and keep going! Maybe you can even plan a date with just you and your Bible and catch up over the weekend.

Last week you read how God’s people were left wandering in the wilderness. The week ended with Moses giving his final instructions to the Israelites on how to live faithfully in the Promised Land.

This week you will leave the books of the Law and read about how God begins to fulfill His promises.

At this point in the 90-Day plan the clear benefit of reading through Scripture at high speed becomes clear. Only a few days ago you read how God promised Abraham that his descendents would inherit the land of Canaan. For Israel the fulfillment of this promise took hundreds of years, but for you – it’s only been two weeks!

Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth & 1 Samuel:   Themes

End of Deuteronomy    Moses blesses and exhorts God’s people before passing the reigns of leadership to Joshua.  After Moses dies, Joshua faces the tough task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land where they are sure to encounter hostility.

Joshua  God uses Joshua to lead His people and give them what He has promised. The first half focuses on God’s fulfillment of His promise by delivering the land of Canaan into the hands of the Israelites.

Along the way we learn the danger of being presumptuous that things will always go our way. We see that looking to the Lord for guidance matters more than anything else.

The second half is devoted to dividing the land among the tribes. God tells Israel He intends them to become a land of justice and worship, but sadly this does not last long.

Judges  The people of Israel are on a downward spiral of chaos and apostasy, so God raises up “judges” in the land to lead the people out of their depravity.

Constantly, the author tells us that this was an era when people “did what was right in their own eyes.” Their behavior turns into a vicious circle of sin, punishment, repentance, peace, and regress. In fact, it can be summed up in this passage:

The Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. (Judges 2:16-17)

Have you ever felt like we live in a similar era today? Secularism is on the rise, and the values of a Christian worldview are increasingly disregarded as irrelevant.

Like Israel in the time of the judges, the whole earth is waiting for the true King to finally deliver creation once and for all.

Ruth  She lived during the time of the Judges. Most of Israel had turned away from God, except for the small group of people in this story. We follow Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, both widows. They are destitute and powerless to change their situation. They need a savior.

Have you ever felt like that?

As you read this and see Boaz step into the roll of “Kinsman Redeemer,” think about how Jesus did this very thing for us by becoming the redeemer who brings the fullness of life to our emptiness.

1 Samuel  This book brings a nice change of pace. We read stories of hope, many of which clearly foreshadow the coming of Christ.

Saul is appointed the first king of Israel, and he seemed the perfect candidate for the job. But things go badly – fast. David is then anointed as the next king of Israel, but before he can don his crown, he will have to live on the run from Saul who is trying to kill him.

You’ll read many of the stories you’ve grown up learning in Sunday school, but instead of drawing out the same moral lesson, try to focus on the character of God. If you do that, you’ll learn more about who God is, what He does, and what life is like with Him and without Him.

 

Encouraging Comments from a B90 Reader

 

As I was finishing chapter 8, I tried to picture Joshua reading ALL of Moses’ words (our Genesis through Deuteronomy) to the WHOLE assembly — ALL the men, women…EVEN the children.  Imagine the patience of the listeners.  Yet, they had just witnessed God’s power and justice and mercy, so they were hungry to hear His voice.  I, too, have witnessed God’s power and justice and mercy in my own life.  He saved me!   May I be hungry to hear His voice…and attentive…and patient.

Nancy

B90 Insight of the Week

One of the most interesting things to discover in Scripture is how God uses unlikely characters to bring about His will. This time, it’s Rahab. Not only was she a Canaanite (the very people Israel was fighting), but she was also a prostitute.

When two Israelite spies are sent to check out Jericho, she hides them and helps them escape. She confesses her faith in the Lord as the true God and King over the land that she was living in.

Much later, we find Rahab to be a great-grandparent of David, and therefore an ancestor of Jesus. Her story is a beautiful picture of how we are not saved by works, but by faith in the living God.

The Bible in 90 Days

Reading the Bible in ninety days is easier than you thought!

Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Fulfill what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible!