The Bible Reading Challenge Presented by VCY

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 18:16-19:38
  Matthew 6:25-7:14
  Psalm 8:1-9
  Proverbs 2:6-15

Genesis 19:24 is a sobering verse that warns about God’s wrath against sin. If you’re like me, you’ve wondered where Sodom and Gomorrah were located. As we study the Bible, we often search the internet for information about the topics we’re interested in. There are a lot of “fake news” sites out there, however (not just sensational reporting, but groups that disbelieve the Bible and seek to minimize the multitudes of evidence for the Bible). The best site that I have found for information on Bible archaeology is the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR). ABR believes this is the site of biblical Sodom. They also share their reasoning for why it is the site of Sodom. The Institute for Creation Research’s (ICR) John Morris is sympathetic to their position, as is Dr. Steve Austin.

Some readers are concerned that Genesis 18:21 contradicts the omniscience of God; however, in Genesis 1:1 God created the entire universe from nothing – He made it all. According to Genesis 6:5, God knew what was in the heart of everyone – He saw it all. Yesterday, in Genesis 18:10, God told Abraham what would happen a year in the future – He knows it all. So, if He made it all, saw it all, and knows it all – He is not like a researcher making a trip to investigate a situation. Rather, this is an anthropomorphism (see Baker’s Bible Dictionary for a helpful definition).

It’s kind of like when the President visits a hurricane disaster site. He goes as an anthropomorphism of the US government, i.e. he goes as an agent of the US government. The government already knows what is going on in Puerto Rico, the government is already working on relief, the government doesn’t learn anything new from the visit, and the president’s personal visit isn’t substantively helpful (e.g. he didn’t reconnect power lines). The visit is merely symbolic to show the residents that the government knows, cares, and wants to help.

Matthew 6:33 was my grandfather’s favorite verse – today we might call it his “life verse.” When we get our priorities right, God takes care of our needs and ofttimes a lot of our wants. Unfortunately, Matthew 7:1 is the life verse of many people today.

Matthew 7:12 – From Earl Martin (Therefore All Things):

Psalm 8 helps us realize how little we have to boast of, but how great our God is that He loves us! Psalm 8 was probably the inspiration for “How Majestic is Thy Name” by Patch the Pirate.

Proverbs 2:6-8 shares the blessings of listening to the Lord. If you don’t have a Bible journaling system, perhaps make a log this year of what God does for us. He gives wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and sound wisdom – He is a buckler, and He keeps paths, preserves our way, and much, much more!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 16:1-18:15
  Matthew 6:1-24
  Psalm 7:1-17
  Proverbs 2:1-5

Genesis 18:2 — Although we’re a week into Genesis, if you’re looking to see the overall structure of the book, Through The Bible with J. Vernon McGee has been making available notes and outlines on each book (including Genesis) for many years. If you wondered if Genesis 18:2 has a reference to the Trinity, what a great opportunity to check some commentaries!

Commentaries are by no means inspired, much less infallible. Some are written by people who deny the inspiration of the Bible – which never really made sense to me. Why would you spend your life studying a book you don’t believe in? Checking multiple commentaries is helpful to see what arguments are made for and against an idea, especially when they cross-reference another Scripture – as Gill did in pointing to John 5:37. Gill argues that this passage proves that Genesis 18 does not refer to the Trinity.

Matthew 6:21 is quite convicting – where are you laying up treasure?

Psalm 7:11 is one of the earliest references we have seen yet this year to the specific doctrine of the wrath of God. We’ve seen God’s wrath exemplified in Genesis, but a focus on it as a teaching has been absent. When we get to Romans 3:25 we can discuss the difference between propitiation and expiation.

Proverbs 2 — Do you think Solomon believes that understanding the fear of the LORD is a casual endeavor?

By the way – the links provided in this devotional are not endorsements but resources that I’ve found helpful. There’s only one book that I’ll endorse 100% without reservation, and that’s the book we’re reading through this year!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 13:5-15:21
  Matthew 5:27-48
  Psalm 6:1-10
  Proverbs 1:29-33

Genesis 14:18 — The next time we see Melchizedek is a thousand years later in Psalm 110. David is telling of a conversation between the LORD and David’s Lord. This reference seemed confusing for the next thousand years until it was explained in Hebrews 7:17.

Matthew 5:48 — After reading through today’s passage and ending up with verse 48 – do you feel imperfect? Join the club (Romans 3:23), but if you have time, do a word study on “be perfect.”

Psalm 6:9 — Looking for another Bible study topic? Try this one: research God hearing your prayers.

Proverbs 1:32 — Do you remember these two individuals? We met them a few days ago.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 11:1-13:4
  Matthew 5:1-26
  Psalm 5:1-12
  Proverbs 1:24-28

We’re back in a genealogy after the tower of Babel. The Adams Synchronological Chart of World History is again a great resource to visualize the genealogies.

But  Genesis 11:27 is not something to skip. We’re introduced to Abram, born in 2166 BC. If you’ve been to the Oriental Institute in Chicago, you’ll see a collection of artifacts from Ur thought to be from the time of Abram. If you go there, you’ll notice Ur was culturally significant and the largest city in the world at the time of Abram. God told him to leave Ur; Genesis 12:1 uses the past perfect to refer to God’s communication to Abram, but it’s interesting that the New Testament in Acts 7:2-4 clarifies when God spoke to Abram.

Matthew 5:14-16 — Earl Martin has a gift for helping believers memorize Scripture:

Matthew 5:23 — We’ll get to the Ten Commandments later, but Jesus is telling people there’s more to keeping the Ten Commandments than just the bare minimum … in fact, you had to not just match the Pharisees, you had to exceed them!

Psalm 5:1-2 — And a bonus song from Earl Martin – watch this memory verse song and you will be hiding God’s Word in your heart!

Proverbs 1:28 — This verse appears to contradict Proverbs 8:17. The key to understanding this seeming contradiction? Isaiah 55:6.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 8:1-10:32
  Matthew 4:12-25
  Psalm 4:1-8
  Proverbs 1:20-23

About the One Year Bible Reading Plan — Some have asked why we’re bouncing around from Genesis to Matthew to Psalms to Proverbs. Many people start reading the Bible “straight through,” and while they’re enjoying the dramatic histories of Genesis, by the time they end up in the Levitical teachings and genealogies (the “less exciting” parts of the Bible), many people get fatigued and quit. I heard a gentleman say that every January he tries to read through the Bible, but he’s read Genesis more than any other book of the Bible. By “bouncing around” you get a mix of the genres (types of writings) in the Bible: Old Testament (law, history, prophets), New Testament (gospels, epistles), Psalms (praise and prayer requests), Proverbs (wisdom literature). As the year progresses, we’ll point out some of the genres and things to look for, especially in Psalms and Proverbs – Hebrew poetry is quite different from English poetry!

Genesis 10:10 is an interesting verse that is referenced in the Special Collections Room at the Cleveland Public Library. I noticed an ancient artifact with a letter above it, and the Librarians were gracious enough to send over a scan of the original letter from the archaeologist. The archaeologist states that this artifact is from the city cited in Genesis 10:10.

Matthew 4:17 is the first mention of the Kingdom of Heaven, a phrase found only in Matthew’s gospel.

Psalm 4:3 is a great promise: “… the Lord will hear when I call unto him.”

Psalm 4:8 — We can sleep because of safety in Him!

Proverbs 1:22 — Take note of the three people who reject wisdom, we’ll meet them quite regularly.

By the way, in Proverbs we’ll see a few themes emphasized repeatedly. Les Ollila has provided some helpful definitions:

The FEAR of God is Practicing the Conscious Awareness of His Presence.

WISDOM is seeing life from God’s Perspective.

KNOWLEDGE is getting Truth into Me.

UNDERSTANDING is applying that Truth in every scenario of life.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE: (View in One Screen)
  Genesis 5:1-7:24
  Matthew 3:7-4:11
  Psalm 3:1-8
  Proverbs 1:10-19

Genesis 5 — We’re in another genealogy! The Adams Synchronological Chart of World History is a great way to see how the genealogies line up (as well as all of world history). You can do the math yourself or use the chart to notice something interesting about when Methuselah died. Also, if you haven’t been to the Ark Encounter yet – it’s an incredible experience to comprehend what “three hundred cubits” really means!

In Matthew 3 we meet John the Baptist – the one whom Jesus would call the greatest prophet. Yet John said of his cousin Jesus, His “shoes I am not worthy to bear.” We see Jesus tempted by Satan in Matthew 4. How did He defeat Satan? By quoting Scripture! There’s a great blessing in Scripture!

Psalm 3 tells us of a great promise to keep, and Proverbs 1:10 gives a great warning to heed. Is it just me or does it sound like there were youth gangs causing trouble back in Solomon’s day?

As we go through this year, it will mean more to you if you take notes on your journey. Grab a notebook and pick something to track as we read through the Bible. If this is your first-time journaling through the Bible, I’d start tracking the attributes of your God. God is telling you who He is through His Word. Don’t forget what He is telling you – write it down! As has been said, “The faintest stroke of pen is better than the strongest memory.” You’ll be glad you did when at the end of this year, you have a biography that you have written of your Father and one that you’ve obtained from the best source in the world!

Three days in – you’re making a great start to the year!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 3:1-4:26
  Matthew 2:13-3:6
  Psalm 2:1-12
  Proverbs 1:7-9

We’re glad you’re continuing the challenge!

Some observations that many people skip over when they start in Genesis:

Genesis 3 — No sooner are we into paradise but we’re already into the Fall – sin comes into the world, and it just keeps spreading. But we have a promise. Genesis 3:15 is the Protoevangelium – the first reference to the Gospel, and it’s referenced again in Romans 16:20.

Satan used the serpent to make Eve think her boss wanted to make her life miserable (Genesis 3:5). Today we have talebearers and gossips in churches and Christian workplaces who just like the serpent are used by Satan to poison people intentionally like Absalom (2 Samuel 15:2-6), or unintentionally like the co-worker who grumbles about the boss. I’ve worked in several settings – Christian and secular – and have encountered people intentionally and unintentionally trying to poison me to make me think that the boss wanted to make my life miserable, and I needed to trust them instead of the boss. We’ll even see people lying to children by telling them that the governor/president/king did/will do something to poison them against their political authority. Be on the lookout for serpents in your workplace!

Where was Adam when Eve sinned? Most people think Eve was having a private conversation with the serpent while Adam was working the back 40 acres, but Genesis 3:6 says Adam was “with her.” As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Or perhaps when good men do nothing, they are not good?

Dexter Penwell shares this insight on Genesis 4:2:

Abel was a keeper of sheep. At that time, they were not allowed to eat meat. Therefore, there were only 2 things that the sheep would be used for. One is for skins to clothe themselves. However, it would not be worth keeping sheep every day just to kill one or 2 every few months for making clothing. That then means that the main reason for keeping sheep had to be as a way to have animals for sacrifices. (That also means that although the Bible does not specifically state that they knew that they were to use sheep for sacrifices, they had to know, or there would not be a real reason to keep sheep all the time.

Speaking of the Gospel, Matthew 2 talks about the seed coming out of Egypt, the One who will be called a Nazarene.

Psalm 2 is great comfort when you think you are oppressed – imagine all the kings of the earth ready to attack! But “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh!” Amen!

Earl Martin has a great memory verse song to go along with Proverbs 1:7:

And if you have parents, Proverbs 1:8 is a great verse to pay attention to.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Genesis 1:1-2:25
  Matthew 1:1-2:12
  Psalm 1:1-6
  Proverbs 1:1-6

Welcome to the 2025 Bible Reading Challenge!

 We’re glad you’re joining with us in 2025 to read through the Bible. The first day of the year is a new day – we can move past the failures of yesterday and start the year right. What better place to start the year than in God’s Word as we begin 2025!

Genesis 1:1 — This verse talks about where the world began. If you’ve been to the Creation Museum, you’ve seen an incredible exhibit on the amazing work of God. If you were in the planetarium and saw the Created Cosmos presentation, you saw how amazingly immense the universe is – and yet the universe is so insignificant to God He just says he “created the heaven.”

Genesis 1:3 — If you’re wondering how you can have light before the sun – Institute for Creation Research’s Defender Study Bible notes:

The existence of visible light prior to the establishment of the sun, moon and stars (Genesis 1:16) emphasizes the fact that light (energy) is more fundamental than light givers. God could just as easily (perhaps more easily) have created waves of light energy as He could construct material bodies in which processes function which generate light energy. The first is direct (since God is light!), the second indirect. For the creation of such light generators, see note on Genesis 1:14.

https://www.icr.org/bible/Genesis/1/3

Need to remember the days of creation? Patch is here to help!

Matthew 1 — Congratulations on making it through your first set of genealogies! While many skim through the genealogies, there’s some interesting names you can catch – 1:3 (Tamar), 1:5 (Ruth), 1:6 (Uriah); these three people would not be found in an elitist pedigree (each brings up an embarrassing story), but God in His mercy allowed them to be part of the family tree of His Son!

Psalm 1 — Here’s an outline of the chapter – notice the parallelism of the contrast:

By the way, did you catch the blessing God has for you in Psalm 1? If you delight in His Law, God has a blessing for you! And if you want to memorize Psalm 1, Patch the Pirate has a great song to help you!

And if you need wisdom, Proverbs 1 reminds you that wisdom is what the Book of Proverbs is all about!

Welcome to the Bible Reading Challenge – I’m excited to travel with you!
~ Randy

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Malachi 3:1-4:6
  Revelation 22:1-21
  Psalm 150:1-6
  Proverbs 31:25-31

Malachi 3:1 — A messenger who shall prepare the way of the LORD? Not preparing the way of a mere prophet but the way of Yahweh Elohim, the LORD God! This is the same promise that Isaiah 40:3 shares and was fulfilled by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3, 11:10; Mark 1:2-3; John 1:23).

Malachi 3:5 — Who will He judge? Interesting that its similar to Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15.

Malachi 3:11 — Why was Israel beset with famine? As a judgment for sin (Deuteronomy 28:3-4). Malachi reminds us of the lesson from Elijah in 1 Kings 17:13 – if you will trust God with your resources that came from Him, He will provide all that you need!

Malachi 3:14 — Ever get depressed and wonder what benefit there is to serving God? Demas did (2 Timothy 4:10). It’s okay to be depressed, but don’t let Satan change your beliefs. True, serving the Lord is not the highest dollar return on your time, but are you laying up treasure here or in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)?

Malachi 4:2 — ”Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!“

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings!

Malachi 4:5-6 — Elijah would come. John denied that he was Elijah (John 1:21), but the angel sent to Zacharias declared that he would go before the Messiah “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). Jesus Himself confirmed that John was the very messenger (Matthew 11:10) prophesied by Malachi. The Old Testament ends by warning us that without repentance, we will be cursed (Malachi 4:6).

Revelation 22:3 — The Old Testament ends with a curse, but the New Testament ends declaring “there shall be no more curse!”

Revelation 22:10 — Notice four promises of the unsealed prophecy:

1. Reward (Revelation 22:12) – 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we will give an account of ourselves to God, and He will reward us (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
2. Reception (Revelation 22:14) – Jesus went to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3), and He gave us power to become Sons of God (John 1:12) so that we have the right to enter into the gates!
3. Restrictions (Revelation 22:15) – Not everyone is going to heaven. Sin keeps all of us from heaven – even just one sin (James 2:10)!
4. Return (Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20) – Jesus is coming!

Yes – the Wonderful word of the King is that Jesus is coming again!

Revelation 22:16 — Only Jesus can be the root, the offspring, and the father of David (Luke 3:38)! He is the only One Who can also be his son (Luke 3:23)! He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13)!

Revelation 22:17 — The final invitation of the Bible is for you to come. Take of the water of life freely! Jesus told the woman at the well that He gives living water (John 4:10). If you haven’t come to Jesus yet, come to Jesus before Jesus comes again!

Psalm 150:6 — As we end this year, I don’t know if you’ve been as blessed reading Revelation 22 as I have. I’m extremely glad we finish the year with Psalm 150 – Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Proverbs 31:30 — Beauty pageants focus on the wrong aspects of womanhood. Praise is for those women who fear the LORD!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Malachi 1:1-2:17
  Revelation 21:1-27
  Psalm 149:1-9
  Proverbs 31:10-24

Welcome to the last book of the Old Testament – Malachi! We’re just one day away from the end of the year! Thank you for joining with us this year!

Malachi 1:2 – Stop and appreciate the first phrase of this declaration: “I have loved you!” God loves Israel, and God loves us!!

Malachi 1:13 – Have we ever thought going to church was “weariness”? Have we brought our best gifts to the LORD or have we brought our leftovers? As the satirical Patch the Pirate song reminds us, sometimes we say, “Any old thing will do for you“.

Our attitude should be, “Only my best will do for you“!

Malachi 1:14 – What does the LORD say about vows? Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 warns us that “better is it that thou shouldest not vow.”

Malachi 2:7-8 – We see a strong warning for religious leaders. In the New Testament, we have similar warnings (James 3:1 – leaders will receive greater punishment, Luke 12:47 – shall be beaten with many stripes, Matthew 23:13 – problem with the scribes and Pharisees, 1 Corinthians 11:29 – “damnation to himself”).

Malachi 2:13 – Why won’t God receive our offerings? Peter tells us that if I am not “giving honor unto [my] wife,” my prayers will be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). Malachi elaborates on God’s hatred of divorce. Jesus Himself reiterated this as well (Matthew 19:8). As we saw earlier, God’s treatment of us depends on how we treat our wives.

Revelation 21:4 – No more night, no more pain. No more tears, no more crying again!

Revelation 21:7 – Not all are God’s children; only those who overcome can legitimately claim to be a child of God. Who are the overcomers? Those who believe (Revelation 21:8).

Revelation 21:12-14 – Notice how God is uniting Israel (Revelation 21:12) and the Church (Revelation 21:14) for eternity in the eternal New Jerusalem!

Revelation 21:23 – Yes, in the New Jerusalem there is “no need of moon or stars by night, or sun to shine by day.”

Revelation 21:27 – God can’t let any sin into His heaven, and you must have an RSVP to enter. If you don’t know for sure that your name is in the Book of Life, make sure of that today! We saw yesterday what happens to those whose names are not found in the book (Revelation 20:15).

Psalm 149:5 – Yes, it’s okay to sing alone and aloud! Praise ye the LORD!

Proverbs 31:10 – The Sunrise Ruby, a 25.59-carat Burmese ruby sold at Sotheby’s in May 2015 for $30.42 million. I’m so thankful for my wife!

Proverbs 31:11 – We read earlier about the condemnation of men who cheat on their wives, and here we see praise for the woman who is safely trusted in by her husband. Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding in Cana (John 2). He loves Christian marriages!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.