Getting Started

First of all, DON'T think that it's too late to get started.  Although these posts are dated, this blog is not set up like a devotional so that you have to read according to a corresponding day.  Just start at Day 1.  At the end of each entry, you'll find a link that says "Next" along with the Scripture that follows chronologically.  Next: Luke 1:1-5 (That's Day 1, by the way!)  Now understand, my silver hair is causing my gray matter to forget from time to time.  If I miss a link, or if a link is broken or in error, please let me know in the "Comments" section at the end of each post and I will go back to correct it.

If you lose your place after a time, just enter a term, or name that you remember from your previous reading into the "search" box and click.  You'll get responses to help you find out where you left off.  Then follow the link at the end of the post to get back into the reading.

It took me a year to read through the Gospels in harmony, or chronologically the first time I read.  I so thoroughly enjoyed it that I decided to read through again, but this time inviting others to read with me.  I also began to understand various themes and topics as I read the Scriptures in context rather than in bits and pieces.

My first read through was via a chart I found on the internet.  I also discovered that there was a chart in my own Bible between the Old and New Testaments.  As I read through, I began to collect resources to help me on the journey.  I mention them here in this post.

For this blog I have decided to use the "book" A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels by George W. Wright.  It is a book because Wright pieces the Scriptures together so that it reads like a narrative of Jesus life.  But it really is the Scriptures.  Wright also adds notes and helpful explanations.  Wright uses a fairly new translation, The Holman Christian Standard Bible.  I've appreciated my exposure to the HCSB, but I still prefer my New King James.  With a few exceptions, I will be posting the NKJV of each Scripture, but using Wright's Harmony sequence.

As I began to write I realized that some of my posts would be longer because it was necessary to explain background.  Some of my readers may be new to the Scriptures, or perhaps have never really understood how they all work together.  It is absolutely necessary that we read Scriptures in context.  Everyone of us, when we communicate to one another, desires that we are understood in context, lest someone misunderstand what we are trying to say.  Not only do we need to understand the entire passage of a particular Scripture to get its context, we also need to understand it from the complete context of the Bible.

For example, when John the Baptizer saw Jesus walking along the Jordan River he proclaimed to the people standing there, "Look!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  (John 1:29)  John was not waxing eloquent poetical language.  He was making specific reference to very important Old Testament truth.  It is necessary to understand exactly what that meant to the Jews who were standing nearby because they knew the Old Testament Scriptures.  They knew precisely what John was declaring.

I also realized that it might be helpful to some readers to talk through the passage as an explanation.  So I decided to break up each post into four sections as it is appropriate and necessary.  First is the passage itself.  The second section (usually) is "A Little Background".  Next, "Some Explanation," and finally, "Observations and Insights".  The last section is not meant as a "devotional", but more as an exposition of the passage with key truths that were important to me as I read it.  I will also link to other passages of Scripture that support or build on the gospel passage.

You are welcome to read only the parts that you choose.  If you read nothing else, DO, DO, DO, read the passage.  Anything that I write is secondary at best.  If no one reads my commentary, but only the Scripture, I will have considered my blog project a huge success!  But if you find the rest of the content helpful and insightful, then that will be like icing on the cake.

I will do very little specific application.  That is the job of the Holy Spirit himself.  He will illumine the Scriptures to us as we read by faith.  So this is not a devotional as many such works are written.  I am not opposed to devotionals generally speaking.  I just don't have a desire to write one. 

I'm not a theologian, a great Bible expositor, or even an accomplished writer.  I'm just a simple sheep who loves her Shepherd, and  I am absolutely delighted to feed in His green pastures.  And as I do, I like to share.  The Bible is simple enough for everyone to understand.  To be sure, there are some passages that need a little explanation.  And some passages are understood in different ways.  There are lots of great resources freely available on this tool we call the internet to help us.  So although I have no fancy letters after my name, perhaps that itself is a benefit.  I call myself a "simple" sheep.  But God's Word gives understanding to the simple.  He will restore our soul as we feed in His pasture, and drink from His still water.

Beware, there are also ravenous wolves (Acts 20) and false teachers (Matthew 24) who will not spare the flock, who will sow tares in the field.  The Shepherd's rod and staff will protect us.  Jesus told us that the way would be narrow and difficult (Matthew 7).  I will point out when we come to spots where some sheep have been led astray.  I'll talk about the risks of following those paths.  Study to show yourself approved unto God.  Dig and find the truth as gold.  I pray that you will be enriched as you read.