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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Finshed!

Well, it only took me 6 months to finish the book of Isaiah! I finished reading chapter 66 today. I took it slow.. really slow! I really wanted to read it and understand it. I didn't have any study helps besides the notes in my study Bible, so many days I'd read a section and then re-read it. I guess averaging 11 chapters in one month isn't that bad. And I must admit there were days when I was so tired that reading just didn't happen. During reading Isaiah, I also read The Holiness of God by RC Sproul and What's the Difference- Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible by John Piper (both were great, although the Piper book was super short and kind of an excerpt from one of his larger books that I hope to read in the future).

So, where am I going next? I'm so glad you asked. I will be reading the book of Revelation. My friend, Misty, has invited me to be a part of a Bible Study group with a few other ladies. We will be going through the book of Revelation and using John MacArthur's study guide (are you loving all of these links??). During the month of July the girls' class that I teach had four lessons on the book of Revelation and I loved studying it! (I blogged a 2 part post that you can read here: Part 1 & Part 2) So, needless to say I am excited about starting this new book of the Bible! I'm not sure how active I will be able to be in the actual Bible study meetings considering I'm due in 2 weeks but I'm going to do my best to keep up with them on my own even if I can't make it! About 2 weeks ago, I also began reading a book by Donna Morely called A Woman of Significance. I'm only on chapter 3, but so far it's really good.

I'd like to end with two of my favorite verses from chapter 66 of Isaiah.

"Thus says the LORD: “ Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the LORD.“ But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word." Is. 66:1-2

What a beautiful reminder that God doesn't need a temple of stone. His desire is to dwell in the heart of man, someone with a poor (humble) and contrite spirit (broken with godly sorrow over their sin)... someone who trembles at His Word.

May I desire His Word above all other resources and wisdom. May my thoughts and ideas be determined and weighed by the Scriptures. May His Word correct and lead me in sanctification. This is my prayer.


1 comments:

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

Congratulations on finishing your study! That is quite an accomplishment!

For future reference, you can get commentaries by John Calvin, Matthew Henry, and a host of others online for free. When I study a book of the Bible in my quiet time, I print out the commentary for the chapter I am studying so I can reference and highlight as I read.

I links on the sidebar of my blog if you are interested. I specifically link to Calvin and Henry, but there is another link called "Bible Commentary" that will take you to a page where you can click on the chapter you want, and then click between commentaries. It's pretty cool.

Xandra