Matthew 7 - Judge not, lest you be judged. (One of the most well known verses in the bible among non-believers.) But if you keep reading, it goes on to say that you will be judged in the same way. Further more, what you ought to do is 'take the log out of your own eye' so that you can go to a brother and help him with the speck in his eye. (v. 11) - Jesus call's people evil. (v.12) - The Golden Rule. (v. 13, 14) - Wide and narrow gate.  (v.21 - 23) - "I never knew you" - Jesus. (v. 24 - 27) - Build your house on the Rock, not sand.

Genesis 7 - Noah and family entered the Ark along with the animals.  The Lord shut them in the Ark.  The ran came and didn't stop for forty days and every living thing on the earth died, including all of mankind.  I don't see if fish and sea life was killed.  Noah was 600 years old when all this was happening.

Romans  7 - Paul tells us that the law is to show us our sinfulness. He states in v.7 that he wouldn't have known sin unless the law told him.  Then he states that even as a believer, he still struggles with (has a war with) sin and doing what is right.  His inner begin delights in the law of God and agrees with it, but his flesh likes the sin. 

2 Thessalonians 2 - Paul tells the Thessalonians not to be tricked by anyone that says the Day of the Lord has already come because there are things that have to precede this event which haven't yet happened.

Job 7 - Job is very unhappy with his life. He's not cursing God, but it does sound like he's asking Him why He is doing all this bad to him. "Why have you made me your mark?" (v. 20)

Psalms 7 - (v. )8 seems strange to me: "… judge me O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is min me."  I would never say that to God. (v. 17) says "… I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High." If he will sing praise to God, maybe I should too.

Proverbs 7 - Avoid the married woman who invites you to her house to spend time on her couch.

Joshua 7 - During a battle, God told them not to take any devoted things but a man named Achor disobeyed and took some things.  This caused Israel to lose the next battle and then Joshua and some other guys got on their face and God told them to find the person who disobeyed and burn him.  That's what happened.

Isaiah 7 - (v. 14) Jesus's virgin birth is prophecied.

Acts 7 - Moses was 80 years old when God gave him the 10 Commandments. Stephen gives a history lesson to the high priest and others. They were upset by what Stephen said and they stoned him to death.

Finally, several years after I watched the below clip from HollywoodAndGod.com I've decided to get rid of many of my DVDs.  To say that these were bad movies, may be an overstatement but to say that they had bad things in them is a fact.  Many of these DVDs have foul language, lustful images, and blasphemy.  And to be clear, these are not R rated movies.  Most of the Christian community would say that there's nothing wrong with these movies.  The question is, what would Jesus say about them?  I believe he wouldn't be happy with them, or watch them.  In fact, that was my ultimate test... I asked myself "If" Jesus were here, and it was movie night, would he watch any of these movies?  1) Jesus is here!  and 2) No, I don't think He would want to watch any of these movies. So, finally, in the trash they went.  Watch the below clip with an open heart and maybe God will use it on you as He did on me.

Did you spot the 10 Commandments in the photo and wonder why I would get rid of this movie?  It was because it was a made-for-TV special, and I didn't think it was accurate enough to keep.  Speaking of the 10 Commandments, do you think you've kept them?  I know I haven't.  Watch the above movie to learn why that'a a problem and what the solution is.

Please feel free to leave your comments below.  I pray that you will eventually make the same choice that I have.  You will not regret it.

Matthew 6 - Give in secret, not with a trumpet like the hypocrites. Pray in the same way. Don't pray vain words.  God knows what you need before you pray. Father in Heaven Prayer. Forgive others, if you don't you won't be forgiven. Pray in secret. Focus on serving heaven. Trust in God to provide for you. Don't worry about tomorrow's troubles because there's enough troubles today.

Genesis 6 - Man on the earth was so evil that God was 'sorry' that he made them.  God showed grace to Noah and his family. God decided to kill all the people except Noah and his family.  God choose to save Noah and family through an Ark, a large wooden boat that He gave Noah instructions on how to build.

Romans  6 - Should we keep sinning, so that grace could increase?  NO! (v.23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 1 - Another letter to the Thessalonians who were apparently doing pretty well in growing in sanctification.

Job 6 - Job answers, but I'm not sure what he's talking about.  I know it sounds like he still wishes he was dead. And I thought he might be saying something like "What have I done wrong that you are rebuking me for? (v. 24…)

Psalms 6 - A prayer to God for help with the enemies. 

Proverbs 6 - Be wise like an aunt. There is such thing as a worthless man… God hates a false witness who breaths out lies.  More scriptural evidence that God hates PEOPLE, not just SIN. (v. 32) He who commits adultery lacks sense...

Joshua 6 - The walls of Jericho. Joshua and his followers burned down the city and only Rehab.

Isaiah 6 - Isaiah sees the temple and he sees the Lord sitting upon a throne and seraphim with six wings.  He says he has unclean lips, and a seraphim flew to him and puts a burring coal on his lips and by doing so removed his guilt and sin.  Then the Lord said who shall I send and Isaiah said "Send me…" And God told him what to say to the people.

Acts 6 - Some women weren't getting their daily distribution (I think of food) and so the apostles chose 7 men to do this job instead of themselves, so they could keep on preaching the word and praying.  So they chose seven, one of whom was Stephen.  Then one day many people came against Stephen and began to falsely accuse him of lies and blasphemy.

* Read on the 7th, and the last two chapters on the 8th.

Matthew 5 - In the sermon on the mount, Jesus begins to magnify the law.  For example he clarifies that yes murder bad, but so is hating or insulting.  Yes, adultery is bad, but so is looking lustfully at another.  Divorce should really only happen in circumstances when adultery is taking place.  Also, if you get a divorce for another reason, you shouldn't re-marry because you are committing adultery and so is your new spouse. You shouldn't swear by heaven, because it is God's throne, or the earth because it is His footstool, or even by yourself because you can't even control the color of your hair… but instead just be honest and say yes or no.  Don't get back at people when they wrong you.  Pray for them, don't curse them. Love your enemies.

Genesis 5 - Three thoughts after reading this chapter.  1) I didn't realized that Adam had Seth when he was 130 years old.  2) I have never thought about the fact that Noah had Shem, Ham and Japheth when he was 500 years old. I know that Noah and his wife, and his three children and their wives (8 people) were on the Ark… but I wonder if Noah had other kids.  Think about what people would say of a man that didn't have any kids after 400 years.  That would be like a man now waiting until he's 70 to have kids.  Interesting…  And 3) It would be awesome to live for 969 years like Methusaleh.

Romans  5 - Favorite parts: (v.1)…Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (v.8) God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  This chapter has some confusing verses to me: For example, I still don't fully understand 5:13 - and 5:18 seems contradictory.  I guess how I understand v 18 is that one trespass (sin) lead to condemnation for all who are in Adam (that's everybody) but one act of righteousness (Jesus' death on the Cross) leads to life for all men.  Not that all men are saved by it, but that anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  So then the inherited guilt of Adams sin is automatic to all, but the justification of the death of Jesus Christ must be received through faith.

1 Thessalonians 5 - This chapter has a lot of do's and don'ts.  Which I'm totally fine with but it seems like pastors sometimes say that Christianity doesn't have a list of "Do's and Don'ts" but it clearly does.  Not that you are saved by Do's and Don'ts but once you are saved, there are certainly a lot of them. Pray without ceasing.

Job 5 - Eliphaz the Temanite said some stuff to Job, but honestly I have no idea what he was talking about. (According to the MacArthur study notes, he is saying that if Job would only confess his sin, God would forgive him.)

Psalms 5 - Favorite verse: Psalm 5:5 [God] hates all evildoers.  (Easy address to remember too.)

Proverbs 5 - Stay away from a forbidden woman!

Joshua 5 - The Lord told Joshua to circumcise all the children of all the people that died during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because they hadn't yet been circumcised.  Then Joshua saw a person who had a sword and he asked him if he was for or against him.  And this man was the commander of the Army of the Lord and told Joshua to take of his shoes because he was on holy ground.  I think this 'Commander' was God Himself.

Isaiah 5 - v.20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… and (v. 21) Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes - These two verses remind me of me.  That's not good.  Sometimes I might say "That was a really good movie" when God may hate the movie.  And also, I think I am wise (just being honest.)  I need to change some things. (v. 22) is funny to me, it seems like sarcasm. "Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine…" that's like saying congratulations on being a fat pig.

Acts 5 - Ananias &  Sapphira: the liars.- I can't put my finger on it, but something about the beginning of this chapter rubs me the wrong way.  I don't like when pastors, or anybody for that matter, claim that God killed Ananias and Saphira for telling one lie.  That's not entirely, or potentially, true.  This one like may have just been the 'straw that broke the camels back.'  Also, It bothers me that all the Apostles were just sitting by themselves in Solomon’s Portico, and that people regarded them so highly even waiting that Peter's shadow might fall on them.  I don't fully understand this. I wonder if these Apostles may have thought of themselves a little to highly, or just the people thought of them too highly, or rightly. - I like v.31 God exalted [Jesus] at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. I like how the Pharisies say that they agree with Gamaliel, who said to leave these men alone, but then they still punished the Apostles. ?  The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to be beaten.

* Actually January 6th, I skipped a day.  I was pretty productive yesterday, however.  I changed a toilet seat (for the first time), unclogged my kitchen sink, helped my brother move some furniture, and cleaned my kitchen at the request of my wife.  Then later, some friends invited me over for dinner and we discussed some business with them as well.  Am I justifying missing a day of reading; yep. :)

Matthew 4 - Jesus is swept away to the desert where He fasts for forty days and nights, and after that he's hungry. Jesus is tempted by the devil but resists him by quoting scripture.  Jesus picks a few of his followers and tells them instead of fishing for fish, He'll make them fish for men. He starts preaching to people that they should repent, because the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus starts healing lots of people with various types of diseases.

Genesis 4 - Adam knew Eve and they had two sons, Cain and Abel.  Later both sons brought God an offering, and God only liked Abel's.  This upset Cain and after he talked with his brother, he killed him.  God confronted Cain about this then kicked him out of Eden.  Cain had a mark placed on him, and God said if anyone killed Cain their punishment would be seven fold.  (I'm not sure what death times seven would be…?)  Then Adam and Eve had another son called Seth. Cain married his wife, which was likely a younger sister (but this wasn't wrong at that time).

Romans  4 - Abraham was made righteous by his faith, not his circumcision. The same is true for us: We are forgiven of our sin not by keeping the law, but by our faith and trust in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4 - Paul tells them that they're doing pretty good about being loving, but to keep doing that more and more.  Also, apparently they struggled with sexual purity: Paul reminded them that God desires them to be pure. He also comforts them about those that have died, that they will rise again and be with Jesus as we will when he comes back.

Job 4 - Eliphaz the Temanite said some stuff to Job, but honestly I have no idea what he was talking about.

Psalms 4 - Be angry and sin not.  Also notable in this chapter was in verse 3 it said something like "the Lord has set apart the godly for himself."  That seemed strange to me (like works righteousness) but the notes in my John MacArthur Study Bible (ESV) say that this word 'godly' in this context meant a person blessed by God's grace.

Proverbs 4 - Wisdom is a girl. Not really, but it's interesting how wisdom is personalized as a female.  This chapter says in various ways to get wisdom, heed wisdom, and treasure wisdom.  Also, don't do bad things with bad people.

Joshua 4 - People walked through Jordan river and maybe stayed there for a while since God stopped the water.  Joshua was told to have twelve men bring some stones and put them somewhere so that kids would see them in the future and ask about them.  When they did, they were to tell them the history about the event.

Isaiah 4 - In that day, there will be many women that request to live when a man to take away their reproach. They will eat their own bread.

Acts 4 - Peter and John were talking to the people about Jesus and the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them and threw them in prison until the next day.  Then Peter said to them if they were wondering how the man was healed that the answer was certainly that he was healed through Jesus Christ.  They were upset by this and told them not to speak to anyone about Jesus anymore, but they asked them if they should listen to them or God. (Rhetorically). Their is salvation in no one else other than Jesus. Also, in this time the believers were selling their possessions as needed and giving the money to the apostles and everyone was sharing what they had so that no one was in need.  As an example, Joseph sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

*Actually read on Jan 5th, and 6th, posted on the 6th.

Matthew 3 - We're introduced to John the Baptist in this chapter.  He was prophesied in the old testament when it said "the voice of one crying in the wilderness.  Make straight the paths for the Lord."  John was out baptizing people in the Jordan riven when some Pharisies came and John was like "Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? If you're going to be baptized, bear fruit worthy of repentance. You won't be saved simply because of your family tree - you can say that Abraham is your dad, but that's not enough." Then Jesus came to be baptized but John, at first, attempted to stop him saying "Jesus, you should be the one baptizing me…" but eventually John did baptize Jesus and then the Holy Spirit came and rested on Him and God spoke from heaven "This is my Son, in whom I'm well pleased."

Genesis 3 - The fall. The devil tricked Eve into eating from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of Good and evil.  Adam also ate and blamed the whole thing on his wife, and God.  Adam and Eve both realized they were naked and hid from God when they heard him walking in the garden.  God explained that because they did this there would be consequences such as Eve having more pain in child baring (or pain at all) and Adam would no longer enjoy work, but rather would have to toil and sweat to earn a living.  He cursed the serpent by stating it would no longer have legs… ?  Then he kicked them out of Eden so that they didn't eat of the tree of life (and live forever with these consequences).

Romans  3 - Paul asks is there a benefit to being a Jew, then answers a little, because they were given the oracles of God, but not when it comes to salvation.  For everyone, Jew or Greek is a sinner and they all are guilty and none seek after God.  The Law of God is bad news because it leaves the whole world guilty before God.  The good news is that we can still be justified, forgiven, and saved by faith in Jesus Christ. We have nothing to boast in, except Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 3 - Paul and the guys were telling the Thessalonians that it really pleased them, made them alive, even though they were suffering great afflictions, to know that they were continuing strong in their genuine faith.  They prayed that God might allow them to see them again some day so they could serve them more.

Job 3 - Job was really sad, and angry.  So angry that he wished that he would have never been born.  He curses the day of his birth in several different ways.  He's so stressed he wishes he would die now and wonders why he's let to live.  He also expresses some incorrect views about the afterlife.  He believes that the wicked are able to rest when they die.

Psalms 3 - David says that even though some people say that salvation is not in God, they are wrong. Selah

Proverbs 3 - Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.  Wisdom is good. Be wise and you'll have a better chance of long life, filled with success and honor.

Joshua 3 - God told Joshua that when the Levitical priests arrived at the Jordan river, they were to stop and God would stop the flowing river. That's what happened.

Isaiah 3 - God was upset at people and women who were putting all their effort and attention towards vanity and jewelry.  He will put a stop to it.  Instead of nice hair, they're will be baldness.

Acts 3 - Peter and John were going up to the temple when a crippled man asked them for money (alms).  Peter said that he didn't have any silver or gold but gave him what he did have, which was healing in the name of Jesus Christ.  All the people were excited about this. Then Peter tells them that they denied Jesus and had the author of life killed, though it was in ignorance.

Matthew 2 - After Jesus was born, the wise men set out to see Him and bring Him gifts.  Herod was angry that he was tricked by the wise men so he had all children killed of a certain age.  Jesus escaped it because Joseph, his dad, took him to different cities as he was advised in a dream.  They ended up in Nazereth.

Genesis 2 - God makes Adam in Eden, then makes and brings Adam many animals to name.  Adam does this and then God says that it's not good that Adam is alone.  God makes Adam sleep, takes his rib, then makes Eve who Adam calls Woman, because she came from man.

Romans  2 -.Paul explains that wether you know the law or not, you will be punished for doing bad - more so if you specifically knew the law.  He also confronts Jews that they will not be declared righteous simply for being a circumcised Jew.  He stresses that physical circumcision isn't what matters, but spiritual obedience is more important. 

1 Thessalonians 2 - Paul reminds the Thessalonians how blameless he and other brothers where when they were serving in Thessolanica. He recalls how delighted he was that when they heard them teach the word of God they they regarded it as such. He expresses that he wishes to come back and see them but Satan has hindered it.

Job 2 - Once again, there was a meeting of all the sons of God and Satan was present.  He had been walking around the earth once again and God asked him about Job again.  Satan still wasn't impressed with Job and stated that Job only loved God because he hadn't lost his health.  God gave permission to Satan to harm Job, but insisted Job must remain alive.  Satan gave Job terrible soars that covered his whole body, so much that when Job's three friends came to see him, and comfort him, they didn't recognize him.  When Job's three friends did arrive to him, they sat on the ground with him for a week morning with him.

Psalms 2 - This chapter seems to reference Christ Jesus as the Son of God. Cool.

Proverbs 2 - Again we are encouraged to heed wisdom and to seek it.  If we don't bad things will happen.

Joshua 2 - Joshua sent to spies to spy specifically on Jericho.  The two men stayed the night at Rahab the prostitute's house.  Men from Jericho came and Rahab lied to them about the location of the spies and misdirected them.  She then requested that in return for the safety she gave the two spies that they spare her and her families life when they came to overtake the land.  The spies agreed and advised her to tie a crimson cloth to her window and gather her family into her house. Then the spies hid in the mountains for a few days before they returned to Joshua to inform him of what happened.

Isaiah 2 - The Day of the Lord will be a time when God rises to terrify the wickedness on the earth.  People will cast away their idols of silver and gold and go in to caves.  God warns to stop trusting in man, and start trusting in Himself.

Acts 2 - On the day of Pentacost, the Holy Spirit came upon Peter and the other 11 apostles.  They started speaking so that many in different languages could understand them.  Some accused them of being drunk, but Peter denied it.  He then proclaimed that Jesus was foretold to be the Christ and Lord by the Prophet David, and that 'these men' had the Lord crucified.  This truth cut these men to the heart and they asked what they ought to do, and Peter advised them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus.  Now there were about 3,000 believers and they were selflessly selling their possessions to make sure that none of them were in need.  They spent much of their time fellowship and listening to the apostles teaching.

These are my personal bible notes as I'm going through the Professor Grant Horner Bible Reading System.  These notes are not scripture, may not be complete, and may not be accurate.  If you see something I got wrong, or wish to comment on something I've said, feel free to do so.  To learn more about this plan, go here.

These are my personal bible notes as I'm going through the Professor Grant Horner Bible Reading System.  These notes are not scripture, may not be complete, and may not be accurate.  If you see something I got wrong, or wish to comment on something I've said, feel free to do so.

Matthew 1 - The genealogy of Jesus Christ, plus the Birth of Jesus.

Genesis 1 - The Six days of the creation of the world. Everything that God made was very good!

Romans  1 - Paul writes to saints and thanks them for their faithfulness and starts to explain there is no excuse for sinners to deny God and be sinful.  Keywords: Idolatry, Homosexuality, lesbianism, Gospel, unashamed.

1 Thessalonians 1 - Paul writes to the Thessalonians and congratulates them that their faith is an example to others.

Job 1 - Job was a pretty good guy, he "feared God and turned away from evil". Satan proposed that Job only loved God because his life was good.  Satan, with God's permission, destroyed much of what Job liked and Job ripped his clothes and worshiped God.  Job said "Blessed be the name of the Lord.  He gives and takes away."

Psalms 1 - Blessed is a man who meditates on God's law (maybe word) day and night and avoids sinners and sinful ways. This man is like a tree that is getting the right amount of water.  Not so for the wicked, they will perish.

Proverbs 1 - Wisdom is good.  Listen to it, and better things will happen than if you don't.  If you don't heed wisdom, you'll be sorry.

Joshua 1 - God said to Joshua, after Moses died to go and take possession of the promise land.  There is another mention that meditating on the Law of God day and night will bring success.  Joshua explained the plan to the people and they said that they would follow him and they hoped God was with Joshua in the same way He was with Moses.

Isaiah 1 - God, through Isaiah, was telling the people that they need to repent.  He was saying how they are His creation, but they deny Him by sinning.  God was telling them that even though they are guilty and sinful, there will be a time when they are forgiven if they repent.

Acts 1 - Luke writes to Theophilus about what happened when Jesus was taken up in to the cloud, how there were two angels that said to the men that Jesus would come back in the same manner that He left.  He also tells about how the 11 remaining apostles choose Mathias to be the replacement for Judas - who bought a field and then killed himself.

My Thoughts: I love the new year.  Anytime is good to start reading God's Word more, but January 1st seems to be the easiest.  My wife and I have decided to do the Professor Grant Horner Bible Reading System this year.  We're really excited about it.

One of my top 10 favorite things to watch is Lightening and other crazy weather.  Here's some more pictures of such an event.

Today I was involved in a haboob... or rather, I experienced one.  Check out the haboob photos here.