7 Steps of Bible Reading 

To better understand the Bible, as you read, take Pen and Paper in hand and answer the following seven questions.

1 What does this Passage say?

2 What does this passage Mean to its original audience?

3 What does this passage tell us about God?

4 What does this passage tell us about Man?

5 What does this passage demand of Me?

6 How does this passage change the way I relate to People?

7 What does this passage prompt me to pray to God?

Donny Mathis & Matt Rogers
Jersey Church, Jersey, Ohio

To summarize:
WHO SAID IT? TO WHOM WAS IT SAID? How does it apply today to me?

⇛ Also see H.E.A.R. Journal

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Sabbath Rules

Moses spoke to the people: Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
Then it was recorded (etched in stone) in the 10 Comandments:
Number 4 in the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
The Sabbath is the 7th Day of the week (Saturday)
No Travel! Can’t leave Home.
Exodus 16:29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
Thou shalt not do any work Includes all of the household.
Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Moses reminds WHY! It is a hallowed day.
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Those who disobeyed it suffered DEATH! No WORK!
Exodus 31:14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Reminded again, Work 6 days then rest! OR Death!
Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
No Fires
Exodus 35:3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.
These rules are repeated in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and even expanded.
An example is found in Numbers 15:32-36:
A young man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath – He was stoned to death.

In the New Testament the Lord Jesus did many things On The Sabbath!
The Apostle Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, only mentions the Sabbath only once in all his epistles:
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
God knows everything, the beginning and the end. Giving the Sabbath to the Jews was Him seeing heir faith.
The Observance of the Sabbath would not work in today’s technology.
Think about it: Police, Firemen, Doctors, Nurses, Hospitals, Airplanes, Trains, even driving of cars, all these (and many other work related activitys) would have to cease one day (Saturday) of the week.

Attend Church on the first day of the week, worship the Lord Jesus. Enjoy the day with your family. If you have to work, there’s Sunday evening, Mid-week services to attend, most of all keep your mind and heart on the Lord Jesus who died for you.

                   God know everything.

Also See … SABBATH
Also See … SUNDAY SABBATH

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Some WORLD and BIBLE EVENTS AD

Some WORLD and BIBLE EVENTS

DATE-AD                     EVENT
1 Saddles first used in Rome
4 Herod the Great dies
5 Paul born
6 Judea becomes a Roman providence
Jesus visits Temple as a boy
7 Zealots in Judea rebel against Rome
14 Tiberius succeeds Caesar Agustus as Roman Emperor
26 Pontius Pilate appointed governor
John the Baptist begins his ministry
27 Jesus begins his ministry
30 Jesus crucified; ascends into heaven; Pentecost, church begins
35 Saul’s conversion on Damascus road
40 Herod Agrippa appointed king of Judea
43 London England founded; first definite reference to Diamonds
46 Saul/Paul begins first missionary journey
50 Romans begin using soap
54 Claudius poisoned by order of his wife;
Nero becomes emperor
57 Paul writes letter to Romans; Paul imprisoned in Caesarea
59 Paul’s voyage to Rome
60 Paul writes ‘prison letters’
62 Paul released from prison
64 Fire burns much of Rome; Nero blames Christians for setting it
66 Painting on canvas
67 Paul martyred
68 Romans destroy Jewish religious commune of the Essene sect. Before Essenes were captured they hid their library of Bible manuscripts in a cave in Qumram by the dead sea (to be discovered in 1948)
70 Romans destroy Jerusalem
73 960 Jews commit mass suicide at Masada while under Roman attach
74 China open silk trade with the west
75 Rome begins construction of famous coliseum
79 Vesuvius in Italy erupts killing 30,000 people and burying cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum
95 Apostle John writes Revelation

*Dates are best extimates

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Some WORLD and BIBLE Events BC

DATE-BC                     EVENT
Creation to 1400 BC
Adam expelled from Garden of Eden
Noah builds the ark

2500
Egyptians discover papyrus and ink for writing and build first libraries
Iron objects manufactured in the ancient Near East
Egyptians import gold from Africa
Semitic chieftain, Sargon conquers Sumer to become first “World Conqueror”
Horses domesticated in Egypt: Chickens domesticated in Babylon:
Bows and arrows used in warfare
2000
Immigration of northern Asians to North America;
Stockbreeding and irrigation used in China;
Stonehenge, England, a center for religious worship;
Bellows used in India allowing for hotter furnace temperature
Glass made by the Mesopotamians;
Ziggurats build in Mesopotamia;
Earliest discovered drug;
Ethyl alcohol, used to alleviate pain
1960
Abram born
1885
Abram 75, Called by God
Abram 86, 1st son, Ishmael born to Hagar
Abram 99, Named Abraham by God

1860
Promised son, Isaac born to Sarah 90 and Abraham 100
1800
Esau & Jacob born to Rebecca and Isaac 60, Abraham is 160 years old
Jacob flees to Haran (his mother’s brother)

1815
Joseph born to Rachel and Jacob
Egyptians use irrigation systems to control Nile flooding;
Spoked Wheel invented in the ancient Near East;
Horses used to pull vehicles
Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers
Joseph rules Egypt

1705
Joseph dies
Babylonian mathemations already understand cube and square root;
Hammurbi of Babylon provides first of all legal codes
Egyptian papyrus document describes medical and surgical procedures
1526
Moses is born
Sundial used in Egypt; Mexican sun-pyramid built
1446
Moses leads children of Israel exodus from Egypt
Ten Commandments given to Moses by God

1444
Israel camps at Mt Sinai
1406
Moses dies; Hebrews enter Canaan
First period of Chinese literature,
Intricate clock used in China
Palace of Krossus on Isle of Crete destroyed by earthquake

*Dates are best extimates

⇛ continue reading Some WORLD and BIBLE Part 2

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Praying

The Apostle Paul has a lot to say about Prayer and Praying. Things that He prayed about and Prayer requests he had for the believers. Mainly, believers should pray about everything.
Some of what Paul instructs:
The Spirit helps us to pray. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Always in Prayer Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Not to worry, just keep it in prayer. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
And to Timothy, he wrote 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
God already knows everything and is just looking for our Faith which is demonstrated by our prayers.
Did Paul know about all that would befall him as he went forth?
The beatings, Being Stoned, The shipwrecks 2 Corinthians 11:25
Many times events happen that we are not able to pray about, which is why we should Pray without ceasing.
God already knows about everything …
What He wants from us is FAITH in HIM!

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Heaven, Bible Views

The Bible has little to say about what Heaven is going to be like.
From the Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Psalm 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
The Lord Jesus speaks off Heaven
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Peter tells of new heavens
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
John, in Revelation gives different views of Heaven
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 7:16-17 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

⇛ checkout List of Topics

HAPPY  

Happy – feeling or showing pleasure or contentment

Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth:…
Psalm 127:5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed,
Psalm 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Psalm 137:8-9 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Psalm 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Proverbs 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Happiness is found in the Lord.

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Israel Replaced

There is a teaching that the Church has replaced Israel.
That God is done with the Jew.
Let’s see what the Bible has to say:
God’s Promise to Abraham Genesis 17:7-8 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Read Jeremiah 31:31-37 …I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:…
Read Romans 11:1-29
Starts with Vs 1-2 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
But he did set them aside: Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
After the resurrection, the Lord said Acts 1:6-7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Remember how the Paul explains it: Romans 11:17-24

Yes, the Nation Israel has been set aside But the Jew can be saved just as the Gentile by believing the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-13.
BUT once the Rapture happens, the age of Grace ends.

also see The Future, The Rapture, Jews Set Aside

⇛ checkout List of Topics

IMPOSSIBLE

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 ⇛ checkout List of Topics