Month: June 2020

Return Everything that Belongs to Her

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 31

Journal, 4-15-2020: “It snowed. My eyes are still bad. … Pastor Peggy Knudsen preached. “God doesn’t start something he won’t finish.” Someday, I will write posts again.

1 Kings 22:14, “But Micaiah answered, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.'”

Common English Bible
April 15, 2020: 2 Chronicles 18; Psalm 44; 1 Kings 22.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 32

Journal, 4-16-2020: “My eyes are worse – swollen and bright red. When Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis called, I told him something triggered the allergies last fall. He asked if that was when David stopped drumming. I checked with David. No, that was in January.”

2 Chronicles 20:17, “You don’t need to fight this battle. Just take your place, stand ready, and watch how the Lord, who is with you, will deliver you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. Go out tomorrow and face them. The Lord will be with you.'”

Common English Bible
April 16, 2020: 2 Chronicles 19; Psalm 82; 2 Chronicles 20.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 33

Journal, 4-17-2020: “No relief. I didn’t dress. I listened to TV. My eyes are constantly tearing.”

Psalms 118:1, “Give thanks to the Lord because he is good because his faithful love lasts forever.”

Common English Bible
April 17, 2020: Psalm 118; 2 Kings 12.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 34

Journal, 4-18-2020: “I woke up with my eyelashes mattered together. I waited for David to wake up and asked for a washcloth with warm water. After soaking them for a few minutes, I could open them. I took pictures and emailed them to my doctor. I explained my symptoms and how I was treating them. An infection has set in. … I’m struggling with my faith. Will my eyes ever heal? Why isn’t God giving me posts?”

2 Kings 4:26, “…She said, ‘Things are okay.'”

Common English Bible

Her world is falling apart and she still trusts.

“Both Elisha and the woman use the Hebrew word Shalom, which, in this context, implies well-being. Yet all is not well. In her distress, the woman exhibits extraordinary trust in the ability of the prophet to address her new situation of need. … It seems as though Elisha doesn’t understand the problem. The woman’s reply in 4:28 recalls her earlier plea (2 Kings 4:16) and evokes Elisha’s personal involvement.”

Common English Bible Notes on 2 Kings 4:26

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Proverbs 17:3, “A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”

Common English Bible
April 18, 2020: 2 Kings 3, 4.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 35

Journal, 4-19-2020: “The doctor never replied. I got up to watch church online and went back to bed. My sister-in-law, Melinda dropped off a box of cupcakes and cookies. I wanted to eat the whole box.”

2 Kings 6:33, “While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger arrived and said, ‘Look, this disaster is the Lord’s doing. Why should I trust the Lord any longer?'”

Common English Bible

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“Given the overall theme of the prophet stories – the Lord’s supervision of Israel’s history – this question is the heart of the matter. Doesn’t the siege contradict the Lord’s presence and power? … The prophet’s immediate response indicates that the prophetic word continues to shape Israel’s story. His answer indicates that the economy will again flourish and that the inflation reported in 2 Kings 6:25 will end. Salvation is on its way…”

Common English Bible Notes on 2 Kings 6:33-7:1

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Proverbs 18:7, “The mouth of fools is their ruin; their lips are a trap for their lives.”

Common English Bible
April 19, 2020: 2 Kings 5, 6.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 36

Journal, 4-20-2020: “The doctor ordered an antibiotic and Prednisone. The pharmacy was out of the second one. They’ll get some in the morning. … The waterbed mattress arrived – 3 days late. I will leave it on the floor for 5 days because of COVID-19.”

2 Kings 8:6, “… Return everything that belongs to her, as well as everything that the farmland has produced, starting from the day she left the country until right now.”

Common English Bible

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Proverbs 20:22, “Don’t say, ‘I’ll repay the evildoer!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will save you.”

Common English Bible
April 20, 2020: 2 Kings 7, 8; 2 Chronicles 21.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 37

Journal, 4-21-2020: “David picked up the Prednisone at noon. I should have waited until the morning to take it. I had insomnia for 3 hours!”

2 Kings 9:11, “Jehu went out to his master’s officers. They said to him, ‘Is everything okay? Why did this fanatic come to you?’ Jehu said to them, ‘You know the man and the nonsense he talks.'”

Common English Bible

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“Fanatic: The word is sometimes translated ‘Madman.’ It describes the behavior of the prophets (cf. Jeremiah 29:26; Hosea 9:7). A related noun form appears in 2 Kings 9:20, where it is translated ‘madman.'”

Common English Bible Notes on 2 Kings 9:11

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2 Kings 9:20, “…Jehu drives like a madman.”

Common English Bible

Madman. Fanatic. Acting like a prophet. Jehu drove as if under prophetic influence. He heard the prophecy Elijah made about King Ahab, 2 Kings 9:25, 36. Did he know he would be the one carrying it out?

Proverbs 21:5, “The plans of the diligent end up in profit, but those who hurry end up with loss.”

Common English Bible
April 21, 2020: 2 Kings 9, 10.

©2009-2020 thisyearsbiblereadingguide.com. All Rights Reserved.

I Am the Lord

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 24

Journal, 4-8-2020: “My eyes are running constantly. I can’t see anything very well. It’s like trying to look through Vaseline. Obviously, cold compresses are not working. I switched back to hot compresses. Nobody went on a “bear hunt.” The hearts in windows are what everyone is doing. I took the bears out of my windows. I’m depressed.”

Matthew 26:6, “When Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease.”

Common English Bible

Jesus heals skin diseases. Please heal me.

April 8, 2020: Matthew 26.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 25

Journal, 4-9-2020: “I woke up at 4:00 a.m. with a sore throat. I gargled and then rinsed my sinuses and eyes. I drank blueberry tea with honey. I ate a banana and took my medication. … Heartburn! I ate cereal and milk. Then I propped up the pillows and went back to sleep. I’m depressed. I can’t get on top of the watery eyes. I have difficulty reading and writing.”

John 17:4, “I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”

Common English Bible

I can’t work at all!

April 9, 2020: Mark 14; John 17.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 26

Journal 4-10-2020: “I went to take a nap after lunch and found the waterbed mattress leaked in a corner seam. (You cannot repair those.) We drained the bed. We borrowed a single size air mattress from Derek. I slept on it and David slept on the daybed. I’m glad I didn’t know this was going to happen.”

John 18:4, “Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him…”

Common English Bible
April 10, 2020: John 18; Mark 15.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 27

Journal, 4-11-2020: “David bought a queen-sized air mattress from Walmart. He pumped it up and put it in the waterbed frame. We woke up at midnight. We were laying on wood. We pumped it up again. We were back on the wood at four. I moved to the couch and David went back to the daybed.

Matthew 27:58, “He came to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission to take it.”

Common English Bible

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“…Victims of crucifixion typically hung on the cross after death as food for scavenging animals. …”

Common English Bible Note on Matthew 27:58.
April 11, 2020: Matthew 27; Luke 23.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 28

Journal, 4-12-2020: “Easter Sunday. We had our first “Drive-In Church.” I wore sunglasses the entire time. No one could see my eyes. Laura came! She hasn’t been to church since Derek graduated from Victory Bible College in 2015. … David exchanged the air mattress. The new one is 18″ high. I can look down the street while sitting in bed.”

Luke 24:11, “Their words struck the apostles as nonsense, and they didn’t believe the woman.”

Common English Bible

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“…James…doubts his mother.”

Common English Bible Note on Luke 24:11
April 12, 2020: John 19; Matthew 28; Luke 24.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 29

Journal, 4-13-2020: “It was cold. I ate breakfast in bed. My eyes are almost completely healed. Thank you, Jesus!”

John 21:9, “When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread.”

Common English Bible

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“The scene of Peter’s reinstatement (John 21:15, 17) matches the scene of his denial.”

Common English Bible Note on John 21:9
April 13, 2020: Mark 16; John 20, 21.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 30

Journal, 4-14-2020: “The hives around my eyes are back. They are thick and red. I wonder what the trigger is? Western Dressing? I tried Hydrocortisone and olive oil. The red got even brighter. (So much for home remedies. Sigh.)”

1 Kings 20:13, “… Do you see that great army? Today I am handing it over to you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

Common English Bible
April 21, 2020: 1 Kings 20, 21; 2 Chronicles 17.

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©2009-2020 thisyearsbiblereadingguide.com. All Rights Reserved.

Be Brave and Don’t Lose Heart

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 17

Journal: 4-1-2020: “I drug myself out of bed. Eyewash. Sinus rinse. Saltwater gargle. Journal. Devotions. I read Jeroboam’s son died because God found good in him.”

1 Kings 14:13, “… Out of the whole line of Jeroboam, he alone will have a tomb, because only in him did Israel’s God, the Lord, find something good.”

Common English Bible

The book of Job showed us sickness is not a punishment for sin. Jeroboam’s son showed us an early death may be a reward.

April 1, 2020: 1 Kings 13, 14; 2 Chronicles 12.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 18

Journal 4-2-2020: “Eyewash. Sinus rinse. Saltwater gargle. Journal. Devotions. When Abijah raised a battle cry, God defeated his enemies. …”

2 Chronicles 13:15, “…When they raised the battle cry, God defeated Jeroboam…”

Common English Bible

“…I typed up the March 2021 Bible Reading Guide. I took pictures and wrote copy for a frugalfish.org Instagram post.”

2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you, be brave and don’t lose heart, because your work will be rewarded.”

Common English Bible
April 2, 2020: 2 Chronicles 13; 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 14, 15.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 19

Journal, 4-3-2020: “I posted my Easter decorations on frugalfish’s Instagram. Then I typed the April 2021 Bible Reading Guide. There are three cases of coronavirus in Jefferson County. One couple works in Jefferson County but lives in Van Buren County. There are three cases in Van Buren County. I wonder if they counted that couple twice? … We still have toilet paper!”

1 Kings 17:13, 14, “Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid!’… 14) This is what Israel’s God, the Lord, says: The jar of flour won’t decrease and the bottle of oil won’t run out until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.”

Common English Bible
April 3, 2020: 2 Chronicles 16; 1 Kings 16, 17.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 20

Journal, 4-4-2020: “The lumberyard is closed on Saturdays. David threatened to stay in his pajamas all weekend. I got out my pile of the largest jeans. I call them my ‘Prednisone jeans.’ If I’m on Prednisone long enough I grow into them. I told David I was worried about gaining weight. He suggested that I stop weighing myself. Then he went to the store and bought me a Mello Yello and chocolate-covered peanuts!”

1 Kings 19:6, “Elijah opened his eyes and saw flatbread baked on glowing coals and a jar of water right by his head. He ate and drank, and then went back to sleep.”

Common English Bible

I ate the food God provided and then went to sleep.

April 4, 2020: 1 Kings 18, 19.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 21

Journal, 4-5-2020: “After watching church online, I went back to bed. I am still doing the eyewash, sinus rinse, and saltwater gargle every day. I switched from hot compresses to cool compresses.”

Luke 19:4, “So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus, who was about to pass by that way.”

Common English Bible

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“Powerful people normally summon those they want to interview (Luke 7:3). By climbing the tree, Zacchaeus is already beginning to give up his status and power.”

Common English Bible notes on Luke 19:4

I have no status or power left.

April 5, 2020: Luke 19; John 12.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 22

Journal, 4-6-2020: “My eyes are a mess. The hives are back. I stayed in bed. I can’t see to write.”

Matthew 21:43, “Therefore, I tell you that God’s kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to people who produce its fruit.”

Common English Bible

Lord, help me to produce fruit.

April 6, 2020: Matthew 21; Mark 11.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 23

Journal, 4-7-2020: “The hives spread to my mouth.”

John 13:31, “… ‘Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.”

Common English Bible

God, glorify yourself through my pain.

April 7, 2020: John 13; Luke 22.

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©2009-2020 thisyearsbiblereadingguide.com. All Rights Reserved.

Lessons from Job

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Covid-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 8

Journal, 3-23-2020: “My eyes are worse than ever! I was sitting at my desk feeling miserable. I took a picture of my eyes and sent it to David.

He replied, “Take Benadryl and go to bed.”

Job 5:22, “You will laugh at hunger and destruction…”

Common English Bible

I not hungry anyway.

March 23, 2020: Job 5-9.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,”- Day 9

Journal, 3-24-2020: “I stayed in my pajamas. I’m taking Allegra-D twice a day and Benadryl 3 times a day. My eyelids are bright red. David took over the laundry.”

Job 13:26, “You even write bitter things about me, make me inherit my youthful indiscretions.”

Common English Bible
March 24, 2020: Job 10-14.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 10

Journal, 3-25-2020: “My eyes are horrible. I can’t see very well. I asked God to show me the trigger. He said, ‘Go watch Grit TV.’ David took over the cooking.“

Job 19:26, “After my skin has been torn apart this way – then from my flesh, I’ll see God.”

Common English Bible
March 25, 2020: Job 15-19.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 11

Journal, 3-26-2020: “The hives around my eyes and mouth are red and burning. I switched to cold water soaks.

‘What should I do, God?’

‘Go watch Grit TV.'”

Job 22:21, “Get along well with God and be at peace; from this something good will come to you.”

Common English Bible
March 26, 2020: Job 20-24.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 12

Journal, 3-27-2020: “The skin around my eyes is burning. I started using Triamcinolone on it. I can only use it for 3 days. I’ve built a tolerance to Benadryl. I didn’t nap today. Once again, I listened to Grit TV. I am having difficulty seeing.”

Job 27:5, “I won’t agree that you are right. Until my dying day, I won’t give up my integrity.”

Common English Bible
March 27, 2020: Job 25-30

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 13

Journal, 3-28-2020: “I washed all the bedding: comforter, sheets, allergy pillow covers, and mattress pad. And watched Grit TV between loads as instructed.”

Job 32:18-20, “For I am full of words. The spirit in my belly compels me. 19) Look, my belly is like unopened wine; like new wineskins, it will burst. 20) I will speak and get relief; I will open my lips and respond.”

Common English Bible
March 28, 2020: Job 31-33.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 14

Journal, 3-29-2020: “The sermon today was ‘Hope in a Crisis.’

‘Trouble is our transportation.‘

I must be going somewhere! Today I had an asthma attack along with my swollen, itchy, hive-covered eyes. I used the inhaler and filled the vaporizer.”

Job 34:30, “He prevents a lawless person from ruling, from capturing people.”

Common English Bible
March 29, 2020: Job 34-37.

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 15

Journal, 3-30-2020: “I woke up with sinus pressure over my right eye. I used a saltwater eye rinse and then a cold compress. I boiled more water. When it cooled, I did a sinus rinse and gargled with hot water and salt. Then I used the sinus mask. I went to bed right after lunch.“

Job 40:4, “Look, I’m of little worth. What can I answer you? I’ll put my hand over my mouth.”

Common English Bible
March 30, 2020: Job 38-41.

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Covid-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 16

Journal, 3-31-2020: “After devotions, I ‘returned to normal life.’ I made the bed, washed dishes, washed darks, and worked on a grocery list. I put barbeque sauce on some chicken and made parsley potatoes. I even used the “clog cannon” on the tub – three times. It has been draining slowly. That cleared it right up!”

Job 42:10, “Then the Lord changed Job’s fortune when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord doubled all Job’s earlier possessions.”

Common English Bible

“…he set aside his remorse in order to return to normal life (see Job 30:19).”

Common English Bible Notes on Job 42:6
March 31, 2020: Job 42; 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10, 11.

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Because I Was Afraid

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COVID-19, “Shelter in Place,” – Day 7

Journal – March 22, 2020: “We watched church online: ‘Commonsense and God sense. Commonsense is faith in yourself – fight to the death. God sense is faith in God – fight to victory.’

David ran errands and helped Derek move a bed. They switched bedrooms and are setting up a nursery. He measured some windows they want to replace.

While he was gone, I took down the St. Patrick’s Day decorations and decorated for Easter.

I saw online people putting teddy bears in their windows so children could ‘go on a bear hunt’ as they walked through the neighborhood. I found enough bears for all the windows. Some I tied with white ribbon around their waists. I tied the ends to the cup hooks that I use to hang Christmas lights. They look like they are bungee jumping!

I laughed when I saw today’s chapters. The book of Job is perfect for reading during a pandemic! “

“…Job… a ‘person of absolute integrity’…who experiences great suffering. Job’s distress isn’t caused by something he did…[it] results from his experience of natural evil, from the ill effects of natural events (windstorm, lightning, and related fires, disease), and moral evil…suffering may occur because of the nature of the world that God created and because God allows the natural order to be what it was created to be.

Believers are invited to ‘revere God’ (Job 1:9) no matter what they face…reveals God’s openness to Job’s hard questions. …

The book is neither historical literature nor biography, not an autobiography. Job reminds us of literature that begins with the phrase ‘once upon a time,’ and some readers recognize it as ‘dramatic fiction.’ …The purpose is to teach by posing key questions about suffering.”

Common English Bible Introduction to the book of Job

Job 3:25, “Because I was afraid of something awful, and it arrived; what I dreaded came to me.”

Common English Bible

Proverbs 22:5, “Thorns and nets are in the path of the crooked; those who guard their lives keep their distance.”

Common English Bible

I must not live in fear. I will use commonsense and God sense. And I will keep my distance!

March 22, 2020: Psalms 73; Job 1-4.

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