Meditating The Word

This year on the Meditating the Word Podcast, we are reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. We'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically, using the World English Bible translation. If you would like a copy of the reading plan we are using, you can download a copy from blueletterbible.com. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform or on YouTube so you don't miss any episodes. 
This is Day 7. Today we'll be reading Job Chapters 14-16. 
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Father God, the depths of Job's anguish! A man you yourself said was righteous. The things most of us suffer pale in comparison to all that happened to Job. His children, gone. His livestock and crops gone. His wife telling him to curse you and die. And even though Job blamed you for what had happened, he wouldn't curse you. Even though his wife and friends gave him no comfort, he didn't turn against you. We hear about the patience of Job, Father give us your strength to be as steadfast as Job and praise you, even in the storm, because you will see us through to the other side. You are faithful. Thank you, Father. Amen
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Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same. 
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year. I can't wait to see you tomorrow as we continue our journey.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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This is Meditating The Word. This year, we are reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. We'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically, using the World English Bible. If you would like a copy of the reading plan we are using, you can download a copy from blueletterbible.com. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform - or on YouTube - so you don't miss any episodes. 
This is Day 6. Today we'll be reading Job Chapters 10-13. 
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Father God, we are so thankful, so grateful, that we don't get what we deserve. As Job talks about the iniquities of his youth, we know that we have all fallen short of the glory you planned for us. We fail daily to do what is right. But hallelujah, we are not judged by what we have done, we are not punished for our failures. You don't even see our sins. They have been covered by the blood of Jesus. Through him, we have been made righteous. And through your grace, we receive his reward. Thank you, Father. Amen
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Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same. 
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year. I can't wait to see you tomorrow as we continue our journey.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawnLicense code: SFVKF2JFJJIFZDGT
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barton/a-greater-purposeLicense code: V7MXT7OL2G2RXYSM

You're listening to Meditating The Word. This year, we will be reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. We'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically, using the World English Bible. If you would like a copy of the reading plan we are using, you can download a copy from blueletterbible.com. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss any episodes. 
This is Day 5. Today we'll be reading Job Chapters 6-9. 
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Father God, it's sometimes difficult to understand the things we go through in life. Like Job, we try to make sense of them. But we are reminded that we were made in your image, in your likeness. You created man and gave him dominion. And man gave that dominion to the enemy and brought the curse into the earth. Yet, we know you have provided a way for us, above the curse. Teach us how to walk in the authority and dominion you created us to have, and that Jesus bought back for us with his very blood. And when the storms come, Father, as we know they will, let our foundation be secure, based on your word and on the redemption of Jesus. Thank you, Father. Amen
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Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same. 
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year. I can't wait to see you tomorrow as we continue our journey.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
-----
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawnLicense code: SFVKF2JFJJIFZDGT
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barton/a-greater-purposeLicense code: V7MXT7OL2G2RXYSM

Welcome to Meditating The Word. This year, we will be reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. We'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically, using the World English Bible. If you would like a copy of the reading plan we are using, you can download a copy from https://www.blueletterbible.org. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss any episodes. 
This is Day 4. Today we'll be reading Job Chapters 1-5.
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Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same.  https://www.facebook.com/APrayerCloset/
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year. I can't wait to see you tomorrow as we continue our journey.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
----
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawnLicense code: SFVKF2JFJJIFZDGT
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barton/a-greater-purposeLicense code: V7MXT7OL2G2RXYSM

Welcome to Meditating The Word. This year, we are reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. We'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically, from the World English Bible translation. If you would like to get a copy of the reading plan we are using, you can download a copy from https://blueletterbible.com. You'll find a link in the notes. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss any episodes. 
This is Day 3. Today we'll be reading Genesis Chapters 8-11.
Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same. https://www.facebook.com/APrayerCloset/
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
 

You're listening to Meditating The Word. This year, we will be reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. We'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically, using the World English Bible. If you are interested in getting a copy of the reading plan we are using, you can download a copy from https://blueletterbible.com.  Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss any episodes. 
This is Day 2. Today we'll be reading Genesis Chapters 4-7.
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Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same. https://www.facebook.com/APrayerCloset
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year. I can't wait to see you tomorrow as we continue our journey.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
-----
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawnLicense code: SFVKF2JFJJIFZDGT
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barton/a-greater-purposeLicense code: V7MXT7OL2G2RXYSM
 

Hi, I'm Cheree and this is Meditating The Word. This year, we will be reading the Bible in a Year using the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan, we'll read the entire Bible in the order the events occured chronologically. We're using the World English Bible. If you are interested in getting a copy of the reading plan we will be using, you can download a copy from blueletterbible.com. You can subscribe to this podcast on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts. 
 
This is Day 1. Today we'll be reading Genesis Chapters 1-3.
 
Please join us in our Facebook community, where I share my thoughts about the day's reading -- and I invite you to do the same. https://www.facebook.com/APrayerCloset/
And again, thank you for joining me on this journey of reading the Bible in a Year. I can't wait to see you tomorrow as we continue our journey.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
-----
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawnLicense code: SFVKF2JFJJIFZDGT
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/dan-barton/a-greater-purposeLicense code: V7MXT7OL2G2RXYSM
 

Hi, this is Cheree, and this is an introduction for season two of the Meditating the Word Podcast. I'm taking the podcast in a different direction for 2023. 
As Christians, we know it's important to spend time in God's Word. It helps us deepen our relationship with him and it helps us to understand his will for our lives... after all, his Word IS his will. It's our instruction manual for living a life of faith. 
Reading scriptures at church once or twice a week just isn't enough. We are told that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Reading God's Word daily helps us to grow in our faith. Meditating on what God's Word says helps us to understand his character and helps us build a strong foundation for our lives. 
By keeping our focus on God's Word (and the Bible says that Jesus IS the Word made flesh!) it helps us to become more and more like him, to transform our lives by renewing our minds to the Word.
We don't live by bread alone, but by every Word from the mouth of God. And, since most of us eat every day, I believe we should also read God's Word daily.
And maybe you've tried to read through the Bible in a year before and didn't make it through the year. Let's face it, there are a lot of reasons people find it hard to read the Bible every day. 
We're all busy, and you may struggle finding the time to add a daily Bible reading into your already busy schedule.
Some people struggle with reading the Bible because they find it difficult to  understand. And I'll admit, it can be a challenging book to read and sometimes it doesn't seem as though what we read is something that we can apply to our daily lives. Yet, scripture tells us that every word is useful for instruction and correction. 
Or maybe you have so many challenges in your life right now, that it's difficult for you to focus on reading the Bible. Even though it could be the single most important thing you do to turn your life around, you may struggle to focus on your faith because you are preoccupied with so many other things. 
Finally, many people simply lack the discipline or motivation to stick with it. It requires commitment. And if you don't make it a priority in your life, you will find it hard to consistently set aside time to read God's Word.
It is my hope that this podcast will help you read through the entire Bible in 2023. 
The Bible is fascinating when you dig into it. It's one of the oldest and most widely read books in the world. The Old Testament was written mostly in Hebrew, with some of it in Aramaic. It includes the Torah (also known as the Five Books of Moses), the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). It was written over a period of about 1,000 years, from around the 12th century BC to the 2nd century BC. The tets were originally passed down orally, and  eventually written down and compiled into the books, chapters and verses that we know today.
The New Testament is a collection of texts that tell of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it includes letters (or "epistles") written by early Christian leaders, as well as the book of Revelation, which is a prophetic text that describes the end of the world and the return of Jesus. The New Testament was written in Greek during the 1st and 2nd centuries, and it is thought to have been compiled and edited by the early Christian community.
We will read through the Bible chronologically -- which means it won't be in the same order you find in your Bible, but rather in the order the events took place historically. I may or may not add a little bit of commentary at the end of the day's reading, depending on how I am led. Each episode will last approximately 20 minutes.  
I will be following the Blue Letter Bible 1 year chronological plan. You can download a PDF of this plan from blueletterbible.org/assets/pdf/dbrp/1Yr_ChronologicalPlan.pdf. I will place a link in the notes. 
The version of the Bible I will be reading from is the World English Bible. It is a public domain version of the Bible in modern English, and I believe many people will find it easier to read and understand than the King James Version. And being in the public domain by the generosity of its translators, means I can record this podcast without violating any copyright laws. You can follow along in the Bible App, or with the browser version, which can be found at worldenglish.bible. Again, I will place a link in the notes. 
You may start the podcast at any time, you don't have to start at the beginning. The episodes will always be available if you want to go back and listen to one you missed, or re-listen to one again. 
It is my hope that having a daily podcast will help you stay motivated to read (or at least listen to) the Bible in a year. 
If you would like to support this podcast, you may do so by buying me a cup of coffee at http://Ko-fi.com/cheree. 
I'm excited to read the Bible with you in 2023. And can't wait to get started on January first. 
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing. 
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The Christmas Story
The Birth of Jesus Foretold ~ Luke 1:26-38
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
The Birth of Jesus Christ ~ Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
The Birth of Jesus Christ ~ Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
The Shepherds and the Angels ~ Luke 2:8-21
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
The Word Became Flesh ~ John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light, the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Merry Christmas.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is a Parent's Prayer
My children are a reward, a precious gift from you. I have not labored in vain or birthed children for calamity. I am blessed by you and my descendants with me.
I refrain my voice from weeping and my eyes from tears, for my work raising my children and praying over them shall be rewarded. If they go astray, they shall come back from the land of the enemy. I have an expectant hope for the future, that my children will come back to a place of peace and safety and well-being.
I am confident, Father, that the good work you began in my child, you will carry it on until it is finished. 
You contend with those who contend with me, and you will save, defend, preserve, and deliver my children.
You have made a covenant with me. Your Spirit that is upon me, and your words that you have planted in me, shall not depart out of my mouth or out of the mouth of my children or my children's children from this time forth and forevermore. I believe in your Son, Jesus, and I am saved, me and my household. The promise is unto me and to my children and to all that are afar off, even as many as you shall call. I claim your promise that the children of your servants shall dwell secure and their offspring shall be established before you, Father. 
I am blessed because I fear and reverence you, Father, and I greatly delight in your commandments. My children will be mighty in the land, and they will be blessed. 
You poured water on my thirsty land and streams on my dry ground. You poured your Spirit upon my children and your blessing upon my descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. They will say that they are yours, they will call on your name, your name shall be written on their hand. 
Father, your word says my children shall by taught by you and their peace shall be great. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. My children give me peace of mind and make my heart glad.
I walk in integrity, and my children are blessed after me. I have strong confidence in you, and my children have refuge. My house shall stand. 
My steps are ordered by you, and I delight in your way. Though I may fall, I will not stay down, because you uphold me with your hand. I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. I am merciful and lend to others, and my seed is blessed. You will increase me more and more, me and my children.
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Psalm 127:3; Isaiah 65:23; Jeremiah 31:16-17; Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 49:25; Isaiah 59:21; Acts 16:31-33; Acts 2:39; Psalms 102:28; Psalms 112:1-2; Isaiah 44:3-5; Isaiah 54:13; 3 John 1:4; Proverbs 29:17; Proverbs 20:7; Proverbs 14:26; Prov. 12:7; Ps. 37:23-26; Ps. 115:14