Reading Psalms and Provers - A Wonderful Blessing

A PLAN FOR READING PSALMS AND PROVERBS MONTHLY

A number of years ago I received the book Words of Wisdom from Living Psalms and Proverbs (1967, Tyndale House) in the mail from Billy Graham. I have followed the reading plan that he proposed in that book, off and on, for over twenty-five years. At least once a year, often more, I have followed the plan throughout a particular month. On many days, when I am pausing to read God's word for a moment, I will use the reading plan for that given day. Practically every Bible I personally use is marked with this plan. I quote Billy Graham's foreword as a way of explaining it:

"The late Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois once told me that one could not help but draw great inspiration from the reading of the Psalms and the Proverbs. For many years I have made it a practice to read five Psalms and a chapter of the book of Proverbs each day, aside from my other Bible reading and study, and it has been a great blessing to me.

By reading five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs daily, you will be able to read them through each month. The Psalms will tell you how to get along with God, and the Proverbs will tell you how to get along with your fellowman. In Deuteronomy 6:5 we read, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." In Leviticus 19:18 we read, "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord." Both of these great affirmations are underlined in the Psalms and Proverbs."

The Reading Plan
Psalms - The following are the first Psalm or each day's reading:
1 Psalm 1
2 Psalm 6
3 Psalm 11
4 Psalm 16
5 Psalm 21
6 Psalm 26
7 Psalm 31
8 Psalm 36
9 Psalm 41
10 Psalm 46
11 Psalm 51
12 Psalm 56
13 Psalm 61
14 Psalm 66
15 Psalm 71
16 Psalm 76
17 Psalm 80
18 Psalm 86
19 Psalm 91
20 Psalm 96
21 Psalm 101
22 Psalm 104
23 Psalm 106
24 Psalm 108
25 Psalm 112
26 Psalm 119
27 Psalm 120
28 Psalm 130
29 Psalm 135
30 Psalm 140
31 Psalm 145

I suggest you write and circle the number of the day next to first Psalm you would read for each of the 31 days. This way you will readily see where each day’s reading begins. For example, by Psalm 1 write a circled #1, by Psalm 6 a circled #2 , by Psalm 11 a circled #3, and so forth. Usually you will read five Psalms but not always because of some longer chapters; Psalm 119 (176 verses) for example..

Proverbs: Simply read the chapter whose number corresponds with the day's date.

May the Lord richly bless you as you read God's marvelous word and especially as you feast on Psalms and Proverbs. I pray this blesses you as richly as it does me.

P.S. February is a challenge; I am using this plan now. I will either complete 4 days of reading on the 28th or simply start over on March 1st. Ask be about it in March and I'll tell you which I did. If you would like a printed copy of this to put in your Bible, just see me at church.

Sunday School

Two more questions: What is Sunday School, & Isn’t it only for children?

Sunday School is the intentional, systematic study of the Bible in a small group setting. The study of the Bible may be verse-by-verse or section-by-section, or by topic or principle.

If, as an adult or teenager, you are not in a Sunday School class at SNMBC, I want to give you something to think about. The Bible is God’s “love letter” to His children, and it is marvelously beneficial for every one of us. God uses the Bible to tell us about Himself and His ways, and about us and our ways. God uses it to tell us when we are wrong, how to get going in the right direction, and what God-blessed, abundant living truly is. That is what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” That sounds like something that would be good for any one of us, regardless of age.

I invite you to join in a Sunday School class this week. We start a new series of classes this very Sunday, March 1st. “Now” is always the best time to grow in love and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus. I will be leading one of the adult classes, and if you are past high school age, I would love for you to take part. We will be studying the book of Romans in the gym.

I’ll close with these words: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.” Did you know that song was written before the Civil War by two sisters who taught Sunday School to the cadets at West Point, young men preparing to fight and possibly die to defend America? Sunday School truly is for all ages.

Initial Questions

You are probably reading this out of sheer curiosity. Perhaps you want to know “Who is Pastor Barbee?” or “What is a Pastor of Visitation?” Let me try giving a short answer to both questions. I am a man, born in the south, whom God called to serve Him as a pastor, greatly blessed throughout life, and led to live in Northeast Pennsylvania. Like many others, Julie and I have found a church home in South New Milford Baptist Church (SNMBC) and want to honor, and glorify the Lord Jesus in our lives and our service there. I made an offer to our Pastor, Larry Thomas, to assist him and serve our church in a volunteer capacity, under his leadership, and as he thinks best.

A Pastor of Visitation is part of Pastor Thomas’s leadership team to augment his pastoral visitation capabilities. To augment means “to make something already developed or well under way, greater, as in size, extent, or quantity”. That is my primary focus, and doesn’t it sound like a wonderful job? I get to simply visit and get to know people and to talk about the wonderful truths of the Bible and the abundant blessings of the Lord Jesus in the lives of His children. Over time I will also assist Pastor Thomas in developing the outreach ministry of SNMBC. I will also preach and teach and assist in other capacities as Pastor Thomas chooses.
If you choose to read this “blog” in the future, I commit to keeping it brief and worth your time. Truly God is good – all the time!