Chronological Bible Reading Plan

     Welcome to River of Life, First Baptist Lake Monroe and Ridge Crest Bible Church’s Chronological Bible Reading Plan.  Over the next several years, the members of these sister churches will be reading through their Bibles together in a chronological way, following the events of the Bible in the order in which they occurred rather than in the order in which they were recorded.  In addition the pastor and adult Bible study teachers will be teaching from the same passages we read each week.  At times, additional passages from the Psalms will be provided along with the chronological reading portion.

     I hope that you will prayerfully consider making a commitment to reading through the Bible with us.  As you approach each days’ passage and questions let me encourage you to: 

Pray – Pray before you read.  Ask God to make the scripture real to you and show you how it applies to your life.

Read – Read the scripture passage(s).

Ask – Ask yourself, “in what I just read is there a lesson to learn, a truth to embrace, an example to follow, a sin to avoid, a mistake to dodge, a change to make or a promise to claim?”

Meditate – Think about what you have read.  We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22).

Remember God’s promise and condition in Jeremiah 29:13

 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

If you miss a lesson and would like it emailed to you,

 send me an email at rolwebperson@yahoo.com

Want a link to read the Scriptures?

http://www.biblegateway.com/



Saturday, April 21 - Read for today: Psalms 138

Sunday, April 22 - Read for today: Psalms 139



Monday, April 23 - Read for today: Matthew 2

You Never Know Who You’re Impacting

     In this passage we learn that wisemen from the East came looking for a king that had recently been born. They came from the East, from the area of Babylon. One wonders, how in the world these magicians, astrologers, and astronomers knew to look for signs in the stars for the birth of a king? One wonders how they knew to follow that star in order to be able to find the king?

     Between 500 and 600 years before these wisemen came to Jerusalem and asked for directions, there was an Israelite who had been taken captive to Babylon as a youth. He and his friends, lived very different lives from those around them. They didn’t eat like others. They didn’t worship like others. They prayed to a different God than those they lived among. They faithfully followed their Lord, and faithfully obeyed their God even when it was unpopular, even when it meant they could lose their lives. They interpreted dreams and told the truth, even when the truth hurt. They made an impact on the kings who ruled during their lifetimes. I believe they also made an impact on those around them.

     Imagine. There were people watching them and they never knew it. Those people told their children and they told their children, on and on down the line for between 500 and 600 years. I believe those wisemen who showed up looking for Jesus did so because of the teachings, wisdom, and examples of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Imagine, the lives of these men were still having an impact on other peoples’ lives centuries later; more than twice as long as the United States has been a country.

     Never underestimate the impact you are having when you live a God-fearing, Christ-pleasing life. Never underestimate the number of people watching you, and the people you can impact when you live differently than the world. Never underestimate how long your life will continue to impact the lives of others when you walk filled with the Holy Spirit, reflecting the glory of God.

     “You don’t have to be a critically acclaimed author who sells millions of copies of your work in order to have a voice. You don’t need to be a presenter that gets in front of a sold-out crowd months on end to have influence. You definitely don’t need to have tons of money to make a difference in someone’s life. Instead of focusing on impacting millions, take it one at a time. Treat the people around you with the utmost respect. Help others when they need it and don’t expect anything in return.”^[1]

     Turn the other cheek. Go the second mile. Pray for those who despitefully use you. When they want your shirt, give them your cloak also. Go and live differently. Go and change the world.

Questions for thought:

  1. Can others tell there is something different about you, without you even telling them you attend church?

  2. Are people surprised to discover you are a Christian or do they say, “I knew it!”

For further study:

  1. Read Galatians 6:9. What does this verse promise?

  2. Remember the promise of Psalm 126:5 that we read last week? How are you doing?

  3. Read Luke 13:18-19. Do you have any branch nesters?





Tuesday, April 24 - Read for today: Luke 2:39-52

Don’t be caught off guard

     A decade ago, many economic experts and CEOs professed complete surprise at the subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent crisis in the credit markets. One economist, however, saw his predictions vindicated. Known as “Dr. Doom,” Nouriel Roubini had for several years warned of a wave of foreclosures and bank collapses. After receiving scorn from fellow economists and having his proposals ignored, Roubini suddenly found himself in demand by officials around the world who wanted his advice. The facts and events validated his forecasts.

     Many people were caught off guard by the coming of Jesus, including the scribes, the priests, and King Herod. But it's encouraging to find that the original Christmas did not come as a surprise to everyone! Some people understood God's promises and were waiting faithfully for the day of fulfillment to come. Simeon was one of them: a “righteous and devout” man who had long been waiting for the “consolation of Israel,” that is, the Messiah (v. 25), and had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would live long enough to see his heart's desire (v. 26). He had not only a general trust in God's promises, but also a sensitivity to the Spirit's leading at specific times to specific places, as in this instance (v. 27).

     Just as some were prepared and some were caught off guard at Jesus’ first coming, the same will happen when He returns again. The Bible reminds us many times to not be surprised, or be caught off guard, or unprepared when He comes again.

     A few people were blessed, and many hurt when the last economic downturn occurred. The same will happen when Jesus comes again. Please, don’t be surprised. Don’t be caught off guard or unprepared.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are you ready if Jesus were to return today?

  2. Would He be pleased with where He finds you and with what you are doing?

For further study:

  1. Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. What do these verses tell us today is?

  2. Read Matthew 24:46 & Luke 12:43. What do both of these verses tell us?



Wednesday, April 25 – Read for today: Matthew 3

True Repentance

     John the Baptist was used by the Lord to draw the people to an awareness of their own lives and the sins they had committed. People must come face to face with their own transgressions for conviction and admission of sins.  This ministry was foretold by Isaiah long before which was a preparation for the coming of the Lord.  John led a simple life in the wilderness but his message was profound. People came from all around and were baptized by him but true repentance was required in order to be qualified. Jesus would soon begin His ministry in obedience to God the Father which would take Him to the cross where He would die for our sins and then be resurrected. Preparation of the heart is the beginning and God sees the heart and every motivation.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees also came but John knew that their hearts were not right and called them out for what they were. They considered themselves qualified because of their Jewish race and religious position but the sin in their lives had not been dealt with. How about our own hearts?  Are you going through a form of religion but with no true repentance and change of heart?

     Today we as believers have the responsibility of making Christ known to the world. The message still begins with a heart examination, an awareness of sin, an admission of sins and the receiving of Jesus Christ as our only Savior.  Some hearts are hard and turn away but there are others that are ready to repent and trust Christ to save them.  As believers today we have the responsibility to take the message as John the Baptist did but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the heart. Jesus was committed to obey all that the Father asked of Him and we should be committed to take the Gospel message of salvation to our world so hearts can hear and understand and come in true repentance to our Savior. Are we committed to the task of evangelism today?

Thoughts to consider: 

Genesis 6:5-It is important to remember that God is aware of every sin we commit and we must answer to Him. We are to repent.

Psalm 53:3- Remember that all have sinned. Only Jesus is the perfect man but He has made a way for us to be cleansed from our sins when we come to Him.

For Further Study:

Acts 2-Read here how hearts were convicted and repentance and forgiveness came to 3000 people. Remember that the same Holy Spirit is working today.

Luke 18:18-30-Consider here the rich young ruler and the lack of true repentance for salvation. Are you holding back in any way?