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, July 14 - Read for today: Psalms 12

Sunday, July 15 - Read for today: Psalms 13

Monday, July 16 - Read for today: Matthew 19

What God Intended

     In verses 4 - 6 of this passage we read, ““Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female,” and He also said: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

     This chapter is filled with so many items to cover. In this one chapter we see the importance of, and Christ’s love of children. I believe it is impossible to overemphasize the importance of children’s ministries and of reaching folks when they are young. “According to the Barna Group, only 6% of adult Christians made their decision to follow God over the age of 18. That means 94% made decisions as children that follow with them throughout their life. Wow. That is encouraging. And scary. And then encouraging again. That means that there is no time like the present to be shepherding their little hearts.” (Quoted from the blog, “A Mother Far From Home”).

     In this chapter, Jesus points out how easily riches can blind us to our need for a Savior and for a relationship with God. When you think you have everything you need, it can be difficult to admit that you can’t do everything. It’s also easy to believe that just because you’re wealthy, that you have the Lord’s favor and you must be doing everything right. That’s why Jesus specifically says in verses 23-24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’”

     In this chapter we are reminded of the importance and God’s intention for marriage. It is not to be taken lightly. It is not to be jumped in to quickly. It was never meant for folks to be shopping around. It was never intended for us to have serial marriages. That does not mean that divorce is the unpardonable sin, but it does mean that we have reached a point in our country when we treat marriage far too lightly. We sometimes throw in the towel too quickly, instead of trying to work things out.

     But honestly, what jumped out at me when I first read this passage was the simple quote Jesus made in verse 4 when He said, “He who created them in the beginning made them male and female.”

      Are there people who are attracted to folks of the same sex? Yes. There are also people who have issues with gossiping, and stealing, and lying, and adultery, and whatever sin it is that you struggle with. We do people no good, and a great deal of harm, when we try to water down the Scriptures, and try to make them say what they do not say, in order to try and keep from hurting peoples’ feelings.

      Do you think Jesus hurt the rich young rulers’ feelings when this man who believed himself to be good, was told by Jesus to go and sell everything and to give it away? I do, but Jesus told him the truth because He didn’t want the man’s money to keep him out of heaven. Do you think Jesus hurt Simon, His host’s feelings when He pointed out in Luke 7, Simon’s shortcomings and the woman’s strengths? I do, but I believe Jesus thought it more important to tell the truth than to protect Simon’s feelings.

      A doctor does no good by telling a patient everything is fine, if in the process he ignores a patient’s symptoms and allows him to die because he doesn’t want him hurt or upset. Why we have courts to address stupidity and malpractice like that. And let me tell you, we do no one any favors, except the devil, by saying gossip, or living together, or lying as a politician, or dishonesty as a businessman, or homosexuality is ok just because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.

      Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by Me.” If we ignore the truth of Jesus, we might as well ignore the Way of Jesus as well.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are there sins or situations you overlook or excuse because you don’t want to hurt people’s feelings?

  2. Can someone tell the truth in a non-hurtful or critical way?

  3. Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. Can we be known as the same, while still telling the truth as He did?

For further study:

  1. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Did you see yourself included on this list? I did. How did he start verse 11? Change is possible.

  2. Read Matthew 7:1-6. What did Jesus say we were to do first, before attempting to help others with their struggles?





Tuesday, July 17 - Read for today: Mark 10

The first shall be last

     In verse 31 Jesus says, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Man, this verse is misapplied a lot. What does it mean? Some have quoted it in reference to race, saying that since the race they are a part of is discriminated against at times, that they will do well in the next life. Others have suggested it means that many who are poor in this life will do well in the next. I don’t believe either is the case, as the context does not point to either.  If that is the case, then what does it mean?

     Look at the context. It has to do with those who are seeking recognition and positions of power. That is what Jesus is relating to. There is nothing morally great about being poor. I know a bunch of poor folks who are that way because they made stupid decisions or are simply lazy. There’s no moral greatness nor spiritual superiority in that.

     I also know folks from many races who are sorry, including mine. You think Jesus is going to reward folks because they are a part of a certain race? I don’t. There is no moral superiority in one race over another. If that is the case, then what is Jesus talking about?

     Look how Jesus followed up when the other disciples got upset. He talked about attitude of the heart. He talked about servanthood.

     I know several people who truly have servant’s hearts. They are regularly making sure things are taken care of at the church. They try to help other people, but they are usually working behind the scenes. Their goals truly are to help people and serve the Lord. Those people, often unseen and under-appreciated, I believe are the ones Jesus is talking about who will get the promotions and the recognition in the life to come.

     Let me quote from a book I am currently reading, and so far, am enjoying a great deal; called The Traveler’s Gift. In the story, a man had a car accident and has been transported through time to meet different people. In this quote, he has met King Solomon. In this quote, they are moving from one room to another. “As Solomon exited the interior room, he held the curtain open for David (sic, the traveler), to pass. David stepped under Solomon’s arm and said, ‘I should be holding the curtain open for you. After all, you are the king.’

     Solomon laughed, ‘Thank you, but I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. When a king begins to act like a king, it is not long before someone else is king! Serving is a way we can place value on one another. A wise man is a server.’” [The Traveler’s Gift, Andy Andrews, pp 46-7].

      Many servants will one day be leaders. It’s all a matter of the heart.

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you serve other people, or expect them to serve you?

  2. What did Jesus do?

  3. How did Jesus respond when people interrupted His day?

For further study:

  1. Read Matthew 6:2-4. What does Jesus command us in these verses?