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, August 12 - Read for today: Psalms 69

Sunday, August 13 - Read for today: Psalms 70



Monday, August 14 - Read for today: Jeremiah 25

Rest or Ruin

     In verse 11 we read, “This whole land will become a desolate ruin, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for 70 years”.

     The number, and the punishment of 70 years is important. When Israel was about the enter the promised land, the Lord told them that every seventh year was to be a sabbath, when the ground was supposed to lay fallow. The people were not supposed to plant. They were not supposed to even harvest what grew by itself. They were not supposed to pick the grapes that grew in their vineyards. They were supposed to allow the land, their animals and their help to rest.

     In Leviticus 25:2-7 we read, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land I am giving you, the land will observe a Sabbath to the Lord. 3 You may sow your field for six years, and you may prune your vineyard and gather its produce for six years. 4 But there will be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land in the seventh year, a Sabbath to the Lord: you are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5 You are not to reap what grows by itself from your crop, or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. It must be a year of complete rest for the land. 6 Whatever the land produces during the Sabbath year can be food for you—for yourself, your male or female slave, and the hired hand or foreigner who stays with you. 7 All of its growth may serve as food for your livestock and the wild animals in your land.”

     What? You mean they were to rest 1 day in seven and 1 year in seven? Yep. In verses 20-22 of the same chapter, the Lord told them that He would provide extra in the 6th year, so they’d have enough to live on during their sabbath year.

     But the people knew better. They thought they would get ahead by ignoring the Lord, by refusing to rest when He told them to. They thought they would get ahead by working more and resting and worshipping less.

     In 2 Chronicles 36:21, when the captivity had actually taken place, the Bible says, “This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Jeremiah and the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation until 70 years were fulfilled.” Since the people refused to rest and worship, the Lord said, “I’ll get that time, MY way.”

     Even today we are given a choice, “Rest and worship, or work and regret.”

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you think the Lord can accomplish as much with you working 6 days and obeying, as you can in 7 days and disobeying?

  2. What has overwork cost you?

For further study:

  1. Read Mark 2:27. Who does this verse say the Sabbath was intended to benefit?

  2. Read Exodus 31:13. How much of a priority does this verse say Sabbath observance is?



Tuesday, August 15 - Read for today: Jeremiah 26

Did God really say that?

     In verse 2 we read, “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all Judah’s cities that are coming to worship there. Do not hold back a word.”

     Did you notice what the Lord told Jeremiah? He said, “Speak all of the words. . . . Do not hold back a word.” Does this mean that the Lord told prophets and the writers of scripture the exact WORDS they were to speak?

     Over the years there has been a great deal of discussion about that. Some people have the mistaken idea that the Lord only gave the writers of the Bible ideas, or thoughts, and that they wrote what they felt. There were, undoubtedly, times when the Lord used the backgrounds of the Bible writers, and their personalities to shape the passages they wrote; but there were also times when the exact words were chosen. The Lord knew what He wanted said, and how He wanted it said.

     The Bible tells us that, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

     In verse 3 we read, “Perhaps they will listen and return—each from his evil way of life—so that I might relent concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.” Really? In spite of all of the warnings and the very dire promises, God is still willing to forgive?

     Never underestimate the grace, and the mercy of our heavenly Father. He warns, and wants and warns. One day there will be accountability. One day everyone will have to give an account of their lives and their obedience or lack thereof. Between now and then, however, there is a great deal of grace.

     My friend, do not miss this opportunity to avail yourself of the Lord’s grace and mercy. He did say that.

Questions for thought:

  1. How much emphasis do you place on the words of God?

  2. When does God’s grace end?

For further study:

  1. Read Hebrews 2:3. What great questions does this verse ask?

  2. Read Romans 15:4; Hebrews 4:12. What do these verses tell us about scripture?

  3. What complaint did Jesus have against the pharisees in Mark 12:24? Could the same be said of you?



Wednesday, August 16 – Read for today: Jeremiah 27

When the Hedge Comes Down

     A yoke was placed on Jeremiah’s neck as a visual message showing the yoke of bondage was on the way now for Israel due to disobedience and blatant sin of God’s people. The people were instructed to submit to Babylon or face destruction.  Israel had brought itself to this sad state by its own choices and now God brings in a foreign nation as His deputy to give judgement to God’s people. No matter what anyone of the false prophets would say the judgement was coming.  There were many voices that spoke saying that God’s judgement would not happen but it did.  Living in denial is a life of sham and disgrace yet many do today. Unbelievers laugh at any bad news and deny that anything is wrong but the storm clouds gather just the same. Then suddenly judgement comes and the consequences of sin are plainly seen.  Noah preached for 120 years as the ark was under construction but he only saw deaf ears and hard hearts.  When God closed the door, no man could open it and time was up. The hedge of protection was down now for Israel the prescribed time of judgement would begin. However, this time was limited for Israel as well as for Babylon and things would change. The items taken from the temple would be carried away but not forever. God would send for them at a future time but the present time would have to play out until the proper time of judgement was completed.

     Where do we find ourselves today?  Are we living in disobedience today and on the brink of God’s hand of discipline?  There is purpose and reason in God’s judgement that His people would return in humbleness and submission and once again know the joy of serving God and giving honor to Him.  Running from God only brings grief and frustration and we can ask Jonah about his someday.  Our God works in the hearts and lives of His children to bring us to where we need to be. Playing games with God and denying our sins only brings misery and stress.  Let us open our hearts to our Lord and examine our hearts to repent and confess any sins that causes us to stumble.  God has a perfect plan for our lives so let’s stay behind the hedge of protection He has provided by following His will and way.

Thoughts to Consider:

Romans 6:2& 11—This passage tells us we are dead to sin as God’s children so we should resist it at every turn and live a victorious life for Him.

Galatians 5:24- Remember that our sinful nature though dead still can push itself into our lives if we live in disobedience.

For Further Study:

Colossians 3:3 & II Timothy 2:11—How does one hide himself in Christ each day?  How does this require submission and love in service?

I Peter 2:24-Consider the sacrifice of Christ on the cross so that we can live a life of victory.  List a few Biblical characters that were healed and changed by Christ’s blood. How do we live behind the protection of God’s hedge today?



Thursday, August 17 - Read for today: Jeremiah 28

Be careful when you speak for the Lord

     Jeremiah came and spoke for the Lord. He told the people what the Lord had said and what the Lord expected. He was still hoping for a miracle, while he warned that additional judgment was on the way because of the people’s continued disobedience and rebellion.

     There were a number of prophets around him who told a different story, however. All they talked about was how much the Lord loved them and how He was going to restore everything and everyone quickly.

     The Lord had told Jeremiah to build a yoke and to put it around his neck while he prophesied (glad he hasn’t told me to do anything like that). The prophet Hananiah, said Jeremiah was lying and that the Lord was going to restore everything quickly. Then he broke the yoke the Lord told Jeremiah to make and wear, and basically said Jeremiah was lying.

     Jeremiah told him the Lord was not pleased and told him he would die within 2 years. He died in just a couple of months.

     We must be very careful when we speak on behalf of the Lord, or give counsel in His name. Sometimes it is better to point people to scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to them and to show them the Lord’s will in their lives.

     We have to be very careful when we speak on behalf of the Lord. We have to make sure we are hearing from Him very clearly. When we are mistaken, or lead others astray, there can be terrible consequences.

Questions for thought:

  1. Have you ever told someone the Lord’s will for his/her life? How did you know?  How did it work out?

For further study:

  1. Read Deuteronomy 18:22. What does this verse say about prophets?



Friday, August 18 - Read for today: Jeremiah 29

It’s not all about us, but God hasn’t forgotten

     In verses 11-13 of this chapter we read, “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration --“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

     It is very easy, when we start thinking about God’s plan for our lives to have the attitude: “It’s all about me.”  Yes, it’s true that God cares about every intricate detail in our lives.  In fact, Jesus said that even the hairs on our heads are numbered. We can also mistakenly think that God’s will is always going to be a “feel good” plan with the intent to make us happy. Jeremiah’s says something completely different in this chapter.

     Jeremiah is writing to a group of people who are being held captive, and are in exile from their homeland.  He’s writing to let them know that although they’re not where they would have expected, nor where they would have asked God to place them, God has not forgotten them and He still has a plan for their lives. Even in the midst of a difficult situation, God wants them to know His plans.

     In the preceding verses, we see that a big part of God’s plan is for them to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jeremiah 29:7).  In other words, God wants them to know that His plans are not just to benefit them personally. God is also telling them that He is not removing them from the situation immediately.  He does promise to eventually restore them, but it’s not coming quickly (70 years out when many of them will be dead).  God is letting them know they can move forward, because in the eternal picture, God’s justice will prevail and everything will even out.

     Today, in the midst of difficult situations, God wants us to know He has a plan.  He also wants us to know that as we submit to His plan that He desires to use us to bless the world around us. The key still remains during both good and difficult times: You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Questions for thought:

  1. What does it mean to seek God and to search for Him with all of your heart?

  2. How does one do that?

  3. Do you do that? How can one tell?

For further study:

  1. Read Proverbs 29:18. How does this verse relate to the thinking of the people Jeremiah is addressing?

  2. Read Deuteronomy 30:3-5. How does this compare to verses 11-13 above? What does this tell us about God’s memory, faithfulness, and love?



Saturday, August 19 - Read for today: Psalms 71

Sunday, August 20 - Read for today: Psalms 72



Monday, August 21 - Read for today: Jeremiah 30

Restoring

     In verse 3 we read, “for the days are certainly coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.”

     This chapter is about restoration.  The Jews were sent away from their homeland because of their sin. They were being punished for their disobedience and rebellion, which was pretty bad.

     In verse 14 the Lord tells them, “. . . I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your enormous guilt and your innumerable sins.” Israel is being punished for their great sins. They have brought this on themselves. But, praise the Lord, in verses 18 & 19 He says, “. . . I will certainly restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and show compassion on his dwellings. Every city will be rebuilt on its mound; every citadel will stand on its proper site. Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.”

     Don’t know about you, but I became a Christian at a young age. I was reared in a God-fearing home, and grew up in church. However, I haven’t always lived what I knew. I have gone through periods of time, not doing what I knew to do; and doing what I knew I shouldn’t. Still do on occasion.

     I have known the Lord’s discipline. There have periods of time when He seemed distant, because of my disobedience. There were times when it felt like I was in a distant land. But praise the Lord, He restores His children. Forgiveness, and restoration is possible. Healing is possible. Ask Peter if one can be restored. Ask the disciples who abandoned Him, if restoration is possible.

     My friend, I don’t know what water has gone under your bridge. I don’t know where you are in your walk right now, but I do know that He still loves you. That has never stopped.

     Remember what He said in our last reading, “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13.

     Restoration is possible, but that last verse is the key.

Questions for thought:

  1. What’s keeping you from seeking the Lord with your whole heart right now?

  2. Is there anything worth missing out on God’s hand and blessings on your life?

For further study:

  1. Read Deuteronomy 4:29-31. What do these verses promise us?

  2. Read Psalm 119:10. What was David’s prayer in the last part of this verse? Do you think it might help if we made this a regular part of our prayers as well?





Tuesday, August 22 - Read for today: Jeremiah 31

He loves you forever

     In verses 3 & 20 we read, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you. Isn’t Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Whenever I speak against him, I certainly still think about him. Therefore, My inner being yearns for him; I will truly have compassion on him. This is the Lord’s declaration.”

     Just like a father cannot forget his son, — no matter how strongly he must reprimand him, but whose heart is tender toward him — so God is tender toward his people. And behind the darkness and the distress is the everlasting love of God. This phrase, “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” is very beautiful. The word “everlasting” is one of those words which baffle us. Even in the original language it is difficult to define. “Everlasting” connotes more than duration, means more than merely “eternal”; it has in it an element of mystery. Let your mind run back into the past over all the years of history, and you come to a place where finally you just cannot think any further. Yet logic affirms that even beyond this point there has been existence and time. This is what “everlasting” means. Let your mind run into the future, and you come to the same kind of haziness, a place where you no longer can comprehend what the ages mean, where times and durations seem meaningless. That is the vanishing point in the future, beyond which lie experiences for God's people, but which we are unable to grasp. That is the mystery of this word, everlasting. It is a word which means, “beyond dimension,” “greater than we can think.” This is what Paul is expressing in Ephesians: “...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,” (Ephesians 3:18-19a RSV).

     So, when you get to the place where the sins of the past, and those of your parents before you (and yes, we can suffer because of our parents’ sins. Don’t kid yourself. Ask the child of any alcoholic), are taking their toll upon your life, and you are tempted to cry out and say, “Why? Why should this happen to me? What have I done to deserve this?” When this happens, God is trying to remind us that in the midst of it what we are experiencing is his everlasting, mysterious love.

     That is, he is saying to us, “Look, it may hurt you, it may cause pain, but it won't damage you. This very hurt you are going through is what will produce in you the character that both you and I want. It is this which will mellow you, refine you, soften you, open you up, make you a human being. Instead of a hard, callous, resistant, self-centered person, you'll become open and responsive and selfless.” That is what God is saying. That is the mysterious quality of this love which draws us on. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” In other words, “I have not let you miss out on anything which I have planned for you, as a result of the exercise of the flesh in your life.” That sounds strange to us, doesn’t it? We want to escape the consequences. Instead, God leads us through them.

Questions for thought:

  1. What have you suffered because of choices your parents made?

  2. So far, can you yet tell that those times of suffering have helped you?

For further study:

  1. Read Isaiah 54:8-9; & Psalm 103:17. What do these verses tell us about God’s love and us?



Wednesday, August 23 – Read for today: Jeremiah 32

Looking Beyond the Crisis

     The setting of this passage seemed to be the worse time to make a real estate investment but this was God’s instructions for Jeremiah.  There was Jeremiah sitting in prison where king Zedekiah placed him for the prophecies of doom he had brought from God. Even then Babylon was attacking Jerusalem and all hope seemed gone. Indeed, it was gone for Judah and Israel for the current time but God had another coming day in sight.  Therefore, Jeremiah was instructed to make a purchase for the future that must have seemed futile to all his peers. However, the day would come when Israel would be restored to the land and business would be normal once again. God’s judgement would be severe but his mercy is also in view.  Judah and Israel deserved no grace but after some years of judgement they would be restored. It’s not easy to see how blessings will come while in the midst of problems. David found it hard to see how he would become king while on the run from Saul and Moses could not see how God would deliver Israel from the Egyptian army when backed against the sea but God did work.  He will also work in a person’s life today that is wrecked with sin when that person submits to God. God promised an everlasting covenant with Israel and he would put a desire in their hearts to worship Him and He would not leave them. What kind of relationship do you have with God today? Perhaps you are buried beneath loads of sin and cannot see the grace of God for you but it is there if you want it.  Consequences for our sins will come but God has a way of escape for the repentant heart that comes to Him.  Be sure you have turned from your sins and in doing so have turned to Christ as your Savior. God has a way to turn the end into something quite different if we trust Christ as our savior and see His grace and mercy firsthand. We can then know the hope at the end that the world can never see on its own.  What kind of relationship do you have with God today?  Can you see beyond the crisis to a loving heavenly father who gave His Son for you so you can be restored in fellowship with Him for eternity?

Thoughts to consider:

Psalm 103:17 & 106:1—Consider here how long God wants to show His love and mercy to those that are His. How does this stir your heart toward Him?

Psalm 108:4 & Psalm 119:64—Think here how that God not only gives His mercy but how boundless it is.

For further study:

Lam. 3:22-23—Think through scriptures of how fresh and immediately God’s mercy has come and what confidence we can have in Him.

Joel 2:13 & Micah 7:18—See here God’s great desire to show mercy and to turn from His wrath to those who repent. He wants the best for mankind.  Consider Israel’s wilderness experience to see God’s hand to allow Israel to turn to Him.



Thursday, August 24 - Read for today: Jeremiah 33

Calling God

     In verse 3, we read: “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.”

     This well-known scripture came to Jeremiah while in prison for the crime of faithfully delivering God’s message to the people of Judah. He has been prophesying for years that judgment is coming but the people refuse to believe him and instead have believed false prophets who predict peace. So, this tremendously encouraging word from God comes to Jeremiah when he is down, dejected and discouraged. Often God does come to us when we are down, to regularly remind us to just call on Him. Calling on God simply means to pray for His help. Since we have never met anyone who claims that they pray to God often enough, we can assume that all believers need this kind of reminder repeatedly. A prayer yesterday does not make another one today unnecessary. Many years ago, a Massachusetts newspaper report of a special Sunday service contained the following description of the prayer: “The most eloquent prayer ever addressed to a Boston audience.” But that is the problem with many prayers heard in public meetings all over the world. Those prayers are often addressed to the wrong audience on earth, rather than to our Heavenly Father in heaven.

     Being a chaplain with the sheriff’s department, I sometimes have difficulty when asked to come and pray on a special occasion, or at a special event. The audience of our prayer is to be the Lord. Others may hear, and “amen” in agreement, but the audience is the Lord.

    And when we call, when we pray, the Lord says He will answer us and show us great things. I love it when He does that. I pray you’ve had the joy of experiencing that as well.

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you pray much?

  2. Do you talk to the Lord much during the day? Why or why not?

For further study:

  1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. What does Paul tell us to do in this passage?

  2. Read Philippians 4:4-7. What promise are we given in verse 7 of this passage?