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/

Monday, August 15 - Read for today: Ezekiel 28

The Defeated Devil

     As a young man in the late 1600s, Edward Teach joined the crew of a British ship that was headed to the Caribbean. Much later in his nautical career, he managed to capture a merchant vessel and turn it into a 40-gun warship. Teach soon became known as Blackbeard—the most feared pirate in the hemisphere.

     Blackbeard had some success as a pirate, but his “career” abruptly ended when he encountered a contingent of the British Royal Navy. In a desperate battle, he and his fellow pirates were killed, putting an end to their terrorizing exploits.Long ago in the heavenly places, an angel fell into spiritual piracy. Lucifer was a cherub who stood in the radiant glory of God (Ezekiel 28:11-15). But his own self-love replaced love for his Creator. Desiring to be like the Most High, he led a rebellion and was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15). Today he and his henchmen are doing whatever they can to commandeer the lives of human beings (Luke 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

     Even so, we don’t need to be afraid. Satan is a dangerous enemy, but Jesus sealed his ultimate fate when He rose from the dead. And He has given us everything we need to withstand the devil’s attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18). - by Dennis FisherAnd though this world with devils filledShould threaten to undo us;We will not fear, for God has willedHis truth to triumph through us. —Luther

Questions for thought:

  1. Do you ever worry about having to fight the Devil?

  2. Does the thought of spiritual fighting bother you? Do you even think about it?

  3. What’s it mean that the Lord has already defeated him?

For further study:

  1. Read 1 John 4:4. What’s this mean to you?

Tuesday, August 16 - Read for today: Ezekiel 29

The Sovereignty of God

     One of the ancient Egyptian gods was Sobek, the crocodile god. Represented either as a crocodile or as a man with the head of a crocodile, he symbolized the strength of the ruler and was considered to be in control of the waters, especially the Nile River. He was associated with fertility and rebirth for both people and crops. Many mummified crocodiles and paintings of crocodiles have been found in Egyptian tombs. In The Book of the Dead, he says, “I am Sobek, and I seize my prey like a ravening beast.”

     Given that crocodiles symbolized the might of Egypt, Ezekiel’s prophecy of Egypt as a doomed crocodile hunted by the Lord is shocking. Rather than seizing his prey, Sobek or Egypt became the prey. Ezekiel prophesied that Egypt was going to be hooked and netted by the Lord and stood no chance of escaping His judgment. Egypt was a powerful nation to the south of Judah, an ally the nation had relied upon in its bid to rebel against Babylon.

     Egypt then was larger than it is now and included other areas of northern Africa. Due to its size and strength, it represented the temptation to trust in human strength rather than in God. Egypt rated four chapters of prophetic judgment in Ezekiel. These chapters are divided into seven oracles, each of which begins, “The word of the LORD came to me.” Each emphasizes the sovereignty of God in dealing with nations as He pleases.

     Today’s reading covers the first four oracles.

The first prophecy condemns Egypt’s pride and failure to help Israel (Ezekiel 29:1–16). For this, its power and status will be broken—the crocodile will become road kill.

The second prophecy reveals that Babylon will be Egypt’s conqueror and the instrument of God’s justice (Ezekiel 29:17–21).

The third prophecy is a lament poem that graphically describes the devastating judgment that is on the way from God’s hand (Ezekiel 30:1–19).

The fourth prophecy proclaims that God will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon so that he will break the arms of the king of Egypt (Ezekiel 30:20–26).

     God’s sovereignty is a terrible truth to sinners but an encouraging one for believers. Rather than fearing His judgment, we look forward to spending eternity with Him.

Questions for thought:

  1. Have you often seen the sovereignty of God displayed?

  2. Does that help you trust Him?

  3. Have you ever noticed that the more you look for God’s work, the more you see Him work?

For further study:

   1. Read Psalm 115:3. What does this verse say about God’s location and power? What does His location say about His sovereignty?

  2. Read Proverbs 16:9. What does this say about God’s plans and man’s plans?

Wednesday, August 17 - Read for today: Ezekiel 30

God is in control

     In verse 25 we read, “I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, but Pharaoh’s arms will fall. . .”     In this chapter we have two of the Egypt prophecies. The first (Ezekiel 30:1-19) is undated. It was most probably delivered in close connection with the first (Ezekiel 29:1-16). It is concerned with the coming judgment of God upon the helpers of Egypt, and upon Egypt itself. The fourth message (Ezekiel 29:20-26) was delivered about four months before the fall of the city. Many were still looking to Egypt in hope of help from her. Indeed, as we saw in reading Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37), Pharaoh had made a movement with his hosts out of Egypt, and this had caused the Chaldeans temporarily to abandon the siege of Jerusalem. That action of Pharaoh had met with defeat. Most probably this was what Ezekiel had in mind when he said that the word of Jehovah to him said: "I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, king of Egypt." He now declared that Jehovah would break both his arms, so that he would be unable to bear the sword. In the words we have emphasized, the whole situation was declared. These apparently mighty monarchs of Egypt and Babylon were both in the hands of Jehovah: Their apparent successes and failures resulted from His action. They were completely in His power. The uplifted arms of the one, were uplifted by God; and the broken, helpless arms of the other were so -by the act of God. Ezekiel was a prophet in the truest sense. He interpreted current events in the light of eternal and unchanging facts. The false prophet ever attempts to interpret a situation by considering current events. As we have constantly said, all this is very modern in its values.

Questions for thought:

  1. Who is in control?

  2. How does the fact that God is in control, impact your life and thinking regarding your daily events and your view of world events?

For further study:

  1. Read Romans 8:28. How does this verse fit in to the passage for today?

Thursday, August 18 – Read for today: Ezekiel 31

How Great is the Fall

     Who saw this coming to Egypt? Certainly not Pharoah and his many followers of that day.  Egypt seemed too established, strong and wealthy to come to ruins but this was God’s message to them.  God resists pride throughout Scripture and shows Himself strong against it.  Egypt was pictured here as a lush green tree completely nourished by water and fertile soil.  She was the picture of health to all the nations around her and seemed very permanent for the centuries ahead but a different message was sent by God.  What seems stable to man can fall quickly by the hand of God.  It was stated that God Himself would destroy Egypt by using the nation Babylon. She would be destroyed causing great fear among the other nations who watched.  The fear of God can cause great soul searching and perhaps a change or hardness can set in for a long time. Either way our God reigns supreme over men and all their kingdoms. The pit of hell awaited Egypt and it would make no difference how mighty it seemed to be our how many followers it had; all was coming to an end in judgment.

     There is a strong message here today for the nations and leaders of our world.  We hear much boasting and threats of war around us but these are only empty words unless God allows for a purpose of His own. Leaders cannot move past their next heart beat even though they make big speeches and large plans for themselves and their nations.  We as believers need to keep this in mind when we hear the nightly news full of dread and doom.

  Our God is in control and will hold all accountable in the end. Let us be careful where our confidence lies in these times in which we live and rest only on the sure foundation of Christ. First for salvation and then for bold service for our Lord.

Thoughts to Consider:

Psalm 19:9—Our God is the standard for righteousness for the world. He is pure and will judge out of this pureness.

Psalm 58:11—We need to remember that God is just and fair and all will stand and give an account before Him.

For further study:

Isaiah 62:11—Consider God’s promises throughout the Bible to follow through with judgements.

Revelation 22:12—God does not make empty promises. He will deliver what is deserved to all. Consider here how blessed we are as His children to know His grace and not His wrath.

Friday, August 19 - Read for today: Ezekiel 32

God will separate us

Verse 3 says, “I will spread out My net over thee with a company of many peoples.”
     In this chapter we have the sixth and seventh of the Egypt messages. Each is dated. They were delivered about a year and seven months after the fall of the city. In the seventh no month is given, but we may presume that it was the same month as the sixth, and so about two weeks later. The sixth foretold the down-fall of Pharaoh; and the seventh that of his people. He and they are seen removed from earthly power and place, to the dark underworld, where they are impotent. The conception of that underworld is suggestive and terrible. The kings and nations are gathered there, but they are represented as at the end of activity. They do not deed. They are broken. They are conscious, for they speak to Pharaoh when he arrives, and they are ashamed, and filled with shame. The great purpose of the message was that of showing how the defeat and pain of mighty people should speak to men so as to amaze them and fill them with fear. The figure of these particular words is a forceful one. The kings of the nations, and the nations, are seen in the turbulent waters, and troubling those waters; but over and around them all, are the meshes of the net of God. At His will they are drawn forth from the waters and cast to die and rot upon the land. Thus, the Kingdom of God, that is the rule over human affairs, is a dragnet swaying to the tides. When He will, He is able to draw that net in, and separate between the good and the bad. 

Question:

  1. Do you see a difference between people?

  2. Do you think God sees people as different?

  3. What separates us? What is the difference between a good person who does bad, and a bad person?

For further study:

  1.Read Matthew 13:47-50. What do these verses say about the separation that will take place one day?

Monday, August 22 - Read for today: Ezekiel 33

Just Do It

     Cold terror gripped the heart of a GI as mortar rounds whistled overhead, rifles cracked, and the Vietcong closed in. Suddenly he felt ripping pains as a bullet tore into his chest and arm. Yet it wasn’t the end for this soldier. According to an article in The New York Times, the bullet was slowed by a New Testament he was carrying in his shirt pocket. Years later, the young man still treasured the blood-stained book with the ragged hole through the middle. He believes it saved his life.

     This is a nice story, but it says nothing about the life-saving spiritual help the Bible was designed to give. In Ezekiel 33, we read that the ancient Israelites used the words of the prophets to make them feel good but not to change their lives. They took passages out of context to support their confidence (v.24). They found pleasure in listening to the words of the prophet (v.30), yet the Lord said, “They hear your words, but they do not do them” (v.31). The result? They came under divine judgment.     Then as now, God’s Word is not to be cherished as a good-luck charm or to soothe the mind by bringing temporary relief from anxiety. It was given to be obeyed so that its help would not be just for this life—but forever.

Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,

A light to my path always,

To guide and to save me from sin

And show me the heavenly way.

 —Sellers© Renewal 1936 Broadman Press.

We don’t really know the Bible until we obey the Bible.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are you one of those people who want to learn more about the Bible, but who doesn’t put any more of it into practice?

  2. Do you do what you already know to do?

For further study:

  1. Read James 1:22. What does this verse tell us about the Bible?

  2. Read John 14:15. How did Jesus describe obedience?

Tuesday, August 23 – Read for today: Ezekiel 34

 Standing the wall

     The position of watchmen is a very important one.  They serve us in many ways that we take for granted.  In fact, many fail to realize the importance of their jobs as watchmen.  But since foreign invaders crashed those airplanes into the Twin Towers in New York City, we are more aware of the importance of those who watch out for our welfare.  So, we have created Homeland Security, for example.  We have those who warn us of approaching hurricanes or tornados or severe snowstorms.

      I listen to a local radio station here in Central Florida every morning for traffic reports, where very efficient folks do a good job at warning us of traffic tie-ups, accident scenes to avoid, or other hazardous conditions (though I sometimes see the issues before they report them).  They do their job and do it very well, including injecting a bit of humor. When these folk warn, I listen and adjust my travel plans accordingly.  If they fail to do their jobs properly and listeners get into difficulty, they could lose their jobs.  Why?  Because we are trusting them to do their jobs, warning us so that we know to avoid the pitfalls of modern traffic situations to enable us to get to our destination safely.  They do a great job at being dependable and relaying the needed information to their listeners as quickly as possible.  We depend on them. They do well.

     As Christians, we have an awesome responsibility of warning others of impending judgment that awaits those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.  We have a message to share.  It is a very important message.  People all around us need to hear it.  Jesus is coming.  He is coming soon.  There is a certain urgency that needs to be stressed.  We don’t know the day nor the hour but the signs of the times and according to the Bible, the signs fit our generation, as they have never done to any previous generation.  Bible scholars are convinced that we are in that last generation and that Jesus 2nd return to this earth is very, very near.  So, we are responsible to share this message.  To ignore to do so means that countless numbers can be lost for all eternity by senseless neglect.  To be faithful means that untold numbers will go into eternity and will be ushered safely into heaven, to be with Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

      Our message is one of warning and needs to be properly prepared.  In Luke, chapter 12, Jesus said, “35 Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.”  Are you ready?  Are you stressing the urgency on the importance of being ready for Jesus’ near return?  After all, in John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Questions for thought

  1. What are you doing to sound the alarm?

  2. What does the Bible say about our accountability if we do not warn others?

For further study:

  1. Read Proverbs 11:30. How does this verse describe someone who faithfully sounds the alarm?

  2. Read Matthew 24:46. What does this verse say about watchmen?

Wednesday, August 24 - Read for today: Ezekiel 35

God’s Discipline

     About 35 years ago, two baby boys were given up for adoption. They were adopted into two different families, attended rival high schools, and lived in neighboring towns in Maine . . . all the while unaware of each other’s existence. One of them eventually got a job as a furniture mover for a bedding store. Then amazingly, the other was hired for the same job by the same store. As the two men drove their truck around town completing deliveries, customers would ask them if they were brothers. “We thought they were just trying to razz us,” one said. Then they dug into their adoption records and discovered it was true—they actually were brothers!

    The joy of being reunited with family is comparable to the joy Israel would feel upon returning to the land of promise. Today’s reading begins with a chapter of prophecy against the nation of Edom (cf. 25:12–14). The enmity between Edom and Israel extended all the way back to Jacob and Esau. When the Edomites looted Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest (Obad. 1:11–14), they angered the Lord and incurred His judgment.

     Why is this chapter here in the section of Ezekiel devoted to messages of comfort and promise? The Edomites intended to capitalize on their enemy’s defeat and seize the Israelite’s land for themselves (Ezekiel 35:10–13). These plans showed disrespect for God because He had given the land to Jacob as an inheritance. In truth, it was God’s land (Ezekiel 36:5).

     Therefore, the prophecy against Edom is an appropriate introduction to God’s promise in chapter 36 to restore Israel to her land. One day they would return from exile—homes would be built, crops would be grown, the people would live in peace again (Ezekiel 36:8–12). Just as the honor of God’s name demanded the justice of judgment, so it also meant that He would give the people new hearts and restore them as a witness to the nations (Ezekiel 36:20–28). “Then they will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:38).

     No discipline lasts forever (36:15). God’s justice aims not to take vengeance on sinners but to restore them to fellowship with Him. The same is true today for Christians: “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. We should rejoice in God’s “tough love” for us—He’s preparing us for full fellowship with Him!

  Questions for thought:

  1. How do you think of the Lord’s discipline?

  2. What kind of parents did you have? Do you think they enjoyed disciplining you? Do you enjoy discipling your children?

  3. Do you think God does?

For further study:

  1. Read Hebrews 12:10-11.  How do these verses say we are to approach discipline?



Thursday, August 25 – Read for today: Ezekiel 36

A New Day Tomorrow

     After the darkness comes the dawn.  Israel had been guilty of many transgressions in the past that had left her devastated.  God had engineered judgments to descend upon the nation which made them a mockery before the world.  There would be a day coming however that would be a blessing to Israel for God’s honor not because they deserved it.  We call this grace and mercy and God is the one who brings it to His people. The people of Israel had tarnished God’s name by their behavior and now this would be repaired.  God would lift up His holy name before the world and restore that place of honor before them and the world.

      The question for us as believers today is this, what does the world around us think of God when observing our lives?  Are we a living testimony of God’s love and grace and does the world feel accountable to God for their own lives after watching us? We must remember from whence we came as lost helpless sinners and appreciate God’s grace in our own lives.  We know what we deserve in ourselves and that is judgment but in His mercy, He saved us and that is for His glory. Also, our walk each day is either a blessing and honor to God or self- serving.  God weighs all our motives and choices so let’s examine ourselves closely.  We are reminded in this passage of how long suffering our God is to us.  We fail many times only to return again.  We feel ashamed and so undeserving of God’s blessings but He is still there, for His children.  This does not mean that God will not hold us accountable for our sins for He surely will.  We can be taken through difficult times of discipline and unpleasant consequences where we are encouraged to learn and move forward.  Sin has to be dealt with, first in salvation and then daily in cleansing for service.

   We should remember Philippians 1:6 which tells us that “He that hath begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” There are ups and downs in the Christian life but God is working to bring good things in us for His lasting glory.

Thoughts to consider:

Deuteronomy 9:5- Consider here how man can take no credit for blessings but remember that God rules in all affairs to accomplish His will.

Daniel 9:18-Let us remember that we should take no pride in ourselves but honor God’s mercy and grace.

For further study:

Titus 3:5—Remember our salvation is only by God’s mercy. Think upon what new birth is and what it means to be born again in John 3.

I Timothy 1:12-13—Consider the turn-around in Paul’s life from violence and aggression against Christians to a special place of service to our Lord. We all begin in sin so how can we have a good ending?

Friday, August 26 - Read for today: Ezekiel 37

Can things be restored?

     Several well–known African–American spirituals are sung about the book of Ezekiel. “Ezekiel Saw the Wheel,” for example, celebrates his vision in chapter 1. “Dry Bones” responds to his vision in today’s reading by re-imagining those bones coming to life: “The toe bone connected with the foot bone, the foot bone connected with the ankle bone, the ankle bone connected with the leg bone . . . They gonna walk around, dry bones, Rise and hear the word of the Lord!” The hope of resurrection and new life permeates all the various versions of this classic spiritual.

     Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones is probably the most famous chapter in the book. The bones symbolized Israel’s hopeless condition (Ezekiel 37:11–14). They weren’t just losing big or hoping for a miracle comeback. They were dead as dead can be!

     But God brought life to this desolate scene. Before Ezekiel’s eyes, the bones began to rattle, tendons and flesh and skin appeared to bind everything together, the breath of life was breathed into them, and they stood up on their own two feet (Ezekiel 37:1–10). Israel had lost everything—the promised land, their capital city, and their beloved temple. Yet God would bring the nation back from the dead, so to speak, and restore the people to a covenant relationship with Him.

     The second part of the chapter is a second prophecy with the same meaning (Ezekiel 37:15–28). Ezekiel took two sticks representing Israel and Judah and made them into one stick to show that the divided kingdom would be reunited and the exiled people brought home. The restored nation would be ruled by a king from the line of David who would lead them in the ways of genuine worship and holiness. This prophecy of the Messiah anticipated Christ’s first (to us, past) and second (future) advents. He has established an everlasting “covenant of peace”.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are there things you’ve wondered if they could be restored?

  2. How might this passage address the concerns you’ve had?

For further study:

  1. Read Jeremiah 32:27. How does this verse address you concern?