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, January 11- Read for today: Psalms 15

Sunday, January 12- Read for today: Psalms 16

Monday, January 13 – Read for today: Numbers 36

A Life of Order

   God is a God of order and design. We are told in God’s Word that we are made in the image of God which carries over to all parts of our lives.  Our bodies are made in such a way that as long as the order is in place we feel good and things run smoothly.  If that order is disturbed by an infection, a broken bone or other injury things can be in chaos for a while until the order is returned.  In Numbers 36 the order was to guard the family inheritance.  The family members were concerned that this inheritance may be lost if Zelophehad’s daughters married outside the tribe. The daughters were entitled by to law to receive an inheritance but the family perceived a risk of losing everything if the order was disturbed by the daughters marring men outside their tribe.  The property would then go to another tribe.  The matter was taken to Moses who agreed that this was a legitimate problem and delivered the solution to them.  The answer was that all the daughters were to only marry men within their own tribe and this was observed by the daughters.  An important point to see is how Moses came up with the correct answer.  Verse 10 states that the Lord commanded Moses what to do.  Moses would seek the Lord for every decision and God would answer.  How do we make decisions?  Do we really seek the Lord for wisdom or do we rush into things believing we have the answer in our own wisdom and strength.  Order in our lives as believers depends on the place of submission to our Lord.  “There is a way that seems right unto man” Scripture tells us but it will lead to trouble and lead to spiritual death.  Knowing Christ as our Savior is the only decision that will harmonize our lives with God and bring order to a life. Do you have this peace and order in your life?

Thoughts to consider:

I Corinthians 14:26-40  Why do you think God demands order in our church meetings?

I Corinthians 7:17-How important is it that we appreciate and respect the places God has assigned us in life and service?

For Further Study:

Titus 1-What did Paul want Titus to do in regards to the church in Crete. How do these things relate to our responsibilities in our churches today?



Tuesday, January 14 – Read for today: Deuteronomy 1

When God Won’t Listen

     Probably some of the saddest words recorded anywhere in the Bible are recorded in our reading for today.  In verse 45 we read, “When you returned, you wept before the Lord, but He didn’t listen to your requests or pay attention to you.”

       Can you imagine anything worse than to approach the Lord with a broken heart, in grief, and for Him not to listen?  If He is all-loving, and He is (See John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8); if He loves everyone, and He does (2 Peter 3:9), and if He is a forgiving God, and He is (1 John 1:9, Luke 15:11-32); then why would He not listen?

     There are a number of reasons why God doesn’t answer a person’s prayer, or why He says “No!” when he asks.  Sometimes, the Lord has something better in mind for the person and if He were to answer that person’s prayer he would be settling for less than God wants to give him.  Billy Graham’s wife once said that if the Lord answered all of her prayers, she would have married the wrong man, several times.

      Sometimes He doesn’t answer our prayers, or says “No” because what we are going through is part of a larger plan.  An example would be what happened to Joseph.  I’m sure he prayed a number of times that the Lord would get him out of the pit, that he wouldn’t have to live as a slave, that he wouldn’t go to prison, or that he would be able to go home, but God had something different planned for him and he became the 2nd highest official in Egypt.

     Often, however, we bring a time of unanswered prayers, or seeming Godly indifference because of our disobedience.  That was the case here.  Verse 45 says that God didn’t listen, but the key is to go back and look at verse 42.  In that verse we read, But the Lord said to me, ‘Tell them: Don’t go up and fight, for I am not with you to keep you from being defeated by your enemies.’  The Lord told them not to go and fight.  They did it anyway, and then suffered the consequences of their actions.

     A person recently came to my wife and asked her to pray for her.  With tears in her eyes the woman explained, “God doesn’t answer my prayers”.  What she failed to mention is that she has recently stolen from an organization we are affiliated with.  She lives a life of disobedience and rebellion against the Lord and then is surprised that the Lord doesn’t answer her prayers?     In Isaiah 59:2 we read, But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen.  My friends, we serve a loving and forgiving God, a merciful God, but don’t expect blessings, and guidance, and answered prayers while living in disobedience.

Questions for thought:

  1. When it seems that God hasn’t or isn’t answering your prayers, what do you attribute it to?  Do you ever search to see if there might be something in your life preventing those answered prayers?

  2. Can you remember a time when it seemed you were walking in step with the Lord and you could tell He was directing you every step of the way?  Do you sense that now?  If not, what’s changed?  If so, how would explain to someone else how great it is to live that way?

For further study:

  1. In Luke 15:11-32, we read the account of the Prodigal Son.  What changed in him between the time he left and he returned?

  2. What was his Father’s response when he returned?

  3.  How is that different than those described in Deuteronomy 1?



 Wednesday, January 15 - Read for today: Deuteronomy 2

God works both sides of the fence

     God decided enough was enough, so He planned to destroy Sihon and his nation and give the land to the Israelites.  He did this for two reasons.  First, He was judging the Amorites for their sin.  His patience had finally ben worn out for their ungodly ways (Genesis 15:16).  Second, if the people remained in the land, they would cause the Israelites to turn away from the Lord and pursue false gods, (20:18).

   When the Lord began the process of having the Israelites possess the land, He worked in two ways.  First, He gave the Israelites courage and strength.  He faithfully and regularly encouraged them (Judges 6:10: Deut. 31:6-7, 23).  He went before them and gave them strength over their enemies.     Second, the Lord also worked on the enemies.  He caused a great fear, a great dread to come on them.  He worked in the enemies’ hearts and heads as well.  (Remember how He made the chariot wheels come off the Egyptians’ chariots when they were pursuing the Israelites?)

     When you have issues or difficulties with other people, be it family members or co-workers, or zoning folks, or whatever, the Lord may not make them fear you.  He may not cause a dread to come on them, but He does work on them as well.  He will work in their hearts and heads in order to complete His will for you and them.  Our God is a sovereign God.  His work and His will is accomplished.

Questions for thought:

  1. When you run into trials or difficulties, what is your first response?  Do you try to figure out every option and draw on every other resource possible, or do you take it to the Lord first?  Why?

For further study:

  1. Read Isaiah 50:2 What question does the Lord ask in this verse?  This is a rhetorical question.  What is He saying? How does 59:1 reinforce this statement?

  2. What promise does He make in Isaiah 54:17?

Thursday, January 16 – Read for today: Deuteronomy 3

No one is exempt

     In verse 23, Moses comments on how he pled with the Lord to let him lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, or least get to go into the land and experience it.  The Lord, however, tells him, “No way, and I don’t want to hear about it again!”

     One would think that the Lord might be gracious and let Moses go.  I mean, he’s the one the Lord spared and had reared in Pharaoh’s home.  He’s the one the Lord used to lead the folks out of Egypt.  He’s the one the Lord used to lead the folks through the wilderness all this time.  He’s the one the Lord met with on top of Mount Sinai and gave the 10 Commandments.  He’s the one the Lord backed by sending Leprosy on Miriam, opened the earth to swallow Korah’s sons, and fire from the tabernacle to destroy another 250.  I mean, Moses was God’s man and God proved it many, many times.  Now, however, the Lord says, “You can’t go into the Promised Land, even though you’ve begged me.”

     If there was ever a man one might think the Lord would give a pass, it would be Moses, but such is not the case.  Moses messed up.  There was a price to pay, and His relationship with the Lord and the way the Lord had blessed him in the past did not cover for the future.     The Lord had told him, “Speak to the rock and water will come out of it.”  Moses got ticked and struck it with the staff instead of speaking to it.  The Lord said, “There’s a price to pay.”

    My friend, when it comes to obeying the Lord or suffering the consequences, there are no excuses.  There are no exceptions.  No one is exempt.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are you serving the Lord with the enthusiasm and passion you once did?  Are you walking as closely as you have in the past?

  2. Do you sometimes cut corners, thinking that your past with the Lord will take up some of the slack? 

For further study:

  1. What does Luke 12:48 tell us about the Lord’s expectations and requirements?



Friday, January 17 – Read for today: Deuteronomy 4

Adding and Subtracting from God’s Guidelines

     What a great chapter!  So many things we could discuss.  Moses knows he’s getting ready to leave.  His time of service and leading the nation of Israel is about to end.  So he shares some thoughts before leaving.  The Lord leads him to talk about the importance of remembering and keeping the laws God has given them and also about the importance of teaching those things to their children.  He also says, “Do not forget what you have seen and heard.”  We could camp there for a while.

     The Lord leads him to remind the folks of how other nations will look at Israel if they do that.  They will recognize the wisdom in their laws and the closeness they have with their God.  Oh, how I wish that attitude was still as prevalent in our nation it once was.

     What jumped out at me first, however, was the warning given in verse 2.  There the Lord has Moses say, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it.”  We know the Pharisees and religious leaders did a lot of that in Jesus’ day (they had expanded the 10 Commandments and other laws given in the Old Testament to a list of 613 laws.  That’s in addition to doing away with laws like the responsibility of financially supporting your parents, new interpretations about divorce, etc.).  Do you, however, realize how much we’ve done that in our country and in our churches?  Rather than go through a list myself, let me share a prayer given by Pastor Joe Wright, at the opening of the Kansas House in 1996, and later shared by Paul Harvey.

     When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

 “Heavenly Father,We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ''Woe to those who call evil good,'' but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism; We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism; We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle; We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery; We have neglected the needy and called itself preservation; We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare; We have killed our unborn and called it choice; We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable; We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem; We have abused power and called it political savvy; We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition; We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will. I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ.” 

   Oh, if those were the only rules we were guilty of changing!  My friend, the Bible says, “Don’t add and don’t take away.”

Questions for thought:

  1. Are there rules you have added that you can’t actually find in the Bible?  Which ones do you find in the Bible that you ignore or dismiss?

  2. Does your church, or denomination have rules which you cannot substantiate with scripture?

For further study:

  1. Read Colossians 2:16-23.  How does this passage apply to what we studied today?



Saturday, January 18- Read for today: Psalms 17
Sunday, January 19- Read for today: Psalms 18

Monday, January 20 - Read for today: Deuteronomy 5

Rehearsal of the Ten Commandments

     A review is a good thing and Israel needed to hear the words of the Lord again concerning the law He had given.  The people who were presently hearing Moses speak were reminded that this message was for them and not just the ancestors of old.  They too were responsible to obey the Lord, heeding all His commandments.  This is a reminder for us and every generation that we are accountable before God for all our actions and decisions.  A fear of God was mentioned as the people wanted Moses to go between them and God.  They feared death as a result of hearing God speak. God understood their fears but desired a close relationship with them. God wanted the people to have a healthy fear Him and a holy respect followed by true obedience. He knew that this path of fear and obedience would lead to blessings in their lives and the children’s.  God still wants the best for us today.  Do we have a fear for God?  Do we appreciate the fact that God loves us but will not hesitate to discipline his children as needed.  40 years in the wilderness seems harsh to some but it was necessary.  The people needed to understand how severe it is to disobey and doubt God!  The next generation needed to learn from this as an object lesson and be blessed through obedience. This fear of God needs to be instilled in us today and for the generations behind us. Even though we are not under the law today, as in the Old Testament, let us be careful that a fear of God is still required in our lives.  We don’t want to disappoint God but we also need to respect Him as He can and will discipline us as needed. God is a jealous God and wants and deserves our full hearts of surrender. There is only one God so He has the right to be jealous of his position; we should be jealous for his honor in the world in which we live. As we live for our Lord He is then ready to bless our lives with peace and joy so that the world will want to know the source. These opportunities will come our way so let’s be ready!

Thoughts to consider:

Deuteronomy 7:9-Why do you think the covenant mentioned here is called a covenant of  love?  What is the condition for being blessed by this love?  How does faithfulness come into play here for God and man?

I Kings 8:56-How does the rest of God’s people and the faithfulness come together here?

For further study:

Psalms 89:1-How can we as believers make God’s love and faithfulness known to the generation following us?

Hebrews 6:18- What two great things in this verse encourage us as believers? How does hope in God encourage us?  Why is this hope secure and not a maybe hope?

 Tuesday, January 21- Read for today: Deuteronomy 6

The importance of Parents

     In verses 6 & 7 of our passage for today we read, “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

       The Bible speaks many times of the importance of teaching our children; teaching them regularly, teaching them accurately, teaching them faithfully.  It was the business of parents to discuss the things of God and the things of the Bible on a regular basis, and to look for opportunities from life around them to illustrate the Bible.

     Recently, we had a hog attack me.  It was domesticated.  You could lead it on a leash and the original owner played with him.  I had handled him several times, and had led him on a rope a couple of times.  I’d been in the pen with him and although I didn’t trust him, I’d never had any problems with him.  Until the day the sow in the pen next to him went into heat.  He absolutely lost his mind.  He grabbed my leg, knocked me on the ground, and came for my head.

     That gave me the opportunity to talk to Drew about keeping his head about him, and not allowing himself to get hot and bothered until he was married.  When I started, he rolled his eyes and said, “You’re not going to make a crazy hog into a story about me, are you?”

     I am grateful that the Lord has given us some great folks to teach the children in our church.  I’m grateful the Lord provides ministers, and Sunday School teachers, and such to help teach children in so many churches in our country.  They are great help.  Teaching children about the Lord, however, is the primary responsibility of parents.  Sadly, it is often handed off by parents to others.  Parents, you don’t realize how much more children learn from watching and listening to you than they do by hearing from others.

     I am also grateful that I have a godly and conscientious wife who takes her responsibility as a mother very seriously.  However, it is my, and other dads’ primary responsibilities to set the spiritual tone in our homes.  Dads, you are to be the spiritual leader in your home.  Your words and actions can do so much to either reinforce, or to undo what your wife or others teach your children.  The values you hold, model, and teach, are often the ones your children will claim as their own.  Choose wisely.

Questions for thought:

  1. What type of parents did you have?  What values of theirs do you still hold?

  2. What values are you instilling in your children?  How often do you take the time to use examples around you, to teach or reinforce biblical truths?

For further study:

  1. Read Psalm 78:1-8.  What does this passage say about the importance of the tone dad’s set?

Wednesday, January 22 – Read for today: Deuteronomy 7

Don’t Compromise

     In 2007, my wife Gladys was diagnosed with cancer.  They did a bunch of tests, found out what the problem was and then wanted her to take chemo.  What did we say?  Give her the chemo.  She wanted that junk, the cancer out of her.  She wanted it all, every bit of it, gone.  Why did she pray, enlist others to pray, and allow that poison to be pumped into her system; because cancer can kill you and if you don’t get rid of all of it, it can come back.

     What did the Lord tell the Israelites to do with regards to the folks He was driving out of the land?  He said, “Destroy them totally.  Do not intermarry with them.  Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherath poles, and burn their idols in the fire.  Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy!

     God is a merciful God (4:31).  Why in the world would He command such drastic actions be taken by His people against other people?  He commanded it for the same reason Gladys did all she did, because He knew that if His folks did not stamp that false religion out completely, that the stuff would come back.  His people would be infected, sickened, and destroyed by it.  He said, “Don’t compromise”.

     Why in the world would we choose to compromise, to allow things to remain in our lives which can sicken us, that can cause barriers between us and God and cut off His blessings in our lives?  Is it ever worth the cost?

Never compromise.

Questions for thought:

  1. Are there areas of compromise in your life?  What does the Lord want you to do about those areas?

  2. How does one go about getting junk out of your life?

For further study:

  1. Read Matthew 5:29 & 30.  Who said these verses?  How seriously did He take compromise?

  2. What promises did the Lord make to those who are faithful/obedient, in the rest of Deuteronomy 7?

Thursday, January 23 – Read for today: Deuteronomy 8

Remembering the important things 

    There are many things the Bible encourages us to forget.  For instance, we need to forget the things in the past we counted on to get recognized by God or that we thought might get us to heaven.  Paul listed many things he forgot including the fact that he was a leading Pharisee, well educated, with a good reputation and with the right background (Philippians 3).

  We need to forget the sins and the mistakes of the past because we are new creatures with new natures and the Lord has forgotten our confessed sins (Isaiah 43:25; 2 Corinthians 5:17).  Many things we are to forget, but there are things it is important we remember as well.

     This passage reminds us of some of the important things we are to remember.  We are to remember the way the Lord leads us (v2).  We are to remember that we do not live by bread alone (v3).  We are to remember the Lord’s provision (v3).  We are to remember how He can make things last and His discipline (vvs 4-5).  Many things to remember.  Notice though what we are told especially to remember in verse 11.  We are told, “Don’t forget the Lord.”

       If you do not exercise spiritual disciplines it is easy to forget the Lord.  It is easy to get busy and forget.  It is easy to look at the things you’ve accomplished and believe you’ve accomplished them yourself.

       It is important to remember the Lord for He is the One Who gives us the ability to create wealth.  He gives us strength and health.  He blesses and guides us.  He gave us His Son, to purchase our salvation.

     Remember, this world is only temporary.  Remember to keep the most important things, the most important things.

Questions for thought:

  1. What things do you value?  What do you think are important?

  2. Does your calendar and Daytimer demonstrate what things are lasting and truly important?

  3. Why do you think we so often forget what we need to remember and remember the things we are to forget?

For further study:

  1. Read Isaiah 43:18-19.  What do these verses say is to be forgotten?



Friday, January 24 - Read for today: Deuteronomy 9

What if you could not fail?

     What would you attempt if there was no possibility of failure?  Would you start a business?  Would you run for political office?  Would you work toward a promotion, build a house, move to another city and start a new life?  What would you attempt if there was no possibility of failure?

     In Deuteronomy 9, the Israelites find themselves in a situation somewhat similar to that.  The Lord tells them, “In front of you are giants.  In front of you there are several armies, each more numerous than yours and each made up of larger men.  In spite of this the Lord says, “You go on and invade this land.  You go on and attack these folks, but don’t sweat it.  You can’t fail.  I’m going to go before you.  I’m going to fight for you.  I’m going to drive them out and burn them up and there is no way they will be able to stand before you.  Don’t sweat it.  You can’t fail.

     We are given many promises in the Bible.  We are told, “No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants, and their righteousness is from Me.”  This is the Lord’s declaration (Isaiah 54:17 HCSB).”  We are told, (1 John 4:4 HCSB).  “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

     The question is not, “will I fail”?  The question is, “What does God want me to do?”  If you seek His will, you cannot fail.

Questions for thought:

  1. What has the Lord called you to do that you’ve been scared to attempt?

    2. What steps have you taken to determine His will?

For further study:

  1. Read John 10:25 – 30.  What does Jesus say about His sheep?  Would that apply to you?

  2. Read Jeremiah 29:12-13.  What do these verses say about finding God and hearing Him?



Saturday, January 25- Read for today: Psalms 19

Sunday, January 26- Read for today: Psalms 20