Take Ten in '10, Week 3 Schedule

Can you believe we're getting ready to read for the 3rd week?! I hope that you're excited, especially if you've never read the Bible through in a year before. They say (whoever "they" are) that it takes three weeks for something to become a habit. If this is true, you have now established a wonderful habit, one that I hope will continue the rest of your life.

I had one of those weeks last week that requires the built-in make-up day. But even though I am a few chapters behind in the reading I still have a few tidbits to share.

I noticed some good lessons in prayer this week:

1. John 14:13 - Whatever is asked in the Son's name will be granted as long as it glorifies the Father! (That rules out selfish requests, doesn't it!)
2. John 15: 7, 8 - Whoever abides in the Son will have his petitions granted as long as it glorifies the Father! (Living in Jesus guarantees that God will listen to petitions that glorify Him.)
3. Then an example of this teaching on prayer is plainly illustrated in Genesis 24 when Abraham's servant goes to Haran to find a wife for Isaac. He prays and asks God to show him the person He has in mind (v. 12). The servant didn't even finish his prayer before God answered it (v. 15). The servant worshiped the LORD (glorified God!) because of the answer (v. 26).

In Genesis this week, I was struck by Jacob's conversion. When talking with his father, Isaac, he calls God (27:20) "the LORD your God." But when Jacob meets Him himself, Jacob promises that "the LORD will be my God" (28:21). Each person must have a personal relationship with God and cannot depend upon his parents' relationship with Him.

One of the teachings of Jesus that I found encouraging this week was in John 13:21 and 14:1. Jesus was troubled in spirit because of the betrayal of a follower and because of the "work" that he came to do. Later, he tells his disciples that their hearts are not to be troubled because his "work" would provide a place (legal standing with the Father) for them. With Jesus bearing all of the burden there is no reason to be troubled! Praise the Lord!

We finish the Gospel of John this week and begin the Gospel of Matthew. The writers were both disciples of Jesus but they tell about him from their differing perspectives. John presents Jesus as God whereas Matthew presents Jesus as King. We will also finish the book of Genesis this week.

Bible Reading Schedule for January 18th - 24th, 2010

Monday, January 18

Genesis 36-38

John 20

Tuesday, January 19

Genesis 39, 40

John 21

Wednesday, January 20

Genesis 41-43

Matthew 1

Thursday, January 21

Genesis 44, 45

Matthew 2,3

Friday, January 22

Genesis 46, 47

Matthew 4

Saturday, January 23

Genesis 48-50

Matthew 5

Sunday, January 24

No scheduled reading.

Use today to finish any readings that were missed.

God bless you this week as you spend time with Him in His Word!