Read Through the Bible in 2014: May 12-17 Schedule

5/12/2014	Judges 19-21	II Corinthians 12
5/13/2014	Ruth 1, 2	II Corinthians 13
5/14/2014	Ruth 3, 4	Romans 1, 2
5/15/2014	I Samuel 1, 2	Romans 3, 4
5/16/2014	I Samuel 3-5	Romans 5
5/17/2014	I Samuel 6-8	Romans 6

TAKE TIME: May 5-10, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: More about the Savior and the mercy that he offers!

 Assignment:

• Monday - Isaiah 56:1-57:21
• Tuesday - Isaiah 58:1-59:21
• Wednesday - Isaiah chapter 60
• Thursday -Isaiah 61:1-62:12
• Friday - Isaiah 63:1-64:12
• Saturday - Isaiah chapter 65

Memory Verse

Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. Isaiah 59:1

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the savior that hears every prayer of the righteous!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Spring is now in full swing and with it the post-winter clean-up. It is a time of freshness and newness. What a wonderful time to tell someone about the mercies of Jesus Christ that clean up dreary hearts and lives!

Read Through the Bible in 2014: May 5-10 Schedule

5/5/2014	Judges 6, 7	II Corinthians 1, 2
5/6/2014	Judges 8, 9	II Corinthians 3, 4
5/7/2014	Judges 10-12	II Corinthians 5
5/8/2014	Judges 13, 14	II Corinthians 6, 7
5/9/2014	Judges 15, 16	II Corinthians 8, 9
5/10/2014	Judges 17, 18	II Corinthians 10, 11

Read Through the Bible in 2014: April 21-26 Schedule

4/21/2014	Joshua 1-3	I Corinthians 2
4/22/2014	Joshua 4, 5	I Corinthians 3, 4
4/23/2014	Joshua 6, 7	I Corinthians 5, 6
4/24/2014	Joshua 8, 9	I Corinthians 7, 8
4/25/2014	Joshua 10, 11	I Corinthians 9, 10
4/26/2014	Joshua 12-14	I Corinthians 11

Read Through the Bible in 2014: April 14-19 Schedule

4/14/2014	Deuteronomy 20-22	I Thessalonians 4
4/15/2014	Deuteronomy 23-25	I Thessalonians 5
4/16/2014	Deuteronomy 26, 27	II Thessalonians 1
4/17/2014	Deuteronomy 28, 29	II Thessalonians 2, 3
4/18/2014	Deuteronomy 30, 31	Acts 18
4/19/2014	Deuteronomy 32-34	I Corinthians 1

TAKE TIME: April 14-19, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: We are continuing our study of Hezekiah as recorded in Isaiah. Then we will read several chapters that deal with comfort for God's people, the most notable comfort being the coming of the Messiah!

 Assignment:

• Monday - Isaiah chapter 38
• Tuesday - Isaiah chapter 39
• Wednesday - Isaiah chapter 40
• Thursday -Isaiah chapter 41
• Friday - Isaiah chapter 42
• Saturday - Isaiah chapter 43

Memory Verse

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the Eternal One!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

This is Easter week, a time when even the world notes that Christians serve a risen Savior, even if they do not believe it themselves. This would be a good time to do as Isaiah said and "comfort" those who need to hear the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

TAKE TIME: April 7-12, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: After we conclude our reading of Nahum we will return briefly to II Kings and Isaiah to read about events that took place during the reign of King Hezekiah. Notice the almost identical chapters! (They will be blogged together noting their slight differences. This will happen again for Saturday's chapter and next Monday's assigned text.)

 Assignment:

• Monday - Nahum chapter 3
• Tuesday - II Kings chapter 18
• Wednesday - Isaiah chapter 36
• Thursday -II Kings chapter 19
• Friday - Isaiah chapter 37
• Saturday - II Kings chapter 20

Memory Verse

Review verses from previous weeks.

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the Divine Author! He wrote the Word and He preserved it.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Many times circumstances look overwhelming. That was certainly the case when Hezekiah's kingdom was threatened! He made his requests known to God who then answered them mightily! God sent the prophet Isaiah to give Hezekiah the news that God would meet their needs. Are you facing overwhelming circumstances? God sent His Prophet to tell you that He will provide for you if you seek His kingdom first. See Matthew 6:33 for confirmation of this.

Read Through the Bible in 2014: April 7-12 Schedule

4/7/2014	Deuteronomy 3-5	Galatians 5
4/8/2014	Deuteronomy 6-8	Galatians 6
4/9/2014	Deuteronomy 9, 10	Acts 17
4/10/2014	Deuteronomy 11-13	I Thessalonians 1
4/11/2014	Deuteronomy 14-16	I Thessalonians 2
4/12/2014	Deuteronomy 17-19	I Thessalonians 3

TAKE TIME: March 24-April 5, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: This week we will finish reading the prophecies of Amos and then we will read two more minor prophets, Micah and Nahum. They were contemporaries of Isaiah and fit into the timeline found in II Kings.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Amos 8:1-9:15
• Tuesday - Micah 1:1-2:13
• Wednesday - Micah 3:1-4:13
• Thursday - Micah 5:1-6:16
• Friday - Micah chapter 7
• Saturday - Nahum 1:1-2:13

Memory Verse

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to have mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being the righteous judge. He doesn't take bribes and He never turns a blind eye to wrong-doing. One way or the other the offense requires retribution. Either the LORD will require it at the hand of the guilty or He will require it from Jesus, the substitute for the believer.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Many of these prophecies are against the stronger preying on the weaker. Widows and orphans often lost their homes and livelihoods to those who found "legal" means of confiscating them. The same still happens today. Do your own research and see if there are ways that you can help someone in this situation. There are many political, social, or humanitarian means available to those who are interested in pursuing them. Or maybe you could start an organization or non-profit of your own if there is a niche you discover that is not being adequately served.

Read Through the Bible in 2014: March 24-29 Schedule

3/24/2014	Numbers 10-12	Acts 8
3/25/2014	Numbers 13, 14	Acts 9, 10
3/26/2014	Numbers 15, 16	Acts 11, 12
3/27/2014	Numbers 17-19	James 1
3/28/2014	Numbers 20, 21	James 2, 3
3/29/2014	Numbers 22, 23	James 4, 5

TAKE TIME: March 17-22, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: The Middle East has always been in turmoil but it seems that this was particularly so during the days that followed Isaiah's prophecies. Many nations experienced defeat and destruction at the hands of the Assyrians and the Babylonians, who then experienced defeat and destruction themselves. In the middle of it all are a couple of verses that Isaiah prayed stating that God's everlasting strength was his source of peace even with all the terror around him.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Isaiah 24:1-25:12
• Tuesday - Isaiah 26:1-27:13
• Wednesday - Isaiah chapter 28
• Thursday - Isaiah chapter 29
• Friday - Isaiah chapter 30
• Saturday - Isaiah chapter 31:1-32:20

Memory Verse

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for His everlasting strength that gives peace to those who follow Him.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Everyone thinks that their lives are tough and that the era in which they live is one of political turmoil. And everyone is right! Such things were prophesied by Jesus Himself for those living in the last days. We have been in the last days ever since Jesus ascended back into Heaven. But like Isaiah, Jesus told us that our hearts should not be troubled because when we believe in God we can have inward peace when there seems to be no peace anywhere else in the world.  This week make a list of the things that worry you. Be honest! (No need to share your list with anyone.) Then pray and confess the sin of worry and ask to deliver you from each one. Pray about them one by one. Since these worries are defeating you it just makes sense to give them to the One who has the ability to do something to defeat them! Keep your mind upon God and whenever those worries rear their ugly heads praise God for His everlasting strength that provides your peace.  Repeat as necessary!

Read Through the Bible in 2014: March 17-22 Schedule

3/17/2014	Leviticus 23-25	Luke 22
3/18/2014	Leviticus 26, 27	Luke 23, 24
3/19/2014	Numbers 1-3	Acts 1
3/20/2014	Numbers 4, 5	Acts 2, 3
3/21/2014	Numbers 6, 7	Acts 4, 5
3/22/2014	Numbers 8, 9	Acts 6, 7

TAKE TIME: March 10-15, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: Not only did Isaiah prophecy about what would befall the nations of Judah and Israel, but through him God told what would happen to other powerful nations of the day that relied upon their own strength and defenses to make them feel invulnerable to destruction.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Isaiah 15:1-16:14
• Tuesday - Isaiah 17:1-18:7
• Wednesday - Isaiah chapter 19
• Thursday - Isaiah 20:1-21:17
• Friday - Isaiah chapter 22
• Saturday - Isaiah chapter 23

Memory Verse

Review verses from previous weeks.

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God for being a righteous judge. Kingdoms, like people, rise and fall at God's judgment .
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

The nations that God judged thought they were beyond destruction. While we cannot protect our nation, we can pray for her. This would be a good week to ask God for a revival in the land so that He might spare your country from the destruction that comes when He judges wicked nations.

Read Through the Bible in 2014: March 10-15 Schedule

3/10/2014	Leviticus 8, 9	Luke 13, 14
3/11/2014	Leviticus 10, 11	Luke 15, 16
3/12/2014	Leviticus 12-14	Luke 17
3/13/2014	Leviticus 15, 16	Luke 18, 19
3/14/2014	Leviticus 17-19	Luke 20
3/15/2014	Leviticus 20-22	Luke 21

TAKE TIME: March 3-8, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: We will read only in the book of Isaiah this week. Isaiah was one of very few men in scriptures honored to see the throne of God while still alive. (Ezekiel, The Apostle Paul, and the Apostle John were the others.) Isaiah was painfully aware of his own sinfulness when in the presence of the Almighty! We will also read some of the beautiful messianic and eternal kingdom prophecies that this man of God wrote through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Enjoy!

 Assignment:

• Monday - Isaiah 6:1-7:25
• Tuesday - Isaiah 8:1-9:7
• Wednesday - Isaiah 9:8-10:34
• Thursday - Isaiah 11:1-12:6
• Friday - Isaiah chapter 13
• Saturday - Isaiah chapter 14

Memory Verse

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.   Isaiah 11:1-2

Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is the Sovereign of the universe.
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Many of the passages we will read this week concern kingdoms both worldly and eternal. Isaiah often tells when he received a certain prophecy based upon an event in the life (or death) of the king of Judah on the throne at the time. He also tells of seeing God's throne in Heaven itself. And he talks of the future Millennial kingdom of Jesus - or perhaps it is the eternal State that he is describing - or both! This week take the time to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the world's leaders. It seems as though we see events unfolding every day that serve to warn us of things to come!

Read Through the Bible in 2014: March 3-8 Schedule

3/3/2014	Exodus 35, 36	Luke 4, 5
3/4/2014	Exodus 37, 38	Luke 6, 7
3/5/2014	Exodus 39, 40	Luke 8
3/6/2014	Leviticus 1-3	Luke 9
3/7/2014	Leviticus 4, 5	Luke 10, 11
3/8/2014	Leviticus 6, 7	Luke 12

TAKE TIME: February 17-22, 2014 Schedule

Introduction: As we conclude the story of Hosea we will read of God's promise of restoration to Israel. Then we will read the book of Jonah, the man most noted for being swallowed by a great fish, perhaps a whale, and see God's offer of grace to the citizens of the city of Ninevah. Finally, we will finish out the week by returning to II Kings, the book that provides the back drop against which these prophets lived and worked.

 Assignment:

• Monday - Hosea 9:1-10:15
• Tuesday - Hosea 11:1-12:14
• Wednesday - Hosea 13:1-14:9
• Thursday - Jonah 1:1-2:10
• Friday - Jonah 3:1-4:11
• Saturday - II Kings chapter 15

Memory Verse

Review previous verses.


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - Praise God that He is merciful. No one deserves salvation. No one!
• Confession - Ask God to reveal hidden sin in your life and then confess it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for any answers to your prayers.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Jonah was a man who wanted his country's enemies to die in their sins. You and/or your country have enemies, too. Do a little research into an enemy group, whether it be another nation, another religion, or perhaps an organization, and see if there is anyone attempting to reach them with the Word of God. Jesus told us to love our enemies and to pray for them. Organizations attempting to reach those known for their hatred and persecution can always use help and funds.

Read Through the Bible in 2014: February 17-22 Schedule

2/17/2014	Exodus 6-8	Mark 5
2/18/2014	Exodus 9, 10	Mark 6, 7
2/19/2014	Exodus 11, 12	Mark 8, 9
2/20/2014	Exodus 13-15	Mark 10
2/21/2014	Exodus 16-18	Mark 11
2/22/2014	Exodus 19, 20	Mark 12, 13

Old-Marrieds Losing and Winning the Newlywed Game

source

In honor of St. Valentine's Day, Pastor Dad and I attended a banquet this weekend with other church-going couples. Actually, we attended 3 but at only one did we play the traditional quiz game designed to show everyone how well spouses know each other, The Newlywed Game.

At this banquet it was announced that three games would be played throughout the evening to determine who the participants would be in that final prize-winning game. I looked at my husband and said, "You know that as the guest speaker and wife we are automatically going to be chosen as one of the couples no matter how well we do in the early games." And my theory might have been correct, but we'll never know. As one of the runner-up couples in the preliminary rounds we became one of the six doomed lucky couples. Mmm-hmm.

So there we were. We were the longest-married couple of those chosen. Obviously we should know each other pretty well after 35 years of marriage, right? Well, yes  but the score certainly didn't reflect it! We came in d.e.a.d  l.a.s.t.

source

Did we know all the answers? Uh, no. Not only weren't they primarily made up of the standard fact questions like, "What is your wife's favorite perfume?" but even for the ones that were we have a lot more information to remember than those who have been married only a few years! Most questions were more thought provoking though. And one or two were just plain provoking. :)

Then there were the answers that we deliberately missed. Did we lie? No, but we chose answers that were the most edifying and least embarrassing for our spouse:  answers that portrayed our beloved at his or her best and not as the sometimes unpleasant person that each knows the other is capable of being.

We're used to looking at each other through eyes of love and seeing beyond each other's struggles. After all, it isn't unusual to see couples who have been married as long as we have been that are made up of a person who is bald and one whose weight went from 135 to 200 pounds during the child-bearing years. It's just unusual when you consider the way it affects this couple.

The funny thing was that neither of us knew that the other was going to take the edifying approach when answering about each other. Ultimately we each ended up telling on ourselves by choosing answers that we think to be closer to the mark and each was pleasantly surprised by the answers our spouse gave about us.

So, why did we do so poorly in the game? Do we not know each other very well? No, after 35 years of marriage we know each other all too well:  well enough to know where the hot buttons are and well enough to know that we'd like to be married to each other for at least 35 more years if the Lord gives them to us.

In other words, we each esteem the other more highly than we do ourselves. We may have lost a game but we definitely proved that we possess the greatest prize of all.