I posted last week about looking for a reading plan. I found one that I’ve been enjoying. The chronological listing is what attracted me to the plan. In the first few days, the plan takes you through readings in Genesis and 1 Chronicles. Normally, I would skim over these genealogy listings, but I’m really taking my time to read and connect them. Here is a description of the reading plan:
“The One Year Chronological Bible reading plan contains the entire text of the bible arranged in the order the events actually occurred. This unique viewpoint allows you to read the whole Bible as a single story and to see the unfolding of God’s plan in history.”
By the way, if you want a really fresh and different reading experience, I want to encourage you to check out Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee. I will posting a full review soon, but I really like how Tosca ties in her fictional account of Eve to scripture. By far this novel is going to be one of my top reads for 2009.
Since I’m currently reading the book of Genesis and Havah, I decided I’m going to post some of my women in the bible studies. Be on the lookout for Eve, The First Woman this coming Sunday.
I haven’t read through the bible in at least two years now. I’m thinking I should start a plan on January 1st.
YouVersion.com offers a One-Year Reading Plan that takes you through the entire Bible — you just read the selections mapped out for you each day and you’ll cover the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice this year.
Do you have a favorite One-Year Bible reading plan?
Recently, I’ve been studying Roman 8. There are moments in my life and I’m sure in yours where you know the flesh has more control than the Spirit. That usually is our fault because we’ve placed something first instead of God. To my delight, I came across the Romans 8 Movement and a couple of other goodies.
I came across this movement today when I decided to check out LifeChurch.tv. LifeChurch.tv have some of the best online, interactive sermon series. The current series is called Practical Athiest and the message really hit home. While perusing the scriptures in today’s sermon, I was led to YouVersion.com. YouVersion.com is an awesome bible study resource that provides a journal and a chance to interact with other believers. While reading Romans 8, I found the Romans 8 Movement in the Community section.
The folks behind the Romans 8 Movement wants to get as many people as possible to memorize the entire chapter of Romans 8. Since this has been my focus the past few weeks, I printed the flash cards and downloaded the music to go along with the scripture.
Check out the Youtube video below and then check out the site.
While this particular study has a number four attached to it, this series is not about following steps. Today’s study could easily be the first thing an individual has to tackle before getting their life back on track God’s way.
How To Adjust Your Priorities # 4
IDENTIFY THE COBWEBS
Have you ever sat down on the couch to relax or maybe went outside on your porch only to look up in the corner and see a cobweb. Don’t get me started on actually seeing a spider. That’s another whole topic. Right now, the cobwebs is where my analogy for this week is going.
Spiders have been gifted with spinning something so thin and intricate, you can’t see it. Boy, do you feel it? Have you ever walked outside into a cobweb? Auughhh! The remnants of the web lingers on your skin or clothes until you can entangle yourself from it. Even after removal, the effects of the experience leaves you paranoid. Now your thinking, where is the spider? Okay enough of this talk about spiders.
The point. Cobwebs are made to catch their prey and they work very well.
In our lives there’s something that works in a similar way. At first glance you might not recognize it because it subtly makes its presence known. Often times if you are not careful, you will walk right into it and get ensnared. The effects leave you feeling just as freaked out as a cobweb across your skin. The culprit’s name.
March is Women’s History Month. This monthly celebration began in 1978, when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration. Later, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March.
Often during this month, women are honored for being the first to achieve some feat or for their incredible strength to beat the odds. Let’s take a brief survey through Jesus’ earthly ministry, in particular the last week of his life. Meet godly women who experienced the “Good News” firsthand. I think this time of reflection will give you something to marvel whether you are a man or a woman.
Have you ever prayed about a situation and felt like you weren’t getting through to God? Have you had a difficult time with consistency in your prayer life? This week as we continue to adjust our priorities, be encouraged and let’s rethink or restart our prayer life together. If you are contemplating a life changing decision or just how to make it through another day, it’s time to get real with our prayers.
Prayer is a conversation with God, not a one-sided affair where you call out your wish list items. We are going to take a look at the personal prayers of one powerful prayer warrior. Even though King David was a man after God’s own heart, he went through some slippery times before he received the kingship. How did he manage to adjust his priorities while on the run for his life?
I hope you have reached the point where you have decided it’s time for a serious change. A change in priorities. The most logical way to start anew is to revisit the two basic ways to achieve spiritual growth. You can probably name them easier than you actually spend time doing them consistently. Be honest. One involves spending quality time studying God’s Word, and the other, spending time in prayer. Both of these steps will prove to be essential to adjusting one’s priorities. This week, we will explore how developing a passion for God’s Word, makes it easier to recognize for us to redirect our focus.
