Bible Reading Schedule for January 31-February 6, 2011

□ January 31 (Monday)

Scripture : Exodus 1-4 ; Psalm 23
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ February 1 (Tuesday)

Scripture : Exodus 5-8; Proverbs 1:1-19
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ February 2 (Weds)

Scripture : Exodus 9-11; Proverbs 1:20-33
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ February 3 (Thursday)

Scripture : Exodus 12-14; Proverbs 2
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ February 4 (Friday)

Scripture : Exodus 15-17, Proverbs 3:1-12
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ February 5, (Saturday)

Scripture : Exodus 18-20; Proverbs 3:13-35
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ February 6, (Sunday) Reflection, Review, and Renew

This week family memory verse:

Ephesians 2:8-9 for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— (9) not by works, so that no one can boast.

Schedule for Bible reading January 24-30, 2010

□ January 24 (Monday)

Scripture : Mark 1-3 ; Psalm 18:25-50
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 25 (Tuesday)

Scripture : Mark 4-6; Psalm 19
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 26 (Weds)

Scripture : Mark 7-9; Psalm 20
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 27 (Thursday)

Scripture : Mark 10-12, Psalm 21
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 28 (Friday)

Scripture : Mark 13-14, Psalm 22:1-11
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 29, (Saturday)

Scripture : Mark 15-16; Psalm 22:12-31
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 30, (Sunday) Reflection, Review, and Renew

This week family memory verse:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Vision for a New Year (Part two)

Scripture:

Gen 41:51-52 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying, "God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home." (52) He named his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, "God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow."

Observation:

When you walk in faith and refuse to quit, God guarantees your obstacles won't prevent your vision from being fulfilled. Though they were enslaved, Israel received the strength to overcome Egypt's efforts to break them. The story of their survival and success reads: "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew." (Exodus 1:12 NKJV).

Joseph's journey to the throne was a long one. It led him through betrayal, persecution and loneliness. His dream, still alive and un-surrendered, was put on hold for years. Now prime minister of Egypt, vindicated in the critic's eyes, his dream at last realized, he recalls the amazing way in which God accomplished it. '"For" he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction"' (Genesis 41:52 NAS).

Joseph refused to surrender his dream; it's what kept him alive. He looked for opportunities in his obstacles, and God made him fruitful, not by exempting him from affliction but by promoting him right there, 'in the land of my affliction'. Your obstacles can't stop God; don't let them stop you!

Application:

Between your dream and its fulfillment you'll be tested. You'll face some of the same things Joseph faced, like:

A. The faith test.

He had to maintain his faith in a hostile environment, and believe in a dream nobody else believed in. He had no dreamer's support network cheering him on, he had to stand alone

B. The patience test.

His dream wouldn't happen quickly. A boy at its conception, he would be a mature man before its fulfillment. Every frustrating day he'd have to hold onto it or risk losing it.

Patience isn't just hoping things work out; it's persevering and believing what God said. "Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Hebrews 10:36)

C. The strength test.

For a while Joseph's circumstances made the critics appear to be right. He was, after all, in a pit, frightened, alone, in a strange land without family or friends, in prison with an unearned criminal record. He must remain strong in his conviction that his dream was really from God

D. The focus test.

With enough emotional baggage to derail a freight train; sibling resentment, abandonment, false accusation and compound losses, he must constantly control his focus. Fixating on his problems and obstacles would have produced disillusionment. Maintaining dream-focus would be his salvation

E. The readiness test.

When God finally began opening doors he had to be ready for action! Discouragement or negative thinking would blind him to opportunity. So he kept his spirit and his gifts honed, took every occasion to use them, and watched as God turned his vision into a reality.

Obstacles won't destroy your vision, but your attitude can. After a grueling sixteen month odyssey an aging Paul wrote from a squalid Roman dungeon, "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4 NIV).

Paul knew two things you and I need to know:

1. It's not over till God says it's over.

Circumstances and people don't have the last word; God does! He is "author and finisher of our faith. " (Hebrews 12:2). With God, quitting is not an option. When you quit without his permission you're 'AWOL'. Furthermore, when you abandon your mission you forfeit His protection and provision.

2. Nothing can defeat you without your permission; so don't give it.

You can't control what happens to you, but you can control what you say and do. That's all you need to control; God will control the rest. You can't control the handicaps, puzzles and persecution that characterize your journey, but you can control whether or not you'll respond with frustration, despair and rejection (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

You can't always avoid getting knocked down, but you can determine whether or not you get knocked out. Refusing to stay down denies your enemy permission to sabotage your destiny. Do you have a God-given dream? Refuse to quit and it 'will surely come'. Have no dream? Ask God for one. Already accomplished your dream? Ask God for another one before you lose the joy and motivation of life. Have a dream so small it doesn't stretch you? Ask God for a bigger one and watch your faith grow!

Prayer:

"Lord, thank you for the dreams that you have placed within my heart. Help me to understand that for them to come to fruition I must not quit. I must continue to daily put my confidence and trust in you. No matter what happens, like Joseph, I want to choose to walk by faith in Your Word and Your dreams and visions that you have given me. In Jesus' name, amen!"

Deliverance from Monkey business

Scripture:

Numbers 32:7-9 Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them? (8) This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. (9) After they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and viewed the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land the LORD had given them.

Observation:

Wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel.... Which he suggests it would, should they settle on that side Jordan, since they would lose the assistance of two of their tribes, even two thirds of one of their standards in fighting with their enemies and subduing their land; and besides it might be thought that this request of theirs not only proceeded from selfish views and a love of ease, which might set a bad example to others, but carried in it a distrust of ever being able to enter into, at least to conquer and possess, the land of Canaan, and so might have a tendency to discourage their brethren.

Application:

Four monkeys were placed in a room that had a tall pole in the center. Suspended from the top of that pole was a bunch of bananas.One of the hungry monkeys started climbing the pole to get something to eat, but just as he reached out to grab a banana, he was doused with a torrent of cold water. Squealing, he scampered down the pole and abandoned his attempt to feed himself. Each monkey made a similar attempt, and each one was drenched with cold water. After making several attempts, they finally gave up.

Then researchers removed one of the monkeys from the room and replaced him with a new monkey. As the newcomer began to climb the pole, the other three grabbed him and pulled him down to the ground. After trying to climb the pole several times and being dragged down by the others, he finally gave up and never attempted to climb the pole again.

The researchers replaced the original monkeys, one by one, with new ones, and each time a new monkey was brought in, he would be dragged down by the others before he could reach the bananas. In time, only monkeys who had never received a cold shower were in the room, but none of them would climb the pole. They prevented one another from climbing, but none of them knew why.

Perhaps others have dragged you down in life. They’ve discouraged you from dreaming. Maybe they resented the fact that you wanted to move up or to do something significant with your life. Or maybe they were trying to protect you from pain or disappointment. Either way, you’ve been discouraged from dreaming.Take heart. It’s never too late to start dreaming and pursuing your dreams.

Prayer:

"Lord, help me to not allow discouragements to keep me from dreaming. There are always people around who just want to maintain status quo and never go forward. They will attempt to pull anyone down who begins to dream. They will pull down through gossip, backbiting, tale toating...Lord, I want to be smarter than the monkeys that we looked at today. Help me to encourage, not discourage. In Jesus name, amen!"

Schedule for Bible reading January 17-23, 2010

□ January 17 (Monday)

Scripture : Genesis 37-39; Psalm 15
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 18 (Tuesday)

Scripture : Genesis 40-42; Psalm 16
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 19 (Weds)

Scripture : Genesis 43-44; Psalm 17
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 20 (Thursday)

Scripture : Genesis 45-46, Psalm 18
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 21 (Friday)

Scripture : Genesis 47-48, Psalm 19
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 22, (Saturday)

Scripture : Genesis 49-50; Psalm 20
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 23, (Sunday) Reflection, Review, and Renew

This week family memory verse:

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Bible Reading schedule for January 10-16, 2011

□ January 10 (Monday)

Scripture : Genesis 21-23; Psalm 9
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 11 (Tuesday)

Scripture : Genesis 24-26; Psalm 10
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 12 (Weds)

Scripture : Genesis 27-29; Psalm 11
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 13 (Thursday)


Scripture : Genesis 30-32, Psalm 12
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 14 (Friday)

Scripture : Genesis 33-34, Psalm 13
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 15, (Saturday)

Scripture : Genesis 35-36; Psalm 14
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 16, (Sunday) Reflection, Review, and Renew

This week family memory verse:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (5) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

New VISION for a New YEAR

Scripture:

Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. (3) For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Observation:

This chapter records God's answers to Habakkuk's questions: (1) How long would evil prevail (Hab 1:2-3)? (2) Why was Babylon chosen to punish Judah (Hab 1:13)? God said that the judgment, though slow to come, was certain. Although God used Babylon against Judah, he knew Babylon's sins and would punish it in due time.

Application:

I read an article from Author Bob Gass that I would like to use to share some thoughts on having new vision for this new year over the next couple of days. I believe it will speak to your heart.
Fulfilling your God-given vision depends on having a vision; which calls for waiting on God until He reveals His plan for you. Dedicating time and energy to it; which calls for patience and discipline. Knowing how to overcome obstacles; which calls for good management. The Bible says: 'Where there is no vision, the people perish. ' (Proverbs 29:18).

Remember South Pacific's lyrics, 'If you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?' A vision gives you direction, motivation, creativity and resilience. Without one you become passive, aimless, bored, and vulnerable to quitting. God can give you a vision instantly but its fulfillment will require a lifetime of learning, practicing and managing life's daily challenges.

For the next few days let's look at some vision-fulfilling principles. Visions come with obstacles and opportunities! After decades in America, Raymond Dawson inherited his English grandparent's estate. Returning home he found a run-down farmhouse and barns on land covered with rocks. Disappointed and about to return to America, he decided to walk his worthless inheritance one final time. Pausing on a remote corner of his property he noticed a stream coming from beneath some rocks. He investigated, uncovered some hot springs, and guess what? Today he's the owner of a lucrative resort, right on the sight of his former disappointment!

When you ask God for a vision, you're likely to be placed in a field of opportunities concealed under acres of obstacles; a place of possibilities hidden beneath piles of problems. Then He will stand back and watch how you engage in the ministry of obstacle management!Obstacles can't steal your dream without your permission.

Winston Churchill rallied blitzed, beleaguered Britain from the edge of defeat with these memorable words: 'Never give up! Never give up! Never, never, never, give up!' Obstacles are inevitable; quitting is optional! When you walk in faith and refuse to quit, God guarantees your obstacles won't prevent your vision from being fulfilled. Though they were enslaved, Israel received the strength to overcome Egypt's efforts to break them. The story of their survival and success reads: 'the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. ' (Exodus 1:12 NKJV).

Paul's dream of evangelising the world met roadblocks at every turn. Tightening his grip he declared, 'We are hard-pressed on all sides, but. never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted, but. never. deserted: we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out!' (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Phps).

Joseph's journey to the throne was a long one. It led him through betrayal, persecution and loneliness. His dream, still alive and unsurrendered, was put on hold for years. Now prime minister of Egypt, vindicated in the critic's eyes, his dream at last realised, he recalls the amazing way in which God accomplished it. '"For" he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction"' (Genesis 41:52 NAS). Joseph refused to surrender his dream; it's what kept him alive. He looked for opportunities in his obstacles, and God made him fruitful, not by exempting him from affliction but by promoting him right there, 'in the land of my affliction'. Your obstacles can't stop God; don't let them stop you!

Prayer:

"Lord, in this new year, help us to receive a new vision from You. We need new direction, new excitement, new zealousness, new passion. We wait on you, Lord. We excitedly await Your voice but more importantly, Your presence. I choose to be still and know that You are God today. In Jesus' name, amen!"

This weeks schedule for reading through the Bible

□ January 1 (Saturday)

Scripture : Genesis 1-2; Psalm 1
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 2 (Sunday)

Scripture : Genesis 3-5; Psalm 2
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 3 (Monday)

Scripture : Genesis 6-7; Psalm 3
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 4 (Tuesday)

Scripture : Genesis 8-9, Psalm 4
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 5 (Wednesday)

Scripture : Genesis 10-11, Psalm 5
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 6, (Thursday)

Scripture : Genesis 12-14; Psalm 6
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 7, (Friday)

Scripture : Genesis 15-17; Psalm 7
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 8, (Saturday)

Scripture : Genesis 18-20; Psalm 8
Observation: What stood out to you from this reading?
Application: What can I take away to meditate, “chew on” and apply?
Prayer: (Together as a family)

□ January 9, (Sunday)

Reflection, Review, and Renew

This week family memory verse:

2 Timothy 3:15-17 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.