Tuesday, March 29, 2016

150 Day Reading Challenge

     This will Be one of the most challenging reading cycles due to the Volume of Reading, but keep in mind it is still only two chapters a day.
 
     If you need more days to read through the challenge, take, take more days.

     If you are just Starting with a Reading Challenge you might want to start with one of our earlier challenges;
               Our First Challenge
                    31 Day Reading Challenge
               Our Second Reading Challenge
                    50 Day Reading Challenge
Read and enjoy your time with God.
Pastor Eric


Ps 1 --- Ps 51 Matthew 7 Ps 101 Leviticus 25
Ps 2  Exodus 1 Ps 52 Matthew 8 Ps 102 Leviticus 26
Ps 3  Exodus 2 Ps 53 Matthew 9 Ps 103 Leviticus 27
Ps 4  Exodus 3 Ps 54 Matthew 10 Ps 104 ---
Ps 5  Exodus 4 Ps 55 Matthew 11 Ps 105 ---
Ps 6  Exodus 5 Ps 56 Matthew 12 Ps 106 1 Corinthians 1
Ps 7  Exodus 6 Ps 57 Matthew 13 Ps 107 ---
Ps 8  Exodus 7 Ps 58 Matthew 14 Ps 108 1 Corinthians 2
Ps 9  Exodus 8 Ps 59 Matthew 15 Ps 109 ---
Ps 10  Exodus 9 Ps 60 Matthew 16 Ps 110 1 Corinthians 3
Ps 11  Exodus 10 Ps 61 Matthew 17 Ps 111 1 Corinthians 4
Ps 12  Exodus 11 Ps 62 Matthew 18 Ps 112 1 Corinthians 5
Ps 13  Exodus 12 Ps 63 Matthew 19 Ps 113 1 Corinthians 6
Ps 14  Exodus 13 Ps 64 Matthew 20 Ps 114 1 Corinthians 7
Ps 15  Exodus 14 Ps 65 Matthew 21 Ps 115 1 Corinthians 8
Ps 16  Exodus 15 Ps 66  Matthew 22 Ps 116 1 Corinthians 9
Ps 17  Exodus 16 Ps 67  Matthew 23 Ps 117 1 Corinthians 10
Ps 18  --- Ps 68  --- Ps 118 1 Corinthians 11
Ps 19  Exodus 17 Ps 69 --- Ps 119 ---
Ps 20  Exodus 18 Ps 70  Matthew 24 Ps 120 1 Corinthians 12
Ps 21  Exodus 19 Ps 71 Matthew 25 Ps 121 1 Corinthians 13
Ps 22  --- Ps 72 Matthew 26 Ps 122 1 Corinthians 14
Ps 23  Exodus 20 Ps 73  Matthew 27 Ps 123 1 Corinthians 15
Ps 24  Exodus 21 Ps 74  Matthew 28 Ps 124 1 Corinthians 16
Ps 25  Exodus 22 Ps 75 Leviticus 1 Ps 125 2 Corinthians 1
Ps 26  Exodus 23 Ps 76 Leviticus 2 Ps 126 2 Corinthians 2
Ps 27  Exodus 24 Ps 77 Leviticus 3 Ps 127 2 Corinthians 3
Ps 28  Exodus 25 Ps 78 --- Ps 128 2 Corinthians 4
Ps 29  Exodus 26 Ps 79 Leviticus 4 Ps 129 2 Corinthians 5
Ps 30  Exodus 27 Ps 80 Leviticus 5 Ps 130 2 Corinthians 6
Ps 31  Exodus 28 Ps 81 Leviticus 6 Ps 131 2 Corinthians 7
Ps 32  Exodus 29 Ps 82 Leviticus 7 Ps 132 2 Corinthians 8
Ps 33  Exodus 30 Ps 83 Leviticus 8 Ps 133 2 Corinthians 9
Ps 34  Exodus 31 Ps 84 Leviticus 9 Ps 134 2 Corinthians 10
Ps 35  Exodus 32 Ps 85  Leviticus 10 Ps 135 2 Corinthians 11
Ps 36  Exodus 33 Ps 86 Leviticus 11 Ps 136 2 Corinthians 12
Ps 37  --- Ps 87 Leviticus 12 Ps 137 2 Corinthians 13
Ps 38  Exodus 34 Ps 88 Leviticus 13 Ps 138 Ecclesiastes 1
Ps 39  Exodus 35 Ps 89 --- Ps 139 Ecclesiastes 2
Ps 40  Exodus 36 Ps 90 Leviticus 14 Ps 140 Ecclesiastes 3
Ps 41 Exodus 37 Ps 91 Leviticus 15 Ps 141 Ecclesiastes 4
Ps 42 Exodus 38 Ps 92 Leviticus 16 Ps 142 Ecclesiastes 5
Ps 43 Exodus 39 Ps 93 Leviticus 17 Ps 143 Ecclesiastes 6
Ps 44 Exodus 40 Ps 94 Leviticus 18 Ps 144  Ecclesiastes 7
Ps 45 Matthew 1 Ps 95 Leviticus 19 Ps 145 Ecclesiastes 8
Ps 46 Matthew 2 Ps 96 Leviticus 20 Ps 146 Ecclesiastes 9
Ps 47 Matthew 3 Ps 97 Leviticus 21 Ps 147 Ecclesiastes 10
Ps 48 Matthew 4 Ps 98 Leviticus 22 Ps 148  Ecclesiastes 11
Ps 49 Matthew 5 Ps 99 Leviticus 23 Ps 149 Ecclesiastes 12
Ps 50 Matthew 6 Ps 100 Leviticus 24 Ps 150 ---

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Helpful Tools: Weekly Prayer Guide

         Do you have a plan for your Prayer Life?  

         Being "Lead by the Spirit" is a wonderful plan for prayer, but without a strong, focused, and disciplined mind we can easily be distracted with flighty thoughts.  Maybe, it's just me.

         Here's the plan I follow to help me keep focused.  Remember as you use your plan don't be so locked in that you're not "Lead by the Spirit." 

Put on the Armor of God every day.
Ephesians 6:13-18 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Sunday:
           Praise and Worship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
           Revival in God’s Church
Church to be filled with Joy
Pray a Blessing over those who are no longer with us as a Church
            That they are in a God Honoring, Bible-believing, Mission-minded Church 

Monday:
Nation: Awareness of the blessing of God
Leaders: President, Congressmen, Representatives, etc.
Soldiers: protection, confusion of the enemy
           State and local government: Governor/Mayor/Legislators
           Police/Firefighters/Rescue/City workers
           Judicial system: Truth revealed, Justice done; Abortion, Marriage, Parents Rights
           Schools: Teachers/Parents/Students/Administrators
           Other nations

Tuesday:
Family & Friends By Name
List specific needs by each Name

Wednesday:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ around the world:
             Boldness/Fruitfulness in Sharing the Gospel, Salt/Light
Southern Baptist Convention Leadership
North Carolina Baptist Convention Leadership
Union Baptist Association Leadership
International Mission Board Missionaries
North American Mission Board Missionaries
Southern Baptist Seminaries

Missionaries: By Name
            Boldness, Acceptance of Gospel, Open Doors,
            Rapid Evangelism, Protection, Local leadership
Church Members by Name

Thursday:
Pastors & Families By Name
Deacons & Families  By Name
Music
                     Future Music Director and Pianist
                     Interim Music Director & Family By Name
                     Interim Pianist & Family By Name
                       Church Choir
          Church Ministry Teams and Committees
          Administrative Team (Church Secretary and Workers)
Friday:
Immediate Family in Your Home
Spouse
Children
Parents
Grandchildren
Family revival: Love God and His Word, Hate Sin, Love God’s People, Love Neighbor

Saturday:
           WMBC: Fulfill the Great Commandments and the Great Commission
Vision, Revival, Growth, Ministries
Wayward members to come home
                      God to Demonstrate His Divine Power to Transform Hearts
                                   Save the Lost – Convict the Saved
                        Move the People to a greater place of Grace
                        Make them hungry for You and Your Word

Fill me Lord with so much of You there’s no more room for me  

Prepare me for God Honoring, Church Edifying, Evangelistic
Worship on Sunday

Remember the kind of Life you have been saved to live. 
Galatians 5:25-26 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Helpful Tools: New Testament Chronological Order

         The dating of the writings of the New Testament Epistles (Letters - Books) is often up for debate within academic circles and scholarly writings.  Much of the debates surround the dating of an Epistle as to how it references various points of historical importance.  One event is the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.

         As you study always keep in mind the Bible is Scientific and Historical and is never wrong on either, but God is addressing a Spiritual aspect of our life first and foremost.  This is the precedent of Scripture.  Is it okay to study and try to find out specifics regarding when an Epistle is written, Absolutely! But, never let the debatable take place of the Truth clearly revealed in Gods Word.

         Brackets - noting various views of dating   [(47-48AD) OR (55AD)]
         Right of Arrow (à)- general conservative viewing of the dating of the Epistles

Apologies for the misaligned brackets and arrows   


Jerusalem Council of Acts 15      Ã      49-50 AD

James                                                   à        45-48, before 62  when James was martyred
Galatians                     [(47-48) (55)]  à        48
1 Thessalonians           [(50-51)]          à        50-54
2 Thessalonians           [(51)]               à        50-54 soon after 1 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians               [(53-54)]          à        54-55
2 Corinthians               [(54-53) (58)]  à        56-57
Romans                       [(57)]               à        57-58
Matthew                                              à        50s If before Mark—but before70
Mark                                                    à        57-59
Luke                                                    à        58-60
Ephesians                    [(60-62)]          à        60
1 John                                                  à        60’s
2 John                                                  à        60’s
3 John                                                  à        60’s
Acts                                                     à        60-62
Colossians                   [(60-61)]          à        60-62
Philemon                     [(60-61)]          à        62
Philippians                   [(61-62)]          à        62
1 Timothy                    [(62-63)]          à        63-66
Titus                            [(62-63)]          à        63-66
1 Peter                                                 à        64-65
2 Peter                                                 à        64-68
2 Timothy                    [(64)]               à        67
Jude                                                     à        67-80
Hebrews                                              à        68-69
John                                                     à        85-95
Revelation                                           à        95-96  

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Helpful Tools: The Names of Twelve Disciples of Jesus


       Sometimes we get a little turned around when we're reading through the Scriptures. One example is when we see a list of names in one Book of the Bible and that "same list of names" shows up again in another Book of the Bible and it doesn't match up.

       Point in Case; the 12 Disciples of Jesus in Matthew 10:1-3, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13. 

       Why do the names not match up neat and clean and tidy?

       Answer;  people have more than one name.  Me, I have three given names, Sidney, Eric, and Nixon.  I have had a few official names, Sergeant, Reverend, and Mister (though Mr. Nixon Lives in Tennessee with my Mother).  I have had a few nicknames over the years, Sid, Doc, "Big E" (though this ones must be related to my size due to the fact I never could find "Little e"),  and I was even called "Sampson" in High School when I played football.  Not because I was unusually strong, I had long hair down to my shoulders that hung out of my helmet.  I've had a few  "nicknames" I can't mention in mixed company, but I'm sure they were given in "love." 

       As a Minister I have had a few additional names, whether official or nickname I'm still not sure, Pastor, Preacher, and "Shhhh here comes Trouble."

       So to help you out as you read your Bible as I know you are;
Here are the Names of the 12 Disciples or Apostles of Jesus

  1. Simon also called Peter, Simon Peter, or Cephas
  2. Andrew the brother of Peter (#1)
  3. James the son of Zebedee
  4. John the brother of James (#3)
 James (#3) and John (#4) were called Boanerges meaning “Sons of Thunder”

  1. James the son of Alphaeus also called James the Younger or James the Lesser
  2. Philip
  3. Bartholomew
  4. Thomas
  5. Mathew the tax collector also called Levi
  6. Thaddaeus also called Judas son of James or Thaddaeus the Zealot
  7. Simon the Zealot also called Simon the Canaanite
  8. Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus

  • Matthias replaced Judas (#12) after lots were drawn in Acts
  • Saul became Paul 

Monday, February 1, 2016

50 Day Reading Challenge

       How many Bibles do you own? One, two, more?  From my desk alone, as I write you, I see two Bibles on my desk, five on my shelf, one in Greek and another in Hebrew, countless others on my computer and more at home.  I am a blessed man, because my God made me and made a way for me to be in relationship with Him through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on a cruel cross. I am also blessed because the God who made me chose to reveal Himself to me and speak with me through His written Word, the Scriptures, the Holy Bible.

         As children of God, we want to be like Jesus or at least we should.  We struggle and strain in this fallen world looking for answers to life’s most difficult questions, seeking for reasons and for a purpose to why we are.  God has given us all the answers we seek in His Word.  He tells us how to live life with purpose, with intention and with a goal in mind. “Be like Jesus.” 

     Jesus faced every temptation known by man, and He faced those temptations with a heart loaded with the Word of God.  As the devil attempted to draw the attention of our Lord from His Father’s purpose for His life incarnate, Jesus fended off the devil’s attacks by proclaiming in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”  Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3.

       Here is my question, do you hunger for God? Do you want to know Him? Do you want to know how to live life and live it godly? Then take the time and learn from the Master Craftsman of your Life.
                                  Blessings,
                                  Pastor Eric  

Day 1              Genesis 1         Acts 1
Day 2              Genesis 2         Acts 2
Day 3              Genesis 3         Acts 3
Day 4              Genesis 4         Acts 4
Day 5              Genesis 5         Acts 5
Day 6              Genesis 6         Acts 6
Day 7              Genesis 7         Acts 7
Day 8              Genesis 8         Acts 8
Day 9              Genesis 9         Acts 9
Day 10            Genesis 10       Acts 10
Day 11            Genesis 11       Acts 11
Day 12            Genesis 12       Acts 12
Day 13            Genesis 13       Acts 13
Day 14            Genesis 14       Acts 14
Day 15            Genesis 15       Acts 15
Day 16            Genesis 16       Acts 16
Day 17            Genesis 17       Acts 17
Day 18            Genesis 18       Acts 18
Day 19            Genesis 19       Acts 19
Day 20            Genesis 20       Acts 20
Day 21            Genesis 21       Acts 21
Day 22            Genesis 22       Acts 22
Day 23            Genesis 23       Acts 23
Day 24            Genesis 24       Acts 24
Day 25            Genesis 25       Acts 25
Day 26            Genesis 26       Acts 26
Day 27            Genesis 27       Acts 27
Day 28            Genesis 28       Acts 28
Day 29            Genesis 29       Hebrews 1
Day 30            Genesis 30       Hebrews 2
Day 31            Genesis 31       Hebrews 3
Day 32            Genesis 32       Hebrews 4
Day 33            Genesis 33       Hebrews 5
Day 34            Genesis 34       Hebrews 6
Day 35            Genesis 35       Hebrews 7
Day 36            Genesis 36       Hebrews 8
Day 37            Genesis 37       Hebrews 9
Day 38            Genesis 38       Hebrews 10
Day 39            Genesis 39       Hebrews 11
Day 40            Genesis 40       Hebrews 12
Day 41            Genesis 41       Hebrews 13
Day 42            Genesis 42       1 John 1
Day 43            Genesis 43       1 John 2
Day 44            Genesis 44       1 John 3
Day 45            Genesis 45       1 John 4
Day 46            Genesis 46       1 John 5
Day 47            Genesis 47       2 John
Day 48            Genesis 48       3 John
Day 49            Genesis 49       Philemon
Day 50            Genesis 50       Jude