Bible Reading for the Rest of Us

Progress & Consistency Bible Reading Plan

To download the reading plan go to www.harbourshores.org/forms-download

The Reading Plan’s Layout:

The Progress and Consistency Bible Reading Plan divides Scripture into seven general categories. This method, recommended by others, helps ease the struggle of reading through some of the more difficult books of the Bible. You will read from that particular book only once a week until finished, rather than every day!

The week starts with Psalms as they seem to particularly move us from the reality of our lives to a proper heart and mind of worship. The Gospels are chosen for Monday with the goal to provide a Christ-centered mindset as we begin our work week. They also tend to be more easily read by most, and, let’s face it, Monday is a day when we need something easier! The New Testament Epistles are separated from the Gospels and Acts by Old Testament reading (Pentateuch & History) in order to have New Testament reading in both the first and second half of the week. Each category (or column) is, in turn, divided into a list of 52 reading assignments. This certainly allows for the ease of reading through the Bible in a year, if one should choose. However, the emphasis of this reading plan is on PROGRESSING through the Scriptures and BUILDING CONSISTENCY in the discipline of Bible reading. Simply select the day of the week (i.e.-Monday (see Fig. A) and read the next Scripture reading assignment in that column. If you miss a Sunday, simply pick up the next Sunday where you left off previously. You will not complete the Bible in a year in this way, but that is not the primary goal. The goal is the reading of God’s Word!

One other benefit of this plan is that you start anytime. It is not tied to a calendar or schedule. You start any day of the week and any time throughout the years:

Prayer: Speak to the Lord and share your heart with Him and humbly ask Him to speak to you through His Word. As we come to our time in the Word, our hearts and minds are often racing in many different directions. We need to seek God’s help in inclining our hearts towards Him and His Word!

Journal: I encourage you to begin a journal to accompany your studies. This is simply a means to force you to think more fully on what you have read. I encourage you to fully complete your reading for the day, then journal. This discipline forces you to listen to God before just throwing thoughts on paper. You may not journal every day, but after completing your reading, write down a key verse or verses. Prayerfully note any context and observations that the Spirit of God may bring to your attention through the passage. Next, briefly summarize the author’s intended meaning. Finally, in a sentence or two, note how you need to begin to apply this message of God’s Word. Application may vary from meditating more fully, repentance (putting off), practice, thinking differently, acting differently, worshipping more fully, etc. You can remember these four steps using the acrostic COMA (Context, Observation, Meaning, and Application).

Parents (Family Devotions): Parents, simply select a passage from your reading for the day to share with your family at meal time, bed time or drive time to not only pass along truth, but to model Bible study , meditation and application as you disciple your children “when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6: ).

“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble

and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2b)

To download the reading plan go to www.harbourshores.org/forms-download

Hopeful Humility

A man of humility says, “I will submit, for God has the right.”

Humility submits to others who don’t seem to deserve it, Philippians 2

Because it is the model Christ gave to us.

Humility runs the race enjoys honoring others,

Not in false humility, but in sincere gratitude.

Sincere humility has no aversion

To “in honor preferring others better than yourself.” Romans 12:10

A man’s humility is his perfect vision;

Seeing himself in his proper place

Confidently trusting that God exalts at His perfect pace;

Resisting proudly lifting up one’s name and efforts,

Only to be brought lower than at the first. 1 Peter 5:5-6

Pride resists the criticism of others, Proverbs 15:12

And always attributes fault to them;

While humility weighs such words with care,

Knowing that the wise can find value,

While ignoring the cut of the criticism,

Because certainly the criticism would be much greater,

If my heart and thoughts were open for all to see. Proverbs 15:31-32

Pride is the source of all contention, Proverbs 13:10

At work, home, church and nation.

Humility is the heartbeat of reconciliation,

The lifeblood of restoration.

Humility is the breath of strength and hope,

Empowering enduring forgiveness,

Even when another’s offense seems greater. Ephesians 4:32

Pride says, “I’ve been hurt by men and women.”

And results in withdrawal and ineffectiveness;

When surrounded by difficulty and ungodliness,
Humility declares, “Speak Lord, your servant listens”

Humility responds to trials with expectant joy,

Knowing trials are designed by a perfect God. James 1:2

Humility is willing to give up everything wanted,

In order to receive everything needed. Matthew 23:12

It sacrifices what a man believes he is due,

In order to receive much more than one deserves. Luke 12:29-34; Mark 8:35-36

Humility fights not for oneself and rights,

But for the glory of God and what is right. Ephesians 5:25

Humility says, “I will submit, for God is right, Romans 8:24

And He is in sovereign, loving control.”

His way is just, His path one of joy.

His plan is perfect, His promises are absolute. Hebrews 10:23; Isaiah 57:15

I can be humble in all of life’s circumstances,

Because I, like Job, recognize that God is in control. Job 1:21-22

What's My Motivation?

Coming off the holidays, many people are struggling to go back to work or once back at work they are struggling with motivation to work. What motivates your performance at work? Is it personal advancement, better pay, opportunity for power and prestige, recognition, the approval of others or to make a difference in our community? On some level all of us are motivated by one or more of these influences. The problem with each of them is that they are all too small. At some point each of these will lead to frustration, conflict, disappointment and even complete despair. For example, I have heard parents and educators motivate students to work hard at school so that they will get better jobs. What should I tell my friend with an MBA who has been unemployed for over thirteen months now?

There is a better motivation, a bigger motivation that should drive our work ethic. In Colossians 3:22-24, the Paul the Apostle says in addressing servants, “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

The implications of these verses are huge. First, it helps us understand that our view of God should affect how we work. If we believe that we are ultimately accountable to God, then we will understand that whether our work is seen or unseen or whether it is rewarded or unrewarded by other people, it does not matter, because we have a higher cause and a greater accountability to God himself.

Second, it instructs us in how our view of God should affect our work. Since we are not merely pleasing others or seeking an earthly reward, we ought to be driven to the highest levels of excellence and with the purest of motivations, for we are to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Do you find it hard to work some days with the people you have to deal with or answer to? Do you find that the politics of the work place, the preferential treatment given to those you believe are undeserving, the abrasive personalities and unappreciative spirit of others simply make it nearly impossible to work at all, let alone to work whole heartedly? It is time to work for a greater cause.

Finally, this passage of Scripture encourages the one who works for the Lord that, as His servant, we will not go unrewarded. In this life, even the best public servants with the greatest good of the community in mind can go completely unnoticed and become incredibly disenchanted and discouraged if they do not serve with a greater view of what they are doing. One who serves God in whatever area of work they are given to do and whole-heartedly serves in a manner pleasing to God is promised a reward. That has always been one of the driving forces behind a “Christian work ethic.” To the Christians in Ephesus Paul wrote, that they were to give “service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:7-8).

Did you know that God gave the first man, Adam, a work to do before He gave Adam a woman to love? Work has always been intended as a wonderful part of God’s plan. The problem is that we as sinful individuals have made it so much less that what God intended. So what about you? What drives you at work? What gets you up, gets you going and keeps you going, even when you feel unnoticed, unappreciated and unrewarded? Get a bigger view of what God has for you in your work and see how your work can last beyond the vapor of this life.