I want to encourage you to regularly read your bibles in 2010. So often, we get discouraged and even feel guilty for not living up to our desire. We feel less spiritual (whatever that means) and a "bad" Christian when we start reading our bibles, but then fall away. God doesn't look at it like that. God is our loving Heavenly Father always looking to help his needy children. We don't need to live under the weight of condemnation (if we are in Christ)when we fail to do what is necessary. Instead, believing God is here to help us, we can continually turn to God for forgiveness and help.
In our attempt to read the scriptures faithfully, we tend to bite off more than we can chew. We need to challenge ourselves, but yet, still be realistic. Below are two links for Bible reading plans. Both will lead you through the entire bible in a year. But there are no rules that say, "you have to read the bible through in a year." If that feels too much, pare it down a little. In both of these plans, there are four columns to read each day; instead of reading all 4, just read 2 if that will help you. The first bible reading plan even gives you grace days to catch up when you miss. The second plan is a little more daunting. You read the OT once, NT twice and the Psalms twice.
Below, tell me and one another your story of bible reading. Tell us your successes and failures. Tell us what you're going to do in 2010. Let's encourage one another.
http://www.navpress.com/uploadedFiles/15074%20BRP.dj.pdf
http://hippocampusextensions.com/mcheyneplan/
Pastor Brian
2 comments:
I am reading Job right now with a friend every other day....and then on my own I try to read Proverbs 3 or 4 times a year....I have done that for about 3 years now, when I read Proverbs I read one chapter a day, I highlight 3 verses that hit me, reread them and pick one, that is my verse for the day (got that idea a few years ago from a Pastor on the radio)...When I am not on a Proverbs month I cycle through the rest, right now I am in Romans...but I like matching them up to, like reading Deuteronomy with Romans....One NT and one OT...
I feel that when it comes to reading the Bible for me it is almost a selfish desire.... that is my time with my Father, my moment to catch up with where my heart is, or where my heart SHOULD be.... When I miss a few days I find myself longing for my "Daddy time".... Lol if that makes sense...I know I tend to be like a talkative 4 year old when it comes to Christ, I rush, I talk, I am busy....that is the time each day that I shut my mouth and listen... Without it I miss out on so much! For me it is also the fact that when I "cried out" for a Father at a young age he answered with "I AM"....he IS my Father to the Fatherless, and for a 12 year old who just realized she had found the Father she was always wanting/needing I wanted to know everything about him.... It just became habit....
Hope that made sense... Lol sorry for any spelling/grammar issues, I am typing on a phone....
Our family read through the NT together several years ago. Great in terms of getting an overview, the progression from Christ's life to the early church, and seeing the contrast in genres. I've read a number of the OT books individually, but never straight through. Found Deuteronomy more relevant than I ever imagined; naturally drawn to Psalms and Proverbs; eager to get back to Brian's series on Exodus.
To be honest, as I consider reading the whole OT straight through in a year, it does seem daunting, especially staying attentive during parts I don't understand, i.e. prophets. Maybe need to consult my commentary at those points.
I know that the days I miss reading the Word, something seems to be missing all day. Connecting with God daily keeps me aware of His sovereignty and trusting in the face of otherwise unwelcome obstacles. So why do I ever think I'm too busy or don't need it? Good question. Maybe just the sad human condition.
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