“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” -D.L. Moody
Hello! I am happy to have found this community and think it is a wonderful idea. I had posted this in my journal a few months ago, but I would like to share this with you.
In January, my husband and I embarked on a one-year Bible reading plan. We were really excited when we found a plan that was to be read in daily assortments rather than the typical Genesis-Revelation order. It’s not that I find anything wrong with that system, but it’s just nice to find a plan that will fit your own reading manners. Especially for myself, since it was sometimes hard for me to focus on a front to back cover objective. In this plan, we have a daily category. For example, on Mondays we read from the books of The Law. The rest of the week looks like this: Tuesday-History, Wednesday-Psalms, Thursday-Poetry, Friday-Prophecy, Saturday-Gospels, Sunday-Epistles.
At first, we would take turns reading out loud to each other. By February, I’d be dozing off as my husband read to me! We knew in our hearts that we should be taking the time to read God’s Word separately and on our own as it gave us both more opportunities for not only better comprehension but also for God to give us revelations. In the months of March and April, we went on a road trip missions, just the two of us, proclaiming the gospel in every city and state we went. I was getting tired and sick so often (I hadn’t known I was pregnant yet!) that I was beginning to fall behind. Well, it is real easy to make excuses for yourself. I had to eventually recognize that I wasn’t reading the Bible just to tackle and accomplish it in a year, but that I was reading the Bible to better myself in many ways more than one, so that I would grow into the woman God has created me to be.
It is now nearing the end of May, and for those two months of time, I am still catching up. I was discouraged at first, but now am filled with much joy, peace and yearning. A Bible plan is sort of like an atlas, to help you keep on track to where you should be going. My journey may still be a few weeks behind, but I know that by the grace of God, I will be arriving at my destination in good time. Reading the Bible is neither a race nor achievement to pride yourself on. In 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul writes, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." Like Paul, I too choose to boast in my weakness for the Lord is my strength. I have faith in my Lord and that He will prepare, direct, and lead me. I know I don’t have all the answers, and I fail everyday, but it is by His grace, I still strive after Him. I will repent and charge forward. I can’t do it on my own, but God can achieve it in me.
I want to encourage anyone who has fallen behind on anything they have set out to do for the Lord. He will lift you up and give you the strength to press on if you would sincerely ask Him! As your Father, He wants you to succeed! He’s cheering you on to fulfill what He has called you to do! Seek Him, never let your faith be extinguished. Look to the savior, without turning back. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
In January, my husband and I embarked on a one-year Bible reading plan. We were really excited when we found a plan that was to be read in daily assortments rather than the typical Genesis-Revelation order. It’s not that I find anything wrong with that system, but it’s just nice to find a plan that will fit your own reading manners. Especially for myself, since it was sometimes hard for me to focus on a front to back cover objective. In this plan, we have a daily category. For example, on Mondays we read from the books of The Law. The rest of the week looks like this: Tuesday-History, Wednesday-Psalms, Thursday-Poetry, Friday-Prophecy, Saturday-Gospels, Sunday-Epistles.
At first, we would take turns reading out loud to each other. By February, I’d be dozing off as my husband read to me! We knew in our hearts that we should be taking the time to read God’s Word separately and on our own as it gave us both more opportunities for not only better comprehension but also for God to give us revelations. In the months of March and April, we went on a road trip missions, just the two of us, proclaiming the gospel in every city and state we went. I was getting tired and sick so often (I hadn’t known I was pregnant yet!) that I was beginning to fall behind. Well, it is real easy to make excuses for yourself. I had to eventually recognize that I wasn’t reading the Bible just to tackle and accomplish it in a year, but that I was reading the Bible to better myself in many ways more than one, so that I would grow into the woman God has created me to be.
It is now nearing the end of May, and for those two months of time, I am still catching up. I was discouraged at first, but now am filled with much joy, peace and yearning. A Bible plan is sort of like an atlas, to help you keep on track to where you should be going. My journey may still be a few weeks behind, but I know that by the grace of God, I will be arriving at my destination in good time. Reading the Bible is neither a race nor achievement to pride yourself on. In 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul writes, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." Like Paul, I too choose to boast in my weakness for the Lord is my strength. I have faith in my Lord and that He will prepare, direct, and lead me. I know I don’t have all the answers, and I fail everyday, but it is by His grace, I still strive after Him. I will repent and charge forward. I can’t do it on my own, but God can achieve it in me.
I want to encourage anyone who has fallen behind on anything they have set out to do for the Lord. He will lift you up and give you the strength to press on if you would sincerely ask Him! As your Father, He wants you to succeed! He’s cheering you on to fulfill what He has called you to do! Seek Him, never let your faith be extinguished. Look to the savior, without turning back. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)