I know, its still November! Here I am talking about the New Year… and probably like you, I am thinking towards next year. Thought I’d mention reading through the Bible in a year. Sometimes I read through the entire Bible in a year, others I choose particular character, word, or book study.
A few years ago, I came across the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan. Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a 19th Century Scottish minister, prepared a plan for Bible reading to take readers through the New Testament and Psalms twice a year, and through the rest of the Bible once each year. There are approximately 4 chapters per day in this plan. Where possible, he planned Old and New Testament readings to compliment each other.
When you click the above link, you can get the plan printing it out yourself, or get it sent to your email every day.
The first year I started, I struggled through January getting a rhythm switching between the books. I almost gave up. I’m glad I didn’t. I have been able to keep up with the plan and am one month away from completing my second round through the Bible in the past two years.
If you’re wanting to implement regular daily Bible reading, maybe don’t wait for January. Start today, and by January you’ll be seeing progress. I know the holidays are crazy busy times, so maybe start with Luke -its a great book to focus on in December. One chapter a day and you’ll be through by Christmas. If you wanted, you could add a Proverb or couple of Psalms a day too. I love this quote – “Forever is composed of nows”. No time like getting started now.
Reading the Bible every day, some books are hard. I try, and encourage you too, read on. Thankfully in the plan, with reading from 4 different books in the Bible each day, there is always something every day that speaks to and challenges me.
Today’s reading included 2 Peter 1. I thought I’d share a few thoughts from there. I look for principles, specific things to implement in my life. Or I read to see characteristics of God, who He is, and why I can trust Him. I’m including these next thoughts just you could see what I am looking at as I approach my daily devotion time.
Second Peter 1:5 talks about giving all diligence. I stop for a minute and think about that phrase of giving all diligence. I tend to have expectations on others about diligence. Diligence of children in chores asked of them, students with their assignments. Even employees in the workplace, we expect them to be diligent. And when I think of my own life, I see how I readily make excuses for myself or give myself ‘easy outs’. But God expects me to be diligent and He is very clear in the verses following, giving me direction in exactly what He wants me to be diligent about.
Sidenote: Over and over, God gives us principles, commands of character traits He wants to see in us. Look deeper in the verse or surrounding verses. He generally also includes the ‘how to’ for us to implement His plan.
Going back to verse 3, His divine power has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. He is giving us the tools to be successful in life, if we’ll implement them. We see in verse 3 as well, that He has called us to glory and virtue.
Sometimes in our Bible reading, we cruise by words/phrases that are familiar. But they are not really words we use every day. Keep a dictionary handy. Look up words that you might even think you know the definition to, and lots of times be surprised by the deeper meanings.
If you want to do this study with me, look up diligence in the dictionary. Look up those remaining characteristics of God we are to be adding into our lives – the faith, virtue, temperance, and so on. Sit a minute in quiet and think about your day, your life, your demeanor. Where are you seeing these characteristics exhibited in your life, where are you seeing yourself fall short. This is where the growth begins. Talk to God. Ask Him to show you specific areas you are maybe falling short, ask Him where you need to focus your attention.
God’s Word is practical, He meets us in the day to day. He wants to equip us to live successfully for His glory. He’s very specific in how we can. He teaches us, walks with us, guides us. We have to read it, and implement it into our lives.
I’d love to hear your Bible reading and/or study strategies, please feel free to share in the comments below.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
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