New Year’s Eve is here, and New Year’s resolutions are bound to be considered. A time to reflect on the last year. What did I do last year that was good? What could I have done better? What do I want to achieve?
I always consider several areas when it comes to evaluating where I was and where I want to be for the coming year. Those are physical, mental, spiritual, and personal. Do I want to go to the gym more times per week? Do I want to have a day where I call and catch up with friends? Do I need to serve more at my church or be in God’s word more than I am?
So, therein lies the challenge. Where are you with your spiritual walk in particular with being in God’s word? Many moons ago I wrote a blog entitled “The 10 & 10 Challenge” which encouraged others to read their bible 10 minutes a day and pray for 10 minutes a day. There were several people who made the commitment to do just that. How exciting!
Now, I issue a new challenge which is to read the bible in one year. There are so many ways to do it. You can get a One Year Bible which has all of the readings divided up for you already and the days in which you should read them. I have also found that reading 3 chapters one day and 4 chapters on the next day in addition to a psalm every day gets you through the bible in about a year.
A couple of years ago my mother bought me a One Year Chronological Bible. If you have never read the Bible in chronological order before, I would really recommend it. For me, it really showed me the validity of the bible when different books by different authors have the same exact accounting of events in the bible. It has all of your daily reading there for you. How easy is that?
So, that is my challenge and encouragement for you. The bible will be the best book you will ever read! If you don’t have a One Year Bible, order one if you want one and just start reading in Genesis on January 1st until you get your copy. In the words of Bluto from Animal House, “Who’s with me? Let’s go! C’mon!” Regardless of your decision, my hope and prayer for you for the new year is for God’s blessing on you and yours.