Bible reading plans

[MatthewG]

“Feeling discouraged because you already failed hour New Year’s resolution ofreading your Bibke every day?

It’s okay. Just start back today.
Reading a Bible isn’t about completing a goal, it’s about spending time with a loving God.

It’s about a relationship, not a resolution.” - Shane Pruitt

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If you’re using a Bible reading plan and you’re on schedule -> terrific, keep it up!

If you’re using a Bible reading plan and you’re a little behind -> don’t give up, catch up!

If you’re not using a Bible reading plan but you wanted to -> it’s not too late, do it!

If you’re not using a Bible reading plan but you’re reading the Bible every day -> terrific, keep it up!

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

It’s definitely a way to feed our souls with the things of God.

 

[Matthias]

“If you have time to read social media, you have time to read your Bible.” - Shane Pruitt

Plan or no plan, how’s it going with your daily Bible reading?

 

[APAK]

“If you have time to read social media, you have time to read your Bible.” - Shane Pruitt

Plan or no plan, how’s it going with your daily Bible reading?

Great, even without a set written/thought out daily plan. Well daily with one session or a bunch, makes no difference to me as long I do not query scripture for answers.. It's when I get into the spiritual realm and suddenly find gems in scripture. I have a list of scripture either in my mind or on paper that I need to clarify for myself at least, and it's a great feeling when the Spirit opens up the doors to deep insights into what is pressing on my heart. And some of them or these matters in scripture are right in front of me and I'm blind at the moment to see them, and for what they mean. Some scripture has taken me several years to figure out and how it applies to my life or just as a reference that reinforces and builds up my belief system, and many more are still hanging there ready to be discovered. This is what excites me, a challenge to pray and ask for insights nearly everyday.....

 

[Matthias]

* A word of encouragement for those who had a good day but fell a little short on their reading. *

 

[APAK]

View attachment 56053
* A word of encouragement for those who had a good day but fell a little short on their reading. *

Why not have relish and ketchup in the same day, or at the same time. More enjoyable relishing the ketchup at the same time..

 

[Matthias]

Why not have relish and ketchup in the same day, or at the same time. More enjoyable relishing the ketchup at the same time..

On my way to the kitchen now, Bible in hand.

 

[Matthias]

“There is enough dust on some of your Bibles to write ‘damnation with your fingers.” - Charles Spurgeon

I don’t want to be counted with those who are in that situation and I don’t want my readers to be either.

It’s now the 9th day of January. If you thought about using a Bible reading plan but time has gotten away from you and you haven’t, there is still a remedy.

* You can still begin using a plan and commit to slowly digging out of the hole that you’re in.

* There is nothing magical or mystical about January 1. It’s a convenient date to start using a daily reading plan; it’s not the only date that is convenient. ”Today” can be a convenient day.

I was thinking this morning about the instructions Moses gave for the Israelites to keep the annual Passover. There was a provision made for those who were unable (but only for certain reasons) to observe it at the appointed time. The provision is found in Numbers 9:6-12.

Shall we be legalistic about it? I’m not recommending that we be. I’m suggesting instead something like this: you haven’t begun using a Bible reading plan, for whatever reason, that you intended to begin using on January 1. Just as some Israelites in Moses’ day couldn’t observe the Passover on the prescribed date and were given an alternative date to observe it a month later, perhaps you could consider squaring away whatever it is that kept you from beginning a reading plan on January 1 and target February 1 to begin it.

Don’t let a delay of a few days, or weeks, become a delay of months, or a year.

Reading plan or no reading plan, please don’t allow dust to accumulate on your Bible. Pick it up and read at least some portion of it every day.

 

[Matthias]

It’s January 13, and you think you missed the boat on using a reading plan?

From my X /Twitter “For you” feed this morning:

“Today begins our chronological reading plan through the Gospels. If you want to join, you can download the reading plan in the comment below.”

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This ship is now boarding. Why not take the cruise?

 

[Matthias]

“What was Jesus Christ’s most frequent question?

’Have you never read?’

Give yourself to God’s Word.”

(Matt Smethurst)

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[Matthias]

Even if your Bible reading plan is simply, and nothing more defined than, regularly reading the scriptures, follow that plan.

 

[Matthias]

Chew on it.

”There is certainly good to be gained from reading extensive portions of Scripture. Perusing a whole narrative, or even a short book, like Ruth, is beneficial. But sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. Of even greater benefit (at least, in my opinion), is taking a single bite of Scripture - perhaps a verse or two, or even a phrase within a verse - and savoring it. Chew on it. Chew on it some more. Repeat each word slowly, pausing over each one, exploring its depths, its nuances, its flavor and feel and taste. Then move on to the next and do the same. Then mix all these words together and discover new delights. Only after prolonged meditative chewing should you swallow and move on to the next verse.

Indeed, that’s what I’m endeavoring to do this year. I will take a verse a day and make that my meditative meal. I will not so much read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest (as a common prayer phrases it), as read, chew, chew some more, and still chew more, and then inwardly digest what I’ve learned.

Perhaps you too, dear reader, wish to join me at the table.”

Chewing on the Bible

But unlike fish, there was actual pleasure in the prolonged chewing of this food. For the longer it remained in my mouth, the better it tasted, the more pronounced became its flavor, the more nourishment I received from each bite. This food is the bread on which Jesus survived during his forty...

www.1517.org

This is a different approach, and not necessarily a bad one, to having a reading plan. Maybe it’s a plan that some will find appealing and give it a try. The key here is to do it regularly; daily.

Who among us cannot commit to reading at least a verse or two per day and chewing on it?

It’s far better to do that small portion of daily reading and meditation than to do no reading at all, or reading only sporadically.

 

[Matthias]

“Do not be afraid.”

36 times in the Hebrew Bible + 20 times in the New Testament = 56 times in the scriptures.

BibleGateway - Keyword Search: Do not be afraid

www.biblegateway.com

“Half our fears arise from neglect of the Bible.“ - Charles Spurgeon

Lesson: Do not neglect the Bible.

 

[Matthias]

“One of the most appropriate acts of mercy is to provide the poor with Bibles.” - Wilhelmus a Brackel

It doesn’t benefit the poor if they can’t or won’t read the Bible.

Neglecting to read the Bible can be considered a form of spiritual poverty. Let us read the scriptures daily and be rich toward God (Luke 12:21).

 

[Matthias]

Offered for those who aren’t reading the scriptures daily but want to: make it a habit.

“Just start.

Start slow if you have to. Start small if you have to. Start privately if you have to.

Just start.”

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[Matthias]

From my X / Twitter “For you” feed today -

“Biblical Illiteracy Is at an All-Time High

Did you know that 12% of high school graduates actually believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife? And get this - they also think Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife! Seriously? Give me a break!

This is why it’s so important to read the Bible. It’s not just a book; it’s God’s Word - His very message to us. If we want to live with hope, purpose, and direction, we need to know what He says. …”

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In the video clip he adds: “And here’s one I really found amazing. Some thought the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. I’m not making this up. Billy Graham.”

I don’t know what the source of his statistics is, and 12% may not sound like a lot, but if it holds it’s a huge number of people.

In the United States the number of people graduating high school in the last five years is approximately 3.7 million per year. 12% of that is 444,000 per year. Over a five year period that is 2,220,000 people.

That’s a substantial mission field.

Reading the Bible is important. Let’s do it and encourage others to read it too.

 

[Matthias]

 

[Matthias]

Jesus read the Bible. Be like Jesus.

 

[Matthias]

 

[Matthias]

One month in on the reading plan I selected for this year. How’s it going?

Week one. I didn’t like the plan and seriously considered changing to another plan.

Week two. I’m feeling a little better about the plan and I don’t like not completing what I’ve started.

Week three. I’m starting to like the plan and I’m going to stick with it.

Week four. I’ve become acclimated to the plan and wake up each morning eagerly looking forward to the day’s reading.

 

[Matthias]

Self test.

“They like the Bible least who know it least, and they love it most who read it most.” - Charles Spurgeon

How much do I really like or love the Bible?