We made it, here we are on January 1, 2021! While today might not look at lot different than yesterday, there is a renewed hope that this year will be different, that this year will be better. Yes, it is still going to be a long and at times difficult journey over the coming months, as we see the light at the end of the tunnel growing gradually brighter, but that doesn’t mean we are regulated to being idle until things return to normal.
As tradition dictates, the beginning of each year gives opportunity to set aside the frustrations of the year that was and focus on the newness of the year at hand. To aid in the journey, many people engage in fresh commitments, things that will ensure this year is better than the last. We make commitments to eat better, exercise, kick a bad habit and replace it with a new one. We make goals to better our financial situation, learn a new skill, pick up a new hobby and do more with our families. Each one of these resolutions have great merit and if you have committed to these or others, I am rooting for you that you not only start strong but even more that you are able to finish strong.
But there is an area of that we often have great intentions of growing in, but often find ourselves wavering soon after the journey begins and that is our pursuit of spiritual disciples. And often the resolution that is at the top of our spiritual growth list is that of getting into God’s word daily.
For some the solution might be a book of daily devotions that provide a short passage and inspirational thought for the day, and these tools, like the Daily Bread booklet can serve as great opportunities to help us set our focus for the day. But I would like to take the opportunity to raise the bar a bit more, for all of us.
One thing that I haven’t done in a number of years is read through the entirety of the Bible in a single year. Like many of you, it’s easy to get distracted and find that you are losing momentum in your commitment, which always seems to happen as you start reading through Leviticus. Yet, I would encourage you to not let the frustrations of the past hinder your journey moving forward.
So, let me ask you straight out, would you be willing to join me in a commitment to read through the entirety of the Bible in 2021? And here is the best part, we have at our fingertips some of the greatest resources to help us accomplish this!
Bible reading plans via the Bible app
First, I would encourage you to download the free “Bible App” by YouVersion, or you can access it online at www.bible.com. (There's also a Bible App version for kids!) It is an incredible resource that allows you to have God’s word right there on the device of your choosing and will allow you to read the Word of God, in the translation you feel most comfortable with.
- Then once you have the app downloaded you can go to the “Plans” tab and sign up for one of the many reading plan options. The plan allows you to read or listen to the passage for the day right from the app, lets you track your progress and if you fall behind it even allows you to "catch me up" to get back on track. I’ll list some options for one year Bible reading plans below, but the plan that I am going to work through is “The One Year Chronological Bible” plan from Tyndale House Publishers. Here are some options…The One Year® Chronological Bible (Chronological)
- Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel (Includes daily devotional)
- The One Year ® Bible (Daily reading from the OT, NT, Psalms and Proverbs)
- THE BIBLE in a year (Daily reading from the OT, NT and Psalms or Proverbs)
Looking forward to taking this journey together, email me at mark@kingbiblechurch.com if you have any questions!
God Bless, and Happy New Year!
Pastor Mark
