Friday is for Heart Songs
“The average person reads
200 to 250 words per minute;
there are about 775,000 words in the Bible;
therefore it takes less than 10 minutes a day
to read the whole Bible in a year.”
( Justin Taylor)
When I was a full time pastor, I would annually challenge and provide plans for people to read the Bible in a year. Usually, everyone was using the same Bible reading plan. One year we encouraged the whole congregation with multiple plan options but in 2014 we decided to go with the YouVersion “EAT THIS BOOK”.
For those of who are Bible reading virgins, it is helpful to read with a group of people so all can hold one another accountable. Find a group. Start a group. Challenge your best friend. It’s not too late to get started and finish a Bible reading plan this year.
I don’t know how many times I have read the Bible through, more than 30, less than 50. But every time I do, my life is changed for the better. Here’s a dozen other things that happen.
- I see things I never saw before.
- I make connections between books I never saw before.
- The Spirit of God, throughout the year, brings me to the perfect text for some thorny problem I am struggling with at the perfect time.
- My heart bends toward heaven.
- My worship of God is deepened as I see his sovereign hand at work over time in the nation of Israel.
- I have some old questions answered and …
- I have some new confusions created.
- My faith grows stronger.
- My love for God grows deeper.
- My commitment to living sacrificially for others is challenged, informed and empowered.
- My desire to read the Bible through again increases.
- And, step by step, I think, I become a little bit more like Jesus.
Marty, thank you for offering this plan to the people of God. I am very excited to get back into God’s Word for another year. Trinity is so very Blessed to have you as their leader. God Bless!
LikeLike
One more thing, I am curious as to what it means to “Eat This Book?” I know it must mean something. Thank You!
LikeLike
Read Ezekiel 1-3. Examine the context. When you come to a text that says “eat this scroll” ask yourself what is going on. What is God trying to convey?
LikeLike
Also have read through the Bible many times. I have read at least eight translations; this has given me greater awareness of different approaches to the text. Reading the Bible in its entirety really aids understanding of New Testament allusions to the Old Testament and helps avoid misinterpretation.
LikeLiked by 1 person