If your fiancé sent you a letter, would you read it? Only once, or would it be a couple times? God has given us His love letter–The Bible. Have you ever read the entire book cover to cover? What a better way for anyone to start out the New Year resolution list with reading through the Bible.
This past year Priscilla and I have done just that and it has been one of the sweetest times of fellowship together and with the Lord. There is no better investment than to take time in the eternal Word of God. If there is anything I could encourage a new believer to do it is to get in the book. Someone once said, “Either the book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Book.” Oh, how true that is. In Scripture David stated it this way, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).
The following Bible Checklist is very similar to the one I first used. It allowed me to record at any place I might be reading in the Bible instead of getting discouraged because I lost my place or wanted to read in the New Testament instead of Old Testament. By simply reading three chapters a day and five on Sunday, the entire Bible can be read in just one year. What a small investment of time for such a valuable treasure.
Comments
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, but I believe firmly in a commitment to spending daily time in God’s Word.
Happy New Year to the Wallers!
Thank you for posting this! Sadly, this is something I have never done. I want to start in 2013.
I too enjoy reading the Bible through every year. When I first started doing it regularly our whole congregation went through this one together. http://www.amazon.com/The-Daily-Bible-International-Devotional/dp/0736901981/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356916729&sr=8-2&keywords=f.+lagard+smith+chronological+bible It is the much debated NIV but the preacher who had us all read it said that everyone who he has ever given this to has been able to read it from cover to cover. Also, it summarizes beforehand what you are about to read so it makes it easy to follow along. But the summary doesn’t have a lot of speculation or extra theological discussion so there is no issues with doctrinal issues. Also, because it is chronological, it is easy to figure out which prophet went with which king and confusing timeline of Jesus’ death, resurrection and who visited the tomb and when is also finally straightened out.
But since having small babies has made it hard for me to sit and hold a Bible without having little fingers get in the way I started using this website where I can listen to the scriptures everyday in chronological order. http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/chronological/
Several years ago I also bought the Bible on CD and I was able to listen to it through really easily that way as well.
One thing to say after having been cover to cover with it approximately 15 times, it is SO worth it and every time I learn so much more.
Thank you Michelle, I am sorry it has taken me so long to post this comment.
Happy New Year to both of you, David and Priscilla! I hope you have a wonderful time welcoming the New Year and also have a great upcoming year. 🙂 I like your post of reading the Bible in a year, I’m not sure when but i would like to try this one time. Thanks for your posts.
Don’t wait!!! The peace you will find in reading His Word everyday is not worth postponing. Our church has started a Bible revival and that consists of 15 minute a day Bible reading. Mardels Christian store also has a great checklist that consist of a easy 4 chapters per day 7 days a week with the same goal. God bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for sharing this checkoff list! I made a commitment to God to spend time with Him everyday & read the whole Bible in 2013. This post helped a lot.
Happy New Year! May God bless y’all!
I try to read something out of the Bible everyday but can honestly say I have never purposely read it cover to cover what a great challenge to do . Congrats on the little blessing
I just want to thank you for sharing you life and example of being Christians in a very dificult time. I´d like to ask if you could post the site of the bible calendary. (Sorry for my poor writing I`ve been out of practice for a long time, I took some English while in school years long ago).
May God Bless you more and keep you save
Thank you
This is a wonderful resolution! I have been trying more to read my Bible this year. I have struggled in the past with consistency. I would read the Bible for a while, then stop because I didn’t feel I was getting much out of it, I didn’t know where to start, or I was so busy I started neglecting it. The Book is so huge, it can seem overwhelming to know what to read sometimes. I thought I would share a resource that has helped me. It is similar to the checklist David provided, but has some other benefits. If you have a phone that uses apps, the Bible app by YouVersion is a fantastic resource. It is free and has all the translations (at least most, if not all) of the Bible loaded on it. So, you can use it just for looking up verses or you can choose a Bible plan out of the hundreds they have to choose from! You can read through the Bible in a year with it, or just do portions of the Bible. They have varying lengths and types of plans, some with added devotional messages and some without. Once you start a plan it provides you with a checklist so after you read the days’ passages you can check it off to keep you on track. You can also select a verse to highlight, bookmark, or write a note about. Notes can be kept for the reader to view on their own or they can share it as a “public” note available for other users to view. I started a Bible-in-a-year plan in October and am now on day 96! It has been such a great thing in my life and has not only helped me consistently read the Word, but I now take more notes over what I’m reading than I ever have! If you don’t have a phone, you can also create an online account and do the plan from there, though for me at least, that would be harder to keep up with. Here is a link to their page: https://www.youversion.com/reading-plans
My advice is to choose whatever way works best for you! Don’t be discouraged if you start something and find it’s not working. There are so many great resources out there, there is something that will work for you. Getting in the Bible is so important. God has lots of things he is waiting to teach us, and his Word is one thing he uses to teach us about Him and ourselves.
On a side note, David and Priscilla, I have loved looking through your site! I first ran across it after seeing your wedding on 19 Kids. I am so encouraged by couples (and singles) who truly love the Lord and are seeking to honor him with their life. Thank you for your great example. Blessings on your future together and your precious little baby. 🙂
Hi david and priscilla , i’m an italian boy i came on your site by chance looking a show on duggar family, i like very much all things that you do for the people and how you live the life , you are a great persons, i wish for you all the best….( sorry my english) bye Frank.
Just what really encouraged you to compose “Happy New Year!
| David Loves Priscilla”? I personallyseriously enjoyed reading the post!
Thanks for your effort ,Lucretia