The Bible in One Year

Have you read the Bible? Okay, this is a trick question. Many Christians will say, “Yes.” But the question really is, “Have you actually read each and every book of the Bible in a concentrated effort to know and understand the Word of God we are to live by every day?” Hmmm…

As we enter 2011, people look to the New Year as an opportunity for a new start and a new commitment. I encourage you, my brothers and sisters and Christ, to make this your year of reading the complete Word of God. As we become more spiritually mature, we begin to realize that it’s not enough to know how to get to the books of the Bible and where to find popular verses that are often quoted. We need to really go deeper and read through all the pages of the Word we hold close to our hearts.

We live in a day and age—and most of us live in countries—where we have easy access to the Bible on a daily basis. And there are multiple translations available in our native tongue to help make it easy to read the Bible. But reading the Word of God in a year is not like picking up a coffee table book for a casual perusal. It takes a commitment. And it requires daily prayer for understanding. It means staying faithful even on the most difficult days of the year. And I for one can tell you that it’s not easy. But if you’re persistent, your reward will be immeasurable.

Thanks be to God that we live in a day and age where there are countless resources available to us. A simple online search will yield numerous programs that provide daily Bible readings that will help you accomplish your goal. My favorite can be found at www.ewordtoday.com/year.

There are a few things I enjoy about this daily reading program:
-- You can begin on the 1st or 15th of any month (but January 1st would be a great time to start, dear reader)
-- You can choose the type of reading program you want, such as cover to cover or a chronological series of events (tip: the chronological series really brings the events of the Bible to life!)
-- You can choose the translation you want to read throughout the year (I’m a big fan of the NIV for modern English speakers)
-- The readings take about a half hour or so, on average (before you begin your first reading, establish a dedicated hour of each day that you will turn over completely to God for the purposes of reading His Word and spending time meditating on it)

If you are truly considering reading the Bible in one year, turn your desire and intent over to God. He will guide you through it. While the task may seem overwhelming, keep in mind that through God nothing is impossible!

I thank God for each day in 2011 that I can draw closer to Him through His Word!