No Excuses!

I wonder how your Bible reading has been going? It's confession time. Mine has suffered greatly! Life is too busy these days, yeesh! But I knew myself well. That is why I planned to do it at least 3 times this year. I figure by the end of the year, I'll at least have read through the Bible one whole time.

We just finished our missions conference at my church and I was greatly convicted over many things. But one recurring theme God has been bringing to my heart over the past 6 months is that American Christians have no excuse for not reading and studying their Bibles. So many countries have cultures where, in addition to not having the Bible in their language, they will be dis-owned by their families or even killed for following Christ. We have such luxuries in Western civilization with regard to our religious freedom. Why are we wasting it? Why aren't we trying to protect it? Why aren't we telling everyone we talk to about the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Tough questions, I know. And I know they're tough because I've been wrestling with them through conviction in my own heart for months. How about you? Am I the only one? Be encouraged, beloved readers!

I Want to Know Him

It's 2011. Aren't we supposed to be living in space and traveling around in floating vehicles by now? Funny how some things don't change as much as you dream they will, isn't it? There is one thing that never changes, however. And that's God. But because of Him, we can change - drastically. And for that, I'm ever grateful.

A friend of mine got me thinking that this really could be the year that Christ returns. Regardless of your current relationship- or lack of relationship- with the Father, wouldn't you like to know Him if 2011 is the year He calls His Church home? I know I would like to know Him so much more. Just imagine with me for a moment that Christ returns and you must face your Lord. Wouldn't it be nice if we recognized Him?

Friends, we can know Him. All we need to know is contained in one book. Through reading, really reading, the Bible we can know every thing God intended us to know about Him, His character, His love, His grace, His glory . . . everything! I am issuing a challenge to all my readers, Facebook friends and anyone else who would like to come along. I plan to read the Bible completely through at least 3 times this year. I am using this 90-day plan. Won't you join me? I already have 4 committed friends who've decided to put God first this year. Where does He fit into your life? Is He first? Or just an afterthought?

Now, some reading suggestions. I recommend that you read from a thought-for-thought translation rather than a word-for-word translation. This is a suggestion, not a rule. Some very read-able thought-for-thought translations are New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), and New Living Translation (NLT). The website I am referencing is a King James Version (KJV) website. KJV is a word-for-word translation. Two more great word-for-word translations are Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) and New American Standard Bible (NASB). HCSB and NASB are both more modern English wording. The reason I make this suggestion is for read-ability. I believe that word-for-word translations are the best for studying but thought-for-thought are the best for a reading period. It takes about 30-45 minutes a day to read the Bible in 90 days, so you're going to want something that will make sense to you and something that you can comprehend and retain.

The most crucial component to any reading plan is prayer. Before you even open your Bible, pray that the Lord will open your heart and mind to receive what you are about to read and that you will retain much. The power of prayer is a subject that I must cover in another post. Suffice it to say for now that you will not get anything out of your readings without the power of the Holy Spirit. And prayer is the key that unlocks that power.

Please comment below if you are planning to read along with us. We will begin Monday, January 10th. As always, I pray you were blessed and encouraged by today's post.