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.
