JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE!This is YOUR "Read Through The Bible In A Year" devotional.
I first started reading through the entire Bible when I was only 15 years of age. My dad made a great challenge to my brother, Rick, and I. He promised that if we read through the entire Bible in one year, we'd not only know the Bible better than most people but we'd also have a HUGE celebration at the end of the year! My dad was a great salesman and we took the bait.
I finished reading the entire Bible by the end of that year and couldn't believe all the things I learned! It was truly amazing! In fact, I knew FAR MORE about what the Bible actually said than any of my Christian friends. Often times I found my friends misquoting the Bible or saying the Bible teaches one thing when, in fact, it didn't teach it at all.
With my new knowledge of the Bible, I could help my friends understand the Bible so much better. In fact, I surrendered my life the summer before my 16th birthday to join Al Metsker's (founder of Kansas City Youth For Christ) Preacher Boys Club. That knowledge I gained in the early months prior to me teaching at local bible clubs was invaluable. I was armed with a lot of bible knowledge and as a result it propelled me into numerous invites to other Youth For Christ bible clubs, youth church groups, and youth rallies...literally scores of them before I graduated from high school.
Maybe God isn't calling you to preach or teach the Bible, but there's so MANY BENEFITS of just reading the Bible for your own personal well-being.
Here's a few of those benefits:
According to Psalms 19:7-11, God says you'll benefit in 4 POWERFUL, LIFE-CHANGING WAYS:
1) IT WILL REFRESH YOU! Who doesn't need a recharge or a pick-me-up?
2) IT GIVES YOU WISDOM! Who doesn't want answers to life's tough questions?
3) IT PRODUCES GREAT JOY! Who doesn't want to be happy deep down inside?
4) IT GIVES YOU INCREDIBLE INSIGHT! Who isn't confused by life?
It goes on to say the Bible has 11 INCREDIBLE QUALITIES:
1) It's Perfect
2) It's Trustworthy
3) It's Right
4) It's Clear
5) It's Pure
6) It's True
7) It's Fair
8) It's More desirable than fine gold!
9) It's Sweeter than honey!
10) It's a Warning to all of us!
Here's a simple question, if God's Word - The Bible - provides all these benefits...will you make it a personal challenge to read the Bible every day this year?
Reading only 3 chapters a day will get you all they way through in one year.
Try purchasing a "daily study bible." I study in the early morning hours before I get my mind preoccupied on all the activities of my day. Perhaps you could do the same!
Dr. Randy Shepard