In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1 (NIV)
I am back to first principles. Although I accepted Christ as a young girl, I read through the Bible for the first time in 2007, enjoying the process and learning much about the context of God’s word. After patting myself on the back, I decided not to do it again the next year, instead picking up a good devotional and a haphazard reading of the Scriptures. Now I have nothing against devotionals but there is something about going to the source in a consistent way to hear what God has to say to me, prompted after studying Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer last fall. So for 2009, I am committed to reading through again, only this time I am using the New Living Translation Chronological Bible. I love a good story and look forward to reading this magnificent account from its opening drama to its closing triumph. I plan to sit and let it sink in, ask questions, see how it applies to me, and journaling my prayers and any insights that God whispers to me. I like to journal because it allows me to thumb through it for encouragement on those days when the darkness threatens to hide the light on my path. I have proof in black and white of God’s presence in my life.
It’s not too late to start and there are many ways to do it. Check out the various options. It takes about 15 minutes a day, so why don’t you join me? We will spur each other on to make it to the finish line, finding God’s plan for us along the way.