Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Milestones

I use a Bible reading plan (available in the tab above) that keeps me in God's word on a regular, daily basis. I've heard some criticism about using a plan like this, as being too mechanical, not allowing the Holy Spirit of God to direct or teach as we read, or not really "studying" the word. That might be true in some instances. However, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, so I must discipline myself to do those things which will help me stay strong in the faith, grow in Christ, feed the inner man on God's word, and get the whole counsel of God. Some days that might feel mechanical, but it's good for me, and I do it regardless.

 
 
Finishing up the Book of Revelation on July 1, 2019
The reading plan I use takes me through the Psalms and New Testament twice in the calendar year, and once through the Old Testament. That means come July 1st, I finish up Psalm 150 and Revelation 22, and start through this portion of scriptures again.
 
It is a comforting feeling to me to hit these milestones through the year, if I can call them that; a time of reflection on what God has brought me through, my victories, my failures, plans realized, plans that fell through. Perhaps it is sensing the flow of time, feeling the guiding hand of the Almighty in my life, and being thankful. Being content.
 
Andy Rau, former senior manager for content at Bible Gateway, wrote a blog post back in 2012 that reads, in part:
"Just as our bodies need a balanced diet, our souls require a steady diet of Scripture. Our spirits cannot survive without the Word of God. God sets us a banquet. He offers us 31,173 nutrient-rich verses about himself and encourages us to feast! We nourish our hungry souls when we devote a balanced and generous amount of time to feasting on the truths of Scripture. It doesn’t take long to notice the change. The Bible is life-giving—it revives every famished heart and breathes resurrection power into deathbed souls." (https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/08/the-benefits-and-blessings-of-reading-scripture/)
I like that thought: the word of God breathes resurrection power into my life. Just what I need!
 
If you don't have a regular plan for reading through God's word, you can download the one I use from the tab above.

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