Get Into the Word in 2021

We did it… we have made it to 2021. Take a moment and celebrate that.

I’m sure that 2020 was a year that turned out very different from what any of us thought it would be. It seemed like around every turn was another bombshell of something. It is in times like this that I am thankful that I serve a God that is all-knowing and not taken by surprise.

As the new year is starting out, many people are making “resolutions” about things that they’d like to change this year. You will see an upswing in the attendance at the local workout places. You will see people buying the more healthy brands at the local supermarkets. You will see many changes trying to happen.

If there is one thing that I believe that every person needs this year, it is a strong and steady foundation to build 2021 upon. I cannot think of anything stronger than the Word of God (the Bible). It is as constant as the God who inspired it is. It is the truth that we desperately need in our lives today.

I would encourage you to get into the Bible during 2021. If you have never read through the entire thing, make this year the year that it happens. I know that it is intimidating seeing how there are so many chapters. What I would encourage you to do is to do it the same way you’d eat the world’s largest steak… one bite at a time.

I would encourage you to find a plan that walks you through the Bible at a pace. Reading through the entire Bible is much like a marathon. It’s going to take some endurance. It’s not a sprint. But it is also so worth it. I would suggest that you go online like to www.bible.com or blueletterbible.org or some other place that has reading plans for through the Bible.

I would encourage you to try one of the chronological reading plans. These plans help take the different parts of the Bible and put them in a chronological order. This is a big help because the Bible is not laid out that way originally. You can find one of those reading plans at the sites I mentioned earlier or clicking here.

Whatever the case, I would strongly encourage you to jump into God’s word and let Him reveal His heart to you as 2021 unfolds. It doesn’t matter what may come our way in this new year, God’s Word is a sure foundation that will lead us closer to Him.

I’d love to hear what you’re bible reading plan for 2021 is. Leave a comment in the section below.

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Lent 2017

We have come upon one of the great seasons of the Christian faith.  The Lenten season is one that is celebrated by Christians around the world.  It is a time where Christians choose to fast from certain things in order to focus their attention more on Christ and what He has done for us through the cross and the empty grave.

Different people choose different things from which to fast (give up or not partake in for a time).  Some people choose certain types of food or drink… others may choose to lay down social media or TV…

Our family has chosen to partake in a “Daniel Fast” for the Lenten season. We are doing this to help our family not only grow closer to the Lord, but also to help clean up some of our eating habits.

Whatever one chooses to “give up” during Lent, I have learned from times before that just giving something up for a while doesn’t do what this season is intended to do.  Lent is for us to purposefully draw closer to the Lord and refocus on what He has done and is doing in our lives. This is not done by just giving up something.  We have to purposefully redirect that attention towards Christ.

While it is not necessary that a Christian partake in Lent, I would encourage any follower of Jesus to take part in this wonderful season.

I would encourage you to spend some time finding out what is one thing that takes your attention away from God, and then give it to Him in this season.  Fill that time with prayer and study of the Bible.  I have found some good resources that would help one refocus on Christ as we approach the greatest season of the year.

He Reads Truth / She Reads Truth

These are some really good websites that come with Bible studies and devotionals to help followers of Jesus spend time in God’s Word.  They have apps for your smartphones or tablets also.  Some of the plans do cost (the Lent devotionals are $2.99 and well worth it), but they also have free studies.

YouVersion

YouVersion is an app for smartphones, tablets, and computers that allows you to access the Bible in just about any translation you could imagine.  It also has many devotional plans (FREE) that help followers of Jesus in their time in the Word.  They have a multitude of devotional studies for the Lenten season.

Whatever you do, my prayer for each of you is that you draw closer to Jesus and what He is wanting to do in your life this Lenten season.

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Let It Shine

I have been going through a devotional recently from Catalyst on YouVersion. It was talking about humans being the image bearer of our Creator. This is one of the greatest qualities that humans have. We bear the image of our Creator. Nothing else in all of creation gets that privilege.

The devotion that I was reading tied two passages from the Bible together in a way that I have never seen. I was interested in how it would play out, and it did not disappoint.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26-27‬ HCSB)

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14-16‬ HCSB)

Did you see it?

The image of God is placed upon humans rather than any other part of creation for a purpose. I love purpose. It helps to know the "why" behind the "what." Nothing else in all of creation can reflect and display God like humans can.

This is why Jesus gives this statement in the Sermon on the Mount. He commands us to let the light within us shine clear and bright. Why? Because God deserves all the praise and glory. When we, as His image-bearers, allow our light to shine, that happens. There is nothing good within us naturally because of sin. But when Christ redeems us, He also clears the case for the Image to shine through.

Let us heed Jesus' words today and let our light (Christ in us) shine bright for all to see. Then God will receive the glory and praise that He is due.

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A Good Foundation for 2014

Another  year has come and gone.  2013 was one that I can look back on and see some really good things and some not-so-good memories.  What in the world will 2014 hold?  Will there be any major events that take place, or will it be a pretty average year?  No one really knows.  We'll just have to wait and see.

One thing that I have learned and shared with our church family this past week is that God has given us a solid foundation to build our 2014 upon.  It can be found in Matthew 7:24-29.  In this passage, Jesus is concluding the Sermon on the Mount.  He shares that there are two foundations that people build their lives upon.  The good foundation is used by those who hear and do the words of Christ.  The poor foundation is used by those who may hear the words of Christ but never do anything with them.

So it all comes down to what do you do with the teachings of Christ.  To hear them is good, but according to Jesus doing is what builds on the solid rock.  James 1:22 reminds us to "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  What you will do with Christ's teachings will determine what kind of foundation your 2014 is built upon.  That foundation will determine whether your "building" stands or falls when the storms come... and they will come.

One cannot do anything with the teachings of Christ if they do not know what they are.  It is important to get into God's word (the Bible) - all of it - and study it.  I would encourage you to find a reading plan this year and go through the Bible in 2014.  Many good ones can be found at YouVersion.  Build your 2014 on the solid foundation of God's word so that it might stand when the storms come.

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Starting Well

As 2013 begins, I know that there will be many who are trying their hardest to get it started off right. A good start is a key to doing well for the entirety of the journey.

I'm sure that many will be working the "resolutions" they have made for this year. I lean more towards goals instead of resolutions, but that's another post for another time.

One key thing that I believe would do all people well in 2013 is to get into God's word, the Bible, seriously. As a pastor, I challenged our members to read through the Bible chronologically this year.

As a Christian, I firmly believe that the Bible is God's word and therefore, vitally important. I believe that it is important for those who know God, those who are seeking, those who are far from God.

Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path."

I encourage you to check out the reading plans at the following sites and get 2013 off to a good start - in God's word!

YouVersion

One Year Bible

Discipleship Journal

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Know the Word

As 2011 comes to a close, many people will be looking forward and making "new year's resolutions." These resolutions cause great frustration for many. One of the resolutions that I've heard before from Christians is that they are going to finally read through the Bible this year.

Over the past couple of years this resolution has grown stranger to me. Why is it that Christians will say that they believe and trust the Bible yet they don't know what it says? How do they know what God says and desires if they do not take the time to use the most plain revelation of Himself?

I have tried to make it a top priority to read through the entire Bible each year over the past few years. I have used different methods at different times. One of the best ways I've found is to read through the Bible chronologically. One of the best tools I have found to help with this is the One Year Bible Plan. They have two great plans: one that is chronological an another that is just passages from different genres of the Bible. There are also great plans that can be found at YouVersion.com.

I would encourage every Christian to read through the Bible this year, not as a resolution but as a way to know the heart of God more intimately.

What plan do you use to read through the Scriptures?

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A New Year

2009 has begun.  What will this year hold for those of us around to see it?  This time of the year always has people rethinking and making goals for their lives.  That's a good thing in my opinion.  I'm not much of a planner, but I do like to have some goals.  They give you focus.  One goal that many Christians seem to make is to read the Bible through during the year.  I think that this is an important goal.  If you are going to base all of your life on the Bible, you should at least know what it says.  It troubles me to meet people of other faiths who know their "holy book" forwards and backwards, but to meet a Christian who has never read all of the Bible.

The people at Lifechurch.tv have put together a great tool to help people who are trying to read through the Bible in a year.  You can read about it here.  I have this on my blackberry and love it.  God's word is with me wherever I take my phone.

What are some goals that you have set for 2009?

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