Hi Church Family and Friends,
HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!
What is going to mark your life in 2014? Here is one important idea.
Both God and experience declare that reading and applying the Bible will impact your life’s success more than anything else. So, let’s make sure we have a plan to make Bible reading a priority this year.
First, some encouragement. If we spend some time and energy on the Bible, we can master it! Don’t let it get crowded out of your life this year. Love God and His Word. Be excited about these Words of Life! Be committed to them. Never assume they are irrelevant or not understandable. Make this your top priority this year!
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” – Jesus (John 15:4)
Now the question, How?
Here are several good resources for making Bible reading a priority this year:
Bible Reading Plans
Bible reading plans work. There are many. Here are the best for our church to consider:
- Our church’s website has for a long time listed this good option – http://www.lc3.com/#/resources/bible-reading-plan
- Even better is the fantastic collection of creative Bible reading plans offered by “YouVersion” – a free “ap” on your smartphone, or a free website, at www.youversion.com/reading-plans. I have never seen a better collection of Bible reading plans. And, their daily reminder options are actually very helpful. Here are the types of categories of plans that you can try. There are dozens of plans within these categories:
Topical
Whole Bible
Partial Bible
Devotional
Related to the works of many of your favorite authors or artists
Seasonal and Holiday themes
Family
Youth, Kids (Now with an exciting free app for kids, which my kids love!)
And more! Don’t hesitate to sign up for a free account with this website. It’s one of the best web tools out there.
- Pastor Jim’s favorite website to recommend for reading plans and other various helps for exploring and understanding the Bible is www.biblestudytools.com. Be sure to save that one to your “favorites” as well.
- Another good possible place to start – to survey the entire Bible through some of its most essential passages, try the 100 Essential Passages Bible Reading Plan
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
You have been encouraged and equipped for a transforming year of experiencing God’s will in your life. The rest is up to you! Enjoy the journey.
Blessings on 2014,
Pastor Reg
LC3 Life Blog 