Devotions

“Thy Word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” NKJV    Psalm 119:11

“Really,” my brother Gary asked, “Why would anybody take a year to read one book?”

“I thought the same thing when my friend Ann was discussing that. She too, asked me how long it took me to read a book.”

I described my reading habits to her. Then added, “A year to read a book.  I think I’d give it away if I hadn’t finished it in twelve months.”

Ann went on to give me a whole different perspective on reading a book in a year. When that book was the Bible.

Ann’s sister had made it a point to read through the Bible in a year for several decades. All told, she’d read through the Bible more than 50 times. I learned how that changed her life and decided I would try it myself.

It wasn’t a natural thing for me at first and frankly I really struggled. Ann shared that she found it helpful to use some type of reading schedule. Plus, having a “reading buddy” of sorts, was another help for her. When I tried that, it made quite a difference.

With a “little encouragement from a friend,” I began to move from reading because I had made a commitment, to reading because I wanted to.

John 14:1 was good counsel when worry hit. “Let not your heart be troubled,” was the antidote.

John 15:5 gave direction to move forward, knowing that God gives His strength and direction to abide and bear fruit in Him.

Hebrews chapter 10 was the answer for gathering together regularly as a body of believers to build each other up. Chapter 11 of the same book stated that “by faith we understand…”

When I got to the book of Revelation, I was interested to realize that this book had gotten a bad rap. Instead of being frightened by it, I found it to be full of hope. God’s Word is true. He created a perfect world. Man sinned and there were consequences. God brought redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. Salvation was made possible. Wow! Thanks be to God indeed.

Taking one day at a time, one chapter at a time, the book of the Bible becomes a wonderful guide for living the full life every year.