"I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread." -Job 23:12
I am so pleased to have received emails from some of you either asking me about Bible reading plans and memory aids for 2017, or telling me what plans you are using and the fact that you are committed to reading your Bibles more diligently in 2017. As I said in my message on Sunday, if we will commit ourselves to the study and memory of Scripture, and the application thereof, it will without any doubt transform us personally and collectively as a local church body.
I read through the Old Testament in 2016 during my own devotions. I was able to go at a leisurely pace (about 3 chapters a day) and to re-read some parts I wanted to concentrate upon. For 2017, I plan to spend my time primarily in the New Testament, taking time to read some of the shorter letters many times (I occasionally like to take a shorter letter – like Titus or Philemon - and read it every day for multiple weeks for in-depth study). I incorporate Scripture/quotes/poem memorization into my devotion time as well, generally taking one day each week simply to go over previously memorized texts to keep them fresh in my mind.
I tell you this not to impress you, but to encourage you to make Scripture reading, prayer and quiet times with the Lord a priority in your lives. I stay plenty busy in life, like most of you do, but once a discipline becomes a discipline, it actually becomes fairly easy to maintain. And there is no better discipline to acquire, and then maintain, than the discipline of growing in your knowledge of the Lord. Yes, it is true, we must be doers of the faith and not just hearers of it, but knowing about the Lord is the foundation for living for the Lord (1 Cor. 15:34; 2 Cor. 4:6).
Take advantage, as well, of our Plan and Promise curriculum, Bible studies, Fellows Ministry, Children’s and Youth Ministries, etc. They will assist you as you grow in your understanding of the Scriptures and their application to your life. I do not say this so that we can simply boost numbers in the few ministries we offer here at LifePoint. I don’t get paid more based on attendance on Sunday or in our ministries. I say it because I believe we live in a day when far too many self-proclaimed followers of Christ know painfully little about him or the gospel he proclaimed. It weakens the body of Christ collectively, and sets people up to believe in some of the silliest teachings that are cast about in a seemingly random fashion in our culture. It doesn’t have to be that way.
On January 22 we will begin a study looking at big picture themes from the book of Joshua. We’ll consider the presence of God with his people, the courage God called the leaders of Israel to display, and the action that followed as the Promised Land was conquered and occupied. We’ll also consider what it all means as a part of the Bible’s story of salvation. We will all need to have our thinking caps on, as Sister Jane used to tell my third grade class when we considered new or more detailed concepts. It will be a good study, but not necessarily an easy one.
Be persistent in your study of Scripture in 2017, friends. Make it your daily bread. Lord willing, we will all grow in our faith in significant ways in the new year.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym