New Year, New Books #25: The Holy Bible

I’ve read all of the Bible before but this is the first year I read it through all at once without jumping around so much. I chose a reading plan that gives you a passage from the Old Testament, New Testament, the Psalms and Proverbs for each day. While I understand that some people choose to read cover to cover, I’m going to be honest, there are large sections of the Old Testament that get “thick” and I find it helpful to float between multiple passages. The whole of scripture is God-breathed but different passages speak to different areas of life. You have history, theology, wisdom, advice and more. I liked that this reading plan gives you a little bit of everything.

If you don’t currently have a regular Bible reading schedule, let me encourage you to consider starting in the New Year. I know many people feel daunted if this is not part of their regular routine because they feel you have to give so much time over to your quiet time but that’s not a requirement. Maybe you do choose to spend an hour every morning or night with the Lord but the length is not a factor in the power. My current quiet time is around fifteen minutes more or less depending on my prayers for that day. If you feel crunched for time or this is a new habit you are trying to form you may want to consider a devotional that is geared to be quick. There are so many wonderful options that are meant for busy lives and you would be amazed how the Lord can speak in one verse. Also, if you are just starting out on this journey, might I recommend NOT starting with Genesis. Every bit of the Bible is amazing but all of it is leading to the truth and person of Jesus Christ so starting with the New Testament might be more beneficial to your overall understanding.

Also, let me suggest writing in your Bible. I write in my Bible like I do in a textbook because that’s kind of the same principle, right? This is my guidebook for life so it includes underlines, highlights, notes, epiphanies, prayers and challenges. Sometimes my biggest “aha moments” come from something I wrote in my Bible YEARS ago! I love to see how the Lord can speak different truths through the exact same passage at different times in my life.

As 2019 comes to a close, I haven’t decided what quiet time I will start in January. I have a few devotions and plans I’m looking at but I haven’t nailed down anything for sure. I guess I’ll have to decide in the next day! However, I know whatever I chose, I am so thankful that the Lord has written me the most beautiful, ever-evolving, yet never changing love letter in the history of the world!

Side note: No matter what book I’m reading, if I don’t know a word or description I look it up because I’m just curious. Here’s the best one I’ve ever had in my quiet time…”The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.” (Psalm 104:18) What the heck is a hyrax? May I present the sassiest animal I’ve ever seen!