January 1st has arrived. 2016 stretches before us. A fresh pen and a brand new book of crisp, blank pages has been set before us. What will your opening words be?
Perhaps years of failed New Year’s resolutions have dampened your resolve and the thought of making new resolution is just a little bit painful. Yet throughout Scripture we see so many examples of how God loves to give us a fresh start on life! Look at the life-view upon which the Apostle Paul laid a tight hold:
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;
but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14 NASB).
I have in mind a list of resolutions – ones with which I seriously plan to challenge myself, but my first and favorite resolutions have always involved preparing a plan for studying, memorizing, and reading through those “Wonderful Words of Life” – the Bible, God’s living and holy Word. Over the years I have developed my own Bible Reading plans. Some worked well. Some didn’t.
Nevertheless, in the past five years, I do feel that I have settled into a reading plan that suits me well. Furthermore, with the aid of modern technology (computers, iPhones, and a Google Calendar), I now have my Bible Reading Plan and my Bible Memory Verse Program available to me wherever I go. Stuck in traffic? A perfect time to listen to the Bible on my iPhone. Waiting in a doctor’s office? A wonderful time to review those memory verses or finish up the daily Bible reading!
Below is a link to a webpage where these plans can be viewed and downloaded:
Bible Reading Plan and Bible Memory Verse Program
I pray that this New Year of 2016 will be an awesome year of falling in love with God’s Living Word!
Psalms 119:97-103 (NKJV)
Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
