By Randall L. Broad
The
Bible is the greatest book ever written, but one of the most challenging
to read. For many people the narratives are long and boring, the truths are
hard to understand, and the stories seem irrelevant to their lives. A sad
feature of the post-modern world is many people do not read at all. It is not
that they can’t … they just don’t have to … instead, they can get all the
information they need through television and video sources. Picking up a
newspaper, book, periodical, or encyclopedia was once the only way to educate
yourself on any subject, but now knowledge and information has become digital.
Reading printed material was how past generations learned about life and truth;
and the Bible was the guide for a Christ-centered life. The One Year Bible reading
plan may seem old fashioned, but it lets a disciple spend a few minutes each
day with God, absorbing small amounts of the Old Testament, New Testament,
Psalms, and Proverbs. One reward for their effort is to read the Bible from
cover to cover in as little as fifteen minutes a day.
The internet is
both a blessing and a curse to humanity. It is a blessing because many
Christian ministries have been born on the internet and they offer insights
into the gospel we use to only get on Sunday mornings. It is a curse because
the internet also personifies the broken and fallen world-just waiting to
distract us from the truth. Ironically, the internet was first developed as an
educational tool but now it has become primarily entertainment for the masses.
Still, all the knowledge of the world cannot overcome the truth of the Word and
this means the internet can be a useful tool in the study of the Bible. There
are multiple apps, software programs, and printed versions of the One Year
Bible available on the internet and in book stores. Chose one and join me and
millions of others in reading the Word of God daily or download several formats
so that you can vary your input. You can make it available on your computer,
your phone, in printed format, and of course your own 'favorite' Bible. Don't
use one exclusively but chose the tool most appropriate for your schedule that
day.
The Apostle Paul
urged the Church in Philippi to:
8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever
is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or
seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
Focusing on the
assigned verses for just that calendar day gives the reader a new perspective
on the scriptures. You can skip a day every now and then, but never more than
absolutely necessary. The key to success is perseverance. If you miss a day (…
or a few) do not beat yourself up over it or try and make it up. Skip over it
and move on. Be grateful for a fresh start every day to learn, to read the
Word, to have a new heart. Just keep pressing in to the reading plan and once
you develop the habit keep with it literally day after day. When you finish the
year, start over again. Each time you read through the One Year Bible the
narratives will become more interesting, the truths easier to understand, and
the stories more relevant to life. It will help you remember a world where God
mattered, where family mattered, where values mattered. The One Year Bible
becomes a daily Word from God you soon will not be able to live without.
Thus the three
reasons to read the One Year Bible are:
The One Year
Bible helps you live a Christ-centered life, understand the knowledge of good
and evil, and give you hope in a broken and fallen world.
Walk with the
Lord …
Ephesians 1:17
(RLB241231)
© Copyright
2017: Randall L. Broad
Disclaimer: This commentary is written by Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely my responsibility.
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