Well…welcome to the year 2025! As the year begins, many people are making their resolutions for the year, and I want to encourage you to accomplish what most Christians do not: reading the Bible from cover to cover. I know it may sound like a typical call to action from a pastor, but hear me out!
The Bible tells us that all Scripture is profitable for our souls…even that part of the Bible after the Psalms and before the New Testament. There is some good stuff in there!
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Also, looking into the new year, I know there will be plenty of problems, confusing moments, and a great need for wisdom on my part. So, when the Bible says it is our light, keeps us safe, and makes us wise…I’m all in!
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:98-100, 105, 130
5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5
Reading through God’s Word will give you hope this year, which we always need!
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
In summary, read God’s Word because it is everything you need (even though your flesh will do everything possible to convince you otherwise).
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-11
As it has been said, “Those who fail to plan…plan to fail.” To help you achieve this wonderful goal, here are some helpful reading plans I would encourage you to look into!
Shoutout to Tim Challies for pointing to some of these helpful ideas
Know Your Bible Reading Challenge
I will be doing the Know Your Bible Reading Challenge this year! My goal is to have read through the Bible sooner than the challenge, but the bar is nonetheless set at reading the whole Bible in 90 days! Does anyone want to join me? 🙂
Five-Day Bible Reading Program
For those who would like a more balanced approach, I have found the Five Day Reading Plan to be the most balanced and easiest to execute. If you miss a day, you can make it up much easier than on a 7-day Plan.
How to Eat Your Bible
This is the way to go for those wanting to slow down and grow in their intimacy with God’s Word! It takes 7 years to finish the Bible with this plan, but you will have a very personal relationship with Scripture at the end of this journey!
Build Your Own Plan
For those who want to go their own route, organize a new adventure, or create a schedule that makes sense for them…this tool is awesome! Go ahead and make your plan, and then share it with someone else!
I pray we would all encourage each other to be in God’s Word more this year than last and that we would all be changed by it!
May God bless your week as you seek His kingdom first!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
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