Profitable reading

One of my goals for 2009 is to read all the way through the Bible - again. I know from prior experience that while it is extremely challenging, it can be done, yielding incredible benefits and exponential spiritual growth. This year, I'd like to challenge you to read along.

If you take a look over on the sidebar, you'll see the cryptic crossword answer has been replaced by a new section - Through the Bible in a year. The link will take you to the current day's reading selection. The entire text for the day is printed out, along with a fun little link that says "listen". Click that, and a very nice man will read the selection to you. I can't wait to hear him pronounce the lists of genealogies in the book of Numbers!

This particular reading plan is chronological, which is the type of plan that makes the most sense to me. In the old testament, as well as in the new testament gospels, there are multiple accounts of the same events. Reading one account this week, then reading another several weeks later when you finally get to that book is extremely frustrating. This plan puts parallel accounts together, eliminating confusion.

Read (or listen) when you can. Don't stress over missing a day...or three. The idea here is to begin to make regular Bible reading a part of your day. From time to time, I'll put up a Notes from the Quiet Time Files post to give you my thoughts on the readings. In between, if you are reading along and have questions, feel free to e-mail me (addy in my profile - bottom of sidebar) and I'll do my best to answer.

I do hope you'll join me. Paul, writing to his protege Timothy, summed up the benefits of reading God's word best:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Tim 3:16-17 (ESV)