January 1, 2021, is just a few days away. As we enter this next decade, it is a great time to press “reset.” For some people, this will mean resolutions to do something new or to set new goals for the new year. But you know as well as I do how well these resolutions stick. Many people make resolutions, but not many people are successful. The people who are the most successful with their resolutions have these things in common:
They don’t just say “what” they are going to do. They also know “why" they are going to do it. They have a very clear reason for doing what they are doing.
They don’t just say “what” they are going to do, they also know “how” they are going to do it. They have a clear plan for how they are going to do it, and they have even written it down.
They have friends who are holding them accountable for their plan. They have told their plan to some friends who have permission to check-in on them.
When they miss their goal, they pick right back up where they left off. They do not let a day of defeat become a failed plan.
If you do not already have a healthy, Bible reading and devotional habit, I want to challenge you to use January 1 as a reset for you.
Why? It is the best way to have a strong and healthy relationship with God. If you were in a marriage, but only listened to your spouse or only talked to them once a week, how healthy would that marriage be? Not very. No, the healthiest and strongest marriages have open communication on a daily basis. God wants that with you! He doesn’t just want to hear him on Sundays; he wants to speak with you through his Word every day. He doesn’t just want to hear you on Sundays; he wants to hear your heart every day.
How? There are a lot of really great plans out there. I really like the YouVersion Bible App. It has a lot of really great plans. It offers up a verse of the day. Pick a plan and then read from it on a daily basis. If you don’t want to look for a plan, let me offer this to you. Starting January 1, 2021, at Mount Lebanon we are beginning a plan to read through the Bible in three years. We will typically read about one chapter a day. I’ll even make it easy for you. You can sign up here for a daily email with the day’s reading and some devotional thoughts for you as you get into it. You can also purchase one of the SOAP journals. It includes the three-year reading plan as well as space for you to journal your meditation on God’s Word.
Together? What are you going to do? With whom will you do this plan? Of whom will you ask questions as they arise? Who will you invite to hold you accountable for your daily reading? God created us to walk through life together. Invite one of your Christian friends to join you on the journey. Not will it be helpful to you, but it will be more fun too.
It is my prayer that we would be and become a Bible-reading church. It is one of the essential things that we, as God’s people, need to be doing for the sake of our spiritual health.