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In the Beginning – 2025 Day 1 (John 1)

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Bible in 2 years – Proverbs 1; John 1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world…. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 1:1, 9, 11-13

This year I have chosen to focus my mind on the word “Faithful.” I want to be a faithful servant of my Heavenly Father as well as a a faithful wife and helper to my earthly husband. I want to model myself after my perfect, faithful God who has made me His child and will never cast me out. On this first day of a new year, I want to remember that Jesus is and was and always will be. He was there from the beginning, and His mercies are new every morning.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Jesus is the living, eternal word, the bread of life – plentiful, abundant, good life. In Your design, light shines on the good and the evil. Jesus gives light to the world, to everyone, yet only those who receive and believe in Him, only those whom You have chosen by Your perfect will, become Your children.

Father, make me like Andrew and Philip who were eager to tell others about Jesus. Give me faith like Nathaniel who was quick to believe, “You are the son of God! You are the king of Israel.” Make me like those wedding servants who did whatever Jesus told them to do. Thank you for your life-giving word and for filling my life with Your mercies that are new every morning.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior I pray. Amen.

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Read Through the Bible in Two Years – 2025 update!

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I’m excited to announce that I’ve again improved my 2-year Bible reading plan, adding Psalms and Proverbs! The updated edition is available for download.

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For the last several years, I have done a Read Through the Bible in One Year plan. I like plans like this that include a reading from the Old Testament and New Testament, plus a Psalm and Proverb. I think it’s important to read the entire Bible, every word of it, and I’m glad that I’ve done that, but, I’ve found that the whole Bible in one year is a lot to absorb. It doesn’t give me much time to reflect and meditate on what I’ve read, so this year I decided I wanted to do a “Read Through the Bible in Two Years” plan. Simple enough, right? Nope.

So, I made my own and I’d love to have you join me.

The plan is set up to read through each book of the Bible from beginning to end, alternating between Old Testament and New Testament books. I tried to keep the Old Testament books in chronological order. For example, Job is read after Genesis and before Exodus. I also intentionally placed New Testament books with related Old Testament books to help us see the connections in the text. For example, Hebrews is read between Leviticus and Numbers. I love to read one chapter of Luke every day from December 1-24, so each year ends with reading the book of Luke.

You’ll also notice that the Bible reading plan is set up week by week rather than day by day. One week you will devote every day to the four chapters of Philippians. In this weekly format, you could read the whole book on the first day of the week, then reread little parts the other six days … or you could read half of each chapter every day. You decide. Another week you’re assigned to read fourteen chapters of Leviticus – you might read several chapters one day and just one chapter another. Having a week by week format allows you this flexibility, but still keeps you on target.

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Read through the Bible in 2 years 2025Download

A Beautiful Former-Atheist Testimony

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Check out this beautiful discussion between Ray Comfort with Living Waters Ministries and a college student named Tristan who doesn’t believe in God.

Tristan reminds me so much of myself 30 years ago. I’m so thankful God sent Bill into my life and Ray into Tristan’s that we might hear the good news and be saved.

Who does God want you to share this good news with?

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, I am a walking, taking, living, breathing testimony of Your Grace. Send me where You will, to speak to whomever You will. Give me the words to speak and the courage to speak them. For Your Glory and for the love of my neighbor I pray, Amen.

A Resolution for Adulthood

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WHEREAS God is holy and righteous and true,
WHEREAS God is merciful and gracious and kind,
WHEREAS God is always with me, wherever I go, seeing my every step, knowing my every thought and every word even before I speak it,
WHEREAS I have been created for His glory and pleasure with good works prepared in advance for me to do,
WHEREAS my life is not my own, but fully His,

I purpose this day to live a holy life, pleasing to my Heavenly Father and Creator.

I purpose to draw near to my God and keep in unhindered relationship with Him, avoiding evil and pursuing righteousness, loving Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving my neighbor as myself.

I purpose to daily read His Word, consistently and persistently drawing near to Him, humbling myself before His perfect counsel, actively choosing to know and obey the Truth, submitting myself to Him rather than the wisdom of this world or my human emotions, so that I might be able to resist the schemes of the devil.

I purpose to treat my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, being careful what I see, hear, and think about, where I go, and with whom I befriend, remembering the wisdom of Proverbs 13:20 that “whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

I purpose to abstain from alcohol and drugs so that my mind, will, conscience, and emotions will not be clouded or confused by their influence.

I purpose to be above-reproach in my relationships with the other sex, treating women as sisters and men as brothers, recognizing that they are my joint-heirs with Christ and fellow image-bearers, rather than objects or idols.

These I do endeavor, for the glory of God, as well as for my good and the good of my fellow man.

Signed: __________________________________

A Resolution for AdulthoodDownload

Begin Where You Are – In the Here and Now. Thoughts from Ezra 3.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Ezra 3

When the Israelites returned to Israel after years of living in exile in Babylon, their first desire was to rebuild the Temple and begin making offerings to God. Unfortunately, it takes time to rebuild a temple, so they simply set up an altar where the temple once had been and began celebrating the feasts and offerings there.

When I read this, I thought about the saying, “Delayed obedience is disobedience,” and wondered to myself what things I’m waiting on, what ducks I’m trying to get in a row, before I start doing what God has called me to do.

God wants us to obey Him today. Now. Right now. Here. Where you are. Wherever you are.

How many times have I thought —

  • When I know more about the Bible …
  • When I have a bigger house …
  • When I have more money …
  • When I’m not so busy …

God called some to go back to Jerusalem, and those who weren’t called to return were called to give generously to those who were. Both of these jobs were important – to go and to give – and God equipped both groups to obey Him.

If God has called you to do something, He will equip you to do it.

Maybe you’re wondering, “What is God calling me to do?”

I don’t know the specific plans that God has for you, those good works that He has prepared in advance for you (Ephesians 2:10), but I do know God has called you to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Start there.

And sometimes what you’re supposed to be doing now to obey God is to be working on those things He’s called you to do.

Do you need to know the Bible better for the task He’s called you to do? Alright, then, what are you doing to work towards that goal.

Do you need a bigger house or more money for a task He’s given to you? How are you working toward that? Paying down debt … Saving money … Getting a higher paying job … Working a little on the side?

Do you need more margin to have the time for a job He has for you? How are you working toward that? Skipping your nightly TV shows or scrolling through your favorite social media platform might be a good place to start.

The Israelites began making offerings, but they also began working on the temple. Let’s start in the here and now, today, while also working toward the future and the generations to come.

Heavenly Father, I lift up every man and woman who is reading this message at this moment in time and space. Please draw them to know You, to seek You, to love You, and trust You, and obey You. You are worthy to be trusted. You are worthy to be obeyed. Please lead these men and women on the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s Sake. Show them that straight and narrow path with the light of Your Word and the perfect wisdom of Your Holy Spirit. Provide for their every need – the wisdom, the time, the finances – to accomplish the tasks that You have prepared in advance for them to do. For Your glory and for our good I pray. Amen.

Lead On, O King Eternal

Praying for our Past, Present, and Future Presidents

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Ezra 1-2

God chose Cyrus, the King of Persia, to help rebuild the temple of Israel, and He chose President Joe Biden to be the current leader of the United States of America. I wouldn’t have chosen either man for those jobs, but God often works in ways that I don’t expect.

I’ll never forget that moment Saturday afternoon when I walked into my living room and saw my husband sitting in shock, unable to utter a word after what he’d just seen. He had been watching former President Trump speak at a rally in  Pennsylvania when out of nowhere a bullet ripped through his right ear. I couldn’t believe it. “Is this real? Did this just happen? What’s going on?” Our wall-mounted big screen TV continued displaying President Trump as he was surrounded by armed guards and whisked away in a secure vehicle.

I’ll be the first to admit that there are many things that I dislike about former President Trump, and even more things I dislike about current President Biden, but the crux of the matter is this: Neither man should be shot from the rooftop of a building, both men need our prayers, and God is still on His throne.

God is in control.

He removes kings and sets up kings. (Daniel 2:21)

Our nation needs our prayers.

Heavenly Father, You are in charge. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You have all authority over heaven and earth. A sparrow does not fall from the sky apart from Your permission. Thank You, Lord, for sparing President Trump’s life. Please, Father, draw our nation back to you. Turn the hearts of the men and women of our nation back to You. Turn President Biden’s hearts to do Your will. To the glory of Your Name we pray, Amen.

Where is my Boasting? Thoughts from Galatians 6

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 6

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 ESV

Though Paul had plenty that he could’ve boasted about, he saw himself as the chief of sinners and all his worldly accomplishments were as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. (See 1 Timothy 1:15, Philippians 3:8)

What about me?

  • Do I see my daily need for the power of the Spirit or do I think I can do it on my own?
  • Do I see my own depravity or do I think I’m really pretty good on my own?
  • Do I live for the world’s applause or God’s?

Ever since listening to C.S. Lewis’s message on the Great Sin, I’ve been thinking a lot about my struggles with pride and boasting. Lewis originally gave this message as a radio broadcast but later made it into a chapter in his book, “Mere Christianity.” I hope it blesses you!

C.S. Lewis examines the Great Sin: Pride

Oh, Father, keep me humble. Keep me at Your feet. Let me look into Your perfect love and see my utter, desperate, daily need for a Savior. Let me boast in nothing except in the cross of Christ. By the blood of Jesus and for His Fame, I pray, Amen.

What is Your Freedom For? Thoughts from Galatians 5

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 5

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14 ESV

America has been called the land of free and the home of the brave. So, fellow Americans, I must ask you, what are you using your freedom for? For watching more TV and playing more video games? For watching more cat videos and scrolling through more Facebook posts? For drinking more wine and sleeping later on Saturday mornings?

Or for sharing the gospel with more people and making more disciples of Christ? For honoring your parents more and loving your neighbor better? For giving more freely to the poor and being a more shining example of Christ in an increasingly dark world?

May we never forget, fellow Americans, that this freedom is a precious gift granted us through the blood of many men who sacrificed their lives for our country.

But what about those of you who don’t enjoy the privileges of freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of religion granted by the U.S. constitution? Have you not been freed by the blood of Jesus Christ? Have your chains not been broken by the cross? Are you enslaved to sin, the devil, and an evil empire? May it never be.

Man can oppress you, but in Christ you are free. Evil men can throw you in prison, take captive your body, and threaten your life, but you still have choices. Will you speak up or stay silent? Will you live day by day with a heart filled with  bitterness or love? Will your life reflect the prince of this world or the King of kings?

Heavenly Father, You are good! You have set free the captives by the sacrifice of Your Son! Whom the Son sets free is FREE indeed! Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? What can man do to me? My life is in Your hands. Make me courageous. Make me pure. Make me shine with the light of Christ burning in my heart. Amen.

Am I a Slave or a Son? Thoughts from Galatians 4

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 4

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
– Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

25 years ago we were packing our bags to travel to Russia to finalize the adoption process for our son. Adopted as a six-month-old, Nick learned to sit and crawl on our carpeted living room floor. He learned to cruise along our comfy brown couch. He learned to say “Daddy” and “Mommy” on my lap. From the moment he became a part of our family, he was given equal standing with his older sister who had grown in my womb. There were no extra rules to keep. He was our son, and we were his parents. End of story.

Thank You, Father, for adopting me as Your daughter, for placing Your Holy Spirit in my heart as a seal of the genuineness of my faith. You have engraved my name on the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16) and You have caused me to bear the name of Christ. Thank You for causing me to be born again, creating me anew after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.