It is a new year with all the looking backward and looking forward. We evaluate, resolve, set goals, plan projects. What worked? What didn’t? What needs to change? How can I improve? The fact that it’s a new decade means the pressure is on.
I’ve heard enough in the few days of 2020, how to make the best of the next 12 months, and I’m already tired.
There’s no judgment, because I am a planner and a goal setter with the best of them. I’m just trying to look toward this year differently.
Having lived seven decades, I know myself better than twenty years before. I acknowledge my strengths. I grimace at my weaknesses. I want to be the best me possible with the time remaining. I want to be authentic and genuine. I want to be the person God made me to be.
I feel sure that the One who has begun His good work in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6 J.B. Phillips
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV
This year let’s keep our focus on what is truly important.
Your daily quiet time is the key to a growing relationship with Jesus. If you would like to develop this a habit in your life or enrich the experience, you might want to visit – Design Your Daily Quiet Time
Do you have a daily Bible reading plan for 2020?
It’s so nice to have lots of options but sometimes there are too many choices. Looking for simple and easy? I am sharing only two different plans for you to consider. One of these might be perfect for you. Click on the links below to get all the details.
As we read the Bible, we learn about our history and discover our desperate need for rescue. Centuries passed when people looked and hoped but they did not see a Savior. But, when the time was exactly right the rescue began. The mission was meticulously planned and the details kept secret. We look back now in amazement at how it started. We celebrate the birth of Jesus and the rescue that began that holy night.
Don’t miss the special opportunity this Christmas season to share about the greatest rescue mission ever undertaken.
As we read the Bible, we learn about our history and discover our desperate need for rescue. Centuries passed when people looked and hoped but they did not see a Savior. But, when the time was exactly right the rescue began. The mission was meticulously planned and the details kept secret. We look back now in amazement at how it started. We celebrate the birth of Jesus and the rescue that began that holy night.
Don’t miss the special opportunity this Christmas season to share about the greatest rescue mission ever undertaken.
What came to your mind as you turned your calendar to December this year?
Advent
Family
Traditions
Celebration
Shopping
Gift-giving
Decorating
Baking
Ideally, it is a season of wonder and joy with families gathering and celebrating together.
However, it is not always so wonderful for all. For many, the season is difficult and challenging. Christmas time can be sad, lonely, painful and a time of struggle. Some have recently suffered a great loss and some are overwhelmed by various difficulties at this particular time. Many are missing loved ones more in this season than any other time of the year.
If you’re missing someone this Christmas this song’s dedicated to you
– The Piano Guys
If this is a hard season for you, don’t put on an artificial smile and act as if you are fine. Remember many others are also feeling like you. Consider being honest with a friend, neighbor, co-worker or loved one and you may find unexpected help and comfort for your heart.
May God give us awareness of those around us who are struggling this Christmas. Let’s notice others and love them. Slow down, pay attention. Look for those Jesus wants to reach out to through your hands. Be thankful for the opportunity and you may be surprised to discover the true meaning of the season.
Thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he is our Father and the source of all mercy and comfort. For he gives us comfort in our trials so that we in turn may be able to give the same sort of strong sympathy to others in theirs. Indeed, experience shows that the more we share Christ’s suffering the more we are able to give of his encouragement. This means that if we experience trouble we can pass on to you comfort and spiritual help; for if we ourselves have been comforted we know how to encourage you to endure patiently the same sort of troubles that we have ourselves endured. We are quite confident that if you have to suffer troubles as we have done, then, like us, you will find the comfort and encouragement of God.
– 2 Corinthians 1:4-7 J.B. Phillips
Tis the season ♥
Your comments are welcome. Always love to hear from readers.
Thanksgiving tends to realign our thinking and correct crooked attitudes. A mind directed toward thanks and gratitude should be our normal way of thinking. But, as you know, it doesn’t take much to knock us off course and we soon start forgetting to give thanks on ordinary days.
If you have a Topical Bible you can look up thanksgiving and/or other similar words and find many verses. Select some favorites and keep them handy. Here is a link to an online Topical Bible – Thanksgiving
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” – Charles Dickens
“This way of seeing our Father in everything makes life one long thanksgiving and gives a rest of heart, and, more than that, a gayety of spirit, that is unspeakable.” – Hannah Whitall Smith
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” – A.W. Tozer
What daily Bible reading plan are you using right now?
What do you like about your reading plan? What don’t you like? Please share by leaving a comment below.
I have been reading the One Year Chronological Bible, again this year and love it! Reading the Bible in chronological order is wonderfully helpful and enjoyable. I also participate in the Read Thru the WordBible Study.
My usual morning begins by spending quiet time with the Lord. This includes reading the daily portion of scripture from the One Year Chronological Bible. The Read Thru the Word Bible study provides access to a daily teaching video by Wendy Pope. I love Read Thru the Word and highly recommend it to anyone who wants more from their daily Bible reading experience.
Would you be interested in finding out more about it? You can sign up now to receive news and updates for the 2020 Bible study at Word Up Ministries
Today is a perfect time for you to start researching and deciding what Bible reading plan to choose for 2020. If you pray about it and explore the options now you will have plenty of time to be ready on January 1, 2020.
No matter what your other plans, goals or desires are for next year, make sure to have a plan in place for daily reading God’s word.
Last week was the last of “Question of the week” on the Facebook page.
This post is a follow up on the topic of Bible study methods.
BUT FIRST
Before reading this post please take a brief pause to ask yourself one simple but extremely important question:
Whydo I want to study the Bible?
Why is such a powerful question! It clears the confusion and brings what is truly important into focus. Once you are certain of your why then it’s time to think about how.
Bible study for me is an activity with one constant goal that doesn’t change regardless of the method used for the study. My why is to know Jesus. I don’t just want to learn and understand about Him but truly actually KNOW JESUS!
However
I have definitely experienced times of losing sight of the true goal and forgetting my why. To know more about that problem, please read this earlier postPurpose of Bible Study
Bible Study Methods
A method is a way to go about doing a Bible study. You could say that a method of Bible study is a kind of framework or structure to organize what you are doing.
Choosing a method for personal Bible study
Let’s explore this subject by considering a few questions:
what comes to mind when you think of Bible study methods?
why use a method at all?
Do you currently use a particular method?
Does it matter what method you use?
I think it does matter what method of studying the Bible is used. Not because one way is necessarily better than another but there is likely a certain Bible study method that is more beneficial for you. Discovering the best method will result in an enjoyable, rich and rewarding experience.
If you are finding Bible study to be a great experience you are probably using the best method for you. But if not, you may want to explore different types of Bible study methods.
Resources for you ↓
Here is a page that is absolutely packed with helpful links. I recommend visiting and bookmarking it – How to Study the Bible
Setting our clocks back is a cause for celebration. We will be getting back that hour we lost during Daylight Saving Time.
What will you do with your hour?
It’s your CHOICE. You get one more hour of time to use whatever way you want. You may decide on an extra hour of sleep or an extra hour of anything else. It’s your choice to spend your hour any way you desire.
You are used to getting up at a certain time each morning, right?
I have a suggestion for those who have difficulty finding time for a morning quiet time with God. When you set your clock back, set your alarm for one hour earlier. You would continue to rise in the morning the same as you have been. You will be ready to sleep earlier at night so you adjust your schedule by going to bed an hour earlier.
If you choose this way to spend your extra hour then you need to plan ahead and make it happen. On Saturday night set your clocks back the hour. Set your alarm ahead one hour. If one hour is too much then try 1/2 hour. Pray about it and make your plan.
Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. -Ephesians 5:16 J.B. Phillips
What will you do with your hour?
Please leave your answer in the comments below.
Did you miss last week’s post? Read it here Daily Meeting
