Reading the Bible In a Year

Hello all.

This past Sunday, I challenged the folks at Bessemer Presbyterian to engage in something with me: to read the Bible through in one year. So for all of you who follow this blog here or on Facebook, I invite you to do the same.

Now you might be wondering "What's the point of reading that old book through in a year?" The point is because reading the Bible is more than reading good literature or even a history textbook. Reading the Bible is about building a relationship with God.

For us as Christians, we believe the Bible is more than just a book of rules and stories handed down from generation to generation, but that it is the Word of God written, which testifies to Jesus Christ the Word incarnate, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and thus is God's Word to and for us today. In other words, the Bible is God's way of speaking to us, for when we read it prayerfully, the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to hear God's voice speaking into the midst of our lives today. It offers us words of encouragement, joy, challenge, and sometimes words that frustrate us.

Without this as a regular part of our lives, we will not grow as Christians. After all, if God has saved us through Jesus Christ, He has begun a new life in us - and as Paul says, we are being transformed in the renewing of our thinking, so that we may know and do God's will. To be renewed, and thus become disciples or followers of Jesus, we have to discipline ourselves to spend time with the Lord, by reading and meditating on His Word to us.

So, I invite you to begin this journey with me. Over the next couple of days, I'll be providing some introduction to the Scriptures through this blog, and then taking time each day (or couple of days) to provide some devotional insights on each passage as we travel through God's Word together. And by the way - if I miss a day, feel free to call me on it. That way, I don't slip behind in my readings either!

Well, this is going to be a huge undertaking for both of us. But I'm excited for the opportunity to do as my blog title states and "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you." Blessings to you in Christ!

- Pastor Nathan