For 2014, we are making some changes to our First Wednesday service. This year, we will be using our First Wednesday Service to help you grow in your faith. Each month, we will focus on a different way to grow. For January, our focus will be on developing a plan for Scripture Reading. We will share practical ways to help you connect with God’s Word in the new year. The service will start at 7pm on January 1st, and we will still conclude the service with a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
I want to challenge you to make Bible reading a priority in your life. Regular, systematic Bible reading is the best way to jump start your spiritual growth. When you read the Bible, you are allowing the God of the universe to speak directly into your life.
Many of you have gotten new mobile devices this Christmas. From iPads to smartphones to android tablets, YouVersion has you covered. It’s a great Bible app for your mobile device that allows you to have access to the Bible from anywhere. I use it on my phone and on my iPad to read the Bible. YouVersion also has a great assortment of Bible reading plans and devotions to guide you.
YouVersion also has the ability to email your Bible reading to you each day. On your computer, login to the youversion site and view your reading plan. On the settings tab, choose email delivery and you’re all set. Here are a few suggested reading plans and devotions for you to consider this year (there are over 200 in all!)
- The Chronological Reading Plan – Reading God’s Story
- The Essential 100 – 100 days to take you through the key passages of the Bible – This is the one we will be discussing at First Wednesday
- The One Year Bible
- New Thru 30 – the New Testament in 30 days
- Life Application Devotional
- Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional
If you don’t like reading on your computer or mobile device, we have some Bible reading plans that you can download and print out on our church website. Click here to see the plans we have available on our website.
When we open up the Bible, we’re inviting the creator of the universe to speak directly to us. It’s our connection to His truth—the story of His love for us since the beginning of time. And it’s meant to be woven throughout our lives, giving us new wisdom with each season we experience.
For us to know and understand God’s Will for our lives, we must invest time in reading and learning His Word. It is His divine love letter that reveals to us how we can be reconciled to God.