My New Journey

As I mentioned on my H54F post last week...I've started reading through the Bible chronologically. I put that on my 2013 goals...and it was definitely on my life's bucket list.

I've grown up in the church my whole life. I can safely say that I've probably read every major story in the Bible at least once. I've probably heard every sermon that can be preached on Jonah or Goliath. But as a Christian, I fully believe in the fact that we should never stop learning. Ever.

The Bible is a life tool. God's Word, come to us to give us guidance in every day life. Not just on Sundays. And while I've read most of these stories, I've never read the Bible in order. In fact, I've never even read the entire Bible! I find that strangely odd for one who claims to love Christ with all her heart. Not that I'm a bad person (or anyone who hasn't read the Bible cover-to-cover is a bad person). I just stop and think to myself: God gave us this tool to use. Every single part of His Word is important...yet I'm neglecting using this gift of His to its fullest capacity.

I felt convicted...even compelled to do this.
This is my Savior's story. His redemptive plan to bring us back to Him.
How beautiful. How sweet. How could I not want to read it all?

So that's what I'm doing.
Reading the Bible in chronological order.
In one whole year.

In case you didn't know, each book of the Bible is not necessarily in "order." The books are placed in the order that they need to be placed, but as far as how the story played out in chronological order, it breaks it up a bit differently. I love this plan! It's perfect for my Type A, obsessive, list-making self. I love to put things in order :)

I'm using the You Version Bible app on my iPhone. And it's perfect! It can send reminders and updates. And it lets you know how far you have to go and what amount you have to read each day. I can even see my completion date and if I ever get behind, it has at tool to "catch me up."

As I'm making my way through this journey, I hope to share my updates and thoughts on here as I go along. To help me remember my journey through God's story and to hopefully help and encourage you along the way too.

Here is the prayer I prayed and wrote out on my first day as I asked my Savior to help me through this amazing new journey:

I pray the Lord would guide my heart and see me through to the end. I ask that You, Lord, would teach me new and beautiful things about You, Your love, and Your story. I want to grow closer to You than ever before. Fall more in love with You than ever before. 

Take my heart and mold it into something new and something better through this journey. Help me to be encouraged when I may feel discouraged. Help me to share with others what I learn about You. Help me to apply, really apply all that I learn to my everyday life. 

Jesus, I want more of You. Help me to become more like You through all of this. Don't let a day go by where I don't at least learn something new. I pray for consistency and Your blessing and Your joy.

I'm ready...

Thanks for joining me on this journey, friends!