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Did you take up our challenge to read the entire Bible in 2016? Are you on target? Did you fall behind? Are you on the sidelines? Here's some practical encouragement.
Each year, we encourage our readers and broadcast listeners to read through the entire Bible. In another article on our site, we tell you why you should make this kind of a commitment to a deeper understanding of the Word of God, and endeavor by God's grace to stick with it.
"I'm On Schedule"
If you took up the challenge in 2016, how are you doing? Some of you may respond, "Great! I'm right on schedule." We praise the Lord for that, and we're praying that you will stay the course. We commend you for your persistence, and we trust it has been a blessing. Keep it up! It doesn't matter whether this is your first time reading through the entire Word of God, or your fiftieth time - the Word of God is supremely "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" that you "may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
"It's Been a Real Struggle"
Others of you may have to honestly say, "It's really been a struggle, and I haven't stuck with it." Still others of you may say, "Well...actually, I never got started..." Don't be discouraged. Life is full of unexpected demands on our time. But remember that Satan wants you to neglect the Word! He can make us think that lots of other things - even seemingly good things - are more important than the best thing. We are in a warfare, and the last thing Satan wants is for his opponents to arm themselves with the Sword of the Spirit. He wants to rob you of the blessings and benefits of life lived in the Word.
Satan has had a lot of success in our time: 35% of those who claim to be Bible-believing Christians never read the Book they claim to believe, and 50% only read the Bible sporadically. I encourage you not to be part of that picture. Take up the challenge once again. Don't worry about trying to catch up to the schedule. The important thing is to read the Word systematically and entirely, and to ask the Author of the Book, God the Holy Spirit, to enlighten your understanding. There is nothing more important than reading Scripture. It is your food and your light.
Practical Suggestions
If you have started but it has been rough going, or you haven't begun at all, I encourage you to bring that problem to the Lord, and ask His help. There is nothing better or more practical than to immerse the entire effort in prayer. You can be assured of God's aid in eliminating barriers to your personal, systematic reading and study of His inspired, infallible, inerrant Word. You can also be assured of the illumination of Scripture by its Author, God the Holy Spirit, if you humbly ask for such help.
If at all possible, commit to read the Word at the same time every day. Making it a priority early in the day will eliminate the possibility of coming to the end of the day and saying, "Oh, I don't have time," or trying to do it when you are weary. Try to eliminate interruptions and distractions, and enlist your family's help in that. In fact, it would be a great thing if the entire family were to set aside the same block of time every day for personal reading of the Word, or to read through the Word together.
On the Sidelines?
Perhaps you are a professing Christian who never reads the Bible, or you only read it occasionally. Perhaps you only read certain favorite parts. Or perhaps you aren't even a professing Christian. Regardless, let me encourage you to take up the challenge and systematically read the Book of Books. Click this link to view our Bible reading schedule online. You can also download a printable schedule (PDF) from our site, or request a printed schedule by mail.
May the Lord richly bless your personal study of His inspired, infallible and inerrant Word.
Further Suggestions
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