5 good reasons to read the entire Bible every year

5 good reasons to read the entire Bible every year

Jeff Robinson — September 8, 2015
I vividly recall two pivotal conversations with pastors shortly after I surrendered to gospel ministry in the late-1990s. The conversations were pivotal because in them I was exposed to two divergent approaches to ministry and the Lord used them to convince me that I must saturate my mind with Scripture

In one conversation, I asked a longtime pastor how many times he had read the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. His reply: “Never, but I hope to someday.” I was stunned. I thought, but did not express verbally, “Then how do you know what you believe about the Bible and other important doctrines?” Being a very green rookie minister, I thought that perhaps my question was a bit cheeky. I thought that until I had the second conversation a few weeks later.

In the second conversation with another longtime pastor, a godly man who retired a few years ago as pastor of my home church in Georgia, I posed the same question and got an answer that remains instructive to me many years later: “I try to read through the Bible every year. After all, I have given my life to teaching and preaching God’s Word and so I had better know it.” That day, I became convinced that I should read through the Bible regularly and, since it was the end of the year, I began my first read through the Bible in a year venture. I was happy that I did.

During my lengthier-than-I-first-intended career as a seminary student, I followed the same practice and after a few years, I had read through the Bible several times. The results have been massively helpful for both my walk with the Lord and the teaching and preaching ministry he has given me. More recently, comments by two of my ministry heroes, John Piper and R. C. Sproul, have encouraged me to continue this approach to Bible intake. Piper: “When all your favorite preachers are gone, and their books are forgotten, you will have your Bible. Master it.” And then, there are these manly words from Dr. Sproul: “I’ll retire when they pry my cold, dead fingers off my Bible.” Words like those encourage me to stay saturated in God’s Word. Reading through it perennially is one means of accomplishing that.

I have become convinced that every student of the Bible, particularly those who are or will be charged with teaching it as a vocation ought to consider this practice. There are many, many benefits of reading through the Bible every year, and here are five ways I have been helped:

1) Reading through the Bible annually helps you learn the overarching metanarrative of Scripture.
After reading through the Bible a few times, the historic/redemptive storyline will become second nature. For example, in the OT, it will help you greatly to know that the kingdom of Israel was divided around 930 B.C., after which time the Northern and Southern kingdoms had different kings and began to spin off into serious idolatry. With some incredibly meaty study helps (such as the ESV Study Bible or Reformation Study Bible), you will soon learn where everything in the OT belongs on the timeline of ancient history. Pretty soon, you will see that the Bible is all about Christ and will become keenly aware why it is important to read Leviticus alongside Hebrews.

2) Reading through the Bible will improve your ability to interpret and exegete Scripture. 
This is a natural consequence of reason number one. The better you know the Bible’s storyline, the more aware you will be of both the near and far contexts of each pericope, the less prone you will be to engage in eisegesis. With the whole of redemptive history as your framework, you will see why it is not compelling to preach slaying the giants in your life or five smooth stones of ministry success from David’s encounter with Goliath. It will rescue you from preaching/teaching a bare moralism.

3) Reading through the Bible will keep you habitually in the Bible. 
You cannot read through the Bible quickly. It will force you to spend many hours in God’s Word and that is always a fruitful endeavor. If you commit to read through the Bible every year, there will be precious few days, if any, when you find yourself out of Scripture.

4) Reading through the Bible will ensure that you are engaging God’s Word at least as frequently as you are engaging other solid Christian books. 
I love the Puritans and the Reformers. I have to resist buying every piece of excellent Christian literature published by leading evangelical publishers, but I should not be reading three non-inspired books, no matter who solid and instructive they are, for every book of the Bible I read.

5) Reading through the Bible will force you to navigate those tricky, less traveled roads of Scripture.
Reading through the Bible annually will force you to read books and passages that might not normally attract your gaze: Leviticus, Numbers, the Song of Solomon, Amos, Philemon, and yes, for those of us who suffer from acute allergies to all things end times and exhibit tendencies toward pan-millenniallism, chapters 6-22 of Revelation. The Spirit inspired ever word for our edification. Let us read it.
Walking through the Bible in a year should not replace daily meditation upon and memorization of Scripture. And no, it won’t necessarily make you more spiritually mature—spiritual growth is not a mechanical process—but it certainly cannot hurt (the Spirit uses the Word to grow us). Ultimately, you are reading God’s Word to be transformed in heart and mind, and it should never be reduced to a cold, detached, clinical exercise.

_____________

Jeff Robinson (M.Div. and Ph.D., SBTS) is editor of the Southern Seminary blog. He serves as senior editor for The Gospel Coalition and is also adjunct professor of church history and senior research and teaching associate for the Andrew Fuller Center at SBTS. Jeff served as a pastor for several years in Birmingham, Alabama. He is co-author with Michael A. G. Haykin of To the Ends of the Earth: Calvin’s Missional Vision and Legacy (Crossway, 2014). Jeff and his wife Lisa have four children and belong to Clifton Baptist Church.

Learn How To Forgive

Forgiveness is really for our own benefit. We must be determined that we will forgive and let nothing stand in our way to do so.

Forgiveness is first a choice and then an action.

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  God is willing to forgive us!

Matthew 6:15 says “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Our heavenly Father desires that we forgive others their offenses.

If you are having trouble forgiving this is a good place to start.

1. Acknowledge that you have been hurt.
2. Recognize that your sin against God is far greater than the worst any human could do to you.
3. Choose outright to forgive the other person.
4. Accept your rightful share of the problem, if appropriate. You are not the victim!
5. Try to communicate and clear the air, with hopes of reconciliation.
6. If nothing changes , release the person(s) and the hurt.
7. Move on

Isaiah 43:25 says “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins."
God forgives us for His own sake! Let us follow His example!!

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Nanyuki Bible Baptist Church Building Dedication

Baby Angel Naserian

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Stuart Townend - Come People of the Risen King

R Kelly I Believe I Can Fly Lyrics

I am sure you have heard this song,
"The second stanza is key:
"See I was on the verge of breaking down,
Sometimes silence can be so loud.
There are miracles in life I must achieve,
But first, I know it starts inside of me..."

God of all Creation.

Chris Tomlin in his song, God of All Creation sung:

Lord of all creation
of water earth and sky
The heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

and in the refrain echos,

God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are Holy, Holy
The universe declares your Majesty
And you are holy holy
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of Heaven and Earth




This week reading through 1 Kings 20 I couldn't help it, noting that the Syrians downplayed and ridiculed our God as a god saying, "Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain..." - 1Kings 20:23

Indeed our God is the LORD of all creation, of water earth and sky. The heavens are His Tabernacle, the earth is His footstool! He is God of wonders beyond our finite mindset and logical worldview! God goes beyond our galaxy! Hallelujah to our God - Our great God!!!

So the LORD comes and wins for Israel who were "like two little flocks of kids" while
"the Syrians filled the country." 1 Kings 20:27

What was God's message through the man of God? Lets read 1 Kings 20:28

Our God is Able to do exceedingly, abundantly above that which we think or imagine! Hallelujah to the Lord God of heaven and earth!!!!

Crows Flying

A wise man in a object lesson gave counsel that, " You cannot prevent the crow from flying above your head, but you can surely prevent it from building a nest on it!" We are no exception to the temptation of bantering our hope for a moment of temporary happiness! The glitter of sin and the things we think it will bring! As I listened to 1 Kings 11, it reminded me that I am no exception to the trials that all men face!

Regarding temptations in 1 Peter 4:12,13 12 we are admonished,  "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13* but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

It is not a strange thing that you are tempted! God wants you to triumph too.

We are no strangers to temptation and the allure of sin that the world presents.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17* And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The world's wisest and richest king that ever lived was no exception to the sway of sin! Five observations that I got from 1 Kings 11

(1) The first observation is that, "Strange women/wives will turn one away from God" verse 3* And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.
(2) Strange women will turn away your heart after their gods (idols). "Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love." verse 2b
(3) It will divide your loyalty. Strange women will cause you to do evil! YOU WILL NOT go fully after the LORD. verse 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David.
(4) It will lead you into action that is detrimental! verses 8, 9 "And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 9 So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice"
(5) You will have enemies. The LORD raised...  verse 14* Now the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was a descendant of the king in Edom.
The LORD raised up ANOTHER ... verse 23* And God raised up another adversary against him, Rezon the son of Eliadah, who had fled from his lord, Hadadezer king of Zobah.

There is always an open door that is OPEN to overcome! - 1 Corinthians 10:13* No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Pulling Down Strongholds

Why has it been that at times I am upbeat, full of energy and running with work.  Other times it is like grinding, pulling and pushing to accomplish what's on my plate! Why is there so much suffering in our midst?  I wish I had all the answers to give! 

Several verses in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3* For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
 4* For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
 5* casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

As we live under that sun some of the wars that take place in our lives and around us; we will never know! Just like Job could not knowing that there was a battle raging in the spiritual realm.  God fights for us! The good thing, also to note; is that God has provided us weapons for this warfare. They are spiritual.  One prerequisite for victoriously vanquishing the enemy is our OBEDIENCE!  

Many a time Christians loose the spiritual warfare because:

1. they have arguments against God's word,
2. they have high things that are exalted against God's word, and
3. have thoughts that have not been brought into obedience of our Lord.

Is there an area in your life that you have arguments that go against His Biblical instructions in your life?  Are you having high things exalted to the point that you are unable to hear the Lord's still small voice in your life? What about your thought life?  Are your thoughts meditative of good and noble things that are pleasing to Christ? 

May God give you and I that ability that overcomes the world! Our faith in Christ. May we in unison say I can punish all disobedience in my life though Christ who strengthens me! 

May that fulfillment of obedience be realized!

Teamwork

Nine athletes, all mentally or physically challenged, were standing on the
start line for the 100 meter race. The gun fired and the race began.  Not
every one was running, but everyone wanted to participate.  Winning didn't
even matter.

They ran in groups of three.  In one of the groups, a boy tripped fell and
started crying. The others heard him crying. They slowed down and looked
behind them. They stopped and came back... all of them!

A girl with downs syndrome sat down next to him, hugged him and asked,
"Feeling better now?" Then all nine of them walked shoulder to shoulder to
the finish line. The stadium erupted in applause - there wasn't a single
dry eye there.

Dr David Molapo in his book "You Can Transform Yourself" says, "Reals
success is attained when you help others to achieve their dreams. That is
the kind of success that lasts.  That is what creating synergy is all
about..."

*1 Corinthians 3:7,8 "7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he
who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who
waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his
own labor."*

The Good You Do Comes Back To You

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
This story is very relevant to Titus 3:8

A woman baked bread for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passerby. She kept the extra bread on the Window-sill, for whosoever would take it away. Everyday, a hunch-back came and took away the bread. Instead of expressing gratitude, he muttered the following words as he went his way: "The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" This went on, day after day. Everyday, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and uttered the words: "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" The woman felt irritated. "Not a word of gratitude," she said to herself... "Everyday this hunch-back utters this jingle! What does he mean? "One day, out of despiration, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunch-back," she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the bread she prepared for him! As she was about to keep it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she said. Immediately she threw the bread into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window- sill. As usual, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and muttered the words: "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" The hunch-back proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman. Everyday, as the woman placed the bread on the window-sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him.. She prayed for his safe return. That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway.. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom, it's a miracle I'm here. While I was but a mile away, I was so hungry that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunch-back passed by. I begged of him for a small part of his food, and he was kind enough to give me whole bread. "As he gave it to me, he said, "This is what I eat everyday: today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!" "As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale and red. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned bread that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life! It was then that she realized the significance of the words: "The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" Do good and; Don't ever stop doing good, even if it’s not appreciated at that time.

We Serve A Risen Savior!

This is a very interesting read! We arrived at it after dinner.  Our son needed to get an answer to the question about what our Lord went to do "preaching unto the spirits in prison" found in 1 Peter 3:19

We got looking looking for answers in several Bible verses, also in Matthew Henry, Africa Bible Commentary. We did a Google search for the word "Sheol".  In searching for answers we landed on this blog by Joe Rigney.

Here is the link

Very insightful indeed! It will surely form some meat in some bare-bones sermon I have somewhere! Thank you so much Joe Rigney.

Boosting Your Confidence

Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:[King James Version]

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"

Each time I am given a chance to speak with a group, I wonder what passage, verse or message to share. I fumble to look for illustrations. Many at times leaving me with the question, "Have I been able to communicate effectively?"

This afternoon I was impressed by one of our ladies. Previously a very timid and shy person. She told me to give her a chance to share the Wordless book to a group of young people at our Fun day! She came joyfully after the session and shared. Her experience was of boys and girls who were thirsty for the Gospel. They had questions and time was not enough to satisfy their quest for answers. Eight young people came Christ!

Dr Molapo says that, "None of us is born confident. A healthy self-esteem is crucial to boost your confidence. Although you cannot change your past, the right decisions and actions you take today will shape your future. We therefore need to work at developing a healthy self-image. I must emphasize that a self-image does not imply pride or arrogance."

I can do all things through Christ...

Johoshaphat's Dillemma

2 Chronicles 20:12
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

This verse was a high point in a message I listened to recently! King Jehoshaphat was faced with immense threat of attack from the children of Moab, Ammon and others 2Chronicles 20:1,2. It was a great multitude against Judah!

Like Jehoshaphat our nation has faced the threat of terrorism! God knows the depth and extent that this issue of radicalization has deepened into. Families are grieving the loss of loved ones in the various attacks.  As Jehoshaphat we should learn the secret of his success over the enemy.

1. Only God can truly judge them! - Romans 12:19 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
2.  We have no power against this great multitude. - Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
3. God's eyes are upon us too as our eyes are upon Him! - 2 Chronicles 16:9 9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

As in a previous post Murphy's Law we believe that, in all things God works! His work is for good! His good! In the process we enjoy in His goodness because we are the called according to His good purpose! Because we love Him!

Take courage!

Murphy's Law

I have had tough mornings, days and seasons of dealing with my realities! Lord help me to keep hope alive. So I encourage myself in the Lord.

Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please Him..."
1 Cor 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." I therefore will guard the loins of my mind!
1 Peter 1:13* Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
 14* as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
 16* because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

I identify with what Dr. Molapo says in his book - Taking Charge in times of Challenge, 'Nothing can go wrong' - this is when we must apply Murphy's Law - 'that whatever can go wrong will go wrong!' Leaders must not live in a dream world and make assumptions that because they have a few bases covered they are immune to disasters which may arrive in different guises at different times and different places! Murphy's Law is simply common sense at work.

John C Maxwell puts it this way, "Nothing is as hard as it looks; everything is more rewarding than you expect; and if anything can go right, it will and at the best possible time"

That is why in my present situation I encourage myself in this difficult and dismal scenario; that "All things work together for good to those who love God!
 I love you God! What must happen will happen but for my good!
Does this encourage somebody?

Open My Understanding Of the Scriptures

Luke 24:45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

In this chapter the disciples are beholding the risen Christ! What a joy to us! For the disciples it was different!  They were terrified and thoughts were rising in their hearts.  He had told them that all things that were written about Him would be fulfilled! He'd said that He would raise from the dead after three days, and it was so!

Beloved, Christ suffered, died was buried and rose from the dead on the third day; that you and I would have the forgiveness of our sins. Luke uses the word remission which means the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty.  Jesus took our debt of sin, we were charged to die - Romans 3:23;6:23.  We were destined for the penalty of death - eternally separated from God in a place called hell.  John 3:16 calls it perishing.  That can change for you!

Without trusting in Jesus Christ my friend you are doomed!  However I have some good news for you! We are witnesses that Salvation is possible through Jesus Christ! God forgave me my sins when I was wandering in sin - Romans 3:10 and rescued me from death - Romans 10:9,10.  He sent the Holy Spirit - the promise of the Father to be upon me and in every believer who has trusted in God's gift to the world - Romans 8:16. 

Will you believe in him today? Romans 10:13;17

"I Can Do All Things"

Recently at the beginning of 2015, a couple of my friends and I took a van full of young university students to Powertalks.  It reminded me of my school days!  In school life while I was growing up, some of my school mates were said to have a very high IQ.  Students with a high IQ were the darlings of the teachers.  In Standard III, I was an average kid! We ranked 23 or 24 in our class of thirty-some pupils. Now I recall. 

A fact of life is that, "though some people do well in the IQ tests, it does not give a guarantee that they will do well in lfie".  It does not matter what the experts are saying about you. The important thing is what you believe God is saying about you.  Paul says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  All things!  The important thing is what you are saying about yourself based on what God says about you in His word - that is faith. So, no external voice has the power to shape your destiny if the voice inside you is louder than the voice outside you.