Post 3 of 6: Hints to Read

Congratulation for the steps of hope that you have taken to get started in reading your One Year-365-Bible to know God. I remember how exciting it was for me to start reading every day "on purpose" to know The LORD. The purpose of this "Hints for prosperity" is to encourage you along the way and alert you  to some ways to enjoy this adventure from now to eternity. Others have shared their experience of getting started in this new habit of reading through The Bible in a year and some of the hints and helps they used to keep on reading.

            The setting aside of 15-20 minutes every day is a big step. Rearranging the daily schedule and reading the first thing requires effort.  The "requirement" to find a quite private space seems almost too much to ask in a busy household that has adults and or children needing your time and attention.  Recognize that in the beginning you may not be able to start the day with 20-30 minutes undisturbed time to read. You may need to divide your reading into parts. Read the Old Testament early in the morning  and the New Testament later in the day. The BEST way to start your day is by reading (some) The Word of God first.

            For those families with small children I suggest you cause your children to sit near you as you read. In the beginning they might sit next to you while you read only The Old Testament. Little children need to hear The Word of God. A child can be taught and disciplined to be quiet for 10-15 minutes. When a child is taught early to obey, this habit may last forever. If a couple were to say to the children "sit and listen for the next few minutes while your father/mother and I read aloud the daily Bible reading, then the whole family is involved in reading and hearing The Word of God." This is almost like Deuteronomy 6 in action. Truly it is by hearing that faith has its birth. If a child started hearing The Word of God from their parents mouth at birth till the first year in school they may have heard the entire Bible six times. I realize children may not be perfectly still as you read, but they can be hearing the parents read even as they play. By reading aloud while seeing, touching, handling the Word of life will cause the experience to become more sensitive. When the reading time is completed and the father prays aloud for the mother and then she for him bonding will be more real between the couple.

            Most of us have found that starting the day with The Bible in hand and reading His Word to know Him is worth the effort of setting the alarm clock and getting up to start the day earlier. Some have found that looking out to the Eastern sky and seeing the sun rising causes them to think of the verses telling about God coming out of His chamber as a strong man ready for the race or as a bridegroom bedecked in all His glory coming to get His bride. Some enjoy, weather permitting, going outside and listen to the birds sing in the trees, feel the gentle breeze, see the sun rising and watching the shadows change colors in the trees. Allow God's creation to minister to you and set your heart's attention to worship and praise God.