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.
