Bible Reading Plan

I don't know exactly how long I've been following an annual "read through the Bible" reading plan, but it's been many years. For the past two years, I've posted a daily verse from one of the plan passages.

Based on the post, entitled "My Preferred Way to Read the Bible," (thanks for sharing it on Facebook, Jan), I've decided to change things up this year. The author, Jim Elliff, wrote this post in 2013, but it's more than relevant for me today.  In it he describes "three tempting replacements for meaningful Bible reading." They are devotionalism, good books and study Bibles/commentaries.  Those items were not what I expected, but after reading the article, I agree with all three of them.  Here's one of his comments on good books:

Reading about the Bible has replaced reading and discussing the Bible itself in many scholastic settings. Is God pleased with this? I hope I can read more of the right books in my life, for there are some worthwhile ones, but I would far rather read and become a master of the Bible. And if there is a choice between the two, as often seems the case, I know which I’m choosing. 

He suggests ten simple steps to meaningful Bible reading; here is Step 1, where I'll be starting: 

1.  Saturation--So what do I mean by saturation or immersion in the Bible? Simply this: Choose a book (or two) of the Bible and soak yourself in it by reading and re-reading it numerous times.

He leaves the book choice up to the individual, although he does make several suggestions. As of today, I haven't decided where I'll start . . . . something deep and long like Genesis or something profound and short like Galatians. I'm going to pray about it and ask God to point me to the book(s) I most need to read.  

I encourage you to read the post for yourself.  In the meantime, I'll keep you posted on how what I decide as I move through the ten steps.