Do you know what the Bible says about...

 Dating, giving, suffering, sex, money, works, etc?

This is a huge question for those of us who claim Jesus Christ.  You answer is most likely no to at least one of these.  Hubby and I have been convicted lately about our lack of knowledge about the Old Testament.  We have both been highly trained on the New Testament, specifically Paul's epistles, but have spent much less time in the books preceding Matthew. 

In January, we decided that we needed to read through the whole Bible.  It is pretty convicting to think that after 3 years in full-time vocational ministry, I have yet to read the whole Bible, cover-to-cover.  Honestly, it has seemed like a pretty daunting task.  We usually study a book of the Bible every semester and one during the Summer Beach Project.  Adding on to that, reading through the whole Bible has just seemed overwhelming.  The ministry we work for taught both hubby and myself how to study scripture.  This is a gift that I am so thankful for.  I spent my years in college getting to know Jesus through His word by learning how to use cross-references and studying how passages in Luke related to those in Romans.  But this also means I have not spent a large amount of time just reading God's word.  I am thankful to say, one month in, we are on track! 

It has been so refreshing to just read the stories of God's faithfulness to His people.  The Bible is a truly amazing story of how God is redeeming His own.  There is more knowledge, wisdom and hope found in its pages than we will ever come close to exhausting!

  So here is my encouragement...join with us in reading through the Bible in a year!  Go find out what God has to say about...life!  May it be a decision that God uses to help you learn more about His faithfulness, love, and gracious will!  It only takes about 15-20 minutes a day.  I have decided to wake up earlier than the rest of my family (if only 20 minutes, as this morning was!) to meet with God.  Thank you GirlTalk for the encouragement!  I know that I need this time with Him to be the wife, mother and friend He calls me to be.  He promises that His word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11)!  Trusting in that!