Closing out 2019 <3

Hello to you and Happy New Year’s Eve!

I have taken some time to rest. And I mean that quite literally as I caught some sort of bug sometime Friday after I went to bed and ended up sleeping and resting and recuperating the next 36 hours. 

Thankfully I was recovered by Sunday morning and able to attend service at our church and then tag along to take John to catch his flight home. 

I also finished The Chronological Bible this morning and I can’t emphasize enough the feeling of joy to have completed the read through this year. 

It took an average of six pages a day and while I read ahead some and got behind others, I ended up with only needing to ready twelve pages the last two days and I loved every single word. 

There is nothing quite like ending the year with the great and powerful words of the Revelation given to John and saved for us to read. 

I understand the need to study passages and not just cram Scripture in, but if you have never taken the challenge to read through the Bible in a year, I would greatly recommend you doing so in 2019. 

Here are some of the ways I have done this if you are looking for a place to start:

<3 Different translations for a straight read through which include the David Jeremiah NKJV Study Bible, The Message, The Chronological Bible twice

<3 Use the Bible Reading plan in Our Daily Bread, which typically takes you through some Old and New Testament passages so you cover the Bible in a year but it ties passages from both of these into a thread

<3 Bible reading plan offered in the index of one of my Bibles (I believe it was NIV)

Yes, there are some dry places but as I have repeated this discipline over the years (I DO NOT do a complete read through every year!!) and add to it knowledge gleaned from taking classes and doing other studies, the passages have grown richer and deeper to me in meaning. 

So as you are making plans and setting goals for 2019, I pray you would consider giving yourself the gift of a year in God’s complete Word. 

I love you that much that I am willing to nag you on New Year’s Eve…(insert a smile)

I hope you have a wonderful time ringing in 2019. 

I hope this year brings you some answers to long-prayed for blessings. 

I hope that you will feel and know the presence of the LORD Himself each and every day. 

Are you one who likes to read the end of a book to make sure it will be worth your investment of time and emotion? 

I am…no surprise to you probably. 

So let me share with you one of my most favorite passages from the final chapter of God’s written word to us, His people…

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be nor more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”   Revelation 21:1-5

He who testifies to the these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:20

And can we all with one accord, join with the Apostle John and say?

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen  Revelation 22:21

Happy New Year dear friends! 

I look forward to continuing to journey with you until we are united with Him or He returns to take us Home <3