With a new year come new opportunities as well as challenges. In a sense it is like God has given us an opportunity to write a new chapter in our lives. And while we can't go back and make a new start, we can start today and make a brand new end. Our past doesn't have to equate to our future.
The advent of a new year leads many to making New Year's resolutions that will likely go by the wayside by the end of January. In his book with the stark title of Change or Die, author Allan Deutschman says the reason our efforts at change fail is because we don't understand the elements that bring about lasting change. He argues that lasting change comes about through three things:
1. Relationships. We change by relating to people who are seeking to make the same changes we are endeavoring to make. This is in part why programs like AA and Weight Watchers work for many, at least as long as they stay engaged in the program.
2. Reframing. This means thinking differently. Often this comes by receiving new information that radically changes the way we think about something. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. In other words, think differently.
3. Repetition. Of course we all know what this means---developing a new habit or habits. Is there a new habit you want to make in 2011? What about your habit with the Word of God? Do you have one?
If spending more time with the Bible is a habit you would like to create in 2011, there are many such plans available to meet numerous interests and needs. If you want to check it out, go to Google and type in "Bible Reading Plans" and you'll be surprised at the results. Let me name three such plans for your consideration:
- The Discipleship Journal Plan. This reading plan, created by NavPress, is a popular one and entails reading the Bible through in a year but for only 25 days each month allowing the opportunity to catch up if you know you may fall behind. Each day's readings are from four areas of the Scriptures.
- The Chronological Plan. This plan will take one through the whole Bible in a year in chronological order.
- The M'Cheyne Plan. This is often considered the classic plan but is pretty demanding. In this plan you will read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice in a year's time.
I have each of these plans on my computer stored as pdf's and would be happy to share them with you if desired. Just write me a note requesting one or all of them and I will happily share them.
God has given us all the opportunity to write a new chapter in our lives. While 2011 will no doubt have for each of us our challenges, spiritually this year could be the best of our lives. A commitment to reading the Scriptures can certainly lead us in the direction of making it so.
Carpe diem!
Randall Spence, Director
Great Lakes Church has nearly 50 people signed up for the Chronological plan! Its going to be a great year!
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Posted by: Karson | January 01, 2011 at 02:56 PM