I'm reading the Bible...again

I can't tell you how many times I have attempted to read the entire Bible cover-to-cover. As a matter of fact, reading the entire Bible is on my bucket list.

As many times as I have tried to read the entire Bible, I have failed. I'm practically an expert on Genesis and Exodus, but I have yet to see Ezekiel or Daniel. Honestly, I should stop starting at the very beginning.

The thing is, I need structure. So, I've tried several different Bible reading plans to help me on the path. I have failed the One Year Bible, the 90 Day Bible and every other type of reading plan I've found.

B90Days - Trying Again

Now, I'm attempting the Bible in 90 Days again. I'm attempting it a different way this time. Instead of sitting down and attempting to read the Bible, I have my Bible on my phone and I'm listening to it! Hopefully, the audio will help me to get through the Bible in a decent amount of time.

I do want to be careful, however, that I don't accidentally tune out the audio and actually hear what I am listening to. The Bible is God's guidebook for our life. If I tune out His word, what's the point?!

A few observations about Genesis

I'm almost done with the book of Genesis at this point and I've got to say...this is one of my favorite books of the Bible. In this one book, we pretty much get the entire story of humanity - God creates man; Man defies God; God punishes Man; God forgives Man; Man continues to defy God and the cycle continues.

When will we just stop and realize that we are the creations of an amazing, Almighty God who loves us and wants nothing but the best for us? When will I stop living for me and start living my life the way God wants me to live it. After all, what is life but a gift from God?

I might not be able to answer these questions today, but I know that the questions exist. That's a step in the right direction, I suppose.

Defeating Complacency

Complacent: Being 'pleased to the point of doing nothing, allowing circumstances to be 'as is' or status quo. Not being accommodating to change.

This is what has become of my faith. I have become complacent to the point of doing nothing and going along with the status quo.

This is not what God has asked of me. Jesus made two simple rules for us to live by:

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." ~Matthew 22:37-40

When I become complacent and stop doing, I am not loving the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul or mind. I am not giving Him the credit He is due.

He died so that I might live. He gave His only Son so that I (undeserving as I am) might have a chance at a relationship with Him and eternal life.

I do not deserve any of this and I would do well to remember that and stop sitting idly by living my life as I see fit. I need to push my own selfish desires aside and start preparing for His work. He has a plan laid out for me and I have, so far, been too stubborn to see it.

In September, I will embark on a journey with Compassion International to visit Ecuador and help to spread the love of Jesus to the children living in poverty. Before I can even attempt to fill them with God's love, I need to fill my own cup.

These next few months will be devoted to rediscovering my love for my Savior. I need to get back to the place of continuous worship and not just rely on Sunday mornings.

I need to defeat complacency.