We have now come into a new year (2020) and with that, a new decade to live in.  Like many others out there (believers and non-believers alike) that means one thing…. new year’s resolutions.  

An obvious example people will use as a resolution is to lose weight.  For me, not this year since last year I was able to lose close to 30 pounds.  Now don’t get me wrong, I want to lose more, but for the beginning of this year I had a different resolution in mind. This resolution for me this year involved a more spiritual matter to begin with. 

I know that a lot of pastors and churches are starting out with trying to read the bible in a year beginning now in January.  I want to say that whomever is doing that, I applaud you with open arms.  I hope that through your reading of God’s word, you will be blessed in the process. 

However, for me, William Quinn, I have a loftier goal in mind.  A goal which I am not saying that everyone has to do.  But for me personally, “reading” the bible this year is not enough.  My goal this year is to read the bible in one month…. for 12 straight months. 

Let me give you my reasoning for this.  I am not trying to do this form of studying as a “burden” of sorts.  That is not how I am looking at it.  I am doing this to “know the Bible” as opposed to just reading it.  The reason being, I want to one day have a fruitful ministry.  To have such, I need to know what I am talking about.  With me “knowing” the bible and getting deeper into scripture brings credibility for one part, but mostly I want to honor God by knowing the word in the process. 

I did some studying on this and let me give you some examples of scripture that I feel back up this procedure. 

  

Joshua 1:8 ESV 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

This is the main verse that I am basing my study on.  To me being careful is also to be correct and knowledgeable in how I speak about the Bible and what it means to us as believers in Jesus.  Looking around us in our 21st Century brand of Christianity.  There are many who are preaching and teaching (God bless them), but sometimes I feel do not fully rely on how inerrant the word of God is.  I, myself personally do not want to be one of those that miss out on what the Bible actually says and means in the long run.  

  

Romans 15:4 ESV 

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 

I do not believe that it was either an accident or coincidence regarding how the Bible was written all of those many years ago.  The complete planning and timing of God and his words used in scripture, are relatable today, as in the day they were written.  I firmly believe that anyone that is a believer in Jesus, and a preacher and teacher of his word owe it to ourselves, and more importantly to our creator to firmly study scripture correctively and effectively in living out the great commission.   

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV 

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! … 

In reading this verse, one word comes to mind for me….steadfast!! Persevering and proclaiming the truth in scripture will lead his children into truthful and honest obedience in knowing and preserving his word for the future generations to come.  I for sure want to be, not just a hearer of the word, but a doer and proclaimer to the masses as well.  Knowing my Bible is for me personally the best way to accomplish that. 

That being said, I know everyone is different.  People have different methods and paces of learning.  I am definitely not here to dismiss that.  I am trying to relay a message that I do feel that we are in the last days before Jesus does come back to this earth to take his bride (the church) home.   I just want to be fully ready when that day happens. I don’t want to be left behind in the process and through my study, I want to make sure that many more join me as well.