January 1, 2015.

Well, it’s that time of year again when we see a new year turn and use the motivation of a clean slate and new beginning to make resolutions that are aim at improving various aspects of our lives. Some resolutions will be realized while many will fall to the back burner within a few months. Last year I made a resolution to write a daily devotional on something spiritual each day in effort to draw myself and any who would listen closer to God. Thus, I started this blog on January 1, 2014, and I believe this was the first resolution that I have ever kept (you can find each devotional by either searching for a specific topic to the right or by going to the archive and searching by date).

One of the reasons that I was able to keep this resolution, besides relying on God to strengthen me and guide me through, was the fact that I made it public, adding an accountability aspect to my goal. I thank all of you who have followed my journey and encouraged me along the way.

This year, I want to take on a rather ambitious task for my resolution. I want to use this site to write somewhat of a commentary/connection-based lesson post on the entire bible, one day at a time. If you have ever made a resolution to read the bible through in a year, you’ve come to the right spot! I want to embark on this journey of reading and study with as many who will do it with me, giving us all accountability. I know that by the grace of God we can accomplish this task, and grow substantially closer to God in the process.

So, here’s how I see it working. I have chosen one of the 365 day plans of reading through the bible. The plan that I have chosen is the 52 Week Plan (click to download a pdf of the plan), in which each day of the week is dedicated to a different section of scripture, ranging from the letters, law, history, psalms, poetry, prophecy and the gospels. I chose this plan as I think it will mix things up just enough to keep us interested as we press through. I’ll be honest and say that there are some stretches of scripture that are hard to get through, especially if it is your first time and you don’t have a good grasp on the background, culture of Israel and how it fits in to the overall story of the bible. That is why I chose this plan, and I will do my best to smooth it out, make connections and fit it all into the overall story. We will start this Sunday, January 4, 2015, and complete our study on January 2, 2016 (I think). The reason for starting this Sunday is because the plan is a weekly plan, not based on specific dates, but rather 52 weeks. This will give you and I some time to prepare for this study. Mark your calendars and subscribe! Also, if you would, please share this with your friends and family so they are given the opportunity to partake in this journey if they so choose.

(As a side note, there may be days that I slightly change the reading if I think the break is not in a good place, but all of this will be announced ahead of time.)

If you want to partake in this journey, all you have to do is follow and keep up with the reading. This will not be a typically “commentary” that you see in a study bible, but rather a much more practical based lesson on each section, drawing connections from the given passage to other parts of the bible and to our daily lives. I want to put each passage in the greater context of the biblical narrative as well as our purpose and meaning in life. I am going to try to relate even the difficult passages to things that we can understand and implement in our lives if it is appropriate.

I also want to continue the devotional style posts I have done this past year. I will not post a daily devotional, as I will be working on the daily reading and study mostly. But I would like to post at least a weekly devotional type post. I’m going to play this more by ear, so stay tuned!

(Another side note: the new domain name, “twentyeighteighteen.com” is in reference to the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20. I chose this name because it is our mission to spread the gospel, and this is one way that I am going to attempt to do that this year.)

I believe the bible to be one of the greatest gifts that God has given us, and to not read and study the word of God handed to us so graciously would be a shame.

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
(Hebrews 4:11-13)

We have such a great opportunity to study and learn the character and will of God, and sometimes we just need a little push to make it happen. Consider this your push. I hope you will follow through with this study as I know that it will bless you if you do. We start on Sunday (with Romans 1-3)! Hope to see you there.

Here’s to a great new year, with the blessing of the Almighty.

-Walter