Take Ten with Pastor Don Podcast
Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Welcome to Take Ten with Pastor Don. I’m Don McGarvey, pastor of the Troy Mills Christian Church in Troy Mills, Iowa.

In this podcast, I will reference an article entitled, “14 Reasons to Read the Bible” written by Chelsea Kight.

Well, it’s a snowy Troy Mills today. Most of the state along with several other states are experiencing our first major snow event. And to make matters even worse, the snow is going to be followed by some bitter cold temps.

That’s winter in Iowa though.

Another thing that happens each year about this time is that we get inundated with plans to read the Bible through this next year.

I’m still getting several e-mails from organizations offering their plans for reading the Bible through in 2024.

Many publishers are offering their own version of a “Read Through the Bible in a Year” Bible. Of course, this comes with comments and other teachings from that particular ministry.

These things are good and certainly have their place. I’ve used many plans over the years and would certainly encourage anyone to do the same.

Anything that helps us spend time in the Word and better understand what we are reading is a good thing.

I also know that many have challenges in their lives, some more personal than others, some just don’t have the time, and some aren’t sure they can accomplish the task. They have tried several times before and got stuck in Leviticus, Numbers, or Deuteronomy.
I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve been stuck.

I would offer some alternatives for you if this has been your plight in the past.

Don’t worry about reading Leviticus or Deuteronomy. Read through Genesis, and maybe the first part of Exodus.

Are perhaps you should start reading the Psalms, or maybe read a chapter out of Proverbs each day.

I would also recommend that you start reading the New Testament. Maybe read the Gospels, or better yet, start in the Gospel of John.

It doesn’t matter than you don’t start in Genesis 1:1 and read through Revelation 22:21.

If you want to read the Bible through in a year, all you have to do is read three chapters each day. If you want to read your Bible through twice this year, then read six chapters a day. I’ll let you do the math for more times than that.

But, if you read one chapter a day, you will learn more about God during that time than you have ever learned before.

There are other options besides reading. Some have challenges with reading. You can listen and in some cases you can watch.

Some translations are easier to read than others. If you have challenges with reading, I suggest finding a translation called “The New Century Version.”

One of the easiest apps to use would be You Version. You can download this app to your phone or I-pad at no cost to you. And it will open a whole new world of reading God’s Word.

I came across an article this past week written by Chelsea Kight. The title of her article is “14 Reasons to Read the Bible.”

But I thought it would be good to share her reasons for reading the Bible with you today.

1–The Bible is how God reveals His character.

2–The Bible gives instructions for daily life.

3–The Bible teaches you how to pray.

4–The Bible explains the Gospel.

5–The Bible explains how to share the Gospel.

6–The Bible teaches you how to trust God.

7–The Bible shows what God’s will is.

8–The Bible is full of God’s promises.

9–The Bible is historically accurate.

10–The Bible teaches you how to forgive.

11–The Bible is full of truth.

12–The Bible asks and answers big questions.

13–The Bible is culturally relevant.

14–The Bible reveals how much God loves you.

I have friends who have started reading through the Word in a year only to get suck, frustrated, and then stop. I can tell when this happens.

We all start with good intentions. But sometimes things happen. We get run over by a giant snowball rolling down the hill.

If it happens to you, just pick up where you left off, or pick up in the place you should be. Don’t try to “double-up” on your reading. It won’t work.

Well, that’s our time for this time. Thanks for taking the time to join us on the Take Ten with Pastor Don Podcast. And thanks to those who have subscribed. If you haven’t subscribed, please take a moment and ring the bell.

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Thanks again and God bless you!