Commit to reading the New Testament 12 times in 2012. I wouldn't necessarily be committing to read twelve different translations of the New Testament, though, of course, that would be one way to go with it. I'm thinking a balance of translations--new and old, familiar and unfamiliar--would be the way to go. I *know* that it's possible to read the New Testament in a month. I've done it in seven days. But I'm not sure I could keep on reading it once a month. That would be the challenge, I believe, not in accomplishing it the first or even second time. But could I stay committed all twelve months?
Commit to reading the Old Testament twice. (I've read the Old Testament four times this year--and the New Testament seven times.) If I spend all my time reading the New Testament, will I still find time to read the Old Testament twice? I don't know. I couldn't begin to predict...
Commit to reading 40 Christian Books A Year. I know, I know. It's not 100 books. But it is REALLY STRESSFUL trying to make that big a number. And weeks where I don't get two in, well, I start thinking about how I'm falling behind. And months with low totals, instead of feeling pleased with what I was able to read, I regret that I didn't get more read.
Commit to meditating on one hymn or worship song per week. Sometimes I'm surprised by how trivial my memory is. I find myself knowing all the words to completely irrelevant songs. Yet I don't know all the words (without looking) to my favorite hymns. Something is wrong with that picture. I remember my mom talking about how her grandmother would sing hymns all the time. And it made me realize that something is missing in my life. I am NOT committing to memorizing songs word by word, verse and chorus. Though I hope that repetition--reading morning and evening, all week long--might be beneficial.
Commit to listening to one ministry per month on the radio or OnePlace, etc. There would be NO MINIMUM requirements. Though, of course, if you didn't listen to at least ONE broadcast that month it would be a failure. But it wouldn't be requiring you to listen to five sermons a week for four or five weeks. My goal is to acquaint myself with different preachers and teachers, to see which ones work best for me. Each month would be a DIFFERENT ministry. Perhaps each month I would do one post on which ministry I chose and talk about the series/sermons I listened to?
- Desiring God (John Piper)
- Grace To You (John MacArthur)
- Running to Win (Erwin Lutzer)
- Renewing Your Mind (R.C. Sproul)
- Truth for Life (Alistair Begg)
- Turning Point (Dr. David Jeremiah)
- Back to the Bible (Woodrow Kroll)
- Leading the Way (Dr. Michael Youssef)
- The Bible Study Hour with Dr. James Boice
- The Connection with Pastor Skip Heitzig
- In His Grip (Dr. Chuck Betters)
- A New Beginning (Greg Laurie)
- Bible Answer Man (Hank Hanegraaff)
- Key Life (Steve Brown)
- Every Last Word (Dr. Philip Graham Ryken)
- Insight for Living (Chuck Swindoll)
- Just Thinking (Ravi Zacharias) or Let My People Think
- Living Grace (Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
- Living on the Edge (Chip Ingram)
- Living Waters -- Way of the Master (Kirk Cameron, Ray Comfort, Todd Friel)
- PowerPoint with Jack Graham
- Renewal Radio with Dr. Gene Getz
- Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee
- Unlocking the Bible with Colin Smith
- Walk in the Word with Dr. James MacDonald
- White Horse Inn (Dr. Michael Horton)
- Winning Walk Radio (Dr. Ed Young)
I do still plan on listening to as many sermons as possible from Bethlehem Bible Church. But I don't think I'm going to make a separate goal for that.
© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible
