(using the One Year Bible – Called the Bible Bus) Pdf version
#1 Begin with prayer. As you open God’s Word, pause and ask Him to “open your spiritual eyes to see wonderful things and open your ears to hear His voice”.
#2 Always remember, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are on the Bus." Although I want to encourage you to protect your personal time in the Word every day-----we all have our low times----we fall off the bus.
#3 Hop back on. When you do miss, whether it is just a few days, or a few weeks-------don't try to catch up. Just start reading the current day------and keep going from there. You might have time to backtrack later on, but do not stress over it. Remember-------"This is not a notch on your belt." Our goal is FELLOWSHIP---- not ACCOMPLISHMENT.
#4 Personalize the pace. Be realistic about your journey. For those new to Bible reading, mothers of young children, and students with a lot of homework you may decide to read just through the New Testament portion this year. This reading segment will take just 5-7 minutes. It is much better to be consistent with a smaller portion, than to be overwhelmed with too much.
#5 Paper and Pen. If you pick up a pen and write the date in your notebook, you have put yourself in the mode to "pay attention". What you are saying to God and yourself is that you expect God to show you something or say something in His Word that is worth writing down and remembering. When you write something down you more that double your retention. As you write one thought, often you will see other facets of it expand and grow to sweet, deep understanding.
#6 Find a time. Everyone has a personal rhythm. Some are morning people, some are night owls. Both types can buy an inexpensive alarm clock and set it for a certain time each day. This small action can help you protect your "personal appointment with Jesus."
#7 Prepare a Place. Keeping your ONE YEAR BIBLE, notebook and pen in a certain place, all the time is a tremendous help. You can go right there and just jump in. You will find that you start viewing that place as special and Holy.
#8 The Search for answers. A quick review of the following questions before you read every day will help you anticipate and be excited about your reading.
#1 What did I learn about God today in my reading?
#2 What did I learn as lessons about life?
#3 What did I learn about myself, my attitudes, my priorities, fears, failures, desires, mission, destiny?
#4 Is there a lesson that I can apply today?
#5 What can I take from my reading and pray back to God for understanding, instruction or help?
Building Your Life On The Rock
(Matthew 7:22-25 NIV) "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."