Bible In A Year – What A Gift!

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I have been participating in the FREE ‘Bible In A Year‘ podcast put out by Ascension Press. It began on January 1, 2021 – What a gift it has been!

Brought up Protestant, the Bible was always part of my life. I was taught that the Bible is the living Word of God and it is something we need to read, study, and pray with regularly.

My father, who was brought up Seventh-Day-Adventist, had always shared with my sisters and me how he had read the Bible cover to cover several times during his childhood. Still, I had never taken the initiative or time to read the Bible from cover to cover.

I did try a couple of times, but, I usually veered off in a different direction shortly after encountering Leviticus, Numbers etc…

A New Year

So, when this opportunity for reading the Bible in a year was first offered I was intrigued.

It is a Bible reading delivered as a podcast daily for 365 days consecutively – making it possible to actively read the Bible daily and get through it in a year. How cool is that?!

This format has made it very approachable and a lot more doable in my mind.

What I Am Experiencing…

Today we are on day 47.

I have actively experienced and participated in 47 days of scripture, reflection, prayer, and enlightenment. It has been absolutely wonderful and encouraging for these times we are in.

In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, I observed God creating his people, loving his people, and intervening on behalf of his people. Something that He is still doing today!

Walking through scripture in this intentional way gives us the opportunity to come to know and recognize the Holy Spirit in our individual lives and the world today.

It helps us to really know that we are all related to one another and loved by this Omnipotent God.

His word is spiritually strengthening, is a shield for our soul and so uplifting for our heart. God’s word is living, and as we journey through it, it is effectively correcting our thinking, retreving our joy, and building the faith that we need so much.

And Father Mike Schmitz has the perfect tone of voice that really keeps you engaged – even in the somewhat mysterious parts. He also keeps the podcast comfortable – like you are listening to your brother or friend.

Each podcast lasts between 20 – 25 minutes each day. Not much time at all. I have just added this into my prayer time each morning.

I have a journal to take notes, a pen, a highlighter, my Bible so I can follow along and highlight as I go, and my reading glasses all ready to go every morning. It is such a special time that truly feeds my soul…

Yesterday, Today & Beyond

My best friend is also participating in the Bible In A Year podcast. It makes for some interesting conversation when we get a chance to get together and discuss what we are covering.

I never really realized that within the first books of the Bible there is murder, incest, infidelity, polygamy, much sin, fear, and doubt.

As Father Mike states, “we are all broken” and it is truly evident that the brokenness of God’s people has been, in fact, from the very beginning and certainly is all around us today.

But woven within the brokenness – there is God. His goodness, love, and Mercy have always been there for us. Likewise, they are offered in a powerful way for us right now – today.

FaceBook Group

As an added resource and more in-depth conversation on the daily readings, I found a great FaceBook Group. It is called Fr Jim’s Bible in a Year study/support group. It was created “For those following the Fr. Mike Schmitz Bible in a Year podcast – a place where we can support each other, ask questions, share reflections, etc.”

What a blessing this has been and has helped form a community around the Bible In A Year Podcast!

Where You Can Sign Up

The Bible In A Year podcast is offered on the Ascension Press website. You can also sign up in the apple podcast app for the daily podcast to be delivered right to your device.

We all need to know what God’s word has to say. And to be able to know and use that living word in our lives today. It is literally His love letter to each one of us!

I would love to know if you are participating or you are now going to sign up! Just drop a comment below.

Like I said we are on day 47 today. You can double up the podcast episodes – so do two a day and catch up.

Or just start today and finish in a year from now.

Either way I can promise you, it won’t be time wasted!

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