Week 40. The New Testament...and we begin...

I was happy to start reading the New Testament this week.  Finally!
If you are just joining me reading through the Bible, I want to tell you that it is hard to get started because it is a new habit.  There are no hard rules.  You can read first thing in the morning, at lunchtime, at night instead of a TV show, or at bedtime.  Or what ever works for you.  Just do it.
Here is what works for me:
I read first thing in the morning (with a cup of coffee). This time works best for me.  I often wake up before the alarm, and often my first thought is anticipation of what I will hear and read.  So I think that after 278 days of this, it is becoming a good habit!
 I turn to that day's reading, read the "Overview", then I turn on my phone APP and listen to the scripture of the day as I read along. I use the free "Bible "App on my phone to listen.   (When you open this app, it is called "YouVersion." " The Listeners Bible")
The icon looks like a little Bible, like this:

and you click READ, select the book and chapter, and select a version.  I listen to the NIV because I can read along in the Daily Walk Bible.  BUT, I also find it very interesting to listen again later to the same scriptures in the MESSAGE version because it is so contemporary and refreshing.  I sometimes listen while I am getting dressed for the day, or sometimes I listen in the car.
 I find that LISTENING to the Bible helps me pay attention and hear things in a new way.

(Just tap the arrow to turn it on and tap it again to pause or stop.  The next day, you just resume where you stopped. )

 I like to make notes in the Bible, so I use a yellow highlighter when something shimmers or "speaks" to me.  I think of these as hidden treasures.  I use a pencil to circle or underline or make little notes or comments or ask questions.   Yes, my Bible is getting all marked up!

After reading the scripture of the day, I read the "My Daily Walk" and the "Insight."
Then I pray about what I have read.

What I have already found pretty cool this week as the New Testament has just begun in Matthew, is that we are now ALREADY beginning to read some of the fulfillment of some of the Old Testament scriptures that we read back in the Winter and Spring and Summer.    It has been interesting to read the Bible all at one time like this, instead of just picking scriptures here and there out of sequence.  I am getting the BIG PICTURE and getting a better sense of how everything fit into history.  And how LONG it took.  And that God is not in a hurry.  It's not over yet.

IF YOU GET BEHIND, every 7 days there is a day of " REFLECTION & WORSHIP" so you can use that day to get caught up.  If you get behind, just turn on your Bible app and listen as you go about your day.  You will find it pretty easy to catch up that way.


"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"  
Matthew 11:28

I am praying for each one of you every morning.  (about 6:30 - 7:00 AM, if you are wondering)
thanks for doing this with me.
May God bless us richly and fill us with understanding.
...and keep on reading!
Audrey