Lenten Bible reading

Several years ago Sora wrote about reading through the Bible for Lent. It sounded so good, I decided to do it myself last year. Unfortunately, I didn't record what I did to use as a pattern or schedule to use if I wanted to do it again.

My yearly read-through-the-Bible plan is to read at least 3 or more chapters a day, cross-referencing, and exploring topics as often as I like. But to read through my Bible in 40 days requires a bit more discipline.

This year I made a plan and wrote it down in a notebook (which I hope I won't misplace before next year!). I'm reading about 30 minutes to an hour each day, and I can record a few thoughts or verses from each day's reading in a notebook.

On Wednesday I read Genesis. On Thursday I read Exodus. Today I read Leviticus and Numbers. Tomorrow I read Deuteronomy. For large books I read one a day. (I may take two days for Psalms.) I'll read 5 or 6 smaller books a day. Last year if I felt like reading more than was on my "schedule" then I read more, and I plan to do the same this year.

One thing that amazed me last year was how once I'd begun reading I didn't want to stop. Reading the Word was both comforting and exciting at the same time. And history and prophecy were both more startling and clear at a gallop than they were at my usual walking pace of annual Bible-reading.

Jesus Christ said, "It is written 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4) Reading through the Bible each year is daily bread, but this Lenten reading is a feast!