Dave Dishman

One may approach the Bible with skepticism, desperation or hope. But regardless of the motivation, benefits flow to those who lay open the book and spend time within its pages.

One of my first Bible readings of this new year pointed to this verse:

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).

As I walk in our world I constantly need energy for my soul. Where else might this possibly be found? Not through my ubiquitous screens. But an enlivening hope emerges when I open my Bible.

On the teeter-totter of simple and wise, I’m stuck on the ground. The penetrating insights of God’s Word lift me skyward. There’s hope for forming me into a better man.

As you and I start a new year, let’s embrace a hopeful perspective. Spend time in the Good Book. Enjoy the refreshment found within, and grow in the wisdom freely offered by our amazing God.

Photo by Mitchell Leach

I have friends who have kept notes in their Bibles for years. They pour through the pages, jotting down thoughts, underlining and highlighting as they mark up the text. Their copies of the Scriptures bloom as they generate wisdom and faith.

I prefer an unmarked Bible. I hope the Holy Spirit reveals fresh insights, and I don’t want to be overly influenced by past writings. That said, I do highlight passages that penetrate my soul and move me toward the Lord. I also keep a journal handy to record thoughts, insights, and questions to investigate later.

Whatever method your choose, make a habit of opening your Bible on a daily basis. Every single day. Wear the book out. Few possessions passed down from generation to generation are more prized than a well-used Bible. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence, but many nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren remember with appreciation and fondness the lives of those who wore out their Bibles.

Every bit of time invested in these pages devoted to our amazing God pays back. As the Scriptures tell us, the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The printed words in this physical book opens our hearts to divine realities.

Make this a year to put some wear and tear on your Bible. Your soul, and eventually those around you, will thank you.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out

I love sitting down in the morning with a cup of coffee and reading my Bible. My wife, at the same time, puts in her earphones and listens to Scripture. Whether you read or listen (or both) it’s good to know your options, especially if you hope to create a habit that sticks.

The following are 6 of the best practices I’ve experienced as I’ve traveled through the Bible again and again:

Pick a Bible version you find engaging. I’ve read the Bible cover to cover thirty-one times, and I’ve read it all the way through in at least a dozen different versions. The King James contains beautiful, classic passages, along with loads of “thees” and “thous.” Modern versions read smoother and digest easier. Personally, I prefer the New International Version (NIV) for reading. I also regularly consult the English Standard Version (ESV); the New Living Translation (NLT); and The Message (an American language version). While I prefer reading a physical Bible, I also use both the YouVersion Bible app and the ESV Bible app on my phone.

Listen to the Bible. Like I mentioned earlier, my wife loves to listen to the Bible. She’s currently enjoying the Daily Audio Bible. For more dramatic styles, try The Bible Experience audio Bible or my favorite, Streetlights.

Choose your best time of day. I find that picking the same time every day to take in the Scriptures helps it happen. As an early riser I prefer the morning. Others opt for the quiet of late evening. For those who listen, a walk at mid-day or their work commute opens time to hear the Scriptures. Pick a time that works for you.

Select a reading plan. Some years I’ve read the Bible straight from Genesis to Revelation, and other years chronologically (skipping around through the text). The last few years I’ve followed the Five Day Bible Reading Program. I like it because the Old Testament is presented chronologically, and each day contains a New Testament passage. Best of all, you read only five days per week, leaving two extra days for catch-up. I print the plan and keep a copy in my journal.

Speaking of journals, keep one handy. I retain more from my reading when I jot impressions as I go. Plus, I’m encouraged when I look back and see what God has shown me over time. Writing helps me think and allows the Holy Spirit to work. I write in an blank, unlined journal. Nothing to distract me from my thoughts—except my other thoughts.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reading. Most every morning I pray this prayer from Psalm 119: Lord, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. The Holy Spirit indwells those who follow Jesus and guides us into all truth. Entreat him to do so for you. In a mysterious yet profound combination, the Holy Spirit works with the Holy Scriptures to develop holiness in our lives.

I encourage you to make Bible reading a habit. While it may feel daunting, a little bit every day expands your trust in God. Before you know it you’ll be rooting for Moses against Pharaoh, wrestling with the teachings of Jesus, and marveling at the works of the Lord.

I pray you find a method that clicks, and enjoy your own journey through God’s Word!

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out

Last week I finished reading through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. On January 1, I plan to start again. Beauty and wisdom, peace and insight overflow its pages. Every minute I spend in the Scriptures yields dividends. Below are nine reasons I read every word of the Bible every year.

I gain an expansive view of God. Left to myself, I shrink God into my own image. I prefer a God who reminds me of me, who approves of my lifestyle and choices, and who hugs me despite my subtle disregard of his ways. No such God exists in the pages of Scripture, but how will I know if I don’t go take a look?

The discipline of daily reading develops my faith. Regular reading creates a habit and builds spiritual muscle. I did not choose to live the Christian life on a lark. As a serious and devoted follower of Jesus, I hope to continually grow deeper and broader in my faith. Bible reading forms the foundation of that growth.

I discover something I’ve never noticed on a daily basis. This may be my favorite part of reading the Bible. I discover faithful heroes and intriguing villains, fresh thoughts and challenging ideas every day.

God surprises me. Not always in a comfortable way.

God wrestles with me. Or better, I wrestle with the God of the Bible. The Lord uses the Scriptures to point out my pride or vanity or loose talk. I don’t like it. At times I despise it. But I appreciate the fact that words in the Bible roll me around in the dirt on occasion.

I wrestle with the Scripture’s approach the world. I don’t understand parts of the Bible. Why did the child born from David’s sin with Bathsheba have to die? Seems so unfair, but that’s what God wanted. I grapple with my understanding and beliefs about God. I believe questions fuel our faith, just as questions fueled the faith of many in the Bible.

The Holy Spirit blows fresh in my life. The Holy Spirit changes, comforts, challenges and builds us, particularly paired with the wisdom of the Bible. The combination of Holy Spirit and Holy Scripture transforms my heart. Nothing else works in such a supernatural way. I fight temptation, I gain compassion, and I get beyond myself when the Holy Spirit uses the words of God in my life.

I brag to my friends. Let’s face it—not many people read through the Bible. Let the practice slip at a dinner party and notice the reactions.

My soul swells. The psalmist tells us, Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers (Psalm 1). I want such a life and it only comes by meditating on the scriptures daily. Comfort, hope and peace bloom in such an environment.

I encourage you to join me and read the Bible cover to cover in 2025. You can do it! If you spend 30 minutes a day on social media, you can read the Bible through in a year.

Start the journey—your soul will thank you.

Photo by Aaron Burden