Bible in a Year (eBook)

One Year Bible Inspirations Month One

Welcome to the King James Version Bible in a Year, a 365 Daily Reading Plan. You are about to embark on an incredible journey, a journey that can change your life if you choose to let God work through you. My name is Mark Bowser and I am honored and blessed to be your host and tour guide through the living Word of God. At the beginning of each month, we get to spend a few minutes with each other. In our time together, I will share some thought provoking inspirations as well as guide you through some of the main points you will be reading that month.

God’s Word is alive! His truth reigns supreme. You can read the same scripture verses over and over and God will open up a new truth for you to speak knowledge, comfort, and action steps into your life based on your circumstances. It is fantastic the way our Lord works.

Henry Ward Beecher said, “The Bible is God’s chart for you to steer by, to keep you from the bottom of the sea, and to show you where the harbor is, and how to reach it without running on rocks and bars.” The Holy Bible has been the motivation and inspiration point for many throughout history. Ponder on just a few for a moment:

“The secret of my success? It is simple. It is found in the Bible, ‘In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.’” George Washington Carver (famed scientist, botanist, inventor, and educator)

“So great is my veneration for the Bible that the earlier my children begin to read it, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens to their country and respectable members in society.” John Quincy Adams (American Statesman and President)

“The Bible holds up before us ideals that are within sight of the weakest and the lowliest, and yet so high that the best and noblest are kept with their faces turned ever upward. It carries the call of the Saviour to the remotest corners of the earth; on its pages are written the assurances of the present and our hopes for the future.” William Jennings Bryan

And then there is a wonderful inspirational affirmation and prayer that Pastor Joel Osteen and his congregation say every Sunday:

This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living seed of the Word of God. I will never be the same. Never, never, never. I will never be the same. In Jesus name, Amen.

We will cover parts of several books in the Bible in this first 30 days. This King James Version Bible in a Year is structured in a way to inspire and to help you grow in your faith. You will notice that these daily readings have not been structured in a monthly calendar format. Why? Well, some people will begin their reading journey through the Bible in January, but some will start it in March, June, October, or December. So, your 365 days through the Bible start when you pick up the Bible. Where you are and when you are. That is the key.

Stay diligent in your daily readings. Set a daily appointment with God. Maybe it is early in the morning as you rise out of bed. Maybe it is at the coffee house before you drive home after work. You choose the time…but keep your appointment.

There will be days when you don’t want to read. There will be times when you are exhausted because life’s responsibilities are sapping your strength. Trust me, I have been there. In fact, as I write this, it is one of those seasons in my life. But again, stay diligent. God is with you and He is guiding you.

But, what if you stumble and you don’t get to your daily reading on a particular day? Well, don’t beat yourself up. Get up the next day and press forward. Remember, the King James Version Bible in a Year is not set up on a calendar year. It is a 365 daily walk through the Bible. So what if it takes you 370 days, or 391 days, or even 432 days? The key is to finish the race. Even more importantly, to hear God’s voice. God might tell you to slow down during a vibrant part of scripture for you. When God touches your heart and mind; then wait on His nudge. He is telling you something. It is not about the one who runs the race the fastest. It is about running the race at God’s pace for you. Life is a marathon and not a sprint. We need God’s nourishment to endure the marathon so that we may embrace life’s race.

The Bible is not about perfect people. It is about, well…people. People who had their ups and downs. People who made the right decisions…and those who didn’t. People who sometimes flew off the handle and acted rude and rash. People…just like you and me.

This month some of the people you will be reading about include Adam and Eve and their dysfunctional family. Also, we will learn about Abraham who had a strong faith but waivered with it. More than once he lied and put himself before others. Sound familiar? That is my story and probably yours as well. But God never lost faith in Abraham…or us.

This month we will get leadership lessons from none other than Joshua, the mentee of Moses who had the faith, courage, and strength to be God’s choice to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

We will be introduced to Job and the struggles he was allowed to endure. Our soul will be touched with some of the beautiful and powerful songs of the Psalms. And…of course, we will get to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew.

As you start you journey this first month, I encourage you to think about the following study questions to see what God is saying to you:

Genesis

1. Why did Adam take a bite of the forbidden apple when Eve offered it to him? He knew it was wrong, so why did he do it? If you had been in his situation, would have you taken a bite?
2. Why did God choose Noah? What made him special?
3. In Genesis 15:12-16, why did God decide to allow Abram’s descendants to struggle for 400 years?

Joshua

1. When God told Joshua that he would make him successful (Joshua 1:5), do you think it was an encouragement to help him become the leader he was born to be? What if God said that to you? Did you know that he is? (See Jeremiah 29:11)
2. What is your Promised Land? Where and what do you have to cross to reach it?

Matthew

1. What would you consider Joseph’s strengths? In the culture that they lived in, do you think it took great courage for Joseph to marry Mary?
2. What did Jesus use over and over to defeat Satan in the desert? (chapter 4)
3. In the Sermon on the Mount starting in chapter 5, what is Jesus Christ saying to you about how to live your life?

Enjoy your time with God this month. I look forward to speaking with you in month two.