Week 1 - Prepare for Adventure

As a mother, you’ve embarked on a journey that has far-reaching results, many of which will never be known this side of eternity. In order to remain strong through the trials and tests that are sure to come, you must build upon a strong foundation. This happens as you read and make God’s Word, the Bible, and prayer a part of your daily life. Jesus is the rock that holds us steadfast when the storms of life bear down upon us.

As I thought more and more about the critical role of a mother, I felt burdened to write a book utilizing some of my lifetime experiences. I’ve been even more convinced after studying Titus 2:4-5 (NKJV). In these verses, Paul admonishes older women to train the younger women “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” A woman’s role in today’s society is a controversial one. We’d better know what we believe.

It’s impossible to realize the eternal consequence of our task as mothers. What we teach our children affects not only this generation, but should the Lord tarry, the generations that follow. This is stated clearly by the Psalmist: “Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. . .That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children” (Psalm 78:4, 6 NKJV).

Throughout this book, you’ll discover that I love to use Scripture. Some verses are so significant, that I use them more than once.

In reading God’s Word from cover to cover for over forty years, I heard the Lord speak to my heart again and again in whatever version of the Bible I was reading. Therefore, in writing this book, I felt it would be helpful to look at verses and passages from different versions. Often this enables us to see truths in a fresh way. I have used mainly four versions: New International Version (NIV); New King James Version (NKJV); New American Standard Bible (NASB); and the New Living Translation (NLT). There are also some verses taken from the King James Version (KJV) and several from the paraphrase edition of The Living Bible.

Whenever I refer to a Bible passage and don’t quote it or a portion of it, you can find it in the footnotes at the end of each page of the devotional. You’ll note that most of the large portions of Scripture mentioned are not included in the footnotes. If you find a word or words enclosed in brackets within a quoted Bible verse, they are my words.

In each of the 52 weeks, there is a Bible passage to memorize. All verses listed to memorize are from the New International Version. Why? When I seriously started memorizing Scripture, ten years ago, I found the NIV passages easy to understand and retain. You may prefer another Bible version, but as you memorize, don’t vary from version to version.

Why do I encourage memorization? It will do more for you than anything else you can pursue. It opens up the Scriptures and puts God’s Word securely in your mind and heart to sustain you in every area of your life. The Psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). (More about the wonders of Bible memorization in Week 3.)

If memorizing one passage a week is too difficult or you are too busy, start with just one passage every four weeks; the key is to begin. Write the verse or verses to memorize on a card (I use an unlined 4” x 6” card). Write where it is found in the Bible on the reverse side. Most of the passages listed to memorize during these 52 weeks are from one to two verses in length.

We live in dreadful and challenging times. If we are to be strong and immovable in our faith, it is imperative that we read our Bibles daily. This is why I made up a Weekly Bible Reading Schedule, which is located after the passage for you to memorize. This schedule gives you an organized way to read through the entire Bible by checking off the chapters or portions of chapters as you read them.

I prefer a weekly rather than a daily Bible reading schedule because I find it easier to look at the whole week and determine how much to read each day. If I have less time or I’m not as alert, I can easily make up some of my reading on another day. By reading and checking off the entire Weekly Bible Reading Schedule for each week, you’ll complete the Bible in a year. If you don’t want to read the entire Bible, just check off the portion you read.

This book makes it possible to begin reading your Bible on any week during the year and continue for the next 52 weeks. Some people prefer to begin their Bible reading on January 1. It becomes one of their New Year’s resolutions

Many subjects are discussed in these 52 weeks, and for the most part, they are in no special order. A primary topic is prayer. Communication with God is vital. It is our mind interacting with the God of the universe, either silently or out loud. Prayer initiates God’s power and strength, because we are agreeing with God through His Word. Much more on prayer in the upcoming weeks . . .

We all need food for our body as well as our soul, so I have included a recipe for almost every week. Food is an essential part of our earthly life. As women, most of us love new recipes and ideas. You’ll note that the seasonal and holiday recipes go along with the months of the year, if you begin your reading on January 1.

In addition to each weekly recipe, I’ve included a week devoted almost entirely to canning, another week on pickling, and another on making jam. Save these instructions; you may want to try them sometime in the future. Your memorization and Bible Reading Schedule continue in these weeks as well.

We will never get away from the task of preparing food. We’ll be working at it for a long time, so let’s make it one of our hobbies and enjoy doing it. While our children forget a lot of what happens in their early years, family meal times and good food linger on in their memory.

These 52 weeks can revolutionize your life because these chapters contain so much of God’s Word. Begin this first week by writing out the verse to be memorized, and start memorizing. Throughout this week, read and check off the weekly section of the Bible reading schedule you plan to read for the next 52 weeks. Then, if the recipe looks interesting, try it now or later. These upcoming weeks will give you spiritual and physical nourishment that will draw you closer to the Lord and each member of your family.

Let’s begin our adventure!

Memorize (Record the following Bible passage on a 4” x 6” card, and where it is found on the reverse side.)

Psalm 119:11 (NIV): I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Bible Reading Schedule (Week 1)

Date _______________________ to _______________________

Old Testament

Genesis, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, , 11, 12, 13, 14

Psalms, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Proverbs, 1:1-19

New Testament

Matthew, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5:1-26, , 5:27-48,

Circle each chapter (or portion of chapter) throughout the week as you read. Decide at the beginning of the year what sections of the Bible you will read each week and place book markers in these sections so you can always find your place each day.

If you are reading the entire Bible in a year, I suggest that you read an average of two to four chapters in the Old Testament each day. It is very difficult to catch up when you get behind, because there is so much to read. The other portions in Psalms, Proverbs, and the New Testament can be read as you have time during the week, but it’s important to read a portion of God’s Word each day. If you get ahead of schedule, spend time memorizing Scripture and reviewing the verses you have memorized.

Recipe:

Pot Roast with Vegetables

This complete meal is baked in a roaster pan in your oven. (Adjust the size of the roast and amount of vegetables you prepare, according to what is needed for your family.) A number of years ago, we invited a pastor over for dinner. He liked my roast so well that he mentioned it every time I saw him. I felt embarrassed because it is so simple to make. Baking the roast at a low temperature is one of the secrets. Start your oven at a higher temperature (375 degrees) for about 10 minutes to get everything heated up. I use my timer so I don’t forget to lower the temperature to about 325 degrees. After the...