Seven (7) MORE Ways to Read the Entire Bible in One (1) Year

I hope you already read my previous article entitled Seven (7) Ways to Read the Entire Bible in One (1) Year. If not yet, CLICK HERE to read. God through many of His faithful scholars and servants, has produced hundreds of Bible translations. In this way, God doesn't limit His Written Word with only the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languages. You and I in Malaysia (and all over the world) can read the Bible in our mother tongue or native language. God is also the God of Iban, Chinese, Indian, Malay, Dusun - all languages. With this awesome privilege to know God and His Mind, why wouldn't Christians don't want to read the Bible for his or herself?

Deep inside we know that as Jesus' followers we need to read the Bible consistently. But you and I know that most Christians have never even finished reading the New Testament, let alone the entire Bible (Matthew 26:41 says, "For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"). As you know too, the Bible is a BIG volume book. But do not be discouraged! By dividing the Bible into 366* daily readings, your goal of reading the Bible in a year can easily be accomplished. Get a Bible reading plan today and start where you are. It's not too late (yet). In addition to the 7 ways to read the entire Bible in 1 year that I already suggested in the previous article (again, please check it out), here I would like to add another 7 ways or tips to encourage you in this noble and profitable holy-curious-reading to know the living God through His written Word:

*year 2020 have 366 days

#8 LISTEN TO (DRAMATIZED) AUDIO BIBLE

In my opinion, reading is better than listening to the Bible in terms of memorizing, familiarizing and imagining the Scripture. But listening is as Biblical as reading the Scripture. Romans 10:17 puts it this way: "[Faith] comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." I love to listen to podcasts, audiobooks and dramatized audio Bible. In my office, we have a set of The Bible Experience (TNIV) audio Mp3 and I love it very much. If Mp3 is too old school for you, you can download or listen to audio Bible online such as through http://www.bible.is/ website or App (untuk Bahasa Indonesia, saya cadangkan kamu mendengar https://www.alkitabsuara.com/). By all mean, try to READ the actual, physical Bible. Use the audio Bible if you need to catch up with some of your readings or to listen to the overall ideas or themes of the book that you are read now.

#9 WRITE YOUR THOUGHTS, REFLECTIONS & QUESTIONS ON YOUR NOTEBOOK OR JOURNAL

When the apostle John was in exile in the Patmos island, he was given a vision of heaven. The Lord appeared to him and said, "Write on a scroll what you see... Write, therefore, what you have seen" (Rev. 1:11,19). Likewise, you can write what you have read and 'seen' in Scripture. If your Bible has big margins, write your responses there. If you think your Bible is too 'sacred' to write something on, then use a notebook or post-it-notes. Some people use a journal, you can, but I'm not that disciplined. As you read and meditate on the Word, some insights and observations may come to mind, so you should write it down while it is still fresh.

Most of the time, when I read the Bible, I have more questions than insights. Question is good and very important provided that you have the initiative to ask God to reveal it to you in prayer and to search for the answer(s) later. Even if God doesn't give you the answer to your question immediately, just write it down. Who knows, maybe a few years later the answer may come to you unexpectedly but divinely orchestrate. Sometimes there is no answer... and it's okay too.

#10 FIND A QUITE, COMFORTABLE & LESS DISTRACTION PLACE TO READ

I would love to say that I get up early morning every single day, pour a cup of coffee and spend two hours reading my Bible and praying on my knee. Sorry, I don't. I'm not that spiritual. I do, however, when I wake up (probably around 7-9.00am, even 11.00am, depending on what time I sleep), tidy up my bed, drink water, take a shower and then I read my Bible as I boil the water to make myself a cup of coffee. After I post a daily reminder of Bible reading for that day (if you want to receive a daily reminder of 1 Year of Chronological Bible Reading Plan, follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/legasi.tv/), I put my phone on airplane mode to avoid digital distraction while I’m reading. 

Since I stay alone, so, it's easy for me to find a quiet and comfortable place to read. In the past, I used to read the Bible in the toilet. For some people, this can be disguised, but for me, this was the only option I have to read peacefully and away from distractions. I also used to find that the quietest place in the morning is in my car on the way to the office. Be creative and adjust your priorities. Some people love to read the Bible at night. I don't recommend it. Reading novels or other books are okay. The psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). As you begin to step into the day, let God's Word be the lamp and the light to your feet.

#11 ITS OKAY TO SKIP 'HARD CHAPTER', COME BACK TO IT AGAIN LATER

The Bible can be a difficult book to read when you begin, but the more you read it, the more you'll get to grips with it. If you keep going you'll learn to love it and understand it better, and soon you won't be able to remember how you get by without it. Most people I interviewed said they stop reading regularly after they get into the Book of Leviticus. Some are more endurance; they give up after the Book of Deuteronomy. No doubt, there are some difficult, hard and torturing chapter(s) to read, but don't give up yet. Keep the good fight!

If it's such a pain for you, skipped it for a while and come back later, until the end of that particular book (by God's grace, we have studied the Bible from Genesis chapter-by-chapter for 3 years now. When we get to the Book of Leviticus, I thought that we were going to end there, but amazingly, I learned such great lessons from that book!). Camden McAfee, a blogger, says it well: "We need Scripture we enjoy and Scripture we don't in order to have a healthy spiritual diet. Sometimes the passages hardest to digest are the passages we need most. By approaching with humility to listen, faithfulness to examine ourselves, and courage to speak, we can turn the hard parts of the Bible into essential nutrients for our souls."

#12 SHARE SOME OF YOUR FINDING(S) AND/OR VERSE OF THE DAY FOR YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA

I don't particularly do this, but I find this is a great idea to encourage you to read the Bible and at the same time may encourage others as well. I don't like to read just Bible-verse posts. I like to read Bible-verse posts with thoughtful captions. I love to read someone's honest reflection of a particular passage or verse online provided that they don't simply cut and paste but seriously thought about it. It's not how many words you share but the substance that's matters. What you put in words is what you really thoughts through. Save some very personal stories, but don't let your life experiences and the Word's reflections deprived others of these wonderful blessings. Share it!

#13 READ TOGETHER WITH YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR ROOMMATES

If you can read the Bible by yourself, great! But if you can't or lack of discipline in this area, then read the Bible with other people. I have found that when we read the Bible together (especially during Bible Study) we all bring our own experiences to the Bible so it's really helpful to read the Bible with other people. This is of course provided that we know essential doctrines of the Bible and have an accountable partner(s) that can keep on encouraging one another. You'll gain other people's perspectives on what they think the Bible says. To get some different ideas, read it with someone from a different culture or ethnic, age, working experience, etc. Read a chapter or two together and then after a time of reflection (say 10-15 minutes), share what God has spoken to you through His Word [P.s: the smaller group, the better]

#14 KNOW THE BIG PICTURE OF THE BIBLE

One of the most helpful things you can do to understand the Bible better is to gain a clear comprehension of the whole sweep of the biblical story. To see and know "the big picture." Early in my journey as a Bible-reading Christian, I was (and is) greatly helped by the ministries of Charles W. Missler a.k.a. Chuck Missler and John David Pawson. These two Bible teachers are God's faithful servants who expand my knowledge of the Scripture and spark my passion for the truth. I used to play and devoured 24-hours teaching DVD of Missler's Learn the Bible in 24 Hours in my bedroom. Two times! And then, as I first enter the full-time ministry, I consumed the whole DVD series of Pawson's Unlocking the Bible. Whenever I want to be reminded of the big picture of a particular book that I read, I come to David Pawson. He provided an excellent and easy-to-understand overview of the Bible. Once you grasp the big picture - that includes the contexts and backgrounds - your view of the Bible will never be the same again! If you want to apply only one of these suggestions, take #14 with you. Nowadays you don't need to slot DVD into the player to watch these videos, all you have to do is log on to YouTube and watch online.

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #19 Listen to The Voices of Vision

Where does vision come from? To find the vision that is indispensable to leadership, you have to become a good listener. You must listen to several voices.

The Inner Voice: Vision starts within. Do you know your life’s mission? What stirs your heart? What do you dream about? If what you’re pursuing in life doesn’t come from a desire within – from the very depths of who you are and what you believe – you will not be able to accomplish it.

The Unhappy Voice: Where does inspiration for great ideas come from? From noticing what doesn’t work. Discontent with the status quo is a great catalyst for vision. Are you on complacent cruise control? Or do you find yourself itching to change your world? No great leader in history has fought to prevent change.

The Successful Voice: Nobody can accomplish great things alone. To fulfill a big vision, you need a good team. But you also need good advice from someone who is ahead of you on the leadership journey. If you want to lead others to greatness, find a mentor. Do you have an advisor who can help you sharpen your vision?

The Higher Voice: Although it’s true that your vision must come from within, you shouldn’t let it be confined by your limited capabilities. A truly valuable vision must have God in it. Only He knows your full capabilities. Have you looked beyond yourself, even beyond your own lifetime, as you’ve sought your vision? If not, you may be missing your true potential and life’s best for you.

[Taken from The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow (1999) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson]

As a leader, are you listening not only to people but

Also to these other important voices?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Self-Leadership #3 Play To Your Strengths

“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at the right time.”

(Tom Rath)

Self-discovery is nothing if not personal both in the process and in the results. There is no formula by which you can find out what makes you tick, no standardized test that will reveal your goals in life. Looking within yourself to ask the tough questions is an individual quest, and you must not conform to what you think the results should be.

The trick is to find your own strengths and to play those strengths. As you start to answer the questions that lead to self-knowledge, certain strengths – and weaknesses – in your own character will begin to become evident (This is not a bad thing. Strong people tend to have strong weaknesses; as long as you're aware of them, they don't have to work to your disadvantage). Good leaders will work to reduce their weaknesses, but moreover, they will use their strengths to the greatest advantage. Focus more on your strengths than weaknesses.

There are many ways in which we may learn more about our own strengths and weaknesses. Some of these are techniques we can choose to practice, such as prayer, meditation or long walks in the park. These are methods by which we pay attention, in very specific ways: with intention, in the present moment and non-judgementally. Keeping a journal can also be a way to learn more about yourself. Other learning experiences are less voluntary; pain, for example, can provide invaluable insights but is rarely a method that people would choose for themselves.

The important thing is to make the commitment to self-knowledge, through whatever means works for you, and to accept and use to your advantage the results of this discovery process. You see, you can't be a good leader if you only compare yourself to others. You have to look into yourself. Your greatest strengths as a leader are those qualities that are unique to you. As you discover them, use them to your advantage. Different people find their ways through different paths, and if you take someone else's path, you may not like where you end up.

Here three (3) ways to learn more about your strengths and yourself:

#1 Choose Your Own Path: It doesn't have to be the path less traveled or the one of least resistance. What matters is that it's the right one for you.

#2 It's Not a Failure If You Learn Something: Be open to the learning process. Whether its pain, mistakes or success, every experience can teach you something. Sometimes the hardest lessons are the most important.

#3 Practice Continuous Renewal: Continuous, disciplined self-examination internalizes the lessons you're learning about yourself and allows you instinctively to play to your own strengths.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #5 Value and Reward Loyalty

A quality you should look for in people to join you on your journey is loyalty. Although this alone not ensure success in another person, a lack of loyalty is sure to ruin your relationship with him or her. Think of it this way: When you’re looking for potential leaders, if someone you’re considering lacks loyalty, he is disqualified. Don’t even consider taking him on the journey with you because in the end, he’ll hurt you more than help you. So what does it mean for others to be loyal to you?

They Love You Unconditionally. They accept you with your strengths and weaknesses intact. They genuinely care for you, not just for what you can do for them.

They Represent You Well to Others. Loyal people always paint a positive picture of you with others. They may take you to task privately or hold you accountable, but they never criticize you to others.

They Are Able to Laugh and Cry with Your as You Travel Together. Loyal people are willing and able to share your joys and sorrows. They make the trip less lonely.

They Make Your Dream Their Dream. Some people undouble share the journey with you only briefly. You help one another for a while and then go your separate ways. But a few – a special few – will want to come alongside you and help you for the rest of the journey. These people make your dream their dream. If you find people like that, take good care of them.

[Taken from Your Road Map for Success: You CAN Get There from Here (2010) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson]

Do you inspire loyalty?

Show gratitude to the loyal people in your inner circle today.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Every Journey Begins with a First Step

Do you want more time but don’t know where to begin to achieve your God-given dream in life? Make an effort to rise earlier! Or if you’re like me – late riser, early morning sleeper – make an effort to intentionally set aside extra time before you sleep! This one step can add one or two hours to your productive day and years to your life. Take on something you have been meaning to do – writing, reading, inventing, creating, etc. – and do it in your spare time. Would you like to be an expert on some subject? Everyday study or practise for a half hour and you can become an authority person on the subject. If not, at least you’ll become better and more ready for God to use. That’s all it takes. It’s so simple. It escapes the majority of people who keep chanting, ‘Someday I would like to…’; ‘One day I must… but I never seem to have the time.’

Just because you never started the work, practise, play or study that really interests you is no reason why you can’t start right now. Time doesn’t count us out. We only imagine it right now. It’s never too late to begin. Time is impersonal. It is the same every moment. It imposes no limitations upon us. Our only limitations are self-imposed. All you have to do is to caught God’s vision for your life and begin the journey with a first step. What God have spoken to you lately in the Scripture by the Holy Spirit and through godly people that you trust the most? What keep running through your mind and moving your heart passionately? What is your talent, your joyful labour, your heart desire that can bless others if you do it? Do it! Every journey begins with a first step.

Admittedly, it is difficult in this frenzied modern world to avoid being caught up in a sense of urgency and hurry. We can often stuck in the pressure by throwing our minds and hearts into neutral and coasting here and there to the land of nowhere day by day. Don’t do it! Do this: take on something you have been meaning to do – that God-given dream in your life – and study or practise it in your intentional-set-aside time. Trust God, be diligent. Rely on Him, work hard. By God’s grace and acting faith. Are you ready for a new journey in your life? Begins with a first step. God be with you.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Advice for My Younger Self a.k.a. Richard Jr.

Don’t let your parents down.

They brought you up.

Be humble enough to obey.

You might give orders someday.

Choose companions with care.

You become what they are.

Guard your thoughts.

What you think, you are.

Choose only a date who

would make a good mate.

Be master of your habits,

or they will master you.

Don’t be a showoff when you drive.

Drive with safety and arrive.

Don’t let the crowd pressure you.

Stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.

Study the Word and love Christ,

Seek Him while you’re young, yes, you will have Life.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

With the Wild Men of Borneo

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

(Jesus Christ, Mark 16:15, NIV)

“To know God and to make Him known.” (Loren Cunningham)

Borneo lies almost exactly under the equator, and is one of the larger islands in the great East Indian Archipelago. It is 830 miles long and 600 miles wide. The size of this island may be appreciated by a comparison of its area with that of a part of Great Britain. It is roughly five times as large as England and Wales.

Little is known of the early history of Borneo, although European navigators and trades touched it shores about the year 1511, in search of the riches of the East. The Portuguese were the first to establish commercial relations with the island; and during the sixteenth century, Spanish traders tried, with some success, to obtain a share of this profitable commerce.

The formation of the Dutch and British East India companies destroyed the monopoly so long enjoyed by the earlier traders, with the Dutch taking the lead throughout the Malay Archipelago.

The rich cargoes of the trading vessels offered great temptations to the unprincipled natives of Borneo and adjacent islands; and piracy become such a menace to the lives and property of the European traders that efforts were made to stamp out the nefarious business.

People of Borneo

One of the British expeditions under Sir James Brooke, in 1838, was very successful in suppressing piracy, and gained for the British considerable prestige with the natives of Borneo. This aggravated the rivalry between the Dutch and the British in their efforts to control the trade and not until 1891 were the boundaries of British and Dutch Borneo finally defined. The north and the west coast are now (at this writing it was 1922) under British rule, and in these districts the most successful missionary efforts have been conducted. The work of Pastor Mershon and his capable in British Borneo shows what the Gospel can accomplish in changing the hearts and lives of such unpromising people as are found in these far off regions.

This little book, With the Wild Men of Borneo, is sent out with the assurance that it will do its part in stimulating the reader’s interest in the great work now going forward – “The Gospel to All the World in This Generation.”

Introduction by the publishers,

Pacific Press Publishing Association, U.S.A. (1922)

Opus Publications Sdn. Bhd., Kota Kinabalu (2012)

Quotes above and book recommended by,

Richard Angelus

Blogger, Word Speaks Today

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

FREE BOOKS!

Happy New Year 2014! This month of January 2014, I would like to offer you 3 BOOKS (ONLY) entitled With The Wild Men of Borneo by Elizabeth Mershon.

You are welcome to get a copy of this book for yourself by simply do these 2 things:

1. First, comment below “Rich, give me one copy (Your name). I hope that through this book I can/may… [Not less than 10 words]”
2. Then, E-mail me at Motivates4life@hotmail.com or send message to my Facebook account your real name, phone no. and your postal address. For book distribution purposes only. Thank you.

Every Flower Must Grow Through Dirt

I read a story, and I want to share it with you:

A little girl was walking in a garden when she noticed a particularly beautiful flower. The child admired its beauty and enjoyed its fragrance.

“How lovely!” she exclaimed.

As she gazed on it, her eyes followed the stem down to the soil in which it grew.

“What a shame!” she cried. “This flower is too pretty to be planted in such dirt!”

So she pulled up the plant by its roots and ran to the water faucet to wash away the clinging soil. It wasn’t long until the flower wilted and the plant began to die. The gardener saw what she had done and scolded her.

“You have destroyed my finest plant,” he said.

“But I didn’t like it in that dirt,” whimpered the child.

The gardener replied, “I chose that spot and collected and mixed the soil because I knew that only there it would come to maturity.”

When I read and contemplated on this story, I instantly relate the ‘beautiful flower’ as Christians who are mature in Christ and the ‘dirty soil’ (of course) as troubles that come their ways.  Separate affliction or adversary or hardship or suffering or trouble from Christian life and you will get a wilted and dying ‘flower’. But if you keep the flower in the soil, take care of it and cultivate it – you will get a beautiful ‘flower’. Hendry Ward Beecher writes, “Affliction comes to the believer not to make him sad, but sober; not to make him sorry, but wise. Even as the plow enriches the field so that the seed is multiplied a thousandfold, so affliction should magnify our joy and increase our spiritual harvest.”

…But it is only possible if God is in it: if God be with you.

Hey, you might be in the storm of life. You might be in the lion’s den situation. Your surrounding might be filled with dirt – take heart! Keep your face toward God, the trouble will fall behind you. Even if you die, you shall grow into a beautiful flower in God’s eyes. It is the good dirty soil that makes the flower grows. God may use troubles that come to your way because He knew that only when you have been through it will you come into maturity in Christ. Let the Gardener do His work in you. Keep your faith in Him. Experience His grace in your life. Your troubles may get you closer to Him; that’s the whole point of troubles in Christian life. Yo, every beautiful flowers must grow through dirt!

“Our heavenly Father never takes anything from His children

unless He means to give them something better” (George Müller)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

God’s Timetable for Your Life

Jesus had been with His disciples about three years when He said, “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (John 16:12-13NLT). He had more He needed to teach them, but they were not ready to receive it. Jesus knew, however, that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide these disciples into truth on God’s time table.

You may be saying, “God, hurry up and make me mature.” And God is saying, “I’m moving just as fast in your life as you will allow me. When you are ready for your next lesson, I will bring a new truth into your life.” Relax. Be faithful with what you’ve learned from Him. Obey His Word and come to know Him more as He reveals Himself to you day by day. Maturity in the truth comes with time, not overnight.  

Hendry T. Blackaby writes, “Grass that is here today gone tomorrow does not require much time to mature. A big oak tree that lasts for generations requires much more time to grow and mature. God is concerned about your life through eternity. Allow Him to take all the time He needs to shape you for His purposes.” Do you want to be like a grass or an oak tree? Allow God to take all the time He needs to make you mature. Meanwhile – be obedience and give time for the truth to grow into your life. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.