Happy New Year! 

For the first time in 38 years, Christmas was put away early.  I traditionally use New Year’s Day to reset our home, but much to my husband’s amazement, I was in a hurry this year.  I don’t know why, except to say that I’m excited for 2024.  Part of that excitement is diving into a new daily devotional.  The definition of devotion is love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or activity.  So a daily devotional is a way of showing God my love, loyalty and enthusiasm every day, by spending time with Him and in His Word, learning about Jesus and the Holy Spirit and how to live as a Christian…and so much more!   

Daily Devotional:  The Bible Recap

Last year I followed The Bible Recap plan and read through the Bible in chronological order.  I’d read the Bible in a year many times but had never used a timeline to read what occurred first and what happened after that.  I enjoyed it very much.  The daily Bible Recap reading plan was accompanied by an 8-minute YouTube video hosted by Tara-Leigh Cobble.   Links to extra study were provided and there was the opportunity to become part of a community.  I participated using all the free content.  I learned a lot and can highly recommend The Bible Recap. 

Here’s the link: https://www.thebiblerecap.com/

Daily Devotional:  The Bible Project

I’ll kick off this year by studying ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ which has been developed by The Bible Project.  It’s a comprehensive new series, three years in the making, and also provided free of charge.  I’ll receive a weekly playlist in my inbox and I’m very excited to dive deep into Jesus’ largest collection of teachings in which He announces the arrival of God’s Kingdom!  I’ve used The Bible Project YouTube channel to research Bible characters and in particular different books of the Bible because they provide an overview breaking down events and explaining culture which has been helpful in writing lessons.

Here’s the Link: https://bibleproject.com/

Extra Devotion?

The Magazine

Okay, at the risk of sounding like a Bible junkie I have to confess to two other daily devotional resources I’ll be using this year!  The first is a quarterly magazine provided free of charge by Vision Christian Media.  I use their V180 teenage edition because it’s youthful and they have articles about music and all things adolescent.  I have no teens in my life at the moment so I feel it’s a way to keep current.  The adult devotional is called The Word for Today and both are available by email, too.

Here’s the Link: https://vision.org.au/read/

The Paperback

My husband has lent me his favourite 365-day devotional (2024 is a leap year but I’ll think of something!) titled Smith Wigglesworth Devotional.  All 2023 he kept saying, ‘You have to read this!’  It’s a devotional that builds faith, so I am looking forward to it and I know my husband is looking forward to discussing what I read. 

Available at Koorong:  (I am not affiliated) https://koorong.com/product/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-smith-wigglesworth_9780883685747

Spending Time in God’s Word

With so much time following daily devotionals, you might think I’m rather scholarly but alas I am not.  And I’m not super spiritual either.  There are days I miss my reading.  I’m not religious about it.  I just make it up the next day.  But I have to say that I miss my time in God’s Word if I don’t get it.  It’s become a habit.  I’m a morning person and I feel like it just sets me up for the day.  You may be a night owl and going to sleep with scripture on your mind must be equally wonderful.  The main point is that we spend time in God’s Word.  It has an impact on us, how we think and what we say and do. It helps us become mature.  It builds discipline.  There are too many benefits to list!  

            All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction,

for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

When it comes to daily devotionals and Bible Study we are spoilt for choice, aren’t we?  There are Apps, YouTube, books, newsletters and magazines and most of them at no cost to us.  Scholars, preachers and theologians have done the hard work for us.  We simply need to invest some of our time.  If you need encouragement spare a thought for our brothers and sisters who live in countries where a Bible is forbidden, or where attending Church could mean being killed.  We are so blessed to have our freedom.  If you find daily devotions difficult why not buddy study?  Find a friend and keep each other accountable.  If you follow a daily devotional in 2024 I believe this time next year you’ll be excited to begin another New Year in God’s Word!