The Beginagains

A while back our pastor gave a sermon on getting to know God by reading our Bibles regularly and systematically.  During this very good sermon our pastor joked that the most read books of the Bible are Genesis and Matthew, because our inspired intentions in January to read through our Bibles fades once we are through Genesis, and Matthew. (Leviticus has killed many a Bible study ).. then the next year we are back in Genesis and Matthew.  I call this bible study plan.. The BEGINAGAINS.

I must be honest and say I have followed the BEGINAGAIN plan many times and not until 2003 did I completely read my Bible from cover to cover AND I CARTOONED THRU IT TOO! Note: Neither Billy Graham or the Pope could say they cartooned through the Bible.  Then in 2018 lightning struck again as I read through my Bible from Genesis through Revelations. YEAH ME!

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Now here I am starting out 2020 in the BEGINAGAINS using a chronological Bible with the intentions of getting past those tedious Dos and Don'ts highlighted in Leviticus.  

Now for many reading through the Bible from beginning to end is not appealing and I understand that.  My wife is one of those good folks. In fact I was told in a men's group about studying it is wrong to simply read the Bible through in a year.  I DISAGREE.. for me reading through my Bible in order gives me a context and flow of stories and cultures that I may otherwise miss.  This is NOT the only right way to read my Bible but it is a way that works for me.

No matter if you use tried and true(?) BEGINAGAINS Bible study, or topical study, or other method the important message is to be in God's word. DAILY!

For 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

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Oh we will have questions, and we will not understand it at times.  Creation, Noah and his Ark floating on a universal flood, parting of the Red Sea, Elijah riding a chariot of Fire, the Virgin Birth of Jesus, the feeding of 5,000 on fish and chips leftovers, the raising of the dead, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the end time prophecies.  All these subjects and many more challenge our reasoning while we scratch our collective heads, and even question what we believe. BUT I have found honest questions are different than doubts, and reading my Bible gives me answers to where I build my faith and love in God.

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WHERE SHOULD I PLACE MY FAITH?
Of course in the end we are each challenged regarding where we will place our faith.  Will it be science alone, a progressive secular world view, Christianity, or another of the worlds religions.  I choose to place my faith in the God of my Bible and this is where I place my hope.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

May God bless each of you in your spiritual journey, and I pray that we all make a priority of reading God's word and be wise in where we place our faith and our hope.

New Year's Blessings

Jeff (BEGINAGAIN) Larson

note: Please understand I respect those who disagree with me (even on the existence of God). My intentions are simply sharing where I place my faith.