A Simple Bible Reading Plan for The New Year

Read: John 1:1-5 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”

We notice how the noun Word is representative of a name. The Bible tells us that Jesus is called the Word of God. Jesus is referred to as the Word in John 1. He is the Messiah; He is the message of hope for all of the world. The Word here was with God in the beginning, He had no beginning. God became flesh to dwell among us, but Jesus was not a created being. It says here that the Word was God. 

Reflect: As you ponder Jesus being God the Creator, how does it humble you that He became a man and suffered on your behalf? How can you celebrate His love for you today?

Read John 1:10-14

“He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

There is this amazing concept that the Word, Jesus, was in the world that He created. He became flesh. Not only do we read of God creating people and the world, but through Jesus, He created a family of believers. All of whom accept Him and believe in Him become children of God. 

Reflect: Think about the joy of being part of the family of God. What causes you fear when the word family is brought up? What leads your thoughts to delight? Remember that this family of God is forever; He is the perfect Father, and there is 100% safety and security in His unchanging love. How can you rest in that today?

Read Genesis 1:1-3

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

God exists infinitely and always. In the beginning, when He created time, He made the world. Matthew Henry explains in His commentary: “The first verse of the Bible gives us a surer and better, a more satisfying and useful, knowledge of the origin of the universe, than all the volumes of the philosophers. The lively faith of humble Christians understands this matter better than the elevated fancy of the greatest wits, Heb 11 3."

Yes, it takes faith to believe that God is our Creator. However, we have evidence of His Divine Sovereignty and Lordship. We have His Word. We have nature around us. We have our own intricate lives. Creation points to a Creator. The Bible tells us Who that Creator is and enables us to have a deep relationship and understanding of Him.

Reflect: Think about the fact that we do not wake up worried about if they sun will rise each morning. There is something within us that trusts that the world and the universe are working around us. God is the answer. He made all and He holds everything together. His very breath created everything. How could you be more in awe of Him today?

Read: Revelation 19:11-16 

“Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

Jesus is returning at the end of time, and He is called Faithful and True. Our Creator and Savior who spoke life will also open His mouth with destruction for sin and rejection of His love. He is perfection. He is forever reigning over all. We take great delight in praising Him. Verse 13 clearly tells us, “his name is called the Word of God.” Jesus has a name and it is Word of God. He is the Word. He is our Creator. He is our God.

Reflect: How have you been tempted to try to separate Jesus from God? How does this remind you that He is three in one? How can you rest in the mystery of it, but press into the truth of this fact given by God Himself? 

Read: Psalm 104

As you read this Psalm, you see that God is the cause of the creation and the sustaining factor of our world. He established the earth and everything in it. Take time to rejoice in His creativity.

Reflect: How does a chapter like this remind you that God is creative and He is in control? How can it help you rest in His capable hands? How can you rely on Him for strength and trust that He sees all the details of your life? 

Read: Genesis 1:25-28

“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

All people are made in the image of God. Let that soak in. You were created in the image of the Lord Almighty. Every person around you was made in His image. Imago Dei. Christianity shares, “The Image of God: 'Imago Dei’ ‘Imago Dei’ comes from the Latin version of the Bible, translated to English as ‘image of God.’” 

Reflect: How does knowing this truth that we are made in the image of our Creator bring about value and identity in our lives?

Read: Psalm 139

As you read through this Psalm, how does it speak to your soul? Have you ever just wanted to be fully known? There is such a safety and a comfort in knowing that God loves you and knows you. He always knows everything about you. Yes, there can be fear in Him knowing our weaknesses and sins. However, He knows that we are dust. (Psalm 103:14) He is more than familiar with our flaws and that is why He died and rose for us. 

Reflect: Ask God to search your heart today. See if He will remind you of your identity in Him. Remember that you are a created one with great value and worth in God’s eyes. 

Read: Psalm 17:6-8 

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

God calls us the apple (or pupil) of His eye. As we remember that we are His creation, the apple of an eye sees the reflection of oneself. We are invited to reflect our Creator as His creation. For a person to be in the pupil of another person’s eyes means that two people have to be looking at each other. God is always looking at us, we need to be fixing our eyes on Him so that we can look more like Him.

Reflect: Think about how you can reflect your Creator. How can you give glory to God today?

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18

“From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

This passage takes us deeper on the concept of being a creation of God. We sinned and need a Savior. He not only has called us to Himself, but He has made us a new creation. We are being made into His likeness. 

Reflect: In what ways do you hope to be transformed into Jesus’ likeness this year? What areas are you hoping to grow in with His help?

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:46-51

“The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—”

We will one day be glorified in our heavenly bodies. How wonderful to ponder that we are changing into the image of God. We will bear His image in heaven, just as we have bore His image on earth in our worldly bodies. 

Reflect: How does this excite you that we will have glorified bodies and still be in His image?

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Read: Genesis 2:19-20

“The Lord God formed out of the ground every wild animal and every bird of the sky, and brought each to the man to see what he would call it. And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found corresponding to him.”

God created man and then gave him a job to name the animals. Adam was creative and modeled His own Maker. We too can glorify God by creating like He does.

Reflect: What skill, position, or opportunity has the Lord given to you? How are you hoping to use it this year to bring Him praise?

Read: Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Lord calls us to be transformed by renewing our minds in Him. We can only create from a Spirit-led place if we are Spirit-filled. Although we are sealed by His Spirit, we can still choose to live out our sinful ways. When we look to God, we can be His works of art who are creating for His honor.

Reflect: In what ways is the Spirit transforming your heart and mind? How can you look to Him in the midst of your creativity?

Read: Romans 12:6

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;”

We as believers are given Spiritual gifts. The Lord has given us each a gift. We can honor Him by using that gift for His purposes in building up the believers around us. He created opportunities for us to worship Him. 

Reflect: What is your spiritual gift? How can you love God and others with this gift?

Read: Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

When you ponder the word, handiwork, you may think of a craftsman with a great project that he is making. This verse tells us that we are God’s handiwork. We are His masterpieces. This means that we are being formed right now. We were created in Christ Jesus. Although we have physically created bodies before we accept Jesus as Savior, we are spiritually transformed at the acceptance of His salvation. Not only that, but this verse teaches us that we were created for a purpose. A result of His creativity is meaning and mission.

Reflect: What do you believe a purpose in life is for you? How has God been preparing you to complete it? In what ways can you press into this in the new year.

Read: 1 Peter 4:10

“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

We were created to serve. God made us to create and glorify Him as Creator, and also as a means for witnessing and ministry. By using our gifts, we are called to be good stewards and serve others. The Lord can use our creativity for evangelism and discipleship of others.

Reflect: How can you serve others this year with your unique giftings? Are there ways that you have kept your gifts to yourself, but God is leading you to share them with others?

Related: Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible Podcast

Are you looking for a daily bible reading plan? Join Pastor John Stange on the Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible Podcast each morning as he reads one chapter of Scripture, followed by a time of prayer. Together, we'll dive deep into the Bible and discover the riches that God has for us. If you're looking for an audio bible podcast, this is the one for you.

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