johnmarkharris.net

Here are some basic ideas you probably know are a good idea. Why not commit to do these starting Friday (2016).

1. Go through a Bible reading plan (like this one) to hold your feet to the fire
2. Pray every day (with your family if you are married)
3. Memorize at least one verse of scripture per week (use this) read it 10x, write it 10x, say it 10x and you’ve got it…
4. Make the decision to try to “walk worthy”(Eph 4, Col 1), that is to say, to be good. Really try, every day.
5. Take care of yourself. Exercise, don’t eat that entire plate of food at the restaurant. You don’t have to become a health nut, just eat an actual human portion of reasonable food at normal times, and try to do something active for at least 30 min. 3x a week, it will change your life.
6. Say something about God to someone else every day.
7. Pay attention, really actively look, for opportunities to tell someone about the gospel at least once a week.
8. Find one person you can invest in at your church and meet with them at least monthly to discuss how to live as a Christian.
9. Give regularly, consistently, and faithfully, from your “increase” (your regular pay) at least 10% through your local church.
10. Think about someone whom you are not sure where or if they attend church regularly. At some point ask “would you come to my church some time?”, if they indicate that they would, every week ask them “do you think you can make it this week, I’ll save you a seat…” until they come or ask you to quit asking. Then, as you invite them back, think of a new someone and start over.

BONUS: Encourage someone who ministers to you with God’s Word, and you find a way to minister to others with the Bible.

“Let the knowledgable who lead well be considered worthy of twice as much recognition, especially those who work at preaching and teaching.” 1Tim 5:17

Every year, most Christians have the thought to read through the Bible in the coming year.

This year, join me as I read through the New Testament chronologically. What I mean by that is, I have arranged weekday readings so that the events of Jesus’ life are grouped together roughly following the Gospel of Luke’s order. Then other New Testament books are included as they were likely written in the narrative of the Book of Acts.

This is a great opportunity to read through the whole New Testament in 2016, we get an extra day to do it this year (it’s leap year) so let’s do this! Start on Friday with John 1:1-14.

Stop by Pleasant Heights to pick-up a try-fold brochure from the Info. Center, or see this excel spreadsheet

Tune in weekdays to this blog for quick devotional thoughts on each passage, and come to church Sunday Nights at 5:30pm while we walk through 27-in-52 (The 27 Books of the New Testament in 52 Weeks)

There’s nothing stopping 2016 from being the best year yet!

Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.

1 Samuel 18:15

Jealousy is a destructive attitude that poisons the way you view life. It is so harmful that God condemned coveting in two of the Ten Commandments. King Saul was a jealous and insecure man. He had been elevated to the highest position in Israel. He had been blessed in numerous ways. But Saul saw that David was gaining the attention and praise of the Israelites. 

Continue reading →

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 28:2

When you walk in fellowship with God, you do not have to ask Him to bless you. He wants to bless you! Just as you enjoy surprising someone you love with unexpected gifts, God delights in giving you His gifts in times and ways that you might never expect. God’s blessings often come in the midst of your everyday life—an encouraging telephone call in the middle of a busy morning or a letter you receive at the end of a hard day. 

Continue reading →