…I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.  Job 23:12 (NKJV)

We’ve been talking a lot about treasure, how God opened the treasure chest of heaven and poured out His love for us through His Son Jesus; how Jesus is our treasure, giving us the treasure of salvation and eternal life; and how He gave us the gift of His Holy Spirit when He returned to heaven. Yet there is a great Treasure Chest that includes all of these, our Bibles! 

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

Our Bibles are a treasure we do not want to keep locked up. We want to open its pages every single day and seek God in His Word.  It’s in our Bibles that Jesus speaks to us during our daily quiet times. But where should we begin reading?  Please let me share some Bible Reading Plans with you today:

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.  Psalm 119:130 (NKJV)

If you are a brand-new Christian and Bible-reader, you may like to begin by reading the Gospel of John and one Psalm each day.  John’s Gospel will tell you the story of Jesus and His salvation, while the Psalms give you words to pray for every situation.

The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.  Psalm 119:160 (NKJV)

Once you have a taste of God’s Word and are hungry for more, you may benefit from reading a One Year Bible in an easy translation. These give you an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, a Psalm and a Proverb for each day.  The first Bible I read from cover to cover was a One Year New Living Translation Bible.  I read it for several years before wearing it out.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)

Though the One Year Bibles are perfect for daily reading, they are challenging to use in a Bible study situation where you have to look up verses.  Next you will want to get a regular study Bible, my favorite is the MacArthur Study Bible in the New King James Version.  For several years I used the Our Daily Bread devotion book Bible reading plan with my study Bible.  This plan has you read from the Old Testament and New Testament each day, completing Malachi and Revelation by the end of the year.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

This year, our pastor invited us to try a new Bible reading plan, the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan. This plan has you read four chapters a day from four different parts of your Bible.  You can read two sections in the morning and two at night, or two sections with your family and two in private, or just read all four in the morning during your TEA time, as I like to do.  If you follow the complete M’Cheyne plan, you will have read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice by the end of the year.  

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)

I have found the M’Cheyne reading plan so interesting this year, being in four stories at once, which often connect to current events and to each other.  There are always Bible verses to pray and words to encourage me each day.  I am such a paper and pencil and bookmark person, that I made four M’Cheyne bookmarks to put in my Bible and use each day. If you would like to have your own set of bookmarks please contact me and I will be happy to send you some!  

…But the word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:15 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP:  My friend, having a Bible reading plan is a very important part of your daily TEA time with Jesus.  Just like eating a healthy diet from all the food groups, reading from all parts of the Bible (not just your favorites) keeps you well fed.  Ask God to show you which Bible reading plan to use this year.  Keep His Treasure Chest open every day!

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  Romans 15:4 (NKJV)