For anyone thinking of following the Bible reading plan that I have posted here, then you might be interested to get daily emails with commentary on the day’s readings. D A Carson’s “For the Love of God” is available for email subscribers. To try it out simply send an email to christwaymedia-join@associate.com .

If you are interested to see what they are like check out this page where there is a sample.

The ESV blog has a slightly odd article comparing different Bible reading plans using graphs! It’s worth a look if only to find yourself wondering how long it took to pragram a spreadsheet to produce them!

Bob Kauflin has a blog that I read from time to time. On his main page he has links to the Institute for Christian Worship Lectures.

Amoung the lecturers familiar to me was David Peterson. I don’t mean that I know him, but his book “Engaging with God” is a fine Biblical theology of worship.

With my mp3 player freshly reformatted this morning, I’ve added his five talks and look forwards to listening to them. They are:

Here are some thoughts I put together some time ago on:

8 reasons why adults should memorise scripture as well…

Too often Scripture memory has been seen as something grown ups left behind in Sunday School. As I promised last night here is a list of reasons for memorising Scripture. Watch this space as more may follow…

1. Scripture memory makes Scriptural meditation possible. Memorisation is not in itself mediation, but makes meditation or ‘chewing over’ the Scriptures in our minds a possibility at any time of the day or night.Psa 1:2 ….but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

1. Scripture memory puts us in the place where we can be transformed by the renewal of our minds. Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1. The word of God is ‘the sword of the Spirit’, an essential part of our Christian equipment. When we memorise key passages of Scripture then we are sure that we carry the ’sword’ at all times.Eph 6:13,17 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ….. and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…

1. Scripture memory is obedience to the command to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” AND
   
   

1. Scripture memory will equip us to lovingly and usefully teach, encourage and when necessary admonish one another.Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1. Memorised scripture was Jesus’ chief means of defence in his period of temptation.Mat 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

   Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

   Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

1. Storing up the word in our hearts is an effective strategy against sin.Psa 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Scripture memory can help us to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us.

1Pe 3:15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

Of course effective personal evangelism is not usually effective if it involves reciting as many texts as possible! Well used scripture is of huge value however, because it is the word of God itself that is able make people “wise for salvation.”

2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

I’ve just completed uploading the last two sermons from the sermon series on the first half of Mark’s gospel. Check out the Sermon Audio Tab to listen or download.

I’ve spent a bit of time putting together a printable version of the excellent Bible reading plan by Robert Murray M’Cheyne. I’ve also included the Scripture memory verses which are almost the same as those recomended by John Piper’s church Bethlehem Baptist Church.

This Bible reading plan has been used by thousands of Christians across the world since it was compiled in the middle of the 19^thCentury by the Dundee Minister Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Despite his early death in 1843 aged less than thirty years he already had a reputation for holiness and had earned the nickname “the saintly M’Cheyne.”

One of the great emphases of his short ministry was to encourage the members of his congregation to be avid readers of the Bible.

For those who use the plan in its entirety, the whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year, the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice. In his original introduction, he reminded his congregation that If we pass over some parts of Scripture we will be incomplete Christians.

When he created the plan, M’Cheyne provided four readings for each day. Two he intended to be read in family worship and the other two in private worship. Many Christians have, however, used all four readings in private devotions. One of the beauties of the plan is that it can be used in a number of ways. For those who are new to a regular time of Bible reading I would suggest using the first two columns in year one and the second two columns in year two.For those who want to read through the Bible in a year, the readings in the first three columns will guide the reader through the whole of Scripture while ensuring that the daily “diet” of Scripture is varied.

Finally a word of practical advice for readers from M’Cheyne. He writes:

“Let our private reading precede the dawning of the day. Let God’s voice be the first we hear in the morning. Mark two or three of the richest verses, and pray over every line and word of them.”

The plan provided in this leaflet varies slightly from that originally penned by Robert Murray M’Cheyne. It is based on a very slightly amended version produced by D. A. Carson in his two volume “For the Love of God” published by IVP in the UK and Crossway Books in the United States. These volumes provide an invaluable guide for those who want to read through the Bible using this plan.

If you would like a copy of the plan I’ve posted a copy of it here.

Well I was getting a bit bored with the eikon site on blogger, so I thought it was time for a change. I’m gradually going to shift over to WordPress as it allows me to do a few extra things, so keep watching this space.