I have added four new Bible readings plans today to our website. The plan below looks at women of the Bible.
Two Weeks on Women of the Bible
Day 1 – Genesis 2 – Eve, the first woman. Day 2 – Genesis 18 – Sarah laughs at God’s promise. Day 3 – Genesis 24 – Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac. Day 4 – Genesis 27 – Rebekah, the manipulative mother Day 5 – Judges 4 – Deborah’s leadership frees her people. Day 6 – Ruth 1 – Ruth and Naomi’s deep friendship. Day 7 – 1 Samuel 1 – Hannah prays for a son. Day 8 – 1 Kings 17 – A poor widow and the prophet Elijah. Day 9 – 1 Kings 21 – Jezebel, an emblem of wickedness. Day 10 – Esther 2 – Esther is chosen as queen. Day 11 – Esther 4 – Esther’s courage at the risk of death. Day 12 – Luke 1 – Mary and Elizabeth receive great news. Day 13 – Luke 2 – Mary gives birth to Jesus. Day 14 – John 11 – Mary and Martha and their brother’s death.
I have been on holidays the last few weeks since school finished just before Christmas. It has been a nice time to rest, relax and spend time with family. It has also been a good time to reflect and renew.
During some down town I was looking through some old photos and videos. I found an old photo of when I was in my mid twenties. I was very much in to cycling and weights at the time and I was quite fit looking for me. I also found an old video too that surprised and shocked me muscle wise.
It was interesting on how motivated I was in my training. I would train one hour a day in the gym four days a week and I would cycle 200-300 kilometres per week. I would train six days a week, twice a day and have Sundays off for rest and church.
It was amazing how my reflections turned back to that time and the fitness goals I was chasing. It may have been 30 years ago (wow time flies!), but I could remember the my tiny shed with my gym and the racing bikes I owned. The alarm going off every morning at 4.50am so I could train before work. My motivation was sky high.
This caused me to think about my faith and walk with God 20-30 years ago. I thought about the churches I attended, looked through my old prayer journals, remembered preaching my first sermon and the people who helped me grow in my faith. The passion and zeal I had for the things of God was off the chart.
Somehow in the midst of all of this reflection I could feel motivation and passion being drawn from the past. It was like I was being inspired and motivated by my younger self. The goals and dreams I had way back then became fresh in my mind again. Mentally it was like I was right back there again.
As I have reflected on these things I really think I have gained motivation from my younger self. I was desperate to be well from Rheumatoid Arthritis and now I am. Something I never dreamed could happen! I was desperate to grow in my faith and to serve God full time. This has happened too.
I am just thankful to God for all He has done for me. I really do not know where I would be without Him in my life. I am also very thankful to my younger self and all the work “he” put in to his training and Bible studies. It has given me a new burst of motivation to press on towards the goals that God has before me.
What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?
Another good question to reflect on. I can honestly say I am aiming for a long healthy life, but I know ultimately my life is in God’s hands.
I do my best to eat a healthy vegetarian diet. Studies looking at the Blue Zones show people who eat mostly plant based live on average 10 years longer and are much healthier. Some live to be 100 and still work in their gardens or fields!
I do other things mentioned in the Blue Zone studies like exercise regularly, have a sense of purpose in helping others, I have a strong faith and I have people around me who love and care for me and I them. So from that perspective I am travelling well.
In saying this though, I know my life is 100% completely and totally in God’s hands. He holds my life, my destiny and my breath. When He takes my breath, I will go to be with Him… for eternity.
Knowing this, my life is about God and His Kingdom. I am here because He wants and needs me here. I still have things to do for Him if I still have breath and my heart is beating.
Does this mean I do not think about my life and the things I want to do? Of course not. I want to be here to enjoy this world, love my family, achieve some of my personal goals and look after my body. But this is overshadowed by the eternal realities of life. I am just here for a season and one day it will end.
The key for me is to live my life in light of eternity. I need to set my heart and mind on things above and not on earthy things (Colossians 3:1-2). I need to remember that ultimately I am a citizen of heaven and I need to eagerly await the return of my Lord Jesus (Philippians 3:20). This is the eternal hope we have in Christ.
So yes I want to live a long and healthy life. Maybe even make it to 90 or 100. But this all depends on God and He can call me home at any time. My life is in His hands and I would not want it any other way. He is my life now, and will be my life for all eternity.
If you would like to read the New Testament in 2024 you can download our free reading plan. In this plan you can read one chapter a day and you will finish it in September. If you read one chapter five days a week you will finish it in December.
If you are interested you can download it here. If you do not have a Bible you can find one online at www.biblegateway.com.
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