Have you ever stood outside a restaurant and smelled the wonderful aroma emanating from the kitchen? Your mouth begins to water, and your stomach begins to growl. You didn’t realize until that moment just how hungry you were. Now you can barely wait to get inside to enjoy a good meal! In Psalm 119:103, this is the way the psalmist described his hunger for the Word of God. He couldn’t wait to feast upon the truth of Scripture. He writes, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding…” The psalmist understood well that the Lord reveals Himself to us through the pages of the Bible. This is not some dry religious book, but the very Word of God. As we study Scripture, we grow closer in our relationship with God. We learn how to live out our faith. We gain wisdom to guide our our decisions. We find strength to overcome adversity. We gain a better knowledge of the character and works of our Savior. It is no wonder the words of the Lord tasted so sweet to the psalmist. May we hunger and thirst for God’s truth as well.

This is why it is important for God’s people to devote time each day, in the midst of our busy schedules, to read the Bible. It offers spiritual nourishment, the same way a hearty meal offers physical nourishment. Developing a regular routine for devotions and prayer helps us to maintain spiritual health. Bible reading plans can be a good way to keep us engaged in the Word.

The leaders of Grace Gospel Church are planning to read through the Bible in 2023, and we invite you to join us in this journey. We will be using a plan from the YouVersion Bible App to help keep us on track. You can download the app onto your smartphone or computer, and select the translation you prefer. Then, on January 1st, click the link to start the reading plan we have chosen (https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/4820-bibleproject-the-bible).  The plan will list the chapters to be read for that day, and at the beginning of each book of the Bible there will be a link to a short video that contains useful background information about that particular section of Scripture.  Following the same plan together will give us the opportunity to discuss what we are reading and we will be able to share insights or ask questions that arise from our time in God’s Word.  We hope to make use of the blog on our church website to foster discussion.  Even if you choose not to follow this plan, I encourage you to find a plan that will work for you.  The YouVersion App offers many different options, and there are countless reading guides that are available.  Stay tuned for more details in the days to come.  We look forward to delving into the Scriptures together, and hope that you will join us in this journey!