December 30th One Year Bible Readings

You are invited to join us on the One Year Bible journey in 2009!  We currently have over 7,400 people in 55 countries around the world signed up for our free weekly email filled with commentary, encouragement, and questions for reflection.  To join us on the journey in 2009 click on this link for more details and to sign up!

Malachi 1:1-2:17 ~ Revelation 21:1-27 ~ Psalm 149:1-9 ~ Proverbs 31:10-24
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today we start the very last book of the Old Testament by the likely last prophet of the Old Testament era, Malachi!  Some say Joel was the last prophet, but most commentaries suggest Malachi. There is some great stuff in this short book... particularly when we get to tomorrow's readings.   The name Malachi means "my messenger."  Malachi was written in approximately 430 B.C. and he was likely a contemporary of Nehemiah.  Malachi was written to the returned exiles in Jerusalem well after the temple had been rebuilt under governor Zerubbabel in 516 B.C.   By 430 B.C. there was a spiritual malaise in the land.  It is speculated that this is in part because Jerusalem was then just a small province in the large Persian empire. But, the big reason is probably because the glorious future of God sending his Messiah, Jesus - as pronounced by Isaiah, Haggai and Zechariah and other prophets - had not yet come to fruition.   A good overview of Malachi is online at bible.org at this link.   Below is an icon from the Orthodox church of the prophet Malachi:

Chapter 1 verse 2 stood out to me in today's readings: "I have loved you deeply," says the LORD."  I guess this really resonated with me since we are now reading the last book of the Old Testament.  As I look back on our readings earlier this year - all of the books of the Old Testament that we have read and all of the interaction between God and his covenant people, I have to absolutely nod my head in agreement with these words from God in verse 2.  God loved deeply in the Old Testament.  And God loved deeply the New Testament.  And God loves us deeply today.  Do you believe that God loves you deeply?  And do you believe that he always will?  Do you in turn love God deeply?  Today will you reach out and jump in to the deep end of the pool of God's love?

Verse 7 also stood out to me: "You have despised my name by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar." The chapter goes on to describe how blind, crippled, and diseased animals were sacrificed to God - which were unacceptable holy sacrifices to God per his laws in Leviticus 1:3 and Deuteronomy 15:21.  We are no longer under the law of these sacrifices, as Jesus was the final sacrifice once and for all on the cross.  However - I wondered to myself as I read this verse, do we still offer "defiled sacrifices" to God in some ways today in our lives?  Do we give God maybe the left-overs of our life?  Our left-over time, finances, energy, prayers, love, etc.?  Should we instead be giving God our best sacrifices - our firstfruits, our early morning energy, our constant prayers, our deepest love?  Indeed, as Oswald Chambers puts it, are we giving God our very Utmost for His Highest?  Are you giving God the very best of who you are?  Every day?  Or is God typically just getting your leftovers?

Did anyone else catch a couple of Delirious? (Christian worship band) lyrics from their song "Lead Me" in Malachi's readings today?  :)  How about chapter 7 verse 17: "You have wearied the LORD with your words."  What a sad statement to think about - we can weary God with our words...  do you suppose this is still possible today?  Have we wearied God with our words?  And then another Delirious lyric in verse 13: "You cover the LORD's altar with tears."  What does it mean to flood God's altar with our tears?  When would this be good?  When would this be not so good...?  As Delirious continues to sing in "Lead Me": "Great God, our promises we've broken.  Oh Lord, forgive me... "  Beautiful tune.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Malachi titled "God's Faithful Covenant Love" is at this link, "Worship That God Rejects" is at this link, "Faithful Teaching of God's Word" is at this link, and "Profaning the Marriage Covenant" is at this link.

New Testament - Revelation chapter 21 is definitely one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! It is what our very hearts long for!  Today we read a wonderful glimpse of the New Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God.

Certainly verses 3 and 4 are powerful for us to reflect upon: "I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."  Are you looking forward to that day when God will be among his people?  When he will remove all sorrows and pains?

And verses 23-25 are so beautiful to meditate upon: "And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations of the earth will walk in its light, and the rulers of the world will come and bring their glory to it. Its gates never close at the end of day because there is no night."  Are you looking forward to this everlasting light?  The light that can come only from God and Jesus, the Lamb?

Below are artist Pat Marvenko Smith's two great images of the heavenly Jerusalem from today's readings titled "The City Four-Square: New Jerusalem" and "The Foundations of the City", which verses 18 through 20 capture very well: "The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst."

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 21 titled "The Eternal State" is at this link and "It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 149 is a beautiful song of praise today!  Verse 3 I love: "Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp."  Do you praise God's name with dancing and music?  Yes, I confess, I am a huge fan of the praise and worship thing going on in churches and with CCM artists and their concerts these days.  I know this is not the only way to praise or worship God by any means.  Are you praising God's name each day with the very "dance" of your life?

Proverbs - Proverbs 31:10-24 is a great reflection upon a godly wife.  I read a commentary that said such a wife is almost a personification of wisdom.  I like that thought!  And certainly it makes sense that a women / wife would be a personification of wisdom rather than a man / husband...  :)   Just kidding!  I'm a guy, so I can make this kind of joke right?  In all seriousness, how about that thought for each of our lives - male or female - would it be a godly thing to move toward being a personification of wisdom?  Obviously I'd say that Jesus was the only human this side of heaven that will walk this earth as a pure personification of wisdom.  But let us seek wisdom in how we live our lives each and every day.  Let us seek God's Wisdom that is worth far more than rubies...

And to close this blog posting out today with a little Proverbs 31 humor... while searching for an image for Proverbs 31 I came across this photo below.  The person who took this photo said "we call her the Proverbs 31 Doggie."  Cute!  :)

YouTube - As I mention Delirious in our Malachi readings today above, here they are performing "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble" live:

Comments From You and Question of the Day:  For those of you wrapping up the One Year Bible here in 2008, I'd like to ask you to post up your reflections on this experience in the Comments section below.  The reason for this request is because we have hundreds of new folks signing up to take the One Year Bible journey in 2009.  What advice would you give them?  Any encouragement?  What has reading the Bible on a daily basis meant to you over the past year?  Has this experience changed you in any way?  Thanks for sharing! Also, for everyone, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Steve]

I love God, but I want to love and know him deeply! He has been calling me for some time now, and I have just begun to respond. 'Help me Lord.'
Also, in Malachi- I wonder what a cursed blessing would look like?

[Tara]

Praise be to God for a free country where we can openly study God's Word.

[MG]

This is my first "successful" attempt at the One Year Bible. For me the key was not being a perfectionist about the readings. There were days that I just didn't get to it, and rather than quitting, or forcing myself to catch up, I just picked up the readings where they were the next day or later in the week. This has kept me on track and allowed me to work all the way through the bible. I am sure that the few passages I missed this year, I will catch next year.

This daily discipline has helped me in so many ways and has helped the rest of my life to become more disciplined as well. There is such freedom in having your quiet time readings picked out for you and in knowing that little by little you will have accomplished much by the end of the year. Some mornings my readings are more contemplative and sometimes more rushed, but each day I have gotten something out of it.

May you be blessed as you pursue God's Word this coming year, too!

[Will]

I have read the Bible through every year since I became a Christian in 1979. I really enjoy the commentary that the writer of this blog annotates. I look forward to reading the Bible through once again as well as reading the commentary.

[L]

The way the blog is set up creates built in motivation 'to come to the site' to receive what God has for us through the Word, and also through the 'prompts' that Mike provides with his brief, applicable commentary, as well as the art. I like all aspects of the blog but I especially enjoy the art pieces.

Just yesterday I also downloaded the bible online podcast so I can have the readings on my ipod. That's an excellent way to keep the readings in your mind. As well, Tom Dooley, the podcast reader, also offers a motivating snapshot of each reading using warren wiersbe's 'With the Word'. Just check the side panel of this blog and you'll see how to access the www.bibleonradio.com

From today's readings Malachi urges me to give my very best to God. 'A son honours his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honour and respect I deserve?" 1:6
I also find Malachi 2:5-7 highly inspiring and challenging. God offers us 'life and peace' much like Jesus when He says 'I have come to give you life to the full'. God tells us in Malachi 2 to revere him and walk with Him, and to instruct others, and to help others know Him. He says of these people who choose to walk with HIm, "They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me,living good lives and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.'

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the One year bible blog community not only accumulated bible knowledge but also was used by God 'to live good lives and in so doing to influence others to to turn from the lives of self destruction, and pursue a deep relationship with the LORD, where they too would hear those words of Malachi 1:2 'I have loved you deeply.' May it be so!!!!

[Penny]

Sometime last summer I found the One Year Bible Blog. I had been in the perpetual habit of reading through the Bible in a year and lost the habit while I was doing some in depth Bible studies instead. I was having a hard time getting back into the rhythm of going all the way through the Bible. Each year I would choose a different translation and read through.

I was thrilled to find the One Year Blog and forwarded the site to a few friends. These are some of the benefits I've found to reading on-line.
1. I have a real sense of the fellowship of my brothers and sisters as I read. It's not just a dry habit. It's a living journey. As I look at the ancient Christian works of art, I'm aware of the "great cloud of witnesses" that has gone before.
2. I literally have commentaries at my fingertips that I don't have in my own library. So if I want to look into something more deeply all I have to do is push a button and I'm there.
3. I have easy access to many different versions of the Bible. This year I did my reading in New Living Testament and loved it. Next year I may try The Message, though I must admit, my heart is fixed to my original New American Standard Bible (there, I've dated myself) and I don't know if I'll make it through the Message without switching mid-stream.
4. I love the challenging questions Mike asks in the blog. Self-examination is a good thing and on those mornings I'm just going through the ritual, Mike brings me back to the purpose in reading. This is a real, living relationship with my heavenly Father. My goal is to be transformed to be like Christ. Am I cooperating with my whole heart or am I going through the motions? Thank you Mike for keeping the heart and purpose in our readings. Thank you for your dedication and the time you invest daily in this One Year Bible Blog. God bless you, and God bless us all - every one as we start a fresh year, a fresh reading adventure in January.

[PM]

Reading today my heart sank thinking how often I have weried God with my tears and petitions, when I should have been thanking Him for all of His mercy. Then reading Revelation, I can hardly imagine the beauty He is preparing for us. Just makes me want to make sure everyone I meet knows Him and can join us there.

Shelties are Proverbs 31 doggies indeed. They are never lazy and always protective. Mine even used to try to chase away thunder and lightning so my children wouldn't be scared.

[Jenny]

Great readings! i want to encourage everyone to make a commitment and make yourself accountable...perhaps by posting a comment everyday or kudos...just so you know to keep your commitment. not just to read the blogs, but the Bible, the very word of God! there are days we all feel like letting readings slide but we just do it any way! you will be blessed and your life will change!! i look back when i started the readings in sept and God has done soooo much to change me in the past few months..like my attitude at work, i'm just really changed inside n so blessed.

This also goes along the line of wat was mentioned in his blog...not giving God our leftovers. God wants our firstfruits, of all we have and all we are. our time, our devotion, our giving, our obedience....all we are, all we do!
we definately need to dive in....haha, two songs come to mind "sink or swim, I'm diving in.." (steven c. chapman?) and dc talk "i took a dive into your arms, i toook a diiiiiiiive...."

I definatlety look forward to Rev 21, in fact, there is nothing on earth I desire more. nothing! I can feel my soul yearning for my Home!!
Prov is nice, i would love to make a Godly man a great Godly wife, but I dont know about that whole getting up at the crack of dawn and sewing garments and all that. I think I'll chose the single life, haha. :}

[Gina]

Speaking of CCM...Psalm 149 brings "Praise You With This Dance" by Casting Crowns to mind for me. Just saw them in concert over the summer...awesome to be among other believers worshipping God with singing and dancing...kind of what Heaven will be like, in my opinion!

Malachi does indeed bring the conviction on. I know it is very easy for me to get sidetracked doing other things then remember I've not spent any time with Jesus. Jenny - you are so right in saying that doing this reading and blog will keep you accountable! I have really been blessed by the very short time I've been a part of this One Year Bible journey! I am so looking forward to drawing closer and closer to Jesus!

Happy New Year Everyone!

[Mae]

Wow ... what a great readings ...
Revelation was just WOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! It's very cliche, but I really love verse 6 "He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life". I mean ... okay!!!!!!!!!! He'll give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life ... I don't even know how to explain what it feels like to read this words! But I'm sure words are not needed. I think that we all feel warm inside when we read this! Verse 27 "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life". Makes my eyes water ... this is where I want to live! I just can't wait! Honestly ... I can't wait!!!

"Are you praising God's name each day with the very "dance" of your life?", I'm trying to yes. But sure, I do have my days where I struggle and things seem harder than usual. But still I go on praising Gods name. Some days my 'dances' are more powerful than other days. But you know, I think on days that I struggle, it feels like the praisings are less powerful, but in a way the praisings are more powerful. Hmmm ... I'm messing up this sentence. What I'm trying to say is that on my days of struggles it kind of looks like that I'm not praising, but what I'm doing is being powerful, I'm fighting the enemy, which shows my love for the Lord! Does it make any sense to you?

Well, this is my 62nd day that I'm joining One Year Bible. I still have a long way to go. I knew the Bible before I was saved, I was brought up as a Protestant and I was familiar with the Bible. I knew about the Father, the Son and the Holey Spirit. From time to time I tried to read the Bible, but it was hard. I never really understood what it was saying. But since I'm saved things are getting so clear to me! I was saved on August 20th from this year, I've found the perfect church for me and I've got a Pastor that really guides me through this all as a New Believer. I join his Bible study and joining that study made me hungry for more and that's why I decided to join One Year Bible as well. I used to find it hard to read the Old Testament, but that changed since I joined One Year Bible. Thanks to this great blog!!! It explains so much for me! The One Year Bible teached me how to read the Bible and no words can describe how thankfull I am for that! Even though I'm reading "Het Boek" (Dutch), it's so doable (spellcheck)! I read it every day, it takes me more than 15 minutes because I make extra notes for myself. I keep it in a binder, on chronological order, so I can read it back from time to time. I always love to read other comments, so I'm very excited about seeing new people here the day after tomorrow!

[Terrie]

I am speechness! .. As I was reading , My heart was sank but I can see what God told us as We goes To Heaven. Praise God!.. I am so thankful What I can see and understand God told us. I am looking forward to it.

[Brandie]

Psalms 149 dancing for Jesus well to be honest...I listen to Air one in the car and my little boy and I dance every morning that I take him to kids kollege we raise our hands to Jesus and he and I love it. :)

We live it as if it were our last. Just as we should. I have been a christian since I was 12 years old and I have gone through some times that were tough and times that I thought I would rather be of dead but now at 32 I know that Jesus wants me to be here with my family and enjoy the time I have left.

I enjoy reading the bible verse once a day it is very inspirational and one day I will learn how to spell :)

Yes, I believe that God loves me deeply. If he didn't he wouldn't save me from all of my experiences that I have survived. :)

[Bruce]

My advice (from my personal experience) for the newcomer to the One Year Bible and Bible Gateway.com. As a book lover (any book) it took me awhile to get used to reading the bible on the computer rather than my cherished leather edition. But now I wouldn't give up my one year bible for anything and still pick up my leather edition when I need to feel that book in my hands. Every morning with my coffee and before I fire up my computer I make the time to have a little quiet and prayer time with God. I get my readings like most of you in an e-mail rather than visit the One Year Bible site. My homepage is The Utmost for his highest page that helps me to continue to focus on God rather than see something to lead (surf) me away. When I open my e-mail I go directly to my daily reading rather than to checkout the e-mail I was expecting, or the important information I needed. As you know many e-mails lead you to other sites and if you get caught up surfing you may not have the time needed to read your daily passage. So there were days I did surf and “Oh my gosh the time got away from me. I’ll have to put this off until tomorrow. Then tomorrow came and I only had time to read one day’s bible passage rather than to get caught up and read the two I should have. But I kept reading every day and if I had a “burp” (you know there are some days you wake up and you are just not ready to face the world) I could usually catch up on the weekends but if you dedicate yourself like I did to reading your passages first thing in the morning when you get up before all else (on the computer) you’ll do just fine. May God bless you in your readings. I pray that God helps you understand his Word, live his Word, and share his Word. Bruce

[Enid]

Another good year of studying God's word. What a blessing when I have time to check and see what it meant to others. I have been reading by Bible for many, many years and it is always fresh and new. God is amazing!

[Barbara]

It has been rewarding, and I have learned much. Don't get discouraged, and keep up the good work of reading the word. We are so priviledged to have this opportunity to learn about our Lord!

[Henry]

AFTER 51 YEARS ON THIS EARTH,THE REALIZATION OF JESUS RETURNING IS SO VERY NEAR,AND VERY CLEAR,HIS TEACHINGS ARE THE LIVING TRUTH,AND OUR NOURISHMENT COMES FROM THE BIBLE,MY CONECTION TO THIS SITE GIVES ME A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE.WHAT A GREAT INHERITANCE WE HAVE AWAITING US.
WHAT AN EXITING TIME TO BE ALIVE!!!I FEEL SO WONDERFULLY BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND THIS SITE.
THANK YOU JESUS!

[susanne]

Well....
accountability is from the Word
so here I am. I found much of today's readings
a hard Word. Thank GOODNESS the Lord started w/
I have loved you deeply and ended with the glorious future.
Thanks for this study and blog and meeting new
brothers and sisters, diligently seeking God's Plan & Purposes.
A joyful, BLESSED NEW YEAR to you. May we become friends in the Word
and hold eachother accountable to not give up, lift eachother up when down,
reach out and bring eachother back.
Your sister in Christ, susanne

[Betsy]

I am so glad I kept up with this commitment this year, because it feels so good to have finished reading the Bible completely through! Sure, there were days I didn't read and then have to read double the next, but this kept me going. It seems that every time I read the Bible, there is something new that stands out and speaks to me. I have signed up to read it through again this new year and would like to read the commentary that is posted on this site along with the Bible. I didn't do that this past year and feel I have missed out on understanding some readings. Thanks, Mike!

[Deborah]

My faith has grown so much in this past year. I attribute this growth to a good church, wonderful Pastors, and this site. Mikes' ongoing suggestion "if you fall behind begin with the current day and move forward" kept me in the race (so to speak.) Happily at that and not needing to justify or beat yourself up when I missed anything. I think the daily readings are to be enjoyed not suffered. This year I hope to cover the full book but one way or other, I am wiser and Blessed. God Bless All

[Darlene]

Mike,
In Malachi, verse 7, God also spoke to my heart immediately when I read how he despises imperfect sacrifices. He wants our very best and we (or I) compromise that so many times. The "things" of this world easily entrap us and worm their way up to first place and before we know it, our sacrifices to God even begin to smell bad. And we expect Him to accept them?
Wow! Thank you Lord for showing me this today. And at a great time...the beginning of a New Year. "His mercies are new every morning." I am thankful that He gives me a new beginning everyday and now a whole new year to offer him my best and first fruits. I am so thankful to have found this site. I am excited about an ordered "plan" to begin reading God's Word in a whole new way. This is definitely an answer to prayer. God Bless you. D.

[BJ]

I am writing this early, as I do not know if I will get a chance to get on-line Friday.

I have always liked the book of Malachi. I know Friday's reading (especially 3:8-12) for some will be very interesting. I take those verses to heart and I believe in tithing 10% first to God before paying your bills and spending and saving. Yes! I tithe faithfully. I went ahead and read what Hampton Keathley IV had to say about tithing and I agree with him 100%.

I live by this principle... 10-10-80 plan. Tithe 10 percent, save 10 percent, and be a good steward with the remaining 80 percent. I believe what my pastor says to be true… “Which is more 90% or 100%. I am sure you would say 100% is more. However in Kingdom mathematics gives a different answer. Which would you rather have, 90% of your money with God’s blessing (after the tithe), or 100% of your finances under a curse, (see Malachi 3: 8-11). You see, 90% with God’s blessing really does turn out to be more than a 100% without His blessing.”

[luciano Del Monte]

mike, is there a quick invite link we can send people so they can be officially invited to read the OYB?

thanks for your diligence in providing this means of grace for ongoing spiritual growth based on the Word of God.

i have added to my daily reading another spiritual discipline that spiritual life writer Phylis Tickle has written called The Divine Hours pocket edition. This book is based on a verse in Ps 119 that we read that says, "Seven times a day i praise you." Prayers are offered through the 'offices of prayer'.
A good addition to the OYB.

[alan]

This has been a most beneficial site for me. I'd reccomend it to anyone who would like to read through the Bible with a growing family of believers. Thank you Mike & all the contributors. God bless.

[Johnnie Ruth Hamill]

Thank you once again Mike for a fantastic journey through the Bible. This is my third year with you through the Bible and my fifth year as a born again believer.

To all of you who didn't finish...it's okay. If your heart is right God sees it. Start afresh. Never give up. God has not given up on you! Always start where you are because God will meet you where you are.

Much love to all of you this coming year as we go on the journey once more with new revelation and the wisdom to do that which we read. May we become that which we seek -- TRUE FOLLOWERS AND SERVANTS AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST.

[Deogratias]

Hi One Year Bible Readers!
It is great that we are in this spiritual Journey! I love it, I encourage more people to join.
In todays' readings this verse:(Rev 22:7) "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." Give me more energy of continuing to read the Word of God and continue to this journey! Because how can we "keep the words" if we are not reading and meditating on it! May God bless this ministry! Amen

[Margaret MacDonald]

This was an enlightening experience. It was not easy some days -- especially in some sections of the old testament. However I am glad I did it because I learned so much. I also learned that I still know very little! It is impossible to take it all in during just one year. It is like the iceberg: what you don't see is far greater than the part you do see.
I am doing this again with a different set of readings. I like the "habit" of reading every day.
God Bless.
Margaret

[Karen]

Well, this is the first year that I have made it through this format. I have gotten the One Year Bible about 20 years ago and I couldn't make it through the readings. The first time that I read through the Bible completely was in 2006, using a different format. This past year I used this format, but instead of reading on line, I read out of my Bible. It is easier for me. The other change that I did was to switch Bibles this past September. I was using the NIV version from Jan. '06 to Sept. '07 and I have gotten a new Bible in Sept. So I am reading out of the Updated NASB version. I'll be using this edition for this year's one year readings.

[Stuart]

2008 has been my first year of reading OYB. What a blessing! God willing, 2009 will be the second.
Thanks be to God for Mike and his devotion to the task.
God bless
Stuart

[Ezra]

This year has been a great year for reading the bible! 2008 has been a life changing experience for me, and I hope it has been for you guys too. I also hope 2009 will be much better for all new readers too! =D

[Julie R]

I did it! This is the 1st time of reading the Bible all the way through! I tried to do it before many times with just the OYB but got lost at Leviticus & let it go.

You kept me going this time & with all the great comments from others made me think a lot deeper.

Your humor & YouTube posts were so appropriate to the reading, much appreciated.

Looking forward to doing it again & again now as my life will be in a different place when I read it next time. We may change but the Word of God never does, for that, I am truly thankful.

May God continue to overshadow this ministry & continue to share His strength & wisdom to you Mike.

[Luciano Del Monte]

i love the OYB. Been following it for several years now. Thanks Mike for all the work you do to help us 'feed' on the scriptures in such a creative and visually stimulating way.

[Margaret]

I had read through the Bible 20 years ago on my own and hated it. I REALLY have liked this way of reading in 4 different places at once and especially Mike's and other believers' comments. I learn so much more from the comments than what I see on my own. Because I have received so much from it, I have missed only about 6-8 days all year.
I definitely recommend it to someone considering reading the Bible through in a year.

[Michael Chong]

Hi, Mike, i thank God for you for what you have done through your blog for the past 365 days for all of us who tuned in and i feel at least i can do it once by posting in here .

i was thinking what does it take for someone like you to come up with this wonderful blog. i remember your sharing of your service in a foreign country (Romania?). i concluded that it takes someone who loves others as God has commanded us, to be willing to carry out such sacrificial service , rain or shine and without fail, as what you have done in your blog, to be a guide and an encouragement to all who subscribe to your blog in the endeavor of reading through the Bible in one year. I am tempted to emulate your spirit in how you serve all of us perhaps in other calling and capacities. It must have been as much a challenge for us to continue reading the bible than for you to keep up with the posting up in your blog and I am sure what you are doing will not be in vain and is recorded in the Book of Life.

I am going to be 50 years old next year and have known God since my teens but shamefully, i have never been able to finish reading the bible cover to cover, until I signed up with your blog. I am glad I did it for without that I'd never been able to do it on my own. I get to understand the bible through your sharing/explanation and resource links therein. This is very important and helpful for someone like me who tries to understand what the Word really says. I like those graphics/pictures you employ to make it more interesting and at times, funny. The questions you posted on reflection of the passages of the day have prompted me to seek inside my soul on the subject at hand and at times, they seem to thunder in my ears. i must admit that i am not a fan to most of the songs you pick. Nevertheless, my teenage son seems to enjoy them very much!

Once again thank you for a job well done!

warmest regards, Michael Chong

[Brian Tooley]

2008 was the 4th year I have "read" the Bible in 1 year but 2008 was the first time I actually completed it. I carved out a time each day to read my daily devotion. Let me tell you Satan was trying to get me to slip and not to do it but I resisted it. DO NOT let Satan tell you to do it later but you need to read you Bible then and there. The Lord blessed me in 2008. I tried to take my RN test for the 4th time but failed. I looked to my Bible for guidance and found it (Proverbs 3:5-6). I am now subbing in my local school district and realized that the Lord has other things for me. I look forward to 2009 and what the Lord has in store for me. I can't wait to read my Bible through a
second time and really sink my teeth into the Lord's word.

[Sarah]

I am really excited to get going on this journey.
Hello to everyone from Central Texas!