My 2025 Bible Reading Plan
January 4, 2025
I’m so excited to see so many pastors and Christians sharing their 2025 Bible reading plans! It’s inspiring to see how others approach spending time in God’s Word. Here’s what I’m planning to do this year.
Historically, I’ve struggled to stick with reading the entire Bible in a year. Falling behind often left me discouraged and tempted to give up. But I’ve been reminded of something I attribute to Brian Russell: “The goal is to fall in love with reading the Scriptures, not just completing a reading plan.”
With that in mind, I’ve been working my way through the Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation, book by book. It’s been recommended as a fantastic beginner’s study Bible, and I wanted to experience it for myself. Instead of following a rigid schedule, I choose books as I go, highlighting them in the table of contents when I finish.
Occasionally, I’ll pause wherever I’m at and read a chapter from Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month—for example, Proverbs 5 on January 5th. When I hit a rut, I’ll turn to listening to Scripture through YouVersion, which often helps reignite my focus.
It’s not the most creative or structured plan—no fancy PDF guides or trackers—but this rhythm works for me. It’s a balance of consistency and flexibility that keeps me engaged.
I typically pair this reading practice with centering prayer, intercessory prayer, and journaling. These practices deepen my time with God and help me stay rooted in His presence.
Would you like to hear more about those other practices? Or perhaps a review of the Life Application Study Bible in the NLT?
I’d also love to hear about your Bible or devotional plan for 2025. How are you diving into Scripture this year?
The Moxie of God
January 3, 2025
In a recent sermon, I shared an intriguing story about a toy that captured my attention—the Moxie robot. Marketed as the first AI companion for children aged 5 to 10, this robot promised to chat, engage, and even befriend its young owners with a touch of artificial intelligence.
Like most smart devices, Moxie relied on an internet connection to function properly. Unfortunately, the company behind Moxie recently announced its closure, leaving these once-beloved robots unable to operate. Without ongoing support or updates, Moxie robots would eventually stop working entirely.
Parents of Moxie owners faced the difficult task of explaining to their children that their robot friends, in a sense, were “dying.” What had become a cherished companion for many children would soon be gone—a poignant reminder of loss that some children experienced for the first time.
This story reminded me of a similar moment from my childhood: watching the opening scene of Bambi and encountering the concept of death. For those children, the end of their Moxie robot was more than a toy breaking—it was an emotional lesson on the impermanence of life.
But here’s the good news. In Luke 18:16-17, Jesus offers us a beautiful contrast:
“Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'”
Unlike toys, devices, or even the things we cherish most on this earth, God never breaks down. He doesn’t need a software update. He doesn’t run out of power. Nothing can separate us from His love.
God is a good and faithful Father who invites us to trust Him with childlike faith—a faith that knows He will never fail, never fade, and never leave.
As we step into 2025, I pray to embrace this truth even more deeply, trusting fully in the eternal love and presence of our God.
Practical Questions for Pastors When Feeling Aimless
January 2, 2025
Preaching is a unique profession in many ways, especially when it comes to managing your schedule. It’s a curious blend of flexibility and rigidity. During the week, there’s often plenty of room to adjust and adapt. However, Sunday worship is non-negotiable—it’s a fixed anchor point in your week. Funerals, too, demand an immediate and unwavering commitment, making them challenging to reschedule.
Between those immovable commitments, there can sometimes be a sense of aimlessness. What do you do when your day doesn’t have a clear “what’s next”? Over the years, I’ve found these questions helpful in navigating those moments.
- Who needs a call from me today?
- Who can I spend time praying for?
- Who can I quickly go and visit?
- Who do I need to carve out time to go and visit?
- What do I need to spend time studying?
- What meetings are coming up in the next three weeks? How can I be prepared for them?
- Do I have a good grasp of the church calendar and what is upcoming this quarter? In the next 12 months?
- Who can I write a thank you note to today?
- Where do I feel stuck?
I hope you find this helpful.
What are some other questions you have for when you get stuck?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!
About David Wesley Donnan
I write online about Methodism, devotional insights, and personal reflections. My primary goal is to organize my thoughts and explore meaningful topics. Along the way, I hope my writing inspires and encourages others on their journey.
David Donnan 