Laurie GermaineI’ve got a two-for-one deal for you today in this book review post. 😉
First, I’ve just finished the fourth and last book in Sofi Laporte’s Wishing Well Series. The four historical romances follow the escapades of four best friends from Miss Hilversham’s Seminary for Ladies after one of them makes a wish that they all marry dukes.
I haven’t yet found a book written by Sofi Laporte that I haven’t liked, and each one of these started out as my favorite … until I read the next. And then the next. They kept getting better. The characters were well-rounded, the plot lines engaging, and the content wholesome and clean. You can find them wherever books are sold, but if you enjoy the audiobooks, Laporte offers the first three for free on her YouTube channel, and I found the fourth book, Penelope and the Wicked Duke, on Hoopla, which you can borrow for free if you have a library card. Even though I write contemporary novels, I have really enjoyed listening to historical romances of late. Could be the narrators’ British accents. 😉
The second book I recommend—and the more important one—is … the Bible. 😄 I’m pretty sure I’ve recommended this in a past post, but it’s worth repeating.
We are warned multiple times in the New Testament to beware of false teachers, that evil imposters will “go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim 3:13), that God gives the wicked over to a depraved mind (Romans 1), that in later times “some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Tim 4:1), and that we are not to “believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
No doubt most of us are aware of the rampant deception that has increased in our nation over the last few years, and given that this is an election year, many people predict the insane deception will grow exponentially over the next several months. Yet they’re not just talking about outside the Church in the realm of politics, but inside, as well. I learn on almost a daily basis of new false teachings taking progressive churches by storm and the increasing exhortation to heed societies’ words over God’s Words; the increase of scoffers inside the Church who cast doubt on the veracity of the Scriptures. (As if the God of the Universe and Creator of everything within it can’t preserve His Word revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.)
It’s that very Word that will keep us from being deceived by false teaching, both within and without the walls of our churches. Yet for so many of us, the Bible is something we may only reach for on a Sunday morning. We know the lyrics to our favorite songs better than we know Scripture. We quote from our favorite movies a hundred times more often than a well-known Bible account. We turn to Netflix or video games or social media before turning to the Bible. For most of us Christians, God’s Word is an afterthought.
We can’t, however, stand up against or recognize the war strategies of the devil if we never train for the battle.
As we embark on a new year, I encourage all of us who claim to love the Lord to spend more time in His Word. To spend more time getting better acquainted with Him. Only then will we be able to not only recognize His voice, but also recognize false teachings. Maybe we commit to reading through the Bible in a year. Fifteen minutes a day sitting at the feet of God is not a big sacrifice when we’ve got twenty-four hours at our disposal. Or maybe we do a deep dive into one of our favorite Old Testament books. Or maybe we attempt to memorize more Scripture. Before the craziness of 2020 hit, I had—with God’s help—memorized the books of 2 Timothy, 1 John, and Colossians. It saddens me that I didn’t keep up with it, but it’s truly jaw-dropping—and emboldening—to realize how much one can retain when disciplined for just a few minutes a day!
I pray we challenge ourselves in one new way this year to become more familiar with God’s Word than the New York Times’ bestsellers; to grow closer to Him than the apps on our smartphones. If ever there was a time to press into God, this is the year, my friends.
What’s your favorite Bible-in-a-year plan? What’s your favorite method for memorizing Scripture? Share in the comments below. 🙂
Michelle Kaderly Welsh
Kristen Gwen
Elise Haroldson
What a great recommendation and challenge! I agree with you about reading and studying the Bible more. Deceptions are growing trickier, and we don’t want ourselves and others to be led astray. Great blog, Laurie.
For years, I’ve followed a read-through-the-Bible in a year plan in which I read chapters both in the Old and New Testament (beginning with Genesis and Matthew). I have also used a different translation each year. (It was fun to read through Proverbs, using The Message and “discover” earthy/nitty gritty wisdom.) Most years, I’m able to finish in a year, but when I don’t, I stick with the plan and continue on until I do come to the end. Bottom line: Reading Scripture is life changing.
I read two to three chapters each day and try to read through the Bible each year too. I journal while I do it to help me process and remember also. 🙂
Journaling is a great idea!! I fell out of that habit after college, but it would be good to corral my thoughts each day, especially alongside Scripture.
Ooo, that’s a good idea–reading from a different translation each year. I still have my trusty, well-worn NIV from my college days that I use 70% of the time. 😄