Gleanings, January 2022

On Sunday, January 9, I preached the 11th and final sermon of our Ecclesiology series.
Listen to the recording:
https://odysee.com/@1PointP.../11.-Presbyterian-Government:9

Nice Guys and Jerks | Doug Wilson
"In this episode of Blog & Mablog, Pastor Doug Wilson continues his series of letters to a fictional nephew about the relationship between the sexes, this time discussing nice guys and jerks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uVUpgBWwQ4

Confessions of a Former People-Pleaser
"Whoever you are, wherever you live, in whatever age you live, you either live to please man or you live to please God. And if you think it’s possible to serve both, you’re likely living to please the former, not the latter."
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/confessions-of-a-former-people-pleaser

Trench Talk Ep. 160: Leading Without Lording
"The Church in the 21st century is riddled with member autonomy and authoritarianism from the pulpit. What does Scripture provide as a model for leadership that guards against both? What are practical ways pastors can Lead without Lording? What parameters can be set up to guard against lording over the flock?"
https://practicalshepherding.com/trenchtalk/ep-160-leading-without-lording

Week 38: The 5-Year Rule
Why is it important for pastors to stay in one place for 5 years or more? Is it a requirement?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vf6cqOz45s

I wrote 2 posts on yearly Bible reading:

It's not too late to choose a Bible reading plan for this year. I've decided to go with the Coley 52 Week Plan. Each day of the week is a different genre. I'm also changing my translation after about 5 years.
You should read through the whole Bible in 2022.
An objection (excuse?) I hear all the time regarding reading the Bible in a year is, "it's too fast for me to process what I'm reading."
So your solution is to not regularly consume all of God's Word?
People: it's not either/or. If you want more time, then add something else. Add some slower study to your already busy schedule. It's not a choice between slow or fast. Reading at a snail's pace is not more spiritual. Actually, to only read slowly means you will miss out.
Don't sacrifice reading the whole Bible through for the sake of your "in-depth" Bible study. Especially if you haven't read the whole Bible yet (or only once). Nothing can compensate for not knowing the whole Bible. Every word is God-breathed. You need them all.
Besides, give your brain more credit. The more you read the Bible cover to cover, the more you'll retain it without trying.
Approach consistent Bible reading like eating. You don't meditate on every meal. You won't remember what you ate two weeks from now. But that doesn't mean it didn't nourish you.

Pick a plan that will take you through the whole Bible this year.
Take the average 15 minutes a day.
Stick to it.
And don't expect an epiphany every day. This isn't magic.

See some reading plans here:
https://www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans

Also, the Reading Plan app has a ton. Mine is under the name "Coley." The app will link to the Bible app or website of your choice.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/readingplan/id336984707

It's that time ⏰
A new year has begun. Time to commit to reading the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments, in a year.
It doesn't take that much out of each day: average 12 minutes. That's nothing, compared to time we spend doing other things.
Yet, so many people who profess to believe and obey God's Word simply don't dedicate themselves to knowing all of it.
It takes a whole Bible to make whole Christians. And it's important that you become acquainted, year after year, with Genesis to Revelation. And your "in-depth-Bible-study" cannot make up for the giant portions of Scripture that you don't even know are there. Don't sacrifice breadth for depth.
And don't think it being a routine is bad. Routines are good. You have routines of all kinds: sleeping, eating, working, bedtimes and bath times. We rest and worship at the same times every week. These routines are virtuous. So is the routine of regular Bible reading. We need the structure. Will it feel like a chore? Honestly, sometimes it will. But that has to do with you, not the Bible reading. You don't stop eating just because it's repetitive.
If you've been a Christian for a couple years now, and yet have still not read the Bible cover to cover, it's time to do it. No more excuses. It's time to grow up and commit. You know you need God's Word. Now are you going to do what it takes? A failure to plan is a plan to fail. Yes, it's checking off boxes. And that's simply how we get many tasks accomplished in life. Let's get on with it.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
—Matthew 4:4 (LSB)

A selection of reading plans:
https://www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans

Bible reading podcasts that update daily are the most convenient. See the "Listen to the Bible" list here:
https://www.crossway.org/articles/crossway-podcasts/