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Bible Reading & Journaling

After more than five years of full-time ministry – teaching, preaching, and leading, I felt the need for the discipline of consistent, personal Bible reading. Most of my Bible reading and study was in preparation for teaching. I was hungry for daily nourishment for my soul.

My wife Jean and I started reading the Bible daily, using a chronological, through-the Bible-in-a-year plan. Our daily discipline soon became a daily delight and we wanted more! So we added a monthly reading through Psalms and Proverbs – Proverbs for the mind and Psalms for the soul. Our Psalms and Proverbs plan is simple. Each day we read five Psalms, corresponding to the day of the month (January 1 we read Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121 and Proverbs 1. January 2 we read Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122, and Proverbs 2.) And so on through the months of the year.

We started our daily reading using the King James Version, then after a few years, we began reading from the New International Version. In recent years we’ve read the New Living Translation and the Message Translation. Switching Bible translations every few years has kept it fresh and interesting and has challenged us to actually think about what we are reading in new ways and see it through new eyes.

While we were serving as missionaries in the UK, Jean combined the Through the Bible in a Year Chronological Bible Reading Plan and the Psalms and Proverbs in a Month plans into a booklet which we distributed widely for several years. Then in 2002, we learned about a new chronological reading plan that covered the entire Old Testament once and the New Testament twice each year. This plan gave us some Old Testament and some New Testament each day. We liked the idea of not having to wait until late in the year to read some New Testament! This plan is now called the Life Journal Reading Plan and can be found on YouVersion.com.

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By Jim & Jean Stephens

Many online versions are available at the following: 

Read online at BibleGateway.com
Read online at YouVersion.co

By Jim & Jean Stephens

Look for easy reading, up-to-date language, easy understanding, interesting. Change translations from year to year. Keep it fresh.

Check out these translations:

• New International Version. 
• New Living Translation. 
• The Message Bible. 
• New Century Version.

By Jim & Jean Stephens

Pick a time, a place, a plan, a Bible Translation, collect the tools (notepad, pen, computer, whatever), and begin to develop the habit pattern. If you miss a day, don’t try to catch up. Just go on from where you are on today’s date.

I recommend starting with: 

• Through the Bible in a Year. 
• Chronological reading order. 
Check YouVersion Reading Plans
Check YouVersion Life Journal Plan

By Jim & Jean Stephens

Psalms are health for the soul and Proverbs are nourishment for the mind. 

Here’s how you can easily read through the entire Books of Psalms and Proverbs each month:

There are 150 Psalms and 31 Chapters of Proverbs. To simply and easily read through both Psalms and Proverbs each month, read 5 Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs each day. 

Because months, except February, have either 30 or 31 days, simply read five Psalms whose number corresponds to the day of the month and read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. 

Example: 
January 1 read Psalms 1, 31, 61, 91, 121, and Proverbs 1 
January 2 read Psalms 2, 32, 62, 92, 122, and Proverbs 2 
January 3 read Psalms 3, 33, 63, 93, 123, and Proverbs 3 
…and so on through the month and the year. 

For ease of keeping track, I’ve made five colored bookmarks for Psalms and one for Proverbs, and I simply move them ahead each day so I can quickly turn to the Psalms and the Proverbs chapter for the day. 

I hope this reading plan is a blessing to you! 

By Jim & Jean Stephens

Choose the reading from your daily reading guide. Before you start reading pray and say, “God please speak to me from your word today.” Then prayerfully and thoughtfully read today’s passage from the Old Testament or New Testament.

• Scripture – Write down a scripture – a verse or verses that seem to stand out to you from the day’s reading. 

• Observation – Write an observation of how these verses affected you or of how God seemed to be speaking to you from His word as you were reading. 

• Application – Write one or more points describing how this scripture applies to you and your situation. You may want to write some action points of how you intend to apply this to your life. 

• Prayer – Write a brief prayer to God that expresses how you are feeling about the scripture you’ve read and how it applies to your life.

Try this plan for two months. If you miss a day or a few days in your reading don’t go back and try to “catch up.” Just pick it up again with the current day’s reading. 

Daily Bible Reading starts as a discipline and quickly becomes a delight – we don’t know of anything else we could share with you that has more potential to change your life and line it up with God’s word and make God become more real and help you realize how close He is. We pray that God confirms this in your heart and you will step out and try it. 

By Jim & Jean Stephens

Printed Study Resources:
• Study Bible Version of your chosen Bible Translation. 
• Simple Bible Facts book (Bible Handbook). 
• Simple Bible Commentary. 

Online Study Resources: 
• Strong’s Numbers/Concordances
• TGM Study Resources
• Blue Letter Bible

Bible Software for your computer or mobile device 
• PC, Mac, and Mobile versions at Laridian 
• PC, Mac, and Mobile versions at Olive Tree  
• Many versions and resources at Logos 

Family, Marriage, & Parenting

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
– Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)

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By Jean Stephens

A brief study on relationships

By Jean Stephens

“A wife (or woman) of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

By Jean Stephens

The influence of our daily lives is one of the things that we think about the least.

Mini Retreat

Since Jean began using this idea with our daughters in 1991, we have adapted it, modified it, and used it in a variety of ways in our lives at times of transition and change or opportunity and challenge. 

Mini-Retreats are not a cure-all or a solution to every problem or answer to every question. The Mini-Retreat is simply one tool that helps us stay on track with God’s purpose, maintain a healthy perspective on life and ministry, and stay ready to act on our convictions. 

It’s especially helpful to use the Mini-Retreat in conjunction with daily quiet times that include Bible Reading and journaling, with active participation in some form of accountability with others, and with periodic seasons of prayer and fasting. 

Be creative in your use of all these tools for keeping in the main flow of God’s will and purpose for your life and ministry. 

We recommend the Mini-Retreat to you as one of the tools in your tool box. Use it, modify it, and/or adapt it. We’d love to hear some stories of how it works for you!

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By Jim & Jean Stephens

A Mini-Retreat is a half-day or a two or three-day break in the activities of daily life in which we stop and take stock of what God has done for us, where we are, and where we believe God wants us to go.

Each stage of the Christian life seems to be a destination until you reach it, then it becomes a milepost and reference point in the on-going journey. Keep pressing on.​

Who needs a Mini-Retreat? 

• Families – Parents with children who are old enough to be faced with decisions about life and future. 
• Married couples. 
• Church or ministry staff or team. 
• Individuals. 

When do we need a Mini-Retreat? 

• When we are chronically busy. 
• When we are in danger of losing perspective. 
• During seasons of change and transition. 
• When we are finding that God’s Grace is lifting off us in the present situation. 
• When we are frustrated. 
• When we begin to sense that the time is coming for change to take place. 
• When there are open doors of opportunity. 
• When we begin to feel a stirring in a new direction. 
• When we are experiencing any of the symptoms of burnout. 
• When there are decisions to be made concerning direction. 
• Regularly once or twice a year as a “tune-up” to keep things moving smoothly. 

How does a Mini-Retreat work? 

There are several important components of an effective Mini-Retreat, but the actual details can be worked out in a number of ways. Here are some of the important factors in an effective Mini-Retreat: 

• Set time aside for your Mini-Retreat – anywhere from three or four hours to two or three days. Stop what you are doing. Take a break from the routine. This may require some advance planning and preparation. 
• Go somewhere nice if you can. If not, let phone calls go to voice mail and resist the temptation to check your email. 
• Break each day of the Mini-Retreat into segments: Reflection, Creative discussion, Recreation, Rest, Prayer. Focus on a different aspect of your situation each day: Assessment, Creative discussion, Planning and Implementation. 
• Spend some time on the last day or the final session of your Mini-Retreat making plans and assignments for each participant. Come away with some steps of action. 

By Jim & Jean Stephens

First Hour – Reflection 

  • Reflect. Think about God’s goodness and provision to you. Look at important scriptures. Review special insights or words you have received from God. 
  • Dream. With your mind and heart full of thoughts of God’s blessing, direction, and provision of in your life, use your imagination and think big thoughts and dream big dreams. 
  • Pray. Thank God for his blessings and make a fresh commitment to know and do his will. 

Second Hour – Creative Discussion 

  • Review. Identify your “You Are Here” point. What are your current responsibilities and activities? What is important, what is not important? 
  • Discuss. What do you feel God is saying to you at this time. Is it time to do something you’ve never done? Is it time to recommit to your present course? 
  • Determine. Identify some specific things you will do – specific decisions and actions. 
  • Pray. Ask God for guidance, direction, and confirmation. 

Third Hour – Planning and Implementation 

  • Review. Review dreams and ideas from Hour Two. List the specific activities, projects and tasks that are taking shape in your thoughts. 
  • Assign. Make specific assignments with deadlines for projects or decisions you commit to. Spell out how you’ll begin, how you’ll follow through. 
  • Pray. Ask God for wisdom and strength to carry out the plans you have made.

By Jim & Jean Stephens

DAY ONE (perhaps start on a Friday night with a nice meal) 

7:00 – 7:30: Prayer for direction and guidance during the time you will spend together in the next two days. 

7:30 – 8:30: Spend time reflecting on the goodness of God in your life. Look at scriptures that have been important; prophecies you have received (special words from God); talk about the provision of God you have experienced. 

8:30 – 9:00: Reflect on the current situation (good or not so good). Talk about things you might like to do, places you would like to go, etc. 

9:00 – 9:45: Dream time. While your mind and heart are full of thoughts of the past blessing, direction, and provision of God in your life, use your imagination and think big thoughts and dream big dreams. 

DAY TWO 

9:00 – 9:30: A nice breakfast/coffee time at home or go out 

9:30 – 10:00: Prayer: thank God for time together, for discussions of the night before, for guidance for the time today. 

10:00 – 11:30: Discuss where you are now and what you need to do to continue and complete the current responsibilities and activities you are involved in. Discuss what is important, what is maybe not as important. 

11:30 – 12:30: Discuss what you can do to move forward in God and what you feel He is saying to you at this time. Is it time to do something for the first time? Is it time for something new? Is it time to recommit to your present course? 

12:30 – 1:00: Begin to be specific in listing and discussing the things that you can and perhaps will do next. 

1:00 – 2:00: Take a break, go for a walk, have a snack or light lunch 

2:00 – 3:00: Review dreams and ideas discussed on Day Two. Begin to list the specific activities, projects and tasks that are taking shape in your thoughts.

3:00 – 4:30: Discuss and begin to make more detailed lists of projects, tasks, time schedules, etc. Make very specific assignments with deadlines for the projects or decisions you are committing to. Spell out how to begin, how to follow through. Take time to type up (put in computer) the notes you have taken and the steps of action you have decided on. Print out a copy to use in the coming days. 

4:30 – 5:00: Prayer for wisdom and strength as you begin to implement the plans you have made. 

5:00: Go out for a nice meal and celebrate together!! 

By Jim & Jean Stephens

Day One – Reflection 

9:00 – 9:30: Prayer and Praise 

9:30 – 10:30: Spend time reflecting on the goodness of God in your life. Look at scriptures that have been important; prophecies you have received (special words from God); talk about the provision of God you have experienced. 

10:30 – 11:30: Reflect on the current situation (good or not so good). Talk about things you might like to do, places you would like to go, etc. 

11:30 – 12:30: Dream time. While your mind and heart are full of thoughts of the past blessing, direction, and provision of God in your life, use your imagination and think big thoughts and dream big dreams. 

12:30 – 1:00: Prayer Time. A time of being thankful and commitment to God and His will. 

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch (go out or have a simple prepared lunch) 

2:00 on: Plan a recreational activity 

Day Two – Creative Discussion 

9:00 – 9:30: Prayer and Praise 

9:30 – 10:30: Discuss where you are now and what you need to do to continue and complete the current responsibilities and activities you are involved in. What is important, what is not important. 

10:30 – 11:30: Discuss what you can do to move forward in God and what you feel He is saying to you at this time. Is it time to do something for the first time? Is it time for something new? Is it time to recommit to your present course? 

11:30 – 12:30: Begin to be specific in listing and discussing the things that you can and perhaps will do next. 

12:30 – 1:00: Prayer for guidance and direction. Ask God for confirmation of His will and direction. 

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch 

2:00 on: Plan a recreational activity 

Day Three – Planning and Implementation 

9:00 – 9:30: Prayer and Praise 

9:30 – 10:30: Review dreams and ideas discussed on Day Two. Begin to list the specific activities, projects and tasks that are taking shape in your thoughts. 

10:30 – 11:30: Discuss and begin to make more detailed lists of projects, tasks, time schedules, etc. 

11:30 – 12:30: Make very specific assignments with deadlines for the projects or decisions you are committing to. Spell out how to begin, how to follow through. 

12:30 – 1:00: Prayer for wisdom and strength as you begin to implement the plans you have made. 

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch 

2:00 – 3:00: Take time to type up (put in computer) the notes you have taken and the steps of action you have decided on. Print out a copy to use in the coming days. 

3:00 on: Go out for a nice meal! 

Social Media

“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
– John 10:4 (NKJV)

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By Jim Stephens

A PDF of three blog posts I wrote about using Social Media wisely. Grace to you!

Thankfulness

“My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”
– John 10:10b (LB)

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By Jim Stephens

Ideas to help you develop a Thankfulness attitude through thankful actions:

1. Give everyone you meet a compliment. Compliments are really expressions of thankfulness.

2. Say grace at meals. You don’t have to be a religious fanatic to be thankful for your food, for the means to buy it, for the farmers who grew it, and for God who gave it.

3. Donate, Give, Share. Giving things away expresses our thankfulness that we have enough.

4. Volunteer. When we are given so much in life, we must give back.

5. Keep a thankfulness journal. Every evening write down a few things you were thankful for that day.

6. Tell people you are thankful for them! Don’t worry, you won’t sound weird.

7. Thank others for what they do, not just for material gifts.

8. Pray. Too often during prayer we focus on lack, asking for what we think we need. It’s ok to ask God for things, but we also need to say thanks for what he has given.

9. Remind yourself to be thankful. Frame a favorite Thankfulness quote and keep it where you see it often.

10. Be thankful on social media. Facebook is full of complainers and criticizers! Be a thanker and a praiser!

+1. Make a specific point of constantly looking for things to be thankful for. I promise you will find them.

Transition & Change

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
– Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

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By Jim Stephens

By Jim Stephens

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