In His Presence Bible Reading Challenge
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An Unlikely Story
If anyone had asked, they would have said it was impossible. Jesus was passing through town and the most unlikely character to want a front-row seat could see only the crowd. The fact that this rich man, a tax collector, wanted to see Jesus seemed ridiculous to most. Many of us are familiar with the story. A wee little man climbed a sycamore tree so he could see God in the flesh. And we know that Jesus saw him and invited himself over to have dinner with Zaccheus, a well-known sinner.
But there are facts to this story that drew me in more than any of the above details. When I read Zaccheus’ story in Luke 19:1-10 recently, I noticed these three points:
- Zaccheus hurried down from the tree when Jesus called him.
- Zaccheus received Jesus joyfully.
- Zaccheus changed in the presence of Jesus.
The children’s song about Zaccheus ends this way:
“And as the Savior passed that way, he looked up in the tree, and he said,
‘Zaccheus, you come down. For I’m going to your house today.
For I’m going to your house to stay.'”
I never understood that part of the song when I was a kid. I envisioned an eternal sleepover. And that sounded fun! No wonder everyone smiled at the end of the song, right?
You see, after Jesus came to visit, he never really left. Oh, his body walked out the door, but his spirit remained.
Zaccheus was a changed man who opened not only the door of his house, but also the door of his heart.
This Month: In His Presence Bible Reading Challenge
Oh that we might follow Zaccheus lead as we read through this month’s topical Bible reading challenge! I pray that we would rush to get to his feet and spend time with Jesus. I want us to joyfully enjoy the moments we have in God’s Word and prayer. And yes, we want to be forever changed through drawing closer to him. This is what happens when we enjoy the gift of his presence!! I can hardly wait!
How to Participate
If you’ve never joined a Bible reading challenge here before, each day we follow the plan and read the passage. You can share what you are learning on social media or just keep it between you and God. My goal through the reading is to draw closer to Jesus, and I want that for you too!
For this month, we will use the hashtag #inhispresence. Almost every day, I post on Instagram or Facebook about what I’m learning through the passages and sometimes I post the Bible journaling pages I work on throughout the study.
On Fridays, I post a summary of what I learned through the week here on the blog and invite you to share what God is teaching you in the comments.
Additional/Optional Bible Reading Challenge Features for January
Periscope
Each Thursday at 9 PM EST, I’m going to be on Periscope to discuss the passages we’re studying this month. I was a bit sporadic in December with Periscope due to a memory lapse and the holidays, but I will do my best. Tune in for the first session on Thursday, January 7. What’s Periscope? A super cool app that allows me to chat real time with you anytime, anywhere, as long as you log in to listen. Don’t forget to download it before then! Follow me @rachelwojo.
Bible Journaling
As you may know, I’ve been working on learning to Bible journal a little art and since you’ve been asking, I’ve got a FANTASTIC tool to help us both consistently read God’s Word, study it, meditate on it, and enjoy it. Use this Bible Journaling Guide to process the Bible reading through your choice of journal writing, art, or both.
And now for the Bible reading plan, In His Presence!
In His Presence Bible Reading Plan
1. Luke 19:1-10
2. Deut. 4:5-10
3. Deut. 4:29-33
4. Psalm 34:15-19
5. Psalm 73:21-28
6. James 4:1-8
7. Isaiah 55:1-7
8. Hebrews 7:17-22
9. Psalm 91:1-8
10. Psalm 91:9-16
11. Hebrews 10:16-22
12. Psalm 65:1-5
13. Colossians 3:12-17
14. John 12:25-33
15. Joshua 1:5-9
16. Luke 9:23-27
17. Psalm 100:1-5
18. Psalm 119:141-152
19. 2 Cor. 5:16-21
20. Psalm 145:14-21
21. Psalm 142:1-5
22. Jeremiah 23:23-28
23. 1 John 2:1-6
24. Phil. 3:8-12
25. Romans 8:5-9
26. 2 Chron. 30:18-20
27. Psalm 63:1-8
28. Acts 17:24-28
29. Psalm 14:1-7
30. Isaiah 30:15-18
31. Psalm 119:141-152
Printable or Digital
Just screenshot the graphic to your smartphone and mark it as a favorite for easy daily access. For a simple printable copy, click on the graphic or HERE and print out two copies of the Bible reading plan. Share one with a friend!
Ok! Who’s joining us on January 1st? I’d love to hear from you today!
Rachel
I’m a little late, just found your page…But I’m in, hopefully just a week behind.
I’m in for the 1st time. I’m a bit nervous but also can’t wait to see where God takes me on this journey this month. I just sent your book to my daughter who is in jail. She is reading it and we are talking about it. Thank you so much for putting your story out to help so many people. You are truly one of God’s angels.
xoxo
Clorete- your message is so precious to my heart. Thank you for boldly sharing your steps of faith and I’m praying you recognize God’s presence with you and your daughter!!
I’m in but how do I sign up for the daily emails
If you subscribe to the site through the left sidebar box, you will receive a reminder each time I post. Hope this helps!
I am looking forward to this challenge! I don’t have a journaling bible but I plan to journal in my bible if there’s extra space and I’m using a dedicated journal my granddaughter gave to me for my attempt at art journaling. I’m anticipating God’s intervention in my life. Thank you for doing this.
I have slacked off the last two months and I could see the difference in my moods. I am jumping back in for January 2016! Thank you for doing these topical studies Rachel!
I’m definitely joining you for the new reading plan! I’ve been participating since November and I love them!
I’m in! Totally excited to get to know God as my Father!
I’m in and I have truly enjoyed the December Reading Challenge as well.
I am looking forward to joining you in this challenge! I am also going to try my hand at art journaling as well! I can’t wait to get started!!
I’m in! I am going to share this with my brother and ask you to pray with me for him to be hungry for the word and join as well!!!!!!!!
I am.
I m in.
Looking forward to this. The Light Bible reading challenge is my first. Have really enjoyed it.
this is perfect. I am going to share with my Hubby and we can do this as a nightly devotion before prayer. I was just telling my Husband this morning about I want to start praying as a family. God’s timing is amazing. Just downloaded it so I can print it and show the Hubby….. love your blog. God is doing such awesome things through you. Happy New Year
I’m in I will fight the temptation to sleep in so that way I will get into God’s Word
I’m in!!! Another opportunity to be in His Word!
I am going to attempt to do this. Lots of prayers to stay with it.
I’m in too! I really enjoyed the November bible study. I did the Promises study by Kari denker during Dec and really enjoyed that, but I shall join in with this again during January
I am in!!!!!!! I have been reading these challenges since I been reading your blog. It really helps me to understand more about the Bible! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
This will be my 3rd Bible Reading Challenge! I have enjoyed each one, I’m very excited to begin another one. I have been encouraging my Sunday School class to participate.
Me too, this is the beginning of my 3rd challenge. I’ve actually stuck with it and am proud of myself as I am usually a great starter and fall out somewhere in the middle! Upward and onward!
Looking forward to it! Very timely topic (for me, anyway), I was just thinking today that with the lack of routine these holidays, and staying with family that I haven’t been spending as much time as I’d like in His Word & in prayer. Definitely something I need to be more intentional about!
Hi Rachel, I’m in, and will share it with my family and friends. I love the idea, and hope to continue following your work. I’ve enjoyed it immensely for this past Month. My family, friends, myself included, have been battling several health issues this year, and our trust, and faith in God’s Word is what keeps us focused, strong, and United against all odds.
Hi Rachel
I will be joining you and trying my journaling art as well. Looking forward to bible reading challenge for the start of 2016.
Hi i am in Australia. The lower part of Australia. I am going to try and take the challenge. Gayle
I have been going through a study in Revelation with an app on my phone, but I am willing to take this challenge on. There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past year and a half. I expect more changes this next year. With all that, I need more than ever to find time to be in His presence.
I am joining! I love this Bible Study and I am loving the scriptures we are reading.
I am going through a lot of health issues that have kept me from going to church
for the over 2 1/2 years. I feel like this study is helping me to get to start reading
my bible again.
Thank you very much,, Marcia Glase
Marcia, my church has an on-line broadcast. I am in South Carolina but you can connect through this link”
http://www.newspring.cc Sunday you can watch a live stream or later in the week you may watch the recap of the sermon. Praying for your health
I need to do this! I’m in!
I’ll be joining in. I’m looking forward to using this reading challenge as my ‘write the word’ devotional each day.
I’m in!!! So excited to see what the Lord has in store for all of us in 2016! Just joined a community of women on Facebook who are planning on writing every day in 2016 called #write365 and I feel as if God cannot bless anything until we have sat in His presence to learn from Him. Thanks Rachel for doing this!