I started my first diary in December 1989. I’d received one for Christmas that year—the kind with a small lock and tiny key. It was one of my favorite gifts and initiated a lifelong love of journaling, although I’ve never been consistent with keeping a daily journal.

Like many people, I can keep a bad habit going strong forever. But establish a good habit? Not so much! About a decade ago, I asked God to help me establish a daily Bible reading habit. With my track record, I knew I could only do it with His help, and He faithfully did so.

For this week’s blog, I thought it would be fun to do something I’ve never done: go through my journals and read what I wrote on the same day every year. The books featured in today’s post are pictured in the banner above.

As you’ll see, sometimes I was only reading a verse a day. Other times, I was reading lengthier passages from different books of the Bible. Sometimes I was jotting down a brief thought or prayer. Other times, I was writing longer reflections and prayers. I’ve read straight through the Bible and used many devotionals.

Regardless of the time and effort involved, to me, the important thing is making the commitment to show up every day and following through on that promise.

It’s not an understatement to say that reading the Bible every day has changed my life for the better. I’ve come to a much deeper knowledge of God and myself, which I can see when I compare what I wrote twenty-plus years ago to today.

If you want to spend more time in Scripture, ask the Lord to help you find the time to do it. As it says in Jeremiah 29:13, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

With love in Christ,

Amanda

xoxo

2004

**This was the year after I’d started going back to church with my then-boyfriend, now husband. I had neither a driver’s license or a vehicle, so I was grateful to him for transporting me to and from church. I was also reading through the Bible for the first time ever, and the reading on this day was Numbers 30–32.

Scriptures: Joshua 24:14–15; 1 Peter 4:8–11; Matthew 20:20–28

Reflection

I’m always thinking about how I’d like to do more for and at the church, but my geographical distance has made this somewhat challenging. At least I’m able to make it for services and Bible studies. And today’s sermon was a good reminder that there are plenty of other ways I can serve God in my daily life.

2008

Scripture: Luke 22:1–6

Dear Lord,

Although I may feel weary this week, I know that life will get even more hectic in the coming days and weeks. But I also know that You are here with me, to comfort and defend me, and to protect me from harm. I thank You, Father, for Your loving kindness, which continually uplifts me and keeps me from falling into the depths of despair. You are Love, and I pray that I will always know this truth. Amen.

2012

Scripture: Colossians 3:3–5, 12–17

Of the segments listed that are in the process of stepping into the new life, the one that speaks to me most right now is that we consider background thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life. Although, now that I read the corresponding verses, I think that “we put on the new life” is actually more fitting for me right now. I especially like the notion of love being our basic, all-purpose garment. Without love, we can’t even begin to have the other characteristics—compassion, kindness, discipline, etc.

2013

Scripture: Luke 5:12–16

Dear Lord,

As my mind drifts and wanders this morning, I’m again reminded of how difficult it can be for me to focus on You, especially in prayer. I’m so often preoccupied with lesser things, none of which are as valuable to my day and worthy of my time as You are. Please help me to be more focused on You, Lord, on Your presence in my life. Please help me to seek Your face in all situations, both the calm and the storm. I’m disinclined to do this in my sinful flesh, but I know it can be accomplished through the work of Your Holy Spirit within me. I ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.

2014

Scripture: Psalm 8:3–4, 9

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I go throughout my day, please allow me to be aware of and appreciate Your amazing creation. I ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.

2015

Scriptures: Psalm 27:5; Deuteronomy 33:27; Ruth 2:12; Proverbs 18:10, 14:32

Reflection

I’ve definitely sought refuge in places other than the Lord. I typically seek comfort in human relationships, work, mindless activity (e.g., surfing the Internet), and/or food. While any of these might provide a temporary respite, none of them truly soothe my soul and provide lasting comfort. Yet I foolishly return to them time and again.

Prayer

Lord, please grant me the wisdom to seek You in times of trouble, knowing and trusting that only You can satisfy and soothe my soul. Thank You for being the God You are, and loving us unconditionally, in spite of us. Amen.

2017

Scripture: Matthew 6:14

Dear Heavenly Father,

Forgiveness can be hard, especially when we feel really hurt by someone. And also if the person is unrepentant. However, forgiveness is just as much for us as it is for the other person. Unforgiveness can fester in our hearts, consuming us. Please disallow the hearts of Your children to be hardened by unforgiveness. Amen.

2018

Scripture: Matthew 12:50

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the amazing family You’ve given me in Christ. May I never take them for granted. Amen.

2019

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:20

Dear Lord, Thank You for always being with me—You truly are my Rock and my Shield. Amen.

2023

Scripture: Psalm 78:1–82:8

How interesting to read another account of the exodus, which includes details that enrich the narrative Moses wrote. Like the Egyptians being descended from Noah’s son Ham. As a history nerd, I love all of that! 😊

2024

Scripture: Psalm 119:9–16

Reflection

My goal is always to use my phone and to consume less media. Sometimes I’m successful in this, sometimes not. I think the Focus Sessions definitely help in this regard, when I bother to use them as intended. But this is undeniably an area of struggle for me.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I can’t even get through my morning devotional time without getting distracted by devices! What a sorry state of affairs. ☹ Please help me to do better, Lord, so I can be more focused on You, my family, and the work You’ve prepared in advance for me to do. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

2025

Scriptures: Psalm 119:9–16, 125; Deuteronomy 4:1–20; Matthew 7:13–29

As many times as I’ve read Matthew—and the Sermon on the Mount specifically—I don’t know why it’s never occurred to me that Jesus is speaking of Himself when He speaks of the narrow gate in 7:13–14. After all, in John 10:7, Jesus refers to Himself as the door of the sheep/sheep pen. “Door” is rendered as “gate” in several translations. And it doesn’t get much narrower than “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). This notion also makes sense in the larger context of Matthew 7, because Jesus is warning His disciples about false prophets.

Something to ponder further throughout the day…

Scripture taken from the New King James Version^®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.