Begin Again!

When I was in grade school, I learned a silly song about a man named Michael Finnegan. The first verse went something like this:

“There was an old man named Michael Finnegan.
He grew whiskers on his chinnigan.
The wind came up and blew them in again,
Poor old Michael Finnegan … begin again."

I think we learned at least a dozen verses which all seemed to convey the idea that poor old Michael Finnegan never made much PROGRESS. Every time he attempted something he ended up right back where he began. He’d catch a fish only to drop it in again, grow large and then grow thin again, would climb out of a pond and fall back in again, etc. What a pitiful thing to picture again-again.

On the other hand there are some things which are very good to begin again. Today, the first day of a New Year, I have once again-again begun my annual reading through the Bible; my practice for many years. Today I read again-again the first three chapters of Genesis and the first chapter of Matthew. Every time I read through the Bible I learn something or am reminded of things I need to keep in mind. I receive encouragement and chastisement and wisdom; all intended by God to help me PROGRESS spiritually and in other ways as well. Daily reading of God Words helps guard against being lead astray from the truth or carried away by the notions of this world.

As Peter ended his second letter, he exhorted…
“But GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” ( 2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

Yes, we need to grow daily in our knowledge of Jesus and PROGRESS in becoming more and more like Him. Through daily exposure to God’s Word we can PROGRESS toward more spiritual maturity. I continue to be amazed at what can be picked up when the same passages are returned to again-again as each year rolls by.

If daily Bible reading has not been your practice, I encourage you to begin today. It only takes a few minutes each day to read through the Bible in one year. You just need to decide on a time of day that works best for you and do it. By reading three to four chapters in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament even just six days a week will easily get you through the Bible in one year. If you would prefer to focus your meditation time on the New Testament, that can be done by reading only five chapters a week for fifty-two weeks. Whatever you choose just begin and let it become a habit. You will be richly blessed.

Have a great day GROWING DAILY WITH GOD’S WORD!
Carl

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