Today I would like to share with you how I am doing my Bible Study this year. I have never really been one to use Bible devotional books, I usually just read my Bible and see what pops out at me. Last year, I chose a different topic for each month and studied different verses on the topic of the month; as well as my normal Bible reading schedule(which I shared with you last week). This year I felt like I needed to do more in regards to actually studying the Bible instead of just reading my Bible. I wasn't quite sure how I was supposed to go about doing this, so I began searching different Bible studies and plans and asking God which one He wanted me to use. I finally came across the H.E.A.R.T Ministry online. After much prayer, I felt like this is what I was supposed to use for my Bible studies. They have many different topics and lessons to study with free printable worksheets, and I admit it was hard for me to decide where I should begin. I finally chose the Practical Christianity lessons. Each lesson topic has 25 questions for you to answer as you study them.  This is my third week using these lessons, and I have already learned quite a bit. (They are also good to use for your Church ministries.) So, if you are looking for something to use for your Bible studies, then I encourage you to check out the H.E.A.R.T Ministry. I would love to hear what you use to help you with your Bible studies, and if you do check out the H.E.A.R.T Ministry, then let me know what you think. Have A Wonderful Day!!!

Have you ever tried to read the Bible through in a year? If so, have you ever had difficulties in doing so? Well for the longest time, I was never successful in reading my Bible all the way through in a year. I would always get stuck in Leviticus, the Kings, the Chronicles, or Judges. Sometimes I would make it through those, but it would take me forever to do so, and I became discouraged. Finally I realized that it would be better for me to NOT read the Bible in order from Genesis to Revelation. That sounds bad, I know. I felt guilty at first, but then I realized that I was reading my Bible and was getting more read by not reading the Bible in order. So I learned that as long as you are reading the Bible, it doesn't really matter how you are doing so. Some people are able to read the Bible in order, and there it is great. However, if you are like I was, then I want to suggest that you find a way that works best for you. Here is what I found that works for me: I read a Psalm and a Proverb everyday, then I read a chapter in the New Testament everyday, and then I split the Old Testament up into two sections: the first section is Genesis-Job and the second section is Ecclesiastes-Malachi - I will then read at least one chapter from each of those sections everyday as well. So I read at least five chapters everyday. In order to get the entire Bible read in a year, I will read several chapters from one of the Old Testament sections at least once a week.(usually more) I have found that dividing the Bible up this way helps me to read the Bible through in a year. Now that may not work for you, but it definitely works for me. If you have a Bible reading plan that works for you, then that is wonderful and I encourage you to continue to use it. If you haven't found a plan that works for you, then try me or keep looking until you find one that does work for you. Please do not give up. Keep trying and God will show you a plan that will work for you. Next week I will share with you how I am studying my Bible this year. In the meantime, I would love to know what sort of Bible reading plan you follow. Have A Wonderful Day!!!

First of all I want to apologize for not posting the winner sooner. I had every intention of doing so, but I had to rearrange my schedule. So I am very sorry that I did not announce the winner before the end of the year. So without further ado I want to congratulate HEATHER A. as the winner of our Countdown to Christmas winner. I will get your prize to you within the week. All I ask is that you send me a picture of the prize so that I can post it on the blog. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks to everyone who participated. Have A Wonderful Day!!!

I want to wish each and every one of you a very Happy and Blessed New Year! Can you believe that 2016 is gone and 2017 is already here? The year sure did go by fast, didn't it? I hope everyone has a better 2017 than you had in 2016. With the New Year many people make goals and resolutions for themselves that they hope to accomplish throughout the year. I have made several for myself this year, and I hope that I do better at keeping my resolutions this year than I did last year. I was trying to think of things that will help me to keep my resolutions, and one of the things I thought of was making a list of everything I hope to accomplish. Now I know most of us usually do make a list of our resolutions, but if you are like me, the list gets lost or thrown away. So, I was thinking how can I keep better track of my list this year and how can I use the list to help me accomplish my goals? So here is my plan for utilizing my list this year: 

1. Make out a list of goals and resolutions
2. Post this list in a couple of different places that way if I loose one I still have another one
3. Check the list at the end of every month to see how I am doing on my goals. (Hopefully this will keep me on track better and if I am slacking, then hopefully this will serve as a reminder of what I want to accomplish this year)
4. Reward myself with a treat at the end of each month that I accomplished the items on the list.
5. Don't get discouraged and give up if I am not meeting my goals. (This usually happens about June or July for me. I start the year of so well, but then summer arrives and I get out of my usual routine and everything begins to go downhill. This causes me to get frustrated with myself and I just give up on my goals. So this year, I am going to try to encourage myself more instead of beating myself up if I do not meet my goals for the month)

What about you? Do you have any ideas on how to successfully accomplish your goals and New's Year's resolutions? I would love to hear what they are, so please feel free to share them in the comments below.

​Have A Wonderful Day!!!