Starting Zephaniah

I am starting the book of Zephaniah. Have you ever read it? I never ever have. I have so excited to be reading books of the Bible that I have never read before. I am so excited that no matter how long this journey has been, I am nearing the New Testament. When I decided to read through the Bible, cover to cover, I had no idea that two years later I would still have a few hundred pages left to the New Testament. But I am so proud of myself that I haven’t quit. There are the days, and weeks, where I just don’t read. I hate to admit that, but it’s true. Chances are that there’s something wrong in my life and I just don’t feel like it. Dumb excuse, but it’s true. Or I don’t wake up in time, but it’s usually the former. When I don’t read, I can feel it, all day long. Everything irritates me. Starting this, I never knew that one day I would actually miss reading my bible.

Sometimes I feel so inspired and encouraged that nothing gets in my way and I can get through several chapters and other days I can barely get through a couple verses. In this chapter of my life, my mood is constantly changing on a day to day basis. I know that there’s been many, too many, days that I am so discouraged that I just don’t want to get out of bed. And then there’s moments like tonight where I just happened to open my bible and just read…

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100

I am having one of those moments where I feel as though this scripture was written for me, for this exact moment in life. I need to remember that God is good. He is God. He made us. He made me. No matter what our earthly problems are, we will one day enter into His courts with praise and thanksgiving. His mercy is everlasting.

Remember this. Every day. Every moment. Bless His name.

God doesn’t care if you read methodically everyday. But He does want to spend time with us. He wants to share your sorrow and your joy, your failures and your triumphs. No matter my lack of skills in the singing department, everyday I want to come before the His presence with singing, no matter if I am singing a song of sorrows or a song of praise. In everything, I want to give thanks, for the Lord is good.

My very stunningly beautiful friend Emily is posting throughout the month of November what she is thankful for. Thanks Em for the idea, but I am going to as well. Bring on the thankfulness!