Read Your Bible

Here is a picture of my Bible reading plan from this morning as I sat reading. It's kind of tiny and coffee stained, but it's what works for me to help me regularly read through the Bible. Almost weekly as I preach and teach others, I am encouraging them (you) to read your Bible, but sometimes I think people do not read because they simply do not have a workable plan. So I want to give you the basics of what I do, so that if you do not have a plan, you could at least start here.

1. Get a physical Bible. 

I am very easily distractable with electronics, and while I do have several Bible apps, for my regular daily reading, I sit down with a physical Bible, and it helps me focus.

If you do not have a good paper Bible, here are some links to ones I recommend. 

ESV Study Bible - This is a big dude with lots of info. It's the one I'm currently reading through.

CSB Study Bible - This version is little easier to read and it's currently my favorite to recommend to people who are non-readers.

Any simple reading Bible. If you need large print, there are lots of them available, just go to Amazon or Christianbook.com and you can find them. Invest in a good paper Bible it may help you.

2. Get a plan.

In the picture above you see that I have printed out plan with daily readings listed. It is a Bible in a year plan, but I do not use it that way. I just read the next chapter, and some days I read several chapters. It generally takes me 2-3 years to read through the whole Bible, then I print out a new plan and start over. I like marking off the reading and seeing my progress. I also have the same plan in my Bible app that I can read on my phone or tablet when I'm not home for a few days.

Here is a site to choose from a number of different plans. Bibleplan.org . You can start just reading a part of the Bible or get a whole Bible reading plan (which is what I really recommend). Most Bible apps also have plans, but again if you are easily distracted, you are probably better off having a paper copy as your primary reader.

3. Set aside some time

I do my daily reading in the morning when I get up. It's become really routine now. I generally spend 15 minutes reading the Bible and if I have time, I also read a devotional, pray, and spend time in Bible memory. Set aside 10-15 minutes at some point during the day to make it a habit and you will be able to read at least a chapter a day. I often still miss a couple days a week, but that's often because I'm in a group Bible study in the morning those days. 

Honestly, this will probably be the hardest thing for those who do not already do it. You have to commit to setting aside some time. If Bible reading is a priority (and it should be in your relationship with God) then you have to make time.

4. Take notes.

One of the things that has helped me focus, especially on some of the "boring" parts of scripture, is to write at least one note for every chapter I read. I do use a notes app on my phone for this, and yes it sometimes distracts me with other notifications. I would recommend a notebook and pen right alongside your Bible. Also, do not be scared to write in your Bible. Highlight, underline, and make notes for yourself. Use your Bible. Study your Bible. I use a pencil in my Bible to underline and take notes there too. Anything about the passage that strikes me, I write a note. Any thought that God brings to mind, I write a note. It keeps me engaged, and often God uses these lessons throughout my day to bring His word back to mind. 

So, if you don't have a plan, this could be a good starting point. God has spoken, and we can hear from Him daily. Let's read our Bible together.

Rewards in heaven?

In a larger conversation, a friend asked me this question and I thought I'd make a blog post with my response. Just to let you know, I spoke out my own thoughts and then used an AI to help clarify and then went back and edited it again to make sure that I agreed with the final product. 

The original question :

"I also have a question on the “rewards.” I thought being in eternity with Jesus was the reward, but many Bible passages discuss storing up treasures in heaven. I’ve always been perplexed on this concept of rewards." 

Okay, here's a quick take on rewards in heaven—I know this can be confusing!

Scripture is clear that salvation is a free gift available to everyone through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). But it also teaches that there are different levels of reward based on how we live and serve here on earth. There are even degrees of punishment in hell, so it makes sense that rewards vary too.

What are those rewards? They're tied to our faithfulness with what God gives us. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who faithfully use their gifts are rewarded with more responsibility: 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!' (Matthew 25:21). So heaven isn't just eternal rest—it's a place of continued purpose and activity.

We're also told we'll rule and reign with Christ. The more faithful we are here, the greater our role or responsibility there (e.g., Revelation 5:10: 'You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth'; or 2 Timothy 2:12: 'If we endure, we will also reign with him').

No one will be unhappy or jealous—everyone will be fully satisfied in God's presence, and heaven will be paradise compared to earth. But there will be varying degrees of responsibility or capacity for joy/service.

I also think rewards go beyond 'things'—they're not about more gold or possessions. They're relational: the more we grow in our relationship with God here, and the more people we influence for eternity, the more prepared we'll be to enjoy deeper fellowship with Him and others there.

A fun illustration I've heard (not sure if it's historical fact, but it captures the idea): John Wesley and George Whitefield, two famous evangelists who once worked together, parted ways over theology. When asked if he'd see Whitefield in heaven, Wesley joked, 'No—he'll be so close to the throne that I won't be able to see him!' It's tongue-in-cheek, but it points to the idea that greater faithfulness here leads to greater closeness or prominence in eternity.

Bottom line: Rewards are about being better prepared for eternal life with God—more responsibility, deeper relationships, and greater capacity to glorify Him. Everyone in heaven will be thrilled with what God gives them, but our earthly faithfulness matters.

If you'd like, I can dig up more specific passages or go deeper on any part!

Suggested Bible Verses:

On storing up treasures in heaven (the core perplexity your friend mentioned):

Matthew 6:19-21 — “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

On rewards according to works/faithfulness:

Matthew 16:27 — “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”

Revelation 22:12 — “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

Parable of the Talents (responsibility/reward for using gifts):

Matthew 25:14-30 (especially verses 21 and 23, as above).

Ruling/reigning with Christ:

Revelation 5:10 — “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

2 Timothy 2:12 — “If we endure, we will also reign with him.”

On varying degrees of reward (and satisfaction for all):

1 Corinthians 3:8, 14 — “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor... If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.”

(This ties into the idea of works being tested, with varying outcomes but salvation secure.)

Welcome, Purpose, and Links

Hello,

My name is Mike Sechler. I am currently the pastor at Oakland Evangelical Free Church, and this blog is a place for me to set down some of my thoughts about life, scripture, church life, discipleship and whatever else comes into my mind at the moment. A number of my posts are articles that I have written in the past or that I have just written for the local paper or for my church.

I hope you find them enjoyable and edifying.

Along with this blog, I also have a blog where I review and recommend various resources including books, movies, websites, podcasts, and all sorts of other media.

I am also keeping a record of all the sermon recordings, so if you are interested in listening to them here are the links.

2017

Love Made Manifest

Have you ever been in love? How do you know? Is it the tingles in your stomach? Is it the way you feel when your true love looks at you? Is it your desire to do anything to make the other person happy?

How would they know you love them? Do you say I love you? Do you give them flowers and gifts? Do you spend all day gazing into their loving eyes? An even more important love is the love of God for us. Do you know God loves you? How do you know? 

1 John 4:9 tells how we see the love of God for us through Jesus coming, "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."

Through Jesus, the love of God is made manifest or show to us, and He does this in a number of ways. First, simply by coming and being with us, He gave us the very presence of God. Joseph and Mary got to experience God's love in a very unique way as the human parents to Jesus. They held Him as a baby. They raised Him as a boy, seeing Him grow and mature.

Then when Jesus started His public ministry, a large part of what He did was spend time with people. His disciples literally lived with Him for years. He went and stayed at people's houses and went to parties with many of them. Furthermore, He was not limited in spending time with just the good people or the important people. Rather, He spent time with the poor, the outcasts, and the sinner, but also with any leaders who would have Him.

He even got close enough to touch and be touched. He was held, cuddled, and swaddled as a baby. He walked among crowds where even ceremonially unclean people, like a woman with a bleeding illness could touch Him. He touched people with leprosy and with blindness. He allowed little children, who were not valued as much in that society, to come to Him.

He also came to tell us that we are loved. When talking to Nicodemus, He says that His coming is a very sign that God loves the world (John 3:16). He tell His disciples that He loves them, that they should remain in His love, and as a result they should love one another (John 13:34, 15:9). Furthermore, for those who chose to follow Him, we are told our very identity is transformed by belonging to Jesus (Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20). He spoke regular words of love and encouragement to His followers and through them to those of us who follow Him.

Jesus's words of love were backed up by actions of love. He said that He came to serve and to be served (Mark 10:45.) He healed the sick, fed the hungry, visited the lonely and outcast, rescued the demon-possessed, and taught the truth. Finally, He gave His life to ransom the prisons, namely us, from the chains of sin.

While we know how to show love through giving gifts at Christmas and other times, God gives the best gift in sending His son. The baby Jesus was wrapped up like a baby in swaddling clothes, but Jesus was also wrapped in burial linen. It was not until He was unwrapped at Easter that the final gift was revealed. He came to provide salvation from our sins and the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). So this Christmas, I encourage you to open your eyes to the love the God shows us through Jesus.

Greatest Miracle?

 

If you have been a Christian for a long time who has read their Bible and/or gone to church, then you know lots of miracle stories. Christians believe that at times God has supernaturally broken into the natural order and changed things for His purposes. You might remember Noah's flood, or the Red Sea dividing for Israelites to walk through on dry land, or the manna and quail to feed them in the wilderness, or perhaps you think of the miracles of Elijah and Elisha. And then we think of the miracles of Jesus from turning water into wine, to healing illnesses, to casting out demons, to raising others from the dead, to the fact that He was also raised from the dead.

Certainly each of the miracles is astounding in itself and beyond our comprehension, but have you ever considered which is the greatest miracle of all? Which miracle best displays God's mastery of time and space? Certainly the miracle of creation itself is bigger than all of those other miracles and if God can create the universe by speaking it into existence, then the other miracles that involve manipulating, restoring, or creating parts of the universe, seem small in comparison. But to me the most amazing miracle of all is actually what we celebrate at Christmas. Namely that the creator of the universe, the one who is before, after, above, and beyond the universe, came into the universe and became a human like you and me. 

Colossians 1:15–18 says this about Jesus "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Jesus, the Son of God, God the Son, an equal and eternal member of the triune God, creator and upholder of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, became a human. This does not mean He gave up His divine nature, but instead He added to it human nature. Therefore He became truly human just as He was truly divine. The creator of a universe that is 93 billion light years across, entered into His creation and took on a form that is just a speck on a planet that is just a speck in a solar system that is just a speck in a galaxy that is just one of billions of galaxies. The difference between His divine nature and human nature is so vast as to be uncountable and unimaginable. That is why this miracle seems to be the greatest to me. God came down. God with us. Immanuel!

Why did Jesus do it? To redeem His creation that He loved. To redeem those who see His love and love Him back. So maybe the biggest miracle of all for me personally is that God came down to rescue and redeem me. Have you experienced the miracle of Christmas, namely that God came to love you and be with you?

Jesus, the Son of God, God the Son, an equal and eternal member of the triune God, creator and upholder of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, became a human. This does not mean He gave up His divine nature, but instead He added to it human nature. Therefore He became truly human just as He was truly divine. The creator of a universe that is 93 billion light years across, entered into His creation and took on a form that is just a speck on a planet that is just a speck in a solar system that is just a speck in a galaxy that is just one of billions of galaxies. The difference between His divine nature and human nature is so vast as to be uncountable and unimaginable. 

Do you call Him King?

Isaiah 9:6-7 says, 

For to us a child is born, 

to us a son is given, 

and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the greatness of his government 

and peace there will be no end. 

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness 

from that time on and forever. 

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

In the Christmas story recounted in Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2 Jesus is called a son who is both Messiah and King in the line of David, who fulfills this promise. At the time, Joseph, Mary, the wise men and the shepherds, believed this because they had gotten special messages from God, but the baby Jesus was a regular human baby. He didn't yet fulfill these promises with any of his own actions yet. They worshiped the baby because they believed What God had said about Him.

We, on the other hand, have the advantage of reading the whole story of Jesus's perfect life, death, and resurrection. We also have 2,000 years of history showing his impact on billions of people and the whole history of the world. In his first coming and its after effects, he's already fulfilled many of the prophecies in Isaiah 9 and in other places, and they'll be completely fulfilled when it comes again.

So, around the Christmas season, as we think about these things, and we see various Christmas plays, it's easy in our mostly Christian context to mouth the words that Jesus is King and Messiah. So the real question for those of us who say that Jesus is our King at this time of the year is whether or not our words and actions show that He is our King, not just in December or on Sundays, but at other times. Is he your prince of peace on Monday morning when it is really hard to get up to go to school or work? 

Is He your wonderful counselor when you have to face that boss who is often unjust and selfish? Do you really believe He is mighty God when you're facing that cancer diagnosis? Do you still believe He is righteous and just when you see Christians being persecuted and killed around the world for their belief in Him?

It is good and right for us at this time of the year to remind ourselves who Jesus is and to sing Christmas carols declaring Him to be our King and Savior. But during the beautiful times of the season, let's commit ourselves to calling Him King and obeying Him as our master, even during the hard times.

Better than Santa

During this time of year our family watches Christmas movies, and many of them are  either about Santa or include him. Santa is almost always a good character that encourages people to behave better with the promise of reward. Christmas movies always turn out happy with a good focus on family and giving to others. For the most part then, watching Santa movies are happy times with the family, but I want to point out that while Santa may be fun, Jesus is an even better focus for the CHRISTmas holiday. If we compare the two, we will discover that Jesus beats Santa in every category.

Santa gives gifts to good boys and girls on Christmas. James 1:17 says that all good gifts come down from the Father of heavenly lights, and John 3:16 tells us that Jesus is the gift of the Father to the world so that those who believe in Him might have everlasting life. All good gifts are ultimately from God and for those who believe, we get to experience His goodness for eternity.

Santa seems to have quite a bit of knowledge of our activities since he knows when we are sleeping and when we are awake, and when we've been good and bad. Psalm 139 tells us that God knows us intimately and that there is no place where we can go that he is not there, and Psalm 147:5 says that God's knowledge is infinite, so God has more knowledge than even Santa.

Santa wants people to be good, not bad, but he seems to be kind of a legalist with your reward depending exclusively upon how good or bad you are. Some of the stories seem to indicate that if you are bad, you might only get coal for a present! God wants us to be good and gave us His law for our own good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Furthermore, Jesus tells us that if we love Him, we will do what He commands (John 14:15). But He also recognizes that on our own we cannot love Him, so He came to redeem us even when we were bad and still His enemies (Romans 5:8). Even our ability to be good after He has redeemed us comes from Him. He gives us His Spirit and changes our hearts so that we learn to love what is good. Then we can be good because we have new desires and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us (study Romans 6-8). 

Finally, while Santa is fun fairy tale to encourage us during the Christmas season, Jesus is really God incarnate who came to earth to show us God's love for us. He not just a fairy tale, but a real man, who lived, died, and rose again, so that we can know His love at all times and during all seasons. During the Christmas season it's okay to have fun with your family, give gifts to one another, and watch holiday movies, but it is most important to remember and put a focus on the one for whom the holiday is named. Christ is not just the reason for this season, but rather this season should help us remember that Jesus should be our reason to live and love well during all times of the year.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.