Daily Commitment

“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.”—Proverbs 8:17(NLT)

As I was finishing up last week’s post, it struck me that the word, create, may have nothing to do with knitting. It could be I need to create more time to spend in God’s Word. In May of 2025, I finished up a Bible study for the book of Revelation.

I was led to a new group/study for the fall. Because of the intense Revelation study I had been in, I didn’t do a daily Bible reading plan in 2025. This past fall, I had every intention of doing a short term one but didn’t follow through since I was in a new Bible study.

Last month at lunch with a friend, we were discussing how we get discouraged with our reading the Bible in a year. When we start over the next year, it is as if we don’t remember reading what we read the prior year.

I don’t think it was a coincidence a few weeks later I heard a podcast encouraging you to read through the Bible cover-to-cover but not to limit yourself to a one-year plan. She recommended trying a plan that is a two-year plan. She also suggested not to feel pressure to catch-up if you fall behind.

The Bible Recap Bible reading plan is one I have done multiple times. I learn and grow each time I have done it. However, it is a one-year plan. I would find myself stressing out if I got behind and then rushing through my readings to catch up on it.

For 2026 I am doing a combination of two plans. I signed up for a 2-year chronological Bible reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app along with the Bible Recap one. I really like Tara-Leigh Cobble’s videos. She goes more in depth with what I have read.

Since the days in her plan don’t line up with my daily readings, once I read the chapters that coincide with her videos, then I watch or listen to her podcast. If I get behind a day or two, I am not going to rush to catch up to where I need to be.

This means my two-year plan could take me a little longer. It may not, but I am determined to not rush through my readings. Maybe this will help me to retain what I read.

For me, I like to start on January 1st. It is easier for me to keep track of what day I am on. The Bible Recap also includes extra links for those that want to do a deeper dive into some of the content.

In the past, I could barely keep up with my daily readings/videos. I rarely read or watched any additional resources she included in the show notes. Now, I may be able to incorporate this to help me better understand and retain my scripture readings.

We can’t grow in our Christian life if we aren’t spending time in God’s Word. God doesn’t expect me to read through the Bible in a year. I put that on myself. God does desire for me to wake up each morning looking forward to opening my Bible out of love not obligation. It is something we get to do not have to do.

This year, will you join me in some type of Bible reading plan to help deepen and grow your faith? Maybe you are like me and get discouraged because you feel as if you don’t retain what you read. If so, it might also benefit you to take your time in reading through the Bible.

The YouVersion Bible App has a multitude of plans. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right plan. YouVersion has had over 1 BILLION downloads in every country around the world (available in 2300 languages). In 2024 they had 14 million daily users. I can’t wait to see the numbers for 2025. What a huge praise!

Father God,

Proverbs 8:17 tells me; You love all who love You and those who search will surely find You. I know when I spend time reading scripture, You will reveal Yourself to me. Continue to show me ways to create time to spend in scripture this year. Forgive me when I take for granted the freedom I have to read Your Word anywhere and anytime. I lift those up to You who are persecuted for their faith. Give them strength to persevere in spreading the Gospel in their corner of the world. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

January Verse
“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.”—Proverbs 8:17(NLT)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.           

Create

“Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”—1 Peter 4:10 (CEV)

Rather than have a New Year’s Resolution, every year I pick one word along with a scripture. For 2025, my word has been Focus and my verse was Philippians 4:8. “In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.”

With helping with the care of my mother, focusing wasn’t always an easy task for me. However, when I would turn my gaze back to Jesus, Philippians 4:8 was much easier for me to live out in my life. I didn’t always get it right, but Philippians 4:8 helped me to redirect.

I have been praying for a word/scripture for 2026. I felt the Holy Spirit impressing the word, Create on my heart. I am not exactly sure how He is going to implement this. I have felt this nudge to branch out more with my knitting. I don’t know if God will open the door for me to volunteer somewhere to do this, if He has specific people He wants me to teach or if He is going to take me in a totally different direction.

I can only be obedient when I feel as if He is leading me to do it. He knows the bigger picture. He only needs my willing spirit to accomplish wherever He directs me.

Along with my word, create  I was lead to 1 Peter 4:10 for my scripture focus for the year. I really like the Contemporary English version; “Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.” Notice it says, each, of us has been blessed. God doesn’t skip you in the gift giving.

The question I was convicted with when reading this scripture was; Am I wisely using my time and talents to please God? Are you?

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. By allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us, we become a vessel of His love. We become the hands and feet of Jesus in our broken and hurting world to those who desperately need to know Him.

We advance God’s kingdom agenda by committing our time, talents and treasures to Him.  We don’t have to be wealthy to be generous. Having a willing heart to serve where He is guiding us is the only requirement.

For 2026, I plan on embracing my God given talents to contribute to His Kingdom, wherever I am led. If you haven’t picked a word or scripture yet for next year, you still have a few days to pray over it. Remember 1 Peter 4:10.“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”—1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

Father God,

I ask for creativity and courage to use my God given talents for Your glory. Open my eyes to opportunities to shape and create a life that aligns with Your will for me. I lift those up to You who aren’t aware of the gifts You have given them to serve You. Reveal to them one of the many wonderful gifts You have blessed them with where they can serve others in the name of Jesus. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 December Verse

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 15:13

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.