My friend and I spent the year after our first read through of the Bible searching for Bible study “programs” and other various topical studies of the Bible.  What we found was most everything fell short of that daily reading routine we had become so accustomed to.  It’s difficult to articulate, but it felt like we had hung up the phone with God after a yearlong conversation, and began listening to only the occasional voicemail from him.

Something was missing, and we knew what it was.  We had to return to reading daily.  But, this time we decided to take others along with us.  We gathered together 75 people who would join us this time around.  Over the following year, we would journey together through the entire Bible.  Some would fall behind.  Some would struggle and eventually quit, while a few over-achievers would run ahead and finish ahead of schedule.  I did the best I could to keep everyone pressing on, but I must admit, I began to wonder if the reading of the devotional Bible we chose was having an impact.  Although I solicited feedback from the readers via email, I never seemed to get a sense of impact.  But then again, it wasn’t about me; it was about God.

It would be a couple months after we completed our scheduled reading before the Lord would let me in on part of his plan.  I began to run into various people who had joined us reading, and each would share their unique experience.  Some had heartfelt joy and elation for the Word.  Others became emotional and shared through tear-filled eyes how their walk had changed and how the devotionals had led them through difficult times.  I could only nod in acknowledgment, humbled and awestruck at God’s power, knowing full well it was nothing I had done, but one hundred percent the work of our Lord.

This caused us to wonder.  If we could bring about this kind of impact on a group of 75 people, what it would look like if we got this Devotional Bible in the hands of 75,000, or say …7.5 million?  And so it was that God placed this burning vision before me, and I knew at that point that I was in the game.