Do you read the Bible? That is a question that many of us struggle with. Let’s talk about how to read the Bible with the anticipation of a better life.
Be doers of the Word. But wait, have you read the Word lately? You need more of the Bible than just 1 sermon per week.
How Do We Compare to the Early Church?
We today have access to over 120 English language Bible versions. The members of the early church had no Bible, and they just received verbal teaching by leaders. Leaders only had verbal teaching and perhaps a couple of letters which later became part of the Bible. 1.5 billion people in the world today do not have a version of the Bible in their language. Most of us have more Bibles in our homes now than people. We have enough Bibles for our pets and furniture to become Christians, ha! But this is not funny, right?
We Know We Need to Read the Bible
We know what we need to do. There is no doubt nor debate. Are you too busy to read your Bible? Do you just read 1 verse per day? How are other Christians doing? Not well. Only 45% of current church attendees read the Bible once per week. 1 in 5 church attendees never read the Bible. Only 1 in 5 read the Bible every day.
How and When Do I Read the Bible?
Saying you are too busy to read God’s Word is saying God is much less important than our daily activities. More than ever in history, we need good disciplines. First thing in the morning is best for me, before breakfast, social media, texts, email, news, sports, work or job search, and before I research the latest product I am lusting over. One thing I just want to remove permanently from my life is mindless scrolling of video clips or social media posts, with no memory of them afterward. For some of you it could be scrolling of tv stations. At least if I purposely watch a 30 minute or more show I remember it.
Why Read the Bible?
You know why. The Bible is God’s love letter to usre we going to read it all or just a few random verses? We want to know God’s calling in our lives, but that is already described in the instruction manual – the Bible. We know if we get in the habit of praying and reading the Bible it is the best thing ever. But our memory is clouded so we don’t think of it. Satan is winning this battle. That’s why we need disciplines and good habits so we do it even if we don’t feel it. Let’s wake up, be alert, be focused and make it a routine. Join me, let’s do it together.
