Ok so I´ve been super blessed in my quiet times lately, even if they are just simple, me reading my Bible and praying. Nothing crazy, life changing. But it all adds up. Day by day, continuing in the Word. So I want to challenge you, are YOU reading your Bible?
Skipping reading your Bible is like not eating food...you are going to starve spiritually. Without even knowing it, you are going to be living on your own strength, which is living in the flesh. Not pretty.
For a while, I was kinda making my way through the New Testament, but I didn´t really have a plan. Then, I started the read through the Bible-in-a-year plan in the back of my John MacArthur study Bible, and it´s been really cool. Currently, I´m reading through Psalms and 1 Corinthians. There really isn´t much to read every day, it´s like 1 chapter in 1 Cor and 3 Psalms. And it´s set up that you read the NT in the morning, the OT in the evening, so that breaks it up even more. I like it that there is only a chapter to read in the NT, because then I can really meditate and focus on what is being said.
So, I challenge you. Read your Bible. You can be excited because everytime you open your Bible, you are opening your mind to the Word of God, which is the Truth. As Christians, we are called to hunger for God´s Word.
1 Peter 2:1-3 NASB ``Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.``
When you spend time in the Bible, you are giving God an opportunity to shape you. Starting your day with the Bible is awesome, if you are able to. It gets your focus right, and reminds you that you can be cheerful and full of joy because of Christ living in you!
Psalm 119 is so good! You should go right now and read it. Here´s a little tidbit.
Vss. 65-67 ``You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to You Word. Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your Word.`` Maybe that´s you, maybe you have gone astray. Maybe you think you don´t have enough time to read the Bible. Well, let me tell you that is a lie from Satan to discourage you! Pray that God will provide the time. Even a few minutes, start with that. Is there something else that you daily do that might be taking time away from your devotions? I am convicted when I go check my email before reading my Bible- that just isn´t right. I tell myself ``Oh, I´ll get to reading my Bible...later.`` Well, later never comes. And then the day passes, and no Bible.
Here are some more verses from Psalm 119 regarding Bible reading:
``I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will observe Your statutes. I cried to You; save me And I shall keep You testimonies. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word. Hear my voice according to Your loving kindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your ordinances. Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from You law. You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. Of old I have known from Your testimonies, That You have founded them forever.`` Psalms 119: 145-152
I love those verses because the author is talking about ``rising before dawn`` to ``wait for`` God´s words. Then, he writes of meditating on God´s word at night. Obviously, reading the Bible is important! The Bible is Truth! Fill your mind with it, and you will be changed. Don´t be discouraged, but keep on going.
