Resolutions

RESOLUTIONS – Is Reading the Bible One of Yours?

Started thinking about New Year’s resolutions yet? Something that we resolve many times is that I want to be a “better Christian.” Yet, do we spend the time doing the things that help facilitate being a better Christian? Have you ever read the Bible through? Have you ever spent time just studying some of what the Bible says, in depth – just you and God?

· Nothing will foster interest in the Bible more than reading it. It is exciting, stimulating and challenging, nourishing the soul as nothing else can! (John 8:31f; 10:10; 15:1-8,10) To live it, we must read it. Make your aim to spend quality time in God’s Word each day this year!

· The Bereans in Acts really something. Receiving the message they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). Their desire for truth reflected a genuine interest on their part in God’s Word and what God had to say on a subject! We should not simply pass over those hard to understand passages. We should study them out! Dust off the dictionaries and look up those obscure words. Make comparisons of translations. Ask questions—lots of questions. Most importantly, pray that God will give you wisdom and spiritual insight so that you might see wonderful things in His word (Psalm 119:18). The deeper we dig the more engrossed we become and the more interested we are.

· Reading the Bible through is certainly a worthwhile goal. As we’ve seen in our study of the Post Exile return and rebuilding of the Temple, the manner in which the books are arranged can be confusing. One way to see the biblical story unfold is to read The Bible in Chronological Order. If you need help with this, get with me and I can get you recommendations on Daily Reading Lists, or Chronological Bibles that can help with understanding.

· Application of the Bible to our lives is our primary reason for reading. It is much better to read, study and apply one verse than to skim through chapter after chapter for the umpteenth time. The Word of God serves as the lamp to our feet and light to our path. (Psalm 119:105.) Each time we open our Bibles, we should be asking: What has God revealed about Himself in this text? What does God require of me? We should read the Bible with keen interest and a firm resolve to live into God’s will!

Let one of your resolutions this year be to become a diligent reader of God’s word. You won’t be sorry that you did (2 Tim.2:15).

Jim