Reading the Bible

"Here then, is the real problem of our negligence.  We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work.  Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or lack of passion.  

Our problem is that we are lazy."     R.C. Sproul

Week 25

Last week’s blog had me reflecting on valuing my time and more intentionally spending it in areas that brought me and my loved ones positive results. I organized it into five different areas:  Spending more time doing what was good for me, what was good for others, what I'm good at, what I like to do, and creating a pleasant environment.

The first area, spending more time doing what is good for me, is what I want to talk about this week. 

When I reflected on 2011; what had been, and what plans lay ahead,  I thought a lot about the blessings I received last year, and how they would not have been, were it not the goodness of God. I couldn’t write about a difficult experience or challenge without thinking about God’s mercy.  And I was reminded as I considered the lessons I learned, that through all my RESEARCH, all my instigating and all my SMART, carefully planned, small steps, ultimately my greatest resource is the Lord. God is in charge.

As much as I think about how I can take better control of my life, I know that everything good comes from Him and His promises are what give us hope for the future. And all one has to do is to read the Bible to learn about His plan for our lives and promises.

Although I am certainly a reader of the Bible…I guiltily confess that I have not currently been a ‘regular’ reader.   Like so many goals and ideas, I begin with intent and passion, but I fear, like our quote for the day says, ‘I am too lazy’.  How many times have I begun in earnest to regularly read God’s word?  Certainly it must be  the Devil himself that runs amok in my life and changes my direction.  I’m quick to blame others or circumstances….yet, I find myself the guilty one, making feeble excuses.  My favorite rationalization is perhaps one you will find familiar…. ‘I’m just too busy….I intend to do it…but just don’t seem to find the time”.

I found a study done a few years ago by ‘Focus on the Family’.  The headline reads:  ‘Survey: Christians Worldwide too Busy for God’.  The article explains, “ In data collected from over 20,000 Christians with ages ranging from 15 to 88 across 139 countries, The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that about 6 in 10 Christians say that it's "often" or "always" true that "the busyness of life gets in the way of developing my relationship with God."  Somehow it doesn’t make me feel any better to know that this defect of mine is one I share with many other Christians. 

I did some research to remind myself of God’s encouragement for us in reading the Bible. Here are but a few.

JOHN 8:31-32  Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples,  then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

JOSHUA 1:8  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.

ACTS 20:32  And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

 ROMANS 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

HEBREWS 4:12 For the word of God is living and active.

I suspect that of all the changes I plan to make in my life this year, becoming a regular reader of God’s word will have the greatest impact.  And I know that this way of spending my time is absolutely good for me.  I realize that as I write down this goal, I should include a prayer.

Dear God, direct my path and instill in me a heart that yearns for not only good intentions, but action on my part for an ongoing communication with You, through regularly reading Your Word.

My small step: Read the Bible a minimum of four times each week. 


I'd love for you to share your comments, either on this blog, or through my new email address at: smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com