Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:
People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
– Proverbs 13:13
Do you have a hard time reading your Bible? Do you feel like you have to read it or like you want to read it? When you don’t enjoy the Bible, it feels like reading it is just paying off the debt that you owe. But that maybe because you don’t understand or really trust what the Bible is.
The Bible is supposed to be read out of the understanding that it affects every part of your life. What if I told you there was a book that talked about your future, that told you how to become wealthy and healthy, and have a happy marriage, and raise great kids? What if I told you there was a book that could show you how to be completely satisfied and overjoyed in life? Would you read it? No doubt you would! And you would hang on every word and probably follow through on everything it challenged you to do.
That is what the Bible is. Those who realize that fear the Bible in a healthy way. They consume the Bible because they know if they don’t, they’ll be missing out on God’s best for their life. They are not reading the Bible because God told them to; they’re reading it because they want to know what it says so they can obey it. The Bible promises they will have their reward!
So you can despise the Bible as advise, but, as the verse above says, your just asking for trouble. Respect the Bible as a book of commands. Read the Bible looking for principles you can base your life on. Then live out those principles! You’ll see success in your life when you do.
How do you read the Bible? Does it ever feel like just a chore? What can you do to make it come alive again?