This post is the second part of 7 reasons I need and want to read the Bible daily. If you have not read it, please CLICK HERE to do so.
Continuing on. . .
4 – Relational aspect of our faith
It’s been said many times, but I STILL need to remember and embrace this reality often. Christianity is a relationship with a personal God. It is not a religion to be adhered to. The Bible really is God’s written communication to us His children. We fellowship with Him through this written “love letter” to us, His beloved children.
When I neglect a regular, consistent, rich lifestyle of digging into the Bible, I really do hurt myself. Christ is still there. He still loves and accepts me infinitely. However, I am shortchanging myself. Life is rich and full ONLY when I am enjoying a consistent lifestyle of reading and meditating upon the Bible.
5 – Builds in “reactions” for the good in the midst of this often surprising and turbulent life
I won’t talk about this much, as I have recently written two good examples of this principle regarding my friend Tracey and in the article “I was nearly crushed by a car today…and 2 life principles observed”.
Bottom line; life will throw us many, many curve-balls . . . some in the area of great fortune and some in tragedy. Only in meditating consistently upon the eternal Words of God am I able to process the ups and downs of life.
I can honestly say that I have survived the death of my best friend and a few brutal breakups ONLY because the Lord carried me through the realities I have learned in the Bible. Conversely, in times of great “victory” and abundance, people can ONLY stay grounded and free from excessive self-aggrandizement through the reminder that this world is about God’s kingdom and not our own.
I need to be consistently in the Bible to prevent my fickle heart from diverging in either of these directions; morbid, hopeless introspection in times of pain or arrogant self-aggrandizement during times of abundance.
6 – God’s will comes from God’s Words
“I just want to know God’s will for MY life.” This is echoed by most of us from time to time. This is a natural question, based upon a good desire. However, I (along with most others I know) often look to the wrong sources for the answers of questions such as this one.
I would like to write a few future posts on this subject alone, so I will not go off on it here. However, it has been said that for EACH PERSON at least 90% of their PERSONAL calling from God can be found directly in reading the Bible. I completely agree with this statement.
God does give us individual callings, but only within the context of His overall global plan for the world. If I want to know God’s will for MY LIFE, then I must first ask what is God’s will overall. Within this context, and only within this context, will I find what God’s will is for ME as an individual.
Only in the Bible do we find God’s pure and clear will for the world and His people. I need to be in the Bible consistently to see God’s will, so that in turn, I can understand God’s will for me personally.
7 – Moves us towards Godliness and away from the barrage of materialism, greed, self-centeredness, and lust we have around us
This world is saturated with materialism, greed, self-centeredness, and lust. Everywhere I look, advertisements are telling me that my life will be better with this car, that computer, and even this type of beer. Television shows and movies convince me that if I just had a certain type of wife, house, and/or income, then I would finally arrive at the ever evasive location of “contentment” in life.
On a more personal level, we are engulfed by a culture with rampant lust and misplaced sexual activity. The result of this is everything from pornography addiction to eating disorders; from a utilitarian view of others to deeply seated personal insecurity.
With all of these views, voices, and images waging war on my mind and thoughts on a daily basis, I MUST have a daily, rich influx of the purity of God’s word, as delivered in the Bible.
Simply stated, I am not strong enough as an individual to withstand the barrage of materialism, greed, and lust which attacks my heart daily without the input and influence of God’s eternal Word in my life on a consistent basis.
However, in spending time in the Bible daily, I am reminded and empowered to embrace the reality of 1 John 4:4. . .
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
(This is the last of a three part series on why I read the Bible consistently. The other two articles are “I was nearly crushed by a car today…and 2 life principles observed” and “7 reasons I need and want to read the Bible daily”.)
this is such a great series, John. i will sadly admit as of late i haven’t been in the Word as much as i should {very busy but still not an excuse} and can totally see a marked difference in my thoughts, reactions and attitude. honestly, without God’s Word teaching, reproving, correcting and training me {2 Tim 3:16} i tend to gross myself out. that “influx of the purity of God’s Word” you mentioned is so vital. scripture has a way of filtering through all the build-up of junk in our lives and cleansing us in a way nothing else can. anyway, thanks for your wise thoughts on the subject. it’s been just what i’ve needed to hear.
Amy, honestly, I am the same way. Many of my posts are written more out of what I am learning the hard way, rather than out of strength.
Thanks for you kind words, but also know that I am very much also learning this as I go. Wonderful, though, that God is a God of grace and joy. Even in our weaknesses, He is pleased with us.
Thanks for your comment here!
Well said! I like this part the most:
”When I neglect a regular, consistent, rich lifestyle of digging into the Bible, I really do hurt myself. Christ is still there. He still loves and accepts me infinitely. However, I am shortchanging myself. Life is rich and full ONLY when I am enjoying a consistent lifestyle of reading and meditating upon the Bible.”
God’s Word is our daily bread.. So, if we neglect to ‘eat’ His Word, we would really ‘starve to death‘.
Thank you again for your thoughts…
Thanks Jhanice, as always, for your kind words and input in this post. Always much appreciated!
Awesome. Thanks John.
Thanks Sindy. . . hope you are well! Forgot to ask how your time in Atlanta was!?!?
I miss it!
I am well, thanks! It was too fast but good – didn’t actually get to go to the city of Atlanta & try those Chinese food places. I was in Cobb County, hung out with friends, went to some pee wee baseball games. 😀
Well, sounds like fun, nonetheless. Sorry you didn’t get into the city, but that Cobb area is nice also.
Next time get to Buford Highway for the food!
As I read Part 1 to 7 reasons…Romans 8:6 came to my mind “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.”
In spite of how busy you have been physically, mentally and emotionally I commend you for taking the time to think through and share what has been on your heart. You have honored God’s word beautifully and truthfully in your writing…in my opinion. When you also spoke about being wired in that your emotions can swing up and down this too reminded me of King David and how He cried out to and/or worshiped God during victories and sorrows. Through these last two entries I have come away really thinking…”God, I just REALLY need you!” Being in the word daily reminds us of this and being in the word daily also reminds us that we have to surrender our struggles to God (because He’s got it!) that we so often pick back up and hold on to thinking that we can do a better job.
Strong blog entry, John.
I hope that moving has gone well for you this week and that you will come to enjoy your new home. I will be praying for you specifically this week as you have to start saying “good bye” to people that you have been doing life with this year. Remember Lamentations 3 :22-26.
Thanks a ton, Ashley, for all of this!
Yeah, this next 10 days are going to be both busy and emotionally taxing. Thanks for your prayers. . . I really do covet them.
Great thoughts on David. You are correct, as I have not thought of him in the process of writing these. Great points, though, as his life gives a lot of guidance and encouragement in this area.
Thanks for you input here!