ARE YOU MISSING OUT ON THE SWEETS?

Byadmin

There are many philosophies and theological ideas floating in our society today.  Many are well-intentioned.  Many are self-helps, which we pursue.  Yet, the greatest resource and growth tool for those of us who seek to lknow and ove God comes through the living and active Word of God.   It’s no mistake the name of Jesus is the Word of God, as is our Bible. If you are just starting on the Manual or a seasoned bibliophile, I’d hope to encourage you along the way, with sweet steps to help.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1

“…and his name is the Word of God.  Revelation 19:13

Photo by Dave Lowe Unsplash

DETERMINATION

We are busy people, and if we are honest, it’s just hard to find the time to read God’s Word.  We are so busy doing so many good things the day passes and we never opened the Book.   Kids, work, house, laundry, meals, sports, exercise, social life, and only so much time in a day.  Even in ministry, time in Scripture gets crowded out.  As Jude wrote, “Contend (struggle) for the faith.” Struggling takes great effort! It takes determination.  It takes perseverance.  It takes commitment to be in the Word daily!  

It’s easy to see the difference between people who are in the Word regularly and those who are not.  Without God’s word, we drift!  We lose sight of the eternal.  We live more for “me” than for God. 

Photo by Damir Spanic Unsplash

IMPACT

Scripture is the greatest impact in my life through the darkest and brightest days.   This all-time best seller is a life-teaching manual about relationships, ethics, discipline, history, and God.   It exposes right and wrong and it leads to direct connection to your Creator — who knows everything about you (fears, issues, what you speak, where you go, your thoughts before you say a word).  God knows your life intimately.  God’s Word is the answer!   Too often it lies neglected in our homes.

We live in a biblical illiterate society that is searching for truth, but missing the most importantsource –the Bible. A LifeWayResearch study found only 45 percent of those who regularly attend church read the Bible more than once a week. Almost 1 in 5 churchgoers say they never read the Bible—essentially the same number who read it every day.  Yes, they believe that Bible isimportant, but don’t make the time to get into it. 

HABIT

I’m asking you to take the time to read!  Why not begin a strength training course from this treasury of knowledge? Plug into the power within its pages. A few minutes each day will change your life.   Make it a habit! Schedule an appointment (just as you would the dentist or exercise, or work).  Then, keep it. 

This practice of Bible reading will become the most productive and fruitful growth time of your life!  You will get in on God’s secrets for you!

Yum! Have to go to the gym more! Photo by Jennifer Pallian Unsplash

FIVE SWEET STEPS

SET A TIME

Every day make time to read.  Start with 5-10 minutes.  Read a chapter and plan to read through the book. Stick to it.  Make it a habit.  Make it an appointment you keep.

WRITE DOWN THE PASSAGE

Consistency help in comprehension.  If you start reading the Gospel of John, for example, read through the chapter and pick up with the next chapter until you’ve completed the book.  This will give you a bigger picture of the message in the verses and chapters. 

EASY READ, or read quickly, noting what stands out to you

The Holy Spirit will speak to you as you listen through the reading.  Remember, God’s word is living and active. Jot down what God is saying to you through the passage.  How does it apply to me today?

END WITH PRAYER

Reiterate to God what you’ve heard from the word as you make the application and offer thanks and praise.  Then put it into practice.

TELL SOMEONE

Tell your spouse, kids, friend what you read and how it spoke to you today.  It will encourage them and help you express what you applied from the reading. 

If you do this every day, it will become a life-changing habit of good! You will soon be on your way to discover more of God and the secrets available to you! In the days ahead I will work through Scripture and share the secrets I am continuing to learn.   

Remember, God has secrets just for you, and the more you read and listen, the more you will hear your own secrets from God!  So what time will you schedule that next sweet encounter with God? The God-secrets are waiting just for you. SWEET!

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A Wise King Who Did A Stupid Thing

Byadmin

When our heart becomes full of cultural priorities, and the allurements of the world distract us, God has given us an anchor – God’s Word that keeps us faithful. Our most critical priority every day is to love God and do what He says.  Outside of scripture, it’s easy to drift away into the accessible and enticing.   The wisest King of Israel, Solomon, demonstrates that staying true to God, more than intellect, depends on your heart for God and His written Word.

Solomon gives us a life lesson that helps understand our need to remain faithful to God and His commands.

SOLOMON LOVES GOD

King Solomon began his rule with honor and humility.  Early in his reign, Solomon went to worship at Gibeon with thousands of sacrifices that showed his love for the Lord.  That night God appeared and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3: 5).   Solomon says he is “as a little child” who needs the wisdom and a discerning heart to lead the people.

GOD GIVES SOLOMON WISDOM

God, pleased with Solomon’s request, promises even more than he asked.

 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” 1 Kings 3:12-14.

Solomon’s wisdom and breadth of understanding were as “measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:32-34).  The people were awed. Israel’s ally, Hiram, King of Tyre declared that the Lord had given Israel a wise son to rule over the nation (1 Kings 5:7).  Solomon the wisest King, was known as a builder, horticulturist, zoologist, writer, musician, excelling administrator, and visionary leader.   Three of the five books of wisdom in the Bible were written by Solomon – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom (1 Kings 4:34)

SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE

Solomon’s glorious, crowning achievement and fulfillment of his Father’s vision was the opulent Temple that housed God’s presence.  Following every detail of God’s instruction through David, the Temple was the most grandiose building in Jerusalem and the nation that housed the presence of God.

DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

After seven years the Temple is complete. King Solomon‘s beautiful dedicatory prayer is full of thanksgiving to God for faithfully keeping His promises to Israel. The King dedicates the people and intercedes for them fully knowing their propensity towards sin.  See 1 Kings 8:44-50. 

With great fanfare, thousands of sacrifices, and 120 priests blowing trumpets, along with skilled musicians ushered in God’s presence.   Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The people knelt down on the pavement with their faces to the ground and gave thanks. 

Following this dedication of the Temple, the Lord spoke again to Solomon, affirming continued good promises.  Solomon would never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel if he would keep God’s decrees, laws, and commandments.

But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name (2 Chronicles 7:19-20.)

SOLOMON DELIBERATELY DISOBEYS

The wisest King did a stupid thing.

Solomon did not obey the Lord but turned away from him. So the Lord was angry with Solomon and said to him, “Because you have deliberately broken your covenant with me and disobeyed my commands, I promise that I will take the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your officials.  1 Kings 11: 9-13

Solomon built a high place for the Moabite god, Chemosh, and the Ammonite god, Molech. These places of idol worship included the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice. 

You must not worship the Lord your God in their way,  because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods (Deuteronomy 12:31).

This wisest King no longer gave God priority.  He cast aside the source of his wisdom and disobeyed the commands through Moses.  He no longer sang the songs of his father, David (writer or many of the Psalms).  Though Solomon was King in Jerusalem for 40 years, his coldness towards God led to the downfall and eventual exile.

God has given us a guide, a light in the darkness, and a way to know abundant life complete with God’s blessings.  As we read, study, and apply the principles, we will know God’s leading and approval.  

Solomon gradually drifted from God.

  • He began spending more time with others than with God. 
  • He lost priority in pleasing God.  
  • He grew self-sufficient with wealth and fame.
  • He ignored God’s commands. 
  • He loved the wrong people and forgot to do what he penned, “Above all things, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Proverbs 4:23. 

The wisest man on earth failed to remain wise in his heart towards God. 

THREE THINGS THAT KEEP US FOCUSED: 

Reading the Word daily, obeying what it says, and keeping a heart to please the Lord, will guard against drifting away from  God. 

Read the Word daily.  

  • Solomon forgot his father’s words; I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Obey God. 

  • Solomon loved his wives more than he loved God.  He failed to remember the Source of his splendor as King. 
    • When you love God, you will obey God’s commandments (John 14:15 GW).

Please God.

  • Solomon’s passions,  fame, and fortune overwhelmed his desire to please God.

    • “and find out what pleases the Lord” Ephesians 5:10
    • Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says s(James 1:22-25).

It’s easy to believe God loves us.  We show God how much we love Him as we read, obey, and please Him. God’s Word will keep us focused and our heart right!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 1-3

Have you been in the Word today?  God-secrets are waiting for you!

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THANK YOU, READERS

Byadmin

December 17th our granddaughter, Emily, was married to Blake Thompson. What a joy it was to celebrate with them even though it was in South Dakota in winter (-54 windchill one day – uffda). We live in Arizona so our blood is thinned and it was cold! But hearts were melting with joy and gladness! I thought you might like to see my husband, John, and me with the happy bride and groom!

Now to the reason for my writing to you today. When I started this blog, I was being obedient to share the things in my heart that would encourage my readers to love God more because of the Scriptures. Since I developed my website, I have attended writer’s conferences, connected with published writers, practiced, and joined an international writing group, Word Weavers, to improve my craft of writing. 

Along with attaining a new level of writing, I’ve given many hours to the study of the Scripture, not only while I was pastoring, preaching, and teaching, but through my desire to know God at a deeper level. I have been able to devote more time to reading, studying, taking notes, and writing in retirement.

 I’m so thankful/indebted/overwhelmed/satisfied/pleased/grateful for God’s Word! It’s divinely inspired by God, and more than any other book, the words are from “the very mouth of God,” according to Jesus in Matthew 4:4, and “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12), It never runs out of “new” and fresh thoughts of God’s speaking to my needs, fears, desires, or guidance. 

At the start of this new year, it is a great time to read the Bible if you haven’t already. The most important book of all time is ours. God’s words are written in the pages, and we have access to them. I am thankful for the different translations. Each time we open the cover, we learn more and more. 

You can check out the online options here if you need a Bible reading plan.

Reader, please know of my gratitude to you! Thank you for being a reader/subscriber and interested in learning more from God and growing into an authentic follower. 

If you haven’t checked out my worship music on my channel, you can do so here or on the pull-down menu. Let the times of worship and peace of God fill your heart and soul.  

My prayer is that you will drink deeply of the well of water springing up into eternal life.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 NIV

THANK YOU, DEAR READER! If you have questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section or send an email to me at pastorj.mc@gmail.com.

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WHY I SHOULD READ MY BIBLE EVERY DAY

Byadmin

Murdering Bible translators was not uncommon in England. John Wycliffe (although dead the Pope ordered his bones exhumed and burned), Czech priest Jan Hus, and William Tyndale were Bible translators who saw the eternal importance of people reading the Bible in their language and gave their lives to get the Scripture into every household.

During the Protestant Reformation, William Tyndale, a famous British Scholar, translated the Bible into everyday English. At the threat of doing so, the church regarded the translation as unauthorized and illegal.  Getting that Word into the people’s hands compelled him to pursue in spite of opposition and threat.  While speaking to a group of clergy who were woefully ignorant of the Scripture, Tyndale made a pledge,  “If God spares my life, ere many years pass, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow shall know more of the Scriptures than thou dost” (Christianity.com  “William Tyndale: Father of the English Bible”). 

 Running for his life from England, he found a publisher in Germany who printed copies of his handwritten translation. Shutting down the press after a raid, Tyndale moved on to Worms where six thousand copies were reproduced, published, and then smuggled into England.

                    Tyndale burned at the stake.  Photo by Hulton Archive.  Getty Images.

 

Betrayed by a friend, he spent time in prison for his work in translating.  Tyndale’s faith in the Scriptures, salvation by faith and forgiveness of sins,  compelled his urgency to get the Scriptures into the hands of all people.  Tyndale translated the New Testament and much of the Old Testament when he was strangled and burned at stake.  At his death, he prayed that God would open the King’s eyes.  Within three years, Henry VIII decreed an edict that every church in England would give Tyndale’s English Bible to all parishioners.       https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1501-1600/translator-william-tyndale-strangled-and-burned-11629961.html

Today 87% of households own at least one Bible, according to the Barna Report, “State of the Bible 2017: Top Findings.”

Half of Americans are “Bible users”—that is, they engage with the Bible by reading, listening to or praying with the Bible on their own at least three to four times a year (50%). This proportion has remained relatively consistent since 2011. But nearly one-third of adults say they never read, listen to or pray with the Bible (32%), a five-percentage-point increase over 2016.

More than half (58%) of all adults wish they read the Bible more often.

For the full report see the link here.  https://www.barna.com/research/state-bible-2017-top-findings/

With more than 900 English Bibles in a variety of translations ( American Bible Society), there is excellent access to daily Bible reading.

The Bible is God’s Word, divinely given to us.

God spoke through human writers that were led by the Holy Spirit to include the words directed and authored by God.  It’s incredible that all sixty-six books (66) have a unique unity, written by over 40 writers, in three continents, over 1600 years.  The accuracy of our modern copies is very close to the original languages of the Old and New Testaments.  God’s Word is eternal.    

The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.  Isaiah 40:8

 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”  Matthew 24:35

I can know God through daily Bible reading.

  1. God reveals secrets to me.

Much like a love letter, God reveals his nature and character through the pages of Scripture.  Through challenging days, God’s Word speaks to my needs.  God’s Word gives answers to morality, ethics, emotional health, and life.  The Word of God is living and has the power to dive into my heart and renew or change my thinking.  I understand more about the secrets of God’s love and will for my life.

The message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.  Colossians 1:26

I’ll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables —confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3  MSG

  1. The Bible teaches me right and wrong.  

Not only do the commandments guide me, but there are also many instructions to right relationships in marriage,  children, enemies, and employers.  The principles of every relation of life are found in its pages.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

  1. The Bible keeps me from sin.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

The Bible is a textbook on morality, ethics, relationship, work, wisdom, creation, right and wrong, values, rules of conduct, and more.  The commandments and promises of God keep my heart in check.  When I listen and do what the Bible says, I will know God’s blessings and help each day. 

  “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”  American Evangelist, Dwight Moody (1837 – 1899)

4. Scripture reveals direction in my life.

When we seek the Lord through his Word, we will have a sense of the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding us in the right ways.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:9-10

  1. My love for God grows.

When spending time in God’s word, I learn more about God and his character and nature.  When I was dating my husband, in the days before texting and email, I re-read over and over every letter I received.  In his letters, my mind was overflowing with his love for me.  I found out more about him, too.  Similarly, the more we read God’s love letter to us, the more we’ll grow to know and love God.  The more we’ll have God’s blessings and promises. 

If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15

  1. My love for others grows.

Relationships can be challenging.  The Bible teaches us how to love our enemies, what to do with anger, and how to wait on God to take care of vengeance.  Without God’s instruction, we would easily remain in our human, selfish nature.  With God’s Word, we learn to rise above, conquer, and overcome the carnal, sinful nature as we allow God’s character to grow in us as evidenced by our behaviors.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

 

DAILY READING PLAN

  1.  A  CHAPTER A DAY KEEPS SIN AWAY

If you aren’t reading the Bible each day, may I suggest you start by reading one chapter each day?  With the ample availability of Bibles on our phones, computers, and books, you can read a chapter at breakfast, or waiting in line at the checkout, riding in the car as a passenger [not while driving :-)], or even just before bed. 

  1. READ SHORT NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS IN ONE SITTING

Once you read a chapter a day, you can move to read several Psalms with many short chapters.  You can read some of the shorter books of the New Testament such as Colossians (4 chapters), Ephesians (6), Philemon (1), James (5), 1 Peter (5), 2 John (1) for starters.

  1. SWEET STEPS

For more ideas in journaling, see my blog post entitled “SWEET STEPS.” Just click on the title.

 

  1. READ THROUGH THE BIBLE ONCE or TWICE A YEAR

By reading 3-4 pages a day, you will read through your Bible in one year.  Reading 10-12 pages daily, you will complete the Bible twice a year.  You can move from there to reading entire books at one sitting. 

  1. BE CONSISTENT

There are many ways you can spend time in knowing God through the pages of Scripture.  It all starts with being consistent and making that time for God daily!  It’s the best thing you can do for your life and your family! 

 

 

I’d be very interested in hearing from you as to how you are growing in your daily Bible reading. Just send your note in the comments.  

The more you engage the Scripture,  the more you will love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Do You Want to Deepen Your Relationship with Jesus?

Byadmin

With the New Year comes the opportunity to begin reading through the Bible. You may ask, “Why should I read the Bible?” First, reading shows your hunger for more of God and your desire for more of God’s presence and guidance in your life. Reading God’s Word transforms the reader as it deepens love for God, the Author.

God’s Word Is Alive

God’s Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12) and speaks when we listen. The words on the pages of our Bibles are from “the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) and when given the opportunity, will transform the human ego into a humbled, obedient child of God.

You Will Love God More As You Read

Jesus gave the first and greatest command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). When we love God, we want to be with Him in His presence and in His Word. It’s the way to stay in love with Jesus.

Knowing Scripture is Significant to God

The church at Ephesus in Revelation chapter 2 heard an exhortation from Jesus to repent because they lost their first love. Although they worked hard to persevere, didn’t tolerate wicked people, and recognized false teachers without growing weary, Jesus said, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first” (2:4). But another church in Philadelphia (Revelation. 3: 8, 10) was approved as having loved and kept God’s Word. The more we know God’s Word, the more we can keep it.

The Theme of Scripture is Loving God and Obeying Him

The theme of the longest chapter of our Bible, Psalm 119, shows us the significance and importance of God’s Word. Of the 176 verses, this chapter begins with “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD,” and ends with, “For I have not forgotten your commands.” In the middle of this chapter is the verse we know by heart, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (119:105). Learning to obey God’s commands and love Him with all of our heart comes by spending time in His Word, His love letter to us.

Make Bible Reading a Priority

Scheduling time to read, morning is preferred, but any consistent daily time will set in motion the fruit of righteousness within.

Bible Reading Options

Bible reading options are available online. You can read chronological (in the order of events), straight through the Bible, or the One-Year Bible (reading including both the Old and New Testaments daily), and more. Numerous Bible reading options are available online and I’ve listed a few here.

The Ligonier website includes PDF downloads of several Bible reading options: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans

14 Best Bible Reading Plans: https://biblestudytogether.com/top-best-bible-reading-plans/

The Navigators have options: https://www.navigators.org/resource/bible-reading-plans/

Many options are listed at this site: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/

I hope one of those options will help you establish a regular time in God’s Word.

Bible Reading Benefits

May I encourage you today to pursue the Scripture? Some of the benefits of reading – it speaks each time I listen, gives guidance, reveals my shortcomings, transforms and conforms me to the likeness of Jesus, gives strength to obey His commands, changes my fleshly habits, and encourages and strengthens me.

Since retirement, I’ve made it a priority to spend more time in the Scriptures. The last couple of years I have been reading a book of the Bible a day, quite easy on the shorter books; but not so easy on books like Jeremiah or Isaiah (but what powerful books they are). I finished my third time reading through in 2022 and will begin again now that it’s 2023. My latest reading was in The Founder’s Bible, by David Barton, which includes historical documents of our nation’s founding. It’s more than excellent! You can find it at https://thefoundersbible.com/ and I hope you will check it out. I will be sharing some of his historical information with you through this coming year.

For most of my adult life, I’ve read through the Bible twice in a year. As a pastor, I loved reading and studying the Bible in preparation for preaching. But now in retirement, I have more time, giving a couple of hours in the morning, including studying and taking notes. I’m still listening and learning! If I’ve read the passage once or a hundred times, it continues to speak to me. Praise the Lord!

The More You Read the Easier It Becomes (like finding another piece of the puzzle)

If you struggle to be in the Word regularly, don’t give up. Start again! Set aside time each day to read–whether a chapter or a book – and stick to it. If you miss a day, start the next day again. 

The more you read the Bible, the easier it becomes. Each time you read. much like a puzzle piece being found, you get a bigger picture of God and of yourself. With each puzzle piece the picture becomes clearer, and your heart becomes more tender toward God.

If you are beginning to read, start with a short book such as Ephesians or Colossians. or the Psalms, and be faithful each day to read a few verses, or chapters. Consistency is the key.

For more seasoned readers, try to read through the Bible twice a year (read ten chapters a day, and you’ll get ’er done).

Start Today

Grab one of the planned schedules for reading, stick to it, and then enjoy the rewards of God’s Word.

More Important Than Food

I’m SOOOOOO thankful for the Bible. It is life, and it’s alive (Hebrews 4:12). More important than my daily food (although that is important too) Jesus said: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Notice how Jesus placed Scripture as being from the mouth of God and of powerful value.

The Word of God is vital to our spiritual life.

A Life-Changing Opportunity

We hold the precious Word of God (the same title as Jesus) in our hands. To know Him more, we can fill our lives with His words. As we do, we can be confident in the promise of being transformed by God’s Spirit as it teaches, trains, and instructs us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Do you want to deepen your relationship with Jesus? Yes, we do!

Happy reading in 2023.  

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I TOOK THE CHALLENGE. WILL YOU?

Byadmin

Bill Popejoy was not strong enough to stand. He sat on a chair in front of the assembly of eager listeners. His physical frailty didn’t equal the aliveness in his voice. Hearing of the nine surgeries, including a prosthetic jaw, made me wonder why he had traveled from Missouri to Minnesota to speak to us. Yet, his life-giving message energized him as it compelled us to listen.

It was 1976, at a minister’s seminar. My husband and I responded to the key-note speaker, Bill Popejoy, who promised our lives would change forever. He guaranteed it! His message was unmistakable—the consistent, daily reading of God’s Word transforms the Bible reader. 

With tears of gratitude, he recounted the life changes in the congregation – crumbled marriages mended, crippling addictions broken, rival conflicts resolved, lives filled with God’s presence and peace. The new-life-experience with his congregation so moved our speaker that his message poured out like a fast-flowing river spilling into our lives.  

Photo by Judy, Yosemite Park

We weren’t new to the Bible. We read it, knew the stories, and had memorized passages. Yet, as underfed children, we hadn’t discovered the incredible spiritual strength available in reading through both the Old and New Testaments from Genesis through Revelation, the whole counsel of God.

Pastor Popejoy’s congregation was organized into two Bible-reading groups.  One group read through IN ONE YEAR (three pages per day, about ten minutes). The other group read through TWICE IN ONE YEAR (about ten pages per day, twenty to twenty-five minutes). 

As the church grew in knowledge of the Word, the pastor’s counseling dropped off as people found needed answers as they read the Scripture. Over time their love and value for His Word emerged into authentic, godly relationships with God and one another.

We left the seminar determined to read through the Bible twice in one year! 

The first time reading from cover to cover, the congruency between the Old and New Testaments yelled out a new awareness of God’s perfection, His outlandish love, generous grace, and perfect justice. Growing into a renewed mind because of the Word, my attitudes changed. I trusted God more.  I made better choices and learned obedience in pleasing God.

Now, after forty-five years of reading through the Bible, I couldn’t live without hearing from God daily! Yes, treasures buried still need to be mined, burdens need lifting, and repentance over sin needs to be confessed when brought to light by the Word.  But, in the presence of God and at His right hand are joys indescribable. For the hungry reader, God’s Word is the doorway to His heart.  It’s daily Bread! 

The Scripture is true. God’s Word is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12).

Reading from Genesis through Revelation, one or one hundred times, God speaks. It’s amazing! Like print glowing on a page, the Holy Spirit illumines my thoughts, gently corrects me, speaks to my needs, and gives peace. It’s challenging to be consistent, but as with any pleasant habit, He never fails me when I create time to read and hear from God.

Consider how our human body responds to working out at a gym.  With consistency, muscles develop and overall strength and stamina grow stronger. Similarity, repetition, and ongoing consistency in reading God’s Word strengthens spiritual muscle and increases love for Jesus. And godliness is the outcome.

Paul reminds pastor Timothy and us of this truth, Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

All my gym work won’t count for much of anything with my new immortal body in eternity. But the relationship I build with God through the Word will live in me forever.

The Word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:20

I took the challenge from Pastor Bill Popejoy, and as he guaranteed, it has changed my life forever! 

The Word speaks whenever we listen. God-secrets await! As students of the Word, we instill unshakable faith as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

Will you take the challenge too? 

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13

DO YOU WISH YOU READ THE BIBLE MORE?
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DO YOU WISH YOU READ THE BIBLE MORE?

Byadmin

More than half (58%) of all adults wish they read the Bible more often.  Fifteen minutes a day will help you accomplish reading through the Scriptures in one year.   You will glean God’s secrets, know right and wrong, find clear direction, love God, learn how to love others.  Make Bible reading more than a wish. Begin today. 

Knowing the Scriptures is like an artist who blows off the dust of a picture and discovers it’s a masterpiece. It’s like hidden treasure unearthed. God speaks through His Word.

God spoke through human writers led by the Holy Spirit to include the words directed and authored by God.  Incredibly, all sixty-six books (66) have a unique unity, written by over 40 writers, in three continents, over 1600 years.  Our modern copies’ accuracy is very close to the original languages of the Old and New Testaments.  God’s Word is eternal.    

The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.  Isaiah 40:8

 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”  Matthew 24:35

I WILL KNOW GOD THROUGH DAILY BIBLE READING.

1. God reveals secrets to me.

Much like a love letter, God reveals his nature and character through the pages of Scripture.  Through challenging days, God’s Word speaks to my needs.  God’s Word gives answers to morality, ethics, emotional health, and life.  The Word of God is living and active, with the power to dive into my heart and renew or change my thinking.  I understand more about the secrets of God’s love and will for my life.

The message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.  Colossians 1:26

I’ll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables —confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3  MSG

2. The Bible teaches me right and wrong.  

Not only do the commandments guide me, but there are also many instructions to right relationships in marriage, children, enemies, and employers.  Within its pages, the principles of every relation of life are found.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. The Bible keeps me from sin

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

The Bible is a textbook on morality, ethics, relationship, work, wisdom, creation, right and wrong, values, rules of conduct, and more.  The commandments and promises of God keep my heart in check.  When I listen and do what the Bible says, I will know God’s blessings and help each day. 

  “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”  

American Evangelist, Dwight Moody (1837 – 1899)

4. Scripture reveals the direction for my life.

When we seek the Lord through his Word, we will have a sense of the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding us in the right ways.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:9-10

5. My love for God grows.

When spending time in God’s word, I learn more about God and his character and nature.  When I was dating my husband, I re-read over and over every letter I received in the days before texting and email.  In his letters, my mind was overflowing with his love for me.  I found out more about him, too.  Similarly, the more we read God’s love letter to us, the more we’ll grow to know and love God.  The more we’ll have God’s blessings and promises. 

If you love me, keep my commands. John 14:15

6. My love for others grows.

Relationships can be challenging.  The Bible teaches us to love our enemies, how to deal with anger, and wait on God to take care of vengeance.  Without God’s instruction, we would easily remain in our human, selfish nature.  With God’s Word, we learn to rise above, conquer, and overcome the carnal, sinful nature as we allow God’s character to grow in us, as evidenced by our behaviors.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:44-45

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

MORE THAN A WISH, BUT A LIFE-CHANGING REALITY

More than half of all adults wish they read the Bible more often.  Today is the day to change from wishing to reading! 

Daily set a regular time to read with a prayerful attitude, take notes on what God speaks to you, and read with a plan to complete the entire Bible this year.  Tell someone of the nuggets of truth God reveals through this Book of Books!   

A few minutes a day will change your life. 

O how I love and treasure the revelation of your word;
throughout the day I fill my heart with its light!  Psalm 119:97 TPT

Bible Reading Plans and Helps Here

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