Being well read

I cannot keep talking about things relating to Christianity without mentioning the Bible. It is just not possible. Sooner or later it will have to be referred to as the final authority on this side of Heaven. The Holy Bible is a remarkable book! Written down for us over the course of many centuries by God through the hand of numerous writers. Every time I open the pages I learn something new! I see something in a verse I may have read a thousand times before and something new will reveal itself to me. The more I read, the more this happens. Now I have read other books of all sorts and this kind of thing just does not happen with them. Sometimes I read a secular book or even a book by a Christian author and I gain clarity from multiple readings, but never like the impact of revelation I get from scripture. The Bible itself explains why this is better than anything else I could share on the subject.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) KJV

The Bible is quick or alive! This explains a lot of things then does it not? It has the power to separate soul and spirit. In my life, it has acted as a reflecting pool. I see Jesus in almost every page if I apply the page properly. I keep looking to see myself. It is my heart's desire to look more like Jesus everyday. Not in physical appearance, but in the appearance of my heart. The Bible has the power to separate the reader from sin. If you stop reading it for any prolonged period, it is probable sin has separated you from it. Reading my Bible is what convicted me and broke my heart in the first place. I know of its power first hand! How joyful it is to walk someone through the scriptures to receive Christ! If I don't read it, what pages would I turn to? I don't want to look at them and say "the answer is in there somewhere" and walk away. I want to be able to show them how God loved them while they were yet sinners. I want to show them the price that was paid for their sin. I want them to know how to receive Christ and know they are saved. I want to be able to give them hope for a difficult problem in their life. I don't have those kind of answers apart from God and his scripture! If I don't read and study, I won't be able to show them God's answers. Neither will you. So today if you have a Bible laying around somewhere that is dusty or tucked away in a corner shelf, pick it up. Open it up and ask a little prayer that God would reveal Himself through His word. I have never seen this prayer go unanswered. Do this everyday for a few weeks. Let me know what happens.

Father, I thank you for the Bible. I thank you that you have made it so available for people to read. Grant everyone who reads this today a desire for more of you through your word. Help them to understand the things you want them to know through reading it. Help them to seek it as nourishment for their soul. I praise you and thank you for your faithfulness in this and I ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.