Grab Your Bible
Many of you have a Bible sitting around your house collecting dust. I’m not saying that you don’t read your Bible, but just that most of us have more Bibles than we could ever use. In my house, I have a shelf of Bibles. It’s the Bible shelf. However, merely having a Bible has nothing to do with using it. I look at it like this. Let’s say my front yard needs cutting, and I have a lawnmower. If I don’t start the mower and cut the grass, the mower is a piece of useless unused equipment. It’s a great mower but isn’t doing what it needs to do if it stays uncranked and unused.
I have to turn it on, set the blade height, engage the blade, and then actually use it.
It’s the same thing with your Bible. It can sit at your desk or nightstand for months as an unused dust collector. But it comes alive when you decide to pick it up and read it. The Bible is God’s way of communicating significant truths to each of us in a very personal way.
I realize it may seem like a daunting task to pick up a book with so many difficult words to read, lots of historical places, wars, miracles, and things that are sometimes hard to understand. I agree. But, the Bible is more than just a guidebook for your life. It is God speaking to us. It has the answers to life’s problems and questions.
Will you grab your Bible today?
Get to know God
One of the best ways to understand and learn more about someone is to read about them. Scripture is the best way to get to know God.
Many people live their lives and say they know God because of the experiences they’ve had. Some live the “fortune cookie” method and look for subtle reminders of “God type” things in their lives. Maybe they read something on a road sign or see some saying on television that encourages them to act a certain way. Can God work that way? Yes. Does He usually work that way? I don’t think so.
Grab your Bible and get to know God. When I read Scripture, I usually ask, “What does this story teach me about God.” Too often, our first question is, “What does this story teach me about me.” I think it’s important to understand that Scripture is God-centered rather than people-centered. Once we realize that, it opens up an entirely new way to know and understand God.
Grow
I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but when I was younger, I used to work out. Yes, with weights. I remember when I started, I always seemed sore. My muscles were sore, my legs were sore, my arms were aching. But after a few weeks, things got much better. I didn’t dread the workout, and I felt like I was making progress. What was my gauge to determine success? I would stand shirtless in front of the mirror and flex my muscles. I was a beast! To look at me today, you might be wondering who I’m writing about.
However, when it comes to growing, you have to read Scripture and allow God to speak to you through it. The purpose is to know God better. It is so important to learn about God and His attributes because it helps us to understand why He acts as He does in our world today.
So, where do you start? Don’t feel bad if you’ve never really read your Bible. You’re not alone. If it were me, I would begin in the book of Psalms and read one Psalm each day. Ask the question, “What does this tell me about God?” Then ask yourself the question, “What does this tell me about how God wants to interact with me?”
Keep a journal. Write down those exciting things God teaches you about Himself and His love for you. I think you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll gain.
Happy Reading!