Do You Read?

Your Bible that is.

No? Why?

Do you think you need to:

• Read the Bible from front to back?
• Understand everything you read right away?
• Spend quality, alone-time reading?
• Stick to a strict schedule?

Finally, what your are thoughts about it, do you think you can’t do it?

These are barriers, and not insurmountable ones. A friend of mine offers some truth to overcome them. Take note:

Barrier 1: “I have to read the Bible from front to back.”
THE TRUTH IS most people with this mentality fall off the Bible-reading wagon by the time they hit Leviticus. Focus on reading book by book, but don’t worry about going straight through from front cover to back cover. Check off books in the Table of Contents as you go along. This way you can avoid reading Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy all in a row. You can also avoid having to read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel back to back to back to back. Bad books? No way! But a bit tough to read in rapid succession.

Barrier 2: “I have to understand everything I read right way.”
THE TRUTH IS you will never understand everything in the Word of God. We as humans can never plumb its depths. Frustrating? Sometimes, but even more awesome to know that God will always have more there for us to discover. In reading through, don’t bog down in issues you don’t understand. Mark down your questions and keep reading. Chances are you’ll understand more the more you read. Also, join a Bible study where you can learn to study in-depth the questions that arise as you’re reading broadly.

Barrier 3: “I have to spend quality, alone-time reading and I just don’t have it.”
THE TRUTH IS there is never a perfect time to read . . . especially if you work full-time and/or have small children. While solitude is important, learn to bring your Bible with you during the day to make the most of even short reading opportunities. Opt for quantity throughout the day, not just quality. Think about how your important relationships in life would look if you only invested 5 quality minutes a day in them . . . they wouldn’t be looking good.

Barrier 4: “I have to stick to a strict schedule if I’m going to make it.
THE TRUTH IS schedule keeping drives many people out of relationship mode and into academic or performance mode. If you’re a schedule keeper by nature, by all means find one and use it. For the rest of us, make a point to read everyday, but don’t set a reading “quota.” Begin thinking of your reading as a “Get to do” instead of a “Got to do.”

Barrier 5: “I-can’t-do-it thinking.”
THE TRUTH IS on your own, you can’t, but by God’s grace you can. If you’ve failed in a read-through attempt before, you’re in good company. Not having made it doesn’t mean you can’t make it, it just means you haven’t yet made it. Ask God for the desire to read [emphasis added], and find a friend to join you and keep you accountable on your journey.

New Years Resolution: “I’m going to read through the Bible this year…”

Thanks to my good friend Pam Gillaspie, author of Ablaze: Igniting Spiritual Passion for Life through Reading God’s Word for this advice! Ablaze is endorsed by Kay Arthur, Jan Silvious, Becky Pippert, and Liz Curtis Higgs. You can download ‘Five Common Barriers to Bible Reading and the Truths to Overcome Them’ at www.deepandwide.org.”

New Year : New You described 6 steps to successfully attain your New Year’s goals, consider making one of your goals reading your Bible regularly. If that seems an insurmountable task, get Pam’s book and let her encourage you and assist you.

The Word of God is the Balm of Gilead for the broken and diseased heart– let God begin His healing work in you.

To the New You!
k8t

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