Good evening, ladies, and gentlemen! How are you doing? We hope that your week started off on a great note! The month of May is slowly coming to an end! Can we imagine this? God has been faithful! We are almost halfway through the year, 2022! Wow! This God is too good! He has guided and protected us! He has provided all the things we need! He has paved the way for us! Indeed, we have an awesome Father!
A little over a month ago, we began a weekly mini-series titled, “Easter is over- What Now?” The aim of this mini-series is to address some of the issues a 21st Century Christian faces, whilst at the same time-sharing practical tools to our Christian Growth. We began this mini-series by exploring the importance of Quiet Time. We went on to focus on the importance of Bible Study. Today, we would be looking at Bible Reading! Yes! Don’t confuse Bible Study with Bible Reading; they are not the same! They are all essential for our Spiritual Growth! Are you ready to learn more about Bible Reading? Let us get right into it…
Day in and day out, we are exposed to many things! In this fast-paced world, we need to continuously learn about one thing or another! If you wish to be relevant in the 21st Century, research, reading and then studying. Have you ever wondered the power of information in this age? Just like Hosea 4:6 says, “For the lack of knowledge, my people perish.” We can all attest to this fact; in almost every aspect of our lives.
You see, it is important for us to read our Bible frequently so that we may have the right knowledge to navigate this ever-changing world. The Bible gives us the foundations we need for life. The truths in the Bible are very relevant to us; no matter the age we live in.
At times, we might be quick to say that our experiences differ from that in previous generations! Well, that may be true to an extent. The events may change from generation to generation however the experiences, feelings, emotions, etc. are the same. Your parents have felt the same way you are, in certain situations (especially at milestone ages). They have felt the same anxiety and fear of starting a new job. The excitement of graduating from school. The frustration of not securing your dream job. The anger of an annoying boss/ employee. The stresses of life! The have felt it all! They may have not had technological and communication advancements like we do! But trust me, during their time everything was happening in a whirlwind- just like us!
Bible Reading is essential for every growing Christian. Bible Reading is one of the first steps to ensuring spiritual maturity. There are so many people who confuse Bible Reading and Bible Study. They might be similar because they both involve reading verses/ passages. However, these two activities are very different.
Bible Study is an intimate, dedicated time with God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, with the aim of getting better understanding of various portions of scripture through systematic reading and analysis of the Bible. On the other hand, Bible Study is an intimate, dedicated time with God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, with the aim of knowing more about God (and everything there is to Him). This is done by reading and simulating various portions of text (scripture). Bible Study is going a step further from Bible Reading. Bible Reading is to gather the facts (one step of acquiring knowledge) and Bible Study is to get the understanding (the second step to acquiring knowledge).
We may say that we have our weekly Bible Study sessions; why must we also have Bible Reading sessions? This is a very important and relevant question for us! Well, Bible Reading is very important because it helps us in our journey of becoming more intimate with God. It helps us to move from having general knowledge about God- from our family or Sunday school- to knowing God. This step is important because we discover the beauty of God’s love, His promises to us and many, many more. Now, we understand what Bible Reading is. We understand its important and its differences with Bible Study. The next step is to establish why we must all have Bible Reading sessions- ideally daily!
The first (and obvious) benefit of Bible Reading is to “Discover God’s Truths for Ourselves.” As we have established, it is very important to get our foundations right! These foundations are the values and beliefs that would guide our lives. In this fast-paced world, it is important that we get a solid foundation so that we are not swayed by the new discoveries of the world. The truths of God, found in His word, would be available to us only when we read the Bible. With that, we can develop many value(s) and belief(s) system that would guard your heart and mind; to last us a lifetime.
Secondly, Bible Reading helps in safeguarding against false teaching (for ourselves). The Bible is one of the most contest books to ever be published. It is also one of the most misinterpreted books of all time. There are so many false teachers and preachers across the world. Bible reading helps to identify (for ourselves) who is teaching the right stuff. In the same vein, the world we live in is made up several norms, law, etc. some made through lies, enticing advertisements and non-biblical assertations. The Bible gives us the only true way of living. Why? Well, because God’s Word is true. Just as John 17:17 says “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” Once we read the Bible, we discover God’s words and promises to us. These words are true, and this truth sanctifies us!
Lastly, Bible Reading helps us to get the nuggets we need to navigate this journey called life (for ourselves). Life has its ups and downs! Sometimes, life can knock us down to our lowest of lows and lift us up to the highest mountain. It also comes with the in-between. Through it all, God has given us all we need to survive and be at our very best! Yes! By reading His Word, we get the detailed plan (equipped with strategies, directions, secret tunnels, etc.) that would help us on this journey! Like Proverbs 3:6 tells us, “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”, we must avail ourselves to Him (submission) through His word and He will direct our paths.
You see, Bible Reading is very important because it focuses on the “YOU” factor in our relationship with God. Bible reading helps us to know God for ourselves, so that we may have a great relationship with Him for ourselves. Because our walk with God is a personal journey. We cannot depend on our people’s relationship with God to steer ours. Yes, we can support each other- that complementary. We, ourselves, must know God for ourselves. Once we can do this! This journey is fun from then on! Hallelujah!
Ladies and Gentlemen! How would you describe your Bible reading routine? Do you have Bible reading sessions? Well, it is not too late to start! You just need to make the decision to start and be consistent with it! Don’t worry! The Holy Spirit is available to help you (any time). We are also available to support your journey- just send us a message below!
God bless you! I pray you are blessed by this piece!
If this is your first-time hearing about Christ, or you have made the decision to make Him the center of your life, kindly say this prayer with all sincerity and truth.
Dear Lord,
I come to you today as a sinner. I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus is your Son and He came on to this earth to die for my sins. Dear Lord, let your Son come and fill me. Lord, I ask that He cleanses me off my sins. I am ready to stand for you and profess your Name. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
If you repeated this prayer with all the sincerity of your heart, congratulations!! You are now a part of God’s family. You get to enjoy the freedom, salvation, and eternal life! Welcome to the greatest family ever. Heaven is jubilating on your arrival. Your fellow brothers and sisters are also excited to have you on board.
Being a child of God is a wonderful thing. The road might not always be easy, but God is with you each and every step of the way. Guiding you, helping you and encouraging up. You will never regret this decision; I can assure you of that. Two things I would recommend for you to do are;
1. Get yourself a Bible (in a version you understand) and meditate on it day and night. In Joshua 1:8, we are told that when you meditate on the Word day and night, you will be prosperous and successful.
2. Find a Bible- believing church to attend and fellowship with other Christians. This would help you grow spiritually.
I am excited that you made this decision. Welcome! If you would like some help or more understanding into anything, you can leave a message (adding your email address) and I would be willing and happy to help you out!
God richly bless you! Thank you, God, for victory!
Have a wonderful day and let God inspire you!
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