Matthew 4:4…….I John 2:3-6
I have a very special time of each day to which I look forward with great anticipation and a smile on my face. During the day while everything else is going on in our lives, I often think of this time of the day and when I do, it always brings a smile to my face because it is such a beneficial period of time. The problems of this world seem to fade away. Things that seem to threatening to the populace are suddenly put in their place and a sense of peace replaces them.
Most people reading this article are asking: “Which period of time in a day is he talking about?” They find that they also need a time such as I have found to be beneficial. The time to which I refer is the time that I have reserved for reading the Bible; God’s Word. I think it is important for all believers in Jesus Christ to prioritize the time that they spend communicating with God and reading and concentrating on the bible is a primary way to do that.
Any time of the day will suffice for engaging in this most-needed venture. Some people like to get up early, read the Word and a devotional booklet before starting the day. I highly recommend this as a great time to get one’s day started right. Others find that various times of the day are also good for them. In reality, any time is a good time to read the scriptures and find out how God will bless us for doing it. How in the world, can we know Him and get informed of His actions toward us unless we read the Bible? I prefer to read God’s Word after I retire to my bed. I have the Book right beside my bed and it is the last thing I do before I pray and ask Him to safely see me through the night and bless me as I awake for a new day of service to Him. I can testify that there is no better sleep aid in the world to match the peace and preparation for physical rest that reading the bible will produce.
We often spend time reading the writings of this world to the near exclusion of the Scripture. Bibles stay on the back seat of many automobiles from Sunday to Sunday ready to be picked up just before going to worship the next Sunday. It will do a person no good if treated that way. We will all say that we believe every word of the Bible but at the same time, we neglect it. People will affirm that it is the Word of Life but they don’t regularly find out what it is instructing about life. Most of the troubling things with which we are confronted day to day will fade into insignificance if we bathe it in God’s word. Those problems and roadblocks to a happy life fade into insignificance as God ministers to a person while the immerse themselves in His instruction book for life. Situations in life which pose a problem and could lead a person into sin will suddenly become navigated in the right way when they are analyzed with God’s Word as our guide.
When I am busy and involved in everyday life, I will suddenly think of the rest and peace I am gifted with during my time of reading the Bible. As I think on that time, I find myself smiling in anticipation looking forward to reading His Word and gaining the peace He gives.
I love to read many kinds of books but none can surpass God’s Word. My interest is captured by reading about the old West and the characters that occupied that time in our past. Actually, I like to try to figure those people out. It’s a personality study for me as I analyze their motivations. I have also read a number of Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing” books. They are usually well done and interesting. I have just read his Killing Jesus book and I feel that it is one of the weakest of the series. I was disappointed in it. I also enjoy books and magazines on archeology. Very interesting and informative. But, no book other than the Bible is written by the Holy Spirit of God. None of the others have “power” to them. None of the others, no matter how good, have the information contained in them which will save one’s soul and make Heaven their home. No other book is like the Bible.
All other books are passed over when it’s my time to read God’s Word. It stands out. It’s more important. My time is best spent on reading the Scripture.
Let me encourage our readers to make a commitment to have a time reading the Bible meaningfully. Read it slowly and thoughtfully. Listen to what it is trying to communicate to you. Chew on it for a while. Glean wisdom from its words and instructions. One may have read the Bible several times but have they really listened to it and absorbed its message and instructions.
One of the most striking insights of reading God’s Word is the discovery that He is totally Holy. He did not decide one day to be holy. It is His nature to be holy. He IS Holy and when we understand that, then many of His actions which may seem harsh to us will be better understood. The Bible helps us understand God and His Work with us in a deeper way. The need for us to be redeemed through the Blood of Jesus suddenly becomes clear. The depth of God’s actions around the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus suddenly strike us. The Bible enables us to be a mature Christian we will only read and study it. Nothing else can match it.
You want pressure to be released? You want decisions to be made easier? You want to better understand the parameters of a Godly life? Do you want a sense of ease in your spirit? Do you want and need the need for salvation to be clear to you. Would you life to never fear hell again but always be assured of heaven? Then, the prescription for all of this and more if found in reading and obeying God’s Word. Then, avail yourself of the privilege of becoming immersed in the Bible.
So, my special time is essential to my survival. It is critical to the happiness and completeness of the human soul and spirit. Let me urge and encourage our readers to avail themselves of every opportunity to fill themselves with powerful and life-changing Word of God. Made is a priority every day to have A Very Special Time with God’s Word.
