One thing that I've learned lately - that The Lord has really been showing me, is that serving Him and heading His call on your life is NOT about Reading so many hours per ? or praying for so long or knowing verses by heart, etc.
It's about submission and obedience to Him and what He desires of you. He can use me mightily even if I hadn't cracked open the Bible all week. and, that's freedom, because in and of ourselves, we are nothing and can do no good. I used to think that I had to be prayed up and Read up, before I was able to be used by Him for His Plan. But, how dangerous of a place to be, to think that I might be fully able or equipped, etc! It's never about me, and if I'm "Ready", but only Him and His perfect timing. (I hope this is clear, because it's in my heart and the words are getting stuck)
That said, I think that once we begin to know Him more (The Father) and how His Holy Spirit works in us (and for us) and just how precious Jesus is, then we desire more. More time with The Lord, more Word knowledge, more time in prayer seeking His will and interceding for others, etc. It's kinda a chain reaction. And, I know for sure, that He desires us to know Him more - one way to do that is the Word. And, I'm telling you, I used to think that it was the hardest, most dry, and confusing thing to read (raw honesty, here, folks). I believed the lie the enemy uses on many of us, that I wouldn't be able to understand it and to discern what it was saying/meaning. Trust me, I am a prayer warrior and worshiper and reading the Word always had to go along with commentary or a bible study group leader explaining it to me. Let me tell you, from my heart....
It is awesome! If you pray for the Holy Spirit to give you an understanding heart and to reveal a fresh word, for God to speak to your very circumstance and/or heart BEFORE you begin, He will and you won't need anyone to explain it. By Faith you come to Him and ask Him to have His way in the time you're giving Him - watch out! ANd, then that builds faith and more insight to God, Our Father. And, 9 times out fo 10, what ministered to you during your Word time, you'll turn around and use it to help someone else. See, the whole point of being a Christian is to reach the lost. If we just took it for our own good/benefit, then it really couldn't be called Following Christ - right? It'd be more, "I'm in it for myself and when I get what I want or need, see ya"
Too many Christians (Catholic and non, alike) rely on the Pastor, Priest on Sunday to give them what they need, for the whole week. The Lord's Presence was never meant to only be at Church, but to dwell in our homes, to begin within our own families. I believe that The Lord will hold each of us accountable for our own destiny in Christ, for our own faithfulness, our own relationship with Him.
I believe that hearing it from the pulpit is powerful, but reading it for yourself is empowering. The Bible tells us that we all have the same Spirit/annointing in us that Jesus had - so greater works will we do, than he (Jesus said that) and He didn't just say, for those religious leaders. In fact, many of thos eleaders back then He spoke against, because of their pride and lack of love.
To Fight The fight of Faith and stand and resist the enemy, we must have Word in us. The Bible says it's living and like a two-edged sword. It can grow and be planted and bring forth fruit. When we speak God's Words (from the Bible, there is power).
At our church, and many others, these days, the scripture references are put up on the large screen, but I, along with many others, still bring our bibles and turn to the passages and read along. I want that thing to take hold in my heart, so for me, by reading it and hearing it, I'm reinforcing it. But, also, I'm seeing it for my own eyes and I'll underline something or take a note to go back and study it further if I felt led.
There just comes a time, when ya gotta get off the bench and get into the game for yourself. Are you any less of a Christian if you don't read the Bible- no, I don't think so. Last I checked the options were... Christian or not - Hot or cold. No levels, no less, no more.
Of course, We are called, as Children of the Most High God and co - heirs with Christ, into abundant living. And, I think part of that is reading His Word and allowing it to soak in and permeate my heart, so that my heart, my mind and my Spirit are full of His Word - old and new testament. The Bible says that out of the heart, the mouth speaks (and I venture to say thinks, and acts) - so what you put in, will come out. The Word is cleansing and convicting (not condemning) and encouraging and uplifting. It can be used as a warning, but moreso as promises to stand on. God says His word does not return void. Well, if we don't know what it says to begin with, how can we know it when it does come back to bless us?
I say, make a commitment between you and The Lord and stick to it. One you can realistically follow for a certain amount of time. SIt down, pray and committ it to Him, and open your Bible - of even for ten minutes (where you feel He's leading or just where you land.) Read and use a dictionary. When you come to a word that hits your heart, look it up - it will help illuminate that passage and give you more insight. It works. And, talk to the Lord along the way. PRay what you're reading or ask for clarity. Many times I just had to confess that I'm not feeling so into it. I prayed for Him to build a desire in me, for His Word. And, He surely is! And, I can't believe I got this far with so little Word time.
Praise Him for His Mercy and Grace.
Nice idea for a Thread -
God bless