Begin reading your Bible this very day. The way to do a thing is to do it, and the way to read the Bible is actually to read it. It is not meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it; that will not advance you one step. You must positively read. There is no royal road in this matter, any more than in the matter of prayer. If you cannot read yourself, you must persuade somebody else to read to you. But one way or another, through eyes or ears, the words of Scripture must actually pass before your mind.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, 131.
hmmm, I like that. Something I have been thinking about actually. So, it hit home…
Oh Susan I have a testimony about this I feel to share, if you would oblige me…..
Years ago (when I was about 30 years old) when I had 3 or 4 children I had this insatiable urge to have read EVERY word in the Bible…….
I remember being in a meeting and seeing a preacher’s bible so marked/ noted/ underlined and USED……I was convicted but challenged……
I wanted to literally touch every page and write on it……I wanted a DIRTY (like well read) lively Bible, like a friend I write letters to, jotting thoughts ideas and even sermons……it sparked a challenge in my life
TO READ THE WHOLE BIBLE IN A YEAR, EVERY YEAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER……
I even wrote the date I started on the first page of the Old and New Testament each time….I became accountable to myself
I refuse to be legalistic and pedantic, but I really LOVE my challenge…….I am aware we serve a graceful God…….but there is something EMPOWERING when you can say you have read His Word numerous times cover to cover……….
I bought a wide margin bible so I could write my notes next to the verses. I also write sermon notes with the dates and name of the preacher in my margins……..so amazing to look back on…….
Do not get me wrong I have “failed” over the years (especially when a new baby was born-huh reading was hard through bleary eyes)- but I refused to give up nor come under condemnation….God knew my circumstances, but I was still burning to be a woman of the word…..so I plodded on……
12 years later I can look back and see how many times I have read my God’s love letter to me…….and realise I HAVE GROWN and with some satisfaction I HAVE DONE IT…Ryle was right you JUST GOTTA DO IT……….The Nike Revelation…heee heee………JUST DO IT!!!
There is power and life in the word, even when it is dry bickkies there are pockets of life and amazing insight ESPECIALLY when you see the BIG picture of the WHOLE bible, even bible geography and timelines marriages, generational problems begin to make sense…….
Please note dear ones I am telling you this not to brag or boast but to urge you to read, praying for hours was not an option for me not with kids hanging off me 24/7, I became the queen of the arrow prayers……….but I could read….. here is my reading plan
Each Day
3 of the Old
2 of the New
You’ll read the Bible the whole way through
(A Marilyn Hickey saying and oldy but a goody)
In 12 years I have read the Old Testament 7 times and the New Testament 8 times, this does not include extra study and reading a chapter each day to my children, ………..so I have aimed for the stars and hit the mountain top…BUT I JUST DID IT……
I did it whilst Homeschooling, I did it with 3-6 children, I did it whilst being a wife, I did it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond, I did it in hard times, I did it in good times………
Now looking back it was the BEST decision I ever made, I am who I am today because I JUST acted
You can “use” or “be used” by this busy time around babies kids and wifehood……..if you can read the Word it will be seed the will burst into life 10 years down the track…….I am seeing this now in reality
So come on let’s get some Nike Revelation ladies……
JUST DO IT!!
Oh my dear sweet friend, I do hope you will make your comment a post on your own blog as well! It needs to be!
Loved hearing from you- your enthusiasm and passion are infectious :rotfl:
You are such an encourager Susan……..I will put it in a blog even now………ahhhhhhh I just love His word and blogging it
Love ya
Cath
Hi Susan,
There we go again – the “Just do it”. 😀
I agree totally with J.C. Ryle – you need to just do it, for if you don’t, God may very well say that He never knew us. I live to spend time with God in prayer and Bible reading. 😀
Have a great week,
Blessings,
Jillian