A Bible Reading Lifestyle

It is absolutely vital to read the Bible for ourselves, to know what it actually says rather than what someone tells us that it says. The reality is that most Christians today in America have not read the entire Bible. Not only is it important to read the whole of scripture; I believe it is important to continue to read through the Bible year after year. It was for this purpose that I created my own Bible reading plan.

Heeding the Voice of God

He did not take seriously the words of Necho which he had received from God. (2 Chronicles 35:22)

I was really struck by this passage of scripture this morning. Josiah was a remarkable king. He was a man who followed hard after God and desired righteousness. When he heard the Law of God, he was cut to the heart and followed God's law to the very letter.

No king before or after repented before the LORD as he did, with his whole heart, soul, and being in accordance with the whole law of Moses. (2 Kings 23:25)

And yet in the end, he died ingloriously in a battle that he should not have fought. While he obeyed the Law of God, he did not heed God's voice.

Getting into the Scriptures

Now is the time when you are exhorted and encouraged to set forth your New Year's resolutions. Doubtless many of you have in years past made the decision to read through the whole Bible in a year. "This year will be the year!" you declare. Inevitably, it seems, within a month or two, you are already hopelessly behind and frustrated at your failure.

I believe one of the key reasons why so many fail is because we are setting the wrong goal. Our goal is not to read the whole Bible. Our goal is to deepen our relationship with God by reading the scriptures.