I believe that if we first begin to isolate the objections and barriers that contribute to the general lack of passion many have for the word of God, we would be better equipped to address the issue and implement meaningful strategy to cultivate the desire to read it. Why is it that in some countries people will risk their lives carrying even a single page of God\u2019s word, but in other places copies are just sitting around collecting dust? Is it a simple issue of time or is it that we are in such bondage to schedules that we neglect the very discipline that would set us free. Maybe it\u2019s all about distractions, new priorities, which creep in and take precedence in our lives? We fill our minds and hearts with easy food so that we no longer have a taste for the pure, wholesome ingredients which our spirit actually needs. First let\u2019s remedy the malaise of our own soul so that our convictions and love for God\u2019s word would ignite a fire so powerful that the people around us would revive from the death grip of apathy so prevalent today. Let\u2019s own for ourselves the following truths.<\/p>\n
The blessing<\/strong> <\/p>\n The book of Ecclesiastes is a proof text on the meaninglessness of life apart from God and His word. In Psalm 1 we are told that if we delight in God\u2019s law we will be like a tree, drawing from an unlimited water source that will never fade or wither but will, in turn, produce much fruit. The word of God is comfort in affliction (Psalm 119:5), able to save (2Timothy 3:18), provides safety and security (Proverbs 1:33), prospers (Psalms 1:1-3) and prolongs life (Proverbs 4:10). If we really understood these priceless attributes \u2013 I mean really understood \u2013 our hunger and thirst would never be satisfied until our understanding was complete.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The warning<\/strong> <\/p>\n Difficult days will come, the question is will we be ready for them, or will we sink in defeat because we denied ourselves the only food able to sustain us in times of trouble? Without the Word of God we will be picked off by the enemy while in a state of spiritual weakness \u2013 that is if we are not first killed by malnourishment. We live in a culture drowned in self-help books seeking to provide a remedy for every problem. The simple answer is: \u201cFear God and keep His commandments\u201d. The hardest part is the time and diligence required to accomplish it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hope<\/strong> <\/p>\n “…Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord\u2026.Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:5-8).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just read it<\/strong> I believe that if we first begin to isolate the objections and barriers that contribute to the general lack of passion many have for the word of God, we would be better equipped to address the issue and implement meaningful strategy to cultivate the desire to read it. Why is it that in some countries […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3503,"featured_media":12077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[2307,4154,4135,4141],"tags":[1554,2036,2019],"class_list":["post-12075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-christian-lifestyle","category-church-resources-church-resources","category-church-leadership","category-church-ministry","tag-bible-reading","tag-get-the-church-to-read","tag-kristi-winkler-articles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogrouting.sharefaith.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/750-biblereading.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u201c\u2026do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; or length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.\u201d (Proverbs 3:1-4).<\/p>\n
\n\u201cRemember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, \u2018I have no pleasure in them\u2019\u2026and further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is man\u2019s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.\u201d (Ecclesiastes 12:1.13-14).<\/p>\n
\nThere are so many confused and despairing Christians out there — Hopeless in broken relationships, health issues, loneliness, and the list goes on. God\u2019s word is the only hope and encouragement to such needs. The antithesis is trusting in flesh for the answers:<\/p>\n
\nA passion for God and His will and a deep relationship with Him come from a determination to read His Word. Great and precious promises and all that we need pertaining to life and godliness are found in the pages of scripture (2 Peter 1:3-4). God spoke and the words were recorded in the Bible but more importantly He desires that they be written on our hearts. He has invited us to know Him and to know His will, not limited to the little tidbits we collect on Sunday morning. The Lord has given us the ultimate tool to know Him intimately and to equip us for all that He would have us do. As leaders, make the Bible a vital part of your lives and others will follow your example. Experience the great reward that comes from reading the Word of God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"