Bible Readings
Too often we get caught up saying we “should” read the Bible, but never get around to it. It is too long, too hard to understand, too dull, whatever. Nevertheless, the Bible is the foundation of Christianity. You would not want to go to a doctor who has not ever read an anatomy textbook.
Join with me as I paraphrase the Bible for you. Once you read it once and get the general time line and events, you will probably want to read the entire book for more. As you read, really think about the characters that God chooses. What are they like? How could you be more like them? What are some of the things that the people do that irritate God (like complaining or not having faith). How are you like them and what can you do to change that?
Other times we will see battles and great triumphs and acts that could have only been possible by God’s hand. Life itself is an amazing feat. How all the cells “know” what to do and become, skin, hair, nails, nerves, brain etc. Take a gratitude inventory each day for the works that God does in your life. How many car crashes should you have gotten into because you were not paying attention, but somehow you were spared? How many times were you supposed to be somewhere, but you weren’t and it ended up being a blessing?
Even if you have a hard time conceptualizing God, remain open to the basic principles of the Bible. There is nothing that the Bible can teach that will hurt you: honesty, integrity, hope, faith, courage, discipline, humility, gratitude, patience, compassion, love… None of these things are bad. As you start to live with these traits in your life, you will see the world around you seem change—for the better.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.