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Each year, many of us decide to start over in our attempts to
accomplish projects we left unfinished in the past year. We begin again with renewed conviction
and a full tank of energy. One task that begs for my attention this new year is one that concerns
you. Studying the Bible and sharing with you, the guests to our "page", is one of my
foremost goals. At the end of 1999, I want to look back at twelve months of shared study,
thoughts and inspiration concerning God’s word, the Bible.
Starting again can be a bit humbling, especially when we try the second time to accomplish
what we failed to do the year before! But there should be no shame in trying again just
in not trying. Consider the words of Eleanor Roosevelt,
"Do whatever comes your way to do as well as you can. Think as little as possible
about yourself and as much as possible about other people and about things that are interesting.
Put a good deal of thought into happiness that you are able to give."
So dust off your favorite Bible, find a comfortable spot (hopefully your computer chair is more
comfy than mine is!), and take a deep breath here we come 1999!
My "New Year’s Resolution" is to study the Bible this year. Not every day,
not at a certain time, not without fail because I am not perfect. I am not predictable. I will
not feel the same way every week at this time. God made me that way and understands that better
than anyone. So cut yourself a little slack relax and enjoy learning from God’s word any time you
can. The most important word in the above sentence is "study" not "read"
so note the difference with me.
Before you can study the Bible, you have to allow time for Bible study in your schedule. You can make time for God’s word if it is your priority. Each day, we fill our time with the concerns we consider being most important. We choose what we will do in each 24-hour day. By choosing to spend time on a specific project, we assign it importance. That thought usually is met with a little resistance, but I find that it is true. O.K. ! I am committed to studying the Bible let’s say, twice a week for 30 minutes. But where and when and with whom?
God’s word may be shared in a two-minute devotional that is read out loud at the breakfast table while your family washes down warmed up frozen waffles with a tall glass of milk (assuming, of course, that we still have milk!). It may be scriptures on cassette tapes that play in the car after dropping off the last child at school. God’s word may speak to you from pages of a daily calendar that is kept at your desk at work. Or God and you might have a special time to share before you close your eyes to sleep each evening. God is not ever too tired to listen to you and he never has to rush off in the middle of one of your sentences. He is not known for interrupting and you don’t have to talk to His back He always has time for you. He loves you, cares deeply for you and waits patiently for you to ask Him to be part of your life.
If you want to get to know God better by reading the Bible, maybe these suggestions will be helpful:
- Make reading the Bible convenient for yourself. Keep a copy on the kitchen table one
that the kids can understand easily, depending on their age and maturity, or your favorite
translation. If you are visually challenged like me, a large print version may be of some
comfort! Even studying a verse a day counts.
- Store a copy of the Bible in the car a thin copy of the New Testament and the Psalms can
make it’s home in the glove box. A few minutes of reading each week add up to a lot of
hours spent with God. Change those once irritating moments stuck in traffic to a valued
moment to meditate on a scripture.
- If the amount of time you spend driving the car is greater than your quiet time spent reading,
the Bible on cassette tapes may be your best friend. Consider the audience who will be
listening with very young, pre-school children, sing-a-long Bible tapes will make learning fun.
Christian singing groups can be found to suit most music tastes from rap and country
to rock and roll! Special talks that answer specific needs in your life can also be
captured on tapes so the lessons may be enjoyed over and over.
- At nap time, bedtime or any book-sharing time for your children, a Bible story can be a
wonderful time to share the Word of God. They are often very receptive to learning any
kind of new information, and parents, grandparents and caregivers have many opportunities
to expand these little one’s Bible knowledge. Many Bible facts have accompanying
melodies that aid our memories, such as the books of the Old Testament, the books of the New
Testament, the Apostle’s names, and the story of Zaccheus in the sycamore tree!
Children and adults alike find the stories of the Bible fascinating, especially because they’re
true!
- The ladies at our congregation meet once a week to discuss and learn about the Bible
together. The blending of the different ages and wisdom makes for a delightful study
period. Women take turns preparing and teaching the lessons usually the teacher is
the one who learns the most! Finding a Bible-reading partner works well for other
women who can not meet during the day due to jobs or other commitments. Even
exchanging ideas and understanding on the web is now available to those of us who have
access to computers and the Internet.
Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Verses 23-24 say, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Thank you for your time this day. It is my hope that you have been encouraged to study the Bible in this new year. Please come back soon!
michelle |
