To Read or Not to Read...the real question is WHY?

I actually started doing some study on what the bible says about reading the word.  I know why it's important to read the word.  However trying to impress that on baby Christians and young people is sometimes challenging.  Sometimes that is just because of our human thoughts toward reading in general.  I hear a lot "Well I just don't like to read" " I don't understand it", and a multitude of other reasons as to why people DON'T read the Word of God regularly.

The Bible is so much more than a book!  It IS the VERY WORD OF GOD!  That statement alone should make us want to read it from cover to cover as often as we can.  

John 1:1

King James Version (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Word WAS GOD!  Why wouldn't you want to know God?? Knowing His Word IS knowing HIM!

Hebrews 4:12

New Living Translation (NLT)
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

ALIVE AND POWERFUL!! I love those words!  The very power that raised Christ from the dead. It's that very power that lives inside of us as children of the one true King!  We receive power from the Word of God.

Matthew 22:29

New Living Translation (NLT)
29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

This was the Lord's response to the Sadducees when they were questioning him about the resurrection. For people who thought they knew so much, they didn't even realize how little they knew.  

Here is what happens when you KNOW the Word of God....

2 Timothy 3:16-17

New Living Translation (NLT)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Joshua 1:8-9

The Message (MSG)
And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

John 15:5-8

The Message (MSG)
5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

Let God show who He is IN you and THROUGH you!  This is accomplished by getting his words deep inside.  I get excited when it comes to the Word of God, because IT IS the Word of God!  Because everyday I receive something new from it.  I'm strengthened in the places where I was feeling weak!

Don't think you understand...that is addressed in the Word of God as well....

2 Timothy 2:7

New Living Translation (NLT)
7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

John 8:31-32

New Living Translation (NLT)
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Freedom in Jesus Christ.  We always want "answers".  I have one answer to every need...Jesus Christ! To know the Word of God is to know HIM!  To be set free in Him.

Psalm 19:7-11

New Living Translation (NLT)
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

God's Word is forever.  It was for our past, our future, and our present.  It gives us hope and encouragement when there is none.  It lifts us to heights we never thought possible and gives us understanding that can only come from Him.  

Matthew 24:35

New Living Translation (NLT)
35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Romans 15:4

New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

There are so much more to study on this subject.  It could be a book in itself. By the end of this short study, to say that reading and knowing the Word of God will help you in your Christian walk is understated to say the least and most likely inaccurate.  Reading and knowing the Word of God is VITAL to our life as a Christian.  Without know Him and knowing who we are in Him and what power lives in us, how do we overcome even the least of things that comes against us in daily life? 

My prayer today and every day is that YOU and I read the living Word of God with eyes and ears open.  To learn and understand who each of us is in Christ. That we each have a burning desire to know God and in doing so that we have a burning need to read and know His word.  

Be brave and courageous!  Don't be discouraged, but be ENCOURAGED!  God's Word can do that for you today and everyday!

Side Note:  Did you know hearing the Word of God is just as effective???? Don't like to read...there are several ways of "hearing" the Word. Bible app, bible on dvd/cd.  GET ONE! 

Romans 10:17

New King James Version (NKJV)
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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