What Books Do You Like to Read?
I have never been a big-time reader. I can’t sit still for hours with my face crammed in a book. I am what you call someone who can’t sit still. I always have to be moving.
Granted, all this movement hasn’t garnered me the size eight waistline I would love to have, but it has kept me from getting bigger than I can afford. My mom gets on me all the time, “Slow down! You need to stop.” I can’t. It’s just my nature, and I am fine.
As I was reading this morning, a thought occurred to me. There are many people by their admission who have never read the Bible before. For one reason or another, many people have never cracked open the good book.
I know folks have their reasons. I have heard things like:
- I was never told I needed to read the bIble
- the bible is a fairytale
- cannot understand what it says
- which version do I read?
- so boring
- contradictory
- don’t understand how it is relevant today
- no mention of social media or pancakes
- way too long
- don’t have time
- do not enjoy reading
- and the list goes on.
Experiences over the years
Over the years, I have taught many bible studies and mention names like Daniel, Jonah, and Nicodemus and have been met with blank stares. When asking, “Do you remember the story of Gideon?” I am met with silence.
If I ask, “Has anyone read this series or that series?” several people respond excitedly.
What if on that day you stand before God and He asks you, “Have you read my book? You know, the best selling book of all time. Thousands of years and running?”
What will your response be?
‘Oh God, see all my answers above.’
The Bible is God’s Word
I believe it is absolute truth, and I don’t need to have all the answers or understand all of it to believe it is true. I believe by faith that it is the inspired Word of God.
The Bible has given me hope. It is filled with promises for me and you. It is full of examples of what I need to avoid as well as what I need to do to live a fulfilled life here on this round rock.
It’s my guide book. It’s my comfort during difficult times, especially now.
While many of us are wondering how we are going to fill our days while we self-quarantine during the coronavirus, I have a great suggestion – Read your Bible.
Pick it up
Blow the dust off the cover of your Bible. Take it from under your couch leg. Take the Bible out from under the lamp. Go and retrieve it from your bookshelf from among Harry Potter, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele, Stephen King, and others.
Don’t have one? Order one online. Companies will deliver it to your home. They make large print Bibles, study Bibles, and Life Application Bibles. Christianbooks.com has excellent deals on Bibles. Lifeway and Amazon also sell them. While you wait for it to arrive, download the free Bible app – YOUVERSION and start reading electronically. This app will even read to you and has lots of great Bible plans you can read. But if we lose electronics one day, you will cherish the paper.
Open up the pages and start reading.
If you are unsure of where to start, I always suggest starting in the New Testament, the Book of John. Why? Here’s a simple synopsis of each book.
- John is the most theological.
- Matthew is the most structured.
- Mark is the most dramatic.
- Luke is the most thematic.
These are the gospels – the good news of Jesus Christ. Folks, we all can use some good news!
The Bible is not boring.
If you are into blood and guts and wars, then the Old Testament is for you as well. The history of where you came from can be gruesome, and you’ll find that those people were just as messed up as we are today. And some people say the Bible isn’t relevant. You’ll find we take a lot of what we do today from our ancestors thousands of years ago.
But to know the life-saving power of Jesus Christ who came and paid the price for our sins on the cross, died and resurrected after three days to give us new life, then the New Testament is a great place to start. The Bible, as a whole, is God’s infallible Word. It tells the story of human history from beginning to end and God’s redemptive plan for man after the fall in the garden.
Ask yourself important questions as you read the Scriptures. See the diagram.
When reading the Bible, ask these questions.
Man messed up in the garden by not following simple instructions, and thankfully, God in his mercy and grace sent his son Jesus as the redemption for our sins so that we could have eternal life in heaven.
No one knows what will happen tomorrow, next week or next month with this virus. We don’t know if everyone working from home will bring down the grid.
Are you looking for things to do while you wait? Looking for things to teach your children?
Pick up a Bible and start reading today. Ask God to reveal himself to you through the pages of Scripture. He will.
I hope the Bible will become one of those books you like to read.
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