When I was regularly in the pulpit, this was the time of year for a Read-Through-The-Bible message.
First, let’s explore why we do that at all. Why is the Bible sooo important? For me, the Bible is part of my communication, communion if you will, with Jesus Christ. Jesus and I also communicate in many other ways at many other times off the day. Pondering in front of the fire; while driving; during walks, and rides, through the woods; while splitting firewood.
My huge personal problem is that I have a long history of serving the god named ME … And the ME communication channels are identical to the Jesus communication channels, with one stark exception — The Bible.
I trust the Bible as the inspired word of God. The Scriptures make the claim: “All Scripture is God-breathed…” The Bible is how I assess whether the other messages that I’m hearing are from Jesus … or from the false god of ME.
Only when in communion with ME do I conclude that I may forcibly ignore or revise passages of Scripture … “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”
So I spend time in Scripture, everyday, as one way of strengthening communications with Jesus while at the same time shutting down communications with the unreliable ME.
Please join me in beginning another year of reading through the Bible. If you don’t have a plan of your own, simply google “Bible Reading Plans” or send me a note.