Filling Up The Tank!!

This year’s challenge to read the entire bible in a year is part of the “Devoted” vision. Devotion is a love based action that shows our minds and hearts are truly focused on the right person/things.

If the bible really is the most important book we have then how much time do we give to reading it compared to watching TV, surfing the internet or working out at the gym? For each of these “normal” activities we manage to find time even when we are busy. But building in 20-30 minutes across the day to read the bible often seems so much more difficult.

Yet the benefits of reading the bible are huge!!

Like a financial investment the return is best seen when reviewed over time. Our ability to remain in peace when circumstances around us are unstable. The improvements in our relationships with people is a tangible measure of the Word of God working. The foundations of our lives are tested in the storms of life but those foundations can only be built in times of ease. It is what we first say when confronted with a problem that sets the direction of our lives so we need really good reactions.

Reading through Leviticus and Numbers may not have been as easy as Genesis and Exodus. In these next books we see the level of detail of the sacrifices but we also begin to see that God always intended that Israel should not be destroyed, come to ruin or lose their health. The constant theme is that they were a people chosen by God, set apart for Him. A people that God actually knew the details of what was going on. People with names that God thought worth recording. Offerings that God took notice of and declared acceptable.

We see that God even provided sacrifices for the unintentional sins so that no one would be cut off from the rest of the people. The warnings about God’s holiness were to enable His people to come closer to Him. We see that He is approachable as long as we come in the right way.

Reading through the New Testament at the same time helps us keep that method of access right. Faith brings us to the right starting point. We are not trying to get right with God but depending upon His act of reconciliation. Jesus did everything necessary for us. Unlike Israel we have only one requirement … FAITH in Jesus!

Israel were not sure that the God who delivered them from Pharaoh could actually bring them into a new land. They failed to trust Him. Today we each face different but very real challenges. So build up your faith! Put some fuel in the tank. Give the Holy Spirit something to work with!

There are many ways to read the bible:

• Split the readings across the day … morning, noon & night! Little and often helps us to focus.
• Ticking off the reading plan can be very satisfying.
• Praying before starting always makes a difference!
• Try reading a different version
  • The Truth is currently available free as an iPhone app
  • biblegateway.com has several free versions and different languages
  • youversion.com has over 50 versions in 22 languages, mobile apps for every smart phone, and an audio bible. It allows you to add personal notes to scriptures and read other peoples’ public notes.
• If reading is not your strength there are some alternative options to help
  • Listen online via your computer
    • biblegateway.com is a free facility providing audio
    • youversion.com has an audio bible online
  • Listen to your MP3 player or iPod
    • Download “The Bible Experience” from iTunes (purchase required)
    • audible.co.uk have a huge range of audio books, they offer a subscription service that gives two weeks free (allowing you to download a one credit book (old or new testament)), then charges £7.99 per month for a further 1 credit book (You can get the other Part of the Bible). Potentially much cheaper than iTunes They have a number of different versions and you can cancel at ant time
  • Listen to your iPhone or iPod tuch
    • Bible.is is a free iPhone app and is available in many different languages.

This is a challenge worth completing!