You have heard the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." While the truthfulness of that statement has never been adequately tested, it sounds pretty good. I'm surprised more Christian's have adapted to say, "A chapter a day keeps the devil away!" or "A chapter a day keeps the flesh at bay!" They're catchy phrases. However, just as a diet lacking good fiber, lean protein, and healthy carbohydrates isn't going to be overcome by the addition of a single (albeit daily) apple; a steady stream of temptation and tribulation aren't going to be overcome with a verse or two, or even a chapter.
We need to commit ourselves to read the Scripture daily. The more we read the better. Each verse is part of a chapter, each chapter is part of a book, each book is part of the canon (the books given by God). To rightly understand a verse, you must understand the context it was written in. Minimally, that means you have to read the chapter it is found in. Realistically, it means you are familiar with not only the chapter, but how the chapter fits into the book, and how that book fits into the larger storyline of the Bible.
It is never to late to start a Bible reading plan. There are dozens of them out there. I have been following Professor Grant Horner's plan. You can read about it here. Horner's plan consists of reading ten chapters a day. You can find a copy of his 10 lists here. Following this plan permits you to read through most of the Scripture at least twice, and some parts of Scripture several times more. For example, I have read through the book of Acts nearly nine times. I have read all of all of the New Testament (except John's Gospel) at least three times. I start my third trip through John tomorrow. It takes a bit longer to read through the Old Testament. I have read all of it once, and some of it multiple times. I read a chapter of Proverbs each day.
I'm not trying to brag. I have to work at keeping such a pace. Some days my reading takes me 30 minutes, others it takes an hour. Occasionally, I miss a day, but I always make them up. You don't want to get far behind when your reading 10 chapters a day.
The process of daily Bible reading helps you to learn your Bible better. A plan like Horner's helps you to see the big picture, as well as, the parts. Reading through the categories has helped me to see connections I hadn't seen before.
I have thought of altering the plan. I have consider add two more categories: the Minor Prophets and Revelation. Of course, Professor Horner's plan includes both of these, but they are in with other readings so you don't get to read them as frequently. I have also considered adjusting some of the categories so that it would be easier to multiple chapters in one book, rather than one chapter a day. I find it difficult to stop reading at the end of a chapter. But for now, I'm sticking with the plan.
It may sound intimidating, but with some careful planning it can be done fairly easily. Whatever plan you chose, I hope you're working yourself through the Bible. As you do, it will work itself through you.
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scripture. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Saturday, October 16, 2010
A Prayer for the Needy
A Prayer of David
Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you--you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works liker yours.
All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.
For you a great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
Teach me you way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord, my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
O God, insolent men have risen up against me a band of ruthless men seek my life, and they do not set you before them.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.
Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalm 86:1-17, ESV
Friday, May 28, 2010
The Problem with Consciences
You have probably heard the song, "Give a Little Whistle." Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio sang it in Disney's Pinocchio. The last line of the song states, "And always let your conscience be your guide." At face value, this statement sounds like sage advice. However, a closer look at Jiminy Cricket reveals he was a pretty defective conscience.
Jiminy had an eye for the ladies, and ogles them throughout the movie. Not only is he unable to articulate a clear definition of temptation, he continually loses sight of Pinocchio just long enough for the puppet to get himself into danger. Jiminy's weaknesses help to explain why Pinocchio was able to get into so much trouble--his conscience was his guide.
Whether intentional or not, Disney was able to capture the human predicament. We are creatures who at our cores understand that an external "ought" exists which presses its demands on us. The concept of right and wrong is deeply ingrained into the human experience in almost every culture. While we may not be able to perceive our transgressions against others, we unmistakably know when we are transgressed against, and we often become enraged at such injustice. As Paul says, "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" (Rom. 2:15).
The truth is our consciences are defective. Our consciences are quite adept at permitting us to wander off, and then chastising us for wandering. Sometimes our conscience are unclear as to what is and what is not right or wrong. The conscience can be heavily influenced by outside forces, or misdirected by personal desires.
If we always let our conscience be our guide, we will find ourselves in as much trouble as the young Pinocchio. We need a better way. The author of Hebrews said, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:22). How do we overcome a defective conscience? We overcome defective consciences by drawing near to Christ in faith through the experience of regeneration. As we draw closer to Christ in faith, the Spirit informs our consciences by the Word of God. So "when you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong," always let the Scripture be your guide.
Jiminy had an eye for the ladies, and ogles them throughout the movie. Not only is he unable to articulate a clear definition of temptation, he continually loses sight of Pinocchio just long enough for the puppet to get himself into danger. Jiminy's weaknesses help to explain why Pinocchio was able to get into so much trouble--his conscience was his guide.
Whether intentional or not, Disney was able to capture the human predicament. We are creatures who at our cores understand that an external "ought" exists which presses its demands on us. The concept of right and wrong is deeply ingrained into the human experience in almost every culture. While we may not be able to perceive our transgressions against others, we unmistakably know when we are transgressed against, and we often become enraged at such injustice. As Paul says, "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them" (Rom. 2:15).
The truth is our consciences are defective. Our consciences are quite adept at permitting us to wander off, and then chastising us for wandering. Sometimes our conscience are unclear as to what is and what is not right or wrong. The conscience can be heavily influenced by outside forces, or misdirected by personal desires.
If we always let our conscience be our guide, we will find ourselves in as much trouble as the young Pinocchio. We need a better way. The author of Hebrews said, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:22). How do we overcome a defective conscience? We overcome defective consciences by drawing near to Christ in faith through the experience of regeneration. As we draw closer to Christ in faith, the Spirit informs our consciences by the Word of God. So "when you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong," always let the Scripture be your guide.
Monday, July 20, 2009
We Always Need the Scripture
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Many, if questioned, would affirm that they believe Scripture to be God's Word. If pressed, they might even confess to believing that it was "breathed out by God." But how many really believe that all Scripture is profitable? Do you believe all Scripture is profitable? Are there portions of Scripture you avoid? Do you read the Scriptures daily? Are you meditating on what you read in order to gain understanding?
Paul informs Timothy that all of the Scriptures are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. However, he does not mean that all Scriptures do all of those things. Some passages teach, some reprove, some correct, and some train. Some passage reprove and correct or correct and train or teach and train. Some do all four things.
Thus, we must continually be in Scripture and striving to get Scripture into us, if we are to taught, reproved, corrected and trained in righteousness. It is Scripture that profits us in this manner. Apart from daily contact with the Word, there is little hope of continual growth and maturity. The Holy Spirit primarily works through the Word of God. He can use other means if he so chooses, but what we see from the Scriptures and Church history is that he prefers to work through the Word.
If our conviction is that the Spirit works through the Word, then our action should be to abide in the Word. A call to walk in the Spirit is a call to walk in the Word. The Spirit is our guide, but the Bible is the lamp he uses to maneuver us through the dark. Avoiding the Scripture and expecting the Spirit to transform us is like taking a surgeon's instruments, yet expecting him to continue with the surgery. It just won't work, because that is not what God intended.
If we are to be competent followers of Christ, if we are to be equipped to do what he is called us to do, then we must be in the Word. This means reading it, studying it, meditating on it, memorizing it, hearing it, teaching it, hearing it taught, and proclaiming it. The Word has the power to change us, as the Spirit applies it to our believing hearts.
Many, if questioned, would affirm that they believe Scripture to be God's Word. If pressed, they might even confess to believing that it was "breathed out by God." But how many really believe that all Scripture is profitable? Do you believe all Scripture is profitable? Are there portions of Scripture you avoid? Do you read the Scriptures daily? Are you meditating on what you read in order to gain understanding?
Paul informs Timothy that all of the Scriptures are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. However, he does not mean that all Scriptures do all of those things. Some passages teach, some reprove, some correct, and some train. Some passage reprove and correct or correct and train or teach and train. Some do all four things.
Thus, we must continually be in Scripture and striving to get Scripture into us, if we are to taught, reproved, corrected and trained in righteousness. It is Scripture that profits us in this manner. Apart from daily contact with the Word, there is little hope of continual growth and maturity. The Holy Spirit primarily works through the Word of God. He can use other means if he so chooses, but what we see from the Scriptures and Church history is that he prefers to work through the Word.
If our conviction is that the Spirit works through the Word, then our action should be to abide in the Word. A call to walk in the Spirit is a call to walk in the Word. The Spirit is our guide, but the Bible is the lamp he uses to maneuver us through the dark. Avoiding the Scripture and expecting the Spirit to transform us is like taking a surgeon's instruments, yet expecting him to continue with the surgery. It just won't work, because that is not what God intended.
If we are to be competent followers of Christ, if we are to be equipped to do what he is called us to do, then we must be in the Word. This means reading it, studying it, meditating on it, memorizing it, hearing it, teaching it, hearing it taught, and proclaiming it. The Word has the power to change us, as the Spirit applies it to our believing hearts.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Time for Scripture
Time is a commodity that is easily wasted. We'll exchange it for money, for fame, for power, for amusement, or any number of other reasons, but once it is gone, it's gone. Are we redeeming the time that God has given us, or are we wasting it? How does one know if he is just wasting time, or using it wisely? To answer this question, one need wisdom.
To get wisdom one needs to seek the Lord. We must first ask, and then sit at his feet and listen. What I mean is that we must get into the Word, and I don't simply mean casually reading it. I mean diligent study, memorization, and meditation. When we are spiritually immature these tasks are often difficult and unpleasant, and they rarely yield the fruit anticipated.
As we persevere in these tasks they begin to transform the soil of our heart and mind. The fallen nature, or old man as it is often called, is an inhospitable soil lacking the proper nutrients for spiritual life. It isn't until the Holy Spirit brings new life (often called regeneration) that the Word can produce fruit in us. This is often a slow process as the Spirit "fertilizes" our new nature with the truths of the gospel.
He begins the process of shaping us into the image of the Son by the sanctifying work of the Word. In the early stages of our new life their is still much cultivation that must be done. There are all manner of weeds and stones of false doctrine and idolatry that must be removed. This is the process often referred to as sanctification.
Thus, the work we may initially find difficult and unpleasant in our spiritual immaturity, becomes a labor of love as we mature. As we mature, the difficulty doesn't necessarily decrease, as much as our ability to enjoy the difficult task increases. It is no longer a drudgery, but a delight, because as we mature we come to understand that these tasks are drawing closer and closer to our desired end--to be like Jesus. Thus, time spent studying the Word of God, in a desire to walk in obedience, is time well spent.
Work is noble. Fellowship is sweet. Rest is important. But, these things need not be done to the exclusion of studying God's Word. In fact, they are only rightly done when done in response to God's Word. His Word tells us how we should work, how to maintain sweet fellowship, and why rest is important. For this reason, we are told to do what we do for the glory of the Lord, but this kind of living can only happen where people are obeying the Word.
To get wisdom one needs to seek the Lord. We must first ask, and then sit at his feet and listen. What I mean is that we must get into the Word, and I don't simply mean casually reading it. I mean diligent study, memorization, and meditation. When we are spiritually immature these tasks are often difficult and unpleasant, and they rarely yield the fruit anticipated.
As we persevere in these tasks they begin to transform the soil of our heart and mind. The fallen nature, or old man as it is often called, is an inhospitable soil lacking the proper nutrients for spiritual life. It isn't until the Holy Spirit brings new life (often called regeneration) that the Word can produce fruit in us. This is often a slow process as the Spirit "fertilizes" our new nature with the truths of the gospel.
He begins the process of shaping us into the image of the Son by the sanctifying work of the Word. In the early stages of our new life their is still much cultivation that must be done. There are all manner of weeds and stones of false doctrine and idolatry that must be removed. This is the process often referred to as sanctification.
Thus, the work we may initially find difficult and unpleasant in our spiritual immaturity, becomes a labor of love as we mature. As we mature, the difficulty doesn't necessarily decrease, as much as our ability to enjoy the difficult task increases. It is no longer a drudgery, but a delight, because as we mature we come to understand that these tasks are drawing closer and closer to our desired end--to be like Jesus. Thus, time spent studying the Word of God, in a desire to walk in obedience, is time well spent.
Work is noble. Fellowship is sweet. Rest is important. But, these things need not be done to the exclusion of studying God's Word. In fact, they are only rightly done when done in response to God's Word. His Word tells us how we should work, how to maintain sweet fellowship, and why rest is important. For this reason, we are told to do what we do for the glory of the Lord, but this kind of living can only happen where people are obeying the Word.
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