I used to hate it when people quoted scripture. I felt quoting scripture was just another way for the holy people (not me) to keep the less than holy people (me) out of their tight, little circle.
I remember the first time I read the Gospel. I called my husband (then a sort-of-boyfriend-type) and asked him if he knew the exact story of Jesus’ life and crucifixion was written in four different books in the Bible. Surely, that was some kind of mistake.
Looking back, I realize that I didn't like scripture because I didn't understand it, and if you don't understand it, you certainly struggle to read it.
Years passed. I grew in my faith, but I didn’t grow in my love for reading the Bible. I remained a forced reader.
Then last January I started the One Year Bible. Yes, one year means I am almost finished reading THE ENTIRE BIBLE, people. Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout, but wow, what a big deal.
And here’s the amazing part, God knows (my gosh, He hears my whining daily) about my struggles and successes related to giving, and therefore He made stories and verses related to giving pop off the pages.
Verses moving me at this moment:
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Corinithians 8:12
Hello, the answer to one of my biggest questions (How am I supposed to give when I don’t have money?) summed up perfectly.
. . . If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Romans 12:20
So, fine. You know I like this verse because of the burning coals thing, but still great advice.
What about you? Are you a natural or forced Bible reader? Do you have a favorite verse or verse that describes your current life situation?
22 comments:
I love it sometimes. Before I went to college it was a lot easier to love. I went to a Bible college where in many classes the Word was a text book. I read through it twice while there. It became more about learning than savoring. So the first few years after graduation I was not much of a reader...but my love of the Word has come back and I love discovering and savoring all the beauty that it offers.
I'm going to be really honest here. I used to be a natural, but the last few years it seems to be more and more forced. Which is frustrating. I think I need to try something like a One Year Bible this year, get myself on a schedule and go with it. I'm hoping that in pushing through the forced feelings I will find that hunger and thirst again.
i love scripture, but unless i am actively involved in a bible study at church, i struggle to read daily. i've been so much better lately. since june, i don't think i've missed more than five days. i'm going to do beth moore's memory verse team this year. i am committed to memorizing 24 verses this year in community with thousands of other women. here's the link: http://blog.lproof.org/2010/12/siesta-scripture-memory-instructions.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LPMblog+%28LPMblog%29
and WAY TO GO on the year-long bible read!
Amy,
I have a similar post rattling around in my brain--not sure I'll get it done in time for today's link-up, but when I do get it done will probably link to this. I just finished another trip through--it usually takes me at least 18 months, though. It's not easy, and I think we really need to admit that to each other and encourage one another along the way.
LOL...your opening paragraph cracked me up....because I have been there! I'm sure we all have at some point. I'm not forced now...usually but I'm driven...to listen and talk with Him. The One year bible is great and that is SO awesome your almost done. Isn't that just God when verses pop off pages right where we are...ugh:)
SO real life is this post Amy...bones with flesh and God loves us much!
What a glorious accomplishment, Amy! Your immersion in the Word shows in the grace-filled words you share here each week.
Those God Words have taken root in you,
become a part of you.
Very God *in you*
You've given yourself a GIFT! And His words will not return void.
God bless,
Jennifer
So, confession time. Last night I was reading the One Year Bible (but I started in October, so I'm nowhere near done) and I was catching up for 3 days. Anyway, I was in Revelations and my eyes and my heart were literally glazing over. Sometimes it is so hard to press through, but then there was the Psalm that completely bowled me over and I realized...sometimes, even when I feel forced, even when I don't understand, God has a way of slipping in one or two verses that remind me that this is all about Him, all about His love, and His story.
I had exactly the same situation as Critty. Nowadays, sometimes it's forced, sometimes it's natural. I definitely fluctuate.
As far as giving is concerned, part of my "tithe" is my time and talents, not just my treasure. Making meals for needy(er) families, counseling single moms--I don't need to wait for the church to do things.
~Debbie
I remember a family member coming around the corner and found me secretly reading my bible. They claimed I was a "bible thumper". Amazing how Scripture makes people uncomfortable
I haven't read my bible in years. I enjoy the bible verses I read at the beginning and end of my devotional, but I haven't been able to get much deeper than that. I know I need the bible and all of the wonderful guidance God has provided us through it. Maybe I just find it overwhelming and scary... which is kind of weird to say if you think about it.
oh i love this! i'm a sometimes-consistent bible reader, which i guess really makes me not consistent at all. it seems to be one of those "tedious" things that only seems tedious before i start. then once i'm in it, i'm always grateful. why does it happen that way? anyway, glad to know i'm not the only one who has wrestled with this :) as for my favorite scripture, hosea 2:14...seriously my life verse.
I like the burning coals part, too.
I think I'm both. I pick up my Bible so I can be in His Word and say that I've done it because I should do it. But, I also love picking up my Bible at other times and feeling His Spirit swirl through me and make the words come alive and resonate within me.
You know my answer. LOL. Congrats at almost being done. I'm truly excited and jealous for you. I love you're "burning coals verse." I know one of my favourite lines is Act 2:15 "These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!" There something perverse in it. :)
I depend on scripture. My thoughts and feelings can be all over the place, but I always know that God's Word is the Truth, and I have to stand firm in His Truth and not in my waves of emotions.
I love the Internet because you can type anything - scriptures on joy, giving, peace, trust, ect. and all kinds of scriptures will be displayed.
Thank you for your kind kind comment. I really appreciate what you said!
I go through seasons of both. When it feels forced I pull out my Message Bible and for some reason it just helps. Sometimes I feel a bit lame for resorting to the Message to give my desire to read a kick in the pants but it really is great...especially for certain sections of the Old Testament...seriously, that can be as exciting as eating bark off a tree. I don't hang out in the Message but I do pull it out for my forced seasons. Okay, enough avoidance. It's a struggle right now. Said it. Good bye...off to read me some Message.
Your stuff is like mine...Psalms 37 is a theme through this year and season of transition, but the Lord has been specifically dealing with my own lack of generosity in it:
' 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
and
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.'
I can't tell you how many times those words have come to me as I've had hand closed when my giftedly generous husband wants to give and I list every reason why not (yes, it's true)...I didn't expect to find these in a psalm I was drawn to for other calming words...but a Good God knows what I need...
love you reading the Bible through in a year! How wonderful!!! hugs:)
Amy, congratulations on taking in the Word in a one year reading. WOW! I shouted that too.. for you! :) I wanted to stop by and say Merry Christmas and wish you a happy New Year. Here you are celebrating the Word in you. Awesome. You're a blessing!
Oh Amy! What a wonderful post!! And, congratulations!! You know, I've read the Bible for a long time, but my true LOVE of the Word is a recent development. After I went to seminary, it sort of lost it's heart for me and I really struggled to get back to it--to really discerning the voice of God through the words on the page. Now, it can consume me. Although, I'm not always as faithful as I should be. Some days it's easier to get in there and work with it than others. And, I always like to have a Bible Study going, either on my own or with a group. Some days it can be a "have to" thing rather than a "want to" thing, but those are the days I think I'm most blessed by what I read.
challenging, honest post, dear amy. i find lately i've been hungry for scripture, seeking the kingdom and what that means, but most of my life it was forced. xo
You guys are so amazing! I love to read all of your honest and often funny comments. Oh and Melody, for the record, I love The Message!
I am definitely both, depending on the day...and week...and month! I really try to read every day--the fun thing is that when I am actually doing that I find myself looking forward to reading, but when I slack off it takes a lot more work to sit down and open up scriptures. Nice work on your one-year goal. I was just sitting down to finish a goal of mine...the Gospel of John--much shorter, but I've enjoyed it the last few weeks. :) Great post!
~Carla
I'm not a bible reader these days. As for giving when you don't have a lot--I think the gift of company is a HUGE deal to those who are lonely. I've been focusing some of my efforts in that direction this year, and it's been wonderful on both sides :)
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