Begin Today

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.  1 Timothy 4:6-16 NASB

And so, here we are today in the year of our Lord 2023, and we have printed Bibles and electronic Bible apps at our fingertips. In fact, many of us have various Bibles in our homes and maybe even one or two different Bible translations on our phones and computers. 

Why read the Bible?  the Bible points to Jesus the Christ, God shares His Gospel throughout His written word.  He points out all the moments of foreshadowing and the many times Jesus appeared to His people before coming, when He performed miracles, Jesus opened the hearts and minds of His disciples so they could truly understand His Word and in turn understand who He was, His work, and their purpose; and He did it through the teaching, reading and revelation of All of Scripture. 

Galatians 3:16-24 NASB “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has closed everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law the word of God has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”

Luke 24:25-27 NASB “And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Luke 24:44-47 “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

The Bible is raw, living word of God, … it is the Old Testament and the New Testament - Genesis to Revelation - the ENTIRE BIBLE - not just the convenient chapters or the least awkward verses - The Bible is the authoritative true word of God, VALID, PROFITABLE.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

By reading the entirety of the Bible, then parts of it, then front to back again, we can see how ALL OF HISTORY, HUMANITY, AND THE WORLD point to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and King! Phew. It leaves me breathless. We can see how all of the Old Testament points to the work of Christ, the Old Testament spoke of Jesus, pointed to Him, and foreshadowed Him. Then we as we read the New Testament it points us back to the work of Christ.  

When we consume the fullness of God’s Word, allowing it to pass through our hearts, minds, and eyes, we’ll experience a new level of appreciation, gratitude, devotion, and a deeper, richer love for Him. 

Start today, my friends. As you read the Bible look for verses and passages that stick out to you. Maybe you’ll happen upon a verse or passage that you feel drawn to, that you feel a tug or a pull to sit with. Welcome that feeling; it’s Holy Spirit!  In the Bible, reading has to do with understanding what God has to say to you. The idea is not that you would read and then not know anything about what you just read, or read and say, “There, I read my verse or my chapter for today.”  The Word, living and active, reaches into the deepest places of our heart. Wisdom, insight, and understanding begin to blossom within and overflow into our daily life, as well as over the lives of those around us.