While going to church, listening to sermons, having Christian fellowship, and reading Christian books, are some of the ways we can learn about Jesus, the primary way to really get to know our Lord is by reading the Bible. T. A. McMahon shares the following: “The primary way a relationship with Jesus develops is by reading the revelation of Himself given in His Word. This is the only way to obtain specific information about Him that is objective and absolutely true.”1
Sadly, many Christians. who even attend church on a weekly basis, rarely, if ever, read the Bible. Since, as McMahon rightly states, the only place we can obtain specific and accurate information about Jesus, is the Holy Bible, I believe, Christians who don’t read the Bible, are depriving themselves of getting to know Jesus intimately. While sermons can be helpful, Christians may only hear one a week, and quite frankly, we need to be in our Bibles daily if we really want to get to know Jesus on a deeply personal level.
And while I am all for hearing sermons, reading commentaries, and listening to Christian music, there can be no substitute for reading the sourcebook about Jesus – the Bible. In (Psalm 119) the psalmist over and over again asks God to teach him His statues. And the only way we can learn God’s commands, His will for our lives, and develop an intimate relationship with Jesus, is to read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures.
Look at it this way if you want to know what is going on in the world it’s good to listen to the news. But the news we get from the TV and the internet is often bias, based upon who is reporting it. And even sermons, Christian books, and even whole church denominations can have their inherent biases. But when we read the sourcebook, the Bible, and pray daily for the Holy Spirit to illuminate what we are reading, we stand a much better chance to really get to know the Word and Jesus in an unbiased way.
If you are not reading your Bible daily, you are missing out on getting fresh manna for each day. Yes, going to church each week and hearing the preached word is important, but that is not enough. Jesus wants to get to know you better and share His wonderful love and guidance with you. And, my friends, there just is no substitute for daily Bible reading. And if you are not reading and studying your Bible daily, isn’t it time you stop depriving yourself of the joy and delight that reading the Word offers and especially of the opportunity to know Jesus better. Is it any wonder that the psalmist proclaimed: “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalm 119:72).
Our devotion says, “There just is no substitute for daily Bible reading.”
Here are a few quotes to motivate you to read the Words of God.
The Bible “the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men!” Gutenberg
“Remember, the purpose of reading the Bible is not information; it is transformation.”
“The Bible without the Holy Spirit is a sundial by moonlight.”
“Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible, the other 99 will read the Christian.” Moody
The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.”
Charles Spurgeon
“Take away the cross of Christ, and the Bible is a dark book.” Ryle
The faithful say thus saith the Lord instead of it seems to me. The message of the Bible is proclaimed and declared by heralds.
“When asked, ‘What is more important: prayer or reading the Bible?’ I ask, ‘What is more important: breathing in or breathing out?’” – Charles Spurgeon
“Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.” – E. Paul Hovey
Here it is: Never read a Bible verse. That’s right, never read a Bible verse. Instead, always read a paragraph at least and compare Scripture with Scripture.
A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.
Don’t say God is silent, when your Bible is closed.
This is so very true Curt! I like what Angus Buchan the farmer/evangelist says about his Bible, he calls it his Farming Almanac – it tells him when to plant and when to harvest. I often refer to my Bible as my Guidebook of Life, without it I would become lost! God bless you today brother 🙏