Reading Scripture with God
Many of us have been thinking about New Year's resolutions. I think they're generally a good idea, but we often don't succeed because we don't follow through on them. This week, John Eldredge reminds us of a good resolution that a lot of people have made from time to time - read the Bible more regularly. I'll add a couple of my own suggestions to his here: 1. Have a plan. (I have a couple of links to plans you might want to try at the bottom of this page.) 2. Share your plan with someone else who can help you be accountable to be persistent and follow through. 3. Team up with several men who want to reach a similar goal and encourage one another as you go. Now, take a look at what John has to say.
Ernie
P.S. - PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR: the next CBMC Marketplace Ambassador breakfast at the Grill on the Hill is on Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 to 8:15 am.
Marketplace Ambassador Network
Breakfast
Tuesday, February 7, 7:00 to 8:15 am
Join in with other men for an interactive discussion of Attribute 4 of an effective Marketplace Ambassador: Helping others grow spiritually through life-on-life discipleship. Breakfast is served at 7:00 am at the Grill on the Hill at the Green Hills Golf course in Worcester. Full breakfast cost is only $10.00, and you'll meet key men who are committed to be effective ambassadors for Christ where they work and live. Mark your calendar now.
Reading Scripture with God
By John Eldredge
We need God to help us understand His Word.
We can't separate a walk with God from our reading of Scripture. The two go hand in hand. Like having a tour guide as you wander the halls of the Louvre. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you" (John 14:15-17).
Too many people approach Scripture without an intimacy with God, and they either end up frustrated because they've gotten so little out of it or, far worse, amass an intellectual understanding quite apart from any real communion with God. It usually results in religious pride.
The Bible is meant to be read in fellowship with God. Things can get really weird if we don't.
Having offered that caveat, let me say that the more we know the Scriptures and, the more they become a part of us, the more we'll find that we can walk with God. Having spent a good deal of time in the Word of God, you'll give the Holy Spirit library within you to draw upon.
John Eldredge, RansomedHeart.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a great time to begin a new plan for regularly reading the Bible. There are many Bible reading plans out there. To help you get started here are a couple of good ones:
5 Day Bible Reading Plan
5x5x5 NT Bible Reading Plan
CBMC USA Website at
Check out CBMC
New England Team Gatherings at
http://NewEngland.cbmc.com
Click on the TEAMS tab
CBMC is reaching men right where they are to help them become the man God designed them to be.
Join the CBMC Connected Community at
Connectme.cbmc.com
This weekly devotional is available by email from CBMC New England. You can join the mailing list by emailing: newengland@cbmc.com