I don't read my physical Bible everyday either, but I do read a lot of God's word in devotionals and on SI. The word of God is the word of God, even if it's written on a bathroom wall, the effect will always be the same, if the person reading it chooses to process it.

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Bill

Hi Greg,

I visited a congregation earlier this year where I noticed that no one was even carrying their Bibles into the building. I assumed that many of them might simply use a Bible app on their phones. However, during the message, I noticed that no one was holding a phone, e-reader or physical Bible.

While some of the passages were featured on the screen in front, no one "verified" them or looked up the passages that weren't included on the screen. No one looked to see if the passages were used in proper context.

I have been to other churches where long-time members didn't know if certain books (e.g. Ephesians or Psalms) was in the Old or New Testament.

In these times, I don't think that there is anything more important than to read the Word of God and spend time with Him in our prayer closets. Yet, I know individuals who pay very little attention to the Word. It is as though their only study of God's Word comes from what they hear in Church...which is shockingly limited in many congregations nowadays.

I also know believers who have never read the Word of God even once through after having been a believer for years. I know individuals who pray so very little too. In a day in which some people in this world are waging war on the teachings of Christ, it is vital for people to wear the FULL armor of God and who can properly take up that "sWord."

I am also reminded by something that David Wilkerson mentioned in a few of his messages (including HOLY GROUND featured here on SermonIndex). He said that he spoke at one of the larger congregations in America. After the meeting, the pastor and his wife went out to eat with Brother David. The pastor's wife was prompting him to say something, but he was holding back. Finally, the wife told him, "If you don't tell him, I will."

Brother Wilkerson's first thought was that there might be some undisclosed sin. The pastor eventually confessed that he had not prayed for years. Sure, the congregation was growing, he had been preaching and administrating and even "leading people to Jesus." Yet, he said that he was dying inside.

If we aren't careful, we can become just as "dead inside" as that pastor or a person who has lost his "first love." So, it is vital to stay in God's Word and prayer. We should be meditating on it day and night! I often think of a line from an old Keith Green song (Song for Josiah) in which he tells his son,

"My son, I am weak and I'm trembling
For the Lord I am always remembering."

There is no greater heritage that we can leave our wife, children, family, neighbors or friends than an appreciation of God's Word. We should take the principle from the Old Covenant to heart:

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Christopher

ccchhhrrriiisss. great post! I would personally just never limit the "living word" of God to any particular version, or limit it's value to a Church bldg. Moses wrote the 10 commandments on a stone tablet, were the 10 commandments value any lesser because of their version, or the content they were written on, or the place were they were read?
Each scripture ministers to each of us differently, we can't stereotype it, and also we must think outside the box, that most scripture is deeper than some of us read it, it also sets examples in most cases. Moses...10 commandments...stone tablets..= example.

Had to come back and edit for some reason I keep getting kicked off SI.

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Bill

Jesus reminds us that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the moth of God. Just as there is a physical life so there is a spiritual life. Just as the physical life is sustained by physical food. So the spiritual life has to be sustained by spiritual food. In this case the spiritual food is the word of God.

What happens when one does not eat physically. They become weak, sick, and eventuly die. So what happens when one does not eat spiritually. They become weak, sick, and die. Thus us the reason so many Christians subcomb to sin. As Keith Daniels quoted from one if his mentors. Sin will keep you away from the Bible or the Bible will jkep you away from sin.

I know this is basic 101. But a football coach by the name of Vince Lombardie used to tell his team. Men it us time to get back to basics. This is a football. I might add by sticking with the basics this coach always had a winning season.

Ae can alwsys win against the evil one if ae know the scriptures. In the temptations of Jesus, he met Satan's temptations by saying It is written.

John tells the young men. You are strong because the word of God lives in you. And you have overcome the evil one. Again we can not win against thee Eevil without the word in us.

Bearmaster.

This article is a sad commentary on the state of the church. No wonder so much of the church is weak in this desperate hour. No daily manna – no growth – no victory; quite sad.

Ccchhhrrriiisss – good post.
There is no substitute for the Word of God!
Just the straight Scriptures – not a devotional or commentary or anything else. Those are all nice and helpful at times; but remember they are man’s thoughts and opinions.

Stick to God’s word daily. There is no excuse for someone to spend hours browsing the Internet and not have time to read the Holy Scriptures.
Just you, a humble obedient heart, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit = that spells growth to me.

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Bill

Bill I do not believe Iceman was judging anyone who read the scriptures off the internet. Or saying one could not browse the internet such as coming on SI. I got the impression he was talking about how much time people waste ob facebook, Twitter, internent at the expense of reading the scriptures. I might also add time wasted watching TV, playing sports, hunting, fishing, three wheeling, stock car racing, and so forth. (I live in Ark..). It is sad to see the wasted time Christians spend on frivolous stuff.

I know men who will set time aside to see a Razorback game. But come up with every kind of excuse for why they cannot get time in God's word.

Just my thoughts.

Bearmaster.

hi, the bible is a love letter from Jesus to me.if it is a duty or a law than it is wrong. you get no points for reading the bible.you do not impress God by reading it.as wonderful as it is; we cannot be legalistic about this or prayer or giving for all things come from Jesus and His grace and mercy.jimpthe Holy Spirit must reveal
these things to folks.

by jimp on 2012/9/7 10:30:49

hi, the bible is a love letter from Jesus to me.if it is a duty or a law than it is wrong. you get no points for reading the bible.you do not impress God by reading it.as wonderful as it is; we cannot be legalistic about this or prayer or giving for all things come from Jesus and His grace and mercy.jimpthe Holy Spirit must reveal
these things to folks.

___

What an awesome way to think of the WORD, HIS love letter to me...

I have often thought of the BIBLE as an invitation. The words are filled with life and the giver of life is inviting me to come spend time with HIM and get to know HIM. JESUS is a person and HE longs to have relationship with us, HE longs to spend time with us. Sometimes that is in prayer, sometimes that is in hearing a sermon, sometimes that is in reading the Word, and sometimes that is in sitting at my window staring at the stars at night and just praising and giving thanks unto HIM!!

What an awesome GOD we serve...that HE loves us so much that HE shares all these things with us. What a privilege to be able to get to know our most HOLY LORD JESUS!

Thank you jimp for sharing such a lovely thought here today. Made me smile :)

God bless
maryjane