Greg

I think you bring up a very valid point here. A lot of people whom I have met (myself included) have at some point hit a growth-spurt in hunger for the scriptures and the when we get to a plateau, we mellow away into complacency.

One problem I have identified in myself is when I read the bible for the sake of reading the bible- take it from me that will choke the life out of the word. As Watchman Nee said in his book “Christ the sum of all things”- “if your read the bible looking for knowledge you will indeed find knowledge, but if you read it looking for God, you will find God”. This must be at the very heart of all bible study or else we study in vain. We do not want to be that generation that Paul spoke of, “increasing in knowledge but not in truth”.

James

_________________
James Gabriel Gondai Dziya

Greg, I think it's a great idea. In our church, everyone reads the entire Bible in the month of January. We meet on January 1 and read the entire book of Genesis aloud as well. I don't know that we could do that online but how about reading through the Bible in the month of January?

_________________
Ed Pugh

_________________
Ron Halverson

i relate to much of this. for the longest time i only studied to gain knowledge. before that i was just looking for the contradictions (i found nothing but sweet truths). but when i study to find God, that is when the peace comes. my biggest devotional problem is praying. i never pray enough. never.

_________________
Joe Auvil

I must confess that I find much of the language on this thread confusing. In this case I want someone to explain from the heart, not from a textbook, why it is important that we read the bible everyday and pray everyday. I also want to know more about what "meditation" is. It feels like in this topic we are using language for which we have an assumed set of parameters of what the meanings these words could or couldn't be. Language is complex. Words are just symbols. Are you saying what you really mean, or are you trying to create reality with the words you say. If you want to get to the root of why you posted this thread I would say that you must question the Holy Spirit to know why He quickened you to think of these thoughts. Bible study everyday could be useless or useful. If it is in reaction to a growing fear of worldy things, it's useless. If it's a response to the prompting of the Spirit so that you may fall deeper and more securely into the love of Christ, than you must do it... We all must listen to what God has prompted in you, if this is the case.

Porkpie

You bring a very good point to the table. Let me begin by saying, prayer is an exercise of faith, of spirit (our spirit), and of the Spirit (Holy Spirit). These three things have different manifestations in ever person and so a concrete definition is very difficult.

The very essence of prayer is talking to the Father, through the Son by His Spirit. Jesus Christ is our sanctification by which we can talk to God in Holiness (pureness, or atonement from sins). His (The Father) Spirit (Holy Spirit) bears witness with our spirit, that we are his children and speaks to us what he is told by the Son (Jesus Christ). I want to go much, much deeper into this topic but I am unsure exactly what the source of confusion is….tell me, are you familiar with any Bible texts? I only ask because it will be helpful for me to know exactly how long I must make my response. The language of your post suggests that you have some good knowledge, and I wonder how genuine your post is. Have you seen a shortcoming in us we must be aware of? Please, do not be offended by my questions but, as our relationship on the forum grows we will not be quite so awkward. We (Christians) are all a family and I believe your input will bring great deal of good to this forum.

Your son in Christ

James

_________________
James Gabriel Gondai Dziya