The other day after having studied for Sunday’s sermon much of the day my mind was beginning to get a bit fuzzy.
I was struggling to find a passage of scripture I knew was there – somewhere. Even my computer Bible was of no use.
I had the main idea of the passage in mind, but I couldn’t think of the right words to use to refine my search.
I finally gave up and went to Carolyn. When this happens my wife can often put her finger on the verse and she does it without a computer.
As I tried to describe the passage Carolyn began looking through the scriptures. At the same time our nine-year-old, Kristi, grabbed her Bible thumbed through a few pages, and stuck her finger on the verse I was looking for.
We big people don’t give youngsters enough credit. We often underestimate what children can learn from God’s Word. Or we think it’s too hard for them to understand or too difficult for them to apply. Because we’ve felt so strongly the children can and should be reading God’s Word for themselves, Carolyn and I have been quick to purchase a Bible for each of our children in a modern translation like the NIV as they begin learning how to read. We’ve been encouraged by what the children have learned from the scriptures. Be careful not to overlook the importance of children reading the Bible for themselves.
This brings to mind something I think is important for big people too. Do you find you only open your Bible during the sermon on Sundays or maybe not even then? Don’t overlook the importance of you reading the Bible for yourself.
As we approach the New Year we often make resolutions. I’m not suggesting a resolution but I am going to suggest you make a commitment. Not only is God’s Word important for the little ones it’s also important for your own daily life. If you’ve struggled in the past to read God’s Word faithfully I encourage you to prayerfully consider making a commitment to God that in the new year you will do three things with God’s Word. The first is that you will read one chapter a day. The second is that while you are reading that one chapter you will look for one thought to journal about; one thought from that chapter that you could apply to your life. Third is that you will pray that the Lord will help you apply this one thought to your life that day.
I believe if you will prayerfully make this commitment God will be faithful to show you more and more from His Word in the year ahead as you faithfully read and apply the scriptures to your life. God’s Word is a powerful tool in the life of every believer, young and old.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
Keep it simple in the New Year,