This week I had the privilege of sharing a challenge with the Barakel staff men as we met to review details for the coming winter retreat season.
What I shared with the guys could be a helpful challenge to you too.
I’ve been devoting myself to reading the Bible more this year than I have in previous years. A lot more.
And God makes the case clearly in the Bible for being serious about pouring the Word into your heart so that it shapes every area of your life.
Here are just a few Scripture passages I shared with the men.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Hebrews 4:12 – 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.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Isaiah 55:11 – So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Did you know that the average reader, not a fast reader, can read the whole Bible in one year by reading just twelve minutes a day?
Now imagine what the Word of God could do in and through you if you devoted yourself to reading the Bible two or three times in the next twelve months?
Twice is only twenty-four minutes a day. Three times, only thirty-six minutes.
And you could divide that time throughout the day any way you like. You could even listen to the Bible while you ride in the car or, even better, listen to the Bible as you read it.
In the year ahead, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16).