o God i want to read !!!

[mdith4him]

Always start with prayer. Prayer brings everything into perspective and help me focus on God and our relationship, not just reading some words in a book. The reason we read the Bible is to get to know and build our relationship with Christ. Try reading an 'easy' book (I really like James) or a Psalm. Start small (say, committing to 5 minutes a day), then build on that. Go to 10 minutes, then 15, etc. Don't commit to something unrealistic like an hour or something if you're having a hard time anyway. The Bible tells us to be in the Word daily, it doesn't say for how long really. Remember that God is so in love with you and he just wants to be with you.

I'm reading 'The Sacred Romance' right now which is really good. I suggest reading it if you need to fall in love with Jesus again. A lot of people are suggesting devotionals and stuff which is fine, but don't forget that they can't substitute God's Word.

~M-dith~

 

[IDS]

May I make some observations.


I noticed from your profile that you have an almost two year old at home. Babies have a way of "quenching the spirit". By that I mean that your personal devotional time is no longer at your optimum timing but rather around the needs of your child.


Ever plant a seed? I remember being in the fourth grade and in a 4H club. I planted something and kept a diary. It was funny years later reading that diary. For the first week or so each days entry after the first day of planting was something like, "Well, still no sign of life" or "Same as yesterday".


Eventually, the seed became a seedling and the seedling a plant and the plant produced its "fruit". The Word is seed. Because you do not see immediately the "fruit" does not mean nothing is happening.


Plant a flower seed and in a couple months you will have flowers for a season and then they are gone. Plant a fruit tree and several years later you will get your first fruits. It takes longer but the fruit tree will reproduce year after year.


There are some things GOD plants in our hearts from the Word that bring immediate blessing to ourselves or others. But their are other things that GOD plants in our hearts that take a long time to come to "fruitation".


I read the Word for my own benefit. But I also realize that GOD is planting truth and life in my heart even during those times when I am "getting nothing out of it". Hey, I love new light and insights. But that doesn't happen everyday. But everyday I read the Word seeds are being planted in my heart.


In Isaiah is this phrase..."Seeds to the sower and bread to the eater..."


Sometimes the Word is bread for my soul. Sometimes it is seed to sow in other lives.


The Lord gave unto me a sack of seeds to sow
The Lord said plant them everywhere and I will make them grow

So day and night I planted I planted everywhere
Some received His word with joy others did not care



Kingzjewel, the reality is each of us have areas we are weak in and strong in. While your husband may be effective and powerful in speaking to a street gang it is quite possible he would be overwhelmed in a nursery with three or four infants. Do not make the mistake of thinking that because your gifting in the Word is not that of your husband that you are doing something wrong.


Psalm 119. The longest chapter in the bible. Why? Because it is David's love song to the Word. Out of 176 verses I think I counted over a 150 with reference to the Word. David loved the Word with a passion. If you truly want the fire back for the Word it may be a good idea to meditate and rest for a time in this chapter. This love song is filled with so much truth and insight.


But be warned. If you get the fire back you will be burned. The wick(edness) of I will become a flame of warmth and light to a cold, dark world.


Just some thoughts. I need to be getting up for work in an hour so I need to lay down for a little bit.


.....peace....

 

[GAL220]

Take to heart what Endure2 is saying.....PRAY,PRAY,
PRAY SEEK THE LORD'S FACE. If you can do nothing else in your prayers, just PRAISE HIM!!!!
HE hears your/our prayers... HIS WORD says so.... and HIS WORD IS TRUE!!!!

Also as members of the Body of Christ we should pray for each other. I lift you up, may the Lord create in you a refreshed Spirit and comfort your soul with His lovingkindness He is so willing to poor out on His people. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

[IDS]

Kingzjewel, here is something I wrote last year about bible reading.....


My name is IDS. I am an addict. Of the Word of GOD.


I remember my first "fix". I was fourteen years old. I was an atheist. I was bible free.


It was summer. I was staying with my aunt and uncle. When you were at their house you went to church. That was cool. They were really nice ppl and it made them happy.


But seriously, this whole GOD concept was ridiculous. Think about it. I mean really think about it. But it made them happy and it seemed harmless enough.


Well, one Sunday morning after church the pastor was shaking hands as ppl were leaving the church. For some reason I was the last person to leave. The pastor asked me if I was a christian.


"No sir."


"Well, do you believe in the bible?"


"No sir."


"Have you ever read the bible?"


"No sir."


I was a well-mannered atheist.


"Read Matthew"


Now for some reason that really offended me. The audacity to think that reading some part of the bible would change anything. It offended me so much that that afternoon I got hold of a bible and began reading Matthew.


I read the first chapter. Bunch of names. I read the second chapter. Think it had something to do with Christmas. Read chapters three and four. So what?


And then I began to read Matthew 5. As I began to read the words Jesus spoke He became real. His presence flooded me. I knew He was real and that He was in me.

Within a week or so I had read the New Testament thru twice.


And so began my addiction to the Word of GOD.


After awhile I discovered that I could get just as much from it by listening to what others had to say. I didn't need to read it myself.


That went on for several years.


Then I kicked my addiction to the Word of GOD and being a christian for several years. I was bible free. I could do anything I wanted. I did. Life was miserable. Instead of abundant life I was barely surviving.


But there is something about the Word of GOD...and GOD Himself...that once you have truly tasted and experienced...will always draw you.


I eventually got back on my addiction with GOD and His Word. My dad became a christian. He got on the "hard stuff". He read the Old Testament. He had this annoying habit of quoting these really wonderful Old Testament scriptures.


Eventually I too became addicted to the full Word of GOD. I remember my first read thru of the Old Testament. There were so many wonderful treasures hidden within its pages. Combining Old and New made the experience even more beautiful.


I am a full-fledged addict now. It affects the way I think, the way I act, the way I react. His Words are constantly on my mind. It is like a love relationship with the Word of GOD.


I know another addict. His name is David. David wrote a love song for the Word of GOD. It is called Psalm 119.


.....peace.....

 

[kingzjewel]

totally wow. thanx ids. everything you said was totally true and totally awesome...i thank you for thaking the time to write to me twice on this subject...just wow

and a great thanx to everyone else who kept me from giving up!!! i have finally begun getting back into the Word searching for things i have not seen before... i didnt think it would happen b/c of a post on cf but it did. it was like the Lord was waiting for me to admit i had a problem to more people than just myself...seeking help...i almost did give up. thanx to you all and God bless you!!!!!