Just the Bible … Please.

In recent days, I have been convicted about JUST reading the Bible and loving it. This is insane for me to even think about this. Of course, we should read the Bible and love it! But I often wonder, is this really true? Do I really love to read God’s word and love it? Am I dedicated to the Word, which shows up by me reading it and loving it! Or, do I love reading books about the Bible and love it more? Do I love THE Author of the Book, Holy Spirit, or do I love the celebrity authors that occupy much of my personal library?

Ok. Before I get misunderstood here, I am NOT saying we should chuck the books from great Christian authors. These authors, past and present, are gifts to the church of God. These books are treasures to the soul. They are gifts to the kingdom of God. But, all I am saying is … I need to check my heart’s affection. How come it’s so much harder to just read the Bible versus reading “books?” There are many reasons … I know. How come we talk more about authors of latest Christin books versus talking about … “hey did you hear what Moses said in Exodus 3500  years ago?” I guess it’s sounds little outdated. But listen, it’s the Living Word of God! Yes, even Exodus 21-31 (today’s Bible reading). It’s active and alive! (Hebrews 4:12).

Reading is good for the soul. And the Word is the best “food” for the soul. And so, I want to grow in just reading & loving the Bible. Currently, I am reading the Bible through in 90 days. And, I am finishing up Day 7 today. And I hope to say some time in April that I have completed my goal. And I long to say then … I read it, and I loved it!

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“… just because”

“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7:37-38

This narrative is about how Jesus forgives sinners. But the story starts with this sinful woman giving extraordinary attention and devotion to Jesus. What is so interesting to me was the fact that she gave this devotion to the Lord before she received anything. She just showed up to the dinner and she starts giving honor to Jesus. I don’t know what she had in mind when she did all that she did, but what is clear is that she offers her worship and devotion just because she understood who was in the room – her Savior.

Few weeks ago, I listened to a sermon at our church that talked about the consumer mentality of church goers. It’s this idea, “What’s in it for me.” I have seen so much spiritual unhealthiness in people when they come to church with a certain personal agenda and personal desire. Listen, God does meet our needs. That is the gospel. He met our greatest need by dying on the cross. And our gracious and merciful God does meet our needs always! Maybe not the way we want … but He does. He provides. What I am trying to say is when we come to church, do we have the attitude of this woman? Do we just want to be near Jesus … just because who He is? And does this desire to be near Jesus permeate our lives … not only during Sunday but the rest of the week?

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Impatience

“So Sarai said to Abram, ‘Now behold, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.’” Genesis 16:2

Sarai takes matters into her own hands. She knew that God would bless their family through an heir, but she could not wrap her mind around the fact that how she could bear a son. God’s plan was to give an heir through Abraham and Sarah and not through Abraham and someone else.

It’s interesting. We are just like Sarai in many ways. We love to take matters into our own hands before seeking God’s wisdom. And when we lack this wisdom to seek the Lord first, we are impatient. And what this leads to often is rationalizing the situation with our limited wisdom. And yes. This takes us to a tragic place of sin. So often, we go ahead of God, and nothing good comes out of that. I have seen this in my personal life, and I have seen this in the people that I minister.

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