Different Approach, Better Results Bible Reading: Proverbs 23
Right from my school days, I discovered the time when I have the best assimilation when reading my academic materials. You will hardly find me reading my books during the day or at night, but anytime between 12am and 4am is my time. In fact, I usually tell myself that one hour reading during my time is equivalent to eight hours reading at other times. I religiously followed my “reading time” throughout school and I was able to excel in school. Let me ask you this question – if I want to also excel in life, when do you think is the best time for me to read my bible?
An average believer is quick to conclude that bible reading should be done just after you get up from bed in the morning or just before you go to bed at night. However, I have observed that I encountered greater insights when I read the bible at my time. What is your own reading time? What is the time when you are most mentally alert to assimilate information? Do you read your bibles at such times?
If we can handle the bible studiously and seriously for 6 months the way some of us handle our academic materials, we will be amazed at the spiritual development that will occur in our lives. I recently read a book written by Rev. Ade Adebayo and titled “Enjoying my Bible” and I was really touched by this statement – “… if our serious academic volumes, professional materials, and other valuable literatures were handled the way we handle the bible, many would have experienced uncompromising, dismal and permanent failures”. Isn’t that true? Do we not spend hours burning the midnight candle just to pass a professional exam, whereas we never spend quality time reading the book that addresses all life’s examinations?
My concern for modern day Christians is that they will agree with everything I have written here. Some may even go further to list out scriptural references that I should have quoted. But many are not in the habit of practicing what they have attested to. Beloved, we already have many believers who can only pant and rant these things and we are not interested in increasing their number. We want believers who will take a decision to approach their bibles with more seriousness. We want people who would spend quality time developing a godly mindset in order to exhibit godly actions and experience good success daily.
– tope aladenusi
An Accident Going Somewhere to Happen Bible Reading: Matthew 6
If you were to select only one of the following gifts, what will your choice be?
- One billion US dollars
- The only bible in the world (assuming only one exist)
- Worldwide fame
I perceive some of my readers will select option 2, i.e. the only bible. However, your genuine choice is not what your “church mind” is telling you right now but what your life experiences is showing you on a daily basis. So let’s take the same test from another perspective.
- How much of your daily time is spent chasing after money and things money can buy?
- How much time do you spend in a day trying to know more about God and his word?
- How much of your time do you spend devising means that will make you famous?
You see what I mean? One way to gauge your love for something is by the amount of invaluable currency (time) you give to that thing. John 3:16 says God so loved the world that he gave Jesus. God’s love was demonstrated by his giving. In like manner, the time you give to the options above is a simple way to let you know the quality of love you have for them. So based on the time you spend with your bible, would you still select option 2?
Today, when some people get born again, their first desire is that ‘old means of cash inflow shall pass away and all streams of cash inflow shall become new’; some begin to desire that they crush all their past enemies with spiritual antiballistic missiles; others immediately desire recognition in Christian meetings. But the bible says in I Peter 2:2 (GW) “Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation”. Why? Because nearly every other success God expects from you is hinged on your spiritual growth.
The formula is still “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and every other thing shall be added to you” (Mat 6:33). Imagine you give a baby the options of choosing either milk, money or fame, what do you think will be his first choice? Of course, it is milk, because without it he cannot even spend the money in the first place. The milk is what will help him sustain his life. That is the same way we should see the word of God. It is the pivot on which all other success should be built upon. God’s word is life to our lives. A Christian that does not desire and ponder on God’s word is like an accident going somewhere to happen. He/she may look okay at the moment, but it’s just a matter of time, the crash will come. If you must grow spiritually, you have to always have a burning desire for God’s word.
Notwithstanding, if we are sincere with ourselves, we will agree that there are many people reading their bibles for years but it appears no visible change has occurred in their life. How do we read our bibles in a way that will make us grow? How do we sap nutrients from God’s pure word?
– tope aladenusi
| ‘Inreach’ before outreach Bible Reading: Galatians 1
Many believers today are specialist in converting God’s promises to prayer requests, but the ability and grace to grow spiritually is not a promise from God. It is a done deed! The bible makes us understand that everything we need for spiritual growth has been given to us (2 Peter 1:3). But how do we make use of these gifts in order to grow?
Firstly, I will suggest you learn to set your priorities right. Many people get born again and fly to the pulpit or start struggling for recognition in Christian gatherings. Some others are only concerned about becoming like ‘that man of God’. I remember my dad always told me that a soldier prepares for war in the time of peace. They undergo trainings before facing the battlefield. Even soldiers that are recruited during war time still go through a brief training exercise. It is only if a war general wants to kill a brand new soldier that he puts him in front of a battalion. As a soldier of Christ, do not kill your growth because you want to be in the forefront without having the internal capability to be there. These days, you see someone get born-again last year, and this year he has founded a church. If you ask him his reasons, he will tell you God called him. Yes I agree. God called him like he called everyone over two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. But it is good to learn from others that God called in time past and they made a good success of their calling.
Jesus Christ spent the early years of his life focusing on his growth. Luke 2:52 (GW) says “Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity”. When Apostle Paul got saved, he did not go to struggle for position in Jerusalem. Rather, he spent over 15 years reaching out to himself.I’m not suggesting you postpone blessing humanity till sometimes in the far future. Like Paul, he was able to preach the gospel and invite others to Jesus immediately after his conversion. You do not need spiritual growth to do that. But I’m admonishing that you do not try to reach out to others at the expense of your spiritual growth. Don’t struggle to breathe out more than you breathe in. Let your concern not be centered on occupying church offices.
You just got born-again? Focus on your growth. You’ve been born again for some time? Focus on your growth as well. I have observed in life that people who spend time only longing to be at the forefront and do not attend to their growth end up not getting there. But those who did not even dream of the front but just spent time focusing on their growth and development end up being in front. This is because they tend to catch up with the dream during the growth process and the dream is complemented with the capability to be there.
The commandment is still “love your neighbour as you love yourself”. If you don’t love yourself enough to reach out to yourself and develop yourself, do not deceive men that you love them and want to reach out to them.
Evangelical researcher George Barna once reported – “Americans are willing to expend some energy in religious activities such as attending church…, and they are willing to throw some money in the offering basket, but when it comes time to truly establishing their priorities and making a tangible commitment to knowing and loving God, most people stop short.” The truth is that, this is not peculiar to Americans alone. We see the same problem in Asians, Africans and every race.
So the first step I recommend after knowing that God has given you all you require to grow spiritually is to set your priorities right. Make a decision to reach out to yourself. Help yourself so you can help others. Make a real commitment to give your best in knowing God and growing spiritually.
– tope aladenusi |
