Sounds like a book title doesn't it? Well, the reason behind that is it probably could be a book. Unfortunately, I have neither the time or resources to write a book at the moment, so you'll just have to settle with a blog post. Sorry.
Have you ever tried to engage someone about their devotions? Why not?
If you don't there's probably two reasons, one being that you haven't done your devotions and therefore you instantly feel the guilt overwhelm you in that instant and banish it to the back of your mind. The second reason relates to a fear of man, you are aware that the chances are the other person hasn't done their devotions and therefore to ask would create an awkward situation where you feel like you'll have a one sided conversation.
I'm sorry to bring you some bad news. It's your duty to ask anyway.
As Proverbs 27:17 says: "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Colossians 3:16 says: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
So much for pushing that question of devotions to the back of our minds. The reading of God's word is vital to our growth in him. Prophecy, tongues, prayer, these are wonderful gifts given to us, prayer is even essential as it is our way of speaking to God. However, if prayer was all that we had, we would be maintaining a one sided relationship with a distant God that remains separate from us. Christ came and died for us and then rose again and was carried to heaven. Which leaves us with the question, how do we maintain our relationship with God?
The answer? God's holy authoritative word. You've probably heard the word "authoritative" used in relation to the Bible. What does it mean? Authoritative means: Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable." If we accept the Bible as authoritative then we must remain obedient to it.
John 1:1 states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
The Word is God? What is the Word of God? Surely it can be spoken by the prophets as a divine inspiration but primarily it appears to be the Bible as it is fully proven as inspired by God in its authoritative sense.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
15. and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17. so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In order for us to be "thoroughly equipped," we must be spending consistent time in God's word! This is of the utmost importance. Too often when I ask that question, "How are your devotions going?" the response is either: "Uhm... They're not," "good," or that awkward silence that follows up a question they don't want to answer. The second answer would be fine, except that when followed up, they can't even remember what book they're reading in. Christians MUST READ GOD'S WORD! I cannot emphasize this enough.
One of the best responses I've ever heard in reply to a person telling the asker they haven't been reading God's word was this:
"How can you breathe?!"
God's word is what should dictate our lives down to our last breath. If we aren't remaining in our word, we aren't remaining in contact with God. How would you respond to someone who says, "I'm an avid blog-writer" if you asked them about their last post and they told you it was a month ago? You would be incredulous! You would ask them how they use a word like "avid" if they aren't really dedicated.
They'd probably respond: "it's hard to remember" or "it's hard to find time." Sound familiar?
The word Christ-ian implies your life centers around "Christ." If you aren't remaining in God's word, you aren't staying in contact with him and you aren't developing a relationship with your savior. Therefore it is vital that if you are a "Christ"-ian that you remain in contact with your savior through the Bible.
If you feel convicted about your Bible reading habits not being frequent or regular enough, that's FANTASTIC. There's good news for you. God has placed you in a church filled with other believers to hold you accountable to your reading of scripture. It's even easier to do so throughout the week with the gift of technology. I promise you that if you dive into God's word that he will meet you, but even better than my promise is his. Psalms 27:3-4
zTrust in the Lord, and do good;
Let me encourage you to read your Bible with your hearts open and with your hands ready to act on his prompting. If God speaks to you through his Word, will you be prepared to follow his commands? Will you struggle on through the dry seasons, when he feels so far away?
God doesn't promise a life of ease, but he does promise he will never foresake or abandon you.
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