Deuteronomy 11:18-22 (NLT) So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. ... Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. ...Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.
Psalm 119:11, 15-18 (NLT) I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ... I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
Our church begins this new year with a challenge from our Pastor to make 2026 the year we commit to daily reading our Bibles and spending time in prayer. I am reminded of several quotations (some of them humorous), with my apologies for not knowing the proper citations:
The Bible is the Bread of Life; not cake for special occasions only.
The Bible dusted and displayed means nothing;
the Bible studied and obeyed means everything.
The Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.
My Dad died when I was 12 years old; but one of my strongest memories of my early years is that my Bible would be in my hand every Sunday on our way to church. He considered the Bibles in the pews to be available for visitors and guests and those without. Although our family often struggled financially, he considered us blessed that each member of our family had their own Bible; and the expectation was that it would be well used.
A few months ago, I was watching on online church service when I noticed that every member of the choir behind the Pastor had a Bible in their lap during the morning message. I regret that my initial thought was a bit skeptical, that this was probably more for show. Then I noticed the camera panned to view the audience. Every member of the congregation also had an open Bible; and I don’t mean electronic devices, but a real Bible with real pages. Now certainly there is nothing wrong with having your “Bible” on electronic devices unless you are unable to resist the urge to read something else, do a little shopping, texting, or ordering lunch for later...those distractions might defeat the purpose.
I am truly excited about our Pastor’s new challenge. I encourage my readers, both near and far, to think back...when was the last time you carried an actual Bible to church? And used it? How long has it been since you have made a practice of daily Bible readings? I would encourage you to secure a Bible translation (e.g., NIV, NET, NLT, KJV, NKJV, etc.) rather than a paraphrase (e.g., Message, Living Bible, etc.). Then, I challenge you to renew your commitment to reading your Bible daily. God’s Word is precious, and we are privileged to have free access to his Word...something not always available in other countries. And my final challenge to you, dear Reader, is that you would make the habit of carrying your own Bible with you to church each service, and use it.
I leave you with the words from a familiar children’s Sunday School chorus:
The B•I•B•L•E ! Yes, that’s the Book for me!
I stand alone on the Word of God, The B•I•B•L•E !
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Forgive us when we consider your Holy Word as optional rather than foundational in our daily lives. Renew in us a thirst for your Word. Guide our understanding.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The devotional The B•I•B•L•E appeared first on
Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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