Christian Community Church in Naperville, IL, is doing a series on the importance of the Bible in our lives. Tracks very closely (almost in a freaky way) with our emphasis on the Bible Reading Plans (you can download a plan by going to my May 20 post). Here's a part of a post from their senior pastor Dave Ferguson from his blog:
1. Everyday Read God's Word: Find a time everyday
to read at least a chapter from the Bible. You don't forget to eat
everyday; don't forget to feed your soul everyday. Remember the words
of Jesus in Matthew 4:4, "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word from the mouth of God." If
you are going to read everyday you need to get a Bible reading plan.
It can be either one that you create yourself or one that we have at
CCC on the quarterly book marks or the 3C Journals. In summary - get a
plan and work your plan to read the Bible everyday!
2. Everyday Listen for God's Voice: It's not
enough just to read God's Word; you need to listen for the the voice of
God speaking personally to you. Before you read the Bible, put your
hands on God's book and pray this prayer, "God, speak to me personally
through this book". Then as you read, listen with your soul to what
God wants to say to you. I usually read about a chapter from the Bible
and 90% of the time there will be two or three verses that jump out at
me and say something specific to me and my life. Everything you read
in the Bible is true, but there are specific truths that the Holy
Spirit will speak into your life if you listen everyday.
3. Everyday Write Down What God Says: When you
sense that God is saying something specifically to you - write it
down! That is a really, really big deal when God speaks truth into
your life and you don't want to forget it. That is why I want every
person at CCC to have a 3C Journal, so you can record these truths that
God speaks to you. If you write them down you are more likely to
remember them. If you write them down you are more likely to act on
them. And if you write them down you are more likely to share this with
others who will hold you accountable. So get a 3C Journal and write it
down!
4. Everyday Do What God Says: Do it! The most
mature person is not the person who reads the entire Bible from cover
to cover every year. No! The most mature follower of Jesus is the
person who reads the Bible, hears from God and then obeys His voice.
So, once you hear from God do what He says.