by Rebekah Harvey

According to research by George Barna and the Cultural Research Center 176 million Americans claim to be Christians which is 69% of the population. Out of that group it is reported that only 6% have a biblical worldview, meaning that the way they view and do life is according to the standard of the Bible.

We have been given a challenge this year to read through the Bible as a church family. If you have been delaying answering the challenge, I encourage you to start today. You don’t have to make up days missed just start today and see how God wants to speak to you.

Why is there so much emphasis on reading the Bible every day? After all it is a very old book, and we live in a world that has deemed its teachings as “myth”. Would it really matter if it is dismissed and left for the preachers and Bible study leaders to use for our exhortation?

In Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples asked Him how they would know the signs of His return. In His answer He tells them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you.” This was the first part of His response, to watch out for deception. How do we do that, how can Christians avoid being deceived? The answer is in reading and studying the Bible!

The Bible will give us insight for life, it will help in our relationships, finances, government, health, parenting, give you peace and the list goes on and on. It is a manual for life but if we aren’t reading it, we are missing out.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:130 “As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them.” Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” The word sanctify means to set apart or declare holy. Jesus wants us to be pure and holy, to live a life set apart from the world.

It seems like darkness in the world is growing more and more each day, as Christians we are to be shining brightly. Ephesians 5:8-9 tells us, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”

Reading the Bible will help you stay on the path for life in a dark world full of deception. I encourage you to ask the Lord to speak to you when you take the time and read His Word. I also want to challenge you to memorize it and store it deep within your heart. Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

The days are dark, but we can avoid deception through the lamplight of His word!