What should I read today?

I think for most of us we want to read the Bible more and we have good intentions of picking it up and looking in to some of it. But when it really comes down to actually doing it we get lost or discouraged or don't even know where to start or what to read. I love days reading from John Eldridge's book "Walking with God".when he suggests asking God what we should read. Again something simple that we may never have taken the time to do. We just have in the past picked it up without even thinking or turning it over to God and just stated reading. What if we invited God into our Bible reading by seeking his direction?

Here's the funny thing about scripture that I have discovered over the years. You can read it have no Spiritual experience whatsoever. If you wanted you could read through it like any other "good" book and look at it simply from an intellectual perspective. Truthfully many people have done this. Bible does nothing for them even though they have read it from cover to cover. Then there are those like myself that when we read it, the pages become this life transforming experience where God's presence is felt and know. If I was really honest with you I have lived in and experienced both while reading scripture. The times when it has done nothing for me however are the times I have not invited God into the reading. There is something about God's Word that actually requires His spiritual presence in order to have our lives impacted. Makes a lot of sense doesn't it?

The next time you pick up the Bible invited God into it. Ask Jesus what you should read and while reading it invite God into the moment with simple questions like...God what are you trying to say to me in this passage? God what would you have me do as a result of what I am reading? God what change, or what do I need to do differently based on what I am reading? You will find that the more you engage God while in His word the more rich and life transformational the experience will be.

In this chapter John also reminds us that we are to not just be believers of Christ but to be followers of Him. That Jesus goes out ahead of us and actually blazes a trail for our day that we can choose to follow or not. Are we following Jesus daily or are we off doing our own thing? Are we following in the in between times, the simple small tasks and things? Or are we just engaging God when there is a huge issue that we need help with. John reminds us that someone who believes is God and has invited Christ into their heart but doesn't really follow Him through all the day to day stuff is bordering on Deism. YIKES, that is scary! That means we think there is a God up there in heaven but really have no interest in letting Him lead us. Sadly however that is where many of us are. What does that say about what we really believe? What does that say about where our life is really going? Something to ponder throughout today. May God richly bless you today and all this week as you open up His Word and dive right into His presence. May he change your life as you read and interact with Him. And may you learn how to follow Him a little bit more today. These are my prayers for us this day.
Walking together,
Your Dreaming Pastor