Articles
LOOK AT THE BOOK
We have heard the statistics regarding the lack of time Christians spend in a study of God’s
Word. And sadly, statistics don’t lie. Too few Christians spend time reading the Bible and fewer
still in an actual study of the Bible. How can the church possibly remain faithful to the Lord
when spending so little time in a study of His word? “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by
the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
We live in a time when many desire to live according to their feelings, but feelings can be
quite deceiving. We would do well to take Jeremiah’s warning at face value, “The heart is more
deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it” (Jer. 17:9)? Because of
the lies of Satan (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:14), we cannot afford to lean upon our own
understanding (Prov. 3:5-7), but more and more must turn to God’s Word to guide us to life
everlasting. Only through a firm understanding of God’s Word and a willingness to obey Him
can we be assured of a home in heaven.
I am excited about our study, Look At the Book. It will be a wonderful opportunity to renew
our efforts in studying God’s Word. Perhaps for some it will be the first time to actually read the
Bible from cover to cover. For others, it may be the opportunity to dig a little deeper and find
treasures not seen before. But for all of us, the opportunity to grow in a greater knowledge of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we read the Bible from day to day, let us be reminded of the
power it has to save us (Romans 1:16), diagnose our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:12), and to equip
us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
As we enter into this year long study, I ask a couple of things from each of you:
1) Truly challenge yourself to participate in the daily Bible reading. Whether you take the
“slow” route (several chapters a day) or the “fast” route (one book a week), spend time in
God’s Word each day.
2) Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare lessons for each week. As challenging as it is to
read one book a week, it is as great a challenge to take all that reading and fit it into a 30
minute sermon.
May the Lord bless each of us as we undertake this challenge this year!
