Through the Bible

This morning I finished another year-long read through the Bible (October 1-September 30).  What a treasure is the Word of God!  And what a treasure it is to read it all!  


I do not say these things to boast.  Rather, I say them to encourage you, dear reader, to likewise find the treasure of reading God's Word every day.  Too many people try to live the Christian life without reading "the manual."  Too many people try to live in relationship with the Lord without taking time to daily listen to what He has to say to them through His Word.  


Let us not be counted among these people I've just mentioned.  Instead, let us faithfully read, study, and live out the Word of God in every part of our lives.


Just as I did, you can develop a personalized plan to read through the Bible at www.bibleyear.com.  Choose your own version, reading style (straight through, chronological, old/new each day, etc.), and start date, and this site will give you a list of each day's readings to take you through the Bible in one year.


Tomorrow I will start my first-ever chronological read through the Bible.  I'll let you know how it goes one year from today.

On the Burning of Books

Terry Jones and his Dove World Outreach Center are leading the news this week because of their announced plan to burn copies of the Koran (Quran) for the 9/11 anniversary.  Public leaders and media institutions have spoken strongly against this plan.  But the leaders and institutions have it wrong.  I believe Jones's plan is foolhardy, but for a completely different (and biblical) reason.

Muslims are some of the very people we're trying to reach with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Yet Jones's actions will most certainly alienate some of the very people to whom we are to bring the gospel.  There is no redemptive value in this demonstration he's planning.  Much better would be to reach out to the Muslims in his neighborhood and share the love of Jesus Christ.

Protesters like this promote hate, not love.  I widen this comment to include people who protest military funerals, and even some who protest outside abortion clinics (I'm thinking of the ones who speak caustically and hatefully).  Yes, we as Christians must stand AGAINST the wrong, but since I only have a limited number of redemptive hours in my life, I would rather spend them standing FOR what is right.  I will speak the truth, but not in debate or protest: I want to speak it to someone who is listening and who might turn his or her heart to Christ.  Jesus spoke the truth about the Pharisees and the hypocrites, but He spent much more of His time lingering with those who had open hearts for His message.  I should do likewise.