The Book That Changed My Life

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instruction.”
Psalm 119:18 (NLT)

A good Christian should read the Bible.

A good Christian should love the Bible.

A good Christian should understand the Bible.

A good Christian should live the truths of the Bible.

A few years ago I believed I was not a “good” Christian because none of these statements were true of me. I did not love or regularly, read, understand, or live by truths of the Bible. I carried it with me to church. I believed it to be the inerrant and infallible words of God. I also opened the Bible to look up verses so I could fill in the blanks for my Bible studies. However, there was not a desire on my part to know the Bible better.

In 2006, I decided I was going be a “good” Christian and read the entire Bible. My husband gave me a Bible that changed my life, the One Year Chronological Bible-NLT. With all the self-determination I could muster, I set out to spend the year reading the Bible. I was going to make myself love and understand God’s Word so that I could be a “good” Christian. What I learned in the first year of reading the Bible was life-changing!

God’s Word is full of rich life application written to produce God’s best in my life. I learned to be a life-student of God’s Word by reading it year after year.

My mind wanted my heart to love God’s Word. Did I fall deeply in love with it the first time I read it? No. But the better question is: Did I fall deeply in love with wanting to know God and His Word more intimately? A resounding yes! My love for His Word has developed and deepened through the time I have invested in reading and studying it.

This “yes” has led me on a journey through some of the richest years in my Christian walk. Women and men of all ages, from all walks of life, and all over the globe have satisfied a deep long of reading through the Bible. My 80-year friend, Teeny from North Carolina is just one of thousands who in 2010 finally read through the entire Bible.

Have you always wanted to read through the Bible but desired a friend to come along aside you for support? You can have the support of thousands when you sign-up for the Read Thru the Word class on Walking with Women through the Word. Today, make one of the greatest commitments you can ever make: decide to read a Bible that WILL change your life.

 

 

7 Comments

  1. This is the most awesome thing you will ever do! In January I will be reading through the Word for the 5th year with Wendy! I have learned so much and every year when I read the Word God reveals more to me! If you have ever wanted to read the Bible but did not know where to start like me, you definitely want to do this!!

  2. Wendy,
    They say the third time is a charm…So, I know THIS time I’ll make it from beginning to end! Just signed up for Reading Through The Word 2014! I’ve been praying for God to place a deep desire in my heart to be eager to read His Word daily, not out of duty but out of love! Reading your post today I knew this is where I needed to start.

  3. Wendy, how surprised when I read my name in your message. I moved to Virginia a year ago to be near family and medical staff. I am still reading along with you and using my notes from the three previous years. I love my new surroundings and am very involved in church, community activities, and making new friends. This season of life is exciting as I daily anticipate what God has planned for me. Each day is HIS gift of life to me and I praise HIM for loving me and never leaving or forsaking me.
    Prayers for you and yours,
    Teeny

  4. When I first got saved in 1999 I started in Peter and then when that was over I began at Genesis, trying to “read” through the Bible. When I got to Exodus and it was only the 2 week, I thought – “I should really slow down because what will I read when I’m done with this?” It was then that God showed me I wasn’t reading a book, I was reading His life giving Word – spoken from His mouth to those who wrote it. The Bible isn’t a book to read, it’s to be studied. It will not return void, our words are empty every day – man’s books are empty unless led by the Holy Spirit. And I wholeheartedly believe that a Christian cannot grow, change, or mature if they do not delight in the Word of God on a regular basis.

  5. I read the bible but I never read it from beginning to end. I would really like to so I’m glad Gracegirl asked!

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