Read the Bible Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck May 16, 2020

Blog Mind of God, Read the Bible, Scripture, The Bible

Let’s Read That Again

Let's Read That Again

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” – Romans 11:33

Are you the type of person who will read a book over an over?

I’m not. There are a few movies I can re-watch from time to time, but generally speaking, once I’ve read a book or watched a movie, I’m done with it. The reason is simple. I know what’s going to happen. There’s no surprise or mystery.

There’s one book, however, that’s different. I can read it and read it again and again and find new things, new connections, and deeper understanding.

The Bible is an unending source of new material because God is an unending source or wisdom and knowledge. We could read the Bible nonstop for our whole lives and never come close to fully plumbing the depths of the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge.

What Changes?

Our Understanding of Context – Scripture interprets Scripture. So, as we read more of the Bible, passages we’ve known for years gain deeper context.
Our Experiences – There’s a difference between Psalm 23 being read by a 20-year-old who’s had a pretty good life and it being read by a 50-year-old just diagnosed with cancer.
Us – We change. We grow. We learn.
The Revelation of the Spirit – God doesn’t change, but how His Spirit moves in us and opens our minds to the Scripture does. God may show us one thing in a chapter one day and another day He may reveal something else from that chapter.

It’s God’s Word
Ultimately, what makes the Bible different is that It’s God’s Word. Not only is His Word richer in wisdom and knowledge than we are, but it is living and active. The same creative Word that made the universe works in our hearts and minds as we read and ponder and discuss His Word. So, it never gets old because God is always working in us.

So, let’s keep reading His Word, over and over, again and again.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your Word. Draw me to Your Word. Open my heart and mind to receive it and understand and continue to cause me to grow in Your wisdom and knowledge.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 5, 2020

Special Posts Bible, Devotions, Read the Bible, Resources

Resources for Devotions and Reading the Bible

resources for devotions and reading the Bible

One of the most important things we do as Christians is spending time in God’s Word. Whether we do this by reading the Bible, listening to the Bible, reading devotions or listening to podcasts, it instructs us, informs us, and transforms us. God’s Word is living and active and spending time in God’s Word truly strengthens and changes us by the power of God’s Spirit.

Below are some resources you can use to be in God’s Word every day.

Personal Devotions/Bible Reading:

Bible Reading: If you would like to simply read through the Bible, there are many places you can find reading plans. You can find books as well as electronic plans. Electronic plans (online or phone apps) often have the added advantage of being able to send reminders/notifications.

One Year Bible paperback: https://www.amazon.com/One-Year-Bible-NIV/dp/0842324518
Bible Gateway Bible Reading plans https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/?version=NIV
YouVersion Bible App – This app has many versions of the Bible, reading plans, and some of the versions have an audiobook format. All this is free. Just look up YouVersion Bible app on your phone.

If you would like a devotion rather than just straight Bible reading, there are several options as well. You have to be a little more careful, though, with devotions. Because, by their nature, they include some interpretation, you can find devotions that are theologically sound and some which have some bad theology.

Below are some LCMS devotions, so you know they are theologically sound. Feel free to look for others, of course, but be careful and pray for discernment as you go through them.

Portals of Prayer: https://www1.cph.org/portals/default.aspx, They also have an app for your phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.cph.portals_of_prayer&hl=en_US
KFUO Thy Strong Word: https://www.kfuo.org/category/thy-strong-word/
KFUO The Bible Study: https://www.kfuo.org/category/the-bible-study/
LHM Devotions: https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20200205
The Other Six: Check our blog 😉

Family Devotions:

Usually, kids need a little more than just straight Bible reading. The Bible can be over their heads and kids often do better with some other interactive elements (questions, pictures, etc.).

Similar to what I mentioned above about having to be careful about devotions, you have to be careful with kids devotions as well. Typically, there are two ways children’s storybooks or devotions tend to go astray.

An overemphasis on the Law. Often, children’s storybooks and devotions focus almost solely on moral lessons. They try to teach kids right from wrong. Unfortunately, they lose the Gospel in the process. I have used various Bible storybooks in the past with my kids and have had to really think about the story and be intentional about sharing the Gospel (here’s what God is doing) of the story because it’s left out.
Decision Theology. Decision theology is the idea that man has total free-will and can (and should) choose to believe in Jesus. Phrases like “Ask Jesus into your heart.” are common. The Bible, however, describes receiving faith as a gift. God comes to us and brings us to life by His Word and Spirit, giving us faith.

Below are two pretty good LCMS kids devotionals:

Portals of Prayer Kids: https://www.cph.org/p-31032-portals-of-prayer-for-kids-daily-devotions.aspx?REName=&plk=0&Lk=0&rlk=0
120 Bible Stories: https://www.cph.org/p-19214-120-bible-stories.aspx?REName=Books&plk=2772&Lk=0&rlk=0 (you might need to liven it up a little)
CPH (Concordia Publishing House) has other children’s devotions, but I haven’t tried them to know what to recommend. https://www.cph.org/
The Other Six: Check our blog. (You may have to modify it a little for very young children.)

Whatever you choose, I encourage you to make it a habit and priority to spend time in God’s Word every day. It doesn’t matter what time of day. You may also want to combine it with another activity, like driving or jogging.

God bless!