WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.219 Well, here we are at the start of, whoa, I'm booming, a new year. 00:00:06.879 --> 00:00:13.019 And the new year is often the time that we look back on how we've lived 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:16.600 and we think about how we want to change in the year ahead 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:20.600 and maybe some new habits that we want to incorporate into our lives. 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:25.780 And if you haven't already done that, I want to encourage you to set aside some time this week 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:32.100 for prayer, for meditation, for reflection on this past year. 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:36.700 And I want to encourage you to set some worthy goals for this year ahead. 00:00:39.660 --> 00:00:42.100 It's not a Bible quote, but it's one of my favorites. 00:00:42.260 --> 00:00:44.980 If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:49.060 So let's live with purpose in this year ahead. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:51.100 What do you hope to accomplish in 2023? 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:54.299 How do you hope to grow in this year ahead? 00:00:54.299 --> 00:01:01.159 A few weeks back, I encouraged all of us to spend countless hours in God's Word in 2023, 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:04.599 reading and meditating on what He said in the Bible. 00:01:05.099 --> 00:01:11.060 And I shared with you five benefits that come into our lives through God's Word. 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:13.099 Just a quick recap. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:17.679 I talked about how God's Word is at the heart of our relationship with Him. 00:01:18.459 --> 00:01:22.819 We talked about how the Bible is the place where our faith grows. 00:01:22.819 --> 00:01:24.839 Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:29.819 We talked about how it's where we find everything we need for life and godliness. 00:01:30.599 --> 00:01:36.259 We talked about how God's Word is full of very great and precious promises. 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:43.379 And we talked about how it's full of the instructions that we need to stand firm in this year ahead, 00:01:43.459 --> 00:01:45.199 but also for the rest of our lives. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:48.740 And at the end of that message on December 11th, 00:01:48.740 --> 00:01:52.719 I encourage you all to take a Bible reading plan from the table at the back. 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:58.320 We now have those Bible reading plans on the mailbox table if you haven't got one yet. 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:01.579 And I encourage you to resolve to read through God's Word this year. 00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:05.800 Or if that's a big commitment, then to even just read through the New Testament, 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:09.319 whatever fits where you're at in your faith journey. 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:13.299 This morning is going to be kind of a part two to that message. 00:02:14.280 --> 00:02:16.680 That message is kind of the motivating message. 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:18.479 Why should we do this? 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:20.719 What's the benefit to reading God's Word? 00:02:20.799 --> 00:02:27.379 But this morning, I want to just get really practical and talk about how we do this. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:33.079 Maybe some of you haven't read through the Bible in its entirety before. 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:39.540 Or maybe you've tried, but then kind of lost your drive getting into some of those difficult books of the Bible. 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:43.320 Leviticus or Numbers or some of the genealogies. 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:47.900 And it could be just that maybe reading is not your thing. 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:51.660 Maybe you struggle with reading and it's just not something that you really enjoy doing. 00:02:52.540 --> 00:02:54.960 So this morning's message, I hope, will be very practical. 00:02:55.620 --> 00:02:57.720 I'm not going to be explaining a passage of Scripture. 00:02:57.719 --> 00:03:02.460 But I'll be sharing with you a few of the helpful things that I've learned over the years. 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:06.659 Just about getting the most out of your time in God's Word. 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:10.979 So let's start by talking about frequency. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:17.340 Making a daily habit of spending time in God's Word is key. 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:20.240 And it's important for two reasons. 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:22.460 First, the Bible is a big book. 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:28.780 And if you just look at that whole book or how much you're able to read in one day, 00:03:28.860 --> 00:03:31.439 you might think, man, I'm never going to make it through this thing. 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:35.020 Reading the Bible is almost like eating an elephant. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:40.680 And as the saying goes, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. 00:03:41.580 --> 00:03:44.300 But don't let the size of this book deter you. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:49.439 To get through this book in a year, you'll need to break it down into little pieces. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:53.079 And so a daily habit will do the trick. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:58.879 But there's another reason to make daily Bible reading a habit. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:00.699 You want to get through the Bible. 00:04:00.859 --> 00:04:03.240 You want to achieve that goal of reading through it. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:05.079 But even more important than that, 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:09.280 every time you open the Bible and read, 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:12.680 you're engaging in relationship with God. 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:17.740 You're putting yourself into the place where He speaks to you. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:19.800 Where you hear from Him. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:25.540 And if spending time in God's Word is about relationship with God, 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:27.620 then this is a good thing to do daily. 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:29.860 Not just once in a while. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:33.319 The more often that you take time to slow down 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:36.100 and listen to God in His Word, the better. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:38.220 The more your relationship with Him will grow. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:44.180 One author refers to Bible reading as a habit of grace. 00:04:45.140 --> 00:04:49.800 Along with prayer, it's one of those habits through which God gives to us. 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:53.940 So how often do you want to receive from God? 00:04:56.880 --> 00:04:59.840 Do you want to open yourself up to His grace every day? 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:03.520 Then I want to encourage you to just make it a daily habit. 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:07.680 One of your core things that you do every day throughout the year. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:13.620 I think of Jesus and the time that He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:17.779 How did He answer that first temptation of the devil? 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:23.219 When the devil tempted Him to turn stones into bread for His hungry stomach. 00:05:24.039 --> 00:05:25.500 Matthew 4 verse 4. 00:05:25.979 --> 00:05:26.479 He said, 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:36.439 I often think about this. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:39.040 Jesus hadn't eaten in 40 days. 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:43.080 Just imagine that feeling in your stomach. 00:05:44.400 --> 00:05:48.640 And here He is telling the devil that more important than food for His hungry stomach 00:05:48.640 --> 00:05:50.540 is food for His soul. 00:05:51.280 --> 00:05:53.100 The sustenance that comes from above. 00:05:53.400 --> 00:05:54.520 God's Word. 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:59.600 If you think back to that prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, 00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:05.220 He encouraged us to ask the Father for our daily bread. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:10.879 And there I think just a general reference to provision and even to food. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:15.920 But how much more should we seek the words that come from the mouth of God on a daily basis 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:18.920 if we need them even more than we need food? 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:25.140 Another author likened Bible reading and prayer to spiritual breathing. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:28.180 And I've always liked kind of his thoughts on this. 00:06:28.839 --> 00:06:29.259 He said, 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:32.060 reading God's Word is like breathing in. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:34.560 And prayer is like breathing out. 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:41.759 It's like taking air into your lungs and all the benefit and life that you get from doing that. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.379 For your body, reading the Bible is like that for your soul. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:50.699 It's at the heart of our spiritual life and it's something that we need to do constantly. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:53.879 As a matter of habit again and again. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:07:00.740 Just to be spiritually healthy and to enjoy the spiritual life and relationship that God has for us. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:07.659 So make it a daily habit to just take time to read your Bible. 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:10.219 Now most of us have probably heard that before. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:13.139 What happens though if you miss a day? 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:14.680 Or two? 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:16.240 Or three? 00:07:16.539 --> 00:07:17.439 Or even more? 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:22.519 Or inevitably life happens and each day is somewhat unpredictable. 00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:26.259 If you live with your family you will find yourself interrupted. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:32.699 Or if you're traveling somewhere you'll get off your routine and maybe you'll get sick or something. 00:07:33.579 --> 00:07:38.100 I had a number of days last year where my first waking moment was a parenting moment. 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:45.740 And before I knew it there I was laying my head down after going from one urgent responsibility to the next. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:49.259 The day was over and I had missed my time with God and the word. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:52.860 That happens because life is dynamic. 00:07:53.160 --> 00:07:54.060 It's full of surprises. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:54.960 It's unpredictable. 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:59.600 I want to encourage you not to beat yourself up over missing a daily habit. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:01.900 This kind of thing happens. 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:05.100 Don't be discouraged. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:08.100 Just do what you can to get back at it tomorrow. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:12.000 The best thing we can do is just to press on with it. 00:08:13.080 --> 00:08:15.280 Sometimes if we've missed quite a number of days. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:19.840 We might look at the Bible reading plan and see that we've fallen behind. 00:08:20.720 --> 00:08:22.340 But don't worry about it. 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:23.520 Just press on. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:24.300 Keep going. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:26.900 The devil would love to discourage you here. 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:27.640 He'd love to say, 00:08:27.760 --> 00:08:27.939 See? 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:29.660 You're not a good Christian. 00:08:30.260 --> 00:08:31.240 You've fallen behind. 00:08:31.480 --> 00:08:34.320 You can't even read your Bible every day like you're supposed to. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:38.760 So might as well give up altogether and stop reading it altogether. 00:08:39.920 --> 00:08:41.700 You'll never make it through to the end. 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:45.040 But don't listen to the devil. 00:08:45.280 --> 00:08:49.240 Don't give in to that doubt and discouragement in your own heart. 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:55.360 This is the time to remember why you're trying to read the Bible each day in the first place. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:09:00.460 It's not just about checking off boxes from the Bible reading plan. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:03.779 It's about connecting with God each day. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:09.759 It's about opening yourself up to His grace and to His power. 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:15.519 Last year, one of my goals from the start of the year was to read through a very challenging book. 00:09:15.680 --> 00:09:18.399 Not the Bible, but a book to help me read the Bible better. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:20.259 And it was a struggle. 00:09:21.199 --> 00:09:22.699 And I fell behind in my plan. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:25.559 And things got busy on more than one occasion. 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:30.120 And because it wasn't the core, most important habit like reading my Bible is, 00:09:30.439 --> 00:09:34.539 I had to let it go for a couple weeks here and there. 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:38.620 And then eventually I got to November and I just felt like I can't keep going on this. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:41.399 And so I let it go for the rest of the last year. 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:44.579 I just kind of gave up on it. 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:48.259 But I always have had the intention to get back. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:51.000 I'm going to finish that book in this new year. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:53.600 My goal was to read the whole thing. 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:56.639 And I only managed to get through three quarters of it. 00:09:57.059 --> 00:10:04.139 But just because I didn't finish it doesn't mean that I didn't benefit from all that I did read in it all the way through. 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:09.159 And reading the Bible is like that. 00:10:09.240 --> 00:10:12.659 There's such great benefit in it every time you do it. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:16.720 So even if you miss some days, the best thing you can do is just keep going with it. 00:10:17.319 --> 00:10:18.139 Keep at it. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:22.659 Every time you spend time with God and His Word is a chance to grow. 00:10:23.639 --> 00:10:25.039 It's a chance to be strengthened. 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:28.379 It's a chance to hear wisdom from God. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:35.820 Now, there are some ways that you can catch up if you fall behind in your Bible reading plan. 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:46.519 And in one sense, you can't make up for those times that you chose poorly to, you know, scroll through some kind of online feed instead of reading your Bible. 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:52.799 But you can catch up in the plan and continue to hear the things that you've missed. 00:10:53.840 --> 00:10:56.379 This is where smartphones are such a helpful thing. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:11:00.220 There are all kinds of free apps, which some of you may have. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:04.579 If you don't have any, you can just go onto your app store. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:06.960 You can type in Bible or Audio Bible. 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:12.399 And the Audio Bible is a great way to catch up on the plan. 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:17.439 You can listen to longer portions of Scripture all at once while you're driving on the highway. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:21.779 Or while you're doing some kind of a task that just doesn't involve a lot of concentration. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:30.199 And I use this probably almost every year to catch up or to make progress if I've fallen behind in a certain book. 00:11:31.459 --> 00:11:39.720 One of my favorite ways to use it is when I get to some of those chapters that are full of names that are difficult to pronounce. 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:46.360 Why do all the hard work of having to figure each one out when you can just have somebody read it to you and listen to it? 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:49.019 So that's one of the things I like to do. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:51.860 And you can get all kinds of these Audio Bibles. 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:55.740 My personal favorite is a dramatized one that's kind of almost voice acted. 00:11:56.720 --> 00:12:03.000 You can find these apps or you can download an Audible audiobook app and pick whatever one you like, 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:05.379 whatever translation you want to listen to. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:11.939 While we're on the topic of smartphones, let's talk about reading the Bible on your phone. 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:18.600 I don't know how many of you do this or have thought of doing this or where you're at with this, 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:24.740 but I always discourage people from using their phones to read their Bibles and to spend time with God. 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:28.100 Unless you find yourself in a situation where it's all you've got, 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:33.860 choose a paper copy of the Bible over your smartphone. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.800 The reasons are many. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:37.779 Smartphones are full of distractions. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.139 They give us all kinds of notifications. 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:41.240 Ding, ding, ding. 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.200 All day long. 00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:46.519 And that's the last thing that we need when we're trying to focus on what God is saying 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:48.120 and hear from Him in His Word. 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:52.240 I don't know about you, but many times I just open it up 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:56.440 and I see all this glow and all these little red thingy, badges, 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:59.000 saying, click here, press here. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:02.320 And before you know it, I forget why I even pulled the phone out in the first place 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:03.879 because I'm off doing something else. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:08.639 These apps are designed to get your attention and to draw you in. 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:15.360 And so I would encourage you to use a paper copy of the Bible if possible. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:20.800 You might think about spending time with God each day like pruning a tree. 00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:25.600 And you need to do some sawing on a good-sized branch. 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:31.580 Are you going to choose the saw blade from this massive Swiss Army knife? 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.240 That's kind of what your smartphone is. 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:36.120 It's a multi-tool. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.379 It does a lot of things. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:42.680 Or are you going to choose the tool that's made just to do what you need to do? 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:44.120 Which one's going to be more effective? 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:48.079 Which one's going to help you make real progress and really do what you want to do? 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.579 Smartphones are like this Swiss Army knife. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:56.839 You just turn it on and you get so taken in with all the different options and choices 00:13:56.839 --> 00:13:59.679 before you know it, you don't even know why you're in there anymore. 00:14:00.599 --> 00:14:06.859 So I'll encourage you to use your paper Bibles. 00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:12.120 Why bring that unnecessary distraction into your time alone with God? 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:16.979 Others may try and read their Bibles while watching TV. 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:20.939 I don't know if any of you are in that spot. 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:23.139 I would encourage you, don't do that. 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:29.399 Inevitably, you end up watching more TV than you do listening to what God has to say. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.279 This is a bad idea. 00:14:31.739 --> 00:14:32.399 Think about it. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:37.840 How would you feel if you were trying to talk to someone and they're there just staring at the TV, 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:43.120 watching it, and kind of every now and then looking back at you to kind of give you the sense that they're listening. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.600 But really, they're more tuned into the TV. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:53.159 And that's kind of how it is when we try to multitask and do these other things while listening to God, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.500 while reading our Bibles. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.500 So try to eliminate distractions. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:01.080 Try to get focused just on God and His Word. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:05.860 And use a paper Bible. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.879 I want to just encourage you with that. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:12.500 While we're on the subject of focus and being undistracted, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:18.840 let's talk about what kind of paper Bible you should use in your time reading God's Word. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:26.820 I want to strongly encourage you not to read your Bible for your daily time with God from a study Bible. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:29.320 Now, this might sound a little weird, 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:35.320 but you guys probably have experienced what I'm about to tell you about here. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:38.299 If you have a study Bible, I brought one. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:43.719 And it's a wonderful tool. 00:15:43.859 --> 00:15:45.359 There's so many good things in here. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:48.419 But just look on the page. 00:15:49.959 --> 00:15:51.919 How much of this is the Word of God? 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:54.539 And how much of this is the Word of man? 00:15:55.459 --> 00:15:57.059 This little piece right here, 00:15:57.259 --> 00:16:01.019 I've seen somewhere, it's just a teeny little, almost two sentences at the top, 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:02.620 and the rest is all just comments. 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:04.779 It's just this little bit up here, 00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:06.919 and the rest is all just commentary. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:11.159 Now, commentaries are good. 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.779 They're helpful. 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:14.679 Cross-references can be helpful. 00:16:15.339 --> 00:16:18.379 But oftentimes, they are a form of distraction too. 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.099 I mean, you think about it. 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.620 Who wrote these comments? 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:24.860 Well, some scholar. 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:27.719 Some Bible scholar, and they're good things. 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:33.560 I have a single volume commentary here on the letters of John. 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.379 First, second, third John. 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:38.480 This was written by a man named Colin Cruz. 00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:41.519 But if you think about it, I mean, 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:45.340 is that how you want to read God's Word? 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:47.139 I mean, you're there to hear from Him, 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:48.680 to listen to His heart. 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:53.379 And sometimes we get into that trap where we, you know, 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:56.899 spend 60 seconds reading two or three verses of what He has said, 00:16:57.319 --> 00:17:03.779 but then we spend 59 minutes reading all the stuff that Colin Cruz has to say 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.119 at the bottom of the page. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:09.440 And instead of meditating on what God has said, 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:14.399 we're spending more time thinking Colin Cruz's thoughts about what God has said. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:17.960 Now, there is a place for study and commentaries, 00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:21.080 but oftentimes these things distract us. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:23.800 And so I would encourage you to just use a plain old Bible 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:26.640 that just has the text of God's Word in it. 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:28.259 Just read it. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:32.780 And maybe after you're kind of through that time 00:17:32.780 --> 00:17:34.080 and you spend some time in prayer, 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:36.680 if you've got questions or things you don't know, 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:39.420 pull out a good commentary and look in there, 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:41.259 or the Bible atlas and look in there. 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:47.220 But don't let the thoughts of other people short-circuit 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:51.160 your chance to hear from God each day. 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:56.259 When I read my Bible, I like a copy that has just God's words in it, 00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:58.879 maybe a few translators' notes at the bottom. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:02.480 And I save the commentaries and the study Bibles 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:05.160 and the Bible atlas for at the end, 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:09.420 if I've got some extra time to delve into some questions 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:11.340 or I'm confused about something. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.920 So get yourself a copy of the Word of God 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.519 without all the extras and the notes. 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:20.539 And, you know, I'm going to just tell you something. 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:23.460 This is a statistic I'm just making up out of thin air 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:26.120 right off my feelings, so don't take it too seriously. 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:28.980 But most of the time, isn't it true 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.660 that the commentary in the study Bible 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:32.300 just tells you what you already know 00:18:32.300 --> 00:18:34.400 or what you could already have figured out 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:35.759 just by reading the passage? 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.920 Or if you have a question, 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.839 you read in those little comments in there, 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:42.099 and it doesn't really answer your question. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.759 It tells you about all sorts of other things, 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:45.180 but it just doesn't have the answer 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.299 to the question you have. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:50.039 I feel like for me that's like 85% of the time. 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:55.019 So, you know, get yourself a good commentary 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.119 and a good atlas, 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:58.180 but save those for times of study. 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:02.379 Let's talk about translations for a minute here. 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:05.320 I'm not going to go into great detail here 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.920 about the strengths and weaknesses 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.380 of various Bible translations. 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:12.500 I did that in my sermon on March 7th, 2021. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.480 That was the big, 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:17.380 why are there verses missing in my Bible conversation? 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:19.240 So if you want to know about that 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.440 or be reminded of that, 00:19:20.520 --> 00:19:22.640 you can go on the website and look that sermon up. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:25.200 But I will say that the best translation 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.620 for everyday Bible reading 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:29.200 is one that you can understand 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.100 and read with relative ease. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.920 I know some of you prefer the translation 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.039 that you've grown up with 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.720 or use for many years, 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:39.180 but if you have to stop and look up words 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:41.000 in the dictionary every other verse, 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:43.920 then you're probably not making a lot of progress. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.539 Or you're just, 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.580 it makes it more difficult 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:49.840 to get to the meaning of the Word of God. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:55.220 I'm guessing most of you that are in that boat 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:57.079 simply would skip over those words anyway 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:59.299 or just guess at what they mean from the context. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:02.839 But choose a modern translation 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:04.740 that's easy to read and understand, 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:07.279 one that doesn't turn your time of prayer 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.459 and meditation 00:20:08.459 --> 00:20:11.339 into a study of English vocab and grammar. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:14.240 This is a time for relating with God. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:17.140 It's about listening to His heart. 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:20.160 And there's tremendous value 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.380 when you come to that point 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.720 where you want to do some study 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.539 to comparing translations, 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:28.180 using some of those more word-for-word translations. 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:32.180 But I always save that for deeper study on a passage 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:34.660 when I'm looking for specific answers 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:36.339 to specific questions. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.819 Here's a simple test that you can do 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.720 to evaluate whether the translation 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:44.180 you're reading from is easy 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.559 and readable enough for you. 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:46.940 Try just reading through a chapter 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.920 of the Bible aloud. 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:50.819 And if you can read through a chapter smoothly 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:52.819 and you're not getting hung up 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:54.039 on where to put the pauses 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.440 and where to take the breaths 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:58.920 and how to pronounce those words 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:00.960 that you just don't see very often, 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:03.720 then you're probably good to go 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:07.140 and have got a good one in front of you. 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:09.480 Some of those older ones 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.799 or some of the word-for-word ones 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:12.599 are just better for study. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:16.559 One of the challenges that we often face 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.579 with daily Bible reading is consistency. 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:22.000 I think we all know that it's a worthwhile habit, 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.759 but the busyness of life 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:26.500 often ends up just choking out 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.839 our time with God and His Word. 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:31.860 So how can we make this a daily habit 00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:33.980 when everything else in life 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.559 is crowding in, 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.019 trying to swallow up that time and space? 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.980 Well, here's what I've learned 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.240 when it comes to daily habits. 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:44.799 The most important daily habits in life 00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:46.519 have to be guarded. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:49.220 We have to put in effort 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.619 to protect the time 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.379 and the place 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.480 and the space 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.500 for them each day. 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:57.599 This means blocking out time for them. 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:59.839 It means refusing to schedule things 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:01.220 at that time 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:03.920 when you plan to meet with God 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:06.080 or do other important habits. 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:09.100 If the best time for you 00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:09.820 to read your Bible 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.500 is in the morning 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:13.019 and you're constantly battling fatigue 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.580 and you can't keep your eyes open, 00:22:15.580 --> 00:22:16.640 it probably means 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.580 that you need to start 00:22:17.580 --> 00:22:19.700 consistently setting yourself 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.680 an earlier bedtime 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:22.800 and getting to bed earlier. 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.480 That's a way of guarding the habit. 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.740 Another way we guard this habit 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.519 is by seeking 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.519 undistracted solitude. 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.960 Finding a consistent place 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.200 where we can just be alone 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:35.319 to read and pray. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.000 I was just reading this morning 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:38.700 in Mark chapter 1. 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:40.259 Jesus did this. 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.400 He went out 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.779 and he got alone 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.059 so that he could focus, 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.079 so that he could pray, 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.279 so that he wasn't constantly 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:47.220 being interrupted 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:49.460 by the crowds. 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.519 And so we should 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:53.660 seek solitude as well. 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:56.400 This may take some careful thought 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.540 and planning 00:22:57.540 --> 00:23:00.100 and even continual effort. 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.460 I kind of have it easy 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.440 because I can just kind of 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.700 come to the church here 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:06.500 and before I start my work 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:08.340 I can have that quiet space 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.259 right here in the office 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.960 at the church. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.080 But I didn't always have that. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.600 When I lived in Edmonton 00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.519 and worked for FedEx, 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:17.220 I didn't have any space. 00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:18.940 We had this tiny little basement suite 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.560 and so I would get up 00:23:20.560 --> 00:23:21.519 and get to work 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:23.600 an hour before work started 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.119 and I would sit there 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.500 in my Shev Malibu 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:28.679 with the windows rolled up 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:30.099 and in the winter 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.599 with it going a little bit 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.939 to keep myself warm 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:34.439 and that's where I had 00:23:34.439 --> 00:23:35.299 my time with the Lord. 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:37.579 It was the most private place 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:39.240 that I could find consistently. 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.159 It was always there. 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.480 And I got the odd 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:44.599 funny look from a co-worker 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.379 but then I noticed 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:46.419 there were some other co-workers 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:47.439 who were showing up early 00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:48.559 just to listen to music 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.879 before work started too. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.859 So I mean it wasn't 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:52.579 all that weird to them. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:55.299 But these kind of habits 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.279 they need to be guarded. 00:23:57.719 --> 00:23:59.259 And so I just want to encourage you 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.899 and ask you 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.519 what do you need to do 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.679 to guard your time 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:05.299 with God and His Word? 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.319 Is it about the place? 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.219 Is it about the time of day? 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.579 Are there other habits 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.219 that need to kind of 00:24:17.219 --> 00:24:18.500 come together with it 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:20.579 such as going to bed earlier 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:24.259 or just getting out of the house 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.279 for that time? 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.259 Are there things you need 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.179 to do to your space 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:29.699 to make it less distracting? 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.359 Are there too much stuff 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.339 in the place where you meet 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.419 with God that every time 00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.319 you go there you just 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:35.699 oh man I got to work 00:24:35.699 --> 00:24:36.619 on this thing here? 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.919 Another thing that's helpful 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:43.319 when establishing new habits 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:45.639 this is not a biblical thing 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.460 but it's just something 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:48.460 that I've learned from experience 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:50.400 and from others who 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:53.819 have studied these things 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:55.980 you can incorporate your senses. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:59.160 And these things 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.940 are not necessary 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:01.279 but they can be really helpful. 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:03.440 They can be very powerful. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.240 Whenever I need to reset 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.420 my Bible reading habits 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.240 after vacation 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.100 I like to do two things. 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:12.200 I get here to the office 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.440 I light a candle 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:15.660 that I like the fragrance of 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:18.200 and I put a pot of coffee on 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:20.559 or in my case Keurig 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:22.880 and I can't explain why 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.900 but these things 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:26.140 that bring in our other senses 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.240 they just often help 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.460 with establishing habits. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.940 They become part of our routine 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:32.620 and there's just something 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.900 pleasing about those things 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:35.360 that appeal to my subconscious. 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:37.259 The moment I open my office door 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.740 I see the candle 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.340 and I'm just 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.680 yes let's light that up 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:42.200 let's get the coffee going 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:43.680 and let's open the word 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.380 and have that time with the Lord. 00:25:45.560 --> 00:25:46.700 So maybe there's some 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:47.200 of those things 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:48.519 that you can incorporate 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.980 as well into your time 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.519 with the Lord. 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.160 All of these things 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.080 are helpful things 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:56.220 but there's one thing 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.660 that's been more helpful 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.180 to me than anything else 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:01.519 and it's I believe 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.580 one of the great keys 00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:03.539 to having intimacy 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.240 with God 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.240 in his word. 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:07.100 And I learned this practice 00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:09.680 from Psalm 119 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:11.560 119 verse 18. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.560 It's a prayer 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:17.019 to God 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:19.120 most likely from David 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.160 and it's simply this 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.460 open my eyes 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.840 that I may see 00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:23.920 wonderful things 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:25.360 in your law. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:28.180 I believe this is 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.220 one of the greatest secrets 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.060 to having rich 00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:31.140 and meaningful time 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.680 with God 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.600 while you read 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.400 his Bible. 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:35.080 A simple prayer 00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:36.320 that you pray 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.720 before you start. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:40.240 how do you begin 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.799 your Bible 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:42.400 reading time 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.339 when you read? 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.779 Do you look at 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.559 the reading plan 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.640 and then look at the clock 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.360 and then look at the passage 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.620 and decide whether or not 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.600 you want to read it 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:51.620 and what kind of passage 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.299 this is? 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.240 Or do you just start 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:57.059 with a moment of quiet 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.220 and prayer 00:26:58.220 --> 00:27:00.240 and pray something 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.940 like this 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.980 open my eyes 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.500 that I may see 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.799 wonderful things 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.960 in your law? 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.059 One day as I was reading 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.000 through Psalm 119 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.680 it struck me 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:12.059 that this is a model prayer. 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:14.220 It's not just a prayer 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.599 for super spiritual people 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.460 like King David. 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:18.519 The reason it's in the Bible 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.460 is to teach us 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.500 how we too 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.599 should approach 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.519 the word of God. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.740 And what do we see here 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.079 in this 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:26.039 just this simple 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:27.079 request? 00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.700 There's a deep humility. 00:27:30.539 --> 00:27:31.619 It's like the psalmist 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.180 is admitting 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.480 his own inability 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.000 even to connect with 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.599 and see 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.740 and feel 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.920 the wonderful things 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.279 in God's law. 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.220 It's like he's saying 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.660 my eyes are closed 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.640 to those things 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:47.120 and I can't see them 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:48.740 God 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:50.039 without your help. 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:52.380 Would you open my eyes 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.000 to see them? 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.400 There's also a childlike 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:58.099 faith here. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.900 The psalmist is trusting 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.500 and believing 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.339 that there are 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:03.380 wonderful things 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.099 in there 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:05.839 in the law 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:07.400 in those things 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.259 that God has spoken. 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.140 I may not be able 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.119 to see them right now 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.039 I feel cold 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.079 I feel unawake 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.059 to them at the moment 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.980 but I know 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.759 that they're there 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:18.299 not just helpful things 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.440 not just true things 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:21.019 but wonderful things. 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.900 And let's remember 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.599 that the psalmist 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.779 is talking about the law 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.779 like this is the first 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.900 five books of the Bible. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:31.340 I think we need 00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:32.220 to come to God's word 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.300 with this same faith 00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:34.380 every time we open 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.780 the Bible. 00:28:34.780 --> 00:28:36.340 We may not be feeling it 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.380 we may feel cold 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.080 unstirred 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.840 our hearts might not 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.340 be in it 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.820 but if we come 00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:41.600 with that faith 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:43.300 there are wonderful 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.140 things in there 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:45.900 that my soul needs. 00:28:47.040 --> 00:28:48.380 I think that's the way. 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.640 And finally 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.800 there's a request here 00:28:51.800 --> 00:28:53.940 it's just a humble 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.300 and sincere admission 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.419 that God 00:28:56.419 --> 00:28:57.379 unless you do 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.639 something in my heart 00:28:58.639 --> 00:29:00.740 I won't see it. 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.440 I won't hear 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.359 those wonderful things 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:05.220 that you have to say 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.599 to me. 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.379 I'll just read it 00:29:07.379 --> 00:29:08.240 and I'll be cool 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.919 I'll be unstirred 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:11.639 and so 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:13.299 it's like he's crying out 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.819 God do that work 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.720 of grace in me 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:17.579 open my eyes 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:19.379 that I might see 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.519 those wonderful things 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.099 in your word. 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:23.099 I pray this 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.919 or something similar 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.980 to this every time 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.700 I sit down 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:27.200 to read God's word 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.360 and I believe 00:29:28.360 --> 00:29:28.960 that it almost 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.380 I believe that 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.100 every insight 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:32.060 and all the wisdom 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:32.779 that I've received 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.480 from my time 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.200 in God's word 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.320 every truth 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.120 I've come to believe 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:37.080 has come in response 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:38.140 to this simple prayer 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.840 that I pray every day. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.940 What was it 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.880 that Jesus said 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:44.259 time and time again 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:46.400 to the crowds 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.080 to the people 00:29:47.080 --> 00:29:47.600 that he taught 00:29:47.600 --> 00:29:48.519 to his disciples 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:50.560 he who has ears 00:29:50.560 --> 00:29:51.120 to hear 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:52.779 let him hear. 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:55.340 Now why did he 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.300 say that so much? 00:29:57.320 --> 00:29:58.160 What response 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.200 was he looking for 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:00.400 from the people? 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.940 He was looking 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:04.019 for people to listen 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.580 and not just to listen 00:30:05.580 --> 00:30:07.380 but to really listen 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.900 to really hear 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.940 the word of God 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.700 that he was speaking 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.960 and at the same time 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:13.800 he was pointing out 00:30:13.800 --> 00:30:15.340 that not everyone 00:30:15.340 --> 00:30:16.640 has this ability 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:18.539 by default. 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:20.039 There's a certain blindness 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.920 there's a certain deafness 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:22.240 there's a certain 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.400 distractedness 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:24.880 that we are all prone to 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:27.460 because of the sinfulness 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.240 of our hearts 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.120 because of the world 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:29.840 that we live in 00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:30.519 because of our 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:32.180 sometimes the stubbornness 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.900 of our hearts 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:34.880 and so we must come 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:36.080 humbly to God 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.700 and pray 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:38.980 open my eyes 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.600 that I may see 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.380 wonderful things 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.019 in your word 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.860 give me ears 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.360 to hear 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:45.480 that I may hear 00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.160 what you're saying 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:46.560 to me 00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:47.400 that it won't just 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.060 kind of hit me 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:49.240 and just go in 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.399 and out the other side 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:52.819 help me to really hear it 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:55.000 and if there's nothing else 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.399 you adopt 00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:56.440 from this morning's message 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.799 I hope it's this simple prayer 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.399 that you learn 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.200 to pray this 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:00.079 afresh 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.519 from your heart 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.980 each day 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.720 before you open 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.279 God's word 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.980 and I promise 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.579 this prayer 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.659 will change your life 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:07.599 it will change 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.259 every time 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.379 you come to 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.220 God's word 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.659 it will transform 00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:13.179 the way that you 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:14.000 see the Bible 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.079 over time 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.740 you'll see it 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.740 come alive to you 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.700 more and more 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:19.840 and God 00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.600 will answer it 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:21.700 he will do that 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.840 he will give you 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.580 the eyes to see 00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:24.259 what's in there 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.259 that you need 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:28.160 a couple 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:30.500 final practical ways 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.740 to get the most 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.120 out of your 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:32.920 countless hours 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.819 with God 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.640 in his word 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.580 this year 00:31:35.580 --> 00:31:36.120 and these are 00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:37.080 two things to try 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:37.680 maybe new 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.680 to some of you 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:44.420 the first is something 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:45.819 that very few of us do 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:48.980 read out loud 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:51.439 this may seem strange 00:31:51.439 --> 00:31:53.079 but if you can find 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:54.179 a good quiet place 00:31:54.179 --> 00:31:54.879 where you're alone 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:56.119 and not waking 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:57.019 somebody else up 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.700 in your house 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:59.299 I want to encourage 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.259 you to read your Bible 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.899 out loud 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:02.099 as much as possible 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:03.480 read it with your 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.259 full voice 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:06.119 if it's narrative 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:07.039 read it like you're 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.220 the one telling the story 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:09.759 if it's dialogue 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.539 read it the way 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.259 that you imagine 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.099 the words would have 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.720 been spoken 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.619 in that moment 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:14.559 by that person 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:16.799 this has been 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.879 another hugely 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:19.559 helpful practice 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:21.559 it forces you 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.539 to read properly 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:24.179 it forces you 00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:25.559 to think through 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.539 the words 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.199 it forces you 00:32:27.199 --> 00:32:28.119 to slow down 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:28.759 it forces you 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.299 to think about 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.359 what's the emphasis 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.359 in the way 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:32.179 that this was said 00:32:32.179 --> 00:32:32.899 this question 00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:33.679 this statement 00:32:33.679 --> 00:32:35.699 it involves 00:32:35.699 --> 00:32:36.559 more of you 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.339 in the reading 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:38.159 of God's word 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:38.839 it's not just 00:32:38.839 --> 00:32:39.519 you seeing 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.079 and thinking 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.519 about it 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.199 on the page 00:32:41.199 --> 00:32:42.419 but it's you seeing 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:43.300 thinking 00:32:43.300 --> 00:32:44.400 speaking 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:45.279 and hearing 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.640 all at the same time 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:48.279 and 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.580 you know 00:32:49.580 --> 00:32:50.519 what tone of voice 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.120 was used 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:52.720 when he said that 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.880 there's all kinds 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:55.120 of dimensions 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:56.160 that come alive 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.060 when you read it 00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:57.519 out loud 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:59.720 and on top of all that 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.240 it makes you 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:01.080 a better reader 00:33:01.080 --> 00:33:02.320 so I would encourage 00:33:02.320 --> 00:33:03.080 you to try it 00:33:03.080 --> 00:33:04.279 don't worry about 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.860 what the people 00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.620 in that other room 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.460 over there are thinking 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.560 just go for it 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:09.360 it'll bless their heart 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:09.980 to hear you 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.820 reading God's word 00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:11.380 out loud 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:12.340 and maybe 00:33:12.340 --> 00:33:12.820 they'll start 00:33:12.820 --> 00:33:13.500 doing it too 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.240 one final practice 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.660 this is one 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.180 that I've found 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.120 tremendously helpful 00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:18.780 in the past 00:33:18.780 --> 00:33:19.960 I still use it 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.440 occasionally 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.320 but I don't do 00:33:21.320 --> 00:33:22.300 I don't do it 00:33:22.300 --> 00:33:22.820 every day 00:33:22.820 --> 00:33:24.000 but many people 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.480 have found it 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.360 helpful to journal 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.080 as they read 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:26.860 through God's word 00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:28.500 to take time 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.340 to just write out 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:30.320 their thoughts 00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:31.200 about what they're 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:31.500 reading 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.740 or their prayers 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:34.140 just straight to God 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:34.860 as they're 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:36.100 as they're reading 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:37.380 it's a wonderful 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.660 and helpful practice 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.900 for spending time 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.380 with God 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.540 especially if you 00:33:41.540 --> 00:33:42.220 find it difficult 00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:43.280 to focus 00:33:43.280 --> 00:33:44.660 sometimes I'm 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.520 just so tired 00:33:45.520 --> 00:33:47.020 I got a bad 00:33:47.020 --> 00:33:47.940 sleep last night 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:49.620 and I can barely 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:51.300 think two straight 00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:52.080 thoughts in a row 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:52.880 and I'm off 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:53.840 into la la land 00:33:53.840 --> 00:33:54.380 over thinking 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:55.020 about this 00:33:55.020 --> 00:33:56.420 this is a way 00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:57.260 that helps me 00:33:57.260 --> 00:33:57.740 focus 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:59.200 I just open up 00:33:59.200 --> 00:33:59.740 the page 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.960 and I start writing 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.940 and if I get lost 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.360 in thought 00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:03.040 I look back 00:34:03.040 --> 00:34:03.520 at the page 00:34:03.520 --> 00:34:03.820 and oh 00:34:03.820 --> 00:34:04.720 that's where I was 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.740 and I can just 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.340 keep going 00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:07.240 and eventually 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.059 I do get into 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.519 that zone 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.280 where I'm focused 00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:10.260 and I'm concentrated 00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:12.240 and I'm connecting 00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:12.900 with the Lord 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.980 in prayer 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:15.080 and thinking about 00:34:15.080 --> 00:34:15.700 the things that 00:34:15.700 --> 00:34:16.340 he has said 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:18.500 so that's a good 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.360 thing to try too 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.160 if you haven't done 00:34:20.160 --> 00:34:21.019 that or if you've 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:22.140 let it go by the 00:34:22.140 --> 00:34:22.560 wayside 00:34:22.560 --> 00:34:23.180 I encourage you 00:34:23.180 --> 00:34:23.780 to think about 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.300 journaling 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:27.140 there's another way 00:34:27.140 --> 00:34:27.720 to do this 00:34:27.720 --> 00:34:28.480 that's really helpful 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:28.780 too 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.700 sometimes you can 00:34:29.700 --> 00:34:30.280 find these 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.720 series of questions 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:33.840 that help bring out 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.519 the meaning of the 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:34.840 passage 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.540 some people like 00:34:35.540 --> 00:34:36.220 to take three or 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:36.620 four of those 00:34:36.620 --> 00:34:37.120 questions 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:38.400 and just the same 00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:39.619 questions every day 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:41.079 and just write out 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.940 the answers to those 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:42.339 questions 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:42.859 what does this 00:34:42.859 --> 00:34:43.599 passage mean 00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:45.259 what is God saying 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:46.599 about himself 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.519 what does it reveal 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.619 about who he is 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.940 what does he want me 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:51.199 to do in response 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:51.699 to this 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.359 and sometimes 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.420 just taking the time 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.239 to slow down 00:34:54.239 --> 00:34:55.299 and write out 00:34:55.299 --> 00:34:55.739 some of those 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.139 thoughts 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.859 as you're reading 00:34:56.859 --> 00:34:57.460 God's word 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.719 can make all the 00:34:58.719 --> 00:34:59.079 difference 00:34:59.079 --> 00:35:00.099 in just unlocking 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:01.159 the treasures 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:01.779 that are there 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:03.559 so those are 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.759 a few things 00:35:04.760 --> 00:35:05.220 that I wanted 00:35:05.220 --> 00:35:05.980 to just share 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:06.440 with you 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.300 today on the 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:07.920 first day of the 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.120 year 00:35:08.120 --> 00:35:08.440 and I want 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:08.840 to encourage 00:35:08.840 --> 00:35:09.080 you 00:35:09.080 --> 00:35:10.100 let's go to 00:35:10.100 --> 00:35:10.640 the word 00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:11.780 as a church 00:35:11.780 --> 00:35:13.220 and let's feed 00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:14.020 let's feast 00:35:14.020 --> 00:35:15.280 let's grow 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:17.140 I'm really looking 00:35:17.140 --> 00:35:17.840 forward to it 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.540 and I hope that 00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:19.100 you are too 00:35:19.100 --> 00:35:20.540 let's pray 00:35:20.540 --> 00:35:23.140 Father in heaven 00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:23.940 thank you that you 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:24.540 have given us 00:35:24.540 --> 00:35:25.000 your word 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.460 what a privilege 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:27.060 it is 00:35:27.060 --> 00:35:29.180 and I pray 00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:29.820 that we would 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:31.340 be stirred 00:35:31.340 --> 00:35:32.540 again and again 00:35:32.540 --> 00:35:33.120 this year 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:34.579 as we go to 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.900 the Bible 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:37.739 I ask that you 00:35:37.739 --> 00:35:38.339 would transform 00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:39.380 every one of our 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:39.839 lives 00:35:39.839 --> 00:35:42.119 so that we are 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:43.679 markedly different 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.579 people by the end 00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:45.079 of this year 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:45.619 than we were 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:46.199 at the start 00:35:46.199 --> 00:35:49.639 more like Jesus 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:51.259 full of love 00:35:51.259 --> 00:35:52.679 full of grace 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.539 full of truth 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:55.319 and full of the 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:56.199 wisdom that we need 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.859 we just commit 00:35:57.859 --> 00:35:58.460 this year 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:59.500 and this habit 00:35:59.500 --> 00:35:59.980 to you 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.880 and ask for your 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.400 help with it 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.220 in Jesus name 00:36:03.220 --> 00:36:04.619 amen 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:06.619 amen 00:36:06.619 --> 00:36:07.440 amen 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.460 amen 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:11.019 amen