Colossians 3:15-17
15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
I finally did it. I managed to read the bible right through, cover to cover, Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, for the first time in my life. I should have done it ages ago really – I’ve been around long enough – but at least I have now. It was great!
Actually it was hard going in some parts and I didn’t understand everything I read, but very often God spoke to me: some small part of what I read meant something to me or helped me to understand something of God in a new way. I recommend it.
I’ve always found reading the bible every day very hard – I still do. But I also know there is no law that says we must, so it’s important not to think you’re a ‘bad’ christian if you don’t manage it. The essential thing is to realise that you will benefit greatly if you make reading the bible something you do often: it’s a favourite way of God’s to speak to us. So if you want to learn more about God, or about what He has to say to you, about your own life, get reading. Ask someone (me, if you want) to give you some ideas if you like – for instance, try using a modern paraphrase version, like The Message.
Have you ever explored the bible, for fun? One of the first verses I ever learned was John 3:16 ’for God loved the people of the world so much that He sent us his only Son, that whoever believes in, trusts in and sticks with Him will not perish but have eternal, God-inspired life’.
Check this out, for fun: look up and read the 16th verse of the 3rd chapter of all (or as many of) the books in the New Testament. Leave a comment to say how you got on.
Colossionas 3:16 is this bit: “Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!” Isn’t it a great verse?
I like to sing, sing my heart out to God. One of the things I like about ‘Presence’ is that the music is turned up and I can sing as loud as I like and not be heard (much)! God loves us to sing out and pour our hearts out to Him. (See Psalm 62:8).
Have a good day!
John.
