HOW DO YOU READ THE BIBLE?

​Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
Reading through Scripture is what God requires of us and for the most part, Christians do just that. To really comprehend what God wants us to hear and take obedient action though we cannot sit through reading two or three chapters at a time. The stories and moments in Scripture should be read in little clips so that the meaning of the particular part can shine through and therefore grant the reader more insight on what the inspired Word is attempting to inspire within us. Granted, some of the stories take up more than one chapter especially in Genesis, but we should be vigilant in the study and not just give the lip service and say, “I read the Bible cover to cover every year”. To that statement I respond with this, “So what did you learn and did you hear God?”
The Bible is the Book of the Law, the Living Word of God, Infallible, but sometimes it is misinterpreted in translations. How do we remedy this in our time? Something that I do is have three translations open and a Jewish Orthodox Bible and a Hebrew/English Tanakh. That way if I question something I can go back to the original Hebrew to seek knowledge. I know those are not available to everyone and many people swear by the King James Version (which is good if you can read and understand the Victorian language and interpret to a six year old) or the NSV, NLT, and the like. Translations like the message put it into a common verbiage but there are a lot of things that are lost which is not good. Either way the Bible is still to be prayed over, read, heard, listened to, and adhered to.
Reading small pieces of the Bible throughout the day keeps the Word close to the heart and reminds us how Jesus was constantly in the Word around His Disciples. Every waking moment was lived in the Way. It is the best way to teach and was repeated often so the Word was not forgotten. 
Here are some helpful hints to assist in the readings this year.  
Have a right hearted attitude
I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word (Psalm 119:15-16).  Scriptures are life lessons that help us understand what it means to life as we were created to live, that is, we are the reflection of God’s Spiritual Image, the physical body is a reflection of our mental state. 
Ezra looked at Scripture with determination:  This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel (Ezra 7:10).
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8).  Knowledge and understanding of God’s Word helps us maintain a right heart. 
But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15). A gentle and reverent heart is a healthy heart which helps cleanse the mind and body.
 
Studying Scripture will help you with everyday life and temptations with sin. 
Listen, my son: accept my words, and you’ll live a long, long time. I have directed you in the way of wisdom, and I have led you along straight paths. When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go! Guard wisdom, because she is your life! (Proverbs 4:10-13).  Accepting the Word as the direction of our life means that we should study with the intent on learning and understanding right from wrong. As Christians, as Children of God, our paths in life are narrower in the ways we react to things around us. We are to take heed in the actions and reactions of others and not be tempted to do things which the Father abhors. Scripture advises us of the stumbling blocks that the Adversary places in our path to widen it and make it harder to life a Christ-like life.
Study to make yourself immune to the deception of false teachers. 
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). Be a truth seeker and you will recognize truth from the lies.
But…
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).  Beware the Wolf in Sheep’s clothing. The Wolf will speak with the tongue of the Serpent making you believe things are different than they really are. Knowing Scripture and the right meanings will help open your eyes to the truth.
 We study to feed out hearts and minds with Spiritual Food
But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” Matthew 4:4.  A healthy heart is more than the muscle movement and blood flow. Mental Stressors are weakened when God’s Word is there which lessens the physical stressors.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). Maintaining a steady devotion time fills the soul with the right Words for the day.   
Scripture points to Christ and the gospel that saves.
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (John 5:39-40). Remember that just reading the Bible and believing the words in black and (sometimes) red, do not guarantee eternal life. Jesus is within the whole book yes, but without accepting Jesus into your life, living in His footsteps, carrying your cross, and trusting that Jesus has your eternal soul in mind because of His love for you, you have nothing. Believe and trust in Jesus. Cast your troubles upon Him and He will carry you through. Share His story of how He came into your life. Follow the Book and you will do well.
Be Blessed Brothers and Sisters,
Pastor Rob