National Bible Week
November 23, 2008 by Lillie
Today is Bible Sunday, the first day of National Bible Week, November 23-30. The goal of National Bible Week is to encourage people to read and study the Bible, God’s Word.
A well-worn Bible like the one in the photo indicates a well-versed Christian.
If you would like to start studying the Bible but aren’t sure how to go about it, read my two part-series Reading the Bible.
photo credit: CedarBendDrive
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Don’t neglect your Bible like the Bible in this video is neglected.
Where DOES the time go? Is it NBW again already? Thank you for the reminder, Lillie.
How is Dream or Destiny doing? I have my copy.
B J Keltz´s last blog post..Saturday Morning 11.22.08
BJ,
Time does have a way of getting away from us, doesn’t it!
I’m so glad you have Dream or Destiny. Now, if you haven’t read it …
There are still copies available at Amazon … and I was sure it would sell out immediately with a long list of buyers waiting for the next shipment.
Oh, well …
Seriously, I am pleased with the reviews and comments I’ve had.
Thanks for the encouragement to read our Bibles… A thing which sadly not enough Christians do!
Thanks, Gary
Gary Sims´s last blog post..Synergy and Prevenient Grace
Gary,
You are so right that many Christians don’t read the Bible. And if they did read it, many of them would find that what they believe doesn’t match what the Bible says. So many people want to believe what they want to believe, whether or not their ideas match the Gospel.
i am not a christian… but this sunday, i actually went through a few pages of the bible, and i think i will continue reading it…! thanks for the awareness!
Farhan,
I’m glad you’re reading the Bible. I’d love to hear what you think after you’ve read more. And if you have questions, I’ll try to answer them though I don’t claim to be a Biblical scholar.
Hi Lillie,
Sorry for the late reply. Well, the more I am reading, the more its getting me interested. But I can’t always make out time to go through it. There are some things that conflict with what the Holy Book of my religion says. And its making me confused, not knowing where I will get the most unbiased information, regardless of what religious scholars have to say. Please let me know if you have anything to share.
Regards
Farhan,
The most unbiased source in the world is God Himself. As a Christian, I believe that God speaks to our hearts through the Holy Spirit. If you ask Him to help you understand, you will begin to “know” what is true. You won’t be able to give scientific evidence, but you will feel in your heart with a deep conviction.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32).
I don’t know how you’re reading the Bible, but since you are not already a Christian and are reading the Bible for the first time, I don’t recommend that you try to read the entire Bible from beginning to end.
What have you been reading so far?
I suggest you start with the New Testament, perhaps the Gospel of John. Don’t try to understand everything—even though I have read the Bible several times, I certainly don’t know and understand everything in it.
The more I—and you—read and study, the more we understand. Don’t think you have to understand everything at once.
I’m going to ask someone more knowledgeable than I am for advice and will add more to my response later.
In the meantime, if you have specific questions, please let me know, and I will try to get an answer for you.
This discussion may be helpful to other people as well, so I would like to keep it going here. However, if you would prefer to ask questions privately, feel free to e-mail me at lillie@lillieammann.com.
I am praying that you will find answers in the Bible that change your life for eternity.
Farhan,
I sought advice from a minister I respect. He agreed that the best way for you to know the truth of the Bible is to read it and ask God to reveal Himself in His true nature by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2 is a good Scripture to read about this. Here is an excerpt:
“9However, as it is written:
‘No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him’— 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
Although I am fairly anti-religion, I thought that was a pretty interesting video, although I thought there would be a punchline or something at the end, but there wasn’t. I guess religion isn’t funny anymore (not that it really ever was).
Justin,
One reason I think many people are anti-religion is people who profess a religion but who don’t really believe or live according to their professed faith. This video portrays that by showing a man who goes to church on Sunday and carries a Bible but never opens the Bible outside of church. It’s pretty hard to put faith into practice when you don’t learn about your faith. Of course, none of us is perfect, and I certainly make my share of mistakes.
Hi, I agree with Lillie
The man can not have true faith if he never opens the Bible outside of church. He will never understand faith or gain insight from his current path, he is only dreaming and fulfilling a perceived roll of what he thinks God wants. I see people like this all the time they are just for filling the role of faith or doing “my bit” rather than having actual faith. Helping people take that one step further enriches everyone.
.-= Mark Rice´s last blog ..Christian Dating Sites Reviewed =-.
Mark,
Our priest calls weekly church attendance without any other spiritual commitment a “nod to God.” God doesn’t want a nod; He wants our total commitment.
[...] read the Bible daily, and I’ve written about National Bible Week in previous years—2007, 2008, and 2009—as well as a two-part series on reading the [...]