"What Is Your Favorite Book?"....

....Have you ever been asked that question? What was your answer?

The other day I was thinking about all the books I've read, and trying to pick a certain one that was my favorite. I couldn't choose between them all. I've read a lot of really good books. And then, it hit me. What about my Bible? I started thinking to myself,  "Why wasn't the Bible the first one that popped into my head?" I felt really ashamed and embarrassed.

Have you ever gone to bed at night and realized you hadn't read your Bible that day? You contemplate on this for a while. Then you think, "Oh, but my Bible is in the other room." You start coming up with excuses why it can wait until morning. Then you get up the next day, and you forget. You run right through another day without reading God's word. I am absolutely guilty of this. So many times I forget about my Bible. When I feel sad, or upset, I pick up a "good book" off my shelf and read it. Why don't I pick up my Bible? Why don't I try to find comfort in it, instead of some random book on a shelf?

If you think about it, the Bible is full of all kinds of wonderful, thrilling, beautiful stories. Mystery, action, romance, healing, friendship, trials, endurance. The list is endless! Now, when I say stories, I'm not referring to the Bible as "just a bunch of stories". No, these are God's stories. These are love letters from our Heavenly Father. These are life long teachings. When you're sad, there's several verses in the Bible that will lift you up. When you're struggling, there are several verses to help get you through whatever you're dealing with! You don't have to run to Mardel's and buy a book on parenting to learn how to be a good parent. It's in your Bible! All you have to do is open it up and read it. But why don't we do that? Why would we rather run out and spend twenty dollars [that we don't have] on a book that might not even give us what we were looking for?

I am guilty of this ten times over. I've let myself down. I've let God down. I wonder what He thinks every time I start to pick up my Bible, then reach for another book instead. I mean, if I had children and I wrote a love letter for them, and they hardly ever read it, how would I feel? I'd feel crushed that my kids didn't love me enough to at least pick it up and read even one page of it each day.

It makes me cry just thinking about how I've put other books before the most important one of all. The one that will encourage me, make me smile, benefit me the most, help me through the tough times, teach me things I strive to know. No mystery book is going to teach me a life long lesson that benefits my soul. All it will do is give me enjoyment at the moment. The Bible has teachings that help you all through life. Through any scenario!

As of now I am asking God to help me turn around and put Him and His Word first. I want to read my Bible and enjoy it! I want to run to it, instead of Mardel's! I want to have the joy that comes from God and learning more about Him!

I want to read my Bible!! And not just once or twice a week. Not just on Sunday and/or Wednesday. No! I want to read my Bible daily. I want to grow spiritually, everyday!

I have recently started a big challenge. I am reading my Bible in a year. And let me tell you, I just completed my first week last Sunday, and I can already feel a difference in my everyday life! I don't feel as sluggish, or tired as I used to! I have joy in my heart! I get excited about waking up every morning and reading God's word! I really do! I am so glad that God put this upon my heart. I cannot wait to see what God is going to teach me through this whole process! :D

I thought that I would share the reading plan that I'm doing with all of you, in case you were interested in doing the challenge, too.

{If you click on the picture you can enlarge it.}