Wednesday, September 8, 2010

"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.}


14 Greetings from Elven Friends

Chloe M. Kookogey said...

This was beautiful, Eldarwen. Why don't I choose the Bible as my favorite book? Everything you said was so true! I too am reading the Bible in a year, except I am using a different program.

Kade said...

Hey this is great. Yeah, I can't definitely see a bigger change in my life when I am reading God's word daily.

I'm about to start a new Bible reading/memorizing thing with some dudes out here, and I'm hoping that God will do some great things through it!

Hannah Grace said...

That is great!! I think I might do this too. I started to back in January, but "life" happened and I stopped. *guilty* I was just thinking about how I need to REALLY work on reading my Bible more...and I saw this post! So thanks for posting! :-)

Blessings,
~Hannah Grace

Marianela said...

I'm REALLY glad that you started paying more attention to the Bible. :) The Holy Spirit must be working inside of you pretty well. Take Care! ;)

Hannah said...

Yes, I've have to say the Bible is one of my favorite books... :D

~Miss Grace~

lauren nicole said...

Thank you so much for this!
Keep shining for Christ!
~Lauren

Hannah said...

Hi Eldarwen!

I just wanted to know if you could post a post advertising a Bible Caption Contest on Grace Place. I know alot of people visit your blog...:) THANKS!!!!

~Miss Grace~

Bleah Briann//Lovely said...

Yeah I know... I feel guilty alot to..
But my Pastors wife explained it to me this way:
God knows your heart, and just because you're not praying or reading your bible... doesn't mean you don't have a relationship with God.
Forgive me if this is a little brash or whatever, and if you don' like it you don't have to post it.
But I heard this at camp:
A Marriage isn't about the sex, but the sex is something that comes along with it. And just because you aren't having... (sex) all the time, doesn't mean you don't love each other and don't have a solid relationship.

God understands. Thats what God taught me most this year, He understands.

I LOOOOVE YOU!

Love,
Bleah-Bug

Eldarwen said...

Bleah, you're right! About the "knowing your heart" part. Haha, I wouldn't know about the marriage part. :P I LOOOOOOVE YOU WAAAAAAAAAY MORE THAN YOU LOOOOOOOOOVE ME!!!!! :D :D :D

Love, love, love, & more love,
Eldarwen <3

Autumn said...

Cool post! I to have been reading the Bible all the way through butI am not using a reading program.
I am just reading it from start to finish in a year.
From January the first 2010 to January First 2011.
So I am more then halfway there!
And your right it is sooooo important to try to read your bible daily. I try to read mine daily and look for verses that appeal to me that very day and write them down . Yes, I love my Bible.
Blessings
Autumn.

Carmel Elizabeth said...

I am reading through the Bible in a year, also, Elderwen! The only thing is that I am using a different schedule. :)

Blessings!
~bree

His Handmaidens said...

Oh my...you really convicted me. I have been so guilty of that, and with how busy I have been and am going to be, I always have another excuse. Thankyou so much!
Jillian
PS I will write a letter...someday.I'm really sorry it has taken me forever.

Anonymous said...

Oooo. I might just have to do that! :D

Katie -D said...

Hey, I was wanting to know if you could do a post I have a huge giveaway going on until tomorrow night (Tuesday) until 11:59pm I was wondering if you could do a post! thanks ALOT! :D http://modestyisnext2beauty.blogspot.com/2010/08/giveaway-and-details-starts-now-d.html