Last week, we promised some helpful hints on how we can redeem the time allotted to us by God. Studying the Word of God is an imperative in the life of the child of God (2 Tim. 2:15). It is also good to engage in casual readings of the Bible--to read from the Bible for pleasure and comfort. Many of us open our Bibles only when preparing our Sunday School lessons or looking up some verse to "set someone straight." This is not a healthy attitude to have toward the Word of God.
Casual readings of favorite stories and passages keep us familiar with the sacred scriptures. We can retain much of what we read in such casual settings. Also, casual readings often provide an opportunity to see a scripture in a whole new way. Oftentimes in dedicated study, our minds are focused on one aspect of what the Bible says, and we can easily miss other, perhaps more important, lessons in the text.
Last week, several things were mentioned that now take the place of what was once time spent in Bible reading and study: television, newspapers, magazines, novels, hobbies and other recreation. Today, think about how much time you spend waiting each day or in a week's time. Waiting anywhere--doctor's office, laundry mat, on the job or at school, or any other place you might have idle time. Newt Gingrich was once asked how he managed to stay well-read while discharging his duties as a U.S. Congressman. His reply was that he read several large volumes every year by simply carrying a book with him and reading during his various "waits" during the day.
Think of how many times we could read the New Testament in a year by simply having it handy when we had to pass the time! I remember having to go to the doctor one time and I carried my pocket New Testament with me. I waited about 2 ½ hours on that particular occasion and managed to read the entire Gospel of Mark and a substantial portion of Luke. This was in one sitting! Not only will having your Testament handy help you pass the time, it will benefit you and set a good example to those around you. I would much rather read my Bible and pass the time as opposed to sitting and stewing about how long I've been waiting! If you have small children or grandchildren who are with you, carry along a Bible story book and read to them. The New Testament I carry with me is the size of a checkbook and also contains Psalms and Proverbs. [Of special interest to deer hunters: I got this idea from Vance Hutton- Vance told me he carries a small Bible with him while sitting in his stand and reads during that time. I tried this and it was a real benefit to me. I also shrink my sermon outlines and clip them inside the front cover of the Bible, then memorize the main points and scriptures for that particular sermon.]
Another good time for devotional reading is at break time or during our lunch breaks. A Testament with the books of Psalms and Proverbs provides an excellent source of devotional material when we don't have a lot of time to tackle large passages of scripture. You could also practice memorization of the scriptures during these times. Did you ever know the 23rd Psalm by heart? Do you still know it? If not, take a few minutes while you are eating and re-commit it to memory. Utilizing just a few minutes each day can allow one to memorize a large number of passages in a year's time- or allow us to read the New Testament several times through during the course of a year.
With just a little forethought and planning, we can accomplish much in our personal Bible study and help create good habits that will last not only a lifetime, but will help carry us into eternity!
TC