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The Ephesians Test

Many people have told me they do not read their Bibles regularly because it is just too hard or takes too much time. Here is a suggestion: read the book of Ephesians (all six chapters) in one sitting, and time yourself. You will be surprised at how little time it takes. On average, it takes about 16 minutes. (If you are a slow reader, you can still read the entire Bible in about 80 hours.)

Compare those 16 minutes with some of the other things you might be spending your time on - looking at Facebook or Instagram, watching TV, etc. We have time!

Comments

Elisabeth said…
Thank you...I listen to the word...is that not acceptable? Or must I read it?
I do read it but am inconsistent ..I miss three or four days...instead will replace it with sermons... teaching...I wish I were more disciplined and consistent....

Blessings...looking forward to #samepagesummer

Revival..and Reformation am going to pray about for #samepagesummer

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hutchinson
9:17 AM
Jameswilson said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
1:41 PM
Jameswilson said…
Elisabeth,

Yes, listening to the Word is good as well as reading. The object is to get the Word into you. Depending on how you learn, listening to the Word might be even better than reading it to help you get the most out of it.

You say that you are inconsistent in reading the Bible, and you replace it with sermons and teaching. That is not the same. There is no adequate substitute for the Word of God. If you can find time to listen to a sermon, listen to the Bible instead.

You say you wish you were more disciplined and consistent. That is not difficult to do; just put priorities on what you do. Whatever you do, be consistent. We are good at organizing other parts of our life and sticking to them. We are not so good at sticking to our Bible reading—because the Enemy has a vested interest in getting us to not read our Bibles, and he will tempt us to think we can get away with not reading for a day or two (or more). If you can find time to eat meals every day, you can find time for the Bible. Audio Bibles are very good for this, because if you need to, you can listen to the chapters while you are doing something else. Many of the mothers of little kids who are in the Same Page Summer get their Bible reading in this way. I encourage you to figure out how to fit it into your daily schedule, and stick with it.

I read 4 chapters a day. It’s not a legalistic thing to do. It’s not something I do because I have to. It is food. But you have to make a plan to get it in every day; otherwise, you just get lazy or busy and skip it. So set your own schedule: you could try an audio Bible, you could try reading a couple chapters in the morning and a couple in the evening, whatever works for you. However you work it in, put it on your daily schedule, and stick to the schedule. It needs to be more than just one chapter. Read a least several chapters a day. If you don’t follow the Same Page Summer, make your own plan.

Cordially in Christ,

Jim Wilson
1:43 PM
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