And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3
If we are going to spend eternity with God and Jesus, then shouldn’t our goal be to know him now as much as we can? I made that my life goal to know God a long time ago and that is still my goal. If you want to know why, read on ---
When I came to faith at age 16, I wanted to know the One who loved me enough to die for me. For sure, I knew almost nothing about God except the stories I had learned in Sunday School. But I knew where I could find out -- in the Bible. So I decided to read the Bible – the whole Bible. I started in Genesis - one chapter a day. The only Bible I had at that time (1945) was the King James Version. It all started out okay, but by the time I reached Leviticus I was very discouraged! I didn’t understand any of it and it was so boring! However, I had promised myself that I would read through the Bible and so I kept it up hardly missing a day. It took me three and a half years to finish but I did! Do you know what happens when you do something for 1,189 days? It becomes a habit. I have heard that you can develop a habit by repeating something for 30 days. All I know is that I was in the habit of reading the Bible every day and I couldn’t stop. Nor did I want to. I have kept this habit for my whole life and it, more than anything else, has helped me begin to know God.
Later in life I read Knowing God by J. I. Packer (now recently deceased). I read it more than once. And I read a number of other books too. My wanting to know God led me to write Praying the Attributes of God.
When people ask what influenced my life most I tell them just reading the Bible. It still does.
Hint: If you decide to read through the Bible I suggest you use the English Standard Version!
Listening is great too.
ReplyDeleteI started your book ‘Praying the Attributes of God’- having started in 2002. Have given away many copies.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I started your book ‘Praying the Attributes of God’- having started in 2002. Have given away many copies.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
So simple yet so helpful!
ReplyDeleteI loved Praying the Attributes of God. Thank you for the reminder. I need God’s word more than ever now with our world turned upside down.
ReplyDeleteI learned this from you long ago Rosemary. Thank you! God's Word is ESSENTIAL....Life-giving....our True Bread...without it we will perish! Moses said - in his last words to Israel Deut 32:45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you — they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."
ReplyDeleteRosemary, thank you for sharing these lessons from your life. Reading other good books is helpful but reading the Bible is the best. God’s Word gives light and life.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post I was reminded of a quote from ‘His Thoughts Said..His Father Said..” by Amy Carmichael.
“His thoughts said, I have been reading a spiritual book and I am confused and tired with trying to understand. His Father said, Leave that book and read the Book that thou lovest best; thou wilt find it much simpler.”
Thank you for starting this blog. I read both Life Lessons to my husband and kids last night at the dinner table. 😊
ReplyDeleteSo grateful for your ministry over the years, Rosemary! All of my children went through the BSF children's program and my husband and I now support a Rafiki child. Glad you will be doing these posts...I will be sure to read them. Thank you for encouraging us!!
ReplyDeleteNothing like reading the original text book, the Bible.
ReplyDelete