The Importance of Family Bible Reading

One of the greatest blessings God has given us is His Word, the Bible. The Bible truly is the inspired word of God. When you read the Bible, it's as if you are reading words that God's hand penned just for you.

The Bible is a roadmap with information pertaining to every aspect of life. Not only does it teach us how to be productive Disciples, but it teaches us how to be a successful spouse, a loving parent, a good employee, and much more. In addition, the Bible gives us examples as well as instructions to make it easier for those of us who are 'slow learners' (i.e., more stubborn than the rest).

The Bible is the most unique and most wonderful manual on how to live the human life that has ever been written. But if we don't read the Bible and study it, we will never discover the inestimable riches it contains. Nor will we learn how to live as we were designed to live.

Family Bible reading offers a number of benefits. It's a tremendous way for families to bond together by reading, discussing and learning what scripture says about all facets of life. It's also essential for living a Christian life, for developing and growing your faith and for molding your beliefs. There is a multitude of stories and parables for building character and teaching morals, and lessons for living.

If you've ever been in church, you've certainly heard stories from the Bible. But the only way to know if those stories are true and really happened as the minister described is to read the stories for yourself. Knowing what the Bible really says makes us more faithful and powerful witnesses to God's grace in our lives. And it has a much stronger impact on non-believers we might hope to convince of the Truth of the scriptures.

The ability to direct others to verses of scripture that will encourage them or help them get through the trials of life only comes through our personal knowledge of God's Word. As does the ability to explain why Christians believe as we do. Both of these are important to a fruitful, successful Christian life.

Has anyone ever asked what Easter is all about? Or who Jesus claimed to be? Or why we think Jesus really is God's Son? The answer to these and many other questions about creation, honesty, integrity, marriage, parenthood and so much more can be found in the words. But you have to read those words to know that—and to be able to share them.

With the abundance of Bible reading guides and Bible study tools available, anyone can study and understand the Bible. Maybe you would enjoy keeping a journal or as you study the Word. That way, when you find a verse that speaks to your heart, you can make not of it and find it again, or share it with someone else who could use the same encouragement.

While some people say the language of the Bible is hard to read, that doesn't have to be the case any more. There are many wonderful, scholarly translations that can be trusted for their authenticity and that are much easier to read and understand than the traditional King James version.

There are even Bibles geared specifically to children that make it easy for them to understand the Word as well. And it's never too early to start reading the Bible to your child and teaching her to read it for herself. In fact, starting young makes it much easier to make daily Bible reading a habit that will last a lifetime. Teach your child principles of biblical living and how God wants them to live will give them strength to stand against false teachings and better discern what is true and false as they grow.

The adage that "knowledge is power" is a true one, and it applies very much to Bible reading. The more knowledge you and your family has about God's Word, the more strength and power you have to stand firm on what you believe, regardless of what situations you may face.

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Second-graders tackle career choices

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Faith, Felicia and Fairness were second graders who loved to play “make believe” about their future careers.

One afternoon, however, the young ladies met to plan their futures for real. They met in a city park so they could enjoy the nice cool breeze. Faith’s mom accompanied them to the park, which was about one block from the community in which they lived.

After spending about two hours talking over various options, they announced their decisions.

“I must go first!,” exclaimed Felicia. “I can’t wait another second to share my thoughts!”

Knowing Felicia’s continued insistence on being first among the trio to make a major announcement, Faith and Fairness agreed to her request.

“I’m going to be a waitress in a fancy restaurant,” said Felicia. “I like listening to the relaxing music they play, and I love meeting new people. I’ll earn lots of tips, so I’ll make enough money to support several missionaries.”

“Thanks for letting me go second,” said Fairness, who always enjoyed being in the middle of things.

“I’ve decided to work as an astronaut,” said Fairness. “I’m going to work on a contract basis as a corporate astronaut.”

“So instead of orbiting the earth for the government, you’ll be going around in circles for yourself,” said Faith.

“That’s a good way of putting it,” said Fairness. “Plus, I’ll make lots of money, and when I’m not flying, I’ll be able to earn millions of dollars as a public speaker.

“I plan to give most of that money to a charity that helps needy children. Plus, I’d like to build a bunch of new orphanages all over the world.”

“How about you, Faith?,” asked Felicia. “What’s tugging at the strings of your heart?”

“I want to be a missionary,” said Faith. “Every time a missionary comes to our church, I get so excited about the work they are doing…you know…helping sick and hungry children and telling them about Jesus Christ, digging wells so people in small villages can have clean water, and providing Bibles and other written materials for evangelism projects.”

Faith told her friends that she didn’t know in which country she wanted to serve. “I do know I’d like to visit China, Great Britain, and Liberia,” she said.

Faith, Fairness and Felicia then stood in a circle, clasped each other’s hands and prayed for God to direct their lives.

“Lead us by your Holy Spirit, so we will always do your will,” prayed Fairness. “In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Felicia then prayed the prayer. Her “Amen!” was so loud that she startled her friends.

“You shouldn’t pray so loudly,” joked Fairness. “We don’t want to offend anyone!”

Looking to the right, then to the left, Faith proclaimed, “There’s no one around except for a few birds and butterflies, and they’re smart enough not to be offended!”

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To contact the writer of this column about preaching and other speaking engagements, as well as puppet ministry,please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

My niece shared this with me today. I've never seen it before but thought it was so appropriate! If you know who wrote it, I'd love to give them credit. This is a message every adult should read because children are watching us and doing as we do, not as we say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend influences the life of a child.

How will you touch the life of someone today?

Share this post with someone else. You might make them think about their influence on others.