Michelle wrote:
The information you have given is of a great help. However I am curious and wondering if you could point me in the right direction as to where it says in the Bible about praising God for fifteen things. It is probably very obvious that I dont know my Bible very well. Also could someone please tell me why the Bible is meant to be read everyday. When I am doing study the vast amount of reading I do gives me severe eyestrain. I have glasses but I still get eyestrain. Can a person still be a Christian and only read it once a week? Is it alright to write notes in the margin of the Bible? I would be sincerely grateful for any advice thankyou!
Michelle,
Can a person still be a Christian and only read it once a week? YES, Definitely.
Is it alright to write notes in the margin of the Bible? Yes, in fact it is very much recommended. put your thoughts, thoughts of teachers, ideas from other books.
About the fifteen things: These are just specific items that were discovered by Brad Strand during his 30 years of study. He admits that there may definitely be more things to praise him for, in fact Brad says we ought to praise Him for all things. James 1:2 These items are good to focus on in your devotion to God, but you may not necessarily need to limit it to these items. but you can look a the verses he referenced to see where he came up with each item. But there is no absolute list in the Bible that I am aware.
Reasons to read every day:
Once we have been saved, It is our relationship with God that leads us through the trials and through sanctification( becoming more like Christ). When you build a relationship with someone you try to get to know them. The way we get to know God is through His Word. With the a contrite heart and a humble spirit, The deeper you are into the Word, the deeper your relationship with Christ, and the greater your sanctification on earth. and I believe (although some may disagree) that there are greater rewards in Heaven for those that have the deeper relationships.
Here are 2 verse that indicate that knowledge of the Word teaches how to live everyday life with good judgement. And lack of knowledge can cause destruction of not only you but potentially your children
Psalm 119:66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
As far as the eye strain goes, you might consider a bigger text. But also try not to read so much and not so fast. Read for understanding. The only race you are in is your own. (Unless of course you are going through seminary and you have to read so much by a certain date.) Read a few verses and then look up and think about what it said and then go back and read the same verses again. Sometimes I find myself reading the same verse over and over trying to make sense of it. If I still can't understand I look at different commentaries on that verse, or come online here and ask a question about that particular verse. The bible is absolutely fascinating when you begin to understand all the meanings of words and how the words were used in that culture. It sheds great light on the scriptures. In my mind Its kind of like solving a big complex puzzle that God has set out there for us to figure out. So do not approach it as something you HAVE to learn. But approach it as an intricate puzzle of which you are trying to uncover the mysteries. (The movie national treasure comes to mind) (but not the da Vinci code). Try to explain those unexplained scriptures from other scripture but if you must use commentaries, just make sure you recognize that these are the writings of men, and men can be wrong and the post that you are reading is a commentary, so I could be wrong. But I think it is at least mostly right.
Michelle, I hope you don't have eye strain after reading my post
