Day 3 - Eating Right
Welcome Back!
It’s day three, and I couldn’t be more excited that you are continuing to follow these text links to help you as you follow Jesus.
Here’s something to think about as we get into today’s short devotional to help you grow:
How many meals did you eat yesterday
What about last week
What about last month?
If you’re like the rest of us, you probably have eaten 2 to 3 times a day.
Why? Because your body needs to be fed to remain strong and healthy.
Did you know that your spirit needs to be fed in order to be strong and healthy, too? The only place to turn to find what you need to feed your spirit is the Bible.
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'". - Matthew 4:4
That’s right! God’s Word is where we find what we need, not only to be fed spiritually, but there are several other great reasons to begin reading your Bible today.
God’s Word teaches us what to believe about who God is and who we are (doctrine), and it teaches us right from wrong so that we can please God with our lives.
See: 2 Timothy 3:16
God’s Word helps our faith in Jesus remain strong.
See: John 20:31
God’s Word is a great place to find wisdom for every issue we face in life, including relationships, marriage, raising kids, managing money, dealing with troubled times, and more.
See: Psalm 119:105
Reading the Bible is the place for every new believer to begin their journey and continue in it for the rest of their lives.
Here are a few more quick thoughts to help you as you read God’s Word:
1. Pick a translation that you can understand.
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. One of the earliest translations to English was the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but today we have a variety of versions to choose from. Some translations focus on being more precise and are best for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are great for devotions. We use The New Living Translation (NLT) at Faith Church and would recommend that to you too.
2. You don’t have to start in the beginning.
The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into one book. The 39 books of the Old Testament are the story of God and His people before the coming of the Messiah—Jesus. The 27 books of the New Testament pick up the story beginning with the birth of Jesus and are written to the Church. If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), which are biographies of the life of Jesus. The Gospel of John is his eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. As one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John’s account is both riveting and informative.
3. Pick a book of the Bible and work your way through it.
If you’re anything like me, you need a Bible reading plan, or you’ll waste precious minutes thumbing through the Bible, never quite landing. So pick one book of the Bible and read a little each day – one chapter, perhaps. If you read one chapter of John a day (which will take no more than 5-10 minutes), you’ll read John in its entirety in 21 days. After reading John, move on to the other gospels – Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Next, read Philippians, Ephesians, and Colossians, which provide practical encouragement and instruction for living the Christian life. Romans is jam-packed with essential doctrine. Genesis explains how everything began. The Book of Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every season of life.
4. Pray before you begin.
Pause before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Remember, the Bible is God’s Word; it is God’s love letter written to His people, which includes you. Ask God to help you understand His Word. Ask God to use His Word to teach you, to direct you, and even to redirect you when necessary. Ask Him to use His Word to help you know Him and love Him.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
See: James 4:8
Before I close this out...
There is another great way to get fed spiritually, and that is by going to church. The church is not a replacement for personal Bible reading, but it is a necessary supplement to keep us on track.
See: Hebrews 10:25
Hanging out with people with the same beliefs as you, worshipping God together, and hearing God’s Word preached are huge boosts for every believer. So, make attending Faith Church a priority to keep moving forward in following Christ.
