Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105, NIV
Reading your Bible is vital to Christian growth, development, and maturity. That is not surprising because, after all, the Bible is the Word of God. As newborns babies, we NEED the milk of the word in order to grow, (1 Peter 2:2, NIV). Also, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16, NIV.
There are several accurate, trusted, translations of the Bible available online and from a number of booksellers. Some of my favorite translations are the New King James Version, (NKJV), the New American Standard Bible, (NASB), and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB).
There are Bibles that only contain the Scriptures and then there are a plethora of Bibles containing the Scriptures plus a wide-variety of aids, helps, and study notes: Daily Bibles, Study Bibles, and other specialty Bibles, including Bibles for kids, teens, men, women, etc.; speak with your local Christian bookseller for particular recommendations.
Daily Bible Reading Plans abound. They are found within most Bibles but can also be found at several places on the Internet. One of my favorite sites is Bible Gateway , but there are many reputable sites available.
Pastor Greg Laurie has written an article entitled, The Value of God’s Word which may be found at biblestudytools.com. The article lists five points to sum up the value of God’s word: it is perfect, it transforms us, it gives us wisdom, it is right and therefore, keeps us on the right path, and following God’s word keeps us happy. Laurie closes by saying the key to successful Christian living is to read, study, memorize, and obey the word of God.
Popular theologian, Chuck Swindoll, (http://www.insight.org) says the Bible is food for Christian development no matter what stage of life you are in and you can never exhaust its storehouse of nourishment.
Consistently and earnestly study the word of God. Worship God daily and submit to His authority in your life. You’ll be eternally glad that you did! The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV, “It is written, ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those that love Him—”. AMEN!!
God Bless!
