CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Each Sunday before his sermon, my pastor encourages the entire congregation to read their bibles. Every day. The bible exists so what we may know God. Instead of learning about God through a minister’s message, reading Holy Scripture requires us to meet God personally. We read His word with all of our personal biases, and expectations, and experiences. It is God unfiltered. The exact same words may mean something different to you and to me.
Years ago, I was given a student bible as a birthday gift. And it was a remarkable gift: leather bound with my name engraved on the front cover. And this bible had a very well-written commentary that give perspective on each book and put some of the key passages into context.
My birthday bible also came with several small cardboard cards with check boxes. One card was for someone who wanted to read all the key verses about Jesus. Another was a reading plan for someone who wanted to read the entire bible in a year. You’d have to read five or six chapters every day. The final schedule was reading the bible in two-and-a-half years, or one to two chapters daily. That was the plan I tried. And I failed. I’m sad to say that my birthday bible has gathered dust for years. I wasn’t mature enough in my faith to read the entire thing.
Well, now, after some gentle encouragement, I’m back to reading my bible. I’ve been using two phone apps, one is from American Bible Study. They also have a two-year reading plan. The other is from a company called Olive Tea, which offers a daily bible verse. The phone apps work well for me, since I usually check my phone first thing in the morning and before I go to bed.
When you read the bible regularly, two important things will become apparent, and both will be transformational to your faith. The first is that God wants us to know about him, The second is that He has a plan, instructions, for how we are to live our lives. I hope that both of those realizations will be great blessings to you.
Chris Conley
Would you consider becoming a monthly supporter of the Gospel TLC? It’s a faith based transitional living center in Weston for men who are turning away from addiction and are working to change their lives. If you’d like to help, there’s a link here:
The men at the Gospel TLC also needs some basic household supplies, things like copy paper, glade refills, and swiffer mop cloths. Those items can be dropped off at the Gospeal TLC building in Weston, near the hospital, on Crosse Point Boulevard.
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