All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

In a recent sermon I shared with you a statistic that I find rather disturbing. According to a recent survey by George Barna only 20% of American Christians read their Bible on a daily basis. This disturbs me because it indicates that 80% of Christians are living daily life without marching orders from God. It means that the vast majority of disciples are not learning from their Master. It shows that most Christians are not allowing God's word to rebuke and correct them and train them to be the people God wants them to be.

A story once appeared in Reader's Digest of a family whose son was about to leave for college. The student's parents gave him a Bible, assuring him it would be a great help. Later, as he began sending them letters asking for money, they would write back telling him to read his Bible, citing chapter and verse. He would reply that he was reading the Bible--but he still needed money. When he came home for a semester break, his parents told him they knew he had not been reading his Bible. How? They had tucked $10 and $20 bills by the verses they had cited in their letters. If he had been reading his Bible, he would have found the money.

Ronald Reagan once said, "Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we would read and believe." Are you reading your Bible? If not, you are missing out on hearing from God. How can you possibly be thoroughly equipped for every assignment that God wants for you unless you have been to Him for your daily instructions?

Make a commitment to spend time each and every day in God's Word. You may think you are too busy to read, but doesn't every person have the ability to spend 5-15 minutes a day with God's instruction manual. Martin Luther said that he had too much to do each day to NOT spend at least 3 hours in prayer and study each morning. Maybe you are not quite ready for that kind of time commitment yet, but how can you not have 15 minutes to give to God. Try it this week and see what happens!

Pastor Eric