Too Busy for the Bible

If you are a Christian living in America then it goes without saying you are busy. The basic issue I have seen, especially over the last 10 years in full time ministry, has been the busy lifestyles of our family, friends, neighbors and church members. Everyone is hustling to get the next thing done, kids to the game, presentation for the project, and packed suitcases for the trip. It is almost like being busy is the drug of choice for most Americans. Just talk to someone, anyone on the phone this week about your life and use words or phrases like "craziness" and "it's nuts", immediately they come back with a hearty AMEN!

Have you asked this question to anyone in the past 30 days - what did the Lord Jesus say to you this morning in your devotion? The statistics show that very few people in the church today read, devote and study their Bibles. I taught a small group for almost 3 years of 8-12 people. Between studies I issued a survey asking the amount of time they spent in study of the Bible. The survey was broken down into the following choices:
1. over 3 hours per week
2. between 1-3 hours per week
3. approximately 1 hour per week
4. less than 30 minutes a week

The survey results were less than 30 minutes per week from those who responded. It was not surprising but rather confirmed what I thought and what I have seen from most Christians. This is the era of fast food religion, large numbers, exciting worship music and pretending to be something we aren't in order to maintain a look good, smell good and act good reputation. Why are we surprised when there is so little apparent transformation with the people of God when they openly admit they spend no time with God. Let me ask those of you reading this blog the following questions:
1. Where and what are you reading daily from the Bible?
2. Are you meditating to the point of understanding what is said and then being obedient to what you read?
3. Is someone coming along side of you in this critical area of your life for accountability and support?
4. Are you coming along side of someone else?

I have asked these types of questions over and over in church, small groups and even one on one. The response to these answers has been an overwhelming "NO" to Bible reading, Bible meditation and Bible accountability with others. There is little overall commitment from today's pastors, elders and church leaders to be saturated in the word of God. I don't say this lightly but factually based on several church ministries, reading and conversations with others in the church.

Bottom line is that those within the church who don't read, devote and study their Bibles manifest in their behavior a lack of treasuring valuing and prizing the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a principle that I learned early on in my Bible study days - "a person can be no closer to the Lord Jesus Christ than they are close to His word." How can we be too busy for the Bible? How can our schedules, lifestyles, job, kids, recreation and entertainment be placed above knowing God through knowing almighty God? Isn't it time for those in the church who profess to be Christians but spend no time with their Bibles to reexamine their faith to see if they have believed in vain?

Read carefully Amos 8:11
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD,
“When I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,
But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.

Notice the text doesn't say a famine in the preaching or teaching of the word but of the hearing of the word. Has the American church lost its ability for the most part to hear the word of God? And should the church not hear the word of God doesn't it mean a lack of transformation into the likeness of God?

Could I encourage you to begin this year with 4 simple but profound steps as you hopefully recommit to the reading, devotion and study of God's word?

These are all prayers of desperation from the heart to our great God:
I – Incline your heart (Psalm 119:36)
Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.

O – Open my eyes (Psalm 119:18)
Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.

U – Unite my heart (Psalm 86:11)
Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name

S – Satisfy my heart (Psalm 90:14)
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Blessings