The "rookie" mistake is to simply "read" the Bible as a revered wisdom book full of tips on how to be "happy, healthy, and wealthy." I know that’s what I did!
I had big plans for my life when I became a Christian, so I read the Bible for tips on how to be more successful. I even once pledged to tithe a certain amount to obligate God to bless me with the income to support it. He clobbered me for that one!
For over a decade I tried to change God. Finally, the Bible helped me understand something: God wanted to change me. That’s when I started to read the Bible every day.
The "pro" way to approach the Bible is to "immerse" ourselves in it as the living word of God. It’s to let His Holy Spirit speak to, commune with, convict, correct, direct, encourage, challenge, and inspire us.
It’s to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). It’s to grasp that I sent Jesus to the Cross. It’s to revel in His Easter. It’s to feel the weight of His holiness. It’s to be drawn into a life of worship.
It’s to realize that God alone is worthy of all our praise, glory, and honor. It’s to progressively find ourselves in the place where David found himself: "Passion for your house has consumed me" (Psalm 69:9).
Is God’s word daily nourishment to you? Or is it a perfunctory ritual that you are glad to get done with?
Patrick Morley
Man in the Mirror ministries
© Patrick Morley
* For some of our readers in Asia, the word "rookie" may be unfamiliar. A rookie is a person in his or her first year of a sport, or someone who is new to a profession, training or activity such as a new recruit
Your comments, thoughts or suggestions are welcome. The body text is by the author, the header and the words in italics are mine – John B. Samuel
Changi Chapel 
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