There isn't anything in the Bible that would indicate I'm scripturally correct on what I'm about to say, but I'm sure God approves wholeheartedly (smile). Whenever I'm reading the Bible, I ask God to reveal the truth to me personally. When he does, I get out my pen and underline what I've read. I have underlined all over the place! This means that God really spoke to me through these verses. Whenever I feel "down" I generally go to a portion of the word I've underlined. This means that God really spoke to me through a given passage in an exciting way. I love the verses that I underlined. But what's really amazing to me are the ones I left out!
If I only had one talk to give to a group I would share with them how to make Jesus come alive through the word. As I read Scripture, I realize that God didn't write the Bible just for Paul or James or Peter. He didn't write it just for Timothy. God wrote it through those men to ME! My Bible is my personal love letter from God. Over and over through the years I've heard God repeat those words, "I'm talking to You, Dave!" What good does it do to me to have God tell Timothy that he was his man? It doesn't do a bit of good. But God's not talking only to Timothy. He's talking to Dave to be patient and gentle and to love others. "Dave, YOU hold tightly to that eternal life which God has given you and which you have confessed before many witnesses!"
See how different the Bible becomes when you make it personal? When you realize that all of his love is directed at you, then Bible reading becomes vital.
Heavenly Father, may each of us who have read this blog post have a renewed determination to spend more time in your love letters. Thank you for loving us. I often wonder why you do, but I'm not questioning it. I'm just going to accept your love and say "Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord, that you wrote all of this just for me." Thank you, God, for what you're doing in the heart of every person who reads your word.