Embracing A Campfire Faith Through The Word

Most people would be hesitant to admit that their Bible had dust on it. But most people, myself included, have had seasons of life where that was exactly the case.

Life is busy. Sometimes too busy to pick up a book as big as the Bible. It seems intimidating, complicated, and waaaayyyyyy too long.

But if we harbor that opinion for too long, we gradually build a wall in between us and God. We cut ourselves off from His instruction, encouragement, and guidance. We turn down the volume to His voice, until we get to the point where we cannot hear Him at all.

I know, because I speak from experience.

The phrase "your eyes are bigger than your stomach" comes to mind. I've often said that old cliche' to my children, when they would fill their plates up with too much food at a buffet, knowing full well that they could not consume that much.

I used to feel that way about the Bible. I was convinced that it was more than I could consume, and that trying to fill my plate (aka, brain) with it would be hopeless, and probably lead to eventual failure.

So many years I wasted being afraid to try read the Bible - in all its great vastness - instead of simply understanding the application and truths it held for my life.  I would see it sitting on my coffee table, and feel a longing to understand its contents, and even an obligation as a Christian, to dig into the pages, but lacked the faith confidence to believe that I could do it.

Oh how wrong I was. Had I only known all those years that the Bible was all the nutrition that I really needed for a healthy and fruitful life, and that God would always serve me the exact portion that I needed. Nothing more, and nothing less. One bite at a time.

When we open up God's Word, we should say "Wow!! I am about to meet with God!" instead of looking at it as an obligation of a Christian.

Take a look at this passage, from Psalm 119:97-104 (NLT)

97 Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.
100 I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.

As I read these verses, I cant help but ask myself, "do I feel this level of emotion when I read God's Word? Am I in love with them, thinking about them all day long? Do I feel wiser and stronger because of them? Can I be proud of my actions, words and choices because they are in line with these holy instructions?

Do I look at His Word and feel my heart salivating, eager to consume the truths found within?

Are His Words sweeter than honey to my lips?

These self-directed questions can really give us food for thought, regarding the level of importance that we give to God's Word.

The truth is, that if our hearts are void of these intimate feelings, lacking any twinge of excitement or enthusiasm about opening The Bible and digging for truths, then lets face it, scripture may not be at the top of our priority list.

It if is not a priority, it certainly will not become a reality as we live out our daily lives.

We will not see what we are not looking for.

Will you make a commitment today to open God's Word? Maybe for the first time in a long time?

Will you pick up that piece of God's warmth and begin carrying with you, inside and out?

Will you allow Him to speak to you, through His written Word?

Will you trust that He will "feed" you exactly what your heart is starving for?

Rest assured,friend,  He will not fill your plate with more than you can eat.

The Lord gives us each our daily bread, and it will be exactly the right portion for us, and at exactly the rigth time.

Special note:

If you are not involved in a local Bible study or do not have a local church, check out the many Bible study options on our Proverbs 31 shopping page.

We also have several awesome P31 speakers that offer free online bible studies throughout the year, including Melissa Taylor, Wendy Blight,Renee Swope, and Wendy Pope.