Although we don't consider God dead and outdated, few will read his Word regularly to find out what he has to say to us today!

We are the only species in the whole of creation that can talk to God. We do it by praying. But we are remiss when we don't care what he has to say to us, not reading his Word regularly. If his Word is not relevant to our daily lives today, it is just as if God did not exist.

The Psalmist often stated his love and respect for the Word of God. It was also evident to the Psalmist how much he depended on the Word of God for his daily walk. Here's a case in point: Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. (Psalm 119:97)

God's Word was of vital importance in the life of our Lord Jesus. Some of his most well-known statements are directly related to his total dependence on God's precious words.

For example, when he said: "Men cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) Here, he speaks about how difficult life would be for the believer who is disconnected from his main source of spiritual guidance, and from reading the Scriptures to find God's will for daily living. Craving only material blessings, the believer will surely starve.

The Bible is for transformation.

The most common excuse we make for not reading our Bibles is lack of time. Modern life — with all its diverse interests vying for our attentions — often leaves the reading of God's Word limited to something we do only when we find ourselves in a serious crisis. As the saying goes, "the Bible is not a spare tire, but the steering wheel." God's Word is not just for emergencies, but for every situation and every day!

We read the newspapers or we watch the news on television to see what people are doing, but what we need to do is read our Bibles to see what we should be doing. Somebody once said that a major sand storm would happen if all the Christians in the world were to open up all of their dusty Bibles at the same time. I'd love to see it, wouldn't you!

While other books may be for information, the Bible is for transformation. One old preacher put it this way: "I know that the Bible is inspired because it inspires me."

Take time out to read God's Word daily. Search the Word of God for the direction you need for a more joyful life and you will find it there. May the reading of the Bible inspire you to a God-directed life. As long as there are believers who read the Bible, God is alive in the hearts of people — alive in our hearts.

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Breaking Free by Beth Moore Moore teaches us to identify--and remove--the spiritual barriers that hinder our daily freedom in Christ.

Lou Seckler works with Harvest Ministries in Abilene, Texas

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