Guest Post by Ray Kingrea of Tree of Life Ministries
Pastor Kingrea writes “The Journey” posts daily via his Facebook page. Follow him on Facebook here.
The JOURNEY – The GOAL – Philippians 3:15 (MSG) “So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.”
One of the most exciting things about a new year is the setting of new goals. I’ve had a lot goals I’ve set over the new years of my life. One of them was reading the Bible through. People would ask me if I’d read through the whole Bible and I was never able to say I had.
I’d always skirt around not an answer but then feel bad because I struggled to get through it. I remember how I’d start off reading and get through Genesis and Exodus, but then when I hit Numbers and Deuteronomy I couldn’t stay focused on the goal to save my life. I remember one year how determined I was, so I pushed through. I didn’t really understand all of it but I was determined to achieve the goal.
I think the first time I actually did it, it took me till some time in November. Since then I’ve actually read the Bible through more than twenty times in more than five different versions. The more I read it, the more I’ve fallen in love with reading it. The more I read it, the more I’ve learned and continue to learn from reading it. The more I read it, the better it makes me. I constantly feel as if I can’t get enough of it and don’t know what I’d do without it. Every time I read it, even though I read over the same passages, I continually get something new out of it. I write, mark, and highlight passages that speak to me.
I was moved one year to give it away. What a struggle it was to give away what I’d spent so much time on and the revelation I’d received from. I did it anyway. Since then, I’ve given my wife, all my children, their spouses, and people through the years copies that I’ve read. I read it and then give it away. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Read it and give it away. I challenge you, if you haven’t really read the Bible through, to read it, live it and give it away. Give it to someone in your life that means something to you. Give to someone that God speaks to you about. Read it but don’t keep it. I’ve found that the goal of reading God’s Word and giving it away only causes God to fill you with more of His Word. Set the goal and read it, live it, and give it.
#GiveItAway #GodsWordIsGreat
