(Matthew 24:35)
Having preached to several hundred thousand people in evangelistic
meetings at churches of all denominations, having ministered to millions
over the years via our television production ministry, and having prayer for
and
intimately counseled thousands and thousands of people over my 9 years of
ministry...I would have to say the biggest problem I have encountered with
believers is that the vast majority have never read the instruction manual.
Statistical research shows that less than 10% of professing Christians have
ever read the entire Bible. The church as a whole is Biblically illiterate!
From time to time in my devotional I will give my opinion on an issue, and I
am very careful to always let you know when it is Bill Keller's opinion.
Most of the time I just let God's words speak for themselves. There is not
one issue, one thing we deal with in everyday life, that is not covered in
His word. How many people are in terrible marriages where one spouse is a
nonbeliever. Do you think God admonished us to "not be unequally yoked" for
nothing? How about those dealing with horrible illnesses because they
abused
themselves over the years with alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Does God not
tell us our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit? How many families are
ripped
apart by bitterness and hatred when the Bible commands to "have love one for
another," "forgive as Christ has forgiven you," "love your enemies." I have
to be honest. In many cases it is not rebellion of God's Word, but complete
ignorance of God's Word.
Like many men, I get a new electronic toy and the first thing I do is open
the box, toss the instructions to the side, and start "putting it together."
Usually after a period of time when it is not working, or I have broken
something, I grab the book and put it together correctly. How much easier
if I would have done that first. So is our walk with God. Many people
claim
they can't hear God. God may be talking to you and you can't hear Him
because you don't know what to be listening for. The Bible is the INSPIRED
INERRANT WORD OF GOD. If you want to hear God, just read the Book. That is
God speaking to us. I have come to the conclusion that those who are
getting
this devotional each day are of above average intelligence, which is why I am
very direct, to the point, and don't hammer things over your head. I say
it, knowing you are smart enough to know what you are expected to do, I
don't
have to paint a picture. So if you ever listened to me at all, hear what I
am going to say to you now. This applies to everyone, even those that may
have
read the Bible cover to cover 100 times.
It takes an individual of average reading ability 90 hours to read the
entire Bible. That is one hour a day for 3 months. Carve out one
hour every day starting today and start reading at Genesis 1:1. One
hour. I suggest that for 90 days you get up one hour earlier than normal and
do it the very first thing. Trust me, God will give you the strength you
need during the day. Losing one hour of sleep for 90 days will not kill
you.
Quite the opposite. It will save you 100 times that in loss sleep over the
years from problems caused because you didn't take time to read the
instruction book. Now listen, I understand that some of the Old Testament
can be dry. The Jewish laws, the genealogy of kings, some of the prophetic
books can be very confusing and at times boring. Read on. Don't get
discouraged because you don't understand everything you are reading. Having
read the Bible cover to cover many, many, many times, every time is like a
new experience as I learn more each time. WARNING: I am not the Bible
answer man so don't start flooding me with questions. I'll pray for you
anytime, but I cannot handle thousands of Bible questions. I do suggest
though you keep a note of questions and talk them over with your pastor.
Trust me when I tell you, those 90 days will change your life. You will see
things you never thought were in the Bible. You will see God's warnings and
promises to help you through tough times. Most of all, you will start to
understand a little about how God thinks. How can you please God if you
don't understand how He thinks. He knows you are not a mind reader. That
is one reason He gave you the Book, so you could begin to understand a
little
about what is expected of you. I promise you, the 90 days of doing this
will be the most important 90 days possibly of your life. I cannot
emphasize
enough the importance of what I am challenging you to do. Start at the very
beginning. That way you can see God from the creation of our world, to the
end. It is better than any book or movie you have ever read or seen.
The Bible is our final authority for all matters concerning this life. In
this day of being politically correct, accepting everyone's beliefs and
ideas, we are in the mess we are morally and spiritually because we have
gotten away from the black and white truth of God's word that this nation
was
founded upon. We have none to blame but ourselves. In this day of instant
gratification, drive thru food, cell phones, fax machines, email, Federal
Express, and jet travel, we want what we want now and refuse to wait. We have
become lazy, which is why we don't take the time to read the Bible. I
guarantee you will spend 90 hours plus in front of the television, the
computer, with the newspaper, doing something that you enjoy over the next
90
days. I am not saying to quit living and enjoying your life. What I am saying
is that you have the time, it is now a matter whether this is a big enough
priority to take the time.
I love you, care about you, and my heart breaks every day as I read and try
to respond to the thousands of special prayer requests I get. How much
heartache and pain could have been avoided if people would have only read
the Book and followed the instructions. You cannot believe how much sense this
life makes when you are living under the direction of God's Word. I will be
praying that the Lord really opens your heart and conviction floods your
very being as you read these words. I can't force you to do it, you have to want to do it. I will be praying, and trusting His Holy Spirit is moving on your heart even now as you read these word.
