One day recently I woke up very discouraged. (I'm sure it was a Monday; the day of the week most ministers quit and leave the ministry forever.) I got up anyway, and as is my usual practice, did my morning Bible reading. Near the end, I turned over to the passage for the next Sunday morning's message. As I read through it, very clearly God opened the passage to me and the main idea, outline, key points emerged...the sermon just happened right before my eyes. But more than revealing a sermon for others to hear, the words of Scripture impacted me. And that experience in God's Word filled me with joy!
Same problems were still there. Same issues to deal with at the office. Same circumstances of life. But God had spoken...touched me...challenged me...enlightened me...and I would have the opportunity the next Sunday to share His Truth with the flock I am privileged to shepherd.
This was not an isolated event. I have found that anytime I feel discouraged, or am absolutely in dispair, God's Word meets my need, informs my mind, encourages my spirit, and fills my heart with joy. So I make it a daily practice to read a portion of Scripture. Sometimes a lot; sometimes just a little. Quantity doesn't matter - consistency does. By regularly being in the Bible you allow the Bible to be in you, doing its wonderful work.
Pick up the Book. Open it...read a few verses. And be blessed!
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