Okay, so let’s get real here. Any Bible believing, church going Christian will tell you that WE stand on the Word of God. I read an alarming, well-documented statistic the other day that literally broke my heart and made me angry at the same time!!
Bible believing churches/denominations across this country recently polled members of their congregations with one simple question. Each person received a small post-it size piece of paper; then asked to answer the following question with a number. That was all — no name required. Complete anonymity. I can imagine some of the respondents smiled while others squirmed– inside their hearts that it. The question and it’s findings:
How many times a week do you read your Bible, outside of during a church service or Bible study group?
The results — Only 45% of these Christians read the Word at least once a week. The other 55% — ZERO!
That means over half of church attending Christians in today’s society NEVER even pick up the Word, except to carry it along to church as an accessory to their wardrobe. Does that stir the Spirit within you? It should, especially if you’re in 55 percentile! Now if you’re in the 45th percentile group, you’re still not doing too great if the number is less that 17 (my opinion only). Where’s I come up with that number you ask? Well morning and evening (as David wrote in the Psalms)= 14, Sunday morn 1, Sunday evening 1, midweek service 1.
I would like to share with you a short quiz I read sometime back. The responses are strictly between you and our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The numbers 1-10 for each question are self-explanatory.
1.) I am consistent each day, and all day long, in reading, meditating on, and thinking about the Bible and what God is teaching me through His Word.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all All the time
2.) I read the Bible in order to discover what it has to say about every area of life
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all All the time
3) Whenever I do read the Bible, I’m looking for ways that I might grow, or that I might help others grow in the Lord, or come to know Him.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all All the time
4) I can hardly wait to get time in the Bible each day; I eagerly look forward to every moment of reading, studying, meditating on—drinking in!—the Word of God.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all All the time
5) I read through all of the Scripture regularly, and I’m always looking for new ways that the Bible can speak to my life, my society, my culture, and the world in which I live.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all All the time
6) The Bible is changing my life; I can see it and my friends comment on it. And I’m eager to see it change the lives of others as well.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all All the time
Can you describe yourself as a person of the Book? Or do you just have a kind of loose adherence to Scripture as somehow a part of your life, although not in any consistent or transforming way? What have you learned about your own commitment to the Bible, and what, if anything has this quiz suggested to you about any changes you need to make?
As the followers of Christ we have been given His Word as a sacred trust as written in Psalm 147:19-20 “He shews His word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.” Remember, we as adopted children through the blood of Christ these verses pertain to Christians as well .
God gave us the Bible, and He sent His Spirit to lead us into all truth and teach us the things we need to know, as we compare one section of Scripture with another and listen for His Voice to instruct, convict, and transform us “Now we have received , not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak , not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13.
Finally, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in His parting words to His disciples before ascending the Father tells us simply He appointed to us the ministry of the Word for the purpose of making all the nations disciples And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying , All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
But He said , “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” Luke 11:28
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:17
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the LORD is tried : He is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalm 18:20
The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8
If you’re not being transformed by the Word; you’re being deformed by the world ©Streim
LOVE-HOPE-PEACE In Our Changing World 
This was so good. Sadly the stats indicate that the parable of the virgins in Ma 25 is perhaps to be interpeted literally. Fully half of them were not ready for the bridegroom.
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This was such an eye opener and really made me evaluate my own Bible reading and although it’s better than the statistics it’s still not where I want to be.
Reading the Bible every day is so important in our walk with Christ which is probably why satan works overtime to make sure we find other things to do instead of that. It’s our weapon for spiritual battle and if we never take the time to read it it will be so much easier to bring us down. Thank you so much for this. I really needed the reminder. Be blessed Stephanie!
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There will be a chances and opportunities for many when to show their love and faith. The second thief on the cross, recognized the divinity of Christ and asked for His blessings moments before His death and the Lord forgave him and blessed him with life after death! The second one mocked him, and became lost because of his choice. Anna, Gods words will remain true, “the road to destruction is wide and many will find it, and the road to life is narrow and few will find it. Does that mean we stop sharing and lifting…no! It only means that just like with Noah, lot and many others throughout the Bible, many were lost when they failed to believe and change! That is why the wheat and tares are separated, how many weeds are found! Always pray for others and help where you can but keep a sharp eye on yourself that you may not fall short. There are many who will claim that they read his word and pray endlessly everyday and that they follow all in the word. Like the Lord said two men went to the temple to pray, the one asked the lord to forgive him for being a sinner. and the second looked upon the first and said basically thank your God that i am not like him. And it was the one who asked forgiveness who received the blessing of god! And even Christ said he will say to many be gone from me because I do not know you for when i was hungry you did not help me, when I was in prison you did not visit me, when I needed clothing you you did not clothe me when I asked for help you turned your face away from, me when i was living on the streets you said better him than me, i was poor and you looked down on me, when i needed help you sneered my way, for all intentions are clearly seen by my eyes! For what you did not do for them you did not do it for me. That is why the last will be first and the first will be last! Your post makes one to deeply think, So
in all you do seek to do the right thing and pray to be a blessing to all whom you meet, and in turn god will multiply your blessings! I love your posts dear sister always and I love what your heart and mind always bring! Continue to do your part always! God bless you and much love to you always!
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Reblogged this on Lillie-Put and commented:
I have read several really good and challenging articles lately. This is one of them. I urge you to take the test in the middle and then read Matthew 25 :1-13 How full is your lamp?
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PS. Regarding numbers there were two on the cross with Christ, one was saved and one was lost…a 50%number, and it is wonderful that we try to make a difference in many lives each day we might not fall short ourselves! In doing this we emulate his ways by picking up his cross following him! I take nothing for granted but only serve others everyday in many different ways! Love you my dear sister!
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Well put truth Stephanie….thank you for sharing this…….this morning I spoke with my kids about the very same thing……..as Believers, there is no point in kidding ourselves……we need to read, meditate on, study, apply and share the Word…….it is central to our relationship with God, our faith and our ability to be and do what He requires of us.
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Thank you Stephanie for such a great blog on the necessity to study God’s Word, and on the results of doing so (and not doing so).
I get emails about the statistical surveys taken by the George Barna group and they stagger me. It is sooooooooo surprising that large numbers of “born-again” Christians do not believe in a personal devil; do not believe in hell; do not believe that Jesus is the ONLY way; do not believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God etc. I ask what on earth is happening in the American Churches, but I am forced to admit that the same results would probably be obtained here and elsewhere.
The Word of God is our food and sustenance. It is the bond between us and our triune God. He speaks to us through His Word. He teaches us, challenges us, convicts us, guides us, strengthens us and empowers us through His Word. He answers every question we have through His Word, either in a direct verse/passage or in a principle expounded throughout.
I agree with your last quote:
“If you’re not being transformed by the Word; you’re being deformed by the world”
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