During the transfiguration, there's one thing that God said to disciples of Jesus, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!”
If we are disciples of Christ, we need to focus on Jesus. Following Jesus means continually putting Christ in the centre and moving ourselves out of the centre; looking to Him, listening to Him. Jesus redefines family priorities by saying "My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
And if we are going to focus on Christ, the Bible has a very important place in our lives. The Bible is His Word. It is the 'bread and butter' and the source of life. A growing Christian is a hungry Christian. Hungry for God's word. Hungry to know Jesus.
There are only two things that stop a Christian from reading the Bible: sin and Satan. You know it is out of wack when you begin fretting about your performance, and other people's performance. And what is the primary proof that you are putting Jesus first? It is when you sit at Jesus' feet. Doing that daily is not easy. It is a life-long discipline for us to learn. This is the one thing that is most needful.
Listen to David Short's sermon on this
Canon Dr. J. I. Packer said: "Christianity has to be learned. You learn your trade, you learn skills, you learn your business. Why are we so slow to pick up and run with the concept that Christianity has to be learned? God in Scripture bares witness to himself. But God is the living author of the Bible and so we must live by it. And to live by it, you and I must take the time to learn it.
(1) Read it right through once a year. I use the ESV One Year Bible.
(2) Read it thoughtfully every day. I aim for 15 minutes per day. I'm at my best in the morning. Give God time when you are at your best.
(3) Ask the question "what does it tell me to do?"
(4) Spend time intentionally listening, as well as telling Him things, and laying supplications before Him."
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