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Mountainview Family,   

Last Sunday I talked about how important it is for us to read the Bible. When I used to hear a pastor or teacher mention Bible reading, I often felt a sense of guilt. It felt like I was always falling short of reading God’s word enough. How much Bible reading is enough? Is it one verse a day? How about 10 verses a day? One chapter a day? The whole Bible from the beginning to end? What if I miss a day? Does it matter anyway?   

For me, it matters…a lot. When I really discovered how the words written on the pages of the Bible were revealing the character of God, I understood how much it matters. As my desire to become more like Jesus grew, I realized the only way I could actually become more like Jesus was to get to know as much about Him as I possibly could. And that’s by reading the Bible.   

Did you know there is danger in talking about Jesus without reading about Jesus? Without reading and studying the Gospels, and reading about how others like Paul, John, and Peter knew and understood Jesus, we run the risk of creating a Jesus who actually doesn’t exist.   

Without the words of scripture, we can fashion our own Jesus, one who is much more to our taste and our liking, one who’s far less likely to cramp our style… But if we read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, I mean really read and absorb them, we will see the true Jesus, the One who will disrupt our lives. We will understand how He asks us to do challenging things. We will realize how He leads us to think and act in ways that are His, not ours… And we will discover that our lives will be blessed with purpose and joy, bubbling over with praise.   

When we get to know Jesus deeply, we will change. We will love what and who Jesus loves. we will be passionate about what Jesus was and is passionate about. What Jesus puts up with we will too. What angers Jesus will anger us. We will see the world through His perspective and not our own. And, like Jesus, we will withdraw from the crowd and spend time with the Father.   

If you don’t have a Bible reading plan, please get one. You can Google “Bible reading plans” and find many options. You should be able to find one that fits you and your life. Or if you need a simple starting place, begin with the Gospel of John. Start with five minutes a day. Or how about 10 verses a day? Or 20? If you want to know Jesus, and I really hope you do, this is how it’s done…    

There’s a world who desperately needs to encounter Jesus - the real Jesus - the authentic Jesus. We have the responsibility to represent Him. “...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) .   

See you Sunday as we continue our Born for This series.  

Grace & Peace

Pastor Tom