HAVEN'T YOU READ MY BOOK?

HAVEN'T YOU READ MY BOOK? I've been reading a devotional book about near-death experiences. In one story, Jesus asked the man, "Haven't you read my book?" That question really lit up like neon for me! How embarrassing would it be to get to heaven, and have to ADMIT to Jesus himself that no, I hadn't read HIS book! I would just die of shame. The Holy Bible, which has cost the lives of countless saints down through the centuries, and has survived numerous attempts to eliminate it altogether. This book which we leave laying around so casually, or store on a shelf collecting dust: has been preserved for us by the blood and tears of martyrs. We don't recognize the priceless treasure we have available to us! Why do we have so little interest in reading the words of God? Jesus himself asks us that question. I'm 69 years old and I wish to tell you that your efforts at consistency and self-discipline will pay off: the scriptures open up to me now, as never before: always full of light and life. The words of the Bible are exceedingly precious to me. Not that I've always been faithfully consistent and self-disciplined about reading the Bible! Not at all. It's been more in fits and starts. But I'm so grateful, now, for the foundations that have been laid through the years. I wish to encourage the younger folks to pick up your Bible and read it every day. START with the New Testament, where the story of Jesus is. Read his teachings. Learn who JESUS is. This is my challenge to us this year of 2026: read about Jesus! Study his book and develop a new habit for yourselves. I need to work on this challenge for myself, as well. Sometimes life gets in the way, but we need Jesus in order to get through life!