Tell Me Another Story
Arlene Pellicane
Today’s Truth
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word (Psalm 119:16, NIV).
Friend to Friend
When my son Ethan was in kindergarten, I remember how much he loved
reading his Bible. He would come into my room in the morning /asking,
“Mommy, can you read me a story from the Bible?” His Bible was
written /like a children’s storybook /with colorful illustrations and
animated characters. Whether the story was “David and Goliath” or
“Jesus Feeds Thousands,” his attention was fixed /sharply /on each page.
After one story ended, he asked for another - then another.
I sometimes wish () I had this same kind of hunger and enthusiasm /when I approach my Bible. I’d like to read it with fresh eyes. Instead of knowing how things turn out, what if I read a story about Jesus and wondered, “What is going to happen?
Is Jesus really going to walk on water? How did He do that?”
If we’re not careful, Bible study can become a chore, something to
check off a “to-do” list and nothing more. Anyone can become numb /to
the miraculous stories and truths /found in God’s Word. After sharing a
parable, Jesus says to his closest followers, “Are you so dull?” (Mark
7:18). Even [the disciples //who walked with Jesus] experienced times of spiritual dullness.
* chore; a routine task, especially a household one.
Reading the Bible is a fundamental component /to living your best
life, yet it’s easy to forget the joy – the life – that’s found in
studying God’s Word. So how do we put the fun back into the fundamentals of Bible study?
* to; Composing; constituting: two cups /to a pint.
Pray First. Before you begin reading,
take a moment to pray. Ask God to help you comprehend and apply what
you read,
that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened /in order that you may know the hope /to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people” (Ephesians 1:18).
Personalize It. When you read an Old
Testament story, put yourself in the picture. What if you were thrown
inside the lion’s den instead of Daniel? How would you feel /when the
morning came and you were still alive? You can also insert your name
into a passage like, “[Sheila] be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”
(Ephesians 4:32).
Put it into practice. If you love to play
basketball, it’s enjoyable to watch a game on television but not
nearly as fun as suiting up and playing yourself. Likewise, you can sit
on the sidelines, observing the truths /found in the Bible. But until
you put what you read into practice, you’re not fully realizing the
positive power of God’s Word in your life. Take a passage of
Scripture and ask God how to apply it to your life.
In the same way my kindergartener used to say, “Tell me another
story,” you can approach the Bible with curiosity. We are to delight
in God’s decrees, so put a smile on your face. Keep turning the
pages. There are more wondrous stories, both old and new, waiting for
you inside.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, how I love the Bible. May I always approach Your Word
with joy and interest. Thank You for the promises, lessons, and truths
found from Genesis to Revelation. Help me understand and apply Your
Word to my life today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.