Just wondering

What would happen if one would spend 6 or 7 hours a day listening to or reading the New Testament?

Bear.

I think, from your own life, you know what has happened. :-)

I would that reading the Bible (spending time with the Lord) 6-7 hours a day would indeed change a person, but it all depends on how you come to the Word.

There is this little component called the "heart".

Some come to the Word with a broken and contrite heart and others with a cold, religious heart seeking how they can use the Word for their own opportunity, taking advantage of others.

It is the same way that men came to Jesus when He walked the earth. Some wanted to use Him for their own advantage (conquer their physical enemies and they wanted to sit on his right and left hand), while others saw Him with true sight and realized their enemy was mostly themselves (self, flesh). Jesus not only freed them from self, but also freed them from "all the power of the Enemy".

Judas spent a lot of time with Jesus and the experience did not change him. He was always thinking and conniving how the Lord could benefit Him in material ways.

If we think this way, then we will never be free.

If you come to the word with a hard, unrepentant, prideful heart you will only have a religious experience not a life-changing experience.

If our reading of the Scriptures does not make us more Christ-like, more like the Son of God. And if it does not make us to sin less then we are reading without obeying. Reading must come with the fear of the Lord and also action motivated by love.

We must all read our Scriptures more. We have them readily available to us.

Very good question, thank you brother. I would think that it is better though, to read one verse a day that we learn to obey - rather than an entire book a day and never obey one verse at all.

So I would pose another question, "what would happen if we read 6 or 7 hours of scripture a day and never obeyed any of it"?

I believe we would become puffed up with knowledge and be able to answer and slay all before us on internet forums (smile), but we would slowly atrophy into stale, first class hypocrites.

As just-in said, its all about the heart!!!

Brother your post is not judgemental. Just a sad commentary on the church in America. Perhaps 6 or 7 hours a day is too much to ask one to be in the word.. So how about just 3 hours a day. Actually this is obtainable. That is the average American spends 3 to 4 hours a day watching TV. This according to a survey done a few years ago by Neilson Rating. And mind you this is not talking about time spent in social media or internet.

I can testify that TV has a deadening effect on one's spirit. I used to watch the Military History Channel. Nothing wrong with that. But when I started watching it an hour before a Persecution Watch call I had an issue. With God given discipline the cable was severely reduced, money saved, and more time spent in God's word. My flesh screamed but my spirit was revived listening to the New Testament. Have not gotten to 7 or 8 hours listening to it yet. But have listened to it over 5 hours. But even listening to the word for 3 or more hours I have a revived spirit and more prayer power. Can't get that from the Military History Channel.

But brother let us say a person listens to or reads the word for only 6 hours a week. That breaks down to 360 minutes. Divide that by 7 that cones out to about 52 minutes a day. I can hear the cries of the flesh oh that is too much. Give me the TV remote.

And you wonder why the persecuted see revival and we don't

Bear.

Agreed brother. Bottom line. The more time spent in God's word the more blessed we will be of Christ. And the more effective we will be in His kingdom.

Bear.

John Bunyon, D. L. Moody, and Smith Wigglesworth had one thing in common. They lacked a formal education. Yet they loved God's word and devoured it voraciously. Eventually these men were used by God in great and mighty ways.

It was said of Bunyon that if you cut him he would bleed scripture. The word of God was so much a part if him and resulted in his great preaching. John Owen the great theologian of his day was quoted as saying he would gladly give up his theology to gave the preaching ability of Bunyon.

D L Moody had less than a 6gh grade education. He cried out to God for more faith. This went on for months. Until one day he was on his knees with an open Bible. His eyes fell on the verse in Romans that said faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. He stopped asking God for more faith and spent extended tine devouring the word of God. This resulted in Moody becoming the greatest soul winner America has ever known.

Smith Wigglesworth was illiterate. He was taught to read by reading the Bibke. He fell in love with the Book and he could not go an hour without reading it. He became a powerful preacher with credible signs and wonders in his ministry.

I believe the person who spends more tine reading or listening to God's word will br greatly used of God as opposed to one who spends little time in God's word.

Bearmaster.

We can't just be hearers or readers of the word, we must be doers, also. The emphasis in the church is too much on reading and not enough on being "doers of the word".

Brethren if Gid puts it on your heart to read and meditate on 1 or 2 verses then this is good. For sure those who are in Eritrea draw strength from even a verse on a scrap of paper.

But in places such as N. Korea the saints there value and treasure their Bibles. The do this at the risk if their own physical lives. They can be seen reading and devouring the words of life itself. If given time they will do this for hours in end.

I read reports of elderly saints in China in their 80's having never owned a Bible. When they recieve their first Bible they will hug that Bible and weep for joy. They will read and devour that precious book for hours on end

Saints you may liken to extended time reading or listening to the word as gushing water from a fire hydren. I do not see it that way. In Mark 12:37 the verse says the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. In Luke 19:48 the verse says the people were hanging on every word He said.

Have we ever come into a place where our Bibles, particularly our New Testaments become a source of delight and joy. Where we simply cannot put our New Testament down? Why is it the persecuted spend hours a day reading the word in raturius delight and we are content with just a few minutes of the word. Assuming some spend that much in reading in the word.

I remember coming back from a mission trip. While boarding the plane back to Little Rock there was a man engrossed in a novel. He was so absorbed in it he was oblivious to everything around him. The novel was the latest Jurrassic Park book that came out at that time. I was wondering could I not be absorbed in my New Testament like that

I remember when the Tim LaHaye Left Behind series was popular. People could not wait for the next book to come out. I thought why can we not approach our Bibles like that.

Years ago I became a fan of Gar Wilson and Tom Clancy men action adventure.stories. I would devour the Jerry Ahern Survivalist series. I was a Christian at the time. How grieved the Spirit must have been with me. How He must have been pleading with me saying child please immerse yourself in my word.

I remember in ny Calvinistic days on my way to a John MacArthur conference a godly young sister said to me. Blaine, please fill your mind with the word of God. She had that quality of life to back up what she was exhorting me to do. I did not heed her gentle wisdom until years later. And those were lost years of foolishness.

Saints why is ut acceptable to enjoy s secular or spiritual book and devour it? And we cannot do the same with our Bibles. Bunyon, Moody, and Wigglesworth spent bourse reading their Bibles just for the sure joy if it. Yet their ministries were powerful. And they were not puffed and arrogant. The persecuted spend extended time for hours on end in the word and they are not puffed up.

We are exhorted by Peter to long for the pure milk of the word so we may grow in respect to our salvation in Jesus. Moody was quoted as saying the best way to fill a broken bucket is to stay close to the faucet. So yes, give me the fire hydren. For I want to be filled to overflowing with His word.

Bearmaster.

You make very good points, bearmaster and it just reminds us that walking with God is not one dimensional. There are many things to emphasize in our walk, but lest it become too mechanical, if we align our heart with His will, everything else will fall in place. We will hunger for the Word, listen to the Spirit and be Doers.

"If you have a bible in your own language and don't read it, you deserve to be deceived." - Zac Poonen

hard words

edit:

Zac also says "knowledge" without "revelation" leads to pride.

book knowledge VS. revelation from Christ

"Bunyon, Moody, and Wigglesworth spent hours reading their Bibles just for the sure joy of it. Yet their ministries were powerful. And they were not puffed and arrogant."

From what I have read of Wigglesworth & Moody, these brothers spent time in Gods Word because they were broken, surrendered men who were filled with the Spirit continuously and left "self" on the cross...they walked in the Spirit! There are many unbroken men who are not even born of the Spirit who spend many hours studying and reading the written word and it has never brought them life. Wesley (before his conversion) comes to mind as do the pharisees in Jesus day. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life ; it is these that testify about Me."

Although I agree that there is much good that could come from reading and studying the scriptures we must have this discussion in light of knowing Christ. It will do little if a person doesn't know Him by the Spirit. There are many and varied persons that frequent these forums, I for one am concerned that the hapless wanderer doesn't stumble onto these posts and imagine that the source of their life is to be found in anything that they do...but in a person, Jesus Christ.

Now if we are making the assumption that a person is already born again and can already see the evidence of knowing Christ in their life (bible reading and prayer don't qualify no matter how much we boast of our prayer and bible reading to others)...then yes it is a perfectly normal for a christian man or women to read and study Gods word.

Perhaps that is a better thread to start, the benefits of ANY reading and/or study of the Word...NOT the amount of time given to it?

Thank God the apostles and Jesus never mentioned the length of time in their discussion of this subject (did Jesus ever bring this up actually?)...but anyway, I think it is unwise to suggest that "more is better". The reason is that this kind of talk inevitably leads to 1) public boasting and 2) subtle self-condemnation by those who just don't have as much time for lengthy reading as those who make such boasts.

"God has everyone in different stages, and it is unwise and inconsiderate to make people feel guilty for not burying their heads in a Bible every waking moment."

I remember a time when I was in my first and second years of college that God led me through such a season. It was utterly crazy (in a good way)...it was as if I was a starving man with an unquenchable hunger for His Word...I could not put it down - at all. I walked to college reading it, in between classes I was reading it, when I got home I was reading it and I had to be yelled at by my mother to come to the dinner table because I was still reading it. I would take my bible to the table and read while I was eating until my parents asked me to stop because it was unsociable. But as soon as I was finished eating I would continue reading the bible in my room.

I have never had a repeat of this season which lasted many months, perhaps a year and I have no idea what it was for, but shortly after this I went through many trials and tribulations which led me to the ministry that the Lord was calling me to. So yes, it was definitely a season and one that I cherish very much. But I don't ever lay a guilt trip on myself or others and suggest that they try to conjure up such a hunger themselves. I personally believe that it was the Lord that brought that hunger on me by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

These days I will admit my bible reading is very limited because I have so many more responsibilities and a lot less time. Do I wish for such a hunger again...you betcha!

Thank you for this thread brother Blaine, I do feel that the warnings from brother Paul and others are very important but I do hope we will also be inspired to ask the Lord to stir up in each of us a hunger for Himself that will drive us to our knees and into His precious word...so that we might know Him more!

For some on this forum, myself included that has nothing to do with a length of time, but a change of heart.

But in places such as N. Korea the saints there value and treasure their Bibles. The do this at the risk if their own physical lives. They can be seen reading and devouring the words of life itself. If given time they will do this for hours in end

May saints from this thread (everyone who expressed a opinion) be more in the Word of God anyway they can is my prayer. I have opportunity to be in the Word 6-7 hours a day, really anyone does it would just demand taking away all of the entertainment, TV, computer, etc. I know of a pastor who for a long time for the first 2-3 days of each month read through the entire Scriptures and spent time in fasting and prayer.

I believe the strong point brother Blaine is bringing in the end is that most of us in the West are not cherishing, reading and loving the Word of God as we should. It is a blessing to read the passion of brother Blaine in this regard, thank you brother for your example.

Sadly many saints have not read through the entire scriptures every chapter and verse.

Here is an encouraging article:
http://gospelfellowships.net/pdf/principle30.pdf

and a practical response to read through the Scriptures in one-year:
http://gospelfellowships.net/pdf/biblereadingofscriptures.pdf

"most of us in the West are not cherishing, reading and loving the Word of God as we should..."

I agree brother Greg, but isn't this a symptom of a deeper issue in the hearts of the believers in the west? If so, then how does "compelling" believers to read for longer periods of time, fix the deeper problem? I think this was something that others were trying to say on this thread and the consensus was that bible reading and all christian "devotions" need to primarily be a "heart thing" and not a "length of time thing".

Brother do you have something to say to me. Then please say it. I notice some barbs coming through in your post that seem to be directed at me.

Respectfully
Blaine Scogin

How many times have people remarked in SI that the NT Church did not have any Scriptures and yet the Early Church turned the world upside down. Of course we know they had the OT and copied and re-copied letters from Apostles as they appeared, but they did not have a Bible store on every corner and we do!

So, it must not be the reading of the Word that is missing. What is really missing in the Western Church? Do you know? We have sermons galore and Bibles galore and Bible classes, Sunday school classes, Wednesday night Bible Studies, etc, etc., Bible on Tape, CD, DVD and MP3. So, what is really missing? Where is the Life of Christ, in the Church?

All is forgiven, dear brother. I know you do not accept my premise that began this thread. But I think we would agree that the American church is not hungering for the word. Then we could say that the American church is not hungering for the Word Himself. In that the Spirit must give conviction.

My thoughts.

Bear.

Paul, that was well said and something that I know I would like to echo and sure many other brothers, too. Spoken words and expressions on faces are definitely missing in an internet forum. Because of this, we have to believe the best about each other. Love believes all things.

Bearmaster, it becomes a very difficult subject when one paints a broad brush on any topic that seems to include everyone and that clearly does not work out very well in internet discussions. Instead of saying "American Church", it might work better to say "fallen away church" or "backslidden church". Clearly there are saints in America that hunger and thirst for God's word and continue to walk after Him with all their heart.

I also note that Paul the apostle, though he traveled much and knew many churches, he was loathe to compare them with each other as if that would bring change to the church he was currently visiting. Paul, did not use condemnation to bring behavioral (heart) change by way of telling one church how great another church was. That would be the same as telling one church how far they fell short of another church. And, none of us is the Standard, for each other. There is only One Standard. If we spend our time looking at each other and trying to best one another or even be like one another, then haven't we simply taken our eyes off of the One that we should all be looking at?

Bearmaster, you most certainly don't want to bring condemnation on anyone, I am sure of that. It would be like telling one of my sons that his brother is more loving than he is, and much more thoughtful and caring than he and can't he be more like his brother. Why would one say this except to spur him to step it up in those areas? I would much rather my son grew into that love on his own volition than to do it out of reaction of what I said to him.

Paul, did not use condemnation to bring behavioral (heart) change...

When I am humbled and anguished enough to remove the log in my own eye perhaps then I will be able to speak with authority about the state of the American church. Until I do this, I am just a hypocrite. Thank you brother just-in for these words, you have given me much food for thought today.

Brethren is as usual in these threads the whole point is being missed. I posed a question in a reflective way of what would happen if one did spend 6 or 7 hours reading the word. Perhaps I could have worded the question a bit differently. Perhaps I could have asked what would happen if one spent extended time listening to or reading the word? But during the course of the thread the question got lost in issues in issues of legalism and condemnation.

Look. To say that the great majority of the American church is Bible illiterate is not judgement but a fact. Whether you want to call it the apostate church or fallen away church or call it whatever. The American church is suffering from malnutrition of God's word. Yes there are a few blessed exceptions. And God be praised for those churches that are Jesus Word centered. But the fact remains that American Christans know very little, if any Bible.

To say Christians need to read and listen to more scriptures is not legalism or condemnation. It is a fact if spiritual life. Just as one has to eat physicallly to stay healthy so one has to eat spiritually to stay healthy. One needs an intake of the word of God to stay strong in the tbings of Christ. If anyone feels they do not need the word of God to stay strong in Christ then you are a better Christian than me.

Some object to me using the persecuted as an example. In other words to say the persecuted value the word more than we is putting people on a guilt trip. Then we should not look to the oersecuted as examples for prayer, as examples for holiness, etc. Because it may put people on a guilt trip. Ok. What can I say. But I surely do not see any godly examples coming out of the Western church.

Bearmaster.

bearmaster, I remember once not too long ago (this year) where this same topic was brought up and pretty much fell on its face then, too.

The issue is not how "Bible literate" someone is that makes them a lover of God and "doer of the Word". You know that. We all know that knowledge of the Bible is no guarantee that one will be a lover of Christ. Many people with incredible knowledge of the Bible actually persecute the Church.

I don't know if people suffer so much from "malnutrition of God's word" as much as "malnutrition of Christ's life" in them.

I am reminded of the prodigal son's father who did not upbraid his young, wayward son or point out how he should be more like his older brother. He was wise not to do that, because the older brother had his own heart issues as do we all and as do the precious saints in persecuted countries.

I believe we are encouraged by each other's godly example and I believe it does motivate us and encourage us when we see what great things God can do in someone's life who is completely submitted to Him. And I think you were really trying to encourage everyone by pointing out what Christ is doing in the lives of the persecuted church.

This is how the persecuted church has always encouraged me. By their love for the Lord in the midst of severe trials and persecution.

Just-in you cannot have the life of Christ in you apart from His word being in you. Jesus says man lives on every word that proceeds from His mouth. Also Jesus spoke of His words being spirit and life. Peter said to Jesus you have the words if eternal life

The godly life you speak of must come from the word of God being in one's life. The Psalmist ask how can a young man keep his way pure. By keeping it according to Your word. The Psalmist also says that Your word I have treasured in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Giiven the sermons in this forum that stress the importance of God's word in one's life. I am amazed at the casual attitude that is being displayed over the need to read the word of God. As I said earlier the Christian who thinks they do not need the word of Gid is much better than me. I need the word.

At the risk if being accused of putting someone on a guilt trip. Those in persecuted nations value the word far more than we do in the Western church. They are willing to risk their lives to own a copy of scriptures. Christians in the West will seldom open the word to have their life changed.

Again the issue in the American church is not too much word. But far too little of it.

Bearmaster.

There was a Denny Kenniston artcle posted by Greg on the Anabaptist. The article described how the Anabaptist lived out the life of Christ in their homes and work.

One if the tbings mentioned in the article was there was always an open New Testament in the home or shop. Always that precious brother or sister was found reading it.

So how is it the Anabaptists found a need to read the word and it is being downplayed here?

Bearmaster.

Bearmaster, before I ever read one word of the Bible I received the life of Christ.

I think you have made your point that the Scriptures are precious and the word of God received with an open heart (good ground) will bring forth much fruit.

No one is arguing with that. Like all discussions, many different truths are always brought out.

It is true that today's believers are frequently found to have less biblical knowledge than in previous times, and value their Bibles less than those in situations where they are harder to get hold of but this is a symptom of a 'disease` and the cure is not to be found in any outward action. It is a spiritual problem and must be dealt with spiritually.

The cause is that the person is not in direct communion with the Word which scripture says is Christ, not some written records of His works, valuable as they are. You shall search the scriptures for in them you think you will have eternal life. The Jews knew them inside out.

If the Living Word is in us, then we will find new insights daily, but if we have gone dry, we will gain little and as Brother Paul rightly says, we will even grow in pride.

If the preachers and leaders were filled with the Spirit, and living holy lives, it would set up a hunger and I thirst in others so that there would be no need to take out the stick to beat their hearers with guilt trips and bemoan the state of the church. Much better for them to step down and admit their lack so that we can see the true state of the church rather than have the hypocrisy that God hates.

Dear brother Blaine, thank you for this thread and the admonition to wash ourselves more and more in Gods Word. Some other wonderful truths have also sprung forth from this discussion that I do not think have diminished your point which is that "we need more of God, not less of Him".

Keep challenging us with these admonitions dear brother...I for one need it, and if nothing else these discussions give us an opportunity to humble ourselves and quickly forgive one another. Watching the way brother Paul and you walked this out was the best part of this entire thread actually and reminds us all to look for the best in one another and love one another despite our misunderstandings. Blessings to you today!

Hi brother Bill, well howdy there neighbor...what part of town do you hail from? We are in the NW area around Cypress.