Jesus began His public ministry reading and proclaiming God's word. Ezra began a renewal of the Israelite nation by reading and teaching God's word from daybreak to midday (Neh 8:3, 8). We too can begin this year with an extensive time in God's word. Consider committing yourself to read and pray the Bible for an hour a day until the beginning of Lent. If this seems too much, commit yourself to fifteen to thirty minutes of daily Bible reading for the next two weeks.
When we deeply expose ourselves to God's word, we are purified of evil (Eph 5:26) and trimmed of that which limits our growth in the Lord (Jn 15:3). By receiving God's word, we hear the Lord better and grow in faith (Rm 10:17). God's word will help us know ourselves better by judging the thoughts and reflections of our hearts (Heb 4:12). By God's word, we are fed spiritually (Mt 4:4), made joyful, and strengthened (Neh 8:10). God's word will make us "fully competent and equipped for every good work" (2 Tm 3:17).
These are only a few effects of God's word. His word is so living, effective (Heb 4:12), powerful, and rich that this may well be the best year of our lives if we begin it with a deep experience of the word.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be as eager for Your word as a newborn baby for milk (1 Pt 2:2). |
| PROMISE: | "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members share its joy." –1 Cor 12:26 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, risen and glorified Jesus, the Word-made-flesh! Be exalted and glorified in all the earth. Alleluia! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College