Now reading the Bible in and of itself is not going to magically make you a better person, but it will if you follow what it says give you encouragement and equip you with tools to enable you to become a better person.
ItвÐâ¢s a funny thing, but the more I read the Bible, the more it tells me if I want improved character I have to work at it. It tells me I must be an active participant and not wait in passive expectation. I think we or maybe just I had developed magical thinking. If I read the Bible so many times I will automatically become a better person. The funny thing is the Book I expected to magically change me tells me in both its old and new parts that if I want to change I must act on what I read.
James, the writer of the Epistle of James in the New Testament, and according to history the brother of Jesus writes, вÐÑdonвÐâ¢t just hear the word of God just do itвÐÑ. I think Nike stole his line. To paraphrase JamesвÐ⢠line to me, donвÐâ¢t just read the word of God just do it. By the way paraphrase is a bad word to some Biblical experts. I think they call themselves, вÐÑradical BiblicistsвÐÑ. I think they are people who really get upset if you try to bring the Bible to a place of real life and understanding. I think their forefathers are the priests from the church in earlier centuries who thought no one should have a Bible but them. And they are also cousins to those who think outdated language Bibles (KJV) are the only true Bibles. They will understand what (KJV) means. ItвÐâ¢s their code for the only true word of God.
To be continued
Gary
thedailylily.com 
What! The Bible is NOT magical? When I first became a Christian and the awe and excitement of a changed life spurred me on to start reading the Scriptures, I thought I had never read anything so magnificent and magical in all the world. I had heard the Gospels READ from a pulpit with droning and moaning, as a child, but THIS? THIS? ThIS was the BIBLE!? How magnificent, benevolent, incredible (excuse the expression) was this WORD OF GOD! Where had it been all my life? That was then! But now, since I have been studying the WORD for quite a few years, I find that the BIBLE now not only inspires, but convicts me. As Gary writes, TO DO IT, is another subject! Another challenge. And the more I DO what it says, the more I am understanding what God’s Word is saying. Obedience is BETTER than sacrifice…the obedience to read and DO God’s Word brings in such JOY! But I cannot do it without HIS help.
Jesus wants me to be a DOER of the Word. And I want to do
what Jesus says. And He helps me by His Spirit. Thank God for His Word!!