Don't enjoy reading the Bible?

[Floatingaxe]

Reading the Bible...hmmm......I have been a Christian for three years and just now starting to read Bible for myself. the truth is, i grew up in a church where you had to read so much of the Bible every single day. I would try but if i did not understand something, I would just give up. Now i have just started a couple months ago reading Bible on regular basis, and I love it. I started in Matthew and I am going to go through NT then I will do the OT. But one thing is that I had a desire to when I started looking at it as God's love letter to me. It is no longer a dreaded thing. And oh by the way...if I miss a day...so what...GOd knows my heart...

Ditto!

[MeCajunboy]

I've been debating with myself if I should bring this up. It's an issue that bothers me a lot.

The issue is that I don't enjoy reading the Bible.

It makes me sad because I know God wants me to hear Him through His word.

I hear people here and elsewhere who seem excited with scripture. I envy them.

What am I lacking? What am I overlooking?

Having put my faith in God and Yeshua some 10 years ago, it is frustrating to have to battle every time I go to the Bible.

I don't expect answers. Just venting............

Is there anyone out there who has this issue?

Praying to God for thirst of His word, got me to the desert....

It's dry in the desert.

No, I'm not giving up on God or Yeshua

I'm not giving up on reading His word

I am giving up on trying to understand

Well, you'll probably not like this answer, because it might unveil too much about what's lacking in the world, but here goes: I was in much the same boat for many years in my earlier years. Now, 30 years later I've definately found the answer. Emphasis off of ME and on to HIS PEOPLE. Once I realized that God needs us to serve the rest of those who "don't know how or where to find HIM" or "how to get excited about God" and turned my complete self over to HIS needs , well............it just seems like I can't get enough of HIM and HIS Book. Also, there is just so much depth in the Meaning of HIS WORD now that I gave my self to HIS cause. And really, isn't it all ultimately for OUR CAUSE ANYWAY? I mean, do you honestly think that when this tired old world is done, do you really think that God wants to be all alone for an eternity? I know I wouldn't! Now, the trick is to find out just exactly what "PLANS" God has for your life! Because I promise you, HE's talking to you this very moment, or else you wouldn't be asking this very question!

Blessings

Cajunboy

[reconditioned]

Hey, whenever I read the Bible I have horrible emotional pain and such. Its so painful. Can anyone tell me what's wrong here?

Its, not without reason, I always find myself wherever I look and its always stuff like these people were never really christians, or these people are going to hell, or this guy was way better than anybody else and not only was he not you but he failed completly and didn't make it or something.

I'm telling you, its so bleak and depressing and I can't understand most of it anyway.

[Mutzrein]

Hupo - may I ask you what led you to faith in God?

[nebula]

Hey, whenever I read the Bible I have horrible emotional pain and such. Its so painful. Can anyone tell me what's wrong here?

Its, not without reason, I always find myself wherever I look and its always stuff like these people were never really christians, or these people are going to hell, or this guy was way better than anybody else and not only was he not you but he failed completly and didn't make it or something.

I'm telling you, its so bleak and depressing and I can't understand most of it anyway.

It's a lying spirit, sent to destroy you. You need to overcome this thing, and this is how:

Forgive these people ("these people were never really christians," etc. that keep popping in your head).

Pray for them.

Ask the Lord's forgiveness for holding this grudge against them. (yes, it is a grudge - you need to let them go)

Ask the Lord to bless you and the reading of His word.

And rebuke that lying spirit, commanding it to be quiet and leave!

Then worship the Lord!

Can you do this?

[hupo]

Hupo - may I ask you what led you to faith in God?

Yeshua did, or the Holy Spirit, or God Himself.

If it was just me I probably wouldn't even be here now. It never made any logical sense.

I'm sure glad I didn't take over

But to be more specific.... For years I messed around with all kinds of spiritual and group dynamics.

They were all very interesting but I always came out with a kind of vaccum in my stomach.

There was an empty space that wasn't being filled.

Turning to Yeshua as my saviour filled that vacuum.

I still don't enjoy reading the Bible.

Do you understand it? I don't

[Guest Biblicist]

God Shaped Hole

Every point of view has another angle

And every angle has its merit

But all comes down to faith

Thats the way i see it

You can say that love is not divine and

You can say that life is not eternal

"all we have is know"

But i don't believe it

There's a god-shaped hole in all of us

And the restless soul is searching

There's a god-shaped hole in all of us

And it's a void only he can fill

Does the world seem gray with empty longing

Wearing every shade of cynical

And do you ever feel that

There is something missing?

That's my point of view...

Glad to know you had your God shaped hole filled!

[hupo]

Let's say I know, as probably many others on here, know exactly where you are coming from. Okay, sounds like the typical thing to say, and you probably don't the typical: "Just pray and read God's Word", "Ask for God's help", "Talk to someone", "Read his word anyways, it will come", and my favorite "Just keep going, you'll be fine. I'm praying for you."

*gives Hupo a big hug*

Hugs are a very good "explanation"

Sure, we all have different circumstances that we live with, different pasts, different presents, different futures, but I know the feeling all to well of not wanting to read God's Word... it has been a struggle for eight and a half years, still on going. That desire to be in his word and the desire NOT to be in His Word are a raging battle inside of me, almost every day... For a long period of time, say about 6-7 from when I got saved? His Word seemed like ink on a page.. YES I was saved! Praise the Lord I was saved, but although I knew I should read his word? I didn't want to, and had no desire to read the word that God has so wonderfully given to me...

knowing all this makes it more painful. I feel He wants an intimate relation and His Word is a big part of it

Do you likes hugs?

sure do

Not everybody is in the same cirumstances for sure, but first, do you have any sin in your life? I mean sin that unconfessed, habitual or not, that you haven't turned over to God? It could be something as small as a little thought, to something really big, but if there is sin in your life that you haven't confessed, it can take away the greater part of that desire to read God's Word. That needs to be taken care of first.

Me? Sin?!

Well, you see Crystal, humor is a great cop-out. I'm sure I have sin in my life. I don't always see it but things crop up all the time. Confessing helps, yes. It clears the air so to speak

That might or might be what's going on at all.. but we need to be right with God. If we are saved, God will give us an understanding of his word by the way, as promised in Corinthians. Paul said that the Holy Spirit would give us "discernment" or "understanding" about God's Word if we are saved

These once was a man who had two dogs.. one white dog and one black, but he had a problem. He told his friend, "The two dogs fight all the time, but I want the white dog to win. How do I make it so that the while dog always wins?" His friend told him, "Well, you feed the dog you want to win."

The moral? We have a constant battle raging inside all of us... the spirit and the flesh... The thing is? In order for the flesh to win those battles? We have to feed it. This does'nt only apply to temptations in our life, it also applies to things like our prayer life and our devotion life... If you feed the spirit, it will get stronger, and if we feed the flesh, it will stronger instead. Just keep doing what you are doing Stay in prayer as you have been doing... that's GREAT! Just keep praying and keep trying to read your bible... a hint I was given to pray before you read your bible and ask God to show you something special.. as the Holy Spirit to give you discernment and understanding... my pastor told me once to just keep reading until the Lord shows you something...

Feeding the black dog is something I find myself doing all too often, (and I apologize to black dogs everywhere), When I am aware of it, things move. When I'm not aware, the spirit works "behind my back". I'm saying all this because it doesn't make sense the way I feel about God, Yeshua and the Holy Spirit and still don't enjoy reading THE Word.

Something else? It might not be the best idea to start with Genesis and the first so many books of the bible The Old Testament is a hard part of the bible to read Try reading John, or 1 John, or even just the New Testament It is a lot to read and I've learned personally, a lot easier to pick up stuff and learn things from

I actually grew up with the OT which is more home ground to me than the NT. I have a better grasp of the OT whereas the NT sometimes drives me nuts, especialy Paul with his book-long-sentances, or revelations which seems like someone on heavy drugs.

Hupo, I wish I could tell you more, and I wish I could tell you this would be easy.... but it's not. But I can tell you that it can get easier.. the more you feed the spirit, the easier it will get... now, as was alrighty said.. there will be "dry spells" where you are in these valleys where reading the bible and praying just seem like the most boring and most tedious thing in the world.. the key is? Just keep going...

Oh yes, if you're looking for encouragement? I"m sure how much you are in there, but the chat is a GREAT place to go Talk to some people and tell them what's going on For the greater part of the time, there is someone there that can help One last time, maybe you could talk to somebody about accountability for reading your bible This could be someone to not only help you with doing it, but you can ALWAYS talk to that person... it's an amazing thing

Yes, I tired the chat and had a few encouraging sessions there

I hope this helps... and praying for you Love you in the Lord

Here's another hug

With sisterly love in Christ Jesus

Crystal

Your post is very encouraging. Just hearing others who have had all kinds of issues, gives a picture of hope. The situation is not fixed. It is fluid and ever growing and flowing.

You are a true blessing, sister

God bless you and yours

[hupo]

Do you have any Bible topics that interest you? Things related to the Bible you like to study about that are also addressed in the Bible?

You know, my brother hated the water when we were growing up. Mom, though, thought it was her duty to make sure that he and I had swimming lessons.

The swimming instructors had to go with him an inch at a time. For a while all he could do was get his feet wet. Little by little, he became accustomed to the water and could swim well enough that by the following summer he was swimming like a fish. He was more excited about going to the pool than the rest of us.

I believe the Lord will meet you where you are. He will not put on you more than you can bear. For now, why don't you meet the Lord in prayer and just read some of the easier parts of the Bible, like the gospels or Epistles, or maybe somethingn out of the Psalms. Just a little at time, just get your feet wet for now.

I would also add, that the fact that your recognition of your lack of passion shows that the Holy Spirit is working on you.

Yes, I did start several "studies" but they never lasted. I know the Lord is working. I trust Him on this but it's still frustrating.

Come to think of it, scripture in music is somehow clearer than plain reading.

We have a small worship team and I play guitar there. That is the part that really speaks to me.

Thanks Shilo, you somehow managed to bring that point up

God bless

[hupo]

Whew! There is no way I am going to be able to respond to all these posts. I would like to but to be practical I'll just say that you are all very encouraging.

This forum is truely blessed.

May God keep His spirit in this forum even as it is right now