Read your Bible: An encouragement of God’s gentle leading

Lisa Edwards • January 18, 2023

Even after nearly three decades of following Christ, there are still entire books of the Bible I’ve never read.


Every year when New Year’s rolls around again, I make yet another plan on how I’m going to finally start reading the Bible. My guilt-fueled efforts may start out strong, but by the second week of January, they’re already fizzling out. Because once you’ve missed one day of reading, it feels that much more difficult to catch up, and eventually the whole thing feels like a lost cause. My Christmas decorations tend to see more of January than my daily Bible reading plan does.


A source of shame


This constant struggle has been a source of shame for me throughout my life. I know that as a Christian I should be spending daily time in the Word, but why does it always seem so hard to actually do? Shouldn’t I desire to spend time with God and hear what He has to say to me? On the days when I feel guilty about not reading the Bible more, I find that I pray less, too. Withdrawing from God feels easier than facing His (supposed) disappointment in me. It’s as if I can see Him standing with crossed arms, waiting to chastise me for my repeated failure. But the fact that I ever picture Him that way shows that I do not understand the God of the Bible very well.


My kids have helped me understand the character of God better than almost anyone. The love I have for my children helps me realize how God must feel about me, since He’s called me His child too. There are things I’ve taught my kids to do since they were young, daily things like brushing their teeth and picking up after themselves, that I still have to remind them constantly to do. 


Even though they know that they should do these things, that their lives will be better for having done them, they still struggle to do them every day. But when I find toys strewn all over the house or a toothbrush gathering dust on a bathroom counter, often my response is to lovingly remind them what they should do, and to say, “That’s ok, let’s try again.”


Removing barriers


As a parent, I would never prefer that my kids withdraw from me rather than open up and be honest. This is true even when they’re opening up about less than pleasant feelings or are confessing some wrong that they’ve done. And if I, a sinful and selfish earthly parent, feel that way with my kids, how much more patient and loving must God be with me (Matthew 7:11)? 


God proved 2000 years ago how far He was willing to go to enjoy a relationship with me that is unencumbered by my guilt and shame. Why would I then impose a barrier onto my relationship with Jesus when He Himself died to remove that very thing?


It seems that my struggle to read the Bible daily is rooted in a lack of understanding of who God is and how He feels about me. The Spirit has convicted me at this point in my life that if I want to understand the true character of God, then maybe the best way to get to know Him is by reading His Word, where He’s already revealed Himself to me.


That motivation, of a desire to know my God better, is one that is so much sweeter to Him than my previous motivation of guilt, trying to do what I think I’m supposed to in order to be a “good Christian.” God said to the Israelites in Isaiah 1:13 that they should “bring no more vain offerings” before Him. The whole passage illustrates how much God hates when we do things, even things He’s commanded us to do, with the wrong heart motivation. The right heart motivation is one that cares about fulfilling man’s primary purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This should be my motivation in reading my Bible each day, and it should be my encouragement to come back and try again when I don’t.


He won't fail us


Again, my children have proven to be a significant help that God has gifted me to aid in this area of my growth. A few months ago, my son told me he wanted to try to read one chapter of the Bible every day and asked if he could read it to me. There’s no way I could say no to that!


Since then, we have finished one book of the Bible and started two more. There have been a few days that we’ve missed, but nearly every day I have gotten to experience diving into the Word with my son and getting to know my Heavenly Father better through his eyes.


God is so faithful to constantly pursue us, and spending time reading His Word is one of the best ways we can pursue Him back. So if you are already feeling discouraged about your resolution to read the Bible more this year, I hope you will remember that God isn’t giving up on you. He’s lovingly saying, “That’s ok, let’s try again."

Shepherds & Sheep

July 2, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Gen. 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Churches should be led by a plurality of elders. Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15, Acts 16:4, Acts 17:1, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:17, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, Titus 1:7, James 5:14 Instructions for Pastors: Shepherd God’s flock The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It is God’s church, and they are given the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it. -Thomas R. Schreiner Exercise oversight Oversee willingly (not under compulsion) 1 Cor. 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! Oversee eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Cor. 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. Lead by example (not domineering) Strive for Humility 1. Pure Christian humility disposes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their failings. - Jonathan Edwards The Chief Shepherd is Coming Shepherds God’s flock Exercises oversight 1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Oversees willingly (not under compulsion) Oversees eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Leads by example (not domineering) Hebrews 2:8b-9 we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Discipleship Questions: What are some of the benefits of having multiple elders? How would you define the job / responsibilities of an elder? If you were to move to a new area tomorrow, what would you be looking for in a new church? Why, do you think, the “younger” are specifically instructed to be subject to the elders? How does someone who is “clothed in humility toward one another” behave in the church? Out of the five pastors at Crosspoint, who is your favorite? (just kidding, don’t ask that).

Not Surprised

June 24, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:12-19 We shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter suffering John 15:18–20 [18] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted We can rejoice knowing we are sharing in Christ’s suffering Matthew 5:11–12 [11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We don’t bring glory to God when we suffer for doing wrong We should choose to glorify God instead of being ashamed We should live in light of the coming judgment of God “Peter shows the meaning of our suffering from two sides. First, our suffering for Christ finds its significance in Christ’s suffering for us. We share now in suffering for him as we shall one day share in glory with him (4:13; 5:1). Secondly, our suffering does not destroy us, but purifies us. The fire of God’s judgment that we endure is not the fire of wrath that will consume the unbelieving.” —Edmund P. Clowney, The Message of 1 Peter We can entrust our souls to our faithful Creator Discipleship Questions: Why is it our tendency to be surprised when we encounter suffering? What are some reasons for rejoicing when you encounter suffering? Why is it so tempting to classify all suffering as persecution, even when we suffer for doing wrong? How can you resist feeling ashamed when you suffer for being a Christian? How do you think God uses suffering to purify His church? How does entrusting your soul to God help you find hope?

Unhindered and Healthy

June 18, 2025
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:7-11 Would you know if your prayers were hindered? How would you know? What causes prayers to be more fruitful? What causes prayers to be interrupted? What hinders our prayers? Not living with your spouse in an understanding way A lack of sober mindedness and self-control Hindered prayers hurt our relationships A lack of self-control… letting your flesh rule you will never result in healthy relationships. A lack of sober mindedness… letting your thoughts rule you will never result in healthy relationships. Self-control and sober minded prayer are those inward things that result in outward expressions. They ready us to set our focus and affections on other people. Application: Keep loving one another earnestly Aim to cover a multitude of sins Make your home available to others Make your gifts available to others Speaking Serving Discipleship Questions: Have you ever become aware that your prayers are hindered? How did you know? What are some practical steps that we can take to strengthen our prayer lives? How do hindered prayers hurt our relationships? How do unhindered prayers strengthen our relationships? What are some practical ways that we can aim to cover a multitude of sins? Define at least 2 practical ways in which you will make your home and your gifts available to others this week. How has your life been impacted by others who have made their homes and their gifts available to you?
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