8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible (Number 5)

5. Read the Bible daily. Make it a part of every day’s business to read and meditate on some portion of God’s Word. Private means of grace are just as needful every day for our souls — as food and clothing are for our bodies. Yesterday’s food will not feed the laborer today; and today’s food will not feed the laborer tomorrow. Do as the Israelites did in the wilderness. Gather your manna fresh every morning. Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst part of your time! But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and God’s Word every day.
(J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 131-134.)

8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible (Number 4)

4. Read the Bible in a spirit of obedience and self-application. Sit down to the study of it with a daily determination that you will live by its rules, rest on its statements, and act on its commands. Consider, as you travel through every chapter, “How does this affect my thinking and daily conduct? What does this teach me?” It is poor work to read the Bible from mere curiosity, and for speculative purposes — in order to fill your head and store your mind with mere opinions; while you do not allow the book to influence your heart and life. That Bible is read best — which is practiced most!
(J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 131-134.)

8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible (Number 3)

3. Read the Bible with child-like faith and humility. Open your heart — as you open God’s book, and say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!” Resolve to believe implicitly whatever you find there, however much it may run counter to your own desires and prejudices. Resolve to receive heartily every statement of truth — whether you like it or not. Beware of that miserable habit into which some readers of the Bible fall — they receive some doctrines because they like them; and they reject others because they are condemning to themselves, or to some relation, or friend. At this rate, the Bible is useless! Are we to be judges of what ought to be in God’s Word? Do we know better than God? Settle it down in your mind — that you will receive all and believe all, and that what you cannot understand — you will take on trust. Remember, when you pray — that you are speaking to God, and God hears you. But, remember, when you read Scripture — that God is speaking to you, and you are not to “dictate,” but to listen!
(J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 131-134.)

8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible (Number 2)

2. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it. Do not think for a moment, that the great object is to turn over a certain quantity of printed paper, and that it matters nothing whether you understand it or not. Some ignorant people seem to imagine, that all is done if they advance so many chapters every day, though they may not have a notion what they are all about, and only know that they have pushed on their bookmark ahead so many pages. This is turning Bible reading into a mere ritual form. Settle it down in your mind as a general principle, that a Bible not understood — is a Bible that does no good! Say to yourself often as you read, “What is this all about?” Dig for the meaning like a man digging for gold.
(J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 131-134.)

8 Profitable Ways to Read the Bible (Number 1)

1. Begin reading your Bible this very day. The way to do a thing — is to do it; and the way to read the Bible — is actually to read it! It is not merely meaning, or wishing, or resolving, or intending, or thinking about it — which will advance you one step. You must positively read. There is no royal road in this matter, any more than in the matter of prayer. If you cannot read yourself, you must persuade somebody else to read it to you. But one way or another, through eyes or ears — the words of Scripture must actually pass before your mind.
(J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, “Bible Reading”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 131-134.)

Bowling, Bowling, Bowling

What? Winter Bowling Party

When? This Saturday, Jan 28th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM

Where? Kent Lanes, 1524 South Water St., Kent

$10 per person includes pizza, pop, shoes and 2 hours of bowling.

If you don’t bowl and just want to fellowship and eat, the cost is $5.

Come join your FBC brothers and sisters for a wonderful time of Christian fellowship.

It doesn't get any better than this, men!

An unbelievable breakfast prepared by the FBC ladies... a time of fellowship and male bonding with your FBC brothers... a brief but relevant devotional from the FBC handbook - the Bible... and of course, a time of praying one for another.

Join us Saturday morning starting at 8:00!  If you are able, stay for a bit afterward and join the "Men Serving Others" team as they head out to put their faith into action.