Yesterday morning I started reading the Bible through again.  Last year I read through the New Living Translation.  This year I am going through the Holman Christian Standard translation.  I do this as a part of my daily quiet time.  I have found it to be very valuable.While I am concentrating on a particular part of the scripture or a particular topic in scripture, reading the Bible through always gives me the big picture.

I am amazed at the number of times I am able to apply a specific scripture to a situation that I am facing that day.  God uses what I have read that day in my life.  There is not anything that we can do that is more valuable than spending time with Him.

This is not a time of sermon preparation.  It is a time for me to spend with God and seek direction for my life.  I have found that it does several things for me.

1.  It speaks to every part of my life, good and bad.
2.  It prepares me to deal with situations in my life and the lives of others that I have not yet encountered.
3.  It will give you greater influence.
4.  It helps you see the big picture and keep a heart for the world.

The most important commitment that you can make as a Christian is to spend time with God daily.  You can do it a lot of different ways but do something!