once a wayward behavior. . .

I stopped reading the Bible.

I read It only every Sabbath. I stopped my regular reading every night, instead, I read a devotional book my friend gave me. Each entry corresponds with a holy scripture, of course; but I intentionally didn't look for it in the Bible. All because I wanted to trust my own understanding, and praying intimately afterward. Why you may ask?

I wanted to see the difference. "What will it do to me, not reading the Bible every night like I used to,"? I challenged myself, and the quest continued for the rest of October. I find it not difficult to resist the Bible, because I made myself busy watching movies. I was trying to pinpoint a scene that is satanic, on a looking "innocent" movie. I was trying to find something evil on every movie I watched, but I was disappointed to have found none...or maybe, I was just blinded. When I got bored doing the same for a week, I decided to buy a book. Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom interested me much and I was able to finish it in two days. Which made me write a blog about life. The next days, I was busy enrolling and babysitting. I actually neglected the Bible especially feeling the urge to read it again but not minding it at all.

The best thing in this, well you can call it an experiment, is that God's Words are still implanted in me. I know in my heart that what I was doing was wrong; the Holy Spirit, if not my conscience, bothered me so much yet I was still able to sleep well at night. Maybe because I know that no matter what, I will still be reaching out to God's extended hand, and so I did.

This morning, I decided to open and read the Bible once again. Finally, the quest is finished. The search in finding my real self when it comes to spiritual matters is done. I have known that if you really are sincere in your study about the Bible; whether you go the wrong way intentionally or not, as long as you turn to Him again, you will always find your way back. And so this morning while I was lifting the pages of the precious Book, I was comforted. It was like coming home after running away.

I love what I've learned today. I was reading the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren and I find it not a waste of time. So sharing what good news I've encountered. . .

Hebrews 2:10a "God is the One who made all things, and all things are for His glory. He wanted to have many children to share His glory."

Rick Warren wrote, "The only way to get into God's family is by being born again into it. You became part of the human family by your first birth, but you become part of God's family by your second birth. God has given us the privilege of being born again, so that we are now members of God's own family."

Romans 8:15 NLT "So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into His family--calling Him 'Father, dear Father.'"

This invitation to be part of God's family is for everyone...

Mark 8:34 "Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, 'If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.'"

but there is one condition: faith in Jesus.

Galatians 3:26 "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Since you are His child, everything He has belongs to you...
Galatians 4:7 "So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God."

You should know then that,
1 Peter 1:4 "God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. That is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, "

I smiled with the fact that God welcomed me back with the knowledge of what's waiting for me. I have realized that I am rich in heaven. God is so good and He knows how to correct us, only if we respond to His calling then we'll know how much He loves us. Read Proverbs 1:23.

Psalm 14:2 "The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God."

So I encourage YOU to seek God, and find time for Him. It's nice to have a habit of a daily devotional time with God; but it is also important to include Him in EVERYTHING that we do, in every problem we come across, even in every thought we have. It's a great feeling to have a continuous conversation with Him throughout the day by praying, like He's right beside you and you're just talking to Him. We should learn to practice His presence ALL THE TIME. And of course, when we pray, we "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17); and we should make sure that we honor God when we pray, not control Him.

What I did for almost a month has broken, and melted me, and what I did today to change that, molded and filled me once again with God's undying love. I believe I am used to write this and begin again, bearing in mind God's outstretched hand; knowing that I am part of His family, and do all things for His glory.

Why will I stop knowing the Word when it is the only true promise I can hold on to, and the only Book of Life in this ever changing and dying world?