Promises to God

[wiggins]

Hi guys, I just need to know your opinion. A while back, I promised God, that I would read a chapter of the Bible everyday, and if unable to do so, then I would read two the next day; If unable to read again, I would keep on collecting until the day when I finally finish readng. I realiaze I've to read and listen to, injest, and follow what God is saying to me and not read blindly. However, increasingly, I find my time taken up, and if it keeps on this way, I will have no free time at all, and still be racking up unread chapters each week. Do you guys think that God would be mad with me, if I broke my promise? I mean, I would continue reading my Bible everyday, just that I wouldn't hold myself to a chapter a day. I would just read a small passage each day, and depending on my workload, I can read more of His word of days with smaller workloads. Do you think God will be angry with me if I did that? Because I don't want the almighty Creator God angry with me. Thanks!
Wiggins

[Rev. Doc]

Actually, I think God's Spirit has pointed out to you just how unrealistic the vow you made to Him was. Humanity has a bad track record in making these vows to God and not keeping them. So how much scripture does God expect us to read each day? Personally, I believe just enough to impact one's life. This may be a chapter, it may be two. Or it may just be one short verse. It will vary day by day for everyone. To set limits on your Bible reading, in my opinon, is to set limits on God. I would bow before God and admit to Him your relization that what you have done is wrong. Commit to Him instead all the time He needs to speak to your heart from His word, however much that will be on any given day. Our God's love is unconditional. He is a God who forgives. Vows are serious and should be considered wisely before being made. He has taught you a very important lesson through this experience.

[ShiroiHikari]

Well, here's what I think, although I may be wrong.

This reminds me, I was reading in Proverbs the other day...where's my sword...

Well, actually it's in Ecclesiastes ^_^; Chapter 5, verses 5 and 6. Keep in mind that I'm reading the NLT here, so it may be slightly different in whatever translation you have.

5 It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you don't follow through on. 6 In such cases, your mouth is making you sin...

The words may seem a bit harsh, but always remember that God is ever-forgiving. But I think it's better not to make promises like that, because we're only human, and we don't always folllow through.

Oops. Posted kinda late XD Sorry.

[cbwing0]

Do you guys think that God would be mad with me, if I broke my promise? I mean, I would continue reading my Bible everyday, just that I wouldn't hold myself to a chapter a day.

I think it is important to understand that God is not "mad" at you. He may disapprove of what you are doing, but he has already forgiven you for anything sins that you have committed in this, or any other matter.

I would suggest not making vows in the future; just follow through on what you say you will do:

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this from the evil one" (Matthew 5:33-37).

I think that's pretty straightforward.

[Fsiphskilm]

Well I don't think it was

[Michael]

<Do you guys think that God would be mad with me, if I broke my promise?>

Well, I don't know what God thinks, but; yes, I think he would be mad with you. Why don't you just pray instead of asking us?

[Ashley]

I went through the very same thing Wiggins. For countless new year's I have tried to buckle down and do a chapter a day. But here's what gets me---and this takes a lot of guts to say, but I'm hoping Rev. Doc or someone else equally wise in the faith can help me out here---It's easy for me to read, but not to understand. Several times I look and my bible and think "God, where to start?" Which usually leads to picking up the easy passages everyone knows. Or, if I do go out on a limb and read something new, like Micah, I have no idea how to apply it. Listening to a pastor, I can immediately see the application...it's just on my own, I'm not wise enough to discern it. And it's flat out embarrasing; I've been a Christian for years now, on top of trying to lead a ministry. So I hold myself to rather high standards....I just can't see why God wouldn't want to let me be spiritually autonomous in my own quiet times.

One last thought. Wiggins, I applaud you for not falling into a trap I've stumbled into many times: that is, when the reading gets tough, cut the reading. It leads to deep backsliding and usually, if we're supposed to be walking with the Lord on a safe path, that's a long, muddy trench far from it. Just thought I'd share that...keep up the good work.

[ShiroiHikari]

Well Ash...it's kinda difficult to figure out something to say ^_^;

In my case, sometimes I just pick out a chapter, or start somewhere familiar and God sorta guides me through it, showing me things. Sometimes it's a passage I've read a bazillion times over, and it will all of a sudden click. It's weird. ^_^;

I say just pray over it before you read or something...

[cbwing0]

I'm hoping Rev. Doc or someone else equally wise in the faith can help me out here---It's easy for me to read, but not to understand. Several times I look and my bible and think "God, where to start?" Which usually leads to picking up the easy passages everyone knows. Or, if I do go out on a limb and read something new, like Micah, I have no idea how to apply it. Listening to a pastor, I can immediately see the application...it's just on my own, I'm not wise enough to discern it.

I have the same problem, and I would recommend that you invest in a good bible commentary for these purposes. That way, you can refer to it as you read if you find something that you do not fully understand. There are several available for under $20, and there are others that break $1,000. I would recommend that you start with one of the cheaper ones, because that will probably be enough to help you understand the passages. Later on, you might want to get more, so that you could compare the thoughts of the commentators.

Here are a few that you might try:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary On the Whole Bible:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0310265703/qid=1074353522/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/103-8338011-5529421?v=glance&s=books

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/094357532X/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/103-8338011-5529421?v=glance&s=books&st=*

Believer's Bible Commentary:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0785212167/qid=1074353645/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-8338011-5529421

There are also online commentaries available free of charge on the various bible reference sites, such as www.blueletterbible.org , www.bible.com , and www.crosswalk.com .

Edit-Of course you can also post a difficult verse here, and we could help you understand it. Alternatively, feel free to PM me about any verse that is giving you trouble.

[wiggins]

So what should I do?:stressed:

[cbwing0]

I think that you should try to read the scriptures as you originally intended, but you do not have to make a vow to God in order to meet your goals. You might want to vary the amount, frequency, etc., but don't stop reading.

[Rev. Doc]

[quote="Ashley"]I went through the very same thing Wiggins. For countless new year's I have tried to buckle down and do a chapter a day. But here's what gets me---and this takes a lot of guts to say, but I'm hoping Rev. Doc or someone else equally wise in the faith can help me out here---It's easy for me to read, but not to understand. Several times I look and my bible and think "God, where to start?" Which usually leads to picking up the easy passages everyone knows. Or, if I do go out on a limb and read something new, like Micah, I have no idea how to apply it. Listening to a pastor, I can immediately see the application...it's just on my own, I'm not wise enough to discern it. And it's flat out embarrasing]

A seminary professor shared with me at one time that a good message will take about 8 hours of preparation. However, I have found that a message can take weeks to prepare from the time that God first speaks to the heart to the time it is delivered. 8 hours is a conservative estimate of time of study and writing. I think Ashley, that is why most can immediately see the application when these are delivered. The most difficult thing, as you have found out, is when one does their own personal study of the Scriptures.

Something else that was shared with me several years back had a deep impact on my life. That was the fact that sermon preparation should not replace a personal time of devotion and study. So while it is true that a sermon should first speak to the heart of the one who will deliver it before it speaks to the hearts on the people, it cannot replace the individual spiritual needs of a pastor. Because of this fact, I like many of you, spend time each day seeking to make application to my life through the Bible.

I think one thing we need to see here is the difference between Bible study and a personal devotion. There are specific tools to be utilized for each of these. I would guess that 95% of people are more familiar with personal devotions than they would be with an in-depth Bible study. Devotions tend to be those times spent alone with God praying and looking into the Bible passage with the aid of a devotional guide. "My Utmost For His Highest," "Spurgeon's Morning and Evening," "Stream's In The Desert," and denominational daily guides are the types of tools we tend to use for this. We use these as teaching guides learning from life lessons and illustrations of others.

But there are those times that each of us wants to go deeper and do a more intense study. Does each passage I encounter jump right out and give instant meaning? Not hardly. Again one must utilize tools that will aid in the process. Ashley, you mentioned Micah. Old Testament passages usually give us the most difficulty. We are more familiar with New Testament passages that we have heard over the years and a few well versed Old Testament Scriptures. A good commentary is indeed useful. Add to this list a Bible Concordance, Bible Dictionary, Bible Encyclopedia, Bible Atlas, and you just about have a whole minister's library. Do you really need all of this? Actually, no. If you would really like to do an in-depth study of a particular book there again are a number of good study guides written by capable and well known theological teachers.

All that hot air (typical preacher) to say this Ashley, it's not that you are not wise enough to understand or discern, it's a matter of a close enough walk with God's Spirit to allow Him to guide you to the Scripture that will speak to you about your life's situations. It's knowing the right tools to use. It's asking the right questions in your time of study, "What did it mean to those who these words were presented to then, and what does it mean to me today?"

I hope this helps some

[Michael]

<Something else that was shared with me several years back had a deep impact on my life. That was the fact that sermon preparation should not replace a personal time of devotion and study. So while it is true that a sermon should first speak to the heart of the one who will deliver it before it speaks to the hearts on the people, it cannot replace the individual spiritual needs of a pastor. Because of this fact, I like many of you, spend time each day seeking to make application to my life through the Bible.>

You have a good point there. There's a difference between Bible Study and personal devotion.

Every week at my church, before the pastor reads the Word, he prays that God would help him and us to understand His Word. That's the key, like you said Rev, we can read the Bible, but unless the Spirit is working in us, it's in vain.

Wiggins: You should read God's word as much as possible. The Devil and the World would have you read commentaries (Commentaries are certainly excellent, but the Scripture comes first) rather than the Bible. Even (And especially) the remenant of sin in your heart will fight back at you. Only God can truely make you want to read his word.

[wiggins]

Actually, I think God's Spirit has pointed out to you just how unrealistic the vow you made to Him was. Humanity has a bad track record in making these vows to God and not keeping them. So how much scripture does God expect us to read each day? Personally, I believe just enough to impact one's life. This may be a chapter, it may be two. Or it may just be one short verse. It will vary day by day for everyone. To set limits on your Bible reading, in my opinon, is to set limits on God. I would bow before God and admit to Him your relization that what you have done is wrong. Commit to Him instead all the time He needs to speak to your heart from His word, however much that will be on any given day. Our God's love is unconditional. He is a God who forgives. Vows are serious and should be considered wisely before being made. He has taught you a very important lesson through this experience.

How do you know when it's enough to impact your life. Is it like when you read a scripture verse and go hey this applies or can apply to me in some question I've had?

[Rev. Doc]

How do you know when it's enough to impact your life. Is it like when you read a scripture verse and go hey this applies or can apply to me in some question I've had?

That's exactly right. God is not going to overload us to the point of discouragement. He wants to strengthen our faith as we read His Word and apply it. It can take a day or days sometimes for some Scriptures to really sink in. It's great to be able to say we are reading a lot from God's word. It's even greater to be able to say I've read it, I've applied it, and this is how it's changed my life and made a difference. It's only then that it will not only have an impact on your life, but you can utilized to have an impact on the lives of those around you as well.

[wiggins]

That's awesome, and it's what I want to do. I want to and will read until I find something that impacts me everyday, then try to apply it and change my life for the better, and perhaps also impact those around me and at the same time finish reading the whole Bible, but before I do that, do you think God will release me from my earlier promise and forgive me? ( I know the answer to this, and it is a silly question, but I just felt I needed to ask any way *maybe for confirmation and affirmations since I have such low self-esteem?*) As I said before I don't want God mad with me or for Him to not forgive me. I will also try to refrain from making promises I am not sure I can 100% keep with God from now on.

[Rev. Doc]

do you think God will release me from my earlier promise and forgive me?

I have absolutely no doubt that God will forgive you for this.

[wiggins]

Thanks Rev. Doc!

[Rev. Doc]

No problem. Always glad to help. Keep in mind that this is something that Satan would love to hit you over the head with in the future to cause discouragement and doubt. That last thing he wants you to do is to dig deeper into God's Word. But don't listen to the father of lies. Listen to the heartbeat of God that tells you, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Don't be discouraged. God loves you.

[EireWolf]

Hi Wiggins! I'm going to reply to your initial post w/o reading any responses first, so I apologize if I repeat anyone.

The Word says we are to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no"... and not to make vows beyond that. By making a vow that you are going to do this much of a certain activity every day, you are putting yourself in bondage. It's fine to endeavor to do something, but don't make yourself a slave to it. Christ came to set us free, not to impose more rules and restrictions on us.

I don't think God will hold you to a vow you made if that vow is now opressing you... However, you did make a vow to God, and you need to ask Him to release you from it and forgive you for making a foolish vow in the first place. That way you are not simply discarding a vow you made... which is not a good idea, for obvious reasons. (A vow, by nature, is pretty serious; if we treat our vows with contempt then our word is worthless.)

With that said... You will probably get more out of reading a little at a time, and digesting what you read, instead of speed-reading and trying to take in as much content as possible at one time. (Most people don't retain much that way.) Instead, read deliberately, praying as you go, and asking God to show you something new or speak to your spirit with this passage of Scripture.

"Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no, or you will be condemned." (James 5:12)

Alongside that one, remember this one: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." (Romans 8:15-16)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

That last one, I think, is most apropos to what I see happening here. Satan would love to make you a slave again, even if your slavery is to read the Bible a certain preset amount every day... he doesn't care, as long as it's holding you in bondage and guilt. Christ came to set us free... and He wants us to follow Him out of love, not fear.

*Edit: Okay, I just went back and read all the other posts, and Rev. Doc already did a really good job answering your question.