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A Response to the Complaint: “I Don’t Think Reading the Bible Is Accomplishing What You Wanted It To!”

by | 76 comments

KEEP READING

Thousands of people have joined in reading through the Bible during the 40 Days of Lent this year. People have invited their small groups, friends, spouses, neighbors, and co-workers to join in. Some don’t even believe in God.

I recently heard from one woman who invited a co-worker who isn’t a Christian to join her in reading the Bible through Lent.

After the first week she announced, “There are some really rotten people in the Bible. Noah gets drunk and can’t keep his pants on. Jacob is a liar and a cheat. Joseph’s brothers are a band of meanies. I thought I was going to be reading a book about Christians.”

The woman encouraged her friend to keep reading.

After the second week’s reading, the co-worker announced, “I don’t think reading the Bible is accomplishing what you wanted it to.”

“How so?” the woman asked.

“Well, I don’t really like God. He seems mean and gets angry a lot and kills a lot of people. Do you know what this book really needs?”

“What?” the woman asked.

“A hero. This book needs someone to come along and save the day and make God not so angry all the time.”

The woman smiled.

“Keep reading,” she encouraged. “The hero is coming.” [Tweet this]

As you read the Bible this Lent in preparation for Easter, continue to pray that God would open your ears and eyes and hearts as you read—as well as for all those who are diving into God’s great big story for the first time.

How has God been opening your eyes and heart during the 40 Days of Lent?

76 Comments

  1. Tina
    Tina on February 28, 2013 at 5:23 am

    Good morning,
    This is really good!! In participating in this journey what I have seen is how this amazing story starts and each chapter flows right into the next to deeply unfold the depth and life of each important character who paves the way for the coming MESSIAH-JESUS!
    Each day opens up more and more and I enjoying the adventure!

    Many blessings, happy reading,
    Tina

  2. Cheryl Kennedy
    Cheryl Kennedy on February 28, 2013 at 6:51 am

    Great story about a GREAT STORY!

  3. Elisa
    Elisa on February 28, 2013 at 6:52 am

    This has coincided with a particularly rough time at work. It’s very easy for me to spend all my time fussing about it. But when I put in the earbuds and follow along, my mind becomes engaged in the Word. It has become my refuge. I’m finally looking forward to my time in the Word.

  4. Margaret Feinberg
    Margaret Feinberg on February 28, 2013 at 7:41 am

    Tina, what a great observation! Thank you for sharing how God is revealing himself to you during this time of Lent!

  6. Margaret Feinberg
    Margaret Feinberg on February 28, 2013 at 7:42 am

    Elisa, so thrilled that God is working in you during The 40 Day Bible Challenge!

  7. Reba
    Reba on February 28, 2013 at 7:56 am

    I am glad not to miss the reminder of God’s faithfulness no matter my circumstance. “Wonderful” to hold on to He is God & God alone. Reading this fast is helping me b expectant of “I can’t wait to c God come through in situation.”

  8. Margaret
    Margaret on February 28, 2013 at 8:18 am

    Reba- Amen! Amen! Amen!

  9. Tara Johnson
    Tara Johnson on February 28, 2013 at 8:40 am

    I am ‘still’ behind but GOD has proven to be faithful in so much! Speaking to me about totally different issues but still drawing me closer to HIS heart! 🙂

    Last night I was aching and really feeling sick! I asked my FB friends to pray and took some ‘help you not get sick’ meds! This morning (after going to bed VERY late) I woke up EARLY and felt SO much better! I started to roll over to go back to sleep and felt that still, small voice say, “If I have healed you, can’t you give me some time?”

    I started reading and was again… blessed by his word!

    Thank you so much for this wonderful challenge!

  10. Will Johnston
    Will Johnston on February 28, 2013 at 9:19 am

    “There are some really rotten people in the Bible. Noah gets drunk and can’t keep his pants on. Jacob is a liar and a cheat. Joseph’s brothers are a band of meanies. I thought I was going to be reading a book about Christians.”

    So in other words it is about Christians?

    I jest… I jest… it was just too good an opportunity to pass up 🙂

  11. Margaret
    Margaret on February 28, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Tara, so glad you are feeling better! Amazing how he answers prayers!

  12. Chelsea
    Chelsea on February 28, 2013 at 10:25 am

    As you know, I’m very behind in my Bible reading, but didn’t want to give it up completly, so I picked up Karyn Henley’s “God’s Story” Bible book. It’s actually written for children, but it goes chronologically through the Bible, in easy to understand words (and skipping genealogies, ect.). I hope it’s not “cheating”, and I may go back to the regular Bible once I get caught back up. It’s just difficult sometimes, because, still being a full time student, after I’ve been at my desk reading and doing work all day, the last thing I feel like doing when I’m home is sitting in my room at my desk and reading more the rest of the night. Honestly, I feel like watching TV (; lol But, NOT GIVING UP!!!

  13. Shelly Miller
    Shelly Miller on February 28, 2013 at 11:15 am

    This is absolutely the best thing I’ve read all day. Love it! And I’m teary laughing. Of course, we need someone to save us. Can’t wait until she meets the hero.

  14. Laurie Coombs
    Laurie Coombs on February 28, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    First of all, I’d like to thank you for organizing this endeavor, Margaret. I don’t think I would have chosen to read the bible like this on my own, but it has been such a blessing! I absolutely love God’s word! And I just love the account of the woman you wrote about in this post. What an amazing response!

    What’s been standing out to me throughout my reading is that we need to seek God in and through ALL things, big and little. Scripture is so clear. When Israel sought the Lord, followed Him, and obeyed His commands, they prospered. When they didn’t, it ultimately led to their own demise.

    It makes me desperate to seek His will, wait for the Lord, and follow hard after Jesus!!

    Thanks, Margaret!

  15. Ivymamma
    Ivymamma on February 28, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    I once had a woman say she really liked Jesus, but didn’t like God. Being raised in the church, I had never thought of them as separate – it was an interesting perspective to keep in mind. Sometimes it is easy to fall into my Christian bubble and make assumptions.

  17. Margaret Feinberg
    Margaret Feinberg on February 28, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Chelsea, that sounds like a great resource!

  18. Margaret Feinberg
    Margaret Feinberg on February 28, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Shelly, isn’t it great! I see so much hope in this story!

  19. Margaret Feinberg
    Margaret Feinberg on February 28, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Laurie, love seeing what God has been revealing to you!

  20. Margaret Feinberg
    Margaret Feinberg on February 28, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Very good point! It’s good to step back and look in through an outsiders perspective sometimes. We can learn a lot from outside our own “bubble.:

  21. Arcelia
    Arcelia on February 28, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    I look forward to hearing part II of this post after she finishes the 66th book! I’m praying for God to open her mind to understand the Scriptures and for the washing and regeneration of His Spirit on her co-worker as He washes her with His Word….how awesome she’s joined in!

    I’ve been born again only 4 years and I read SLOWLY, it’s taken me one year to read Isaiah because I meditate and study and marinate. I didn’t know if i could do this and i prayed about joining and I see why God has brought me here…I really am learning so much so quickly. My head sometimes is bursting with my heart–how faithful and loving and patient God is. Also, my goal of reading these 40 days has taken other things away that I didn’t chose to take away but it’s just happened as I spend more time in His Word. I even lost 2lbs! My 7 year old came up to me and said, ‘So Mama, you really are in the Bible a lot aren’t you?’ {this of course is during my ‘free’ time when he used to say that about other things (like the computer, iPhone, iPad) lol

    Thank you.

  22. Margaret
    Margaret on March 1, 2013 at 10:28 am

    Arcelia, I’m excited to hear what happens next also! So thrilled God is revealing himself to you and you are learning so much during this 40 Day Bible Reading Challenge!

  23. Joe Wickman
    Joe Wickman on March 1, 2013 at 11:30 am

    That’s pretty funny.
    I’m just impressed that this woman made it as far as she did! I am eager to hear the follow-up as she discovers how the Hero steps in.

  24. Sue Bidstrup
    Sue Bidstrup on March 1, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    I LOVE THIS STORY!! This story needs a hero! YES and HE is coming!!! AMEN! Thank you for sharing!

  25. Margaret
    Margaret on March 1, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Joe, I am too!

  26. Margaret
    Margaret on March 1, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Sue, amen indeed!

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