Is it a fair statement to say that we cannot grow more Christlike if we don’t remain in the Word of God?
Starting January 2, I began a challenge to read the Bible in 90 days. I felt the leading to do this but soon realized I could be in over my head….
Instead of stopping all together when life throws more at me than I can handle, I thought, “Why not LISTEN to the Bible?” I can’t just give up and let the evil one win!
I am a practical person, so when to do it became obvious pretty quickly. If you run a traditional home like I do, you will need and want to do cooking and cleaning to make it a pleasant place, so the two can dovetail even if you homeschool like I did.
The work goes by faster, and I don’t mind the repetitive work nearly so much! I can feed my spirit and listen 20-30 or more minutes a day very easily. I don’t need to plan a thing, just start where I left off. To me, listening in chunks gives better context and you can get very familiar with the whole scope of each book this way.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ~Rom. 10:17
I started out listening to streaming audio at Faith Comes By Hearing online which offers both Old and New Testament Bible (dramatized) for MP3 download in many languages. Soon I began to use my iPod which I can listen to with earbuds.
Another easier format for many is http://www.bible.is/
Listening to the Bible While Cleaning? Hmm…
While I listen, I’m active.
I like it clean, so I wipe down my stove and counters… wash and fold the laundry… Just know, I DON’T do this all in one day!
I spread it out over the weeks and I really get so much done in what seems like a shorter time.
I wash the fronts of my cabinets… wash the dishes or load the dishwasher…
I can mop the floor… water my plants… and clean out and wipe out the kitchen cabinets.
The list of (potentially quiet) things we do as moms and homemakers is endless:
- cleaning closets
- dusting
- cooking and baking
- laundry (now that’s a big one)
- stripping and making beds
- washing fingerprints on windows
- ordering the pantry
- putting away groceries
I could never do all these things in one week, but broken down over many weeks, it becomes doable.
So why not listen to the Bible and get our work done? Why not stay in the Bible all year round?
This NLJV electronic Bible has been long lasting, and when it did break, I contacted the company, and they sent us out a new one free of charge!
Of course, there are apps like Dwell (you can choose the voice, translation and background music), YouVersion and YouVersion for children which I use and love. Also, check out the Bible recap on YouTube. You can get a great summary of chapters in the Bible; good to listen to before it after you read/ listen to that verse..
A Tip For Putting Your Children to Sleep
From Betsie Z: “When our children were little, we would put them to bed with the Bible on CD. When finished, it would then automatically shut off. Since we started at 3 or 4 years old until they were in high school, my children have listened through the Bible multiple times and the word of God was the last thing they heard before going to sleep. I truly believe that was one of the greatest blessings they had growing up.”
Benefits Besides Cleaning
And an added benefit, is that young children will often listen along (use the speakers on your iPod) if you teach them to play quietly for short, measured amounts of time. It is worth the effort and will pay big dividends for them and you.
It is a gift to worship at the feet of the Savior right where our work means the most – in the home where we nurture and minister to those in our care. My desire is to be sweeter spirited, model my love for the Word to my family, and practice intentional diligence.
*****If things happen to keep us from completing our plans to read the Bible or if we have to stop for a time, don’t feel guilty or throw in the towel. We are under grace! Pick up and start again.******
Would you consider coming alongside me in this Bible listening challenge?
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father..” ~Col 3: 17
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