After struggling to read the Bible regularly himself, Brian Hardin, in his book, Passages, is given an insight from the Lord to start the Daily Audio Bible. This was not his desire at the beginning. In fact, he determined not to be involved with ministry from early on as a preacher’s kid. He, instead, immersed himself in the record industry for ten years.
After extreme exhaustion from long hard days of work and little time for his family, God got his attention and whispered in his ear about podcasting the Bible on the internet, starting January 1, 2006. Little did he know the blessings and peace that would come from his obedience and the ministry that would open up to the world.
Brian’s book is packed with testimonies, wisdom and insight into the blessings of reading and obeying the Word. He’s quick to let anyone know it’s not hocus pocus magic, but a real relationship with God. With all honesty, he can say that everything in your life will change in ways you never imagined if you read the Word daily. He doesn’t suggest that life will magically be perfect, but you will have peace and hope in your life.
A verse that sticks out in my mind that he includes about all Scripture is that it’s:
for gaining wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. Proverbs 1:2-4 Also see 2 Timothy 3:16.
Brian lists the four steps of Lectio Divina: Divine Reading, which is a tried and true method of hearing from the Lord:
Lectio: Read
Meditatio: Meditate
Oratio: Speak or Pray
Contemplatio: Contemplate or Rest
Brian also talks about the power of the spoken Word. After reading about the spoken word as enumerated in the Scriptures, it’s taken on a whole new meaning for me. (Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Roman 10:17) We have gotten used to the printed word, which the lay people didn’t have for thousands of years, and tend to read it quietly by ourselves. I agree that there is power in the spoken Word as demonstrated by the Lord throughout the Bible, though reading it alone isn’t wrong. But there is much to gain from community reading and studying.
Brian also gives practical wisdom in taking the time to read, study and obey the word, with an emphasis on community for accountability. He gives you guidelines in getting started in the epilogue section. They are practical and vital for spiritual growth.
Included in the back are three different Bible reading plans:
The Daily Audio bible Reading plan that includes Old and New testament reading.
The Chronological Bible in a Year where you follow the timeline of how events occurred.
The Historical Bible in a Year, reading the books in the order that they were inspired.
This is one dynamite book to open your eyes to the wealth of blessings when you read the Bible regularly. There are more practical and spiritual insights in this book that cannot be enumerated in my review, but have touched my heart. This is a book you will not want to pass up!
As his book states: “Welcome to the adventure. 365 days in a row through the Bible in community. No apologies. No turning back.” Check out his site here for more information and to get involved.
This book was provided by Amy Lathrop of Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.