"Read your Bible consistently, diligently and frequently, or you will be deceived"
The good news is: when you repent of your sins, believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of God the Son Jesus Christ, and you are consciously baptized in water, then you receive salvation (deliverance, healing, well-being, eternal life). It seals believers with the Holy Spirit. Jesus can and will take away your burdens, your diseases, your sicknesses, your worries, and yes, even death, if you let Him.
Where To Start Reading The Bible
Below is a list of books that are the best place to start reading the Bible if you haven't read much of the Bible or just interested in learning about it. If you read these books it will give you a good idea of what God has done for you and how you should respond.
1. John
John's Gospel focuses on who Jesus is and what he's done for us. It's full of fascinating stories and unique interactions Jesus had with people. John spends much of his time talking about Jesus' identity and the implication this holds for us today. It's a powerful Gospel and it's the perfect Gospel to start with if you are picking up the Bible for the first time. This book will give you a solid foundation and understanding of the life and work of Jesus. The whole Bible centers around Jesus. So before you read any other book of the Bible you should get a solid understanding of who Jesus is.
2. James
While the Gospels tell us about Jesus and what he has done, much of the rest of the New Testament focuses on how followers of Jesus should live in light of what Jesus has done. While the Gospels are the best place to start if you are wondering where to start reading the Bible, James is a great book to read right after. James highlights the necessity for followers of Jesus to act in accordance with their faith. Being a Christian isn't something you believe in, it's a person you follow. James challenges believers to make sure what they believe aligns with how they are living. This is one of the most practical and challenging books in the Bible. It's a book that followers of Jesus should continue to go back to time and time again.
3. Proverbs
Proverbs is a book of wisdom for our day to day life. It's a great place to start to gain practical direction in your life and faith. The style of writing in the book of Proverbs makes it easy to read and understand. Since there are 30 chapters in the book, many commit to reading a chapter a day for a month.
4. Romans
The Apostle Paul wrote many letters to early churches that are now books of the Bible. These letters center around living in light of the resurrection. Each letter has a unique take based on what the church was facing. The book of Romans was written to the church in Rome and is one of the most theologically deep letters Paul wrote. It's a great book to read after you've read a Gospel as it will give you a great foundation of how to live in light of Jesus' resurrection.
5. Psalms
What's incredible about the Psalms is that there is a Psalm for whatever you are facing. If you are happy, sad, discouraged, hopeless, lost, or anything else, there's a Psalm for you. You can read straight through the book of Psalms or you can simply read a few chapters based off what you are feeling. What is incredible about this book is that it can help you express your feelings and turn your thoughts to God. This is a great book to turn to regularly to relate to and find comfort.
Which translation of the Bible should I choose when buying a Bible?
The Bible's original texts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament), languages most people don't read today. Choosing the right translation and version is crucial because translations and versions vary in accuracy, readability, and purpose. A good translation and version stays true to the original meaning while being clear to modern readers. For beginners, the ESV (English Standard Version) is easy to read yet accurate, making it a great starting point. For deeper study, the NET, Full-notes Edition (New English Translation) includes detailed notes explaining translation choices, helping you understand the text's nuances. Picking the right translation and version ensures you're getting as close as possible to the original message without knowing Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek. The NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition is designed to enhance spiritual growth, deepen biblical understanding, and equip Christians, particularly those interested in Spirit-filled living, with tools for study and practical application.
The way I do it to get as close as possible to the original goes like this. I prefer to study a physical book with large print instead of an online book. To read my Bible daily, I use a Bible translation in my native language with a version that is easy for me to read. I don't know which translation and version that will be for you, you will have to try it out. If I need more clarification or depth, I turn to the ESV (English Standard Version) and the NET, Full-notes Edition (New English Translation) both in English, and at the same time I also check it with the NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition (New King James Version) also in English. But most importantly, I trust in the Holy Spirit to lead me to the truth. When you search for the truth, the truth will find you. We are likely to stumble along the way, but the Holy Spirit is always there to raise us up, He is there to guide us, to teach us, and He loves us so much.
