One of the best things I did to spiritually survive high school was read a chapter of Proverbs each day. I did that for one or two years when attending my local public school. Today, I encourage teenagers to read a chapter of Proverbs each day, as well. Proverbs can really instill the common sense needed for everyday life.
Survival Experts tell us to have “A Carry Kit.” There are also emergency carry kits called “Go Bags.” We may look at the emergency concept in a later edition. For now, what are you carrying with you every day? Do you have hand sanitizer? How about a pen or pencil? Most people have a phone and a set of keys. Others have wallets while some keep all their money on their phone (digital currency) or in their phone case, (credit cards and cash).
What are some other items you may carry? Band-aids? Nail clippers? Tissues? I carry what is considered an EDC knife. I do not feel prepared for a day in the office, in the woods, or on a trip – without my knife.
In the same way that I am not prepared for the day without my knife, the Christian is not prepared for the day without his/her Bible. The Bible is what keeps the faith and love growing in the Christian. The Scriptures help us to know God, and learn how to have salvation through the finished work of Christ. Every day read, so you will be ready.
The Psalmist indicates that we can carry the Bible around with us everywhere we go. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Here are several EDC helps in the relationship of the Word of God to your daily life.
Carry a Bible with you in your hand or in your heart. Print editions, digital editions on phones and tablets, audio mp3’s on the phone or disk, coins with scripture stamped on them, and even rings with God’s word in fine print wrapped around your finger. The best and most enduring place to carry the Scriptures is in your head. That’s right, the more we read and study and purpose to learn the Bible, the more we can memorize it, hiding or keeping it in our hearts.
Read the Bible You Have. More important than what Bible you use is actually using your Bible! Read the Bible you have. Avoid the unnecessary debate about preferred Bible translations. Some people only “know about the Bible” when they really need to read and understand the Bible itself.
There are Study Bibles, Reference Bibles, and even Paragraph Bibles. I prefer the Ryrie Study Bible from Moody for study and I am presently enjoying reading a Cambridge Clarion which is a paragraph Bible. Holman, Thomas Nelson, Tyndale, Cambridge, Humble Lamb, and Schuyler all offer wonderful copies of Scripture. Our church Bookstore can help you choose a Bible if you are looking for one. See the links below if you want to order a Bible from Amazon.
Learn to Study the Bible. Much of what people believe is not even in the Bible. They heard a convincing orator or preacher say something that sounded good but may or may not be in the Bible itself. Learn what the Bible really says. Knowing the background of a Bible book and the contextual setting in history will help a lot. We do not speak or think like the average person did 400 years ago or 2000 years ago. I find a lot of clarity in learning the original languages and knowing what has changed in the last 400 and 2000 years by way of definitions, phrases, and word usage. For example, “Corn” like we enjoy in North America was not known by the Bible writers. Corn was developed in North and South America from a grain called “maize.” It was not known to English-speaking people until AD 1492 when Columbus… well you know the song and the story. When the Pharisees criticized the disciples in Luke 6 (the year would have been around AD 33), the disciples were eating what we know of as either wheat or barley. Learning to study the Bible helps us to know what the Lord is actually saying!
One more thing, learn to CROSS-REFERENCE. The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself.
Participate in Bible Classes. In our church, we have Bible study in small groups that we call “Scatter Groups.” We also have AWANA for youth. These are discipleship and spiritual formation activities that will help you know the WORD. and the Lord of the WORD.
Hear Bible preaching faithfully each Sunday with your local church. When our church gathers, we equip and encourage one another with the Scriptures. Your church needs you and you need the Bible preaching and teaching that occurs when gathered.
Learning to apply the Bible to your daily life is a spiritual thriving skill! Make the words of the Bible real to you. Practical. Applicable. Great doctrines are terrific, but unless they affect daily life, they will not help your spiritual survival. Creeds and “life verses” can be OK, but if they do not guide your decisions then you are not letting the Bible help your SOUL THRIVE. Every Day, Carry the Bible in your heart or in your hand reading it into your soul! Faithful Bible reading will help the Christian thrive. Reading the Bible every day will help you be ready for the day!
Here are some Bibles I use or recommend:
Clarion Bible: https://amzn.to/3lnN1Za
Ryrie Study Bible: https://amzn.to/3MyK3Ny
Life Application Study Bible: https://amzn.to/3MEaQaU
Preaching Bible: https://amzn.to/3sF7xIz
Sovereign Collection: https://amzn.to/3yQcvXb
McClaren Edition: https://amzn.to/3PrColL
EDC Christian 