Books that have been given to me, books I've picked up really cheap, books that I've had good intentions of reading, but most I have to admit have not been cracked open...at least by me.
There used to be a time that I loved to read. I could finish a book in just a night or two, staying up until the late, late hours of the night. As a pre-teen/teenager some of my favorites which are considered antiques now were the Happy Hollisters, and the Hardy Boys. In fact I try to still collect them today. I have a number of them on my shelves which I plan to one day let my own children read when they get to be the appropriate ages...but words such as "keen" or "jalopy" don't really stick in their English vernacular right now.
I have books on church growth, counseling, grieving, commentaries, dictionaries, relationships, music, preaching, and other topics that are spread across my shelves.
There is one particular book though that I'm much more familiar with, and that is the Bible.
Whereas I haven't read most of the books on my shelves, the Bible specifically gives the instruction:
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8
There are many manuals and self-help books available today, and some people may memorize those, but those books only covered the particular topic that is being addressed. The Bible on the other hand, gives instructions in every part of our lives.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
I heard once that the Bible is an acronym that stands for "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth".
As helpful as other books might be, and as enjoyable as they might be to read, make sure that you are first and foremost planting yourself in the reading of God's Word.
For in that, and that alone you will have "good success".
