Several years ago I used to have gripping nightmares. The type where "someone" or "something" evil was after me. It always seemed SO real. I felt like the air was getting sucked out of the room and my heart was being crushed. In my dream, I would always be trying to say "Jesus".
I would eventually get it out, and it would wake me up from the nightmare.
Interestingly enough, these dreams started right before I started Bible College.
Before that point, I had read the Bible, but not seriously. I had prayed to God, but not very often really. I simply relied on what I "heard" in church. I didn't understand much beyond the fact that I knew Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that there were three parts to God...God the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. But, that's it.
Seriously....I thought the book of Job was "Job", a place to work. I didn't even know some of the books of the bible were IN there. It was all new to me.
As I started READING the Bible daily in Bible school and then studying it, a few things would pop out at me that I never saw before. I learned a few things. First off, I had the ability to resist the devil and he HAD to flee from me. (James 4:7)
I learned that by reading the Bible, I was renewing my mind. (Romans 12:2) The more GOOD I put into it....there seemed to be less and less space for the BAD. Its like it "pushed it all out". Pretty soon, the nightmares stopped. Since that time, I have never had dreams like that again actually.
Also, by reading the Gospels...Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.... I learned who God was. For the first time, I saw that He was LOVE. Not the guy with the anvil just waiting to drop it on my head when I would inevitably screw up. That He does correct and teach us, but in LOVE. Just as a parent does with their child.
So, my answer is.............YES! It is very, very important to read the Bible for yourself DAILY. Even every morning and every night. Put scriptures on Post It notes and stick them to your dashboard in your car, put one in your wallet, inside your closet door, on your fridge.
The world is getting darker and darker....so keep the source of LIGHT close to you at all times. It is our armor, our shield and our defense. With God, all things are possible. When He is for us, no one can stand against us and prevail.
We got to cheat and read the end of our story. You know, the part where it says WE WIN.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If this has blessed you today, please pass it on. Thanks.