The Bible and Worship

This may seem strange, but the Bible isn't to be worshipped. It is a tool to help us worship. Some commit what has been termed bible-alatry (a termed coined to communicate the sometimes unhealthy focus on a particular interpretation of the Bible) and worship what they think the Bible says instead of actually doing what the Bible really says. I have an aunt who used to tell me that you should never place anything on top of a Bible - not even another Bible! While I am all about honoring God's Word and giving due reverence to the Word of God, I have to say that I think there is a disconnect.

The Bible is God's Word. I believe it is without error and is profitable for our instruction and correction and is the self-disclosure of God to us. It should be read, memorized, studied, shared, distributed and whatever else is within the parameter of getting it out to people and then in to people. This is the disconnect. Most Christian people have Bibles and most do NOT read them. In reading the Bible, a reader comes face to face with the Author of the Bible. The reader learns about Him and comes to understand the love He has for creation and, in particular, humanity. It is in the Bible that we get the clearest picture of God and His plan for us. When we gather to meet with the Lord or when we set a time to meet with Him personally, you had better beleive that your worship experience will be much more meaningful and powerful if you come to it having been informed about the God you worship. One of the criticisms we see in the New Testament about the religious people is that they had zeal without knowledge. Isn't it a shame that we all we have learned and particularly all that we have revealed to us in the Bible, religious people can still be criticized for having zeal without knowledge? Have you read your Bible, today?