Day 9: Reading His Word
I
LOVE to read!!! We have moved quite a
few times and the one constant in our moving is the increase in books. Even when we have a 6-month rental for the
baseball season I tend to have a box of books to bring home. The bookcases in my house definitely
outnumber any other pieces of furniture.
When I think about reading my Bible I am
not as committed as I am a book of fiction.
Again, just being honest! So I
have to ask myself why?
My hubby reads his Bible every day. He is on the eighth straight year of reading
the Bible from cover to cover. How? How can he find the time in his busy
schedule? When does he find time? I asked him and in his relaxed, calm manner
replied with, “Discipline”.
As I thought about his one word response
I wanted to say it can’t be that easy, but it is. There are so many things we can fill our time
with, television, the internet, writing, talking, reading a nonfiction book and
on and on. It takes discipline to do
something on a consistent basis and we spend so much time doing the same things
over and over that has no benefit to us other than fulfilling our desires. Nothing that is beneficial is easy to
do. Reading our Bibles should be easy to
do, but I don’t always find it to be. I
have to be disciplined to open the pages and read. There I find my hope.
“For everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the
Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15: 4
When I discipline myself to read I am filled
with such amazing desire to continue. His
Word comes alive. Passages that I have
read become new and fresh, they jump out at me in a new way. Without this connection to the Lord how can I
truly seek the Immeasurably more He has for me? When I am reading His Word
daily I find my thoughts and my life more balanced.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on
my path.” Psalm 119: 105
I need
to spend time in His Word to understand and connect with Him better while
becoming closer to Him and His ways. The
discipline of reading the Bible is not to check off on a list of things we do
but to connect to our heavenly Father and seek the immeasurably more He has for
us!
So so true! When I make time to read, I'm always left wanting more.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of Keith Ferrin? I've really enjoyed his teaching on relationally reading the Bible, and I think you may too.
Blessings on your 31 days!
Thank you! I do not know Keith Ferrin but will look him up!!!
DeleteYour husband is right: discipline is the key! I've read through the Bible several times, but now spend time on specific studies. This year I'm memorizing a verse a week from the book of John and studying that verse for the week. LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteGreat discipline to focus on one scripture a week!!! Thanks for reading my blog! Blessings
DeleteYour husband is right: discipline is the key! I've read through the Bible several times, but now spend time on specific studies. This year I'm memorizing a verse a week from the book of John and studying that verse for the week. LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteFellow book addict who is struggling with to be disciplined as well. Daily devotionals like Jesus Calling have kept me focused on scripture, but I have trouble reading the bible straight through. I love to focus on a single topic and read every scripture related to it. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
DeleteI can so relate to this post. I often find myself devouring a novel while my Bible sits neglected... and then once I start digging into His Word I want to keep going. Discipline... what is that? Definitely something I need to develop.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your thoughts...
Work on discipline every day....well most at least! Thanks for reading!
Delete