Faith in Action: Reading the Bible

Tickled pink.  That’s how I feel about this post.

I have a focused aim as we cover each of the five faith-building practices in this Back 2 Basics series: Share the how and why behind each of the disciplines on Tuesday, then follow up on Thursday with testimonies from real people who are living out the practices. We’ll learn personal stories of struggle and celebration as new habits were established. We’ll hear about God-given passions to encourage others to model similar behavior and receive God’s best in the process.

I believe we’re encouraged by seeing faith in action. It’s one thing to read about what we “should” do, and another to receive inspiration, and motivation from those who have established the disciplines. From those in the trenches - those actually doing the hard work. (Yes, I said hard. Faith building is in no way a life of ease).

Today, I have the privilege of sharing the personal testimony of a new friend of mine. Her name is Lisa Morris and the instant you read her bio, I’m sure you’ll see why we connected. (Just in case you don’t yet know me well enough to see it… We both love the Lord and His Word, we’re wives of law enforcement officers, and we each write women’s Bible studies, teach, and blog).  You could say we have a few things in common. J

Last month, our church’s women’s group went through Lisa’s study on Titus and came away blessed and enriched. Her dedication to the Bible and her desire to walk in conformity to its teachings were immediately apparent as we studied under her teaching. AND, the study is free. How generous is that?

Following is an email conversation between Lisa and me as we discussed the practice of daily time in God’s Word. If you’d like to read the original post on this topic, click here.

Stand by to receive a blessing as Lisa shares her heart.

Me:       Can you describe your routine of spending daily time with God in His Word?

Lisa:     I start my study in prayer and I continue to pray as I walk through my verses for the day.  I try to spend about an hour or two hours a day in Bible study. I read through the book I am studying every day if the book is small. If the book is large like Romans, I write out a reading schedule to read the book through in a week.  For example, right now I am studying through the book of 1 Peter. It’s a small book, only five chapters. I do my best to read it every day. Reading the text through on a daily basis helps keep the context of the book in my mind as I study. I study through an entire book before moving on to another. I use a notebook and write out the verses I am studying for the day. After I write the verses, I cross reference with other Scriptures and do word studies on any word that I need the meaning of. I do not have a set amount of verses I study in a day. One day I might study through 10 verses. On another day it might only be two to three verses. It depends on the text and whether or not I understand what is being taught.

One other thing I do is to go through the book I am studying and record everything I learn about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I write this out in the same notebook I use for writing out the verses and word studies.

Me:  When did you establish a solid habit of reading and studying the Word?

Lisa:  I established this study habit about nine years ago. The Lord placed a great desire in my heart to write and lead Bible studies. This way of study for me not only deepens my faith but helps me in writing my studies so other women can grow in their faith.

Me:  What’s the biggest blessing you feel it adds to your daily walk with Christ?

Lisa:  The biggest blessing I receive from this ay of study is learning what the Word teaches me about the Godhead. By focusing my attention on what the text teaches about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I learn who my heavenly Father is, what He has done for me through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in my salvation. I believe without basic truths about the work of the Trinity in our salvation we will struggle in our Christian walk.

Me:  What one thing has most profoundly helped you develop this spiritual discipline?

Lisa: I would say without a doubt prayer is the one thing that has helped me develop this spiritual discipline. On my own I would fail. Going to God in prayer before during and after my studies helps keep me focused and accountable to Him for my growth.

Me:  What do you notice about days when you don’t spend this time with God?

Lisa:  I am so thankful you asked this question. So often we can read about someone else’s habit in study and become very discouraged thinking they have it all together and never miss a day in the Word! We can heap guilt upon ourselves for missing a day here and there. I do not know about you but life happens. My best plans are often interrupted. Yes, I miss days in the Word. When I do miss time in the Word I feel lost and my day does not feel the same. I have missed time with the most important person there is in my life. I am learning to give myself grace when life happens to me. I hope you give yourself some grace as well when you miss some time in the Word. Do not give yourself too much grace, though, Bible Study and prayer are very important disciplines in our Christian walk. J

Me:  Why would you encourage others to dig into God’s Word every day?

Lisa:  I would encourage others to dig deep into God’s Word to know Him and learn to enjoy Him forever. Our main goal, if I may say it that way, is to know God and to understand how we are to live as aliens and strangers in a world that is not our home. Without being in the Word we will not know how to live a life pleasing to Him. There is much false teaching today! If you and I are not studying the real truth we will be ill-equipped to know the schemes of the devil and the God spoken Truth.

2 Peter 1:3 teaches us that God’s “divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

Be in the Word! It is sufficient for life and godliness.  Thank you, Cathy, for this opportunity. Thank you for your heart to encourage and equip women with the truth of God’s Word and to point them to the only truth we have!

Hi, my name is Lisa. I am a born-again child of God, a police officer’s wife, and a mom to 3 amazing kids. I am a Bible study writer, teacher, and blogger. My desire is to encourage and equip you by offering Bible studies and articles that help you grow in your relationship with Christ.

To visit Lisa's blog or view her Bible studies, click here. 

Your Turn:

What do you find inspirational about Lisa’s story?  Is there something here that motivates you to action?

What one thing can you learn from Lisa and begin to implement today? Remember, she didn’t study for hours the first time she picked up a Bible. She grew into the habit.  Can you identify a starting point for developing a habit of time in the Word for yourself?

Lisa and I would both be encouraged by your comments and conversation. Join the discussion with the Strengthened by the Word Ministries Facebook page or on Twitter. Cathy’s Twitter: @cathymcintosh33  Lisa’s Twitter: @LisaMorris3703.  You can also leave a comment below.

Next week, we’ll delve into the importance of prayer in your spiritual walk. Meet me right back here and we’ll dig in together.

Be Strengthened Today by His Word,

Psalm 119:28

Cathy

Part One: Daily Time in God's Word (Back 2 Basics Series)

Welcome back! I thought I might have lost you yesterday when I typed that “self-discipline” term into the blog. As I provided the overview to our January blog series, I emphasized our keyword for the month, which is “simple.” We’ve agreed not to over complicate or over-intellectualize the process of five faith-building practices that we’ll examine:

·       Daily Time in God’s Word

·       Prayer

·       Worship

·       Fasting

·       Scripture Memory

Today we launch the series with an emphasis on daily time in God’s Word. We’ll look closely at the how and why of this spiritual discipline with the aim of establishing it as a personal routine.

Why Spend Daily Time in the Bible?

In order to develop strong habits, one of the most important questions we should ask ourselves before beginning is, “Why am I doing this?” As we make progress toward developing a new habit, we need to know that the day when we’ll lose our desire to continue is not far away. In fact, it may be tomorrow . . . or even today. Knowing the why behind our actions is highly motivating and can keep us going on those tough days.  Let’s look at a few reasons why reading the Bible is a beneficial practice:

To Love God.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re commanded to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Darby Dugger recently said in her blog (actually, she quoted her oldest old daughter), “You can’t love someone you don’t know much about.” Darby went on to say, “Her comment was insightful and convicting. There is so much about the Lord I’m still learning and must remain hungry to know Him more.”  Amen. I couldn’t agree more.  (Read the context of Darby’s quote here). The more we read the Word of God, the more we discover the character and nature of the Lord of the universe. The more we learn about Him, the more capacity we have to love Him – and even delight in Him - as the Bible instructs.

It’s Foundational.

                  Reading the Word of God is a foundational practice that affects every part of our spiritual walk. As we hide His Word in our hearts, it bolsters our self-control and our desire to honor Him with our thoughts and actions. We begin to pray differently (and more effectively), worship with stronger conviction, witness to others with greater compassion, and follow God with purpose and passion.    

It Provides Focus.

                  When the Word of God begins to penetrate our hearts (and it will with consistent reading), our thoughts and focus begin to shift. Rather than finding ourselves consumed by the difficulty of a specific trial that we’re facing, we begin to turn our focus and gaze upon God, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. It becomes easier to see how big God is, especially as we compare His love and compassion to our daily situations.

And More!

                  If you’d like to read a few hundred more reasons why time in God’s Word is a worthy habit to form, take a few days and read Psalm 119. Prepare to be motivated. God’s Word is alive and active. It was not just written, it was breathed by the Creator, and He provides it to us as an act of love. Let’s not neglect such a priceless gift.

I can almost hear your groans. Believe me, I’ve groaned too at the thought of starting the habit of daily Bible reading. The “why’s” that are listed above are motivating and encouraging, but when I look at my calendar I wonder, “how in the world will I ever accomplish it?”

Remember, we’re focusing on simple. We’re developing a “can do” attitude here. We’re beginning habits that will bless every part of our lives, which is worth any struggle that comes. So stick with me as we look at some very practical ways to get started and develop a routine.

How to Spend Daily Time in the Bible:

                 

Just do it!

                  Pick up your Bible and read a little. Every day. Enough said.

Make a Plan. Work Your Plan.

                  My personal preference is to spend time in the Word every morning. It helps start my day with purpose and meaning and directs my thoughts for the day. Like you, however, my morning routine doesn’t provide much margin and I struggle to squeak out a few minutes to read.

                  One of the most helpful routine adjustments was to begin preparing for my morning before I went to bed. I thought through what I’d wear the next day and made sure it was available and ready. I used the timer on my coffee maker and made it the night before. I prepared breakfast ingredients so they’d be easy to grab and go. With just a little planning, I found several extra minutes in my morning. You can too.

                  As I began to develop the habit and started to enjoy the process, I found it was easy to get up a few minutes earlier each day. Honestly, if I’d started with getting up earlier, it wouldn’t have gone well. I’m not a morning person and needed to find joy in my time with God before I valued it enough to sacrifice pillow time. That’s not my most “Christian” attitude, I know, but it’s the truth. Remember, we’re giving ourselves grace in this process. 

                  Make a plan that will work for you and your family and then work the plan. Small, simple steps are key.

When the Bible is Hard to Understand                

                  Jebusites. Agagites. Propitiation. What language are we reading anyway?  Sometimes the Bible can feel tricky to comprehend. Again, let’s give ourselves grace.  I keep a dictionary app and a Strong concordance app (both are free versions) on my phone and I look up words that I don’t understand. There’s no shame in that.

                  Ultimately, it’s the Holy Spirit whom we rely on for guidance and understanding. Each time we sit down to read, we should first ask Him to provide wisdom. He’ll reveal the meaning and application in due time. If we’re stuck, it’s okay to skip the hard parts and keep going. Someday, when God’s timing is right, He’ll shine light and provide insight to challenging passages. Until then, grab on to the obvious and celebrate the understanding that does come.

                  Let’s also remember that the Bible is one long chronology of historical events. It’s kind of like a novel, except that all of the events are true. Think of it like this: If you were watching a Star Wars movie for the first time, you wouldn’t recognize or understand the names of planets and galaxies. Unless you’re a historian, when you read the Bible you may not immediately recognize ancient lands and their people. For we non-historians, some parts won’t make much sense until we begin to understand context. But hang in there. Eventually, you’ll begin to put the pieces together.

                  It helps to slow down and contemplate the Bible. We’re not reading because we know we should. We’re reading to gain wisdom and discernment from God. It’s not a sprint, but rather a marathon. So slow down the process with a willingness to cling to all that the Lord gives.  There are countless Bible studies available to help God’s children gain insight and understanding.  I’ve authored two Bible studies - you can find them HERE.

                  I’m also providing a link to a free printable worksheet that I often use with my Bible reading. This process keeps me from walking away from my reading time without knowing what I’ve read. Let’s face it, our minds are prone to wander, and we can read without even thinking about the words on the page. Using the worksheet helps me contemplate. When I’ve completed the process outlined on the worksheet, I’m amazed at the treasures God provides through the Bible.

Your Turn:

What blessings do you find from daily time in God’s Word?

What adjustments have you made in your daily schedule to make room for the joy of reading the Bible?

Please comment below or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Let’s share our struggles and successes, our frustrations and celebrations. Together, we can create strong habits of faith-building practices and grow closer to God, step by step.

Be Strengthened Today, by His Word,

Psalm 119:28

Cathy

Back 2 Basics with Simple Faith-Building Practices

Self-discipline. There. I said it.

Are you still with me?

Or have you clicked over to a screen that might offer an easier message?

The truth is, I’m writing for you today (and for myself as well), so I’m pleased that you’re still reading.

I’ve never met anyone who didn’t recognize a need for some measure of increased self-discipline. There’s almost always an aspect of life where we could use an infusion of self-control to move forward.  It’s not that we’re void of self-control at all. In fact, most of us can show great willpower and regimen in some areas. But we seem to fall flat in others.

For example...

• We might diligently exercise but tend to pay our bills a bit late.
• A master of the financial world might neglect their spiritual training. 
• I have “a friend” (ahem) who struggles to eat right but gives painstaking attention to her task list.   

Wouldn't we love to be masters of all trades? Since we’re obviously not, it’s safe to say that everyone needs a little boost in self-discipline for one aspect of life or another.

I believe that we often overcomplicate our goals and aspirations. We don’t allow room for mistakes and expect a miraculous level of growth and achievement when we begin something new. When we don’t see immediate results, we quit entirely instead of persisting through the difficult stages that come with any worthy activity.

This month we’re drawing a line in the sand. Making things harder than we need to stops… right… here.

All month-long, we’re going to focus on getting back to basics with simple faith-building practices. Keyword: Simple. We’re not going to over analyze, over scrutinize, or over intellectualize. Instead, we’re going to take simple, easy steps that move us closer to God, inch by inch.

Who is our team? Every one of us. If you’re hungry for a closer walk with God and want to receive practical encouragement in embracing His blessings, then consider yourself on the team.

What is our goal? To begin or continue to practice simple faith-building activities that will deepen our relationship with Jesus.

Why are we dong this? To draw near to God so that we can think, speak, and act in ways that enrich our lives and honor Him.

What do we promise? To give grace to ourselves and one another. We’ll allow ourselves to grow step by step and trust that God is with us, helping us along the way. 

I can’t wait to begin and I’m thrilled that you’ll join us in the journey!  Tomorrow we’ll start with step one: Daily Time in God’s Word.  As we progress through the month, we’ll hit other topics like prayer, worship, fasting, and Scripture memory. Each of these activities delivers blessings far greater than we can ask or imagine. Get ready to dig for treasures untold.

Meet me right back here and we’ll get back to basics. Until then . . .

Be strengthened today, by His Word,

Psalm 119:28

Cathy