Time for some honesty….do you struggle to read the Bible?
I do!
I’m a reader by nature. I can (and have) spend hours reading on the couch. But when it comes to reading onion skin thin pages that offer the benefit of life and growth I can’t seem to sit for more than just a few minutes and never on a consistent basis.
The Bible is full of mystery, murder, suspense, triumph, love…everything I love in a great book, but my devotion to it is lacking. What is it that keeps me from stepping into these pages the way I do any other book.
Today I want to step into the story. Have words given by the God who created me flood into my heart. I want to prepare heart as He leads me into this next season.
And because I know God’s timing is perfect, and I believe He has a sense of humor this arrived in the mail today from a dear friend. It is a Bible reading plan journal.
Where are you currently reading/studying in the Bible? Did you know that there is a group of women who are reading through the Bible chronologically in six months, and furthermore that some of them just finished reading it through Genesis to Revelation in 90 days?
If you recall part of my digging deeper into my One Word this year is scripture memorization. In January I dedicated myself to memorizing Colossians 3:12 & 13. It went surprisingly easier than I’d thought it would. A couple weeks ago I had two nightmares in less than a few days. My joy was to lie in bed reciting this verse over and over. To allow the goodness of God envelope my mind rather than the images that shook me awake.
For February I’m memorizing Proverbs 22:11 (NIV)
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
Sometimes I struggle, but it’s usually when I’m trying to complete a reading plan or when I’m trying to make it into a habit.
When I go to the Bible out of a desire to get to know God better, to spend time with Him, to hear from Him clearly… Well, that’s when I find myself sitting for hours, just devouring the onion skin pages.
I can’t say, for certain, what makes the difference. I do know that, when I’m reading for relationship, my method changes. I tend to skim until a word or phrase jumps out at me. Then, I back up and read the chapter or two preceding the phrase and the chapter or two after it. Sometimes, I’ll end up stopping and pondering. Other times, I’ll keep on going until another phrase jumps out.
Right now, I just really love Romans…especially 7 and 8. It makes me get up and dance and sing and smile every time I read it. Amazing!
It’s been so long since I’ve read Romans. Last year I devoured James. Read it and re-read it a number of times. God spoke to me such truth through it.
oh how i love romans!!
For me the Bible has somewhat been a routine lately. However this is not always the best thing. Sometimes I find myself just skimming through the verses thinking of what I need to do next. So frustrating that I can’t just focus.
With all that aside…
I am reading in Jeremiah. It has opened my eyes to what it takes to be a prophet. He was so stinking bold and almost died because of it. crazy.
I hear you on the skimming and thinking what you need to do next. I think that’s part of the enemy’s lure. He’ll distract you just enough. I have never read Jeremiah except in bits and pieces. Last night I started a one year reading plan so He’ll be in my view soon.
I love to read the Bible. I think the reason why us book readers can read a book for hours and not the Bible is because the Bible is spiritual. And often times we read a verse and have to stop, think, and meditate on it. Then proceed. It’s more than a simple book.
That being said, I almost fell asleep reading through chapters of genealogies in the Old Testament. Don’t judge me!
I’m currently doing a study on the book of Acts. Church Power!
Oh Acts is amazing. I’ve been drawn to it a number of different times in the past couple years, as God has been re-working my view on what church is.
My mind likes to make “mental movies” of the things that I read so I love to read the Bible. The adventures of King David make the epic films of Hollywood pale in comparison. Can you imagine what it would be like to be there when the sun stood still at Joshua’s prayer?
Joshua: Oh Lord, please let the day continue so we can finish this great victory for you!
Joshua’s assistant: Praise God! The sun has stopped moving!
George Clooney: Aw man…I forgot more sunscreen.
I probably don’t “meditate” on it the way I should do it…I just enjoy reading it. I also find I remember a lot more when I just read it because I want to let myself get lost in the stories.
I love that concept. I love reading Judges and Joshua and the Chronicles and the Samuels for that reason. They are eventful.
i LOVE reading His Word. if I don’t read it even for just one day, I feel it in my soul right away. I learned to fall in love with His word during the night and dark season of my life. I would devour & study His Word and speak His promises over me constantly because His Word & His presence was all I had.
I don’t do devotionals or reading plans. I almost always don’t finish it all the way through. I just read the word myself and journal or blog my own thoughts on what I read.
For me, the battle is finding a consistent time to read it. I tried the “morning”, but my mind just doesn’t work the same way it does at night. The problem w/ reading at night is, once I open it, I’ll get super engrossed and not stop reading or I get sleepy after a few verses
I’m trying a reading plan for the first time. Praying I get through it.
When I’m feeling empty or really struggling, I go to the most honest part of the Bible I know – the Psalms. And I just pray the prayers of previous generations. I never fail to leave that time feeling rejuvenated or refreshed in some way.
I love the Psalms for that reason. Within 150 chapters you read joy, defeat, triumph, exultation, repentance, grief, etc.
Yes. and No. and Yes.
My lazytide has been swelling up way too much lately. I’m struggling to carve out those morning devotional times. So last night I did it at night. And it was sweet, and refreshing, and lovely.
I DO NOT have the gumption to get up and do them in the morning so I do them at night. Last night was wonderful and even this morning on my drive into work His words lingered in my mind.
I love the cute little notebook you got! That’ll be great for you year long read through! I have a cute one I made for the Chronological read through.
I love having a systematic way to read…but I also like that this time around it is shorter which means I have more liberty to pop over to other places in the Bible and have time to soak it up.
I think for me…I struggle more to take the knowledge and put it into practice than to read the knowledge. But to instead read to let it sink in deep into my heart to produce lasting transformation..now that’s my heart.
Oh and I love how each time I read through I just get more questions =)
That was one of the things I was wondering about was in your 90-Day run how much did you absorb. Not that you didn’t absorb any cause I know you did, did God just speak to you in “random bursts” or was it over all just a reassurance of His promises?
I do struggle…(hangs head) I love reading, but when it comes to the Bible, I have a hard time sometimes. I’m using a One Year Bible for the second year in a row, but I have to admit I’m behind. Again. I’m hoping to catch up this week!
whoa! I recognize that REAP journal!
♥ I love it!! ♥