In this day and age, we are tired, overwhelmed, stressed and lacking joy. The thought to even make time to read your Bible seems impossible. So we search for other options that can give us a quick and easy guide to self-empowerment and comfort. This is a dangerous path that we can head down because it leads us away from Christ.
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Why Read the Bible?
We need the Word and we pray the Word. God leads us through His Word. If we do not read the Word, then how do we receive His guidance? Our prayers to be kept from sin can only be answered by getting the Word of God into our heart!
Read The Bible: It Is Relevant and Real
Often I am reading through the Bible and can’t comprehend how it is still relevant. Sometimes when we do read the Bible it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The relevance of God’s word never changes. Read about how The Old Testament Points to Jesus.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 1 Timothy 3:16-17.
The Bible is God-breathed and tells one big story through a series of smaller stories. The big story is about how God created us in His image, and how we turned far away from that – leaving us hopeless.
It’s about how God tried to call us back from our self-seeking ways, ultimately paying the price for our sin through Jesus on the cross, so our relationship is restored with Him.  It’s about Christ coming again to make the world right. Let’s be women who live by the relevance of the Bible and encourage others, and not through meaningless manifestations.
Read The Bible: It Is Our Nourishment
The Bible is not one of the many self-empowerment books that crowd bookstore shelves. Yet, often times, self-help books are the first thing we turn to, leaving us vulnerable to following the things that turn us away from the truth of the Bible.
If we want to find the fulfillment we are looking for it is vital that we spend time in God’s Word. It is the source of life! We should go to Scripture before we go to anything else. It is the place where we find the truth by which we are to live by. Â
In a world where we seek our fulfillment by scrolling endlessly through social media, let’s be women who turn to the Bible instead. It contains infinite wisdom and hope! Let’s be women who seek to live out by the true standards in which God sees us.
Read The Bible: It Reveals Jesus’ Power to Overcome
Even though we commit wholeheartedly to serve the Lord, we will still experience worldly temptations. We will be tempted to follow along with the self-actualization narrative because it makes us think we can achieve things on our own.
It’s clear that Satan loves to use these motives to turn our hearts away from God. He tries to get us to think that we don’t need God by offering things that appeal to our fleshly desires. He even tried to tempt Jesus to give into self-fulfillment.
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.
Yet, Jesus did not give into temptation. Jesus had a counterattack – the Word of God. The Bible is the armor in which we combat the lies the world tells us. It’s the armor that gives us the power to overcome in the midst of temptation.
How To Read The Bible More
There are other activities that you schedule throughout your day or prioritize things for long periods of time. Do you ever spend a few hours binging on Netflix? I’m guilty of that!
So why don’t we prioritize that time for reading the life-giving word? You just read about the value that comes from reading the Bible so here is some motivation to actually start doing it.
So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17.
While reading the Bible, I have found keeping a journal, specifically a Write The Word Journal, has been super helpful. It is an easy way to connect with God, right where you are! On each page, you’ll get a selection of specially-selected key verses to write out, along with space to write your thoughts, prayers or whatever God places on your heart.Â
Prayers for Change of Attitude
The greatest helper to actually reading your Bible is the Holy Spirit. Pray for a change of attitude/heart towards reading the Bible more. Take some time to ask the Holy Spirit to help position your heart to have a desire to read the Bible and remove any distractions or worries that might be stopping you from reading.
This will also help you refocus on who the Bible is about. The ultimate purpose of scripture is to reveal God to us. The end goal of our faith is not self-actualization but a deeper relationship with God.
The Importance of Reading the Bible Daily
When was the last time you picked up your Bible and read it? If you don’t intentionally make an effort to read the Bible it will just sit there on your shelf. So the best way to read it is to open it up and dive right in. Understanding the importance of reading the Bible daily helps us grow closer to God and remind ourselves of His faithfulness throughout the past, present and future.
Don’t be discouraged by or think you aren’t getting anything from the Bible, merely because you do not see an instant change. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. But God is at work in your soul through your commitment to read the Bible and will be guiding you closer to Him each day. And if you miss a day or two, remember that God loves you unconditionally whether you pick up the bible or not – so give yourself some grace as well!
Simple Bible Reading Plan
A couple years ago, I joined a women’s bible study at my church and it was the first time I had actually picked up the Bible to read it, which you can read more about how the Bible Has Set My Heart on Fire. Now some people are against Bible reading plans because many of the books of the Bible are meant to be read in one sitting so that you understand key literary features and theological messages. And a degree of discernment is always necessary.
However, if you are just starting out with reading the Bible, there is value in joining a simple Bible reading plan or Bible study because 1) you have an accountability partner and 2) you have a community of people who will help you understand those key messages.
Let’s be women who never grow weary of the slow and steady growth that comes from the daily, committed reading of the Bible. Be a woman who can offer REAL HOPE and ADVICE because you know the Lord’s way through His word, and understand in your heart that He will bring about lasting change.
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I really like how you relayed the importance that the Bible all goes back to Jesus. I think this is an important factor to reading our word It makes things so much more evident to us as Christians of the purpose for reading the old and new testament. I love how much Timothy Keller stresses this piece so much in his book, “Preaching.”
Yes, it really does help. I will have to check out Timothy Keller’s book. Thanks for the recommendation.
You are so on point when you say the Bible is our nourishment. I know that when I am not in God’s Word my soul feels like it is so dehydrated. Thank you for such an encouraging word to get us into His Word.
Yes, I feel the same way. Nothing is more important for us as Christians than our being nourished with the Word of God.
Amen on the community groups! My women’s small group has been such a blessing to me over the last 3 years. I read more consistently, for sure! I also feel so much more comfortable talking with others about what I’m learning and experiencing. I think that’s important since it makes us more relatable when we share with people of other faith walks. I love seeing women encourage and lift up other women in their walks and really do think it can be key to recognizing how to read the bible more!
Yes, that is so true. I’m so glad to hear that. It can be scary to be vulnerable but I have found that when I open up, I am usually not the only one who has felt a certain way. And we are called to build each other up in truth and love, and by being in a community group I am able to find that.
These are great tips on how to read the Bible more. Always an important topic! Thanks for this post!
Nice post. One cannot afford not to read and study the word of life. Thanks for sharing.
Amen. We need the Bible to find fulfillment for every longing in our heart.
Beautifully written. Such an important thing we forget daily. Literally changes our outlook on life and attitude. We are blessed to live in a country where we can freely read Gods word. Thank you for this reminder! Blessings.
Yes, so true. It does give another, better perspective on life. And good point about living in a country where we can read the Bible. I often forget that freedom, which makes it all the more motivating to want to read it.