If I had to name one thing that has improved my life more than anything else, it would be the daily habit of spending time in God’s Word. Several years ago, when I began to get serious about my faith, I quickly learned that I’d unwittingly made false assumptions about God that weren’t based on the truths of Scripture. Those false assumptions were fouling up my life. I began to understand that the only way to have an accurate understanding of who God is and an ever-increasing love for Him is by studying His Word. My thought process was in desperate need of rewiring and the Word of God has done (and continues) to do that for me. I’m an avid reader, but the Bible is different from any other book, and has done more for me than any other.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “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 competent, equipped for every good work.”
Author and theologian, D.A. Carson said, “People do not drift towards holiness.” Spiritual growth requires intentionality on our part and being a student of God’s Word requires commitment. Keep in mind that spiritual disciplines aren’t exercises we take part in to win God’s approval. Jesus secured our approval at Calvary. God doesn’t love us more when we read our Bibles and he doesn’t love us less when we don’t. Spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, and fasting are means of grace that position us to connect with God and grow spiritually.
If you don’t have a Bible reading plan, the New Year is a fabulous time to start one. If you’re already spending time in the Bible, January 1st is a good time to switch up your reading plan to keep it fresh. Without a reading plan, you’re likely to return to the same passages and seldom cover new ground. There’s multiple Bible reading plans to choose from at www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan. If you’ve studied the Bible for some time, consider reading from a new translation this year or try a new method of study.
Time spent in the Scriptures is never wasted. In fact, if you’ll commit yourself to the study of God’s Word, I’d be willing to bet it will become the most treasured aspect of your life. By God’s grace, we’ll receive 168 hours each week in 2017. How we spend it is up to us.
