OK, I said no resolutions for me this year. And I meant it. But I am taking one of my resolutions from last year and choosing to focus on it for 2009: reading my Bible more.
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and the attitudes of the heart."
Did you see that? Living and active. That's what I want to be! Fully alive in Christ Jesus! Studies have shown that the most powerful catalyst to spiritual growth is the Bible - and I want to grow spiritually this year, I want to have that daily relationship with God that I so long for, I want to know what He's saying to me. I love how the study notes in my Bible explain this verse:
"The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. With the incisiveness of a surgeon's knife, God's Word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God's Word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives."
This will take discipline, for sure. It's very easy for me to say I don't have time, or that it's too difficult to read. Those are lame excuses, tho. I truly believe that spending time in His Word each day will change my life. Why wouldn't I make the time for that??? And the more I read, the more I study, then the more the Holy Spirit will open up my mind to understanding. God WILL speak to me thru Scripture. I don't know exactly how yet, but I tell ya what - I'm gonna find out!
At the prompting of my church, I'm reading Psalm 119 this week (yes, I do believe it's the longest chapter in the Bible!). I'm going to pray for God to speak to me thru His Word, and when I read it I'm going to ask myself three questions: What does God want me to know? What does God want me to feel? What does God want me to do?
It's the first step in the right direction - and toward a new way of life.
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5 comments:
It is the first step in the right direction and I need to follow suit. I always start off great and then slack off for the same lame excuses as you. Really, that should take priority over my computer time, my needlework time, my mystery reading time. Even if it is difficult to read. I should do that first so I get more than a couple of verses in a day.
I really suck at reading the Bible. By the time I remember, it's late at night and I end up falling asleep. I'd like to do better on that this year too.
I know you can do this.
I keep telling myself I want to read through the entire Bible. I get off to a great start, then something - some thing - trips me up. I get so far behind, I realize I can't catch up. Maybe this will be my year.
Great post!
Well, you know how I feel about Bible study - it's what keeps me sane. When you read, make some notes and take notes when Rick speaks on Sundays. Then you can look back and refresh it all in your mind. I am pleased that you are setting this goal for yourself, and I know you can do it. He has begun a good work in you and will see it through.
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