Another critical part of getting better is spending time in the Word of God every day. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John1:1, KJV, Tyndale, 1987). The Lord will speak to you through the written Word. How many times have we called out to God for direction and have not turned to the Bible? The answers to some of life’s most difficult questions are within those sacred pages. It is only a matter of researching for your solution. The more time you spend studying the Bible, the verses will come to life, and the Word will be in you that you might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11), and He can call upon your remembrance in times of need (John 14:26).
Set a time that you will spend reading the Bible every day and stick to it. You may begin to think I sound redundant throughout this series, but it takes time and dedication to get better! Do more than just the “verse of the day.” That may be a start, but we’re going to need to dig into the Word here and establish a habit of making the scriptures a part of who we are.
Many apps and resources provide studies that vary in length from a few days on a specific topic to reading the whole Bible through in a year. I use YouVersion on my phone. This app shows up as Bible in the App Store, and it’s the one developed by Life.Church. This app transcends platforms and is “social media” for the Bible. You can add friends and complete Bible studies together. Another internet resource I use frequently is Biblegateway.com and Biblehub.com. There are many versions of the Bible, pulpit commentaries, and Hebrew/Greek dictionaries.
Since I brought it up, which version of the Bible should you use? I know several preachers that hold closely to the King James Version because it is the version in use for the longest. Maybe you’re looking for a modern version that is reputable in its translation of the Ancient Texts. Several pastors and websites agree that the New American Standard Bible (1995) and the English Standard Version are the most accurate word-for-word translations. If you’re settling in for some casual reading, you may be able to follow along better with the New Living Translation. Perhaps you are looking for some serious study time; I like the detail provided by the Amplified version. I have even read Max Lucado’s The Story, written as a novel in chronological order. Whichever version you choose to start with, the point is to begin!
I have read the Bible in a year, several times, but I have recently been led to in-depth study a chapter a week in the epistles. Set a goal for yourself. Maybe you want to read one chapter a day. There is nothing wrong with that; every step you take closer to God, even if it’s a small step, is closer to God! The Bible is bread meant for daily consumption, not cake reserved for special occasions. Sometimes I repeatedly speak verses out loud, such as the Joy of the Lord is my strength, and no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Read the passages, either silent or aloud, and put yourself in that verse (me, I, my family, etc.).
I want to encourage you and pray with you right now for your success. I pray that these small suggestions help you mightily in your efforts to regain ground in your spiritual walk. We feel the pressures of life and know that God is miles away when He is standing right beside us in reality. Lord, help my friend feel your love and know that we are essential to You no matter where we are in our journey. We’re never too far gone, we’re never beyond His reach, and His love is ever-present. I bless you in the Name of Jesus, amen.