Focal Verse: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103
A few weeks ago, my toddler came down with a cough. Not uncommon for him, we attributed it to allergies as usual. We medicated him with prescription cough and allergy medicine and waited for it to go away after a few days.
Two and a half weeks later, we were getting concerned. The medicine, along with other over-the-counter allergy and cough medicines a nurse suggested when we called the week before, wasn't helping. So at my husband's insistence, I called to get Drew in to see his pediatrician. I was transferred to a nurse I haven't talked to before, who told me that the peditrician was booked that day (a Friday). She told me to put a humidifier in his room. No matter how many times I tried to protest - but it has been almost 3 weeks!...but we have given him every medicine suggested!... but he has been coughing for almost 3 weeks! - she became more adamant about the humidifier and told me that if they did have an opening, the doctor would tell us the same thing.
I was not a happy first-time mommy after this conversation. A humidifier? We got one when Drew was a baby and used it a couple of times, but it never seemed to help then. It was just a waste of time and energy. But reluctantly, I dug deep into our linen closet and pulled out the thing. I wasn't even sure how to work it, so my husband had to help me. I'll try this over the weekend, I thought, and when it doesn't work, I'm calling to get him an appointment on Monday.
On Saturday, Drew's coughs miraculously became less and less frequent. By Sunday he was even better. Amazing! I let my baby cough for almost 3 weeks trying everything I knew when the one thing that was needed was right there in my closet.
I think that's sometimes how we view our Bibles. We start having problems in our lives, and we tend to try everything we know. We talk to friends. Immerse ourselves in our hobby. Eat for comfort. Drown out the world in a good TV show. But even after we've tried all of those things, the problems are still there. We don't even think that the solution may be in our closet...or in our car since we only get it out on Sundays anyway.
We don't even think of our Bibles because, well, we've tried it before, and it never worked. Maybe we've tried reading the Bible through but got stuck somewhere between Leviticus and Numbers in all of the laws and learning who begat whom. Maybe we're still using a version that bears no resemblance to how we speak and learn. Whatever the reason, we've given up on really believing that the Bible could ever make a difference in our lives.
If you are like many who can identify, you may wonder how you can get started really allowing God to transform your life through his Word. Like I had to do with the humidifier, you need to dust off your Bible. First, I believe it is important to evaluate the version you're using. If you're using a version with old engligh language, you may want to go to a more understandable translation.
Second, make a plan. Here are some suggestions, but feel free to enlist the advice of a pastor, Sunday School teacher, or an associate at your Bible bookstore:
1. Select a daily devotional. Many churches have these available for free every month.
2. Start reading the Psalms. You can start with Psalm 119, which has lots of verses about the importance of the Word of God in everyday life.
3. Read Proverbs, a chapter per day.
4. Choose one of the letters of Paul. My favorite is Philippians.
5. Read the Gospels. What is a better way to get to know how to be like Christ than to study how he lived?
6. Consider a Chronological Bible. This puts the chapters of the Bible into the order that scholars believe they actually happened. I particularly enjoy reading about David and reading his Psalms in light of the circumstances by which he wrote them.
7. Delve into a Bible Study. Beth Moore's studies are amazing but the lessons take longer than others. Priscilla Shirer's studies equip you to study the Bible on your own, and she suggests verses to study yourself.
Remember, the purpose of reading the Word of God isn't so you can do your duty to God for that day. If you read chapter after chapter but close your Bible gaining nothing, what difference did it make? Even if you only read a few verses but God tells you exactly what he has for you that day, that's an effective Bible study! Before you start reading, ask God to reveal what he wants to say to you. God longs to speak to us! He only wants us to listen!
If we truly take in and breathe the Word of God, we will be changed.
"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 attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
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