A good portion of people start out as infants in church Wednesday and Sunday, and those are the two primary days for Bible reading. Then as we get closer to the Lord, we throw in a few extra readings on the weekends when we "have time". As our relationship progresses and we see a real NEED for the Word, it becomes a part of our daily routine, typically being picked up first thing in the morning (which I recommend - more on that later) or right before bed. However, we suddenly become "too busy" on the weekends. Isn't that just the way Satan works? In every step of our walk with the Lord, there he is, "the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour [1 Peter 5:8]." Often the scheming father of lies is quite successful in deterring us from the Word and luring us into his den. A den full of seeds of doubt, discouragement, frustration and everything else unholy. You know how much better your day is going to go when you're walking hand in hand with the Father!
So, I've complied a list of the Top Five Ways to Avoid Bible Avoidance. Here ya go..
5. Put your Bible where you, and everyone else, will see it and don't shut it! There's something inviting about an open book. It's enticing! Each time you see it you remember a little of what you read last and it makes you wonder what's going to happen next. Even if you've read it, there's still an element of excitement in moving onto the next chapter. If walking by the Good Book isn't enough to spark your interest then I'm certain the Holy Spirit will put a tugging on your heart and draw you into His Word... if you allow Him.
4. Pick a new plan. If the plan you are reading has you in a rut, find something new. You may need to go back and read your favorite book of the Bible and take a break from your daily plan. There's no need to continue forcing yourself to read God's Word when there are so many aides to help you understand and LOVE it!
3. Enlist in accountability partner. This is a tough one. I'm accountability partners with a few women and it's hard to touch base everyday. Realize that holding each other accountable may mean a once a week touch base or more or less often. The point is just to have someone who is saying, "How many times have you read the Word in the last X days?... What did you take from it? ... How is God speaking to you?"
2. Don't do it alone. If you are in a family of believers then let them know how important this is to you. Ask if you can have family quiet time together each morning. If this isn't possible during the week, see if you can do it on the weekends. By making it a priority as a family you will be holding each other accountable (see #3) and your relationship with each other, AND the Lord, will flourish! If you are the only believer in your home, you can set an example to others. As they see your dedication to the Word, they will begin to wonder about your God and why the Word is so important to you. You'll be planting seeds my friend, and that's a beautiful thing.
1. Don't eat food until you've consumed the Word of God! Matthew 4:4 “It is written, ‘ MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’" This subject alone could hold a laundry list of all the reasons why the Word should be read first thing in the morning. To keep it short, consuming God's Word first thing gives you scripture to meditate on all day and shows Father your utmost respect by putting Him above all else.
Of course, this is purely my opinion and I hold no judgment if you want to read your Bible morning, noon or night. Shoot, I hope you're reading it throughout your day and not just once a day! Know that I'm human, too, and while these are things I do to try to keep our family in the Word each morning, we all fail. We all have dry seasons and times when we don't pick up the Word OR we do and it's purely because we know we're supposed to even though the want isn't there.
2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Happily His,
