Last week we talked about your Prayer Warm Up – getting your heart, mind and prayer place ready to meet with God. One thing I’ve also found through the years is this: You always need a plan! There are so many Bible reading plans out there. You can pick any one of those, or create your own.
Right now, I read one week in the New Testament, one week in the Old Testament, and on Fridays I treat myself to the Psalms, Proverbs or a good devotional. But I wasn’t always this organized and prepared.
For years I was a “Read the Bible in a Year” kinda gal. I would begin January 1, using my One Year Bible. Each day I would read portions from the Old Testament, New Testament Psalms and Proverbs. I would be enthusiastic for about three or four months. Then I would start to straggle a little bit, and a little bit more. Finally by June, I would throw my hands in the air and give up!
I am hoping this resonates with some of you, and that I’m not the only “read through the Bible in a year” drop out!
Here’s what I finally realized: I can’t grasp reading large chucks of scripture at one time – well, I can, but I don’t absorb any of it! Many times on my One Year Bible reading quest, there were certain scriptures that would touch my heart. Because I was on a mission, with my checklist in hand, I never stopped to ponder those words and why they touched me so.
Since I became aware of this, I began reading smaller portions of God’s word. Many times I will only read ten to fifteen verses, reading through them several times. This allows God’s word to soak deeply into my soul. This system may take one day of reading, or it may be two or three days before I’m ready to move on. I have learned not to worry about my checklist of verses to read. Even if it takes a day or two, it is so much more important to me to internalize His word, than not remember a thing I’ve read. I want God’s love letter to me to seep into my brain and my heart and and my soul and stay there.
Reading smaller portions of scripture allows me time to pause between the phrases and sentences. Reading slowly, I will stop and listen if a word or phrase catches my heart. When this happens, I contemplate the phrase, trying to find why it caught my attention. Sometimes I will read the passage aloud, in order to really “hear” it.
In their book Experiencing God, Henry and Richard Blackaby say this:
“When the Holy Spirit reveals truth to you, He is not leading you to an encounter with God. That IS an encounter with God. You cannot understand God’s purposes and ways unless the Spirit of God teaches you. If God has revealed spiritual truth to you through a passage of scripture, you have encountered God Himself working in you!”
Scriptures that make us pause could be God’s Holy Spirit teaching us! And God Himself is working in us. How wonderful is that?
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NASB)
When reading a narrative portion of scripture, I’ll imagine myself in the story. I became intimately acquainted with Mary Magdalene, when she discovered the empty tomb. I felt her pain and agony. Her Deliverer was gone, the Man who had freed her from demons – GONE! I sobbed with Mary when she thought she wouldn’t see Jesus again. I rejoiced with her when she told the disciples “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18).
When you read the words of Jesus in scripture, imagine that He is talking to you.
And He said to them “{Insert your name}What do you want Me to do for you?” Mark 10:36
Imagine God standing next to you and calling your name!
Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
“Ellen! Ellen!”
“Yes, Lord? Please speak, I’m listening!”
[tweetthis]Don’t just read the scriptures as a bystander – be a part of the story![/tweetthis]
Reading smaller portions and being involved in the story are wonderful ways I’ve found to internalize God’s word. I may not make it through the whole Bible in one year, but I am certainly remembering more of it! I hope this will help you also, as you read His powerful Word!
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Grace be with you,
Ellen, this is powerful! I love your suggestions at the end for seeing how living and active the Scripture really is in our own lives. I also was a read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year kind of girl for many years. I loved it. But I, too, wanted to slow down and really grasp as much as I could. I had a study Bible sitting on my shelf that I never really went through. It has amazing maps and articles and charts. And so much of what I read just never seemed to connect with me. I decided this year to begin going through this study Bible, with no time limit in mind and no set amount to read each day. Just what the Lord led me to. And it has been amazing! At the pace I’m going, it might take 3-4 years before I get through the whole thing. But I will have journals full of how God spoke to me each and every day. Thanks for this great encouragement! Love you!
I love this Sabra! And I love your “no time limit” attitude! I imagine you will be richly blessing with all that you learn in your mind and heart!
Ellen, I too have struggled with following a specific schedule in mind, a checklist if you would and I’m a rule follower. However I’ve found that now I’m reading scripture, stopping where He prompts me to, and then just sitting quietly, waiting for Him to reveal Himself. Like you, I’d rather tackle scripture in small chunks so that I can hear what He has to say.
We are so blessed that you have stepped out of your comfort zone to share your thoughts with us via your blog!
Oh, Debbie! I’m a rule follower too! That’s why it took me so long to give up on the Through the Year Bible reading 🙂 Thanks for sharing your heart!
Beautiful words, friend! I’ve been keepin a journal of all the passages that speak to me… I’ve filled an entire spiral notebook so far! I have codes I’m using to identify what I want to do with them… More research, a blog post, a heart message, a point in my book… I’ll probably spend a whole bother year going back through my notes… XOXO
Oh I love your idea of codes! Since I am using a 3 ring binder, I have a section for those notes I need to keep, but I haven’t been faithful to jot them down!!You have encouraged be to begin again! So glad you stopped in today!
I like your idea, Ellen! I am a Bible-in-a-year kind of girl, but I totally understand what you mean. Sometimes it’s too much for one sitting, and I have to break it down into morning and evening readings. Right now I’m reading a chronological order plan, which is really interesting! I’m sorry we won’t get to see each other at Declare, but I will be praying that you girls have a wonderful God-experience. Love you friend!
I will sooo miss seeing you! Thanks for stopping by! I haven’t read chronological, but I have read “The Story” bible, which I really enjoyed!