What one thing do you make sure you do every day? Exercise? Eat healthy? Spend time with the children?
All the things listed above are important. So what can be more important than that?
Setting aside time to read and meditate on the Word of God every day is the most important thing you can do.
I began reading the Bible every morning over 20 years ago. My husband and I were new believers in Christ and I sought out pastoral counseling for issues taking place in my life.
The pastor’s advice to me was to wake up 30 minutes earlier than normal, find a quiet place to meet with the Lord, take my Bible, a pen, and a journal. He then told me to turn to Proverbs and read the Proverb that corresponded with that day of the month. There are 31 Proverbs and most months have 30 or 31 days.
What was I to do with the journal?
Well, I was to write down anything I felt the Lord showed me while reading the Scriptures. To start off, I don’t know that I felt like the Lord showed me anything. Feeling like I needed to write down something, I copied a few verses in my journal.
But as I continued the practice of waking up each day, sitting with the Lord and reading His Word, then His Words started to come alive inside my spirit.
I cannot fully articulate how it happened, but it seems like certain words on the page would be highlighted though there was no actual highlighting on the page.
Hebrews 4:12 reads, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (BSB).
God’s word is “living and active.” It makes us come alive in Him!
God’s Word teaches how to live. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (BSB).
When we know the Word, as we are out living our lives, when we are faced with a choice, the Lord stir up His Word inside us and we will know what to do.
While some people may read the Bible through in a year, that may not be a good plan for you. So to get you started, here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Read a Proverb a Day (31 days)
2. Read a Psalm a Day (150 days)
3. Topical Reading plans (found on most Bible apps)
4. New Testament- read one chapter a day (260 chapters/days)
The most important thing is to make a commitment to yourself and to the Lord to spend time reading His Word every day!
