Make Your Scripture Reading Matter

This week, we start looking at the elements of our quiet time. We talked about the importance of our quiet time. The fact that it is the time we spend alone with God that makes the difference in our relationship with him. And we probably all know that we need to read his word, the Bible. But lets spend some time thinking through how best to go about it.

Too often we read those passages that are comfortable or familiar to us and ignore other passages. Because we haven't heard a sermon from Nahum lately, we don't go to that part of the Bible to see what God has to say to us. It is important, though, to absorb all of God's word, not just the parts we want to hear. Make it a point to read all of his word. There are several good Bible reading methods to help you. To read the Bible through in a year will only takes about 15 minutes a day. Several web sites such as backtothebible.org or gideons.org or dozens of others have Bible reading plans. Some take you from Genesis through Revelations. Some alternate Old and New Testament readings. Some include both. Whatever method might work best for you, it is important that you read through the entire Bible periodically to be sure you capture all he has to say to you. You will be amazed what you learn from Jude or Zachariah or Amos.

The next point I would share with you is to use a translation that is easy to read and understand. Some people enjoy the King James Version and will read no other. That is fine, but reading several translations sometimes gives new insight because familiar verses are not quite so familiar and you have to think about them. I have found that scholarly translations have few enough differences that they are inconsequential in the whole of God's word. We so often nitpick the minor differences that we lose sight of the great benefit of seeing scripture with fresh eyes.

The most important part of our scripture reading is what we do with it after we have read it. Remember our encounter with God has a purpose, so ask yourself before, as you read, and after - how does God want me to apply this to my life today. Then so you don't forget - write it down! I learned a long time ago to take pen and paper with me to meetings because when the boss tells me something, I don't trust my memory. I write it down to make sure it doesn't get lost in the rush of the day. Shouldn't it be the same with my meeting with God? When I expect God to tell me something through his word, he usually does. If I go to him in my quiet time asking for verses that will give meaning and purpose to our time together, he gives it. When he does, it is important for me to remember it, to write it down so it doesn't get lost in the rush of the day.

So to sum up today - make sure you read all of God's word, not just part of it. Have a plan so you don't miss any. Write down what he tells you. Apply it to you life! You'll be amazed at the change he makes in your life.