Why and How to Read God’s Word
I have found that my commitment to something builds off of why I want it (motivation) and how to attain it (means). When it comes to reading the Bible, believing that God rewards those who diligently seek Him—rewards through revealing Himself to them---provides me with great motivation to get into Scripture. God has graciously chosen to reveal Himself through His Word and He’s given us the means to find what we seek.
God’s Word is living and active, which means God meets me where I am with a purpose to move me forward. It reveals my inabilities and His gracious willingness to use His ability to help me move toward where He wants me to be. When I get up every day knowing my need for Him, I open His Word as His provision for my needs.
Return on Investment
Of course, many things compete for my daily commitment and some of them create tangible pressure to pay attention to them. My job doesn’t pay me if I don’t show up and my body and relationships whither if I don’t attend to them. But above all, God deserves the first and best of me, the firstfruits of my life, which is why I prioritize time with Him over the many other things competing with Him in my world. Just a quick reading of books like Romans or Hebrews remind me of all He has done for me and renews my mind.
What I’ve learned is that as I surrender things to God, He richly adds to every one of those aspects. The return on investment of things surrendered to God continually amazes me. This is especially true when it comes to the time and attention we “sacrifice” or “surrender” to meet with God when we open our Bibles. In the morning, His Word prepares me for the challenges and needs of the day. In the evening, His Word reminds me of His unfailing faithfulness that I experienced in that day. Even a verse of Scripture will bring blessing when we meditate on it, apply it to our lives, and share it with others.
My advice is to taste and see that the Lord is good. God has used my desire for a good return on my investment to feed my desire for more of Him and His Word.
Read Together
One thing that can add to our time investment into God’s Word, something that provides needed encouragement and accountability, is reading the Bible with others. One benefit of joining something like a Bible study is that it helps create structure to what you read and a rhythm of when you read. Reading with others sharpens me. It helps me be ready for the battles of today and it shapes me for the glorious unity of our promised tomorrow.
Jesus tells us in John 17:3 that knowing God is eternal life, which leads me to seek God where He makes Himself known, which is in His Word. If you need motivation to read your Bible, the motivation is in that God gives us life, life in Himself, when we read it.
God’s Word is living and active, which means God meets me where I am with a purpose to move me forward. It reveals my inabilities and His gracious willingness to use His ability to help me move toward where He wants me to be. When I get up every day knowing my need for Him, I open His Word as His provision for my needs.
Return on Investment
Of course, many things compete for my daily commitment and some of them create tangible pressure to pay attention to them. My job doesn’t pay me if I don’t show up and my body and relationships whither if I don’t attend to them. But above all, God deserves the first and best of me, the firstfruits of my life, which is why I prioritize time with Him over the many other things competing with Him in my world. Just a quick reading of books like Romans or Hebrews remind me of all He has done for me and renews my mind.
What I’ve learned is that as I surrender things to God, He richly adds to every one of those aspects. The return on investment of things surrendered to God continually amazes me. This is especially true when it comes to the time and attention we “sacrifice” or “surrender” to meet with God when we open our Bibles. In the morning, His Word prepares me for the challenges and needs of the day. In the evening, His Word reminds me of His unfailing faithfulness that I experienced in that day. Even a verse of Scripture will bring blessing when we meditate on it, apply it to our lives, and share it with others.
My advice is to taste and see that the Lord is good. God has used my desire for a good return on my investment to feed my desire for more of Him and His Word.
Read Together
One thing that can add to our time investment into God’s Word, something that provides needed encouragement and accountability, is reading the Bible with others. One benefit of joining something like a Bible study is that it helps create structure to what you read and a rhythm of when you read. Reading with others sharpens me. It helps me be ready for the battles of today and it shapes me for the glorious unity of our promised tomorrow.
Jesus tells us in John 17:3 that knowing God is eternal life, which leads me to seek God where He makes Himself known, which is in His Word. If you need motivation to read your Bible, the motivation is in that God gives us life, life in Himself, when we read it.
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