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Intentional Growth in God’s Word

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Do you want to grow in the habit of reading the Bible? Try one of our tips in this installment of the "Intentional Spiritual Growth" series from Do Not Depart.

I am looking at my calendar today and see February staring back at me already… right there at the end of the week. How is this possible?

It is a whirlwind season of life here with our amazing teens, and I know some day I will look back at it it with such fondness. My current reality is racing from one activity to the next, even one state to the next, as my homeschooled kids fill their schedules with classes, theater, piano, dance, hockey, and college visits. Full disclosure: I still have Christmas decorations needing to be put in the garage!

So trust me when I tell you, if I don’t make a plan for things that are important to me, they just don’t happen. That’s what this month is all about, right? Being intentional.

And crazy as it may sound, I HAVE to be intentional about spending time in God’s Word. How hard is it really? It’s just sitting down and reading the Bible, right? With a life chock full of distractions, without being intentional it can be surprisingly hard!

The tyranny of the urgent can crowd out this important piece of my day. It falls into the “important but not urgent” category of Eisenhower’s principal. When I let the urgent rule my days (and that is so easy!) all those non-urgent, but important, things fall aside. I can’t let that happen.

Why Time in the Bible?

Why should we read the Bible itself? Why not just read scholars’ understanding, or listen to Christian podcasts?

While learning through the perspective of teachers has great value, because God’s Word is personal it is important to read and understand it for yourself as well.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

When you are intentional about spending time reading Scripture, you will come to know who God is better. You will also see yourself more clearly. You will find guidance for real life situations that face you today.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3: 16-17

Understanding Yourself

When life is super busy but you want to grow, you have to be honest. Being truthful with yourself about how you tick, what your learning style is, and what the rhythms of your day look like, is critical to creating a plan that you will follow.

What is your learning style?

  • Visual – Reading may be your best choice
  • Auditory – An audio Bible might be better retained
  • Kinesthetic – You may benefit from being active, maybe walking or jogging, while you listen to an audio Bible

When do you have time?

  • Early morning – Can you get up 10 minutes earlier and have some quiet time to yourself?
  • During your commute – Using travel time for listening to the Bible (or reading if you take public transportation) can be a simple way to fit it in.
  • While doing chores – Listening to God’s Word while I mop makes the time fly by!
  • When you climb in bed at night – If you have the habit of reading in bed before sleeping, how about you pick up your Bible for a few minutes before that novel you are itching to read?

There is no scenario in which you can’t find find a way to fit some time in the Word into your day. You may just have to get creative!

What Does That Time Look Like?

There are many ways to grow with God through His Word. None is better than the other, and all are valuable to explore at some point in your journey.

  • Read straight through the Bible from beginning to end – I use the Bible app to help me keep track of where I am.
  • Study a topic – Is there a topic God is impressing on you? Look up all the verses pertaining to that topic. You can use a concordance, or even the Internet!
  • Study a section/chapter/book in depth – Hanging out in one place in the Bible for an extended period of time can help you plumb the depths of a passage in a way that a quick reading can’t. You can do this on your own or using a formal Bible study guide.
  • Use different versions – Every time I start at the beginning of the Bible again, I change the version I am reading. I find this helps the text stay fresh and sometimes highlights things I might not have noticed in other versions. My caveat to this is that some versions are less textually reliable. When I am reading a version that is more interpretation-heavy I will cross-reference with a more reliable version when I come to an unexpected passage, so I am sure I am understanding it correctly.

If You Are Struggling

Try as you might, you just can’t develop the habit? Here are some suggestions:

  • Try something different – A different time, a different version of the Bible, a different study, a different way of consuming (switch from reading to audio or vice versa).
  • Find a mentor – Look for someone further along the journey who can help guide you.
  • Find accountability – Do you have a friend who wants to develop a habit? Help each other with accountability.
  • Find a group – Look for a Bible study group. Sometimes knowing you will be meeting with people gives you a deadline that helps motivate you.

God Wants YOU

Friends, this is not about following rules, or about checking off a to-do list. No legalism please! Time in God’s Word is about growing in a relationship.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John‬ ‭15:5‬

You start where you are. I did not expect my wild-child two year old to sit with me for thirty minutes and have a theological discussion. Now, at thirteen, he will happily sit for hours and discuss important topics with me. Your heavenly Father knows where you are in your journey. He loves you and wants to spend time with you where you are today.

There are no standards on how to do it “right.” Find a way to be intentional about spending time with God in His Word, in a way that works for your personality and your time. The fruit of your faithfulness will be joy!

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John‬ ‭15:10-11‬

Why Abide – Wrap Up

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Why should you abide in God's Word? Scripture gives many reasons - join us at Do Not Depart to learn more. #WhyAbide

There are so many important and compelling reasons to spend time reading and studying the Bible. This month we have looked at just a few of the countless reasons to abide in God’s Word:

What other reasons are there? We also study scripture:

  • out of obedience (Proverbs 4:20-21)
  • for guidance (Psalm 119:105)
  • for instruction (2 Timothy 3:16)
  • to be His disciples (John 8:31)
  • to grow in discernment (Hebrews 4:12)
  • to grow in purity (Psalm 119:9-11)

Why do you study the Bible? We encourage you to take the time today, and every day, to seek the Lord in His Word!

A wrap up of posts in this month’s series #WhyAbide

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Why do YOU study the bible? #WhyAbide

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Committing to Daily Bible Reading {guest post month}

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This guest post is from Ali Shaw. See her full bio at the end of the post.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Being in God’s Word daily is life changing. God’s Holy Word works to change our hearts as He sanctifies us through a growing relationship with Him. Any time is a good time to make the commitment to daily Bible reading, but autumn is an especially great time to start planning for the upcoming year.

Committing to Daily Bible Reading {guest post month on DoNotDepart.com}

Making the Commitment

Of first importance is making the commitment to read daily. For successful follow through, the reward of your goal must be worth the effort involved. (Think Phil 3:14.) A lot of well-intended people desire to read the Bible daily, but without a definite goal in sight and a reward in mind, good intentions easily get pushed aside. What do you consider the rewards of your efforts? What will drive you forward when your schedule gets busy or life “gets in the way”? What measures can you put in place to enforce accountability?

As a busy woman, here are a few rewards that drive me:

  • A period of peace and rest each day with my Savior
  • An ever-deepening relationship with God
  • Learning (I’m a life-student!)
  • Enlightened understanding (of even familiar passages)
  • Growth of personal peace and contentment as my faith deepens
  • The trickle-down effects that my commitment and spiritual growth have on my family

Choosing a Plan

After the commitment has been made to pursue daily Bible reading and your rewards are set before you, a plan should be chosen. This is the fun part! A huge number of Bible reading plans are available, so choose a plan that you’ll enjoy and that realistically fits you. Set yourself up for success. Remember, this goal is for Bible reading, not necessarily Bible study. I believe it’s crucial for Christians to both read the Bible for broad knowledge and study it for deeper understanding. Both are important elements in your walk. Choose a plan that will encourage you to read daily, and mark things down that you’d like to revisit later for Bible study.

So, where do you look for Bible reading plans and what should you choose? Great plans are available online as well as in Bible apps for smartphones and tablets, or you can come up with your own. Pray for God’s wisdom as you make your choice. If you’ve never read through the entire Bible, that’s a highly rewarding goal! It can be done in one year in just a few minutes a day. Or you may prefer to read daily concerning a certain topic. If your plan is shorter than one year, line up several plans so that when one ends your momentum is not lost—just begin the next plan!

Some resources that may be of help when choosing a plan and tracking your progress:

Tracking and Accountability

After you’ve made the commitment and chosen the plan, the next step is to do it. It seems so simple! So why do people burn out? Oftentimes, they aren’t keeping their goals before them. The task appears too big and the end too far ahead. Keeping the rewards in mind each day are helpful. You might write them on your tracking form or Bible journal and pray about them before you read each day. Use a tracking form to see your progress, and set up a method of accountability. Share your journey with your spouse, a friend or mentor, or even on social media.

Taking the time to share your progress on Facebook, Twitter, or even a captured image of your Bible time on Instagram are all great ways to hold yourself accountable and even encourage others to follow suit. If you fall behind, be kind to yourself! Try adding a few minutes to your reading time each day until you’ve caught back up, or reassess your goals if your life has unexpected changes that prevent you from catching up.

So, as 2013 wraps up and 2014 looms before you all fresh and new, consider making or renewing a commitment to meet with God daily as you read the pages of His Word. May you be richly blessed with a deepening relationship with Christ as He sanctifies your heart and grows you into a mature child of God.

Ali Shaw guest post on Do Not Depart

 

Alison Shaw can’t believe how blessed her life is!  She’s the wife of 20 years to her awesome, supportive soul mate, and momma to three beautiful daughters aged 19, 14, and 5. She’s learning to serve her Precious Lord more and more, day by day. You can catch her blogging at www.heartfeltreflections.wordpress.com to see the latest of what God’s been teaching her!

Staying in the Word

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My children pick up books throughout our days together and bring them to me to read or “read” themselves. Yesterday morning, I even found my older child “reading” to my younger one on the floor for the first time! Melts my momma heart.

It’s pretty easy to motivate them to cuddle and read together. (I pray, pray, pray this easy motivation remains and grows for a long time.) We enjoy quality time when we do so, they learn (hey, I still learn from their books, too), and we’re spending time wisely.

Experts say kids learn to love reading when families read together and when they see their parents reading for fun on their own. Just witnessing me reading encourages my kids to continue reading.

Staying in the Word - why and how to read bible from Do Not Depart

I want them to observe me captivated and changed from reading God’s Word and eager to pick up the Bible like (or more than) I am any other of my favorite reads.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8 – NIV)

Do Not Depart is founded upon the above verse. We need to stay in His Word, for doing so brings drastic results on our hearts and perspectives. Why, specifically?

Why We Read the Bible

  • Like Ann Voskamp said, “We read the Bible to really live…” God’s Word is living, and I only continue to see that truth more and more as years progress.
  • He formed us by His words (Genesis 1:26). It seems His words hold mighty power and importance.
  • His Word encourages community (Hebrews 10:24-25), discussion, and growth.
  • Reading the Word spurs action (James 1:22). His Words and the words of those who followed Him inspire us and draw us closer to the heart of God through revealing His active love.
  • His Word offers wisdom (James 3:17-18).
  • God’s Word is trustworthy, alive, and powerful.
  • Christ is the Word become flesh (John 1:14). A pretty good reason to linger in His Word, eh?

How to Stay in His Word

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 is one of my go-to verses on the “how” part of staying in His Word. Talk about the verses, see the verses, read the verses, act on the verses.

As any discipline does, it takes training to making reading the Bible a habit.

Read and think every day. If it’s one book, one chapter, or one verse—just read. And pray for an open heart to His Word for you that day. Whenever I approach Bible reading time with a prayer and willingness, I see so much more of what He wants me to see.

A Few More Resources to Help You Stay in the Word

So, go ahead. Cuddle up with your bible. And see what amazing love you find from lingering in His Word.

Why do you read God’s Word? What are your favorite tips for staying in His Word? We love hearing from you.

Which Bible Translation Is Right for You?

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Last year I worked at a popular Christian bookstore chain. We were asked more questions about Bible translations than anything else.

“What are the differences in all these translations?”

“Why are there so many different Bibles?”

“How do I know which one to get?”

Here’s the basic information about different Bible translations and how to choose the best one for you!

The types of Bible translations are referred to as “word-for-word” and “thought-for-thought.” Word-for-word translations try to remain as close as possible to the early manuscripts. Thought-for-thought translations seek to communicate the original thoughts of the biblical writers.

Here are the most popular versions on a scale, beginning with word-for-word, and moving to thought-for-thought:

Word-for-word

  • New American Standard Bible
  • English Standard Version
  • King James Version
  • New King James Version
  • Holman Christian Standard Bible
  • New International Version
  • God’s Word Translation
  • New Living Translation

Thought-for-thought

(The Message is a paraphrase version of the Bible, not a translation.)

When choosing which translation of Bible is right for you, consider these questions,

  • Will I be using this Bible for devotional reading? If so, you may want an easier to read, thought-for-thought translation.
  • Will I be using this Bible for inductive study? If so, you may want a word-for-word translation.
  • Will I be taking this Bible to church? If so, what version does your pastor use? You may want to get the same one so it’s easier to follow along.
  • Will I be using this Bible to teach others? If so, you may want to pick a popular translation so more people in your audience will have the same version.
  • Will I be using this Bible with my children or to teach children? If so, consider getting a translation that is easier for children to understand. (Two translations specifically for children are the New International Reader’s Version and the International Children’s Bible.)

Knowing what you will use your Bible for and understanding the types of Bible translations will help you choose the right Bible translation for you.

What’s your favorite Bible translation? Why do you like it?

You’ve got to have a plan

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Can you hear the countdown yet? A new year arrives in less than 48 hours and 2011 will be history. Are you ready? Have you made plans for 2012?

I’m not talking about vacation plans or career plans or plans to renovate your kitchen, though those all need thought and preparation. No, I’m talking about purposeful plans to spend time with God in 2012.

Many of us start the year with good intentions, but regular time with God in His Word often falls by the wayside because we’ve failed to put a plan in place. Planning is not “unspiritual.” Paul told Timothy to “train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7) because real spiritual growth takes discipline and purposeful intent.

A great place to begin is with a Bible reading plan. Haphazard reading will always be just that – haphazard. If you have a plan, then you have direction and structure. You never have to wonder, “What will I read today?”

If you’d like to have both a reading plan and group accountability I invite you to join me as I use the “Chronological Bible Story” Reading plan. I’ve invited all my Facebook friends and I have a nice big group joining in. I’ve established a Facebook group where we can talk about what we’re reading, ask questions, and be encouraged.

Won’t you join us? Here’s the group entitled “Reading the Bible Together in 2012”. You can access the reading plan there, or here.

If this plan does not meet your needs, I have several other Bible reading plans on my website. You are welcome to use any of them. Be sure to check out the other discipleship resources as well like the “Quiet Time Tips” and Prayer Helps.

Have you used a Bible reading plan before? What are your goals for getting into God’s Word in 2012?

 

The Type A Quiet Time

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I have loved reading about everyone’s personal time with the Lord … and have gleaned some great insights from each post so far.  I’m already trying to figure out how to add photos like Kathy and incorporate those Sabbath principles shared by Julie.

My life is routine-driven.  In fact, that might be the understatement of the year so far.  I’m definitely a “type-A” personality.  I like lists, schedules, and plans … I do not thrive in chaos nor do I enjoy spontaneity.  It should, therefore, not be any sort of surprise that my quiet time is much the same today as it has been the past 10 years.

As I mentioned in a Your Turn post, I generally get up before my family … remember my rule, “I don’t speak to anyone until I have listened to God”?    I have a comfy corner of the couch where I can look out the patio doors and watch the sunrise as I spend those early moments of my day with the Lord.

Sunrise on March 17, 2010: the view from my couch

I always begin my quiet time by journaling.  As I write out the events of the past day and what is coming in the day ahead, I find myself processing … that becomes a blend of recording specific events and feelings merged with prayers and verses that the Lord brings to my mind as I write.  For me, getting all of that out helps me prepare to hear from the Lord as I read the Bible.

I read a chapter of Proverbs every day. Sometimes I also read from another portion of Scripture as well … savoring the passages and making notes/prayers as I read.  But, honestly, there are many days when I simply read a chapter of Proverbs, choose a verse and focus on it for the rest of that day.

In addition to reading the Bible, I prefer devotional material that is at least 100 years old … something about the lasting nature of these writings draws me to them.  In 2009, I used Streams in the Desert which is not quite 10o years old but certainly qualifies as a Christian classic.  This year, I am reading several books by various authors … currently, I am reading The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross.  Using this type of material helps me gain perspective on the difficulties and joys of daily life.

My prayer time is filled with lots of stops and starts … generally I begin by just sitting.  Practicing the discipline of stillness … which does not come naturally to me.  As thoughts or individuals come to mind I pray for wisdom or healing or peace, whatever the situation demands.  Often I will use a Psalm as a prayer, taking a passage and praying it as it applies to me.    I use my prayer calendar as well during this time – dedicating each month to praying for a specific person or group.  Finally, I grab my Daytimer and to do list … I pray over each moment and task – in my life and for my husband and daughter.

Instead of trying to fight my organizational nature and my lists and plans, I use them to guide me … and in the process I lay them down before the Lord’s plans, trusting in His over mine.

Ho does your personality influence your quiet time patterns?  Maybe you are having such a difficult time because you are trying to fit your personality into a quiet time format designed for someone else … embrace the way God made you and commune with Him!


For Further Reading:

A Quiet Time Routine – Additional insights on quiet times from my blog.

Prayer Calendaring –  An example of how I have used a prayer calendar.

Books I have found useful:

Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas – Identifies 9 different “pathways” to connect with God.  This book has been very useful to me in helping others figure out how to improve their quiet times.

Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman – If you are facing difficulties right now, this is a great one-year devotional book packed with insight and encouragement.

Also, please check out our new Devotional Materials and Resources page for more book and website suggestions on this topic.

Kathy’s Quiet Time

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I spend my daily time with God at a roll top desk in my home office. Each of the items on my desk is an important part of my time with God.

  1. Bible – In addition to my main NIV Study Bible, I keep other translations close at hand. I use the NIV for study and memorization, as well as much of my Bible reading. I also read familiar passages in other translations. And I like to use the New Living Translation for devotional reading.
  2. Bible Reading Plan – I usually use a year-long reading plan. It keeps me purposeful and on track. Late in the fall I will research and pray about a reading plan for 2011. (If you need a plan I have several on my site that are free to download.)
  3. Journal – I record specific things God teaches or shows me from His Word. Then I can go back and review them. I also write down things He tells me to do. Writing them down makes me feel more accountable! And writing prayers or the main points of what I’m praying about helps keep my mind from wandering.
  4. Scripture Memory Cards – I keep the new verses and the verses from the last few months on top of my desk. My goal is to recite the new verse every day and to review the last few verses weekly.
  5. Prayer Photos – The photos taped inside my desk remind me to pray for specific friends, family members, and missionaries. It’s hard to pass over them when you can see their faces!
  6. Coffee Mug – I meet with God first thing in the morning before the demands of the day have a chance to intrude. For me, morning means coffee!
  7. Tissues – Allergies and emotions make Kleenex a must!
  8. Pen and highlighter

Having all my quiet time essentials in one place and always ready helps me stay consistent. (You may not have an extra room or even a desk, but you can keep your quiet time materials together in a box or tote bag so you don’t have to hunt and gather!)

My “quiet time” is the time I spend in purposeful fellowship with God. I talk to Him and I seek to hear Him speak to me through His Word and prayer. Although I do learn many things about God as I read His Word, my quiet time is separate from my Bible study time.

Usually I begin by praising God and asking Him to speak to me. As I read His Word I interact with God in prayer. I really want to have a two-way conversation. I ask Him questions and “listen” for His answers. I write down what God teaches me about Himself as well as anything I need to follow up on later.

My prayers include confession and repentance, praise, thanksgiving, and petition (asking God for things for myself and others). Some days my prayers include all of these. But from day to day, my quiet time will reflect what’s going on in my relationship with God at the time. If I’ve wronged God by sinning, then my time with Him needs to concentrate on repentance and getting things right with Him. If I’m struggling with a decision then I will spend more time seeking God’s wisdom and guidance.

Although there is no set formula for my time with God, it always includes both hearing from God through His Word and speaking to God through prayer. I try to let the specifics of how much time in each and in what order flow naturally out of my interaction with Him.

May God bless your time with Him!      Kathy

My Time to Dig – Key Ingredients

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On my recent post, How Much Time Is Enough, I mentioned some advice I had received in the early days of my Christian walk. A sweet man of God told me, “Stephanie, there’s a difference between reading God’s Word and studying it…and you need to try to do both every day.” That advice has been my quiet time filter for over 20 years.

With the exception of a few things, my quiet time hasn’t really changed much. Some of the seasons of my life have caused me to juggle my schedule and change my routine, but the key ingredients have virtually remained the same. I may have juggled the order in which they fall-I may have grown along the way, but there are five elements that have remained a constant in my quiet time over  the years.

STUDY – This is my “must do” of the day. I’m a “word” girl, so I love to study the original meaning of things and expand my understanding of God’s Word. That probably explains why I love the Amplified version and why I love study books. I study words, topics, books of the Bible and characters. Most of the time I just get out my Bible, my Bible study books (some of my favorites are on an older post entitled, “Finding What I’m Looking For”) and just dig in, but other times I use a workbook. Right now, I’m going through “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” by Elizabeth George.

My study time also goes hand in hand with what I’m speaking on or writing about, so while I’m going through “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” – I’m also studying the New Testament church, character studies of moms of the Bible and the book of Philippians.

READ – I like to read through the Bible every year. I confess that I’ve never purchased a One Year Bible before, but that’s a personal preference. When I read through the Bible, I want to be able to make notes of how God speaks to me or write a prayer beside a promise and date it. I want to leave a trail in my Bible of where I’ve been and where God has led me.

I also confess that when life gets complicated and I’m on overload that the “Reading” time is the one that gets set aside for a season. Don’t get me wrong, I continue to spend time studying the Word, but when I can’t fit it all in, I set aside my reading until my life gets back on an even keel.

JOURNAL – Although I’m not really into “diary-style” journaling, I love to journal my journey through the Word. This helps me be attentive when I’m in the Word…looking for nuggets of truth and listening for His still small voice.

Each page of my journal normally contains two titles. THE WORD. PRAYER.

The Word – is where I write down insights in His Word, places where He has spoken to me, promises I’m claiming, wisdom I’m seeking, direction I’m in need of, correction I’m also in need of and moments where He has clearly made Himself known to me.

Prayer – is where I write those things that I was prompted to pray for as I was reading. Where I pray in reference to something I had just read in Scripture. Where I list a promise I’m clinging to or a praise for speaking to my heart.

PRAYER – I like to maintain a list for daily prayer. I’ve changed this up over the years as to the way I keep track of it, but I have to have a list or things fall through the crack of things “I meant to pray.” I make a list with headings like, Family, Friends, Church, Nation, Costa Rica & Panama, Pastors, Missionaries & the Persecuted Church.

DEVOTIONAL – I love to read short, challenging and encouraging devotionals. My all time favorite is My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I also like Streams in the Desert, The Daily Bread and many blogs that I subscribe to for daily devotionals. Ann Graham Lotz has a great one, as well.

Something new I’ve learned to do over the past year is to “settle” in with the Lord. I learned about it when I went through a book called Saturdays With Stella and it changed my concept of being still before God. It’s more about getting to a place where you just enjoy His presence. Nothing has to be said, nothing has to be done. Like when you sit in the room with a loved one and enjoy the sweetness of being together – silently saying “I love you.”

And when you think about it, isn’t that what our time with the Lord is all about. Through spending time in God’s Word and in prayer – we are telling Him, “I love you” and hearing Him say the same back to us.

Tell us about your quiet time with the Lord. Do you struggle with some things more than others?

How Much Time Is Enough?

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Many people ask how much time they should spend reading the Bible. It’s a good question, but there is no one-size-fits-all kind of answer. When it comes to the time we spend in God’s Word, there is no such thing as “too much” – there is no such thing as “too little.”

I remember not long after I became a Christian a sweet and godly man told me that there is a big difference between reading God’s Word and studying it and that I needed to strive to do both each day. That word of wisdom has stuck with me through the years. For better or for worse, I still strive to do both every day. I say, “for better or for worse” because, at times, I’ve weighed myself down with self-imposed expectations that were impossible to keep in light of what I was going through.

You see, it doesn’t take long on planet earth to learn that life happens and circumstances don’t always add up to an hour in the morning reading God’s Word and an hour in the evening studying it. Life happens. People get sick. Tragedy strikes. Schedules are altered. Children are up all night throwing up. Elderly parents need to be cared for. Newborn babies cry through the night. A house full of children make it impossible to find a quiet place.

We’re all in different seasons in our lives and we face an ongoing jockeying of our schedules trying to prevent our worlds from colliding with our time in the Word.

On the flip side of the circumstantial coin, it’s important that we don’t let our dailies dictate our agendas. If we’re not careful, our lives can become an excuse for not spending time in the Word of the Living God.

So, how much time is enough? As much as you can possibly invest! As much as you desire to grow given the season you are in right now. As much as you need comfort, courage, wisdom and strength in the circumstances you face today. As much as you need to build your faith and guard your heart during the storms that are sure to come. As much as you desire to leave a legacy of diligence and godliness for your children. As much as you can, dear one…as much as you can.

But if you’re anything like me, your attempts will be hit and miss without the benefit of a well-crafted plan. Fortunately, there are plenty out there for you to choose from. Biblegateway.com has several reading plans available. Another great source is Heartlight.org.

If you’re looking for ways to make time in the Word a priority in your life, here are some ideas that I hope will inspire you.

Choose a plan. I recommend you try beginning with a “read the Bible in a year” plan now. That normally takes about 20-30 minutes a day.

Commit to a timeframe that works for you. Evaluate your schedule and write down your time in the Word in your appointment book. That’s right…make an appointment with God and guard it at all possible costs. If you don’t think you have enough time, think about how much time you spend watching TV. Consider how many hours you spend on the computer…on Facebook, on Twitter, blogging and email. Think of the time you spend randomly talking on the phone to your friends. None of those things are bad, but they’re no comparison with our time in the Word.

Be accountable. Find a friend who loves to spend time in the Word and give her permission to keep you accountable. It may not be easy, but you have to be willing to allow others into your world and ask you questions that may aggravate you every once in a while.

Teach Someone. You will never learn more than when you teach someone else. Teaching puts you under the gun and literally makes you spend time in the Word. I’ve often said that speaking is selfish for me because it motivates me to diligently study God’s Word so that I’m able to present it clearly to others.

Be forgiving. Give yourself room to fail and room for life to happen without beating yourself up or giving up. If you miss a day, a week, a month…just look at your plan and begin reading where you are. Don’t try to catch up…just start where you are and get back on track.

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Psalm 119:92-93  reminds us of the life-giving qualities God’s Word, “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.”

If you struggle with trying to figure out how much time is enough, just remember, when it comes to the time we spend in God’s Word, there is no such thing as “too much” – there is no such thing as “too little.” No time in the Word is wasted. So…dig in!


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