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Studying God’s word means nothing if it doesn’t affect our days. Here are some helpful tips, as we focus on what to do as a result of what the Lord is teaching us through His Word.
1. Consider this: You already know more than you can ever obey.
Too often we can find ourselves looking for the “next best Bible Study” to revive our spiritual life. Instead of trying to find something to “fix” you, look and listen to what you have already been taught. Oftentimes God is wooing us to apply something, through a few different people and places but we can be too busy or too stubborn to hear what He is saying. Obey what you already know and you will see life change.
2. Focus on one thing at a time.
Focusing on too many things is a sure way to fail. We can only do a few things well. Prayerfully search for what God wants you to focus on, pick one and move forward.
3. Give yourself time…
4. …and grace.
5. Take baby steps.
The steps we take towards change must be specific and realistic. Take small, intentional steps towards what God is calling you to.
6. Make a plan, and share it.
Whether it be in a journal, with a friend or spouse, on Facebook, Twitter, or all of the above! Share what God is leading you towards. This helps bring clarity as you process it with others, as well as brings solidarity to your plans. Of course, sharing your plan is also a great source of accountability.
7. Surround yourself with others who are heading in the same direction.
My favorite thing about Twitter is the community that I have found from others who are working on the same thing I am. #HelloMornings has been fuel to my efforts in getting up early to meet with the Lord. #HideHisWord is a great source of encouragement and accountability from others who are memorizing scripture. Of course, you can do this without Twitter. Find two or three others who will commit to praying for you, and invite them to join in on what God has challenged you to.
8. OBEDIENCE is the key.
Regardless of our well-laid plans we must pay attention to the Lord’s leading. He may later lead us to stop, be still, or focus on something else well before we feel like we are “ready” to move on. If our efforts are not out of obedience, then it is impossible to apply scripture to our lives in a way that will bring life change.
9. Pay attention to what is driving your efforts.
Are you driven primarily out of your own strength, or out of an overflow of all the Lord is doing in you through His great grace?
10. Remember who is ultimately the One who brings change.
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Galatians 5:16I am sure of this that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 1:6;2:13
and Thought Provoking Thursday
This is an edited repost from the Do Not Depart archives.
That’s a great post Katie. I love the monthly focus, I learned that from you when I read about you doing the 3in30 – it does really help you to accomplish something you might otherwise always have at the back of your mind and never get around to! And it is so important to remember God’s grace in application so we don’t get discouraged. One of my favourite verses is ‘For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.’ Pro 24:16 it always encourages me to get back up again like you said.
I think #1 is very insightful. I hadn’t thought of it that way before.
Great insight, Katie! It’s easy to just READ the Bible and not really do anything about it…hmmm…where have I read that before?! :)
Thanks for the encouragement to APPLY and DO the word!
Wow! Number 1 really struck me. Great list!
I just recently found your blog through “Inspired To Action”. I love to study the Word, but it’s easy for me to get overwhelmed with feeling like I need to do more than I’m currently doing. Your post breaks this down so nicely, and shows that studying the bible is something we all are able to do, no matter what season of life we are in. God is more interested in us applying what we’ve learned in His Word (even if we only read a few verses that day), rather than mindlessly reading just to feel like we’ve accomplished something. Thanks for this encouraging post. :)
All of these were excellent advice! I may have to try the monthly focus. I flit around so much when I read, that I probably am not taking everything in that I could be.
All of these tips are so true and so helpful. Number 2 is especially so for me. I often try to take on too much that I can’t focus as well.
(Catching up on posts; sorry it’s taken me so long to read this one!)
I just saw this post when I was reviewing some missed Top Ten Tuesday tips. Great thoughts. Thanks.