Most of you have noticed I posted a lot of entries last night.  Well these are previous posts that I have updated.  I haven’t been involved in round the clock bible study (although that probably isn’t a bad idea)!  Because I used Window’s live writer to update each entry, they were published as new.  I apologize for the confusion.

As regards my personal bible reading, I do hope others are inspired to read it for themselves.  However, I don’t want anyone to have the idea that I am somehow super spiritual or anything like that.  I simply made the commitment three or four years ago to make the reading and hopefully applying of God’s Word a part of my life. 

My goal is one chapter each day.  Sometimes, it gets really good and I may read two.  And now I have incorporated commentaries as part of my reading. If I miss a day or two I don’t beat myself up.  I just pick up where I left off.  This isn’t about earning anything from God, or impressing Him.  It is about a long term commitment to actively pursue Him through His Word even if I occasionally miss a day in the short term. 

For those of you that think this is a hard thing to do, you are absolutely correct.  Like any spiritual discipline (prayer, fasting, etc.) the flesh does not want to do it, and you never will if you wait until you feel like it.  Combine that with the fact that we have so many other things that make demands on our time as well as other things we would rather be doing and reading the Bible tends to fall to the wayside.

Here are my suggestions to those that want to spend time reading the Word on a regular basis.  DO IT!  For me that means getting up early enough to have some uninterrupted time.  For you it may be the middle of the day, just before bed, or whenever a free moment presents itself.  Make the decision and do it!  My other suggests are as follows:

1. Most people should avoid “read the bible in a year” plans.  It is completely worthless to speed read the bible.  These plans require a big chunk of time you don’t have each day.  They also emphasize speed rather than study.  The point of reading the Bible is to understand it and grow from it, not to get through it quickly.  As I’ve said, I have been reading for close to four years and I have just finished my second trip through the bible.   I've taken my time and paid attention without worrying about a deadline.

2. Don’t pressure yourself to spend a certain amount of time each day in study.  If you say you are going to read for one hour and your attention span isn’t that long, then ultimately you are only reading for that time to say you spent an hour reading. 

3. Only read as long as you can focus on it.  The passage you are reading should be the focal point.  If your mind is on what you have do next, or what is for dinner you’ve been reading too long.

4. Try to read the same time and in the same place each day.  If you can commit to doing this for a few weeks you will find you have formed a habit.  It will no longer be an inconvenience because it has become part of your daily schedule.

5. Take advantage of all the available resources.  With today’s technology, you can read the bible anytime and anywhere without ever opening the book.  Here are two of my favorite tools:

a. www.e-sword.net – This site has a tool you can download to your computer or pocket PC.  You can then download various translations, commentaries, and dictionaries.  This is my favorite and it is free.  The creator of this tool does accept donations so if you can help him please do.

b.http://www.eachnewday.com/HowToStudyTheBible/ – This site offers various bible study methods (verse by verse, topical, etc.) as well as free forms to take notes.  Taking notes helps you to rehearse what you have learned, create focus, and also create a point of reference.  This is what I do with my summaries.  I can look at my notes from three years ago and see how my understanding has deepened.  That encourages me to keep reading.

6. Spend a few minutes before you start in prayer.  You are about to read God’s Word so you want Him to meet you there.  Thank him for all He’s done.  Repent for any unresolved sin.  Give Him your burdens.  And most important to this particular time, ask Him to give you a proper understanding of His Word and and the strength to obey Him.  The whole point of taking this time is to hear from Him and allow Him to work in your life, not to put another star next to your name.

Bible study is not something that only God’s holiest can do.  We all need it regardless of our failings and shortcomings.  It will help us recognize truth and lies.  We get to learn about our Heavenly Father.  We find out what His will is.  And in times of trouble, we will have embedded in our hearts and minds the promises of our God to help us get through.

Do you want to break free?  Do you want to grow spiritually?  Do you want a closer walk with the Lord?  Do you want to live a life that pleases Him?  Well reading His Word is the place to start!  If you have been blessed by this study, please take a moment to leave your comments.