Have you ever had the feeling that you forgot something? The one where you knew there was something you were supposed to do? I have that feeling often.
There is one thing that I neglect that really gets my day off track. My worst days are the ones when I don’t read my Bible.
Sometimes I may go several days without turning a page. I know that it contains the bread of life for a Christian. The sustenance I have found there in the past has always brought peace to my soul.
So why do I neglect my study then? How could I waiver from the very thing I need to survive this world?
It turns out that I am easily distracted. I also know that I can get lazy. What an imperfect creature I am.
Maybe you are a little like me. Do you have days like I described? Perhaps some days you can find no peace at all.
If you are a Christian, then the study of God’s word is essential for your daily walk. When I get to a place where my soul is uneasy I look back in time. Did I read my Bible today? Have I read it this week at all?
The truth is that all Christians, at some point in their lives, have neglected to study God’s word. It is where we can all find peace but we all lay it aside. I’m not sure why we do that.
I believe that God knows how we are. He made us, and thankfully, he is always ready for reconciliation when we get back to his scripture.
All Have Sinned And Come Short Of The Glory Of God
Is it a sin to neglect our study of the Bible? Perhaps. I’m not sure. I do know that it leaves a void when I don’t read daily.
My point is that we all fall short. We all slip up and stop doing the things we know are good for us. It’s just how we are built.
Imperfection is universal. The same Bible that we need to study every day is clear on this. Don’t beat yourself up if you have slacked off.
You may be a new Christian. Perhaps you didn’t understand how important a daily practice of study is. We were all there at one time.
There is no shame in being new to this way. We are all on our own journey. Every Christian I know has some room to grow.
We are in a high paced world. Things that we mean to do sometimes get neglected. We rush here and there and sometimes forget about the things that we need the most.
I have got up late for work, ran out the door and spent some lousy days because I didn’t make time for God’s word. At the end of the day I came home, mad at the world, and still didn’t open the Good Book. That usually leads to me being short with my family. All because I didn’t slow down enough to receive the peace God has in his scriptures.
Everywhere we look in the world people claim they have the way to peace. We are tempted all day long to try ways contrary to what God has instructed.
It is hard sometimes to stay the course with so many things that catch our eye. Peace is something that we all want. I believe that it can be found in the Bible.
Feed Your Soul With God’s Word Every Day
So, we have established that we all fall short in our study. There is a way to do better. You don’t have to stay where you are.
First, drop the guilt you feel for not studying. You don’t need that baggage with you. You can’t change the past so don’t live there.
You simply need to establish a habit. Make Bible reading something you just do. Start small and commit to doing it every day.
I have found that my best time to study is in the morning. Get up a little bit earlier than usual. See for yourself how this time with God’s word will enhance your day and ultimately your life.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105)
Early morning time with God will help you to prepare for the day. Scripture compares the Word of God to a sword. Get ready first thing in the morning for the spiritual battle that will challenge you every day.
You may want to consider a devotional to help you with your study. Sometimes it helps to read other’s perspective on the Bible. I really enjoy My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers.
It is also very helpful to close the day with scripture. You don’t have to study or read as much as your morning session. Just read a verse or two before you lay down to sleep.
Habit building takes time. Experts don’t always agree on how long so just know it will take a while. Stick with this new practice and eventually it will just be a part of who you are.
Daily Bible Study Brings Peace, And So Much More!
There are so many rewards you will receive when you make daily Bible reading a part of your life. The bountiful blessings that God bestows on those who seek his ways and study his word are too many to count.
It is important for Christians to have a knowledge of scripture. We all need to have answers for those who want to know more about God’s word.
Your purpose here as a Christian is to serve God and others. If you can aid people in their walk with a knowledge of scripture then you will benefit as well. There is deep satisfaction that comes to a soul that has aided another.
The Bible is a spiritual book. You should read it with prayer in your heart. I ask God to guide my study every morning before I begin.
Spiritual growth is vital to a Christian. If we put our focus on God through daily study then we can’t help but grow spiritually. Every day will bring new challenges, but the person that is spiritually mature can handle whatever comes.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17)
You have the capacity to grow your faith every day. Faith is not some fixed quantity that some can have and some do not. Do not look at someone else and wish you could have faith like they do. It is available to everyone.
Your faith will be put to the test. That is why it is crucial to study every day. Paul said that our faith comes from the word of God.
People have many different things in life they put their trust in. The fact remains that, when all of the things in this life have come up short, we are left with faith. Increase your faith daily by study. You are going to need it.
Use Daily Feelings Of Accomplishment To Grow In Peace
We all need to feel like we have achieved something every day. Days that we live without feeling like we have attained something can seem empty.
The feeling of accomplishment that comes from daily study is very satisfying. The Spirit of God dwelling in a Christian will give you the contentment you seek when you try to learn more about him.
It is also important to realize that a daily Bible study is a form of obedience. God pleads with your soul to read it. He is pleased when you do. If he is pleased with you then he will bless you.
All of these benefits are there for you if you desire them. There is one more reward that I believe all of our souls desire. That is Godly peace. You can have that too.
Move Today Toward The Peace That The Bible Has For You!
I am terrible at change. I always seem to find some way to put it off. My busy life has little room for something new today.
Tomorrow I will start my exercise routine. Maybe I should wait until Monday to begin that diet. I would hate to start a new thing this month. The first day of next month would be a great place to begin. So I push things on down the line.
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)
I don’t want you to be like me. My growth as a Christian has been hampered by my own procrastination. Every day that I have put off studying God’s word has been an opportunity squandered.
You have a choice to make every day. God has provided an instruction manual for all of us. You can read it every day for the peace you are looking for or you can try it on your own.
God loves you. I believe that he wants to help you. A major part of that help comes from the Bible.
I want to encourage you to start today with a Bible study. Don’t put it off any longer. You can only benefit from such a practice.
You may go for a few days and then miss one. That’s okay. Don’t dwell on that. Start right back in the next day and go again.
I know from my own experience that my soul has no peace unless I am walking with God. I don’t want you to feel that restlessness. You don’t have to. Dust off that Bible and start growing in God’s wonderful peace today.