Yes, I'm missing in action! It has been a busy week! But I wanted to pop in and offer you both a challenge and word of encouragement. Please sisters, make time to:
Get into the Word and spend time with Abba!
About two years ago, I began a journey of reading through the Bible. I haven't followed a plan. Instead, I pick a book and read about a chapter a day, plodding along at a manageable pace. Yet, often times, it has taken a back seat to Bible study homework, as mustering another five minutes to my usual morning time seems to be impossible.
I know I am not alone in this pattern. Like most of us gals, Bible study often pushes out Scripture reading. It is a funny dichotomy! We're in the Word, but it isn't the same as reading the Word for ourselves.
When I began reading through Luke about six weeks ago, before starting the Beth Moore study of Esther, I was determined to keep the daily pace. Unfortunately, it only happened on my days off of homework. But this week, we've had no study, which means no homework, so I picked up Luke again. This is what I've learned through seeing the contrast of the last six weeks to this past week:
The study of Scripture is not a replacement of our personal reading of Scripture. It needs to be in addition to it!
The Lord has been speaking to me in such a precious way throughout this week because of my time in His Word, and as I result I feel so much closer to Him. There hasn't been any profound realizations, but rather gentle reminders of His truth, His consistency, His relevancy in our culture. Listening to Him each day really makes me feel in relationship with the Lord, rather than being just a good Christian girl doing Bible study homework. I'd take the former over the later any day!
It is the difference between sitting down with Dad and
hearing His voice,
versus sitting down with Mom,
whose telling me about what Dad said.
Yes, His truth is the same in both scenarios. Yes, I have something to learn in both conversations. But the connection with Dad is lost when we don't have that face to face time! It isn't just the Word, itself, that matters, my friends. It is the relationship. The listening, the talking, the time alone.
Sweet sisters, put down what you are doing. Grab your Bible and read a chapter. Do it again tomorrow, and the day after. If you need to, go to the bathroom and lock the door. It is just a few minutes, but the investment of time is worth the blessing tenfold. God wants your heart to listen to His. Give Him the opportunity to speak.
Maybe you'll join me in Luke. I'm only in chapter 13. You'll never know what you might learn about your life through the Word.
By His Grace & Mighty Power,
P.S. I covet your prayers as I'll be speaking this morning, Friday, to teenage girls about "Guys, Girls, and God." I'll be sharing my testimony and launching an 8-week follow up series that begins Monday night. Please do pray for me to have discernment! And pray for their hearts to be ready to receive and ready for transformation!
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4 Comments:
Praying for you my friend.
Such good advice. It's easy to get caught up in Bible studies but you're so right. Nothing replaces spending time reading Scripture and spending time with Abba Daddy.
What a challenge to be teaching these young gals. But how I love that you're willing to do this. We need to teach the younger and also to listen to words of wisdom from women who are older than us. That is what the Bible teaches in Titus.
Blessings and I will pray,
Debbie
Fabulous post and so true!
I've written about this on my own blog and really have felt convicting about having a true bible reading over just doing bible studying using everything but His word directly.
My church had a month challenge to read the bible for a month and beyond and I'm currently reading,"Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study" and at the same time, really using my life journal and blog to journal my daily bible readings and what is called the "S.O.A.P." method while reading the bible.
The life journal has a daily reading plan that my church follows and is also available online and it's help me really just commit to reading His word.
Doing "bible studies" are great, but when it comes to the real "meat" of understanding His word, there is definitely no subsitute for God's Word itself.
Among the many great verses as to how important it is to read His word, two of them are:
Psalm 119:111: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
and Proverbs 2 (too long to share here)
I just ran across your blog and I'm just inspired. Thank you for your gentle words; God is definitely using you as an encourager for women. I appreciate your dedication and look forward to continuing to read your blog.
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I'm so glad you decided to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'd also love to follow up with you, so be sure to leave your email address or a link to your blog! If you'd like to contact me directly, just pop an email to Lisa at extragrace at gmail dot com.
Blessings, extravagantly,
Lisa