Originally published Sunday, 16 October 2016.
FINDING TIME FOR GOD’S WORD: HELP FOR THE BUSY BELIEVER
Spending time in God’s Word doesn’t have to take hours. There’s no rule that says you have to lock yourself away for three hours a day to study His word. I wonder if many of us feel that since we can’t schedule x amount of time, why bother. I know I’ve felt like that in the past.
TIME IN GOD’S WORD: QUALITY VS QUANTITY
I’m convinced that God is more concerned with the quality rather than the quantity.
SPENDING TIME IN THE WORD IS REALLY A MATTER OF THE HEART AND NOT A MATTER OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT.
Ideally, our day should be structured around our quiet time.
That may mean getting up before everyone else in the house to spend a few minutes in the Word to get that quiet time that will set the tone for the rest of your day. (Remember, the early bird gets the worm Word!)
It may mean reinventing yourself as a night owl, allowing the special time with Him to bring you peace and lull you to sleep.
But, most likely, because of the world we live it, it may mean grabbing snippets here and there throughout the day. And that’s better than not spending time in the Word at all.
AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Spending time in the Word on-the-go isn’t ideal, but with so many ways to make that happen, it’s certainly an option. Carry a small Bible or devotion in your bag. Download a bible or devotional app or Godly podcast for your smart phone. Listen to a teaching CD on your commute.
Frankly, there are so many different ways for us to get God’s word into our ears and hearts that there’s really no excuse to not do it anymore.
TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE ACCESS TO GOD’S WORD SIMPLE.
So no matter how, find a minute here and there. God’s word in your ears, brain, AND heart will help defend you from the enemy’s attacks. It will strengthen you. It will encourage you. It will make a difference in you.
FIND YOURSELF
If you’re new to the Word–and even if you aren’t–I believe a great place to start (if you haven’t already) is with finding out who you are in Him.
I’ve just now started understanding who I am in Him.
Not who I think I might be. Not who someone told me I was (or wasn’t). Not who the enemy would like me to think I am. Not who I think I should be. No, none of that!
I’m talking about who He says I am.
I don’t say this lightly by any stretch of the imagination: It’s impossible to know how much He loves you and what kind of a life He truly wants you to have without understanding who you are in Him. I’m talking about your true identity–who Christ died for you to be.
When you learn what He thinks of you, how much He loves you, the affectionate names that He calls you, how He has actually equipped you to be bold and courageous, everyday life takes on new meaning.
Once you find your true identity, you’re then enabled to think about yourself as God does. You’ll start to see yourself as He sees you.
YOU’LL BEGIN WANTING WHAT HE WANTS FOR YOU AND YOUR LIFE.
Remember that spending time in God’s Word isn’t about time; it’s a matter of the heart. It’s that you’re actually putting aside a small block of time, no matter how hurried and scurried you are, as an expression of your need for Him in your life, your need to have a two-way relationship, and your desire to be obedient to Him. It’s more about how much you’re yearning to hear from Him, spend time with Him, and invest in your relationship with Him.
QUICK START
Here’s a list of my favorite scriptures (linkable) that will give you a jumpstart to finding out your true identity:
- (Col 3:12) Beloved
- (1 Cor 6:19) the temple of The Holy Spirit
- (Rom 6:6, 8:2) FREE!
- (John 15:15) A friend of Jesus
- (Rom 3:24) Redeemed
- (Eph 2:4-5) ALIVE & SAVED
- (Zechariah 2:8-10) The apple of His eye
- (John 10:10) His desire for you
How will you make the effort to start spending time in His Word today?