Read it!

When Paul commands us to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), we should see this as something that should happen each day we wake up. How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? Yes, as a believer God's Spirit lives inside of you(1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19). But if you want that daily overflow of the Holy Spirit of God in your life, then you need to spend time each day in the Bible and in prayer.

It starts by just reading your Bible.  Sounds simple, but for many of us it is harder than it sounds.  Our excuses are many....not enough time, too tired, don't understand it, where do I start? too many distractions.

Yes, I have used all of those before, Maybe those are just my excuses that I have used and no one else. OK. Honestly, we all have probably used at least one of these excuses. So what are ways to overcome these excuses?

It takes discipline.  It takes the mind set of, "Ok, tomorrow I will get up and open my Bible and read it." It takes having a plan, "Where I am going to go in my home to find a quiet place with no distractions?" "What exactly am I going to read in the Bible?" It takes consistancy, "No matter what comes up or how I feel (emotionally), I am going to get up, open my Bible and read it.  And I am going to do it everyday."

So what is your plan? Here are some suggestions:

1. Read in your Bible five Psalms each day.  If you read five Psalms each day for a month you will be finished with the book of Psalm at the end of the month. Do this every month. Yes, it will take a few extra minutes to read that many Psalms each day especially when you get to chapters like chapter 119.
2. Read in your Bible a chapter in Proverbs each day.  If you start reading at the beginning of each month, a chapter a day, you will finish the book of Proverbs by the end of the month.
3. Read in your Bible a chapter a day in any book of the Bible....the gospels, letters of Paul, or Acts. Maybe read a chapter a day of a book from the Old Testament. 

The point is to get in the Bible and start reading it.  I am not talking about personal Bible study, but just getting into the Word.  Some days you don't have time to do personal Bible study. The key is read it! Read it! Read it!

Read the Bible even during the weekends, especially on Sunday mornings before you come to church. Don't let there be a break of reading the Bible daily.  Consistency can make it become more of a habit in your life. It's like brushing your teeth. It becomes a habit. You begin to read the Bible no matter what comes up or how you feel. During the good times of life and the bad times of life.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much find gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:7-11, NKJV

So why don't we read our Bibles more?


silence. crickets. silence.


Plan to open your Bible beginning today and READ IT!