Welcome to 2022 Time in the Word! I’m glad that you’ve dropped in and I look forward to the adventure that awaits. Whether our lives in 2022 will be white water rafting or floating on the lazy river, we’ve got Jesus to see us through. I thought it was important to get 2022 off on the right foot and form some healthy spiritual habits.
This time of year we hear about “healthy eating” and “forming healthy eating habits”. I think emphasizing healthy spiritual habits needs to be done as well. Healthy spiritual habits are key to growing spiritually. Without spiritual growth, we become stagnant and lose our spiritual edge.
In this series we will focus on:
- Bible reading and Bible study
- Prayer
- Living the life
Bible reading and Bible study
What do you think is most likely your top “excuse” for NOT making Bible reading and Bible study a daily habit? Ready? The answer would be… TIME. I use the word excuse because you and I both know we make time for what we want to make time for, RIGHT? Yes. Getting to the truth of why you DON’T take time to read is very important.
Truth brings me to another very important point of studying the Bible. Many people do not like what happens when they read the Bible because it holds a mirror up and challenges them. The Bible challenges our way of thinking, our lifestyle, and our habits. It can make us feel uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable means something in our life is being challenged that needs changing.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version
“16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Bible is too hard to read, I don’t understand it. It’s boring.
Those sound like some more good excuses. If you feel that way, then you should ask for help. Who should you contact for help? You can begin with your pastor or a trusted Christian friend. They will ask some questions like:
- What Bible translation are you reading?
- Is there a particular book of the Bible have you been trying to read?
- Are there questions you have about what you’ve tried to read?
- Are you struggling with something in your life that scripture is challenging you about?
These questions will aid your pastor or friend in pinpointing an issue. If your issue is with a certain translation, it may take some time to find a translation you enjoy. A great place to explore different translations would be going to:
Each site offers different translations for you to look at various scripture. Some even allow you to compare translations side by side. We all are truly blessed with having the variety of translations available. There is something for everyone.
I would also note, and this is just MY personal opinion, that some Bibles like “The Message” offers a different way of speaking, or relating and are not necessarily useful for a lifetime of Bible study. The Message translation has helped me numerous times by translating a verse that perplexed someone.
Friends, I am out of time again. We will talk more next week. Thank you so much for joining me here today for Time in the Word.
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.
