1 Timothy 4:7

Devotional Thoughts

By Carter Conlon

Perhaps you find it difficult to get into the Word daily. However, God can give you grace. It all begins with a simple prayer: “Lord, will you help me to read the Bible? Would you establish my thoughts in your ways? Would you take me farther than I have ever gone before?”

I suggest you start by reading Matthew to Revelation in the New Testament, the Psalms, and Proverbs. Read them until they become a part of you, and read a translation that you can understand. There are some great modern translations out there that are easy to understand. You can even buy Bibles that have four or five translations across the page so you can tell the full sense of a verse of scripture.

Don’t forget, you not only have to read your Bible, but you have to believe what you read! As written in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” Let it be quality time that you spend with God, even if it is only fifteen minutes you can get in the morning. Go before the Lord with your open Bible and say, “Father, speak to me today. Speak to my mind and speak to my heart. Guide me and guard me. Let me see throughout the day how your Word will keep me.”

Then watch what the Lord will begin to do! He will open his Word to you. He will begin to lead you to places you never thought you could go, empowering you with a strength that you know is not your own. Suddenly, you will find yourself with a greater thirst to get in the Word of God. You will realize that God spoke to you in advance through the scripture about what you were going to face. Day after day, you will see that his Word is truly alive!