Luke
24:45 Then Jesus opened their minds so
they could understand the Scriptures.
Before God allowed me to know his presence in a big
way, I had a really hard time reading the Bible. It just didn't make sense to
me. And, it won’t make sense to you unless you know God.
Once we have a deep relationship with the Lord, the
Good Book comes alive. But it requires patience and diligence on our part.
The words of the Bible didn't start jumping out at
me automatically. It took a disciplined effort on my part to understand the
heart of God and get to know Him before the book opened up for me. I searched
the popular Bible stories. I started with the Gospel of John. I read the ‘how
to read the Bible’ books and I did everything I knew to do…but it didn't open
up overnight.
I attended many Bible studies and that didn't really
help. I listened to sermons; talked to people…I did all the ‘right’
things.
It was only when God opened my
eyes to read His words that I was able to understand the Bible.
Now
I can’t get enough.
I use smart phone app versions, but I
have a collection of paper Bibles that I keep around me and with me so I can read at a
moment’s notice. I never know when the Holy Spirit will inspire me to read and
write.
I’m also careful about the Christian books, sermons
and writings that I read. The Lord gives us discernment to know when
information is not the truth. Be careful.
I no longer make Bible reading a goal each year
because it’s a regular part of my spiritual life. If you want to go deeper with
God, talk to Him. Go the extra mile to know his heart.
Be careful with your spiritual formation.
Don’t be satisfied with what people tell you or
teach you. You want to be able to go to your Bible and read what God wants you
to know.
After all, He’s the author.