How To Read Your Bible More (free devotional included)
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Friend, I get it. I've been there.
I was horrible at it, too.
Reading the Bible was not my forte.
Tell me you want to swap God stories over coffee and I'm there. Tell me you want to have a mini worship sesh in your living room or attend a worship concert and I'm so there. Tell me you need volunteers to help at an outreach event or prayer warriors to pray for a friend battling cancer and I'm your gal. But hand me a One Year Bible and encourage me to make "read the entire bible in one year" my next new year's resolution and you've lost me. I just couldn't. I struggled with consistent Bible reading for a long time.
I thought this struggle would go to the grave with me.
I feared others knowing that I was horrible at being consistent in my reading and sometimes didn't even know where to start or how to truly study Scripture. But a few years ago all of that changed.
I began praying that God would give me a desire for His Word and speak to me as I read it. That He would open my eyes to His truth and discover things I hadn't before. I prayed for a hunger for His Word. Maybe that's where you need to start, too. Never underestimate the power of sincere prayer.
Upon praying, I took action on my part. I began making time with God a priority. I set a place, I set a time and I showed up. I prayed God would speak and give me a deeper love for His word each time. So, I challenge YOU to show up. Will you miss a day? It's probable. But just pick up right where you left off as soon as possible and don't stop. Show up every day, as I did: expectant, excited and eager for more.
TIPS for READING THE BIBLE more:
Set a time each day to complete this. Also think of a consistent, reliable place you can read.
(Think of it as an appointment you've scheduled with someone, don't keep cancelling it. Commit.)Have a physical copy of the Bible and a journal at hand. Highlight or underline verses that speak to you. Write down what you are learning and how God is speaking to you.
(A Bible app is fine, however, I find it easier to get distracted when a social media/text notification pops up.)Be distraction free! Set your phone aside and turn notifications off.
Stay accountable. Share with a trusted friend you are doing this and ask them to check in on you!
Jump right back in! No matter if you missed a day or two, pick up where you left off and keep going.
I WROTE A FREE 7 DAY DEVOTIONAL!
A couple of months ago, I decided to read the entire book of Psalms everyday until I finished it. I wrote a blog post on some of my take aways from reading this 150 chapter book of the Bible. During that time I was being asked by readers and friends on Instagram how it is that I study the Bible everyday.
That's when the idea came...
What if I wrote a Bible reading plan and shared it with my readers so that we could read through a book of the Bible together?
I pitched the idea on my Instagram Stories and via a Facebook Live on my page and you all said YES!
7 Days with James is now a direct result of that.
Now, months later, I'm so happy to finally be sharing this completed project with you!!!
No matter where you are in your jourey of faith, I pray this 7 Days with James Reading Plan and Devotional helps guide you on your journey to consistent Bible reading. Remember, if you miss a day, it is okay! Just promise me you'll pick right back up where you left off and finish strong.
It's up to you if you wish to download it and print it or save it to your desktop, laptop, iPad, or phone. Make it your own and get ready to hear from God as we learn from the words James penned. I'm so excited about this! I hope you are, too!
Now, click the button below and get your download on!
Want to experience this devotional together?
I want to personally invite you to join our private Facebook group designated for those reading through this devotional! You don't have to do this alone. This is a safe place to connect with others and engage in daily discussion. We can't wait for you to be a part of it and invite your friends to join us as well!
Let me know in a comment below if you download it (of if you already have). Also, if you'd like to share about it, feel free to! You can tag me on Facebook or Instagram. We'll be using the hashtag #7DaysWithJames to find each others posts and be encouraged by one another.
HUGE thank you to my husband, my editing friends, and anyone that ever encouraged me and cheered me on in this endeavor. Wow. I can't believe it's DONE! Though, I know this is only the beginning and I can't wait for you to journey through it.
Lastly. I have to thank and PRAISE God for the opportunity to do this. He is teaching me so much with every YES I say and every STEP of obedience. He is so good. Praise Him!
Thanks for reading, friend!
- Crystal -
