This special feature article, written by Olivia Nickerson, wasn’t in our latest issue of OBO! Enjoy this bonus feature as a blog reader. Lucky you!
It will be the New Year by the time you read this article, despite my writing it in November 2019.
I can’t believe how fast 2019 went by, and I feel like with each year that passes, the time goes by more and more quickly. And of course, with growing older, one usually grows busier. With that in mind, how are you spending your time? How do you properly find time to study God’s Word when things are crazy?
I know for me, it can very often slip my mind or be easily put off. But having a regular study time is really important for staying not only sane and focused on the right things, but for being encouraged and strengthened in daily growth in the Savior.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m not reading God’s Word and communing with Him in prayer, I can get pretty disorganized and crabby.
Let’s jump right into it.
HOW OFTEN
For most people, devotions are often one to two times a day. Someone may do them in the morning and perhaps have family devotions in the evening. And for some people it works very well, while for others, not as much.
WHAT TIME
You may ask, “Do I have to do devotions in the morning?” And I would say, no. There is nowhere in Scriptures where it commands that you have to read your devotions in the morning.
However, there are benefits to reading it in the morning. Reading your Bible in the morning allows it to be fresh in your mind and a guide for the entire day as you go about your daily tasks. It also encourages you for the day, giving you energy and drive for whatever challenges and trials you have to conquer.
WHAT TO READ
As to what you should read . . . it can depend. There’s no wrong passage, but maybe you’re doing a Bible reading plan or going through a book of the Bible already, which would make the choice quite simple.
If you’re anything like me, however, you may not always know what you should read.
Should you open to a Psalm or to Ephesians?
Or should you open to Genesis or to Mark?
A Psalm may be more appropriate if you have less time in the morning, whereas a topical, history, or prophetic book might be more appropriate if you have more time to really study and perhaps write notes.
Sometimes even flipping around until you land on something that you feel like applies to you or a situation in your life is a helpful thing to do.
Pray that as you read, God would give you the right guidance to the proper passage(s).
Not a morning person? That’s okay. Try the afternoon or mid-morning. Get a creamy cup of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee, and prop your feet up. Grab your Bible and a blanket and get studying.
Set aside that time, even if it’s only for ten minutes (it still counts!) to get the Word into you.
WHAT IF I FAIL?
You’re not always going to be perfect in reading your Bible. I know that I haven’t been. But God gives grace. He helps us. Remember, we cannot do these things in our own strength, not in our own sinful nature. But with God’s strength, we can.
So with that in mind, go find your Bible and get studying! Make this your New Year’s resolution.
I’ll be praying for ya. Happy New Year!
