Anyone else feel a bit of whiplash at the thought of how quickly 2022 has come and gone?
Yet here we are again, at the end of one year and the beginning of the next. If you are anything like me, this time of year causes you to pause and reflect on a lot of things. I believe it is God’s grace that causes this to happen. As I slow down and start to reflect on how I used my time, cared for my family, grew in knowledge and wisdom in the Lord, and cared for my home – I see progress in some areas, and in others I see where I came up short. It also is a time to look ahead based on what the past year has been and to discern where I need to put more prayer, time, focus and diligence.
One area of my life that I can always dedicated more prayer, time, focus and diligence is the reading and studying of God’s word. Anyone who says they don’t need to, is ignorant or lying to themselves. We will never mine the full depth of Scripture, so there is always room for growth. It should be the priority of our day. But sadly, for many, it isn’t a priority at all but an afterthought. Even if we have a daily discipline of reading the Bible, often it becomes something we do on autopilot, not even focusing on what we are reading, but going through the motions to check it off our list and move on with our day. Or maybe you are someone who doesn’t think you need to read the Bible every day because you go to church on Sunday. Or maybe you don’t read it regularly because you don’t understand it all and therefore it must not be for you.
If any of this describes you – don’t worry, it describes all of us at least from time to time. But if you feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit in how you approach (or don’t approach) the Word of God, don’t brush it off. Pray about it. Repent of it. Pray for the Lord to give increase to your desire, discernment, hunger and understanding of His word. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Sisters, how can you expect to know how to live your life in godliness if you don’t read, study, meditate on and memorize the Word of God? It is not possible. How do you expect to be able to withstand trials, suffering, or loss without being anchored in the living and breathing Word of God? It is not possible. How do you expect to have joy and contentment in this crazy world if you are not firmly rooted in the Word of God, knowing and trusting that He is the source of these things? It is not possible.
I want to encourage you to lean into Him. I want to encourage you to pray for the Lord to show you where you have been slothful in your zeal for His Word. I want to encourage you to confess these things to Him and repent. I want to encourage you to pray fervently for the Holy Spirit to stir in you an increased hunger for His Word. And I want to encourage you to resolve (not in a worldly New Year’s Resolution kind of way, but in a humble desire for obedience to Him) to make the time to read, study, meditate on and yes, even memorize His Word.
Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”
Will you commit your way – your time, your energy, your priorities, your everything – to the Lord? Will you resolve in your heart to dig deep into His Word?
Let’s do it together. In the coming days, I will be adding a reading plan for 2023 that will take us chronologically through the Old Testament in nine months. I will have a printable for each month so you can keep on schedule. If you miss a day – DO NOT GIVE UP – just pick back up on the current day. My goal, Lord willing, is to provide encouragement, resources, and tools for you to go deeper this year.
I need this too. So, I invite you to prayerfully enter into 2023 alongside me as we explore the beauty, the wonder and perfection of God’s Word together. Even if you are a seasoned reader of Scripture, I invite you to do this with me, as sisters.
In the way of your testimonies, I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statues;
I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:14-16
In Christ,
Jenn
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