Study the Word

It’s been way to long since I’ve blogged, or written anything really…God has been working through some very important things in my life…blessing me in ways that I don’t deserve.  He has been pouring out mercy and grace…my cup runneth over!  I am back to writing!  Ready to blog weekly, I love sharing my journey and appreciate anyone who takes time to take a glimpse into my life and thoughts.

While going through some changes in my life and wanting to feel closer to God, I realize I don’t study my bible enough.  I may “read” my bible but that’s different than studying.  Reading and studying are like the difference between hearing and listening. 

By definition, hearing means The faculty of perceiving sounds,  Listening is to make an effort to hear something to pay attention; heed.

 

By definition, reading means the act or practice of rendering aloud written or printed matter. Studying is the pursuit of knowledge, as by reading, observation, or research.

 

Listening and Studying are detailed actions—they take effort.  I am realizing I can read the bible forward or backwards but if I don’t study the word, it doesn’t penetrate. 

 

When we were blessed with our yard makeover, my husband and I were elated that it rained for days after they were done.  To our surprise, the experts at Linton’s told us that we still need to do additional watering because the rain just touches the surfaces of our plants; we have to water the plants differently to penetrate to the root. 

 

See, where I’m going here? Reading is just looking at black words on a page—surface; the bible must be studied or penetrated for growth….  The Word of God must penetrate into your soul to be actionable.

 

As I write, I don’t want to give the impression that studying the bible is easy….I haven’t mastered this art (daily), just yet.  The other day, I was getting ready for work and was taking some time to spend with God…not necessarily meditating because my little prince Patrick was crawling around me….I was just taking some time to collect my thoughts and talk with God before heading to work.  I looked over at my bible and thought….I don’t have time to read enough, so I just won’t read at all, the Holy Spirit thankfully intervened and I began to pray that what I had time to read was what I needed for that day (or at least the morning J).  Interestingly enough I turned right to…The Seven Woes, in Matthew 23.  I am not a teacher, and some may believe that the Seven Woes are only meant for teachers and/or preachers but to me, it all goes back to checking my heart and not getting stuck into a religious spirit! 

 

My takeaways….

 

Don’t allow yourself to get so caught up in doing things and checklist.  Remember—keeping B.U.S.Y is from Satan and it is exactly what he wants you to do. 

 

If all you have is 5 minutes to spend with God…truly spending time with Him, it’s better than spending no time.  When spending time, make every second count….study, don’t read.  Pray that God guides you in your reading…even if it is one verse; God will show you what you need.

 

~God Bless

Take time to enjoy and smell the roses!!!  In the picture below, my rose is my beautiful son.  Some of my most precious time spent with God, is while holding the invaluable gift he gave to me and my husband....