5 Days of Purposing to Read the Word—Easily!

What is it about the holidays that stirs us into a frenzy and causes our anxiety to rise?

We don’t have to live this way. But to have a different holiday experience, we have to begin to do some things differently. Over the next several emails, I will be sharing simple ideas that can help us re-focus and powerfully step forward.

This week’s encouragement is about the Word. When we get busy, often the first thing we struggle with is being intentional about reading the Bible. And yet, it is when we are in His Word that our hearts and minds get renewed in order that we are able to be a light in the world (and to our family.)

So I have an easy idea! (Are you excited?)
Let’s set some small goals to go deeper into the Bible with some simple steps.
And we can do this together.

Let’s start with prayer:

Father, thank you so much for the holidays that are approaching. I bring them before you right now and thank you that they don’t get to be the boss of me. You can help us to navigate me powerfully. Help me to listen and be quick to obey when you guide me.

Help me this week to start by leaning into your word first. May each moment I spend in your word be so holy that it is easier to show up the next day. I want to learn and grow. Help me be the best version of myself that I can be. Amen

Day 1

As you prepare for today just pray and ask God to help this practice go deeper. Take a scripture and read it out loud a few times in a row. I am going to use this verse, but you can use whatever one you thought might be on your heart lately.

Now, prepare for tomorrow. Set a reminder for morning, midday, and bedtime to remind you to read your scripture from today. For those who aren’t techy just say to your phone, “Siri, set a reminder at 8 am, 12 pm, and 9 pm tomorrow to remind me to read my Bible verse out loud.”

Day 2

Pray and invite the Lord into your time of reading.

Go back to that same verse each time your reminder goes off. Read it to yourself out loud. Let it soak in.

Day 3

Pray and ask the Lord to show up in your reading today. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read. \

Read the entire paragraph (or section) that your verse comes from.

Day 4

Pray and ask God to open your heart and mind while you lean into His Word.

Read the entire chapter that your verse comes from. Let the context of this verse be seen in the light of the whole chapter.

Day 5

Thank the Lord for having helped you this week and ask Him to show you something brand new today.

Go to the Bible app and have it read the chapter you read yesterday out loud to you today. Take just a few minutes and concentrate on the words. Let them wash over you.

This isn’t a hard practice. Not one day would probably take more than 10 minutes. But if we start now positioning ourselves to turn our eyes upon Jesus and “look full in His wonderful face, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

If you want to try this idea for the next 5 days but are intimidated, leave a comment and let me know. I will pray for you each day! I believe this can be a powerful practice to try.