faithMile

We all need to read the Bible on a regular basis, but sometimes things get in the way. We put it off or we consider it an “extra” thing that we will do after we get all of the important things under control. The problem with that is, we’ll never get the other things “handled”. Once we knock down one time obstacle, three more pop up to fill it. It becomes a vicious circle. So, how do we get out?

” I know I need to read the Bible, but I just don’t have time.”

Pencil It In!
We have our day-planners with us wherever we go, reminding us of important meetings, when to pick up the kids from practice, and who we need to call when we get home. If you’re having trouble finding time to study the Bible, plan a time for it and put that in your organizer, too! (If you don’t have an organizer, get one! It’s the best $20 you’ll ever spend!) The best thing to do is to create a fixed time to study, such as 7:15-7:45 every morning or evening. It is important to include a time to start and a time to stop. Stick to these times. When the starting time comes, stop whatever you are doing and open your Bible. At the end of your time, close your Bible — even if you feel you didn’t get anything out of it. Once you make Bible reading a priority and keep to your schedule, you will learn to focus in and make every reading time a productive one.

“I’ve tried to read the Bible, but I just don’t understand anything.”

Make a Method
Reading the Bible, as with reading anything else, is easier if you have an idea of what you’re looking for before you start to read. When you go into a bookstore, you read the backs of several books until you find one that tells you what you want to know, then you read that book. The introductions to the books of the Bible work in much the same way. Before you cozy into the section to read, scan the introductions. Create a few questions that you would like to have answered. Then, as you read, take notes. The notes can answer your earlier questions or that can be jotted down quote that speak to your spirit at that particular time. Try to write down the relationship to the quote and the situation in your life that makes it jump out at you. For instance, if you read a section on loving your neighbor, don’t just jot down the section, make notes about the conflict you had with a friend or co-worker and how that section helps you with your situation.

“It’s hard to concentrate on the Bible. My mind keeps wandering to other things.”

Create a Haven
Find a spot in your home or at work where you can read the Bible in peace. That spot can be as simple as pulling a TV tray up to your favorite chair or as elaborate as a home office or study. Block everything out of your mind except the Bible. The dishes can wait, your phone calls can wait, the dog can wait … you get the picture. Unless there happens to be a life-or-death emergency every time you start to read the Bible, the distractions that keep you from reading aren’t as much of a priority as you make them. This method works especially well when you combine it with “pencil it in”. If you have a specific time every day that you devote to Bible study, it is easier for other members of your household to adjust to your schedule.

“There’s so much to read. I don’t know where to start.”

Grow Into It
A good thing to do when you are trying to establish Bible reading habits is to read the shorter books first. The Epistles (found at the end of the New Testament) are relatively short as well as some of the books of the minor prophets (like Nahum). Instead of reading an entire book, you can also read sections at a time, or focus on one parable per study session. If you’re still having trouble, you can find several Bible study guides in the library or at a Christian bookstore.

When you sit in your haven at the appointed time to read or study your Bible, you will read with vigor and experience miracles and revelations — well, not exactly. Sometimes you’ll gain new insights, sometimes you’ll get distracted halfway through. Learning to walk with God is a lot like learning to walk on Earth — you have to crawl first. The point of reading the Bible is not that you do it perfectly every time, but that you stay committed to it no matter what. By reading your Bible, you will gain new insights and you will grow, but only if you stick with it.

by Katryna Starks

THE Best
If you watch television or flip through a magazine, you’ll be bombarded with advertisements that describe their product as “the best.” You will see words like “The #1 (product)”; “The Top-Selling”; “The Most Requested”, etc. All of these words describe “The Best”. They also imply that, in order for you to be the best, you have to buy the best. The only problem with that is, there can only be one “best.” And, since what’s “in” now often becomes “passe” five minutes from now, “the best” is always changing! How can you possibly keep up?

YOUR Best
Your best is what you can do all on your own. You can go to school, try to get good grades, get a good job and join the rat race, but, as someone once said “no matter how far you get in the rat race, you’re still a rat.” You can buy the clothes and keep up with the fashions. You can cycle through cars, homes and relationships in that quest for status. But, even when you get all that you were looking for, will you be satisfied? Proverbs 27:20 says, “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man” (emphasis mine). That means that our eyes always want to see more, and since we want what we see, we will always want more. In other words, without the intervening grace of God, we will never be satisfied with what we have — or who we are.

GOD’S Best
God is your creator. Not only did God create you, He also created everyone else — and the world that we all live in. Furthermore, because God is everywhere and knows everything, He knew when He created you: where you would live, what jobs would be available, what the politics and fashions would be, etc. He even knew what neighborhood you would live in. Not only did God KNOW these things when He created you — He PLACED you in that situation. And He did it for a REASON! The book of Jeremiah says that God “knit you together in your mother’s womb.” Later Jeremiah 29:11 says “I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” The God who created you also has a PURPOSE for you! This purpose isn’t something that’s hidden away, either. If you pray to God and ask Him what it is, He will either tell you directly or guide you along the path toward it. So, instead of trying to “buy the best” to be the best, just find out God’s purpose for you and then live it!

by Cindy M. Birch

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:16-19 KJV)

One thing I’ve learned, and I think you will agree, is that as long as we keep living in this world, bad things are going to happen – even if only once in a while. Sometimes the enemy is attacking us in an effort to distract us from the prize. He knows that we are extremely close to realizing that breakthrough for which we’ve been praying and believing. Sometimes, we go through hard times as a consequence of our disobedience to God. Whatever the reason, we have all grappled with painful and difficult issues and situations. I am pretty confident in assuring you that we will again.

However, Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” I find those words to be very comforting in times of trouble. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are supposed to encourage and comfort each other, as well. In Romans 1:12, Paul writes, “I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.” (NLT)

However, recently, God revealed to me the importance of encouraging and comforting oneself. We cannot always count on man/woman. I’m not even speaking in the obvious sense that humans are fallible creatures and that not everyone has your best interest at heart. Even the best of best friends will sometimes just be unavailable. “For all these things I weep; tears flow down my cheeks. No one is here to comfort me; any who might encourage me are far away … ” (Lamentations 1:16 KJV)

When I was suffering a rough time a short while ago, I prayed and then reached out to some friends for comfort and solace. No one, from the East Coast to the West Coast was around. I called my Mom, my best girlfriends, my best male friend, a new friend … no one was home or had time to speak.

Then, I had the audacity to feel so alone. I soon realized, though, that God had forced me to get alone and deal with myself. He spoke to me to write a letter to myself. In order to do so, I had to be still, get quiet and listen to myself speak to myself.

It was a simple letter, but speaking and then reading those words to myself was amazing. The depression that was trying to grip me retreated. I felt so close to God because His Spirit was linked to mine, guiding me, speaking to me, comforting and loving me.

If you have never ever written a letter to yourself, I encourage you to read mine to myself and then, write one of your own. If you are like I used to be, unable to get through a crisis without the kind words and advice of good family and friends, I implore you to do this simple exercise and learn to encourage yourself under the loving care of your Heavenly Father.

Here is:

A Letter to Myself Who Is Hurting

My Dearest, Sweet Cindy,

Let me begin by saying I love you. I don’t ever remember a time when I did not love you. From time to time, I have been upset with you, though. You have not always made choices that were in your best interest. Recently, I was disappointed in you, because you were not as strong as I needed you to be. It resulted in your finding yourself in a precarious situation. However, I have now put that aside. As I have been observing you, I have realized some of your struggles of which I had before been unaware. I realize now that God is dealing with you … still molding you into His image. I know that you are currently experiencing growing pains.

I know your heart and its desire to be a godly woman, a godly wife and a godly mother. In his effort to thwart your plans, I have witnessed the enemy utilizing the same tactics and issues against you, again and again. However, you keep moving on. You keep striving. You keep forgiving and trusting. You keep learning and growing and caring … and loving. Please recognize that that fact alone makes you a success, already. Moreover, whenever I contemplate all that you have been through, I am actually amazed by that fact. I am amazed by you. What a testimony to God’s work and love in your life!

Please know that as long as you keep living, the enemy will continue to throw you curves and put up obstacles in order to keep you from realizing your potential until he can destroy you. Promise me you will never give up. I know you have been close a time or two, but even in your darkest hours, trapped in the depths of despair and spiritual fatigue, you kept living. You held on through the night to be greeted and embraced by joy in the morning. Don’t give up your joy. Hold on … hold on to your joy.

You are loved … totally, completely, unconditionally. Trust that. Take moments to be still and allow yourself to feel that every day, as often as you can throughout each day. I promise you it will be enough. It will be more than enough.

Hold no grudges against others who do not love you, who do not reciprocate your love, who are incapable of loving you when you need to be loved. Just as God is still working on you, He is also working on those others. You have your strengths and weaknesses, just like anyone else. Know that another’s inability to love you most likely has nothing to do with who you are. Do not accept the feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness that may arise. Again, I repeat, you are loved totally, completely, and unconditionally by your Creator and Heavenly Father. It is more than enough. Trust it. Feel it. Revel in it.

Love always,

You