Q) Is spending time reading and studying the Holy Bible essential for spiritual growth?
A) Yes, it is!
To grow spiritually you need to spend time filling your cup with the word of God.
There is definitely a strong connection between reading and studying the Holy Bible on a personal and spiritual level. When you read and study the Holy Bible you learn valuable lessons that lead to deeper understanding of God's word and get greater insights into the truth.
Q) Why do I need to pray daily?
A) Prayer is a source of nourishment for my soul. It thirsts for Godly wisdom. Prayer also builds a wonderful relationship with my God, who longs to communicate with me. Prayer gives me strength to avoid temptations and gives me wisdom to do what is right.
Note to Self: So, Sharon fill your cup with God's word that it runs over. Do it daily, cheerfully with willing hands and a grateful heart. I pray like Benjamin Franklin did for God to strengthen my resolutions so that I perform them well.
In Benjamin Franklin's biography this beautiful prayed was recorded,
O' all powerful, bountiful Father Merciful guide. Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolutions to perform them well in Lord Jesus' precious name. Amen.
Growth in holiness is a gift from God!
I recently watched a video , that said God changes us through people, circumstances, and spiritual disciplines. The first two (people and circumstances) are not in our control but spiritual disciplines is largely under our control. For example, whether I will read and study the Bible today or fast today is mostly up to me.
In Proverbs, chapter 24:32, it says, "I saw and took it to heart. I looked and received instruction."
My personal prayer is that God will prepare my heart for the things I'm asking for, and long for divine guidance and Godly instruction in my life. Currently, my biggest challenge is to be still and wait patiently for God to supply with guidance, grace, help, love, strength, and mercy.
I want to wait on God my provider, unceasingly and entirely depending upon him. I want my house like the psalmist said to be built by wisdom, established by understanding, and by knowledge fill all the rooms with every precious and beautiful treasures.
I'm also working on taming my tongue, to be quiet/silent, and kind to others in my words and speech. The world is full of people who want to fight, argue unnecessarily, accuse, and criticize you or others. But we are called to be silent. The Bible says, "A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger... A wholesome tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breach on the spirit. (Proverbs 15:1,4)
Faith comes for hearing and only by stretching the faith muscle does it grow bigger. So, read and study the Holy Bible daily.
Start with a good
Bible Reading Plan. Google it. There are so many options available. This month my church is reading from the book of James chapters 1-5. Last month (March 2024) we read and meditated on Proverbs 3.
Be Still/Silent for few minutes after reading the scriptures, for the word that was just read to sink in deeply. Make note of the verses that stood out to you. Write down what God is leading you to focus on in particular.
Use a Study Bible to get a detailed summary and history of the context that was read.
Be disciplined to add reading and studying the Bible to your Daily To-Do List.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I hope you find it useful and along with me grow, by reading and studying the Bible to mature in your faith as well as applying the teachings and instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have a blessed day! Take care.
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