Reading the Bible

May we never become so familiar with God's Word that we stop being moved by it.

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. - Psalm 119:97

1. Sometimes reading the Bible feels like a checklist. 2. Sometimes praying feels like talking to the air. 3. Sometimes worship feels like just singing. 4. Sometimes life feels dry. 5. But obedience in the dry times brings life, even if you don’t immediately see it. 6. Stay faithful. Stay committed. The season won’t last forever.

1. The Bible knows more about you than you know about yourself. 2. You don't have to understand it all to let it change you. 3. The verse that wrecks you is usually the one you almost skipped. 4. God still speaks through words written thousands of years ago. That's not nothing. 5. You will never read it the same way twice. That's the point.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4

The Bible is the only book where the Author shows up while you're reading it.

What's the Bible verse that calms you down when anxiety hits?

1: Here’s some super simple advice from the Bible today. 2: Watch your words. Proverbs 21:23. God gave a whole book of wisdom about the damage your mouth can do. 3: Get enough rest. Psalm 127:2. God literally built rest into creation. Then had to remind us to actually do it. 4: Don't overthink it. Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust God instead of leaning on your own understanding. We needed that in writing. 5: Be a good neighbor. Matthew 22:39. Love your neighbor as yourself. Still the hardest thing on this list. 6: Mind your own business. 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Yes. That is actually in the Bible. Word for word. 7: Be grateful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. In everything give thanks. Not for everything. In everything. There's a difference. 8: God cares about your whole life. Not just the Sunday parts.

What’s something God has shown you recently through Scripture?

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness - 2 Timothy 3:16

1. Reading the same verse five times and because you can’t focus. 2. Accidentally opening to Leviticus and closing your Bible for the rest of the week. 3. Buying a new Bible because a fresh start seemed easier than finishing the old one. 4. Opening to a random page, reading one verse, and calling it a quiet time. 5. When your unsaved friend accidentally quotes the Bible but you play it cool. 6. Texting someone a verse because you couldn't keep it to yourself. 7. The first time you read the Bible not because you had to but because you actually wanted to.

If a Bible characters had Instagram, who would you follow first?

“If we knew what the Word of God did when we used it, we would use it more often.” - Oswald Chambers

God's Word doesn’t just inform you. It transforms you.

1. “Everything happens for a reason.” Except that isn’t in the Bible… 2. We say it because we want pain to make sense. And that instinct? That's not wrong. That's human. 3. What the Bible actually says: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) It doesn't say everything is good. It doesn't say everything has a reason. It says God works in all things. 4. You don't have to find a reason for what happened to you. You just have to trust that God is working in it. You are not alone in hard times. 5. Faith doesn't always mean having the answer. Sometimes it just means trusting the one who does.

The Bible isn't a self-help book. We can't help ourselves enough. It's help from on high.

1. Saying "I'll pray for you" and then actually remembering to pray for them. 2. Finally opening your Bible app for something other than checking your streak. 3. Hearing a song on the radio that hits different now that you actually know what it means. 4. When the pastor's sermon is clearly meant for the person next to you and not you at all. 5. When the worship song hits and you forget you're in public.

Based on your life, this is the Old Testament book you should read next. 1. Got enemies and need to vent about it? Read Amos. Words of divine judgment. 2. Been staring out the window, contemplating your existence? Read Ecclesiastes. Existential musings. 3. Life feeling like a romcom? Read Ruth. Wholesome love story. 4. Life falling apart? Read Lamentations. Perfect book for ugly crying. 5. Distant from God and want to find your way back? Read Hosea. 6. Feeling overlooked and underestimated? Read 1 Samuel. Overlooked shepherd boy becomes king.

Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name - Jeremiah 15:16

1: God's Word doesn’t just inform you. It transforms you. 2: "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." - Hebrews 4:12 3: Every time you sit with Scripture, the Holy Spirit is doing powerful work within you.