Did you know the Bible isn’t just for Sundays? I mean, many of us take our Bible to church each Sunday where we may, or may not (!) use it as we listen to the pastor’s sermon from our church pew then, after arriving home, we set it on the table, nightstand or bookshelf, where it lies untouched until the next Sunday.

The Bible is a guidebook for the life of a Christian and reading it should be an integral part of our day…every day. Of course, it can be a challenge for busy moms, time-pressed college students, and others to fit Bible reading into their already exhaustive schedules, but with online Bible apps and other tech tools, the Bible can be as close as our fingertips at all times.

Why read the Bible every day? Well, simply because it is a treasure trove of wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement for the challenges and pitfalls of everyday life.

Immersing yourself in the Bible is plugging into a supernatural power source…it’s connecting with almighty God, himself.

Just as earthly relationships flourish when people spend time together, so it is in our relationship with our heavenly father…time in the Word fortifies and cements that relationship, giving us a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and his work in our lives. After all, the Bible is God’s personal message to us. It is how we get to know Him.

Tips for rebooting your Bible reading time:

1. Use a daily devotional that has a brief message and includes a few scriptures to read each day. A few excellent choices that I have used are: My Utmost for His Highest (www.utmost.org), Jesus Calling (www.jesuscalling.com), Streams in the Desert (www.Christianbook.com) Morning and Evening (www.morningandevening.org), and Joy for the Journey (www.thomasnelson.com).
2. Try reading through the Bible in one year. Hint: Start with the New Testament (Matthew) so you don’t get bogged down right away with genealogical material in the Old Testament. You will need to read a few chapters a day. If that seems too daunting a task for you, then choose a particular book of the Bible and try to read through it in a week.
3. Sometimes I might even “google” a particular topic or theme that relates to something I’m going through at the moment. You can simply type in, “verses about worry” or “scriptures on death and loss”, etc. You will see a list of verses that might be helpful to you.
4. Download a Bible app like YouVersion (www.youversion.com) or Bible (www.olivetree.com). You can read different versions of any given scripture which can really help with understanding the more difficult passages. Most Bible apps also offer their own daily devotionals.
5. Set up a quiet and comfortable place in which to read your Bible. I actually have two places that I use for my own quiet time, a comfortable chair in the corner of my bedroom and…my back porch. I rotate between them according to the weather and my frame of mind.

One important thing to remember is that prayer is a precursor to an effective Bible reading time. Before reading your Bible, pray for guidance. Believe it or not, the Lord knows just what you need that day! He can lead you to a scripture passage that is tailor-made for you in your current situation. He can also give you deeper understanding and insight into the truths found in His Word. Before you read, pray for just that.

Don’t put your Bible on the shelf when you get home from church. Instead, pick it up every day, flip through it’s inspired pages and listen for the Lord to speak directly to you! Daily Bible reading will not only bring you peace, comfort, and inspiration, but will enrich your life in ways you can’t even imagine.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God maybe be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your Word. With my whole heart I have sought you; Oh, let me not wander from your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11 (NKJV)