3 Ways Reading the Word Can Bring You Closer to God

Unlike other books, the Word of God is not just a bunch of words on pages. It is living and powerful! It has the power to do something in you that no other words can do.

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Welcome to the 82nd issue of The Aim and Soar Life, a weekly newsletter about faith, personal growth, and lifestyle that provides actionable, relatable, and biblically rooted content to help you live abundantly and GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.

Greetings My Friend!

Happy Sunday!

Closer is the theme for October and we are exploring spiritual disciplines. If you haven’t had a chance to check out last Sunday’s post, Praying to Be Closer to God, go ahead and treat yourself to some godly encouragement!

Today, I want to discuss the spiritual discipline of reading God’s Word. I think sometimes we forget just how awesome the Word is. I will be the first to admit (and I’ve said this before) that I am patient zero when it comes to having Martha Syndrome. You know, doing all the little things that seem important but are not more important than reading God’s Word. Nothing is that important.

I have a set appointment time to meet with God at 5:00 a.m. every morning. I’ve had this schedule for years. It makes me accountable, even when I get Martha Syndrome.

But you know what happens to me sometimes? I get up early and I become distracted. I begin to clean the house—wash dishes and do the laundry. Like most people, I have this list of things in my head that need to be done. And sometimes, as soon as I wake up, I want to start checking things off that list. I want to feel accomplished.

Nothing on my list is life or death, mind you. It’s just stuff. It’s all stuff that needs to be done, but none of it needs to be done in place of me spending time in the Word.

On those days it’s hard to force myself to settle down, be still and just read God’s Word. Just sit with Him.

But when I discipline myself to keep my 5:00 a.m. commitment or the first fruits of my morning, I am blessed by it. I am given a fresh new outlook on life. I have hope. I feel comforted and not alone. And most of all, I start my day with a holy outlook. I’m filled with love, peace, and joy.

You would think I wouldn’t mind keeping my appointment for all the benefits it gives me. But the truth is, I’m human just like you and sometimes we allow things to get in the way of reading the Word.

Reading the Word can bring you closer to God in three ways:

1.     It Transforms You!

When you read a self-help book or positive thinking book, you can put what you’ve learned into action and make some changes in your life. But those changes are emotional or intellectual. They don’t change your spirit!

The Bible has the supernatural power to grow you spiritually.

There is nothing inherently wrong about wanting to improve yourself, such as being more productive, being a better speaker, or having positive thoughts. But personal development and positive thinking can only carry you so far if they are not rooted in the Word of God.

Only God’s Word can provide what you need to become spiritually mature, witness to others, and walk in your God-directed purpose!

No self-help book can do that.

The Word can create a new you! One that is focused on serving God and His Kingdom. As you read the Word and internalize what it says, you die to self and become more interested in the things of God. You are being transformed into the person Jesus wants you to be!

How does reading the Word do all this?

Let’s take a look at Hebrews 4:12

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrew 4:12, NKJV

You see, unlike other books, the Word of God is not just a bunch of words on pages. It is living and powerful! Meaning it has the power to do something in you that no other words can do.

All the affirmations in the world can’t compete with it. When you read your Bible, you are being transformed by it. You are getting to know God more and getting closer to Him as a result.

2.     It Equips You!

I speak to so many people who seem to be lost, expecting to live “social media lives” where life seems happy and glamorous all the time for some. When things don’t work out the way they planned, they become angry with God.

I find myself thinking, that if some of these people (including Christians) read the Word, they would understand that they are called to something greater than what they see on social media. They would understand that they have a purpose beyond the superficial things of life.

When you know what to expect from life, you are better prepared for it. When you understand that no matter what situation you find yourself in, God has mapped out your life, you won’t let the world get you down so much.

When you are walking in your purpose by doing all that He has equipped you to do, you are growing closer to God by pleasing Him! You are less focused on what you don’t have, but instead focused on what you do have! You are focused on your purpose in life.

Reading the Word equips you for the journey—the good, the bad, and the ugly! Hebrews 13:20-21 tells us that God makes us complete in every good work to do His will. He is working in you to do what is pleasing in His sight!

²⁰ Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you ^[a]complete in every good work to do His will, working in ^[b]you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21, NKJV

3.     It Encourages You!

The Word is our prescription for living and our comfort. Not only does it tell you how to live, but it also encourages and comforts you along the way.

Life can be rough and raggedy! I know that personally.

But our God is a mighty comforter. He showers you with love and peace just when you need it.

When I am providing Christian counseling, I always remind my clients that when you are a child of the Most High God, your pain and whatever else you experience is never just for you. It’s always for you to bless someone else.

The Lord will comfort you supernaturally through the Holy Spirit and He will comfort you through others in the faith. He will encourage you when you are at your lowest so that you can feel His love for you.

There have been times when I’ve felt like I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, feeling small like I don’t matter. Feeling like life is too much.

But in moments like these, God always does something to remind me that He hears me and that He loves me.

Sometimes it’s a word from my pastor, and other times God sends someone to speak loving words of encouragement to help me get through my rough patch.

When we allow ourselves to be encouraged and comforted by God, we become closer to Him because we begin to understand that He isn’t some distant being who isn’t connected to us. He sees us and cares for us.

When you are encouraged and comforted by the Word, you become closer to God because you feel His loving embrace.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any ^[a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our ^[b]consolation also abounds through Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5, NKJV

I challenge you to read the Word of God and grow closer to your Father!

Peace and Love.

Until Next Time,

GROW YOU. GOD’S WAY.

Sherrhonda😍

P.S.

I’d LOVE for you to meet me on the web:

www.sherrhondadenice.com

email: sherrhonda@sherrhondadenice.com