Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.

Every year, many people make various New Year’s resolutions. These declarations range from implementing a new exercise routine, eating healthier, financial planning to volunteering at a local shelter or being an advocate for a worthy cause. Personally, I’ve made New Year’s resolutions in the past, but they have always been short-lived. However, by the grace of God and the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit, there’s one annual commitment I’ve been able to maintain which is the daily reading and meditation of God’s Word.

Eight years ago when I first began reading the Bible, it was very challenging. I didn’t understand it and it was difficult for me to sit down and stay focused. So I decided to read God’s Word with a dictionary. Any word that I didn’t understand, I would look it up and write down its meaning in the margins of my Bible. In addition, I bought myself a study bible to help me interpret the scriptures. Progress was being made and my quiet times with the Lord became a bigger blessing. But, there was still an emptiness inside of my heart. The Holy Spirit began leading me to pray first and each time I read the Bible. My prayer is always along these lines:

“Lord, speak to my heart as I read Your Holy Word; please impart Your godly wisdom to me; and please take my mind off of all distractions of people, places or things and may my thoughts be of You and Your Word only.”

Once I incorporated this important biblical principle (prayer) into my daily bible reading plan, my quiet times with Jesus have become more deeper and richer while His Word ministers, encourages, convicts, and refreshes my soul.

Hebrews 4:12 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.

After my bible reading is finished, I also conclude my quiet time by closing in an additional word of prayer. This daily prayer encompasses praying for God’s wisdom and direction for my life, His blessings on my day, remaining faithful to Him, running my race well and finishing strong, and so forth. The concept is to have an open dialogue with God. When you read the Bible, God speaks to you and when you pray, you are speaking to God.

Ladies, I encourage you to pray to God and ask Him to change your heart. Ask Him to give you a burning desire to make a life-time commitment to diligently pray, faithfully read His Word, and allow it to resonate within your heart. Bible teachers have said, “The Bible is God’s love letter to you.” He desires to speak to you and He longs to spend quality time with you on a daily basis.

Please carve out time each day to sit at His feet and open your heart to hear what His Spirit has to say as He ministers to your heart through His Word. Personally, the more I read His Word, the more my faith is strengthened in Him while my resolve to trust Him above my circumstances grows stronger and deeper over time.

Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 119:14-16 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 

Prayer is vitally important too. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 exhorts us to, “Pray without ceasing” while Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Essentially, what the Word of God is saying is to “Pray always and pray about all things.” There is no request too big or too small that God can not handle. All of your concerns are important to God. Entrust them to Him and believe that He will answer all of your requests in His own way and in His own time according to His perfect will for your life. It may not be the answer you want, but remember, He is faithful and He’s working everything together for your good and for His glory.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Ladies, I pray that each of you will take this life-time commitment seriously and you would make it your priority to faithfully read, study, live by, and meditate on His Word while maintaining an active prayer life. The more you read it, the more you will be transformed into the image of Christ. Your words and your actions will reflect the heart of Jesus, and you will grow deeper in your walk with the Lord. You will not be disappointed. God has an Amazing plan for each one of your lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Below are some key essentials that have enhanced my quiet times with Jesus while contributing to my growth as a believer. Prayerfully consider them:

1) PRAY first and ask God to speak to your heart and infuse your mind with His wisdom on His Holy word before and each time you read it.

2) READ a bible translation that is easy to understand (NLT-New Living Translation or NASB-New American Standard Bible recommended). Personally, I prefer the NKJV-New King James Version. My first study Bible was a NKJV, so this is my preferred choice for my daily bible reading plan. But if you prefer a modern version, the NLT and the NASB are a great recommendation. Both versions are part of my bible collection and I refer to them from time to time.

3) USE a one year bible for your daily reading plan. I’ve been using a one year bible for the past eight years. I enjoy it because of its structure and layout. The Bible scriptures are organized in a format to give the reader selected passages to read from on a day to day basis: the Old & New Testaments, Psalms, And Proverbs. The goal is to help you read through the Bible within a year from beginning to end. My 1-year Bible is my Spiritual fuel for each day – it helps me to stay focused on the Lord and what He’s calling me to do, and not to divert from the path He has me on.

4) USE a dictionary. As I stated above, I read the Bible with a dictionary in my beginning stages. Any word that I didn’t understand, I would look it up and write down the word and its meaning in the margin space of my Bible. So when I came across it again, I would know what it meant.

5) CONCLUDE your quiet time in a word of prayer. Keep it simple and make it personal. Example: “Lord, thank You for ministering to my heart through Your Holy Word. Thank You for Your fauithfulness in my life. As I go throughout my day, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and direct all of my steps. Empower me with Your Holy Spirit to be a faithful witness unto You and to represent You well in everything I say and do. Please give me Your wisdom on my job responsibilities, so that I can be an effective and efficient employee while my work ethics bring glory to Your name.”

Ladies, the King of kings and the Lord of lords desires to spend quality time with each one of you everyday. Will you make Him your priority? This life-time commitment will result in you getting to know who your Savior is, finding out what His plan is for your life, strengthening  your faith, deepening your trust in Him, reflecting His heart in your actions and words, and bearing fruit for His kingdom. Do not be afraid to commit. Jesus is faithful to complete the work He has started in each one of our lives. Trust Him!!!

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

God’s Word has transformed my life and I know that it has the power to transform yours too. The Bible is the absolute truth and it serves as a life instruction manual for every believer. Embrace it, read it, love it, cherish it, live by it, and hold fast to this priceless treasure. In it, you will find the words of eternal life.

John 6:68-69 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

Philippians 2:16 Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.