The Bible offers eternal life to everyone who heeds its invitation, and spiritual food for Christians growing in the Lord. What a priceless privilege and opportunity to read what God has written to us. Reading the Bible everyday should be a natural, unforced activity in your walk with God. Here are some practical suggestions for making these times more fruitful.

Pray

Prayer is a time where you build your personal relationship with God. Let him know what is on your heart this day; your joys, your pains, your hopes and dreams, and your fears. He really is your best friend, so treat Him that way. Begin your time by thanking God for the new day and asking Him to help you understand what you read from His Word, the Bible.

Read

If you are not following a certain devotional book or a Bible study, perhaps you would want to start by looking at Jesus' life in the book of Mark or John. Read carefully, prayerfully, humbly, and expectantly. Read to learn what God has written to you. The Holy Spirit will guide and teach you.

Examine

As you read, ask yourself and perhaps write out:

• What is the point of this passage of scripture?
• What does it say about God?
• What does it say about me?
• How does the verse or verses affect my life?

Summarize

Write down any commitments you see the Word of God challenging you to make. Write down areas where you need to grow spiritually and/or write some of the verses in your own words.

Share

Talk with God about what you have learned. Share with someone else what you are learning.

Now, just do it

Plug in what you have learned. It isn't just knowledge that is important, it is the application of that knowledge that has power. Be a doer of the word.