Studying the Bible on my own is not something I have always done nor have I wanted to. I faced many of the same obstacles others have, like not having the time to sit down and focus. I lacked the ability to understand the scripture and most of the time I just didn’t want to read.
February 2017 was a turning point for me. I went to a conference directed toward women who wanted to write, speak, and lead in ministry. One take-away that the main speaker shared with us was: we had to be in God’s Word if we wanted to share God’s Word in our writing and speaking. Also as believers, we had to know God’s Word because the world is constantly going to come against His Truth. If we don’t know His Truth we will be deceived.
The speaker continued to give us the tools to create an authentic time of studying the Bible. It isn’t magic. It isn’t something some believers have and others don’t. In the book of John, chapter 16, Jesus shares with the disciples in His final hours. He tells them He will be going away because if He leave, the Counselor (Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth) can not come to them. “When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in to all the truth.” (John 16:13) Jesus promises that when the Holy Spirit comes to them, they would finally understand. Their eyes would be opened to all Jesus had been teaching for the last three years.
God offers us the Holy Spirit too. When we become believers, the Holy Spirit becomes a part of us. When we open God’s word, the Truth comes alive in ways we have never seen to the point that we can not wait to discover all the Spirit has to show us. The Bible was written through the help of the Holy Spirit, so we need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit for help in understanding the scripture. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26)
After leaving the conference, I was determined to become a Woman of the Word. I prayed for it and the next time I sat down to study, I asked the God (through the Holy Spirit) to reveal His truth to me. I asked for understanding.
Y’all He did it. God opens my eyes every time I sit down and I crave my time in His word. If I happen to miss a day (because life happens), I truly miss my time with Him.
I hope the study I have written will help facilitate going deeper into God’s word. We don’t have to be pastors or teachers, speakers or writers to love and understand the scripture. Its here for all of us. Just pray.
My bible is from She Reads Truth. Their products are amazing.
Leah Lively 