A few weeks ago I wrote a post about my latest favorite Bible study tools. You can find that here. Although I stand by this list of useful instruments, within a few days of publishing I began to reevaluate how I spend time in God’s word.
As a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid, I received a complementary copy of the Third Edition of the NIV Life Application Study Bible. As I thumbed through this beautiful gift, I remembered days of pouring over a Bible with actual paper pages. I thought about reading notes and jotting notes and consulting commentaries and concordances. But I confess it had been a while. I somehow convinced convinced myself that my busy life demanded devotionals on the go. I’ve been reading scriptures on my phone at the gym or skimming a few pages in the carpool line for so long that I forgot how much I enjoy really digging in. So I cracked open this book and breathed in the scent of newly printed pages with excited anticipation. The anticipation of knowing that God would meet me there. And He has.
The notes in this Bible have three features. First, the explanation – a more detailed description to help us understand what the text means. This is where most Bible study notes end. Next, the bridge explains how the passage is relevant to us. The “so what?” if you will. And last, the application, or the “now what?” – suggestions on how we can live out the message of the scripture. The notes, study aids and red letters all strengthened my understanding of the concepts, commands and constructs of God.
I hope you don’t hear condemnation from me if you tend to spend time with God on the fly. I am so thankful for tools that allow us to stay in communication and fellowship with Him no matter where we are or how much time we have. Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us,
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Any time with God’s word is time well spent. And some days, with kids and jobs and volunteering and relationships, quick and to the point will have to do. But God gently challenged me that if I chose to fit Him around my schedule every day instead of orienting my schedule around Him, then my priorities were out of whack. In Mark 1:35, Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Now, Jesus could very well have been a morning person. But more likely, it cost him something to meet with God in this way. And I’m finding that my time with God is much more meaningful when it costs me a little something too. I’m not any less busy than when I THOUGHT I was too busy before, so I’m not managing to make this extended time happen every day. I don’t think I have to. Being legalistic is not the point. The idea is to be intentional to carve out time whenever I can to really feast on and savor God’s word. So that I’m not only meeting Him, but also getting to know Him better.
How about you? Do you have extended times with the Father? Drop a comment below. I would love to hear how you carve out time or what you do to get the most out of your appointments with Him. And…
I’m having a giveaway! I did a review here of the NIV Quest Study Bible: The Only Q and A Study Bible. To enter to win a hardback copy (a $28 value) to help with your personal study, hop over to the left side of this page and subscribe to my blog! I only post about once a week and I’ll never give away your info. Thanks in advance for being a reader friend! I’ll announce the winner here in two weeks!
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A lot of times, my extended time with God is wrapped up in the previous Sunday’s sermon. I feel like everything we hear from God’s Word has value and we hear it for a reason. If I hear it on Sunday, God probably wants me to hear that for a reason. So, I go deeper through the week.
Great post, Lauren. Thanks for the backlink to your study tools as well.
Patsy, I do the same thing! I take notes on Sunday and then use study tools to flesh it out.
I love study Bibles, they are the best. Digging deeper into the Word of God is so exciting! Blessings on your faith journey!
It is exciting, isn’t it? Thanks Mari-Anna.
The Life Application Bible sounds like it’s right up my alley, Lauren! I do spend time in God’s Word, but sure would like to dig deeper. Thanks for letting us know about this.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. And thanks for being a faithful reader friend.
This is great! I just posted something very similar in my Bible series on my blog about intentional living. Saw your link up—thanks for sharing!
God must have a point with both of us writing about the same thing!
What a lovely gift! The features relating to the passages would be really helpful!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I hope you entered to win, Jill!
I really enjoy it when I spend extended time reading the Bible and making notes but I don’t do it as much as I should. I like the challenge to work our schedule round God rather than the other way round.
Same here, Lesley. Trying to make it happen more often. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I just started a bible study group at the beginning of the year and I ordered a new bible that is a study bible and I love how helpful the text below is for undedrstanding the word better. Enjoy your new bible!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thanks, Carrie. Glad you are enjoying digging deeper!
I reviewed this Bible also! Don’t enter me to win!!!
Thanks for letting me know, Susan!
Thank you for joining the #linkup Jacqui Mummabstylish
Thank you for hosting.
The Quest Study Bible sounds like it’s a great tool to go deeper, Lauren. Thank you for your generosity. Love and blessings to you!
Yes it is! Thanks, Trudy.
I never get too far from Him, I always need Him for something and I love Bibles and books with pages.
Agreed on all counts, Rebecca!
To me there is nothing that can replace the pure pleasure and mindfulness of sitting down with a tangible book, especially when it contains God’s Word. I’m reading through a ok of Smith Wigglesworth sermons, some from as far back as 1914, and it’s so rich! How can anyone say His Word is irrelevant? He truly is an unchanging God!
I love the passion for God’s word that I can sense in you. It’s contagious! Thank you for sharing.
Book – sorry, spellcheck switched it at the last moment. My bad.
Lauren, you of course that I am not one to study the Bible, however, I think your message is still a very important one for all of us in finding our peace with the our greater power. We must make time for this type of connecting and contemplation. And I think we all falter when life gets too busy. This part of your post really resonated with me…”Now, Jesus could very well have been a morning person. But more likely, it cost him something to meet with God in this way. And I’m finding that my time with God is much more meaningful when it costs me a little something too. I’m not any less busy than when I THOUGHT I was too busy before…” That can be applied to pretty much everything when it comes to reevaluating our priorities. Thank you so much for this very valuable food for thought!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Shelbee, I really value our online friendship. What fun is having only friends who think and believe exactly like I do? There is much we can learn from each other. Thanks so much!
I want to win! I love marking up my books in conversation with the Spirit who wants more time to mark up my life.
Love this analogy!
Subscribed! I still do most of my studying with actual books! I love the turning of the pages and the comparing of the words.
It can be so fun, right? Thank you so much for subscribing!
I love how a new Bible can change our perspective and understanding!
Yes! I agree.