The Word of God Lights up my Path: Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Especially when we feel we are in darkness experiencing many adversities: Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

A Christian who is daily in the Word of God is never in total darkness. We have the light of God’s Word. I challenge you to take the initiative to make your Bible time more structured this year. There are many Bible reading plans that you can use, and there are various study plans. These are tools to help you remember, digest, and apply the Word of God to your life. We do have a one-year plan on the back table of the auditorium. One of the simplest things you can do is to read the passage and write down one thought or verse to meditate upon for the day. Here are some methods of journaling that others use:

S.O.A.P. DEVOTIONAL METHOD

·        Scripture: Read and understand the passage

·        Observation: What does the text say? What does it mean? Commands to follow? Sins to avoid? Promises from God?

·        Applications: Why does what I learn matter today? How do I implement it in my life today?

·        Prayer: Pray regarding those things that the Lord brings to your attention during your study.

R.E.A.P. This is like S.O.A.P. It stands for Read, Examine, Apply, and Pray.

To make your study more personal as you read, think about the Sin to avoid, Example to follow, Command to obey, and How can this passage increase my knowledge of God?

For many years I have been reading through the Bible. In 2012 I journaled every day through the entire Bible. There were times that I didn’t feel like writing, but I pressed on. It was worth it, as I was so blessed from doing more than just reading. Whether it takes you one year of five years I encourage you to read through the entire Bible. Most study Bibles have a front section of each book of the Bible that gives you the who, what, where, when, and why of the book. It is good to read that section. The New Testament is a good place to start. Some people read through Psalms and Proverbs a chapter a day along with their other reading for the wisdom and devotion that is in those books. Some people also read a hymn from their hymnal along with their devotion time. These are just ideas for you. If this is all new to you, please start simple. If you need to slow down, then slow down, but don’t stop. Open your bible every day.

1 Timothy 4:13 … give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Have a Happy and Blessed 2024.

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry