In the process of moving it over here, with prayers that this could be a blessing and encouragement to those who feel daunted about reading their bible and in light of reading “Becoming More than a Bible Study Girl”, I wanted to re-introduce these posts to you, Gentle Readers.

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Ezekiel 37:14-And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the Lord.

1 corinthians 2:9-10-9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Ever try to put things together without reading the instruction manual? Not easy is it?

Same goes with knowing God.

From “A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study,” is a VERY telling quote,
“Many believers know God only as He is known by their teachers. Various passages mean this or that based on the interpretations we’ve heard or read somewhere.”

We don’t need to have a college degree to understand the bible. Nor do we need to read a book about the bible to know God.

If you really want to start studying the Bible and learn God’s word, the reality is that there is no excuses then the excuses we make to ourselves. We are the only hinderance that keeps ourselves knowing God’s word.

People understand God’s word is because they turn to the only person who can help them. God. They allow the Holy Spirit to come into their lives and plant that passion and desire to learn and we don’t get it just because we are Christians.

We get it because we pray and allow the Holy Spirit in our lives.

When we don’t open the door…no amount of “I wish, I want” is going to make it happen.

We become our own worse enemies.

To study God’s word…it takes 3.
1. The Word
2. You
3. The Holy Spirit

God doesn’t abandon us and says…”Good luck” He says…”You can.”

Our Heavenly Father knows that we are unable to adequately learn His words on our own but we have to let our pride down and admit we can’t do it on our own and ask and allow the Holy Spirit in our life to let us learn God’s word. Until then…we are stuck on a continual cycle of trying to read His word and stopping. Trying and stopping. Trying and stopping.

Think about it….”Isn’t it true that we can hear all about the Bible, listen to godly counsel about reading it, and watch other people fall in love with it, but when it’s time to encounter the Word by ourselves, we look around in shock, wondering who thought we were equipped to do that? When it comes to studying the Bible, being a hearer is much easier than being a doer. The reality of being alone with God’s Word-Not in mechanical reading but for significance-sometimes freaks us out Source: A Modern’s Girl’s Guide to Bible Study.”

Have good faith. God has someone to help us out.

John 14:26 (KJV)-But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

God wants to be our tutor. We just have to stop making excuses why we can’t and just do. Ezra did it and didn’t have the luxaries that we have, so why can’t we?

2 Peter 1:21 (NAS)-for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

We won’t be able to start learning God’s word when we find ways to avoid simply asking God to let the Holy Spirit in our lives and allow the Helper, the Holy Spirit to help us learn and read God’s word with discernment and understanding.

We can’t do it ourselves or we are going to fail.

When we allow the Holy Spirit in, then you can have the same thing you find in other people who have a passion and love and knowledge of God’s word.

When you think about it, the enemy doesn’t want you to read God’s word. He will find ways to make you think you don’t have time, way or ability to read God’s word. So long as you keep the door close on the Holy Spirit, and the door open for the enemy, it’s easy to fill like understanding God’s word is above you.

Got a bible? Check

Got you? Check

Have you prayed to God for the Holy Spirit to help you read God’s word and to understand His word? Have you asked at all?

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)-The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Whether we like it or not..unless we pray to God for the Holy Spirit to help us learn God’s word…we can’t do it.

If you really, in your heart want to know God….make time. Ask God for the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and help you.

So don’t be shy if you can’t read God’s word by yourself. Don’t look longing at those who can. God’s word is for you. It really is. You can read it.

Take a deep breath and before you even open that bible, ask the Holy Spirit for help.Ask specifically for daily wisdom. Pray for godly discernment. He has always been your Companion, but commit to being His.

Questions for discussion:

1. Have you struggled with any of the following results of leaving the Spirit out of Bible study? If so, how? When?

a. Felt alone, lost, confused
b. Got nothing out of the Word
c. Misinterpeted Scripture
d. Had scripture used against you in the form of doubt, confusion or anger

2. Who has the Spirit been to you up till now?

a. A special guide through the Word; a Friend and Teacher
b. The voice of conviction (which you sometimes ignore)
c. Nobody, never really thought about Him
d. Other

3. Where does your knowledge of who God is come from?

4. How much coems from your own time with Him?

Before you read the bible,even for the first time or million time, Ask the Holy Spirit to talk to you today. Invite Him to speak your name and be ready and open to hear it.

Hey…and even kids have to start somewhere…if we don’t try crawling…how can we expect to walk?

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