read it. understand it. apply it.

'We must embrace the word of God as the practical source of "truth and knowledge" to apply to our lives, not just a study guide or something we whip out on Sundays. Not being lazy means we read a little and implement a lot." - craig gross

It's so easy to forget about the bible. I dont mean forget that it exists, but it's easy to forget how relevent it is for our day to day lives. What sparked this thought? I've noticed that it is so much easier for people to turn on some worship music, watch a youtube sermon or pick up a Christian novel than it is to open the word of God. Dont get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with doing any of those things, but is it okay that instead of adding them to our study of the bible, we use them to replace our study of God's word? I've found for myself that when I'm struggeling with anything, when I'm in a down mood or in need of encouragement, I forget that the bible has everything I need...

It's amazing how today, especially amoung youth, reading the bible isnt stressed as important. It's true that it doesnt say anywhere in the bible that we must spend a specific amount of time each day reading the word, but the bible does tell us that it offers us truth and wisdom for every aspect of our lives. Yet, when we're searching for answers or encouragement, when we are seeking out truth for our lives - we forget that the bible is our ultimate source to finding all that we stand in need of... There have been so many occasions where I've heard people complain about not growing in their relationship with God. They feel as if they're 'stuck in the same spot'. They desire to know God more, have a deeper grasp of who He is and what he offers us. They desire to hear his voice more clearly, have more direction in their life... i think you get the point... however; when asked if they're reading the bible, they shrug it off and say 'yeah, I try to read it as often as I can'. Im not perfect, I've said and done all of these things too - but the truth is, I was asking so much of God, but offering him nothing. I expected him to just GIVE me everything I was seeking, but I was too lazy to seek God out.

open the bible - not just on Sunday morning in church - Open it often. When will people begin to realize that the bible has EVERYTHING to offer us? Another problem this 'spiritual laziness' causes is the fact that we only read parts of the bible that are 'easy and relevant'. We are quick to read psalms or romans or any of the gospels... but we avoid the parts of the bible that take a little more time to read through and a little more work to understand. We skip over verses that dont make sense to us, we avoid books of the bible that seem to have no relevance to our current circumstances. Maybe the reason so many young people say 'im stuck in my relationship with God' is because they dont put in any effort - they expect God to do it all.

First we need to start opening the bible right away - not as a last resort and not only when we're struggeling. If you desire to grow in your relationship with God, put in some effort. Read the word, discuss it with those around you, discover the meaning behind passages you've never read or even passages you read all the time. Second, apply it to your life. Dont read it and forget it - then your wasting your time. Read the word, Understand it and Apply it. If we read the word and then forget it, we're like a man who looks in the mirror and then forgets what he looks like as soon as he walks away (James 1:22-25) Dont waste your time...

God's word has so much to offer, but it requires our effort and attention. Dont go through life thinking you know everything, that you have enough wisdom and your 'good' enough to make every decision without turning to God. Open his word, read it and apply it to your life. Dont avoid the bible by replacing it with worship music, youtube sermons or another source... dont replace the bible with anything... It's amazing how people can say the bible has nothing to offer them in their circumstances - thats not true! You just need to look. Dont flip it open and expect it to land on the passage you need to hear most. Read it inside and out... know it well and you'll find that God is teaching you more and more every time you open it.