When I was a little girl, I remember asking myself, “How do you grow spiritually?”  I couldn’t understand it or figure it out.  Preachers regularly told us to be growing spiritually but it just didn’t add up for me.  It was not until after I got married that I began to understand that growing spiritually was not just reading your Bible and saying your prayers, it was more.  It was digesting God’s Word and talking to God in conversation. It took me awhile, but I began to evaluate and to make changes in my personal walk with God. I learned that I digest God’s Word better when I write down what God is speaking to me about.  I can remember what I read and understand it so much better.  Often, the Lord sends someone in my path that day that needs exactly what I have studied.

Your study time can be according to the season of your life.  Choose a time of day and the amount of time that you would like to begin with.  Then, stick to it as best as you can. I like to spend 45 minutes to 1 hour for my Bible Study and prayer time.  There are days, however, that I only spend 30 minutes.  

Successful Bible Study comes with a price.  The price is planning and preparation.  Make a checklist of what you need and keep it at the place that you like to be when you have your personal quiet time with God.

1.  Bible – your Bible is a needed tool.  It can be in book form or electronic.

2. Journal – Writing down the verse that speaks to your heart will help you to recall it and to digest it. I date and time my journal, write a couple of sentences to clear what’s on my mind and heart and then choose a verse from the passage I’m reading to focus on.

3. Pen – You can’t write things down without a pen.  Make sure it is one that writes well.

4. Prayer Journal – Seeing names to pray for will help you to consistently pray and it will also help you to talk to the Lord longer.  When you are going to speak to someone about an important subject, you probably take notes that you have jotted down so that you don’t forget something important.  My prayer journal is in my Notes App on my iPad.  This helps me to make changes as needed.  Write down Praise, Personal and People.  God will bless it!

5. Tools – Do you need reading glasses, something to drink to help you be more awake and relaxed or perhaps a commentary?  Whatever it is, prepare it ahead of time so that you don’t spend your minutes in a squandered manner.

God wants you to grow spiritually.  The secret to growing spiritually is your personal quiet time with God.  Evaluate yourself.  Think back 10 years.  How does your quiet time compare from today and 10 years ago?  Are you the same?  Less?  Spirtually stronger?  Be honest with yourself.  Ask God to forgive you for not prioritizing your relationship with Him if needed.  Then, prioritize it.  We have time to do what we believe is important.  Grow in your relationship with God today!

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