Don't enjoy reading the Bible?

[hupo]

I've been debating with myself if I should bring this up. It's an issue that bothers me a lot.

The issue is that I don't enjoy reading the Bible.

It makes me sad because I know God wants me to hear Him through His word.

I hear people here and elsewhere who seem excited with scripture. I envy them.

What am I lacking? What am I overlooking?

Having put my faith in God and Yeshua some 10 years ago, it is frustrating to have to battle every time I go to the Bible.

I don't expect answers. Just venting............

Is there anyone out there who has this issue?

Praying to God for thirst of His word, got me to the desert....

It's dry in the desert.

No, I'm not giving up on God or Yeshua

I'm not giving up on reading His word

I am giving up on trying to understand

[kittyjo]

Everyone has dry spells from time to time, during those times I always fall back on Psalms and Proverbs. Sometimes I find that reading bible lessons and sermons help to reignite that fire and cause me to delve deeper into the Word. There are many Bible study guides that can help as well. I also like to pray before I begin reading, I think this helps too.

[Iryssa]

Don't put pressure on yourself to read a whole chapter a day, if you find that cumbersome. Also, don't try to read therough Leviticus or Numbers if you're having one of those times

Really, though, reading the Bible doesn't have to be burdensome. It's okay to just read a verse or two sometimes. I wouldn't want to go the rest of my life only reading that much...but if you're really feeling like reading a whole chapter isn't nourishing you, then don't!

Find a good Bible study to go through. Ask your pastor for recommendations...one whose entries are short and to the point is probably best to start out. But there are tons of those things out there...you might have to go through a couple to find the one that's right for you, but I promise you there are some enjoyable ones out there.

One final thing: remember that the Christian life isn't always about what feels good. I'm giving you these pointers to get you into it a little more...but don't stop trying to grow in the discipline of reading scripture. If you read one or two verses every day for a month, maybe make it your goal that at the end of the month, you will read a whole chapter once a week, or something like that. Take baby steps, but always take steps.

[hupo]

Just found this

"Scripture is God's personal love letter to His children; so if you don't understand it, you're reading someone else's mail."

I wonder..........

[Iryssa]

Just found this

"Scripture is God's personal love letter to His children; so if you don't understand it, you're reading someone else's mail."

I wonder..........

Who the heck said that? I wouldn't make that a life motto. If you're not understanding a part of scripture, pray for understanding. Some day it will come, but in the meantime, don't obsess over that nuance or that chapter...I still don't understand everything in the Bible, and I've been a believer for eight years. My grandmother would probably tell you that SHE doesn't understand everything in scripture, and she's been a believer for FIFTY years.

[hupo]

Everyone has dry spells from time to time, during those times I always fall back on Psalms and Proverbs. Sometimes I find that reading bible lessons and sermons help to reignite that fire and cause me to delve deeper into the Word. There are many Bible study guides that can help as well. I also like to pray before I begin reading, I think this helps too.

Yes I know about dry spells but this one is 10 years long.........

I'm sure praying is something that should help and if it isn't, well, it's a personal relationship and it is't not God that is doing anything wrong...

[Guest Biblicist]

From The Power of a Praying Woman ~ Stormie Omartian

Ten good reasons to read God's Word

1. To know where you are going. (Psalm 119:133)

2. To have wisdom. (Psalm 19:7)

3. To find success. (Joshua 1:8)

4. To live in purity. (Psalm 119:9)

5. To obey God. (Psalmn 119:33-35)

6. To have joy. (Psalm 19:8)

7. To grow in faith. (Romans 10:17)

8. To find deliverance. (John 8:31-32)

9. To have peace. (Psalm 119:165)

10. To distinguish good from evil. (Psalm 119:11)

Lord, I thank You for Your Word. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). It is food to my soul, and I can't live without it. Enable me to truly comprehend it's deepest meaning. Give me greater understanding than I have ever had before, and reveal to me the hidden treastures burried there. I pray that I will have a heart that is teachable and open to what You want me to know. I desire your instruction. Teach me so I may learn.

Help me be diligent to put Your Word inside my soul faithfully every day. Show me where I'm wasting time that could be better spent reading Your Word, Give me the ability to memorize it. Etch it in my mind and heart. Make it become a part of me. Change me as I read it.

Lord, I don't want to be just a hearer of Your word. Show me how to be a doer of Your Word as well. Enable me to reapond the way I should and obey You. Show me when I am not doing what it says. Help me to apply it to my heart to Your instruction and my ears to Your Words of knowledge (Proverbs 23:12). May Your Word correct my attitude and remind me of what my purpose on this earth. May it cleanse my heart and give me hope that I can rise above my limitations. May it increase my faith and remind me of who You are and how much You love me. May it bring me security of knowing my life is in Your hands and You will supply all my needs.

Thank you, Lord, that when I look into Your Word I find you. Help me to know You better through it. Give me ears to recognize Your voice speaking to me every time I read it (Mark 4:23). I don't want to ever miss the way You are leading me. When I hear Your voice and follow You, my life is full. When I get off the path You have for me, my life is empty. Guide, perfect, and fill me with Your Word this day.

~God's Promises to me~

The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

He who loks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands on the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth it's fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1 John 2:5

He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

[Wingwalker]

Sometimes trying a different translation may help. But I have used Bible studies to help me get deeper into His Word when I go through dry spells. And I use three different translations as well.

Hope this might be of some help.

[hupo]

Don't put pressure on yourself to read a whole chapter a day, if you find that cumbersome. Also, don't try to read therough Leviticus or Numbers if you're having one of those times

Really, though, reading the Bible doesn't have to be burdensome. It's okay to just read a verse or two sometimes. I wouldn't want to go the rest of my life only reading that much...but if you're really feeling like reading a whole chapter isn't nourishing you, then don't!

Find a good Bible study to go through. Ask your pastor for recommendations...one whose entries are short and to the point is probably best to start out. But there are tons of those things out there...you might have to go through a couple to find the one that's right for you, but I promise you there are some enjoyable ones out there.

One final thing: remember that the Christian life isn't always about what feels good. I'm giving you these pointers to get you into it a little more...but don't stop trying to grow in the discipline of reading scripture. If you read one or two verses every day for a month, maybe make it your goal that at the end of the month, you will read a whole chapter once a week, or something like that. Take baby steps, but always take steps.

There was a time when I "heard" a voice saying "don't read the Bible.....". I was convinced satan was behind this one and so I force read for a couple of months only to finaly hear God wording the full sentance: "don't read the bible....with your own mind!". That was an awesome lesson. If I could only put it to practice......

[Iryssa]

Don't put pressure on yourself to read a whole chapter a day, if you find that cumbersome. Also, don't try to read therough Leviticus or Numbers if you're having one of those times

Really, though, reading the Bible doesn't have to be burdensome. It's okay to just read a verse or two sometimes. I wouldn't want to go the rest of my life only reading that much...but if you're really feeling like reading a whole chapter isn't nourishing you, then don't!

Find a good Bible study to go through. Ask your pastor for recommendations...one whose entries are short and to the point is probably best to start out. But there are tons of those things out there...you might have to go through a couple to find the one that's right for you, but I promise you there are some enjoyable ones out there.

One final thing: remember that the Christian life isn't always about what feels good. I'm giving you these pointers to get you into it a little more...but don't stop trying to grow in the discipline of reading scripture. If you read one or two verses every day for a month, maybe make it your goal that at the end of the month, you will read a whole chapter once a week, or something like that. Take baby steps, but always take steps.

There was a time when I "heard" a voice saying "don't read the Bible.....". I was convinced satan was behind this one and so I force read for a couple of months only to finaly hear God wording the full sentance: "don't read the bible....with your own mind!". That was an awesome lesson. If I could only put it to practice......

I don't think it means you have to turn your mind off completely...that would be impossible...just look for the guidance of the Holy Spirit while you ARE reading.