When Paul told us to keep running the Christian race with perseverance, he knew exactly what he meant because the walk of faith often feels more like a daily open battle.

He was also right when he said that the

weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are unseen (2 Cor 10:4). Every true believer desires to hear, “Well done you good and faithful servant”, get a tap on the back and a warm welcome in to an eternity of joy and dancing. But who talks about the current realities that keep plaguing the believer? Jesus. Well, He said this more than 2,000 years ago but His word has stood the test of time (with prophecies written in the bible still coming to pass, and more to come).

Jesus almost sounds like a broken record when He gives His final words to His disciples. He keeps telling them to take heart and not to give up. He reminds them to pray often and to remember His word. He reminds them to lean on the Helper (The Holy Spirit) and then He dies and ascends into heaven.

He basically told His disciples, and us in extension, that we are in a daily battle for our faith and until He comes again, we have to fight valiantly.

One of the surest ways to maintain the fire of our faith is through consistent fellowship with Jesus through Bible reading. Easier said than done- I knoooowww.

The word says that faith “comes by hearing the Word of the Lord”. It goes without saying, therefore, that it is impossible to have the word of God in your heart (which increases your faith) unless you regularly read His life-giving Word.

In a generation that has idolised distraction, individualism and materialism, it becomes a fight to the death for the mind of the fruitful believer and one that must be won daily if ever this believer is to reap the reward of intimacy with Christ.

The heart of the matter: Priorities

Where your treasures are, your heart is also. Consistency in Bible reading takes a heart that is eager for the Word of the Lord. You will always have “better” things to do with your time. A business meeting, a doctor’s appointment, a spouse’s needs to meet, friends to celebrate and so on but where does Christ fit into your schedule?

Does your life currently show that Jesus is important to you?

I hope that this post sheds light on the heart of the issue rather than the issue itself.

Finally, the Tips

I would love to share what I am currenty doing to draw closer to Jesus in the area of Bible reading and I hope it helps!

I also hope to hear from you on how your journey has been!

1. Know why you are reading the Bible: If reading the Word is a tick-box activity for you, then it beats the purpose of doing it in the first place. The Word is nourishment for the spirit and sheds light to your soul. Understanding the grace that was afforded us by the blood of Jesus and realising the love of God that seeks to reconcile us to Himself helps you read the Bible in the context of love instead of duty.

2. Have a pattern: You can put order into your Bible reading. If you are new to it, I would recommend starting with the New Testament and especially the shorter epistles. You may also want to start in order from the Old Testament. It all depends with you. (I would recommend starting with the New Testament though!). After this, commit to just one chapter a day, or more depending on your capacity. Read the Word at a time when your mind is fresh and productive. Give God your best. If you are super busy and your schedule keeps shifting, consider having an audio Bible as well!

3. Make it interactve: Write notes, discuss with fellow believers and even look for commentaries on the scripture you are reading on (you can watch videos on the same as well!). It would be helpful to read the Word introspectively, asking yourself what the message being discussed means for you in reality and how it impacts your decisions moving forward.

4. Have community! I am a beneficiary of godly community. Community is fun but also serves the purpose of keeping you grounded and motivated to remain consistent in reading and living the Word of God.

5. Ask God for a desire for His Word and for staying power: It is impossible to live a life pleasing to God without His help. We are never meant to do anything on our own. God tells us that He is our helper and ever-present help in times of need. If there is anything we need help with from God, it definitely involves keeping steady in His Word. If you go out in your strength, you will get tired and you will probably fall off the wagon. There is a loving father who is keen on your growth in Him. Lean in.

Anything else I need to add?

What has worked for you?

Feel free to share in the comments below!