“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Bible. There is practically no better way to get to know God than His Holy Word written in the Bible.
It is so important to spend time in the Bible everyday if you truly desire to cone to know God and His plan for your life. Get to know Jesus in the Gospels but, also, see Him throughout the Old Testament. “”The New is in the Old Concealed, the Old is in the New Revealed” – St. Augustine.
I never realized the true depth of this until I led my first Bible study 15 years ago. We were doing a study on the Gospel of John. Jesus says, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14-15. That points back to the seraph servants in Numbers 21:6-9. The Lord told Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” Numbers 21:8
The Trinity is all over and through the Old Testament and the old is talked about and revealed by Jesus in the Gospels.
How to read the Bible?
I struggled with this question for many years. I prayed, asking God to give me a love of His Holy Word like so many of my friends had in their lives. They would wake early just to spend private time reading the Bible. They loved to read the word and knew it well. But, it seemed no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t find a way to ‘make it stick’ in my life.
Then, I went to Patrick and Joy Campbell’s ‘Victory in Spiritual Healing” workshop and that all changed. Ties were broken and portals closed and the Bible became a huge part of my life and day. I studied and knew scripture before but the day I completed the workshop, the Bible became preeminent to my reading and life. All other books went away, in fact, many I threw away as not leading me to God.
I started by reading Acts of the Apostles. Great book of miracles and the start of the Catholic Church. Plus, it is written well as a ‘story.’ When I completed Acts, I just continued through St. Paul’s writings. I also started reading a Psalm each day starting with “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2
The Gospels were next in line. I love John’s Gospel but started with the Gospel of Matthew. A beautiful Gospel with so much of the story of Jesus’ life. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell Jesus’ story more story like – easier to read with all the “good stories.” Mark’s Gospel was probably the original and the Gospel of John, my favorite, aims to show you Jesus in His Divinity. In all the Gospels, Jesus points to the Father.
I found I couldn’t put the Bible down. Nearly two years later, I still have that love. The Spiritual Healing workshops have tremendous and miraculous physical healings all the time, I count this as a miracle of the workshop. A great spiritual healing that released the salve upon my soul which is the word of God.
Now, I’ve expanded my reading plans to draw closer to God but getting to know Him and spending time with Him. I read my Bible daily, His Word is first always in my heart. But, I’ve settled into reading Divine Mercy in My Soul – St. Faustina’s Diary, The Book of Heaven (Luisa Piccarreta’s Divine Will) and several other spiritual writings like “The Dark Night”, Ignatius’ writings on discernment, “Interior Castle”, “The Story of a Soul” and even, “I knew His Voice” (my own book, just to draw into one of my ‘journals’ to remember those moments).
However you read the Bible, just do it. But, don’t just read the pages. Start with asking the Holy Spirit to help and guide your time prayerfully and to open your eyes to His heart. He will never disappoint. As you’ve read, if you following my blog, many of my reflections are drawn from Scripture.
Read the Bible, get to know God, the Lover of your soul. Build the foundation of your faith upon the strength of the Word of God.