* Pray. Before you open the Bible, pray and ask God for guidance. Then begin reading until a particular scripture jumps out at you. Study each word. Ask God what He wants you to get out of that scripture. Linger over one chapter, one verse, even one word. God's word is so rich, you don't have to read long before you are filled with His goodness! Become more interested in absorbing small portions rather than trying to rack up a certain number of chapters per sitting.

* Read and re-read one certain book. For about a month, I read and re-read the book of James. I looked at it from the perspective of a book written by Jesus' brother. I looked at it as a letter from a leader of the church written to fellow Christians who were scattered throughout the region because of religious persecution. I read it so many times that I actually began to memorize many of the verses without even trying. Ephesians, Colossians, Galatians and Philippians are excellent books to read repeatedly.

* Study the Bible. Learn to use a concordance and Bible dictionary. Learn the Greek or Hebrew meaning of key words. Read solid commentaries, even investing in a good Bible with commentary. Once again, absorb small bits at a time. Let God speak to you through His word!

* Read the Bible as a good book. Don't study it this time but just read it. Look at the anguish, the humor, the prose, the poetry, and the historical facts. Most of the books of the New Testament are real letters, written by real people to another individual or to a group -- letters that help, uplift, instruct and even reprimand!

* Wisely approach time-directed Bible studies. Programs that direct you through the Bible in a set amount of time are okay but I don't recommend them as your ONLY Bible time. Such programs often cause you to approach the Bible as an assignment. You can become more interested in getting the reading done than in getting anything out of what you've read. (Please don't send me any letters singing the virtues of these programs. Some of them are great. I'm just pointing out a common pitfall.) If you are a new Christian, you will grow more by reading the New Testament, the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes before you dig into the more complicated history, prophecy and Law of the Old Testament.

The point, Beloved, is that God is more interested in quality than quantity. He wants you to spend precious time with Him. No matter what your church denomination might dictate, Jesus never gave rigid assignments about how much time you must allot for Bible reading or prayer. God doesn't want meaningless works to prove what a great Christian you are. God wants your heart. He wants you to grow. He wants you to experience the freedom He has given you!

PRAYER

God, I have become a prisoner to rules and regulations.
I have believed the lies of some men and organizations
that I must put in a certain amount of time and fulfill certain quotas of Bible reading to prove myself worthy.
Teach me to relish and absorb each morsel of
your daily bread. Nurture me with your manna!
Thank you for the freedom bought by Jesus!
Praise your Glorious Name!

SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE

If the Son sets you free,
you are free, indeed!
John 8:36

1. Memorize this scripture.
2. Personalize it.
3. Recognize ways your Bible time is binding you rather than freeing you.
4. Ask God to help you experience
true freedom.