First let me clarify something. In the New Testament, Jesus is called the Word. (John 1). However, what the Psalmist meant by word was God's commandments as recorded in the holy scrolls, what the Hebrews called the Canon and what we call the Old Testament. (Please read the devotional -- link below -- that explains the Canon. It's fascinating.)

1. Do not neglect God's word. READ IT. Make a quiet time and read. Turn off the TV and read. Listen to scriptures on tape in the car or while exercising.

2. Study the word. Don't just gloss over it. Don't try to get x-number of chapters in each night. Read until a scripture jumps out at you. Ask God what He wants to reveal to you. Underline or highlight passages. Make notes in the margins or in a journal. STUDY, STUDY, STUDY.

3. This may contradict #2, but there are times you should read the Bible as a good book. Don't study. Just read it. Look at books like James, Peter and Ephesians (to name a few) as letters written  by a real individual to other real individuals. This is what they are! Enjoy the richness. Look at the personalized messages. (For example, in 2 Timothy 4, Paul asks Timothy to bring his coat and scrolls. That's real stuff.)

4. Learn to follow links to footnotes. Throughout the New Testament (in most Bibles) are small letters pointing to a footnote at the bottom of the page. More than likely, these reference an Old Testament scripture. Go to those scriptures! See how Jesus and the Apostles built their ministries on God's word. Many, many times you'll see the phrase, "It is written." Jesus, Solomon, the Apostles, the Prophets and others frequently cited God's word that they had learned as a child and that they continued to study daily!

5. If you have trouble understanding a particular scripture, that's okay. Pray and ask God for understanding. He's more than happy to give it. (James 1:5) Feel free to read different Bible translations. Get a Bible dictionary that defines the Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) and see what the original text really meant. (By the way, look up that scripture in James I just quoted. That's what I mean by studying. Don't let someone else tell you what the Bible says. Learn for yourself!)

These are just a few suggestions, but these will help you explore the Bible, empowering you to grow closer to God, enabling you to experience true renewal.

PRAYER
God, I admit I don't give You much time. I neglect your word
too many times. Nudge me to put aside all hindrances that
prevent me from reading Your word.
Open my mind to understand Your great wisdom.
I'm ready and eager to grow in Your word!
In the name of Jesus, the WORD!
AMEN!

SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE

I will not neglect Your word.
Psalm 119:16b

1. Memorize this scripture.
2. Personalize it.
3. Adopt some of the renewal Bible tips in this letter!
4. Ask God to reveal His word in a special way.