The Life-Changing Benefits of Reading the Bible

I write a lot about reading the Bible. That’s because there’s nothing more life-changing we can do. You want to change, be healed, have more peace, know what true joy is, have better relationships and experience the greatest love you’ll know? Then read the Bible. If you know me, you know I grew up in the church, hearing the Bible my entire life and yet I always share that my life lacked meaning, power and the stability I desired. It wasn’t until my 20’s after a time of great difficulty, that I realized something was missing from my life. That something was a relationship with God. Being a Christian is more than just saying the salvation prayer, more than just going to church, more than trying to live a good life – It’s a personal relationship with God. Imagine having a relationship with someone and never spending time with them. How would you even know them if you never heard their heart or saw their character? Reading the Bible is the very thing that reveals God to us. It’s His love letter to us. God divinely inspired each word on each page of the Bible for you and me so that we would know His character and His heart for us. Through the Bible we learn who He is and also who He created us to be. The Bible is our roadmap for life giving us the instruction we need to live a victorious life and fulfill the great destiny He has planned for us. It’s also filled with over 8000 promises to us and God wants us to know every one of them so we can experience them all.

I used to think reading the Bible was boring until, I understood all that. And when I started reading God’s Word for myself, my life began to dramatically change. Reading the Word became an exciting adventure – discovering new truths that would transform my life. So many people struggle in life and THIS is the answer to everything we will ever struggle with. God’s Word will transform our entire lives! Maybe you know this, and are a lover of God’s Word like me. Still, it can sometimes be a struggle, right?  Because the Word is so powerful in our lives, the enemy will try anything to keep us away from it. He’ll try to distract us, discourage us, condemn us, and keep us busy, busy, busy. When I struggle to settle down and focus, I’ve learned to fight hard for that time with God, because reading the Bible is the most important thing we can ever do. The benefits of reading the Bible are too numerous to count, but here’s a reminder of just a few:

1.We discover who God is & who He created us to be

• • John 17:3 – Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
  • Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
  • John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. We hear God speak to us through His Word

• • John 16:13 – But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
  • 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
  • Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.

3. We are transformed from the inside out

• • Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
  • Proverbs 23:7a – For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he
  • Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
  • Ephesians 5:26 – “That He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word.”

4. We receive healing

• • Psalm 107:20 – He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
  • John 6:63 – “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

5. We learn how to have good relationships

• • Ephesians 4:2-3:…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another to build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
  • 1 Peter 4:8: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins

6. It brings success to our lives

• • Joshua 1:8 – Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
  • James 1:25 – But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
  • John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

7. It gives us peace, joy, courage, hope and so much more!

• • Philippians 4:4-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  • Ephesians 6:15 – and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
  • Psalm 119:114 – “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”
  • John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
  • Psalm 16:11– Thou wilt shew me the PATH of life: in thy PRESENCE is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are PLEASURES forevermore.
  • Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
  • Jeremiah 15:16 – “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your word became to me the gladness and joy of my heart.”

When I have a consistent quiet time with God I can clearly see the difference in my life. I have more peace, I receive more grace to accomplish the things I need to do, I feel more confidence in my walk because I hear God’s voice guiding me each step of the way, I experience more of God’s love which brings me great joy, and I’m definitely more patient and self-controlled, as well as all the other fruit of the Spirit because I am filling myself up with Him each day. I can go on and on about all I receive when I’m consistent in my quiet time with God, just as I can go on and about all I lack if I start neglecting my time with Him. I definitely struggle more in my thoughts, I have less patience and more difficulty tempering my actions and responses to people and life; in fact everything in life is more difficult and burdensome because I’m lacking the joy, peace and direction of the Holy Spirit. And honestly, I begin to miss God. Yes, God is always with us, but imagine having a relationship with someone and never spending time with them? The Bible says, “We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). The more we experience God’s love, the more we fall in love with Him. Spending time in God’s word is one of the best ways to experience His love.

If you don’t already have a daily quiet time with God I encourage you to start now. If you struggle to be consistent or just want to try something new, I have a few things below that may help you. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to spend time with God, but it should always be centered around His Word. The Bible is the Truth that keeps us grounded in Him.

I wrote a blog on Finding Joy in Studying God’s Word that has two free printouts at the bottom of the post – The How to Study God’s Word Daily Plan and my own sample. You can find that post HERE.  I also wrote these two one-week studies if you’re looking for something to jumpstart you on digging into God’s Word:

Free One-Week Galatians Study

Free One-Week Colossians Study

If you’re new to reading the Word, starting in the Gospel of John is a good place to begin. The One Year Bible or a reading plan on an app like You Version is another great tool. I like to change up the way I spend time with the Lord, but it always centers around His Word. Personally, I like to incorporate worship and prayer and a time of being still before God so that I can listen for His voice. I find that journaling my prayers and what I receive from God is very helpful and more meaningful. It helps me focus and it also blesses me to go back and read what God has spoken to me and see how He’s answered my prayers. Last week I was inspired to create this Quiet Time Guide (see below) for myself  and I thought I’d share it with you. It helps me stay focused and I’m really enjoying using it right now. I use it while I’m journaling and I write out each of the points on the guide. So for “Adoration” I would write out my praise to God:

God you are so good! You are my perfect Heavenly Father. I love you with all of my heart. I am thankful for your Presence in my Life. You are Worthy of all praise….”

Just whatever praise is on my heart that day. And for “Sanctification” I would write something like:

God I want to be more like you. Help me to reflect you in a greater way each day. Forgive me for falling short. Teach me how to love others like you do. I choose to surrender all to you. Mold and shape me into your image…

And then I continue writing something in my journal for each topic on the guide. You get the idea. If you’d like one, I’d love to send you a free laminated copy. I like to keep it in my Bible or journal as guide. To receive one free in the mail all you need to do is subscribe to my blog – and comment on this post with your name and address. Don’t worry no one else will be able to see you info because no comments are shown publicly unless I allow it. If you’re already a subscriber just comment below and include your mailing address. I’d love to hear your favorite way to spend time with God or even which of the benefits of reading the Word you value most. 

Well, until next time friends, I pray blessings upon you this holiday season. I pray that you experience Him in a greater way. I pray your hunger for Him and His Word increases and you find deeper satisfaction in Him than you ever have before. God bless you. <3