Why Reading the Bible Isn’t Enough.

As I continue to grow as a mother, daughter, sister and most importantly into the woman God has called me to be, I’ve realized just reading the Bible is not enough to maintain and grow in my relationship with Christ. Here me out! Reading the bible daily is a START and should be our PRIORITY but it doesn’t stop there.

Let’s take a look at Matthew 13…

Within this Chapter Jesus explains how his word will affect us through parables. I love the parables because they require us to truly think and apply what he’s telling us.

Matthew 13:1-9 NIV:

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.9Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The farmer in this parable would be you and I. The seeds are the word of God. The soil is where I want us to focus. The soil is our relationship we’ve built with God.

Verse 4 “As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path and the birds came and ate it up.” Many will read the word of God and it will go over their heads with no firm understanding of the meaning or truth.

Verse 5 “Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.” You know God but there’s no true and consistent relationship.

Verse 7 “Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” This verse will be another blog for sure. Who are you surrounding yourself with?

Verse 8 ”Then Jesus states, Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” This is where I want you to grow to become if you aren’t there already!

Remember this is a NO JUDGE ZONE! It doesn’t matter where you are in your walk with Christ as long as you are walking with him sis! You’ll get there!

Developing a tenacious relationship with God is more than just reading the bible. He wants to be a part of our everyday lives. The soil in the scripture above represents our relationship. We want to have good soil so when we read the word of God it’s planted deep within us where roots are planted and what we produce brings greatness in our lives and more importantly in the lives of others.

Just as you work towards a relationship with your spouse or with your best friend. It takes time and effort on both ends. God is always there and willing with open arms. It’s up to you and I to reach back out to him. He wants to talk to you, encourage you, and uplift you when you are feeling down and be involved with every other aspect of your life. God wants to be the number one in your life! The question is….

Will you let him?

Are you willing to allow God in every aspect of your life? Including the areas you want no one to know about you? Are you willing to be truly vulnerable with God and allow yourself to be intimate with him?

I’ve asked myself this question personally so don’t feel singled out. There was a point in time where it was really hard for me to open up and let anyone in. That included God. I felt I had this particular area under control. Little did I realize I didn’t have any control in this area which then caused me the most headache and heartache. You know you drop your problems off at God’s feet and walk away but then you go back and pick it up. Yeah that was me not that long ago! We all do it at times but I grew weary and finally surrendered this area and I haven’t looked back since.

When issues would arise in my life and the world would begin to take its toll; my knowledge of scripture is what keeps me grounded and reminds me of the promises God told me but it’s the relationship I built and nurtured with Christ is what keeps me going through troubled waters that I may face in life.

Having Faith in God and knowing he will never leave me nor forsake me provides me with the peace and understanding I need. He keeps my secrets and allows me to be truly vulnerable with him. I can truly be myself with no strings attached. He’s created me so he’s knows all my flaws. God knows every intimate detail of my life because I’ve opened myself up to him. He’s my bestfriend and it’s one of the most important relationships I have in my life. Isn’t this the kind of relationship we want with our creator? I know for me it is but it didn’t occur overnight. It’s a relationship I continuously work at daily and I’ve never been happier to do so.

Having a strong relationship with God is much deeper than only reading the Bible. I don’t want you or I to ever be a surface level or lukewarm Christian. Reading the Bible should be a top priority. It’s the blueprint to our life and reminds us of the promises of God. Be strong in your faith and have an honest and committed relationship with Christ just as much as you’re dedicated to reading his word. Reading the Bible should never feel like a task. Be engaged with Christ daily! He’s everything you need and more.I want you to truly have a deep relationship with CHRIST! I can’t stress this enough!

No man or woman can ever give you the love, peace and security you need more than Christ! So yes, reading your word is crucial and very important BUT just as you read the word of God develop and nurture your relationship with him as well because only reading your Bible isn’t enough.