When I was saved at 17 years old, my coach, who led me to Christ, told me you have to be in the Word. That is how you grow closer to Jesus and improve your relationship with Him.
I had no idea where to start or what to do. Him telling me that left a lifelong impression on my life. It has stuck with me now for 23 years. His words were “Get in the Word.”
So, my question for you is: “Are you in the Word?”
Psalm 19:7-8 (HCSB) says, “The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up.”
God’s Word renews our lives. His Word is true and brings gladness to our lives. God uses His Word to change us from the inside out. He makes the inexperienced wise!
Jana Magruder in her book Nothing Less: Engaging Kids in a Lifetime of Faith, said, “The largest impact on students retaining their faith through college and into adulthood is a child needs to regularly read their Bible while growing up.”
While this seems like a no-brainer, apparently this is missing in many of our own personal lives.
When is the last time you sat down and personally read the Bible for the purpose of spending time with Jesus? Not to do message prep or to find verses to post on Instagram but to spend time with the Creator of the universe who loves you and calls you His.
Ben Trueblood, in his book Within Reach: The Power of the Small Changes in Keeping Students Connected, said that just “51% of our students are regularly reading the Scripture on their own.” He also states that “65% of student leaders spend time regularly reading the Word less than five days a week.”
No wonder our students aren’t engaged in the habit of regular Bible reading! We as their leaders aren’t leading by example in our own lives.
How often do you spend time with Lord reading His Word?
What steps do you need to take to make this a priority in your life?
Get in the Word, and watch the Lord change your life and the lives of others around you!
The post “Are You in the Word?” was originally posted on YMlink.org.
by Dogwood