We all know that having someone participating with us makes us more likely to arrive on time, work out, or eat healthy, so why not use the same approach with things of eternal value?
We know plenty of reasons why it is important to spend time in God’s Word. It is a major way that God communicates with His children, and its impact on our lives is beyond measure. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Matthew tells us that God’s Word is eternal: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (24:35) and life-giving: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (4:4)
We also know that we are commanded to study Scripture and to act upon what we learn. Joshua 1:8 says, “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” while James 1:22-25 tells us “do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it–not forgetting what they have heads, but doing it–they will be blessed in what they do.”
But with the busy days of life, sometimes time can slip away and we realize we haven’t been in tune with God’s Word for a while. If you find yourself in a rut, here are some easy ways to incorporate God’s life-giving, eternal, powerful Word into your schedule.
1. Reading
“Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18, NIV)
The best way to incorporate Scripture into your life is from the source itself. Spending even just a few minutes reading the Bible each day can be powerful. You can choose a book to read through in a month or follow a five-minute-a-day Bible reading plan. With a Bible app, you can listen to the Bible on audio as you drive or cook or do your hair. Examine how you spend your time and you will likely find a few minutes that could be spent in the Word. Devotionals with Scripture are another great option. You can find these online or at your local bookstore. They are packed with thought-provoking Scripture and are often very quick reads.
2. Writing
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, NIV)
I love writing Scripture. Be creative with this. You can put sticky notes on your fridge or in your car, use dry erase markers on your bathroom mirrors, and change the lock screen of your phone to an image with a Bible verse. The more you write Scripture, the more you will remember it. The more times you see it around your house, the more you will think about it.
Years ago, I took a large, old picture frame and painted the glass with chalkboard paint. That picture frame has hung in my kitchen ever since and I write a different Bible verse on it every week. Sometimes it displays a verse that is relevant to something happening currently in our family. Other times it shows a verse that has jumped out at me in the past week. No matter what verse it holds, our family looks at it multiple times each day as we walk in and out of the kitchen. There are plenty of fun Scripture coloring books and calligraphy books available now, too. Any time you can physically write the Word of God is time that is well spent.
3. Technology
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5, NLT)
Technology can give us tremendous access to the Word of God all throughout the day. You can download a Bible app and have Scripture available at your fingertips wherever you are. You can set alerts or a phone alarm to remind you to read a verse or two. The YouVersion Bible App will send you a Scripture of the day at a time that you choose. On social media, there are plenty of options to follow Christians who are speaking truth and sharing Scripture so that every time you find yourself mindlessly scrolling you are actually looking at God’s word! Having a Bible tab always open on your phone or computer is an easy way to remind you to look at some verses. With just a little intention, technology and social media can be used to strengthen your relationship with God through Scripture.
4. Friends
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV)
If you grew up in the 90’s you may refer to these trusted friends as “accountability partners.” Friends who are walking the same path and desiring to spend more time with God’s Word can be a great support. You can text verses to each other daily. You can support one another and memorize scripture together. We all know that having someone participating with us makes us more likely to arrive on time, work out, or eat healthy, so why not use the same approach with things of eternal value? Find a friend and make a plan to help one another read more Scripture. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV.)
5. Music
“Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.” (Psalm 105:2, NIV)
We remember things better when they are put into a song, so listening to music with lyrics based in Scripture is a great way to incorporate Scripture into your routine. As you listen to these songs, the Word of the Lord will weave its way into your mind and heart and dwell within you. As Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” At the beginning of the day, perhaps around the breakfast table, perhaps throughout the house as everyone gets ready, you can get things started off right for your entire family by playing music laced with Scripture. In the car on the way to school, work, or errands, turn the radio to the local Christian station. While making dinner, crank up your favorite streaming platform and worship God with His own words the way King David loved to–through music. And don’t be afraid to sing along. “I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.” (Psalm 101:1, NIV.)
Whatever ways you find that work best for your routine, I encourage you to continue incorporating Scripture throughout your day because “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11, NIV.)
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Megan Moore is a military spouse and mom of 3 (through birth and adoption). A speech-language pathologist by training, she now spends her time moving around the country every couple of years. She is passionate about special needs, adoption, and ice cream.
