Renewing Your Mind
Hello my friends!
I’m so excited to dig into how to spend time with God and renew your mind.
The Bible says,
“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.”
Romans 12:2
For years I struggled with getting in God’s word consistently. I’d be extremely motivated, get a game plan ready, and hit the ground running! I’d wake up early, find a cozy spot, open my Bible, start reading, and be ready learn!
This would last for a few days and then I’d lose the motivation or get distracted with other things (I’m sure we’ve all been there!).
Then the motivation would rise up again and I’d take off.
Then I’d stumble.
It was a never ending cycle and oh so frustrating.
It took a true Holy Spirit moment for me to finally figure out what I was missing. I was at a conference with my husband last year and during worship, I heard the Lord whisper to me. He so sweetly said, “Sarah, I want you to read the entire Bible starting in the New Testament.” I chuckled a little at first and questioned my ability to do this after trying and failing multiple times. He spoke directly to my concern, “This time will be different. I want you to invite me into this journey. Let me lead you through My word.”
Have you ever been in a worship experience where you feel like you could fly or burst with joy? That was this moment for me. As I look back on this moment, I can see the lightbulb over my head turn on and the realization of what I was missing set in.
God!
Why hadn’t I been intentional in inviting Him to join me as I read through His word?
Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you.
Proverbs 2:6
This changed everything:
My motivation and excitement
My intentions
My love for Him
My desire to learn more about Him
It also removed any sort of comparison. My approach to this time in His word was always pressured by mirroring what I saw others do. Have you been there before? Let me share some encouragement:
The only One we need to mirror is Him! Allow God to direct what your time in His Word looks like.
When you shift your focus to Him and what He wants to reveal to you and how He wants to reveal it to you, that changes everything.
I would love to share a few resources and ideas that have helped me and I hope will bless you!
But first, a disclaimer: *This is not to make you feel pressured into creating an experience that looks like mine or create a sense of comparison.*
My true hope is to give ideas for those of you who feel stuck or need help getting started. I trust once you take the first step, you will begin soaking up His word and never want to stop!
Before I share anything else, this is the most important step before even opening your Bible!
(I feel like some of you may have given a little “GASP” or 😱 to that statement...Am I right??)
Okay, back on track.
The very first thing to do in this time that will make all of the difference is….
prayer
(I know, not super GASP worthy now that you hear it 😉)
In all seriousness, beginning with prayer allows for unending opportunities. When I pray, I first invite Holy Spirit into the experience asking for His guidance and wisdom. Secondly, I pray over myself; that I am postured appropriately and ready to hear what He has for me during this time. I don’t want to miss any revelation He has for me and I’m sure the same is true for you!
And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.
James 1:5
Before you do anything else, start your conversation with the Lord. Remember, He wants to be in this experience with you!
Now let’s talk resources.
There are a few items that I always include in my time studying in His word. I know these resources benefit me tremendously as I dig into the word.
My Bibles
I use the She Read Truth Bible (CSB) as my main study Bible. I absolutely LOVE it! (There is also a He Reads Truth which my husband uses). This Bible has many aspects that I love, but I’ll share just a few. Each book of the Bible has details in the introduction and beautiful artwork throughout. There are also short devotionals that dig deeper into different themes found within specific chapters. You will also find related verses from other books of the Bible that connect to each chapter you read in the Bible (this is one of my favorite resources!). Lastly, if you like to write in your Bible (me!), know there is plenty of space along the sides that allow you to do so.
The second Bible I use is the NKJV Spirit-Filled Bible. I cannot recommend this Bible enough! It is full of resources that have helped me better understand God’s Word and apply it to my life. One of my favorite features are the Truth/Action sections found in each book of the Bible. You are presented with multiple truths found in scripture and then along with that, an action to support you in applying these truths to your life.
(If you are not a reader, then I highly recommend downloading the Bible App. It has a lot of translations and will read aloud to you - I do this at different times as well).
My notebook
The notebook I use was a beautiful gift from a dear friend. It came from Cageless Birds (check them out if you haven’t before!). The journal is leather bound with sections of paper sewn into it.
But truthfully, you can use anything!! A walmart notebook, and simple or super decorative notebook, your iPad, phone, or laptop, sticky notes! Whatever works best for you!
In my notebook, I like to write any extended revelations or connections I receive (that don’t fit in the margins of my Bible). I also write out verses that stand out to me to help my brain remember it. My notebook goes with me everywhere so it’s a great reference tool!
A Bible Study
I don’t always follow a specific study. There are many times where I just want to read through a book of the Bible and pull from my own thoughts (I recently did this through the book of Esther and I was amazed at everything Holy Spirit showed me about her even though I’ve been through the story multiple times!!).
But when I do want to follow a study, I love what The Daily Grace Co. has to offer (I am currently reading The Daughters of Grace). One, of many, aspects I love about their studies is the encouragement they give you before each one. Instead of just diving into the information they are sharing, they recommend reading the daily verses on your own and in different versions. Take time to let the information sink in and see what revelations you receive from the Lord. Then combine this information with what their study shares and you won’t be disappointed!
There it is my friends!
Nothing overly detailed and allows for lots of flexibility. Each experience may not look exactly the same, but the main consistency is taking time to get in His word. It may be 15 minutes one time, 30 minutes the next; some days consist of listening to the Bible app while driving and others, snuggled up on the couch with the opportunity to read multiple chapters.
Wherever you need to start, start there and my sweet friend, give yourself GRACE!
Xoxo,
Sarah
