"Fillers" – letting go of solely relying on blogs and devotionals

I am really not a pleasure reading kind of gal. Although, in the summer, I like to fill in down time by the pool or on the beach with a good Christian novel. When I started this blog in February of this year, I knew it was considered a "filler." This is what you read to fill in or add to your own personal time with God.

Some of you may not have your own time with God, in the Word, or you may not know how to study it for yourself. You may say to yourself, you can't understand it so, that's why you rely on someone else's studies. Therefore, blogs and devotionals may be all you read. There is nothing wrong with reading a good devotional or blog. They serve a purpose to spur one another along in our faith. It's encouraging to read a blog of how someone has gone through a similar path than you. An inspiring devotional reading can be just what you needed to get through the day. One of my favorite is the devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest" by, Oswald Chambers. But, there is nothing like reading and studying a book of the Bible for yourself. It becomes more personal and, therefore; what you learn stays with you. For instance, the book if Philippians helped me learn to surrender and let go and, the book of Hebrews helped me understand my faith better. Have you been relying on someone else's studies for too long? I would like to encourage you this week to open your Bible. Pray and ask God to teach you and help you understand. The Psalmist writes, in Psalm 119:26-27, "I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes (laws). Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts (commandments) so that I can meditate on Your wonders (HCSB)."

When you are a believer in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit to help guide you. This is the only way to understand His Word. 1 Corinthians 2:12 says, "Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God (HCSB)." You can no longer say that you wont understand it, because God has provided His Spirit to help you. Plus, if you want to go deeper in understanding a word or a verse, then you can go to a website for help. I like to use www.mystudybible.com and www.blueletterbible.org for my helpful guides. Another reference that helped me study the Bible for myself, is the book, "How to Study Your Bible"  by, Kay Arthur.

So, start now! I recommend you start with the book of 1 John, in the Bible. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you. Let go of solely relying on "fillers" and watch the Word of God jump off the pages and into your heart.

"Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path."
~ Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)

"I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word."
~ Psalm 119:15-16 (HCSB)

"Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Word that is a light for my path. I let go of solely relying on fillers from others. May your Holy Spirit reveal your truth to me as I read Your Word."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014