Athletes work hard, especially in those long hours logged in the weight room. They come out stronger.

The same goes for hours logged in the Scriptures. Devotionals provide good perspective, biblical insights and motivating truths. If devotionals are your primary spiritual diet, make them your appetizer and add some heartier meals.

Take one chapter, Psalm 119, and list all the ways the writer says that the Scriptures will affect your life. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs—read the chapter number corresponding to the date of the month for 2-3 months. You will find the Scriptures supplying wisdom for all sorts of life situations you are working through.

Have you read through the four New Testament Gospels lately? (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) Read them to get to know Jesus better.

The Bible can be intimidating to those who have not ventured beyond favorite verses or stories. There are so many words and places and names that seem foreign. Fortunately, there are websites that provide an array of valuable study resources. Try out www.studylight.org and www.biblestudytools.com.

Three things can help you get more out of your time in the Scriptures:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read. One of His ministries in our lives is to shed light on what we read.
2. Pick up “Living by the Book” (Hendricks and Hendricks). It will develop your confidence in handling different parts of the Bible.
3. Ask a friend or two who are seasoned students of the Bible to teach you how to navigate the pages of your Bible.

Soak on it, memorize verses. Read it to gain convictions, not just comfort. Read it for holiness, not just hope. Read it to know Jesus, not just knowledge.

Tom Petersburg, www.catapultministries.org