Do You Know Where to Start?

The more women I meet at church and the more people I interact with on a daily basis, the more I realize that most people don't have any idea how to read the Bible or where to start.

We think the Bible is too hard to understand or that it's written strangely. Both false ideas. We think we need a Bible study or a devotional. Both great things, but they are someone else's words.

The words in the Bible are God's words. Words that live. They will live in you and change you as you delve into them.

So where do you start?

Well, first you should find a version that is easy to read for you. I highly recommend checking out http://www.youversion.com/. You can instantly change versions so you'll easily be able to find a version that is easy for you to read and understand.

Here are a couple examples of the same scripture in different versions:

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18-19 NIV 

18 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.)19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. Matthew 1:18-19 The Message 

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 1:18-19 New American Standard Bible

You can see the difference in the versions, and with http://www.youversion.com/ it's easy to flip back and forth between translations until you find your favorite.

Once you find a translation you like, you might want to buy an actual Bible. Depends on how you like to read. If you can read on your phone, ipad, computer, etc, then http://www.youversion.com/ may work fine for you, but I like to have something in my hand that I can write on and flip through.

Once you have a Bible, or a free electronic version of one, you may want to get a notebook to jot down notes, thoughts, or questions in as you read.

And then you have to open it up and start reading. See what truth you can find. Watch it change you.

My recommendation about where to start when reading on your own? The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read the story of Jesus over and over and over and over again, and you'll learn how He wants you to follow Him.

Take that notebook and write down everything you love. Everything you want to know more about. It's yours. This book was written for you. Why have you not read it?

My challenge to you? Open it. Make it through all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Read it for yourself. See if you can stop after that. There's more to know, and you'll want to read it for yourself. 

May you find peace in His words.

.....day 87 of a year of writing.....