By Waylon Bailey. 

God’s Word will change your life for the better, and it will do more than you can imagine. One of the first apostles gave this testimony: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

The key to this happening is you. Let me give you some ways to allow God’s Word to change you.

First, make a commitment. Without a commitment on your part, not much positive will happen anywhere in your life. Thomas Watson drove straight to the point for most of us. He asserted that most of us are simply lazy. Therefore, we have to make a commitment not to be lazy but to be diligent to discipline ourselves and let God and His Word work in our lives.

Second, set up a plan that works for you. I’ve often said that almost any plan works as long as you work the plan, but the plan you choose will help you accomplish your purpose and carry out your commitment.

The easiest plan is simply to begin with Genesis and read through Revelation. Even though the Bible looks very large (it is), if you read four chapters a day you will read through the entire Bible in a year’s time. You might decide to read two chapters a day and finish in two years. I personally don’t think the time period matters, but to be in God’s Word daily or several times a week will be amazing to you.

Last week I read about reading in five areas at the same time. This plan helps you not get bogged down in difficult material. You would read in Genesis, Joshua, Job, Isaiah, and Matthew simultaneously. I have decided that will be my next plan.

Sometimes we simply need to try something different to help our motivation.

Third, seek God through Scripture and through prayer. It’s not enough to say we’ve read through the Bible; we need to let God’s Word have its full effect. Therefore, I encourage people to seek God’s direction as they read.

As they say, this is not rocket science. It is a practical way to grow in Christlikeness.

I hope you will commit to God to become more like Him.