A Good Habit
Spring 2023
Do you have any habits? A habit is something we do over and over again. We do it so often that we don’t even think about why we do it; we just do it. There are good habits—like brushing our teeth before we go to bed—and bad habits—like biting our fingernails. Good habits can help us stay in good health and can make our lives easier. One of the most important habits you can develop in your life is the habit of spending time with the Lord each day.
We spend time with the Lord to get to know Him better. Nothing is more important than knowing God.
First, decide on the best time of day. Most people find that the morning is best because there tend to be fewer interruptions. Spending time alone with God before we do anything else gets the day off to a good start. Second, find a place where you can be alone. Have your Bible and perhaps a notebook nearby.
The first thing to do is quiet your heart before the Lord. Think about God. Think about how great He is and how holy He is. Then ask Him to speak to you from His Word. You might want to use the words of Psalm 119:18 to pray: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Then read your Bible.
It is good to have a plan to follow for your Bible reading. Many grownups read through the whole Bible one chapter at a time every day. Or they may read a chapter from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and a Psalm every day. Since you are just starting out, it would be best to read just a short portion each day. Your parents, Sunday school teacher, or pastor will be able to help you find a plan that will work for you.
The important thing is to think about what you are reading. Ask yourself what the verses tell you about God. Do they tell you something that you should do or should not do? Is there something in the verses that you can turn into a prayer? Are there words that you don’t understand? Keep notes in a notebook. Write down the day’s date, the reference for the Bible verses you read, and the things you learned or that you need to ask someone about.
Some days you may feel it is difficult to understand God’s Word. Remember that you can always ask for help from older Christians. Sometimes it helps to listen to the Bible being read in a Bible app while you are looking at the words on the page. There are also Bible dictionaries and other helps for young people. Most importantly, we have the promise that the Holy Spirit will help us understand God’s Word. Believe that He will.
Even though reading God’s Word may sometimes be hard, it is always worth it. The more you read it, the more you will understand. What a wonderful thing to be able to spend time with God by spending time reading His Word each day!
Bad habits such as biting our nails are hard to break. We wish we had never started them. You will never be sorry for getting into the habit of spending time with God each day.