[WishingOnAStar]

Hi Everyone - My name is Jeanne and I live in Michigan. I hope that this is an OK question to ask in this category. Being new, one never knows.

I left my church a few years back for many reasons and I miss worshipping God and enjoying fellowship. I spent much time of my time in Bible studies where I dug deep into the Word of God. Since I've been gone, I have a terrible time pickiing up the Bible and reading on my own. I have tried doing a Bible study on my own, but it is just not the same. No discipline.

I feel like I've put God in last place. I can make time for my favorite TV show (with my Bible down on the floor next to me), but I won't pick it up and read it. My family is going through some terrible times now and this is when I need His Word the most. Any idea why I seem to be pushing it away. I just don't seem to understand the Word unless I'm studying it with others.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you so much for your thoughts!

Blessings~

[Sophia57]

If you read the Bible through in a year, you are developing consistently. I read 3 chapters of the Old Testament, one in the New Testament every night to get through in a year, no matter what, and like the Sunday School song says, I "grow, grow, grow." I also read in the Psalms every day, because they are so emotional and touch my heart.

If you need to, keep a check list and check it off. Instead of making it a random thing, make it a daily, consistence thing. Our walk with God needs to be consistent, not subject to whims and moods. Now that is hard for many, but the discipline, I believe is part of being a disciple. I have lots of books you might like to read on the subject, too.

And are you saying you don't have a church anymore? That might be part of the problem. I did that once for 2 years, and didn't pick up my Bible once. When I found a fellowship with love, the Bible just jumped open and came to life. We do need other believers to learn, share and grow with.

[WishingOnAStar]

Dear Sophia57 ~ Thank you so much for replying. Your comments are very meaningful to me. You are very correct in concluding that I do not attend a church at this time. I was beginning to have a great deal of friction with a handful of parishoners and it began to be very difficult to deal with them, especially in God's house. I tried to talk things out, but I seemed to get nowhere. I finally backed away, after getting little to no help from the Pastor, who is also my next door neighbor. When I left the church, the people I had made great friendships with faded away because I was no longer in their circle. Once very close, I was no longer a part of their lives. I tried e-mailing and phone calls, but the the "click" stayed together and I didn't fit in anymore. Prior to this all happening, I was always welcome to everyting. Needless to say, I had a bad attitude towards churches in general. I just quit going and since I no longer was doing Bible Studies, my personal bible study suffered. I tried to keep in the Word, but it just wasn't the same. I miss the studies...I miss the Word.

You are so right when you say it must be a discipline...it's that simple. I shall try to do as you mention. Some OT, NT and a psalm or two. I'd be interested in the names of the books you mention. Maybe they would help me out, or help me understand my situation better.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Most people haven't been interested in this post. I was so happy that someone was willing to reach out to a rather "lost" soul, so to speak. Have a blessed and wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Blessings~

[(JD)]

I, too, keep a Bible in the livingroom with the TV. I do watch the religious channels though, and while I enjoy some of the topics very much, others I find myself grabbing my Bible and reading the reference verses for myself.

I always direct those needing to get to God or back to God to read the book of John. It is God's love letter to us, and seems to help draw us back to His side.

I also subscribe (free) to a few devotional sites that send daily emails of Bible readings with applications for current living. CBN.com has one such offering (again, no charge) and so does God's Promises Devotional

[WishingOnAStar]

Hi JD ~ So nice to hear from you. I appreciate your suggestion to read the book of John...I like the thought of God writing me a love letter. As I am dealing with a lot of painful issues right now, a letter of love from God is definitely what my heart needs.

I do subscribe to a variety of devotionals, but some are much better than others. I must unsubscribe to some of them as I have so many that I tend to get overwhelmed. They are a great source of inspiration, though, I must agree.

Thanks, again, JD. I appreciate your time. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings ~

[Sophia57]

Dear Wishing on a Star,

I have been reading a lot of books about discipleship, and the best ones are Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" and "Life with God" which is specifically about reading the Bible. Dallas Willard also wrote "The Spirit of the Disciplines" which was a great book too.

These books are much broader than just Bible study, and of course, fellowship is part of it. I know leaving a church leaves a real hole in your life, is there any possibility of finding another one? I just left one I was in for 6 years, but it was the pastor who was no longer preaching from the Bible that moved me to leave. I am still friends with many of the people, and adjusting to a new church.