I’ve adapted this excerpt from my soon to be released book that will help believers move beyond borrowed beliefs to a faith they can call their own. This is from a chapter on building a meaningful Bible reading routine they can look forward to.

I’ll be sharing from the book on Saturdays now through the book’s release. It just moved into the professional production phase. I’d love to hear your thoughts:

Jesus talked to a mixed group of people in various stages of knowing and accepting who He was and what He was teaching.

Yet He makes no distinction about tiers or categories of followership. What He is saying to one, He is saying to all.

To be a disciple (follower of Jesus) will first require devotion:

John 8:31. …If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

Discipleship is the learning part you’re engaged in right now. And your level of devotion to being a student of Jesus sets the tone for your Bible time.

You’ll also notice in Luke 9:23, “If any man.” Let’s call this desire.

You only need to picture a hungry baby getting ready to eat to understand this. Here’s how the apostle Peter says it:

1 Peter 2:2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

There’s nothing casual about spiritual growth. Stay hungry. Go after God’s word like one who isn’t satisfied until you spend some time with it.

Jesus then adds in Luke 9:23, “will come after me.” A decision is made about what you will devote yourself to.

The origin story behind an old familiar song called “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is hard to verify. The story goes that a man wrote it under intense pressure to give up and renounce his devotion to Jesus. He refused. He was willing to pay the cost and, in doing so, proved his devotion.

Decide to make knowing God’s word better a reality.

Jesus knew that to make progress you’ll also need some self-discipline.

He adds in Luke 9, “let him deny himself.” We’ll call this self-denial. Whoever chooses to excel at something knows they will have to say no to many other things.

You can’t fit it all into a day, so you prioritize what is most important, not what is most urgent.

Say no to the distractions and nonessential tasks and make room for more time in God’s word.

The fifth thing Jesus says to everyone is, “and take up his cross daily.” That baby who desires milk is revealing the quality a devoted reader of Scripture shows: determination.

Tell a baby to “wait a couple days” or “you don’t need to eat today” and you’ll see what determination looks like.

A dusty Bible leads to a deficient life.

We’ll talk about creating a daily routine that feeds your spiritual growth later in the chapter.

When you believe God’s word is necessary, you’ll find the determination to read every day. Jesus put it this way:

Luke 4:4. …It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

And the sixth thing I’d like you to see from Jesus’ statement in Luke 9 is “and follow me.” We’ll call this dedication.

There are physical challenges and spiritual forces that fight against you reading and enjoying the Bible.

When you dedicate yourself to following what it teaches with determination, you can expect some friction. Dedication will help you do it anyway.

You might have noticed that Jesus didn’t make any of His conditions of being a disciple optional.

It’s not enough to say the words. He uses the word “and” to connect self-denial and taking up your cross daily and following Him.

All three every day. Devotion recognizes they are inseparable and creates the environment to cultivate them.

Devotion, desire, decision, self-denial, determination and dedication play a decisive role in being a true disciple.

Your time in God’s word is an act of devotion, not duty.

Read as though you desire to spend time with God’s word rather than “having” to. Devotion makes this time important but also intensely personal.

These short excerpts are just a sample of the book’s content. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Reply and let me know. I read every one.

I hope you’ll join me in my quest to make Bible reading easier and more enjoyable, personal and accessible.

🙏Would you pray with me that my soon to be released book and live companion cohort help believers move beyond borrowed beliefs to a faith they can call their own and build a meaningful routine with God’s word they can look forward to?

🙋🏼‍♂️You can help choose the title of the book below. It’s quick, easy, and right now the vote is very close. Which one would make you most likely to pick it up and read?

📫 PS. Who do you know who might benefit from this newsletter? Can you forward it to them and encourage them to subscribe? It just takes a minute or two. Thanks!

💬 If you’d rather text it, cut, copy and paste this: Hey! Check out BibleViews2Use. It's a quick bi-weekly email building up thousands of believers — Subscribe.

Steve is married to Lorie and together have four grown children and three grandchildren. Now in their forty-fourth year together you’ll find them busy with family, church, ministry or taking a walk around the neighborhood.

Retired from pastoral ministry Steve authored his first book that will help those who quietly struggle because they don’t get more from their personal Bible reading.

His mission is to help as many believers as he can fall in love with God’s word and have a faith they can truly call their own.

He also teaches the live online cohort that is companion to his book, teaches in the Bible Institute at his local church and writes this bi-weekly newsletter.

🛐 How can we pray for you? Please let us know here.

🤝🏻Jump into our new free community. Share prayer, catch upcoming events, talk about the Newsletter, read excerpts from the Book and let us know your thoughts.

📫 Forward this email to friends & family and encourage them to subscribe

♥️ Follow on Instagram | Facebook | Threads for more biblical encouragement.

💬💡Feedback? What would make BV2U better for you? How did today’s read impact you? I’d love to hear from you: [email protected]. I read every email.