Growing Closer to God One Verse at a Time.

Understanding the Bible in such a way that it brings a closer connection with God is easier than one might think. Too often today, we as Christians only hear God’s word. We don’t actively read it for ourselves. Or when we do read, we are reading it with a narrative already driving the interpretation. I feel this approach hinders potential growth. What if we read without all those hindering pretenses?

Psalm 119:105 KJV tells us  “ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Joshua 1:8 KJV says “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”


1 Peter 2:2 KJV
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may growthereby:

Psalm 119:18 KJV
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.


2 Timothy 2:14
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We should study the Bible in a way that builds an unshakable foundation.The best way to do this is to read with intent. First, start by praying for God’s wisdom to fall upon you. Ask that only His intended message is  received.Then, find a trustworthy study bible. I use the Companion Bible by Kregell Publications along with a Strong Exhaustive  Concordance by James Strong. Together  these books offer a wealth of information and reference points. These tools allow any reader to take every word back to the original languages. By doing so, the reader gains a deeper and more meaningful connection to each verse. It is crucial today to have a strong foundation and a wisdom filled faith. These aspects cannot be obtained by simply listening to sermons. It takes a conscious effort to study the Bible to gain knowledge and understanding. Then, when questions about God’s word arise, as they naturally do, pray about it and seek the Bible for answers. God’s living words speaks to us, but we must first open it to hear it.

Matthew 6:33 says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What better way to seek His kingdom than to read His word. Oftentimes, you will find that God gives you the answer in one form or another. If at that point an answer is unfound, then seek pastoral counsel.

John 1:1 tell us, 
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”




How incredibly important God’s word must be if it was with Him all the way back in the beginning. Think about this for a moment, the Bible, a direct continual link to God, providing answers, guidance and correction to all of His children who will read it.  Yet the majority of the time it sits on a shelf. A commodity such as that is more precious than any other riches this world has to offer, if you ask me. But even I don’t hold the Bible with the regard I should.


Maybe we take for granted how special the Bible truly is. Maybe the bible has become such a habitual part of life that it has almost been reduced to nothing more than a chore.


It doesn’t matter if you have read it once or a hundred times, next time you pick up your bible, read it with intent!