“If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples.” John 8:31 (NASB)
If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’ve probably made a commitment at some point to read your Bible regularly. Maybe you committed to reading it every day for a week. Maybe you read it for a month. Committing to reading the Bible for a set period of time is a great way to get started—but you shouldn’t stop there.
Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples” (John 8:31 NASB). It’s the long-term commitment to learning from Jesus and his Word that makes you his disciple.
But how do you continue in the Word? How do you stay connected with Jesus through the Bible long-term?
1. Make the decision to do it. It starts with your commitment. Don’t wait for a better time to make God’s Word a regular part of your life. Start your commitment today.
2. Make a declaration. Announce your intentions to others. Hold yourself accountable. If you keep your commitment to God a secret, it’s easier to slip up.
3. Make a determination. Don’t allow anything to knock you off your commitment. Be absolutely determined to make this a permanent habit in your life, particularly in the early months. If you start skipping days, it’ll be much harder to stay committed to God’s Word.
4. Double up. Get a spiritual partner to come alongside you for support and encouragement. This is someone with whom you can share what you learn in your quiet times. It could be someone in your small group, a friend, or a family member. The Bible says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT).
Spending time with God should be a lifelong habit, not a passing fancy. Research shows you need to do something for about six weeks straight to build a habit. Make God’s Word part of your life today—and for the rest of your life.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
What commitment will you make today so that God’s Word becomes a habit in your life?
With whom will you share your commitment, and who will hold you accountable?
Identify the biggest distractions you will likely face when you determine to be in God’s Word every day. What changes can you make in your life to minimize or do away with those distractions?
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
It’s great to commit to reading God’s Word for a certain number of days. But to truly be Jesus’ disciple, you need to continue in his Word. Learn what that means and how to do it in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
40 Days in the Word – 2023, God’s Word, Habits, Bible Study, Choices, Discipline, Knowing God, John 8, Ecclesiastes 4
Broadcast Series: 40 Days in the Word – 2023
Sermon Series: 40 Days in the Word (2012)
Sermon: 023604_Seeing What God Wants Me to See
