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How should I read the Bible?

The Bible is full of facts about God: He became our Savior (1 Tim. 2:3-4); He died on the cross to save sinners; and He resurrected to become the life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45b). Reading and praying over these facts in the Word, readers develop faith (Gal. 3:2; Rom. 10:17) to believe into and receive God.

It is only through the Word that people can receive Jesus Christ into their hearts. Only the Bible contains the spiritual facts that make it possible for God to be revealed in readers, who then know and possess God. The more Christians read the Bible and pray accordingly, the more they come to know and possess Him.

For example, when Bible readers pray over the spiritual fact that God is love (1 John 4:8), God enters them to be their love. Without praying, human love is usually transient and temporary. Even if people put in their best efforts, their love for someone eventually fades. It’s impossible to love without the God who is love. The only way to have love is to receive God by praying with the Word.

This is why Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life?(John 6:63). Those who touch God’s word should receive spirit and life, not just knowledge. And the Spirit gives people the life that enables them to practice what the Word commands.

But how can Christians pray over the Word? Take John 6:63, for example. A possible prayer could be, “O God my Father, how I thank You that You are the Spirit who gives life. The flesh is good for nothing and can do nothing. I do not treasure my flesh but I desire Your Spirit. And, my dear Lord Jesus Christ, I also thank You that the words You spoke to me in the Bible are spirit and are life. Without Your words, I have no spirit and no life. Now, I come to You as I read Your words to receive the Spirit of God and the life of God from You. Today, I need You, Your Spirit, and Your life for my Christian walk. Thank You Jesus. Amen.?

Apply this principle to every part of the Bible. As you read through the Bible, chapter by chapter, you will come across many wonderful spiritual facts. When you pray according to what you have read, understood, and appreciate, the spiritual facts will become real to you as God fills you.