HEY MIKE! My devotional life is dragging. How can I get excited again?
—D.R., Grand Rapids, Mich.
Do you remember when you first became a Christian? I sure do. In fact, that unforgettable experience was a little like a roller coaster ride.
First, I felt a rush of excitement and enthusiasm . . . and couldn’t wait to tell the world about my new relationship with Jesus. Then, a few months down the road, I felt as though I was in a desert, and God seemed far away. When I was around my peers at school or work, I’d even catch myself feeling a bit embarrassed about what I believed.
I couldn’t help scratching my head and wondering, Exactly WHAT happened? A warning from 1 Thessalonians 5:19 rang in my ears: “Do not put out the Spirit's fire.” I soon learned that my “faith fire” was fizzling. Why? Because I wasn’t fueling it. I wasn’t spending time reading the Word — and acting upon it.
And when my convictions were on the line and the pressure hit hard, I didn’t have the strength to stand firm.
Commit right now to setting aside a portion of your day (at least five days a week) studying a few passages from the Bible — along with daily readings from a devotion guide. (Head to your local Christian bookstore and find one that interests you.)
Above all, learn the sword fighting basics: (1) Pray before you read Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind and to help you understand the scriptural truths you’ll encounter. (2) Don’t attempt to read the Bible as you would a school textbook, racing through big blocks of type. The Holy Scriptures are unlike anything else you’ll ever study. Every word is inspired by God and is like a collection of personal letters written by our Heavenly Father — just for us. Savor each word, rereading passages. 
