How are you with reading the Bible daily? I’m almost there. If you read this blog, you’ll know that some days I cheat. I’ll miss a day posting and then catch up the next day (or week). On the positive side of things, I have been making up the missed days—something I failed to do last year.

Reading the Bible every day isn’t meant to be a tedious chore. When you’re reading through Leviticus, it may seem that way. But there’s nothing that says you must follow the read-your-entire-Bible-in-a-year program. Just read something from the Word every day. This shouldn’t be a tedious thing, but rather a joy. An opportunity to get God’s heart into your heart.

When he sits on the throne as King, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (NLT)

Not only did the king have to read the law, he had to write it down. Did you know that there are benefits to actually writing something down? I’m not talking about tapping it into a note on your phone or tablet or sitting in front of a computer screen. I’m talking pen and paper. Old school.

Writing things down:

• increases learning comprehension
• fully engages your brain
• calms the body and nerves
• slows down mental ageing
• unleashes creativity
• eases depression and anxiety
• enhances focus
• stimulates the brain

Every day before I sit down to write my post, I sit in the quietest corner of my house with a really big cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, my big leather bound Bible, and my favourite notebook (Moleskine all the way!). I read and I write the points that jump out at me. Some days it isn’t much and other days, I put the pen to paper to jot down a few words and suddenly a whole paragraph comes pouring out. My brain is stimulated! Imagine that. God actually knew what He was doing when He gave the instruction for things to be written down.

Next time you sit down to read your Bible, put the electronics away. Read from a paper Bible. Grab a notebook and a writing utensil. Record the words God speaks to you. You may be surprised at what comes out—and also at what stays in.

Daily Bible reading: Deuteronomy 17-19, Mark 14:1-25