CONSIDER WHAT YOU READ - Conclusion

 Have you found that on occasion you are merely speed-reading  the Bible? What should you do? Slow down. Make the efforts to think about what you are reading or have just read. This does not have to be daunting. If the encouragement to meditate seems that way to you, perhaps you could view meditating as simply thinking about what you have read. You may decide to lengthen your study period to include time for such thinking, or meditation. On the other hand, you may choose to read fewer verses and use the remaining time to think over what you have read. "I keep my Bible reading short, maybe one chapter," says Victor, quoted earlier. "Because I read early in the morning, I'm able to keep reflecting throughout the day on what I read." Whatever method you use, it is vital to read at a pace that will allow you to get the most out of what you read. - PSALM 119:97; see the box "Questions to Consider." 

Regardless of when you do your Bible reading and how much time you spend doing it, be sure to look for ways to apply what you read. As you go over a portion of God's Word, ask yourself, 'How can I apply this information now or in the near future? To illustrate, let's say that your Bible reading included 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18. (Read.) After reading those two verses, you could stop and think of how often and how deeply you pray. Also, you could reflect on things for which you are grateful. Maybe you determine that you will thank Jehovah for three specific things. Within a few minutes of such focused attention, you will to some extent become a hearer and doer of God's Word. Think of how you would benefit by repeating this process each day with other portions of the Bible that you read! Yes, you will grow as a doer of God's Word. What, though, if it seems that there are so many things you need to work on?

Next time: SET MODEST GOALS

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