Episode Transcript
[00:00:09] Hey friends, thanks for joining me again for another weekday podcast. I'm Chuck Allen and today we're closing this five day series out with a powerful idea that the Bible isn't just something you read, it's something that can breathe through you.
[00:00:25] We've been talking all week long about how we better understand and read the Word of God.
[00:00:31] A lot of us measure our Bible reading in chapters and minutes. How much did I get through today?
[00:00:38] But what if the more important and maybe even radical question for you to ponder is how much of what I read got through me?
[00:00:47] Jesus says in the Gospels, remain in me and I will remain in you.
[00:00:52] Now that's relationship language. It's not about checking a religious box. It's about abiding, about staying, lingering about, dwelling. Scripture's one of the ways we remain in Jesus. We listen to his words, his stories, his heart. And we let those words slowly reshape our inner world.
[00:01:13] Here's a gentle shift that can change everything for you. Instead of reading quickly and moving on, try reading slowly and then carrying one word or one phrase or one image with you through your day.
[00:01:29] This is where the scripture can be such a gift, because it is clear.
[00:01:33] You can read it like in the nlt, with modern language that makes phrases stick in your head and heart. And you might read, the Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need. And that line becomes a breath prayer. When anxiety rises through your day, you might read the heavens proclaim the glory of God. And that line opens your eyes to God's beauty as you walk from meeting to meeting.
[00:01:59] So how do you let the word breathe through you in a practical way? Well, like we've done all week, let me give you four quick thoughts. One. Read slowly. Pick a short passage, maybe six, ten verses. You're not in a race. You're not in a rush. The opportunity is. Let it sink inside of you. Number two. Listen for a word or a phrase.
[00:02:23] Let it be something that maybe shimmers or shines or pops out, something that catches your attention. Or maybe just curiosity says, I need to know about that.
[00:02:32] Pause and breathe. Sit with that phrase for 30 seconds or more and say, lord, why this?
[00:02:39] Why now?
[00:02:40] And then carry it with you, write it on a card, put it in your notes app. Or just repeat it quietly through the day and let it become a part of your internal conversation. And over time, this practice moves scripture from your eyes to your mind, from your mind to your heart, from your heart to your actions and reactions.
[00:02:59] I know people who would say, I don't Remember everything I've read in the Bible and neither do I. And I will say to them, that's okay. I don't remember everything I've eaten either, but it still nourished me. In the same way, the Word of God nourishes you even when you can't recall every detail.
[00:03:17] But when you let it breathe through you, when you carry it, when you pray it, when you live it, it becomes more than nourishment. It becomes guidance, it becomes comfort, it becomes correction. It becomes courage.
[00:03:30] Maybe you're listening today and you feel spiritually exhausted. You've tried reading plans and devotionals and still feel dry. Can I encourage you? Don't give up. Try less driving and try more breathing.
[00:03:44] Open your Bible to a familiar passage. Read it slowly. Ask God to highlight one phrase. Then just say, lord, would you let this live in me? Today you know it is living and breathing according to what God's word says of itself. Let it live. Let it breathe. The goal isn't to become an expert Bible reader. The goal is to know Jesus more deeply and to live more fully awake in his presence. Today, when the Word breathes through you, your reactions start to change.
[00:04:14] Your words become a little more gentle, your patience stretches a little further, your hope rises a little quicker. Not because you're trying harder, but because the life of God is flowing through you.
[00:04:28] So as we wrap up this series, remember, the Bible isn't a task. The Bible is a treasure. The Bible isn't an obligation. But the Bible is an invitation. It is God's living, breathing word, and it wants to live and breathe in you.
[00:04:43] Thanks for walking through this journey with me this week as we tried to walk through the weekday podcast about how to better understand and experience God's Word. My prayer is that as you read the Bible, you'll meet a God who's closer, kinder, and more present than you ever imagined. I'm Chuck Allen, and I really am so grateful that you joined me for today's weekday podcast. Bye now.
