Hi Friends!

Amanda Williams

is an Arizona based Faith Blogger who enjoys using her social media presence to spread hope and encouragement to people no matter what stage of life they are in. Amanda lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her husband, Eric, and two daughters, Amelia (5) and Isabel (1). She enjoys being a full-time stay at home girl mom and is venturing into her new calling as a homeschool mom as well! Amanda loves to travel, eat French fries and laugh with friends.
For faith, encouragement and everyday shenanigans give her a follow;
Instagram: @life.beautifullyrestored

Something that I have experienced lately is a renewed passion for God’s word.

When I was 17 I got radically saved. I was dabbling in all the things of this world but I had a powerful encounter with the Lord and I never looked back. When I started to read the Bible it was like a lifeblood. I took a sharpie and I wrote scripture all over my walls. I needed it every single day. I couldn’t get enough. I ended up going to college and getting a degree in Biblical and Theological studies. Over the years though the passion I had for being in God’s word every day definitely faded. It became more routine, a little mundane and honestly, I just let the fire die out. A lot can happen in 16 years!

I recently had the opportunity to attend a retreat where my walk with Jesus and how I was cultivating that was challenged.

Someone there asked me,” If your Bible was taken away could you teach God’s word to your kids?”

Woah. I was left speechless.

I longed to share the gospel with people but I had no plan of reading the word every day. I read when I thought I needed a good topic for a blog post but not because I needed it to breathe life into my soul as I had long ago.

I came into this year determined to make reading the word a daily discipline. Not only that but I truly wanted the Lord to make it exciting for me and to make it come alive for me again.

Wow, did he deliver?!

I have pages and pages of notes of things that the Lord has been sharing with me. The biggest thing though is that He has already given us the means to be close to Him.

When we feel distant from Him we should read His word to learn that His perfect love casts out all fear.

When we feel sad we should read His words to see that many men and women of the Bible felt deep sorrow and were comforted by God’s presence.

When we feel angry we should read His word to learn how to handle our emotions and not sin through that anger.

When we are lonely we should read His word to receive His promise that we are never truly alone.

No matter what it is you are facing the way through it is Jesus and His guidance can be found in HIs word!

He wants us to draw close and His Word is literally His love letter to us! When we make time to sit and read it and ask Him to reveal Himself to us it creates an intimacy that cannot be replaced with anything else.

I came across this scripture and I feel like it sums up what has happened with me reading the word and why it has been so challenging:

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

When you read the word and your innermost thoughts and desires are exposed you cannot help but allow the Holy Spirit to change you! It is incredible how each person will read the word and receive something different from it. That is how you can tell that it is alive and powerful because it can transcend the text and speak straight to your soul!

My prayer for you is that you give the word a chance! Pick some time to set aside and before you start reading ask God to reveal things to you while you read. Keep a notebook next to your Bible and write down anything that sticks out to you. Pray on those things! Talk about those things with friends! The more you do the more you will feel it truly come alive and display its power in your life!

I am disappointed that I have not been reading it daily for the last 16 years but I am excited to be on this new journey where I can pick up where I left off and receive the revelations that God has had for me all along!

If you aren’t sure where to start I would recommend the gospels, which are the first four books of the New Testament! You could also download the YouVersion app and pick a Bible reading plan under the ‘Plan’ section.

If all else fails just start at the beginning in Genesis! God cannot wait to speak to you, I promise!