By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

Have you ever planted a garden, faithfully watered it, kept the weeds out — and the plants still looked shabby?

There’s a good chance the problem is a lack of nutrients. The three major components of plant fertilizer are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Each one is essential to a plant’s health, and without one, you simply won’t see the results you’re hoping for.

Spiritual life, like physical life, requires proper nutrients. Just as plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to thrive, Christians need certain spiritual elements to grow. One of the most essential is regular engagement with God’s Word. This is what we see the early disciples practicing just days after Jesus ascended into heaven.

In Acts 2:42, the early church provides a foundational pattern: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

This was not a casual engagement with Scripture. It was devotion. The word suggests persistence, loyalty, and daily attention. It implies that the teaching of God’s Word was a non-negotiable part of the life of faith.

Many believers today are spiritually undernourished. Relying solely on secondary sources—sermons, devotionals, podcasts—while helpful, cannot replace the primary source: the Bible itself. Spiritual maturity requires personal intake of Scripture. Neglecting the Word leads to stunted growth, just as a plant without nutrients becomes yellowed, weak, and eventually lifeless.

Common objections to Bible reading include not knowing where to start, difficulty understanding the text, or struggling with consistency. These challenges are real—but not insurmountable.

Start with a Bible in a modern translation. While the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts do not change, the English language does. It’s important to read a version you can understand. I personally enjoy the New Living Translation (NLT), the New International Version (NIV), and the English Standard Version (ESV). If you’ve never read the Bible before, I recommend starting in the book of John—it’s all about Jesus.

Scripture is not passive. Hebrews 4:12 describes it as “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.” It teaches, corrects, and trains in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It shapes the heart, strengthens the will, and renews the mind.

Scripture is not merely informative—it is transformative. A believer regularly shaped by God’s Word will increasingly reflect the character of Christ. This is not optional for spiritual life; it is essential.

For those who claim to follow Jesus, regular engagement with the Bible is one of the best ways to maintain spiritual vitality. It is the nutrient that feeds the soul, the light that guides the path, and the sword that defends against deception.

This week, open the Bible. Read it. Meditate on it. Apply it. Let it work in your heart and mind. Over time, the results will show—stronger faith, clearer purpose, and unmistakable signs of life.

God bless you! If you’d like to learn more, consider joining us this Sunday at Harvest Church, 806 Frazee Road, at 10:00 a.m. We’d love to have you.