Monday, September 18, 2017 (The Discipline of Study, Part 1) (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)
Monday, September 18, 2017
(The Discipline of Study, Part 1)
(Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)
Scripture:
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
John 8:32 (NKJV)
“…And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Devotional:
Today I feel so excited to share on one of my favorite subjects-the study of the Word of God! In my early days as a returning believer, I attended a full time, 10-month, live-in Bible school with a discipleship bend. One main and I believe crucial focus of my time there was learning to spend daily time in the Word. There were times in the beginning that I felt overwhelmed by the assignment to turn in what I was studying, but soon I discovered that my 30 minutes each day exploring and digging and learning to navigate Scripture was almost always cut too short! The world of God’s heart toward me was opened up in a precious and new way. I found that as I was diligently obeying the assignment, I was discovering the Narnia realm of the Spirit, and the many wounds of my childhood and young adulthood were made much more dim in the light of His glory and grace. God’s Word became truly alive to me that year.
My joy is to share with you all the discoveries I get to find in studying Scripture and books based on scripture like this one. Oh, how I love the Word of God! Friends, I love how Joyce Meyer encourages each of us to spend time each day for ourselves in the Word. She has a wonderful challenge, called the 3030 challenge, aimed at helping believers to form the habit of spending time in the Word. I confess that as a parent, particularly of children with intense needs, I do not always get to spend a full 30 minutes each day studying the Word. I also confess, though, that one reason that I decided to begin to formulate these devotionals myself rather than reprint someone else’s is so that I will have a more consistent accountability to study myself.
Trust me, friends, even 10 minutes of study, looking at the Word, revisiting familiar Scriptures and letting God lead you to a deeper understanding is the life blood of transformation! Each person reading this is showing a desire to be transformed into the image of God. We can journey this together, and I am thrilled to share with you what God is revealing to me, but even more sweet is the honey from the source, the kind you find at the honeycomb of the hive of the Word of God and pressing deeply into His heart for you! Please, don’t be discouraged or overwhelmed by the vast pool of God’s Word. Instead, start where you are! He is breathing His Word to you each day, wooing you to him. Press in, friends!
Prayer:
Thanksgiving:
Oh, God, thank You for Your Word! I worship You for the marvelous miracle of the preserved Scripture available to us all. Thank You that in a world where many are kept from Your Word, in the United States where I live, I can easily own several copies in several versions, and have easy access to online resources that will enhance my time of study. You have allowed this because You desire truth to be in the inward part of our hearts. Thank You, Father!
Confession:
Lord, I confess it is often very hard to pick up Scripture for myself and dig in. I ask that You will instill in me a desire to read and study Your Word. (Spend time naming struggles or sin, ask forgiveness and RECEIVE GRACE AND MERCY at the foot of the Cross.)
Supplication:
Lord, I need You. Every hour. I desire to be more like You. Please pour into me a great hunger and thirst for Your Word. Teach me to take the time that I have, and to press in. I lift up (specific need for self. Mine: God, I need healing for my body. My hormones are deeply affecting my emotions and I need Your stability as they even out. God, I need patience for this day and desire to be at total peace with my family and those around me. Help me to take a quiet and humble stance and not to be touchy or fretful.)
Intercession:
I lift my children to You today. I desire to also guide them in the study of Your Word. Give me creative strategies for making them hungry and thirsty for more of You and more of Your Word! I lift up (name and journal needs and concerns, areas of sin and struggle, and areas of victory and progress. Needs for Chloe today: She has a cold. Please make this short lived, Lord. Heal her body. For Christian: That he would come out of this beginning of the school year funk and be joyful again). I trust my children with You, Lord. Thank You for Your love for them.
Thanksgiving and Consecration:
God, You are mighty and holy. I love You, Lord! Be magnified in this home and in our family. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
(The Discipline of Study, Part 1)
(Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)
Scripture:
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
John 8:32 (NKJV)
“…And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Devotional:
Today I feel so excited to share on one of my favorite subjects-the study of the Word of God! In my early days as a returning believer, I attended a full time, 10-month, live-in Bible school with a discipleship bend. One main and I believe crucial focus of my time there was learning to spend daily time in the Word. There were times in the beginning that I felt overwhelmed by the assignment to turn in what I was studying, but soon I discovered that my 30 minutes each day exploring and digging and learning to navigate Scripture was almost always cut too short! The world of God’s heart toward me was opened up in a precious and new way. I found that as I was diligently obeying the assignment, I was discovering the Narnia realm of the Spirit, and the many wounds of my childhood and young adulthood were made much more dim in the light of His glory and grace. God’s Word became truly alive to me that year.
My joy is to share with you all the discoveries I get to find in studying Scripture and books based on scripture like this one. Oh, how I love the Word of God! Friends, I love how Joyce Meyer encourages each of us to spend time each day for ourselves in the Word. She has a wonderful challenge, called the 3030 challenge, aimed at helping believers to form the habit of spending time in the Word. I confess that as a parent, particularly of children with intense needs, I do not always get to spend a full 30 minutes each day studying the Word. I also confess, though, that one reason that I decided to begin to formulate these devotionals myself rather than reprint someone else’s is so that I will have a more consistent accountability to study myself.
Trust me, friends, even 10 minutes of study, looking at the Word, revisiting familiar Scriptures and letting God lead you to a deeper understanding is the life blood of transformation! Each person reading this is showing a desire to be transformed into the image of God. We can journey this together, and I am thrilled to share with you what God is revealing to me, but even more sweet is the honey from the source, the kind you find at the honeycomb of the hive of the Word of God and pressing deeply into His heart for you! Please, don’t be discouraged or overwhelmed by the vast pool of God’s Word. Instead, start where you are! He is breathing His Word to you each day, wooing you to him. Press in, friends!
Prayer:
Thanksgiving:
Oh, God, thank You for Your Word! I worship You for the marvelous miracle of the preserved Scripture available to us all. Thank You that in a world where many are kept from Your Word, in the United States where I live, I can easily own several copies in several versions, and have easy access to online resources that will enhance my time of study. You have allowed this because You desire truth to be in the inward part of our hearts. Thank You, Father!
Confession:
Lord, I confess it is often very hard to pick up Scripture for myself and dig in. I ask that You will instill in me a desire to read and study Your Word. (Spend time naming struggles or sin, ask forgiveness and RECEIVE GRACE AND MERCY at the foot of the Cross.)
Supplication:
Lord, I need You. Every hour. I desire to be more like You. Please pour into me a great hunger and thirst for Your Word. Teach me to take the time that I have, and to press in. I lift up (specific need for self. Mine: God, I need healing for my body. My hormones are deeply affecting my emotions and I need Your stability as they even out. God, I need patience for this day and desire to be at total peace with my family and those around me. Help me to take a quiet and humble stance and not to be touchy or fretful.)
Intercession:
I lift my children to You today. I desire to also guide them in the study of Your Word. Give me creative strategies for making them hungry and thirsty for more of You and more of Your Word! I lift up (name and journal needs and concerns, areas of sin and struggle, and areas of victory and progress. Needs for Chloe today: She has a cold. Please make this short lived, Lord. Heal her body. For Christian: That he would come out of this beginning of the school year funk and be joyful again). I trust my children with You, Lord. Thank You for Your love for them.
Thanksgiving and Consecration:
God, You are mighty and holy. I love You, Lord! Be magnified in this home and in our family. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.
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