Tuesday, September 19, 2017 Learning to Think Like God (The Discipline of Study, Part 2) (Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Learning to Think Like God (The Discipline of Study, Part 2)

(Inspired by Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)

“…the mind will always take on an order conforming to the order upon which it concentrates

“What we study determines the kinds of habits that are formed….” .” – Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, the Discipline of Prayer

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 11:18 (NKJV)

 “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Proverbs 7:2-3 (NIV)

…keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Devotional:

As I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, embracing the study of God’s Word has been a transformative discipline for my Christian walk. Feasting on God’s Word has grown into such a joy. As I read through today’s passage on this beautiful discipline, I was impressed with the dual nature of study. First, it is important to study the Word of God with the light of the blood of Christ and the New Covenant on our hearts to lead us to understanding. Second, Pastor Foster instructs on the need to study the events and happenings around us. He refers to the two streams of study as “verbal and nonverbal.” The “verbal” stream refers to the concrete written Word, and “nonverbal” the outplay of events and situations in the world in light of that Word which gives us the mind of Christ about any given situation. I was aware of the first, but to embrace the “nonverbal” into my world of study is fascinating.

Even more fascinating is the miracle of having the mind of Christ as we concentrate on and fill our minds with the Truth of God’s Word, training our hearts and minds to think like God thinks. I’m excited to refresh my study life with this perspective. As we dig in and let the Word become real to us, and it begins to “dwell in us richly” (Col. 3:16), the Truth flows out of us into our parenting. We can take the Truth as our plumb line, and all the confusion and uncertainty that does not measure well against it can be discarded. We are parenting in a very confused world. It’s such a blessing to have God’s Word to cut through the confusion and chaos and provide simplicity and Truth.

Prayer:

Thanksgiving:
God, I lift You up today. You are the Holy One Who causes all to work together for my good. My heart is full as I worship You, Lord. You are my God, and I magnify You, Lord.

Confession:

Lord, today I confess (name area of struggle or sin. For me today: I am still struggling with trying to figure things out for my son on my own. God, I need to give this to You. Help me to trust You and not lean on my own understanding). I thank You that You are faithful to forgive me and heal me (1 John 1:9).

Supplication:

I pray today that You will guide me as I learn about the discipline of study. I thank You that You have given me the mind of Christ to enable me to have understanding of Your Word and the world around me. Open the eyes of my heart, and remove any anxiety or fear I might have about trying to study.

Intercession:

God, today I lift my children to You. I thank You that You ordained me to be their parent. (Journal and record needs, concerns, progress and victories. Chloe: She is fighting a cold, and I pray that she will fight it off and not need to take time off from preschool. Thank You that she has been sleeping through the night so much more. Thank You that she seems to be pulling out of the intense mood swings of the past few weeks. Christian: Having a bit of difficulty listening in and out of the home. I pray that he will have obedience at school, and that he will further adjust. I release my anxiety over his needs and my inability to know what he is going through when he is away from me.) Bless my home, our family, and the world around us as we reach out.

Thanksgiving and Consecration:

God, I thank You for this time with You. I ask that You will seal these prayers and protect our home. I love You, Lord, and bless Your Name.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.