Reading God’s word is like a treasure hunt. There are so many priceless words of encouragement, instruction, and guidance. The problem is that most of us read the Bible like it is homework that we have to get done. Our eyes glaze over and somehow we have read to the end of the page and can't remember what we just read.
I have this picture in my head of how my devotional and prayer time should go. It looks something like this. I grab a cup of coffee, my bible, journal, and maybe a devotional book to a cozy isolated spot. Then I spend an hour giving God my undivided attention.
I can assure you that the reality of my time with God is not nearly so perfect. Although the reality is not usually my ideal, I still need those times of refreshing in my days; times when I do my best to set aside the distractions of a busy life and focus on God. With three small children that is not an easy task, but it is essential. Many days there will be a little one knocking on the bedroom door crying for Mommy just as I pick up my Bible. Other times I will reach the end of the day and crawl exhausted into my bed, and remind myself that I need to read my Bible. Let me tell you, writing these devotions every day has been a huge help and source of accountability for me.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart...
God’s word is powerful! It is not a dusty old book of ancient sayings. It has the power to penetrate to your soul and judge your thoughts and attitudes. Your attitude can be the difference between a rewarding and full relationship with Christ or a boring and unproductive one. The level of excitement and anticipation with which you approach God will determine what you get out of your spiritual walk? I have learned that the times in my life where I approached my walk with God without joy and expectation, I gain very little. I read the Bible because I know I should. Even though my eyes see the words, my mind is not engaged, I am not active, and my heart is not in it. The Bible is God’s love letter to you and to me. He wants to show us how much he loves us, and how we can best live our lives so that they will be rich and full. God wants you to enjoy spending time in his presence, and to look forward to learning and growing in knowledge and your walk with Him. He wants you to long for him, to love Him above everything else in your life. It’s your choice.
When I was in school there were certain books that I had to read for my classes, although I love reading I dreaded these books because they were required, and therefore I assumed they would be boring. I skimmed through and read enough to get the idea and write the book report, but I did not enjoy them. That was my own fault, some of those books were great, and I missed out on the joy I could have taken in reading them. There have been days spent with my children that I have missed out on the joy and excitement that I could have experienced because I was thinking about something else that I needed to get done.
So often we rush through the most important things so that we can get to the trivial things! Don’t miss out on the joy of getting to know God.
Philippians 3:8-9 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.
It doesn't matter what you have accomplished, what your resume or portfolio shows, your past, your stuff, or anything else. Compared to knowing Christ it's all worthless. Don't waste your time and energy on worthless things.
I have this picture in my head of how my devotional and prayer time should go. It looks something like this. I grab a cup of coffee, my bible, journal, and maybe a devotional book to a cozy isolated spot. Then I spend an hour giving God my undivided attention.
I can assure you that the reality of my time with God is not nearly so perfect. Although the reality is not usually my ideal, I still need those times of refreshing in my days; times when I do my best to set aside the distractions of a busy life and focus on God. With three small children that is not an easy task, but it is essential. Many days there will be a little one knocking on the bedroom door crying for Mommy just as I pick up my Bible. Other times I will reach the end of the day and crawl exhausted into my bed, and remind myself that I need to read my Bible. Let me tell you, writing these devotions every day has been a huge help and source of accountability for me.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart...
God’s word is powerful! It is not a dusty old book of ancient sayings. It has the power to penetrate to your soul and judge your thoughts and attitudes. Your attitude can be the difference between a rewarding and full relationship with Christ or a boring and unproductive one. The level of excitement and anticipation with which you approach God will determine what you get out of your spiritual walk? I have learned that the times in my life where I approached my walk with God without joy and expectation, I gain very little. I read the Bible because I know I should. Even though my eyes see the words, my mind is not engaged, I am not active, and my heart is not in it. The Bible is God’s love letter to you and to me. He wants to show us how much he loves us, and how we can best live our lives so that they will be rich and full. God wants you to enjoy spending time in his presence, and to look forward to learning and growing in knowledge and your walk with Him. He wants you to long for him, to love Him above everything else in your life. It’s your choice.
When I was in school there were certain books that I had to read for my classes, although I love reading I dreaded these books because they were required, and therefore I assumed they would be boring. I skimmed through and read enough to get the idea and write the book report, but I did not enjoy them. That was my own fault, some of those books were great, and I missed out on the joy I could have taken in reading them. There have been days spent with my children that I have missed out on the joy and excitement that I could have experienced because I was thinking about something else that I needed to get done.
So often we rush through the most important things so that we can get to the trivial things! Don’t miss out on the joy of getting to know God.
Philippians 3:8-9 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.
It doesn't matter what you have accomplished, what your resume or portfolio shows, your past, your stuff, or anything else. Compared to knowing Christ it's all worthless. Don't waste your time and energy on worthless things.
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