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Daily Dose of Encouragement

Empowered by the Word

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“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB

The Bible is such an amazing life-giving book. For a Christian, learning and living out its truths is a significant spiritual discipline. However, even the most seasoned believer can at times become inattentive and uninspired while perusing the Scriptures.

Today I want to challenge you to consider the condition of your time spent in the word of God. To better gauge where you are in this discipline, ask yourself these questions:

  • Does my time in Bible reading/study look any different than it did one, ten, twenty years ago?
  • Do I understand what I’m reading?
  • Am I putting into practice what I’m learning from the Scriptures?
  • Is there an enjoyment and anticipation in reading God’s word, or boredom and apprehension?
  • Do I read the Bible daily or on a hit-and-miss routine?

Before going any further, let me encourage you to NOT fall prey to the comparison game between your reading and studying habits verses the practices of others. We are all different in how God made us and where we are in our spiritual journey.  You need to seek God for where you need to be, not where someone else may think you need to be.

Now, if you feel your time in the word of God could use some empowerment and rejuvenation, check out these suggestions as you ask Him to open your eyes to His remarkable truths.

  • Try reading from more than one translation, especially for hard to understand passages.
  • Purchase the Bible on CD for trips in the car; download Scripture on your phone and listen while walking/exercising/cleaning the house/cooking/etc.
  • Read the Scriptures aloud to keep your mind from wandering off into never-never-land.
  • Write memory verses on 3×5 cards. Place them around the house; in your purse; in your car; at work.
  • Use a devotional book to help you focus before you begin your time in the Word.
  • While at home, keep a Bible within easy reach of the kitchen or living room. Take/make time to stop and read it.
  • For easy access while on the computer, add sites like BibleGateway.com and blueletterbible.org to your favorites.
  • Right now, grab your Bible and dig deeper: Psalm 119: 11,103, 105, 147-149, 169; Luke 11:28; Acts 20:32; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12.

Revived by His word,

Beverly <><

 

Photo Credit: FreeImages.com/James Lin.

 

Eating the Meat

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“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

God made each of us unique with different talents and tastes. And I’m very thankful for the plethora of ways we can spend time with God. But from my reading of the scriptures I believe there are aspects that we need to focus on during our regular quiet time with God. It’s not that we never do anything different; it’s just that we focus on, if you will, the “meatier” methods when spending time with God.

The first one is prayer. Pray is “tapping into a level of reality in which we have no right, but to which we have been graciously welcomed by the love of God in Christ” (David Mathis and Jonathan Parnell, How to Stay Christian in Seminary, Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2014, 47). God calls for us to be still and know that He is God (Ps 46:10). He longs to communicate with His children. And that means not only taking the time to talk to God, but also taking the time to listen and hear from Him.

The second important dynamic is worship. God inhabits the praises of His people and we enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Ps 22:3 and 100:4). Praise and thanksgiving are powerful tools for entering into the presence of the Almighty.

And finally, the last important dynamic is the Word. God’s Word is breath to our souls. It is living and active and more powerful than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). We are transformed by it into the likeness of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a lamp to our feet and without it, our path is going to be sadly dark.

I hope this encourages you today to go for some meat!

God bless!

Noree

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.freeimages.com/photo/pig-1367786

When God Teaches Us Difficult Lessons

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“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

Working with children can be exhausting, exhilarating, and everything in between! Our son is old enough to start sleeping in his crib. If he sleeps on mom or dad he wakes often, cannot get comfortable, and as a result gets very poor, interrupted sleep. I know he is not getting the rest he needs to grow and thrive. So after feeding him and changing him, I put him in his crib making sure he is comfortable. Then comes the difficult part: watching him learn. He cries, he struggles, he wails. Often he cries so hard I can go into his room and put his laundry away. He is so focused on his unhappiness he doesn’t even notice me.

Maybe his thoughts are: “Why am I alone? Did I do something wrong to deserve this? How can I get out of this situation?” My heart breaks to watch him cry, but I love him and want what’s best for him even though it is painful for both of us. When my son finally accepts being in his crib, he is calm. He plays quietly, he rests. His circumstances have not changed. He accepts mom has placed him in his crib and it is time to be still.  Once he accepts being in his crib he sleeps peacefully. I know his body is getting the rest it needs to build and help him grow.

Do you see the comparison coming? When God sees us having a difficult time growing, He knows it is time for a lesson. It breaks His heart to see us suffer, but He knows we need to learn the lesson to have a deeper, more resilient faith. He hears us cry out, “Why am I alone? Did I do something wrong to deserve this? How can I get out of this situation?” Often, we are so focused on our own misery and circumstances we can miss seeing what God is doing!

We can change our attitude even though we cannot change our circumstances. It is certainly not easy learning the lessons God teaches us. My own reaction is always to focus on my own suffering first. I must constantly examine my heart and adjust my attitude. I am a work in progress!

What tough situations are you currently facing? How are you coping? Is there a heart attitude with which you need God’s intervention?

In Him,

Amy Horton