Thanks for a good meeting last night, everyone. We will be off for at least two weeks, but that doesn’t mean that we take a break from things like Bible reading, Bible study, Bible meditation, prayer and Scripture memory review. It means that we have the opportunity to go deeper.
I just finished going through the next lesson in our Study & Meditation book. That is a record for me. I’m usually getting around to it the night before our meeting. But I have to realize that when I delay, I am not putting off work. I am putting off my growth and my intimacy with God.
Life is so much more fulfilling and smoother when I consistently do the things that are most important, rather than put them off until they scream in my ear “Get this thing done now, or there will be major problems!” The worst time to repair a leaking roof is during the spring storms. If we tend to our lives consistently we discover:
- That future disastrous experiences are lessened, for we have maintained and strengthened and prepared our current and future life. We aren’t left to cram at the last minute.
- In a gradual process, we are built up in every way. We will be amazed at what God does in us over the long haul.
- The habits of a disciple of Jesus Christ become the rhythms of our life. What God creates in us is character, not mere ritual.
Continue to review your memory verses, especially the “Proclaim Christ” set. If you are having trouble with several verses, don’t try to review them all. Begin with one and review it until it is well established in your mind. Then move on to the next one as you continue to review the ones you already know.
Be sure to read through the “How to Spend Extended Time in Prayer” sheet. If you need a copy, click the title that you just read.
As you spend time in the Bible the next two week, slooooow doooown. Be sure that you hear the voice of God and don’t just see His words. Allow yourself enough time. If you need 15 minutes for your Bible reading, make sure you have 30 minutes so that you aren’t rushed.
Continue to pray for those on your “Disciple-Making Card.” Ask God to open their hearts to God’s truth and love. Ask Him to open your eyes to their needs. Ask Him to open your mouth to share the message.
What do you have to say? Please leave your comments for all to read.
Since I’m having a difficult time reading through Leviticus, I’m trying to break it up a little bit. This morning I read Leviticus chapter 15 and then I read 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 & 2. I have read through Corinthians before but I was really moved by 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” I think all of us in our group will agree that God has “breathed” so much into our lives. We see, hear and understand things much more clearly because of our relationship with Christ. Our lives are far richer than anything we could have ever imagined and all it took was us agreeing to walk with Him. One night Linda and I were talking and we decided that one of the greatest things about Christ is that no matter who we are, what we’ve done, or where we’ve come from…..He comes to us…wherever we are at….and accepts us…just as we are. And once we have said yes and let Him in, our hearts start changing and we begin to see everything through different eyes from that point on. I am so grateful for that.
Read Luke 8-9 this morning. I had a hard time focusing, but I did notice that Jesus begins to more intensely define the what His disciples don’t do and choose to do. He is beginning to clarify and draw lines. A very different Kingdom indeed.
I read 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. The more I read the Bible the more I want to read. God is opening my heart. I feel closer to him. What a great feeling.
This morning I read Matthew 7 & 8. There is so much wisdom from Christ in just these two chapters alone that it’s amazing!
Read Luke 10-12 this morning. This section is “in your face” from Jesus. He pulls no punches, being very frank about what His followers are called to be wary of (loving power and loving possessions) and give themselves to. I also like the contrasting language of “fear God… fear nothing else” (my interpretive translation).
I read two more chapters in Leviticus and then some more in 1 Corinthians. I peeked ahead and am very close to the end of Leviticus, which contains a lot of law. Numbers comes next but then after that Deuteronomy, which has so many beautiful scriptures in it. I can’t wait to get to it!
Read Luke 15-19 this morning. A whole collection of parables which highlight the drastic difference between the human perception of God’s Kingdom and how it really is.
Although I have been fairly consistent with my reading, I have not been consistent at all with posting on the blog. I’ve been doing a lot of skipping around on my reading……picking up and reading in a book that maybe I particularly like for one reason or another. I am trying to get back to more consistent but structured reading again (how many times have we all said this????) Last night I read another chapter in Leviticus and this morning I read the first three chapters of Ecclesiastes. I absolutely love Ecclesiastes because it focuses on (or at least the part I’ve read) on how meaningless life itself can feel at times and that we need to at least enjoy our work.
My Bible reading up until Easter is going to be mostly in Psalms. I am doing a Lenten calendar of Psalms readings which looks like it will be good. I’ve never really observed the Lent tradition before, but find some of it helpful to focus my life on Jesus Christ as we move toward Easter (March 23rd – early this year).
Last night I read Psalm 5, 51, 86. Later today I will read Psalm 2, 52, 144.
I am committed to reading through the Bible in 2008. I have now completed the books of Genesis and Exodus.
I have been reading Daniel and Revelations. My study has particularly focused on Satan and the Anti-Christ. I am completely unsure as what to believe about these figures. I’ve used many companion text but wonder about the accuracy, bias or Nostradamus effect ( seeing what you want to see in prophecy). Anyway, it’s very, very interesting and thought provoking.
Last night I read Leviticus 22 & 23. This morning I’m going to try to finish Leviticus….I’ll keep you posted!!!
Yesterday was one of the worst days I have had lately in terms of being able to concentrate. Not sure why. Very unproductive day overall. So I fizzled out last night and never got to my Scripture reading. Instead I took some extended time this morning. Read Psalm 2, 3, 52, 53, 59, 144.
I hope today is better. It has to be. Sunday’s coming.
I am back, today I read Hebrews 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. I am glad that I have more time now to read the Bible. I am ready for our meeting Wednesday. In Hebrews, this sentence keeps coming to mind, Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. It is hard for me to understand how anyone could harden their hearts to God’s voice..
Yesterday I read chapters 24 & 25 of Leviticus and this morning I read 26 & 27 so I have completed Leviticus and am on to Numbers.