Devotional Life

We can enjoy the story and perhaps share about it at great length to someone else. The book has been entertaining and informative. But... it wasn't life changing! You may have had more information, derived a degree of enjoyment from the time spent in reading, but you didn't have more character. You were still the same person you have always been.

Hope your Monday was a blessing and praying that God will use you to minister to someone today!

I suggested Psalm 1 yesterday. I'm suggesting that we reread Psalm 1.

Today, I want to suggest step one (there are 4 in total) of a Bible study method we will call "Transformational Bible study".

We follow the steps, reading a small passage, like Psalm 1 through one time.

Then we slow down and read it again. We are not accustomed to this type of reading. Many people read the Bible like they read the newspaper, or a magazine; the main purpose being to finish. Instead of going 90 MPH, seeking to get as many things done as fast as possible (I'm guilty of this at times!), let's discipline ourselves to hit the brakes and spend some alone time with our Creator!

The purpose of this is to let God use it to speak to us. Remember earlier we talked about "being still" before God. This will allow you to do that. The purpose then, is to allow God to speak and to ask him to show us how we can be obedient to his will in our lives.

Step #1 is Reading! Try this now as you reread Psalm 1 today!

Good Wednesday morning to you all(sorry if that sounds "southern").

We continue to examine Psalm 1 in light of 4 steps to help us let God speak to us through His Word.

We find ourselves at step #2. In this step, we read the passage two or three times and then seek to purposely meditate upon it. We ask ourselves questions like... "What did the author mean? Why did he express it this way? What is he saying?"

For assistance, at this point I would recommend that you seek some clarification in a specific commentary. This is not to see what they say, but to seek clarity. The purpose is to allow God to speak to you through His Word. You want to hear God's voice, not a commentator's!

So, read slowly and carefully, then think about what you read.

In closing, I'll give you a couple of examples. Reading through Psalm 1, I am interested in what does in mean to "walk in the counsel of the wicked (ungodly)?" Secondly, what is a "tree planted by water" like?

This is the process of meditation. How does this fit into my life? Seek to answer that as you listen for God's voice today.

Good Thursday to you. It's a tough looking day out there. You can make it a little easier by focusing on the son, rather than the sun!

So far we've looked at reading and meditation.

Today let's consider prayer. The Latin word for prayer is oratio. We know prayer to be a conversation (notice I didn't say monologue) with God. If all we do is talk to God, we're missing out on one half of the conversation.

This infers that there must be some listening involved. If we listen, God will speak to us (is that profound, or what?)! Personally I think that people who say, "I have never heard God speak to me" probably haven't invested a lot of time in listening. Please note, I am not referring to an audible voice here. I have never heard an audible voice.

When God speaks, it is not in an audible voice; it much louder than that. He speaks through his inspired, infallible and absolute inerrant Word. As you meditate on Scripture, His Spirit enlivens your spirit in such a way that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is speaking to you.

So, converse with God in prayer. Ask Him, "God, what are you saying to me today?" Wait for His Spirit to show you through the Word what he wants you to know.

Here we are to Friday!! The end of another week! They sure do seem to vanish much more quickly now! Make sure your rubber raft is working today!

P.S. Donna, Brittany & Matt are coming home today (from different places!).

Today we are looking at our final step regarding the devotional life. Step 4 is contemplation.

Does contemplation and meditation sound the same? Many think so. I think that there is a distinction between the two. Let me see if I can clarify...

As I understand it, contemplation is the process of nailing down how to put God's plan into action. As we read the Scriptures we find biblical truths, principles, warnings and commands. Our mission is to find what specific thing God wants us to do in order to put these truths to work in our life. It is leading us to become "doers of the Word" (James 1:22). To put this into practice, I suggest that you end your reading time with a statement to help you contemplate. The statement is.. "Today I need to....." Then, commit to the action God shows you in His Word.

You may be surprised with what you hear from God. Things like... "I need to call Harry and encourage him today", or "Today I need to apologize to Wilma for being short with her." or "This week I need to turn off the TV and spend more time in ministry."

If you follow this, you will be amazed at how timely God's Word is for your life.

Today, try to nail down what God wants you to do. Then take the weekend to carry it out!

See you on Sunday!