Yesterday I started to share with you how you can take time each day with Jesus and your Bible. I realize that starting with a pad of paper and a Bible might seem a bit scary so I want to show you what this looks like for me each day. What you are going to see is that I’m normal and God speaks to me just like he will speak to you. Here we go.
Step 1 | Start with God and the Bible
I began my time yesterday morning by praying and asking God to speak to me. I asked him to fill me with his spirit (Ephesians 5:18b) and use the time to make me like Jesus (Romans 8:29). No real magic formulas here. God, the Bible, a pencil, a journal,me, and a cup of coffee…that’s all that was needed.
I’m using a Life Journal. I find it to be helpful, plus there is a Bible reading plan in the front couple of pages.
Step 2 | Read the selected passage
My reading may be a bit different than yours (I’m a pastor, I really like to read, and I need to be very familiar with the tool(s) of my trade). Today, I spent time reading Luke 13 and Proverbs 30. For years I’ve read Proverbs month after month. The goal is not to read a book over and over, the goal is to read the Bible, guided by God’s Spirit, and grow into the likeness of Jesus.
Step 3 | Take Some Notes
Date – 9/30/10
Verse – “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Observation – God’s word is reliable and sufficient. Not only is it true, it proves itself to be true…all of it. God provides life and protection for those that are his and for those that take refuge in him. How often do I take refuge or find safety in myself or in something I have created? For God to protect and provide for me I must be submissive to him and willing for him to lead me.
Application – I can’t be protected from danger or even myself by a God who I’m not familiar with. I need to know him. That starts by daily reading the Bible, talking with him, and following his lead.
Prayer – God protect me today from myself. Show me that your word is true by demonstrating your power in me, through me, and around me. Show me my weakness and your strength and give me all I need to follow you and rely on you and not me.
Step 4 | Repeat steps 1-3
Knowing God is a lifelong journey that starts with Jesus, ends with Jesus, and is developed by Jesus. You do play a part though. God will not sanctify and grow that which is not obedient and willing. As you can see…there is nothing magical or mystical about what God showed me yesterday, but if you saw my yesterday you would know just how poignant Proverbs 30:5 was. And that’s what’s most staggering. Every time God speaks to you through prayer and his word it’s intentional.
Tomorrow we will repeat this process. Likely we will for some days to come. You don’t develop into a Jesus loving, God honoring prayer juggernaut in one day. That comes with disciplined obedience day after day after day.
See you tomorrow!
