Passion for God's Word Challenge: Disciplines 9 and 10

This is my last day of posting these disciplines.  I hope they have encouraged you as they have me!  May God bless all of your days!

"9.  Purpose to get up.  For most of us there's only one way to enjoy time,  first time, and early time with God, and that's to set the alarm.  Surely, any woman with any passion for anything makes sure she gets up to enjoy that passion!  Save your sleeping-in for special days or for a reward for strenuous work finally finished.  (Even then your burning passion may not allow you to sleep in!)

10.  Aim for more time.  Two good principles for determining the amount of time you spend reading your Bible are:  Something is better than nothing and Always aim for more.  
     I can guarantee you that once you dicipline yourself to meet regularly with God for some time, you'll become like David in Psalm 63- you'll hunger and thirst for more time with the Lord.  Truly His Word is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).
     And here's another principle from Donna, the brave woman who took me on as a disciple.  Donna shared with me that she did not allow herself to spend more time in any personal activity (she specifically mentioned exercising and crafts) each day than she spent in the Word of God.  Of course, as she discipled me, that principle was passed on to me and became a part of my life, too.  And now it's my turn to pass it on to you!
     Which brings us to Susanna Wesley, the mother of John Wesley, who wrote, 

I will tell you what rule I observed...when I was young, and too much addicted to childish diversions, which was this-Never to spend more time in mere recreation in one day than I spend in private religious devotions.

     I must warn you, if you get serious about this discipline, it will change your life-your schedule, your priorities, your focus, your perspective, and your interests.  Beware...the ground is rumbling.
     And how would such a discipline work for a woman who spends the bulk of her day at a job?  Well, I would say that such a woman dare not go out into the world without spiritual preparation (and the more the better!).  And even if she is going to work in a Christian organization, her work-anywhere and everywhere and in all things-is done unto the Lord.  The goal is always to do our work-whether in a busy home or in a busy office or at the church-God's way and in His power.  And that, beloved, requires spending time with Him.  Time looking to Him.  Time in prayer.  Time in the Word.  Lots of time!  We simply must manage our busy days to ensure the discipline of time, time, and more time in these basic spiritual pursuits.  For truly, they are at the heart of it all, at the heart of discovering and living out God's plan with passion and purpose. "
                -Life Management for Busy Women,  by Elizabeth George, pg. 29-30.

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 8

"Teach your children.  John Ruskin, British educator and nineteenth-century art critic and Christian reformer, attributed the molding of his character to his mother's influence.  He said, 'She forced me to learn daily long chapters of the Bible by heart.  To that discipline and patient, accurate resolve I owe not only much of my general power of taking pains, but of the best part of my taste for literature.'  Yes, we set aside time so that we may take in God's Word...but we must also set aside time to ensure that our children do the same!  It's a must...and it's yet another discipline we must be passionate about.
     I know this discipline takes time out of an already-packed schedule.  But this is time you must give if you are to fulfill God's command (Deuteronomy 6:7) to you as a Christian mother to teach the law of the Lord diligently to your little ones (and big ones, too).  And don't worry-that time will be available once we order the activities of our lives with godly perspective.
     Wouldn't you agree that a Bible time with the children God has given you is more important than the trip to the grocery store (which we somehow manage to faithfully fit in)...than the trip to the beauty shop (which, again, no matter how busy we are, we are able to miraculously fit in!)...than another trip on-line that strangely eats up our minutes (and even hours!) and our day's good intentions...than another trip to the mall, to a friend's house, etc.?
     Amazingly, no matter how busy we are, some things manage to work their way into the crowded scene.  So, as you think about first things first-God's Word first-think about it being first in your children's lives too.  Make it a passion!"
        -Life Management for Busy Women, by Elizabeth George, pgs. 28-29

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 7

"Beat the family.  Does this sound strange?  What I mean is to aim at getting up before your family gets up.  (Now, would it sound any better if I said, 'Beat the family up'?)
     As you take time via a personal quiet time to tune your heart strings to heaven, then-amazingly!-your 'tune' is sweeter when your husband and children get up.  And it's also sweeter as you whistle or hum a happy tune while going about your work.  In your quiet time you've touched, perhaps in the Gospels, the Savior's life...and His life has once again touched yours.  You've poured out your heart's concerns, perhaps through the Psalms, and you, like their writers, rise up better, strengthened for one more day, at peace, content, ready to focus on others and serve them for Christ's sake.  With God's help and fresh fortitude, your day is undaunting as you face its challenges.  Reminders from the Old Testament of God's care for His people down through the ages will arm you.  Exhortations from the authors of the new Testament epistles to 'stand strong,' to 'fight the good fight, ' to 'walk the worthy walk'...for just one more day will strengthen you.  We both know that our day takes on a whole new flavor when we've read God's Word first.  So why not give your family (and/or your workmates) the blessing of God's divine influence on your life?"
         -Life Management for Busy Women, by Elizabeth George, pgs. 27-28

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 6

"Be accountable.  Thomas Edison made it his practice to first announce his intentions on a given project...and then get into the laboratory, get busy, and make the announcement become a reality!  So...take a page out of Edison's book.  Declare your intentions to those who care for you most and are willing to check up on you and 'hold your feet to the fire,' so to speak.  
     Who would such a person be?   Christian friends.  And Christian mentors.  Maybe even your husband (if he wants that role-be sure and ask him first!)  There are three general kinds of acquaintances in life-those who pull you down, those who pull you along, and those who pull you up.  Obviously someone you would be accountable to for any element of spiritual growth would be one who pulls you along, who is like-minded, who is moving toward the same zeal in Christ you are.  Such a friend would most certainly want to help you grow.  And the same is true of one who pulls you up, who is a step (or two!) ahead of you, who inspires you and/or is willing to disciple and mentor you to even greater growth.  Ask for accountability...and then set about to do your part to make your desire to be a woman with a daily passion for God's Word a reality. 
     And while you're asking for accountability, be sure you ask for your friends' much-needed prayer on your behalf.  And don't forget to add your own prayers for dedication and faithfulness to your new disciplines."
                    -Life Management for Busy Women, by Elizabeth George pgs. 26-27

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 5

"Be a woman of one Book-the Book.  There are many books you and I can spend time reading.  Some are bad, some are good, and some are better.  But our reading calls for discipline.  At least two disciplines will put us on the right path as we fuel our passion for God. 
     First, make it a rule to read what honors God's standards and glorifies Him.  
     And second, if you only have time to read one book, make sure that book is the Book, the Bible.  I have friends who even make it a discipline to read the Bible before they read anything else each day.  No newspaper, no devotional reader, no instructive book, and no fiction until their Bible is read.  It was said of John Wesley, the brilliant founder of Methodism and one who was heralded as a shining example of consecrated intellect, that he was a 'man of one Book.' 
     Dear one, read your Bible.  Become addicted to your Bible.  Love your Bible.  Indeed, cherish it.  I was so touched while reading of the death of theologian Francis Schaeffer to learn that he lay on his deathbed holding his Bible to his chest with one hand and stroking it with the other.  Too weak to hold his Bible open for reading, Dr. Schaeffer clutched and caressed it.  You see, he was a man of one Book-the Book."
                                       Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George pg. 25-26

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 4

Discipline 1) Refuse to miss a day
Discipline 2) Pray as you approach God's Word
Discipline 3) Consume God's Word in various ways

Discipline 4;  "Find a rhythm or pattern that fits your lifestyle.  I'll die teaching (and attempting to practice!) time, first time, and early time.  And there are two reasons for this personal preference.  The first is my desire to go through each busy day without the burden of guilt that hangs over me when I haven't gotten to my Bible reading.  In my soul, (and on my schedule!), time in God's Word is something I need to do, want to do, and must do...and there's a cloud hanging over my bright day until I get to that special time with God.  There's an unsettledness in everything I do because I know-both from my to-do list and from my heart- that there's something I need to do, some duty left undone.  Therefore, sooner is better than later!  
     And the second reason is my desire for wisdom and strength-God's wisdom and strength-throughout my day.  I desperately desire His image stamped upon the life I am called by Him to live each day.  And I need His advice for His input.  His direction.  His guidance.  His encouragement.  Time in the Scriptures (and again, the sooner the better!)  turns my heart's gaze toward God and makes my days-and my management-markedly better.  
     It's up to you to find the time for reading your Bible that fits your lifestyle.  But do find it so that you won't use a busy life as an excuse like this woman did-

                                                I am a young mom and I homeschool, so I keep busy.  I've used this as an excuse in my relationship with God.  I want to be a woman after God's own heart, so I have committed to pray and establish a more meaningful quiet time and to seek greater spiritual growth.

     And, by the way, bravo to this wonderful young mom for making a serious decision, a decision that's at the heart of it all!"
                                                             -Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George Pgs. 24-25

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 3

It seems with every day of this challenge to myself, I am being pursued by the enemy.  Completely overslept this morning...and I asked the Lord, "What do I do now?  Where's my first and early time?"  He is so compassionate.  He answered with, "Crystal, let the kids sleep a little longer and run to McDonald's for breakfast!"  Yep, it was a great morning!!

So here is Discipline 3.  I really like this one because it helps me to realize that I don't have to be sitting in a chair with my Bible on my lap to be consuming more of God's Word.  Although making time in His word is important, this step really helps me to remain meditative throughout the day while I am taking care of my daily responsibilities. 

Discipline 1)  Refuse to miss a day
Discipline 2) Pray as you approach God's Word

Discipline 3:  "Consume God's Word in various ways.  Don't stop at reading your Bible.  Play teaching tapes and videos, too.  Memorize and meditate on specific Bible verses.  Place Scripture verses at strategic places throughout the house (or on your computer and at your workplace on the job).   Hum through the words and melodies of the great hymns of the faith and songs of praise and worship.  Aim at making the meditations of your heart acceptable in the sight of the Lord (Psalm 19:14).   And aim at the saturation of your heart, soul, and mind with the Word of God.  
     And here's an inspiring note on memorizaing Scripture-Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators ministry, set a goal as a new Christian to memorize one verse a day.  On his third spiritual birthday, he recited over 1000 verses from memory...word perfectly!  Now, couldn't you memorize just one verse a week?
     I know you're busy.  But do you realize that not one of these Scripture-absorbing activities requires your time?  They only require your heart and mind.  As  you go about your busy life and your duties and your chores and your work, you hum (at least in your heart!), you listen, you memorize, you meditate.  All this exercise of consuming God's Word in various ways requires is a decision and little preparation.  We must, must, must make...and take...time to be in God's Word.  Why?  Because in the Bible we find everything we need to guide and energize our lives, to keep us on track so that we live out God's plan."  
                                           Life Management for Busy Women pgs. 23-24

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 2

This discipline is obvious, but so important.  Enjoy...

Discipline 1. Refuse to miss a day

2." Pray as you approach God's Word.  That's what the psalmist did.  He prayed, 'Open my eyes, that I may see wonderous things from Your law.'  And in the next breath, he pleaded, 'Do not hide Your commandments from me' (Psalm 119:18-19). Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Word of God to your soul and your spirit.  Ask Him to assist you in understanding the living Word of God.  Do as Solomon advised and cry out for knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding (Proverbs 2:3).  "

                                                                                        -Life Management for Busy Women Pg. 23

Again, I am finding that the evil one is trying to squash my challenge to myself.  Long story short I got very little sleep last night...but I did get up have my quiet time.  I went back to bed after that, but I still got some time in with the Father and I can tell, if I hadn't, I would be having a very different day today.  I hope you all are finding blessings in this challenge as well!  Have a great day!

Passion for God's Word Challenge: Discipline 1

Okay seriously.  This morning I had to remember what I talked about yesterday on "discipline" because, friends-I'm not gonna lie, I did NOT want to get up this morning.  But the Lord helped get me up this morning (because I'm sure He wanted me to spend some time with Him, too!) and I did get up for some quiet time before the busyness of the day started. And I'm so glad I did!

So here is the first discipline Elizabeth George talks about:

" 1.  Refuse to miss a day.  Make your first discipline a decision to be faithful in just one thing-in spending some portion of your day rading your Bible.  Make your first discipline an attempt at not missing a single day.  God's Word is at the heart of a woman-even a busy woman!-who is passionate about her relationship with Him.
      Here's how one of the Bible's great men of faith viewed God's Word.  In the midst of just about every kind of suffering known to mankind, Job declared, 'I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food' (Job 23:12).  This is quite a statement!  Very few of us ever miss a meal.  And Job is showing us that God's Word should hold a higher priority for our souls than our necessary food holds for our body.  This grieving man, having lost all, cherished God's Word more than his daily food...
     To help me with this new discipline, I began using a 'Quiet Times Calendar'...that required that I color on or shade in the spaces provided for each day when I actually had a quiet time.  The goal when using this calendar is to form a solid line (like the mercury of a thermometer) as you read your Bible day after day...seeking to never miss a day.  Once again, the adage is true-one picture is worth a thousand words!  Still, these many years later, all I ever have to do is look at that chart and I know-at a glance-how I'm doing.  I either see the 'thermometer' look (a solid line), the 'Morse Code' look (dot, dot, dash, dot, dot, dash), or the 'measles' look (here a dot, there a dot, everywhere a dot, dot).  
      Now, how do you think your Quiet Times Calendar would look?  Are you getting closer to developing the discipline of refusing to miss a day?"           
                                                                     - Life Management for Busy Women, pg. 22-23

For the Quiet Times Calendar I found that doing a spreadsheet on Excel worked really great.  I put the months above and mark down the column for each day I have a quiet time...trying to make a thermometer! 

I hope this helps ya'll as much as it did me!  And please, if you have feed back, I'd love to read it!  Blessings for the day to you all!!

Passion for God's Word Challenge

"My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

                                                       -Proverbs 2:1-6

If you all know me at all you know that I am a VERY busy woman.  I don't even have time to eat lunch it seems at times.  I am currently reading a book called, "Life Management for Busy Women" by Elizabeth George.  The very first thing she talks about in this book is to develop a passion for God's Word.  Develop.  That word got me. Develop tells me that passion is not an overnight and immediate happening, it's a process.  While taking on Elizabeth's challenge I started reading Proverbs and the above passage stuck with me.  In reading those verses I found that I will not absorb God's word, much less a deeper understanding, just by skimming it once.  Look at the steps in those verses:

1) accept and store up his commands (believe and remember)
2)apply it to your heart
3)cry out for insight and understanding (seek deeper meaning)
4)look for that understanding as you would for a great treasure
5)THEN you will find the knowledge of God.

Wow.  Solomon just hand fed us the steps right there!  So I decided to take on a challenge, and since I need some accountability (one of the disciplines which we will talk about later), I am challenging you out there as well!  Let's "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).  Will you join me in a two week challenge? 

Elizabeth writes about ten disciplines for developing a passion for God's Word, which I will begin blogging about tomorrow.  But the first thing she talks about is the word "discipline".  Part of that discipline she describes involves 3 small steps.  Here is a nugget from her book:

"Here's a little three-step method that helps us tend to first things first...no matter how busy we are.


1.  Time is first on the list.  Our time is always well spent when we spend it looking to the Lord through His Word.  You and I must acknowledge this truth and accept it for life.  We must embrace the challenge to cultivate the discipline of daily time in the Bible into our daily routine.  What time?


2.  First time.  Aim at giving the first minutes of each day to the reading of God's Word.  Proverbs 3:9 instructs you and me to 'Honor the Lord with our possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.'  Then comes the promise-'so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine' (verse 10).  This proverb is speaking of the blessings that follow the offering of a tithe to God of the first crops from the harvest.
      But the same results occur in the spiritual realm.  We are blessed in our spirit and in our practical life when we make it a point to give God the first portion of time from the harvest of each fresh new day, of each new measure of 1440 minutes. 


3. Early time.  David wrote these expressive words from the core of his heart- 'O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for you' (Psalm 63:1).  Many of the great heroes of the faith sincerely sought communion with God early and earnestly in their day.  For instance,

-Abraham rose up early in the morning and went to the place where he met with the Lord (Genesis 19:27)


-Davide wrote of morning worship with these utterances: 'My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up' (Psalm 5:3) I particularly love the translation that reads, 'at dawn I hold myself in readiness for you, I watch for you."


-And our Lord Jesus rose up early, while it was still night, literally a long while before daylight, to converse in solitude with His heavenly father (Mark 1:35)...

Discipline is demanded of the athlete to win a game.  Discipline is required for the captain running his ship.  Discipline is needed for the pianist to practice for the concert.  And, dear reading sister, discipline is called for in developing a passion for God's Word."    Life Management pages 11-12, 21

Getting up even earlier in my day is, for me, definitely a sacrifice.  I am sacrificing sleep (which I don't get much of anyway) and time where I could potentially get some stuff done before the kiddos get up.  But for as busy as I find myself everyday, I know that as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend...the best thing I can do is be in tune with my Lord.  To know His heart more and more each day.  And for some reason, the more time I take for Him, the more my day seems organized and productive.  Because I have invited Him to assist me through my day!! 

So for you busy people out there...take this challenge with me.  Start with time, first time, and early time.  And for the next two weeks, I will post one of the ten disciplines a day, and lets see not only a new passion develop, but what the Lord will do in our lives because of our passion!!  Who's with me?

"Jesus reached out..."

"A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'  Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.  'I am willing, ' he said.  'Be clean!'  Immediately he was cured of his leprosy."

Matthew 8:2-3

This passage was part of our bible study last night, and although it is short, I took so much away from this.  I had to write about it and post it.

First, I see so much in the leper.  The bible does not record how long he had lived with leprosy up to this point, but we know for sure the life he led with the disease.  He was an outcast, alone, and deprived of any emotional or physical human connection.  And when he needed to go to town for even basic needs such as food, he had to announce to the world that was "unclean".  However, look at how he approached Jesus.  He did not announce himself, or even keep a good distance away.  He came before Jesus, and knelt before him.  The book of Luke records this man kneeling with his face to the ground.  First and foremost I see this man approaching our Lord with confidence and humility.  Next, the very first word he spoke to Jesus had huge emphasis on this man's faith.  He called him "Lord".  Not prophet or teacher, but Lord.  Acknowledging who Jesus really was and that he believed in him.  Secondly, he says,"if you are willing, you can make me clean."  This man further had the faith that Jesus could heal him...but more than that, he acknowledged the Lord's will above his own.  I am sure that more than anything, this man wanted to be healed...but by speaking the phrase "if you are willing", he showed Jesus that he wanted the Lord's will above his own, and was willing to accept that healing may not be a part of that will.  He was fully surrendered.

Jesus response to this man is what really blew me away.  The bible says that "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man."  I truly believe that this act of love by Jesus did far more for the man than the actual healing itself.  Jesus did not have to touch him.  He could have been 100 miles away and healed that man by a simple word.  But Jesus met that man with what he needed most...a relationship.  He met that man where he was at and touched him, giving him a connection that had been deprived for so long.  And then, he healed him. 

This is the question that was left with me:  Do I reach out to people, or do I only speak a word? I will admit, that there are so many times when I know someone who needs a hot meal, or a ride to the doctor's office, or their lawn mowed, or just a card in the mail, and I respond with "I am really busy right now so I'll just pray for them, "  or "I am really worn out.  I have small children that wear me out.  They'll understand.  I'll just remember to pray for them and let someone else pick up the slack."  Please understand that I am in no way belittling prayer.  It is most definitely one of the most powerful tools we have in spiritual warfare.  But I also think that maybe sometimes we use it as an out. I think James says it best:

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."   James 2: 14-17

This short little passage just really challenged me last night.  I wanted to write and share.  I hope it encourages you as well!  Christs's love to all!