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