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!