I tend to be an anxious person. I think about everything which tends to drive me to a type of worry.
Enough about me.
In reading the Psalms I am intrigued by the descriptions that David uses.
For instance, when David is fleeing from Saul he can be found in a cave (a refuge, a fortress).
But yet David describes the Lord as his fortress and refuge throughout the Psalms.
David took what was happening and was able to see how God is truly the one who is the refuge, fortress and so much more.
Typically we are not going to have “Sauls” chasing us into caves.
But I can certainly find comfort in the words such as “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” and “But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 94:19 & 22)

When my anxious thoughts threathen to bring me down I am striving to lean on God’s promises that when I give it all to him he’ll handle it! 1 Peter 5:7. He cares for me.  I can rest in the shadow of God’s wings (another great Psalm).
It’s late so this post probably doesn’t make the greatest sense….but that’s okay, I’m writing for me and God anyway.

And in no way am I advocating some type of crazy and wild protest and something that will only hurt us and give us a worse name.
I’m simply suggesting that we find creative, peaceful, loving, ways to address so many issues that are attacking our families, churches, schools.

Over the next few days I’m going to be putting together a plan…for me…and perhaps it will be able to be used by anyone who wishes to join me.
Although I haven’t finished reading it, I do cautiously recommend the new book “Power to the People” by Laura Ingraham. If you don’t read any thing else in it read the chapter entitled “Saving our Pornified Culture.”
I pray that I can be led by God in this and in the process be a witness.  It’s time that we quit accepting all the junk that is overtaking us (even hours of television that you would think would be safe for families is no longer safe).

Lord, please help us. Direct our words, our actions, and help us not be indifferent to the issues in our culture/media that go agaisnt our Christian morals/standards/beliefs.

This question was asked at church and I wanted to share it.

I hope that when people see me at the store, or at a restaurant, or in my home, (you get the point) that they will see a characteristic of My Lord. And perhaps it will reveal more of his character.

“It is impossible to grow in Christ if you are not allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart.” (Rev. G.Miller)

Open your life to allow the creator to speak to you.

Someone told me that he sometimes stops reading his bible when it becomes monotonous. I am not one to judge my friend but I am concerned for their spiritual growth when they go for so long (this person mentioned sometimes going months and months without opending the bible except at church) without God’s word personally entering their life.

Here are some truths that I believe apply to the practice of personal Bible study:
- it is a discipline – one must put for effort, make it a priority, stick with it
- it is tough- because it is a disciplie there will be plently of obstacles (For one we have the ENEMY who is constantly trying to put obstacles in our way)
-it can get boring- I don’t know many people who don’t struggle through the Old Testament. Also even reading some of the more interesting sections can get like a routine depending on the type of study method
-it can be confusing- often times a Bible study may be suspended because a person doesn’t understand the meaning. Commentaries, books, online resources can be of great help to someone willing to put a little extra in to the study

On the flip side :

It is a discipline with much blessings. God will truly open your eyes to new and wonderful things (Psalm 119:18).
Finding the version that works best for each individual is a key in being able to enjoy reading the Bible regularly. It may even be that you will want several versions to look at them simulatenously or switch between occassionally. It can become very easy once you find a method that works for you.

The key to avoid the boring aspect would be to discover your learning style and incorporate it into your study.
If you are an auditory learner perhaps an audio bible (available in many media). If you are a hands-on person perhaps keeping a journal to write thoughts, questions, etc. down in will help.
Are you really into the computer? Perhaps you can sit down and find multiple websites for study and research (www.biblegateway.com; www.crosswalk.com for starters) and use them to jump start your time with God. There may even be software of interest to you that contains lots of special features to guide in learning more.

Take the unique way God has made you and find what works best for you.
God’s word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and he longs for you to discover it’s joys and blessings.

Now, back to my friend.  There once was a time when I was just like him. My quiet times were up and down. My bible often got piled under a bunch of other things. Looking back there were enough “spiritual” things that I was involved in (church, youth group, Christian clubs, Christian friends) that I didn’t really like I was going up and down with God but yet I was desperatly missing out on a personal walk with God by not reading my bible (and praying).

A few years ago I began working on a discipline…to read the bible through in a year. I’ll be the first to admit that, though I read it in a year, I didn’t put everything in my heart and mind. But that discipline of reading my bible daily has stuck with me. I CAN’T not read my bible, even if it’s just a very short time to read.
For the first few years I stuck to a regular method (read a section and write in my journal about it).
I’ve changed up my “routines” multiple times in recent years.
I’m beginning to see just how many ways I can “spice up” my devotional time.

Regarding montony I truly believe that one shouldn’t stop reading the bible. One should take notice and stop the method and find a new plan.

Please don’t stop reading your bible. Every time you read a scripture it will have a special meaning and message from God for that time.

If you would like further suggestions on how to adapt your devotional time just let me know.

One more thing:

If the bible is God’s love letter to us how do you think it makes him feel for his children saying reading it is “boring?”
(I bet the same say you would feel if your significant other told you that they don’t care what you are talking about to them)

I’d like to share it with you …

Often in our life there are habits, decisions, etc that we make that actually leave us in worse shape emotionally, physically, or otherwise. (a common example is unhealthy eating)

Sometimes we will recognize that a change is needed in order for a healthier (happier) life. However we feel unable to change because the pain of change is as much or more as the pain of staying the same.  (This is so true!!!)

There are so many times that as Christians we see the “NOs” — don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t cuss, don’t have sex before marriage, don’t, don’t, don’t….so much that we actually miss all the “yes” (yesses?) that are ready for us.  So many yes’s that far outweigh the pain of giving in to the “no’s”

Better blood pressure, lower cholesterol, finding fitted clothes, being mobile, overall health is so much better than what happens with an unhealthy diet and exercise. (but don’t focus on this example so much that you miss other ways that this can apply)

Yes our society gives us a lot of junk about “do this and you’ll be happy” or “buy this and you’ll be happy”…but the truth is that Jesus has set us free and we don’t HAVE to do that stuff. We have something way better and we just have to say “YES” to those.

sooo…

for every “No” there is actually a much better “yes”

Instead of focusing on what we shouldn’t or can’t do focus on what you can do and what the benefits are for not giving in to bad habits.

I want to focus on what I can do….in Christ….rather than thinking about the impossible.

Truth: The Gospel of Jesus is not made up my Man!  (verse 11)
Truth: What we know is only because of God revealing it. (verse 12)
Truth: The people Paul was speaking to had accepted the grace of God and then were led astray and started living like the world again (like they were prior to receiving God’s grace).

Life Application-
Don’t let people try to sell you a watered down or plain wrong gospel message.
Don’t live like the world after accepting the Gospel.

Just as God did for Paul, He can take individuals who once “knew” some things and acted in some ways and turn them around, teach them, reveal himself to them, and lead them to a different life. God is in the life changing business.

Satan lies and he will try to lead changed individuals back to a life like that before Christ. Don’t believe him. Don’t be led into confusion.

Chapter 2

“Christian feedom is the liberty to be all you can be in Christ.” – commentator

Truth- God’s grace allows living by faith. (verses 16, 20)
Truth- Once we accept Christ, our sins are crucified, our lifestyle is no longer the same. (verse 20)

Chapter 3

Truth- It is not in our human efforts that we ever accomplish anything – whether it be overcoming temptation or turning from sin or living out faith. It is by God’s strength, his power, and his Spirit alone. (verses 3-5; Psalm 119:11, Zech. 4:6; Phil. 4:13)

Life Application-
Use scriptures to help to avoid sin. Call on God’s strength for growing in faith, building disciplines, saying no, saying yes!, and other situations you face. Remember that it is through God’s strength and not your own work that accomplishes things.

Chapter 4

Truth: The lifestyles prior to Christ can be as enslaving after turning to God as they were before. (verse 9)

Chapter 5

Truth: We are meant to be free. (verse 13)
Truth: We are commanded to love as we love ourselves. (verse 14)

Life Application
When faced with temptations know that the consequences of giving in are harder than the act of saying no in the first place. Stand firm by having God’s word in your heart and on your tongue (Psalm 119:11). The benefit of being led by the Spirit is better than the momentary pleasure of the sinful nature.

Chapter 6

Truth: Sin brings destruction (heart, sould, mind, strength) (verse 8 )
Truth: A Spirit pleasing life brings eternal life (verse 8 )
Truth: Being a new creation is what really matters in the end (verse 15)
Truth: We should help our brothers and sisters (verses 1, 10)