Have you Read your Bible Today?

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

As a pastor, when I see people who have been punctual start showing up late, it is ususally not good news.

When their worship dies, and they just sit unmoved, it isn't good.

If they stop giving, it is not good news.

When the Word doesn't move them, it is bad news.

When they start withdrawing from the church people and isolating themselves, it is getting critical.

When it happened to me, my excuse was that I just needed time to myself. The truth was, my alone time was a playground for the enemy.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Barb

When it happened to me, my excuse was that I just needed time to myself. The truth was, my alone time was a playground for the enemy.

Barb, that is exactly what every one of them have said.

They need time alone to heal.

But it doesn't work.

Separate yourself from the Body, and you are fodder for the roaring lion skulking in the shadows.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Barb, that is exactly what every one of them have said.

They need time alone to heal.

But it doesn't work.

Separate yourself from the Body, and you are fodder for the roaring lion skulking in the shadows.

Yes, sir...I am a witness.

On the other hand, I am also a witness that you can come back...you can get it right...that just because you botch it, it doesn't mean you can't be restored and renewed.

But it will NEVER happen apart from the Word...our nourishment...apart from prayer...our source of strength...apart from the Body...our protection.

As the days wear on, I realize more and more that I am not an entity unto myself. The excellency of the power is NOT this earthen vessel, but the treasure that lies within.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Barb

Yes, sir...I am a witness.

On the other hand, I am also a witness that you can come back...you can get it right...that just because you botch it, it doesn't mean you can't be restored and renewed.

But it will NEVER happen apart from the Word...our nourishment...apart from prayer...our source of strength...apart from the Body...our protection.

As the days wear on, I realize more and more that I am not an entity unto myself. The excellency of the power is NOT this earthen vessel, but the treasure that lies within.

True, true, true.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

For myself, there are some things I try to monitor.

My desire and zeal for prayer and the Word.

My patience with my children and the saints...

How easily and often I am moved deeply by just reading the Word....when my spirit is tender, I often find myself wiping tears while I read. If I get a little calloused, that doesn't happen.

What do you do when you notice these things happening?

I'm trying to start my day with prayer. I find if I don't pray first thing, then I may not find time until the end of the day and then I get upset with myself. How can you put God first if you don't seek His face early?

I've been disciplining myself to read the word and study everyday, more or less depending on my work schedule, but always a daily bible reading (trying to read it through in a year again) and I've followed your example and added a chapter in Proverbs everyday.

And then there's fasting.....

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

What do you do when you notice these things happening?

I'm trying to start my day with prayer. I find if I don't pray first thing, then I may not find time until the end of the day and then I get upset with myself. How can you put God first if you don't seek His face early?

I've been disciplining myself to read the word and study everyday, more or less depending on my work schedule, but always a daily bible reading (trying to read it through in a year again) and I've followed your example and added a chapter in Proverbs everyday.

And then there's fasting.....

There is no real secret formula for maintaining a consecration.

Early morning prayer has been a key for me. If you will faithfully begin your day with prayer, you will start out ahead of the game. Some may disagree with me, but in the grand scheme of things, twenty minutes of prayer, faithfully every morning, beats two hours once or twice a week. If you will commit to something you know you can do, and be faithful you will eventually find yourself waking up earlier and desiring more prayer time as your momentum grows.

You will learn more about prayer praying for an hour than you will taking five hours of the best instruction you can find about prayer. The key is to just do it. Passion is far more important than methodology, and will beat out its own course.

As for the Word, again, faithfulness is paramount.

Make regular time for it.

Our problem is sometimes that we want a closer walk with God, but don't want to have to alter our life in any way to get it. You won't grow spiritually if you aren't willing to invest the time and effort it takes to do it.

Set your alarm and get up. It may not be easy, but it isn't complicated. You give God the time, and He will make the changes in you.

When I feel some hardness trying to creep in, or some kind of spiritual apathy trying to get a hold on me, the first thing I do is check my spiritual disciplines--have I been slacking?

Next, I search my heart and spirit--is there any unforgiveness or bad attitude about anything that is creating a breach between me and the Lord? Am I frustrated about something that isnn't going well, and blaming God for it?

If none of these things seems to be the problem, the next step is to break up my routine. Add some more Bible reading in. Go on a fast. I also have friends who I can call and talk about the things of God and get my spirit stirred and hunger flowing again when I get weary or jaded by the trials and burdens of life.

I cannot emphasize enough the value of having people in your life that can inspire you and stir you up spiritually. Surround yourself with passionate people who are sold out to God. Hunger is contagious, and begets more hunger. Fellowship is critical. Limit the time you spend with those who drain you and drag you down spiritually.

There is a poster on this board who is a dear friend and elder in my life. I can call Steadfast and talk with him about the things of God, and there is something about the pure hunger for God and the love he has for the Word and the things of God that just stirs me and moves me deeply in my spirit.

There are other men and even a lady or two that affect me the same way.

My pastor's wife is probably the nearest thing to an angel in shoe leather that this world has been blessed to know. I can call her if I am feeling a little down or discouraged, and without ever telling her how I feel, just talking with her makes me want to draw closer to God. Some of my most treasured memories are of times spent at the church in the early mornings praying with her.

Anyway, I guess I have rambled on without much of a particular plan or structure, but i hope you get something out of these random observations of some things that have worked for me.

Bless you as you draw closer to Him!

[tamor]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

As a pastor, when I see people who have been punctual start showing up late, it is ususally not good news.

When their worship dies, and they just sit unmoved, it isn't good.

If they stop giving, it is not good news.

When the Word doesn't move them, it is bad news.

When they start withdrawing from the church people and isolating themselves, it is getting critical.

Right on target.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

There is no real secret formula for maintaining a consecration.

Early morning prayer has been a key for me. If you will faithfully begin your day with prayer, you will start out ahead of the game. Some may disagree with me, but in the grand scheme of things, twenty minutes of prayer, faithfully every morning, beats two hours once or twice a week. If you will commit to something you know you can do, and be faithful you will eventually find yourself waking up earlier and desiring more prayer time as your momentum grows.

You will learn more about prayer praying for an hour than you will taking five hours of the best instruction you can find about prayer. The key is to just do it. Passion is far more important than methodology, and will beat out its own course.

As for the Word, again, faithfulness is paramount.

Make regular time for it.

Our problem is sometimes that we want a closer walk with God, but don't want to have to alter our life in any way to get it. You won't grow spiritually if you aren't willing to invest the time and effort it takes to do it.

Set your alarm and get up. It may not be easy, but it isn't complicated. You give God the time, and He will make the changes in you.

When I feel some hardness trying to creep in, or some kind of spiritual apathy trying to get a hold on me, the first thing I do is check my spiritual disciplines--have I been slacking?

Next, I search my heart and spirit--is there any unforgiveness or bad attitude about anything that is creating a breach between me and the Lord? Am I frustrated about something that isnn't going well, and blaming God for it?

If none of these things seems to be the problem, the next step is to break up my routine. Add some more Bible reading in. Go on a fast. I also have friends who I can call and talk about the things of God and get my spirit stirred and hunger flowing again when I get weary or jaded by the trials and burdens of life.

I cannot emphasize enough the value of having people in your life that can inspire you and stir you up spiritually. Surround yourself with passionate people who are sold out to God. Hunger is contagious, and begets more hunger. Fellowship is critical. Limit the time you spend with those who drain you and drag you down spiritually.

There is a poster on this board who is a dear friend and elder in my life. I can call Steadfast and talk with him about the things of God, and there is something about the pure hunger for God and the love he has for the Word and the things of God that just stirs me and moves me deeply in my spirit.

There are other men and even a lady or two that affect me the same way.

My pastor's wife is probably the nearest thing to an angel in shoe leather that this world has been blessed to know. I can call her if I am feeling a little down or discouraged, and without ever telling her how I feel, just talking with her makes me want to draw closer to God. Some of my most treasured memories are of times spent at the church in the early mornings praying with her.

Anyway, I guess I have rambled on without much of a particular plan or structure, but i hope you get something out of these random observations of some things that have worked for me.

Bless you as you draw closer to Him!

This is all excellent advice and things I have and am learning to do. It's always good to keep bringing these simple things in remembrance.

Thank you.

[Amanah]

very encouraging thread . . . daily early morning bible reading and talking to God is the best way to keep the fires burning for me