This little list is in the sidebar of my devotional blog. I was tweaking it a little bit today to add some fresh thoughts of encouragement and felt that for some reason I should bring it over here and share it. I have a number of friends in my life who say “I know I should be….” but little things remain stumbling blocks to them, and they just can’t seem to work themselves into the groove of feeding on the Word.
There are many things that keep us from the healthy and rewarding habit of seating ourselves at His banqueting table, lack of simple encouragement and advice being one of them. I, for one, don’t want to be guilty of not doing my part in offering that encouragement and lessons from my own experience. But that’s just my small part. The number one responsibility lies within ourselves and the battle we must rage against that dirty little demon called Procrastination.
So here are a number of things I have found and continue to find hugely instrumental in creating a habit of pursuing, digesting and yes even craving my Daily Bread.
Think of your time feeding on God's Word as a vital aspect of your health and wellness. You wouldn't go a week without brushing your teeth, or eating physical food, don't treat the nourishing of your soul by the Word of God with any less care.
Don't cram multiple chapters if you fall behind of plan, but *do* "back-read" if you have the passion and earnest desire to do so. My habit if I miss a chapter is usually to leave it until that book comes up again the next week (based on my own reading plan) and then read two consecutive chapters rather than the one I am scheduled to read.
Don't be legalistic about the when and how. If you don't get a quiet time in the morning, THAT'S OKAY. Find a moment in the afternoon to grab a drink, sit down and put your feet up, and soak up a chapter. And if that doesn't happen, THAT'S OKAY. Take 15-20 minutes at the end of the day to plump some pillows up in your bed and soak it up before you go to sleep. And if that doesn't happen, IT'S OKAY. Tomorrow is a new day. Don't let the enemy discourage you from spending time in the word TODAY because you didn't YESTERDAY. That's just dumb. Did you get that? DUMB.
If you don't have time to read, meditate. Allow God to bring a passage of scripture to mind and allow yourself to listen. Take time to be quiet in your spirit. While you are washing dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming... cleaning bathrooms.
Spruce things up. Get yourself a PRETTY journal and jot down little things that stand out to you. Use your favourite mug or a pretty glass to pour your favourite drink. Sit in your favourite spot (this could change from day to day and depending on the time of day you read. A sunny spot on the porch in the morning, a wing back chair and a blanket if it's chilly, a garden swing in the shade on a hot afternoon, or plumped up in bed with soft lamplight in the evening. Again, don't be legalistic about the location, pick a happy spot that fits the moment/opportunity.) Oh, and DON'T wait for the pretty journal. Plain lined notepaper or even a crumpled scrap paper will work just FINE until you get one....
Remember while you read, God's word is FOR YOU. yes, it was written to a particular audience in a particular time in history and for a particular reason. But it was also written with YOU in mind, TODAY in mind, and is designed to give you strength and wisdom for the journey.
Claim ONE part of the passage and take it to heart. Read through the chapter without too much introspection at first and see what part most stands out to you. Go back and look at that part more specifically and ask yourself what is in there for YOU?
Ask relevant questions. I usually look at a passage with 2 questions in mind. 1. What does this passage tell me about God's character? 2. What does this passage tell me about humanity (ie, ME, in relation to God? a third and very important question to ask is "What does this passage require of me on a practical level?" Write down one attitude, practice or truth you want you live out TODAY in light of what God has just revealed to you. This is how we take ownership of the Word of God and allow it to relate to us and shape us on a personal level.
Build yourself a monument. As I ponder a passages relevance to me I journal the thoughts that arise. Jotting them down somehow cements my convictions in my mind, almost like laying out stones in a monument so I can go back to that place later and be reminded. I also use those notes to come here and share my thoughts later with others.
Keep your actual quiet time concise. This will help make it more likely the habit will continue to happen on a regular basis. Better to spend 15 minutes in the word daily, than 1 hour once a week.
Don't require absolute "alone" and uninterrupted time (without kids around). If they are around, they can learn to not interrupt you for 15 minutes, just like you spend time with other people when they are around, you can spend time with the Lord with them around too.
Think of God’s Word as a love letter to you. When you read stories of God’s wrath in the Old Testament, think about WHAT love paid the price for all that wrath and how a hand that once smote anyone who dared touch the ark of His covenant now beckons YOU to draw near to the throne of grace. Read everything in light of who God is and how much He loves mankind that in spite of our being so deprived, His love story reaches out, encompasses us, washes us clean, and seeks to draw us near.
May you seek Him, may He be found by you, and may you be blessed on the journey.
Prairie Chick
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19 COMMENTS FROM THE PRAIRIE POSSE:
"May you seek Him, may He be found by you, and may you be blessed on the journey."
Amen!
I am doing something a little different this year in my quiet time. I am reading the Bible through (which I've done before in various ways) - but this time in chronological order. It has been AWESOME! The NT flows pretty easily, but the OT can seem rather disjointed in its typical ordering. It's been so satisfying to read it this way and to enjoy the flow of it. I'm especially appreciative of reading the Psalms as they fall into the events. The Psalms are always great to read, but even more so when you have a fresh understanding of the events that inspired them.
Because of reading it this way, I *must* stay up on my reading and not skip. It's been a really good external motivator to not skip. On the rare occasion that I have missed a day, I double up - usually by trying to find two times in the day to read.
Just curious... have you tried reading the entire Bible this way?
PS -
Hmmm... now that I've typed out my comment to you, I'm feeling inspired to post that on my blog, too.
Yes, I did at least once, maybe twice, or almost twice. I used to have a bible that was "through the bible chronologically in a year".
I really don't like the "in a year" part. I can see how it is maybe good once, the first time, to be exposed to the WHOLE word... but now I am all about small doses and taking it to heart and applying it. Even though I read a chapter a day, it's just one small portion of the chapter I choose to treasure in my heart and live out.
Less is more in my case.
But really, it is about whatever turns your crank and gets you motivated and in the habit and gleaning so more power to whatever is working for you!
Great ideas! I am really trying to make sure I read God's word daily and sometimes I let procrastination & business get the better of me...but I am realizing the more you fill up on His word the more you hunger for it. It is also true that if you let a couple days slide it is easy to keep putting it off till later. It is so awesome when He speaks to you through His word, His voice to me is like a gentle whisper that so lovingly teaches me, heals my hurts, reveals the meaning of verses to me and nudges me to live completely devoted to Him. He is so awesome!
I guess I should have added that I'm coming out of a season (several years) of really "digging deep" type studying. It was time for me to "step back" (so to speak) and do this. Kind of "pull it all together" and let it flow. Does that make sense? It had been years since I had read cover to cover, and while I've studied the Bible in chronological order (high school and college), I'd never actually read it that way. And, I'm still selecting verses and passages that speak to me to meditate upon and memorize.
It's good for this "season" (year) and then I'll be back to other methods!
BTW - I do still peak at your devotional site, too!
"pull it all together", I love that. I can relate! I think it is really good to "mix things up" and give yourself a fresh approach and at different times that will look differently. This is the second time I am working through the bible in my current approach and what I especially love about it is how it has me touching on so many different books of the bible each week and passages that I am maybe very familiar with rake on new depth and fulfillment when I see an OT passage lining up with one in the prophets, or the gospels, or the epistles. So in a way I also find that it is "pulling it all together" for me but with a bit of a twist. =)
It's awesome to break away from routine and find a fresh fire and I'm excited about any way that that is true for any person. The only right way to read the Bible is the way that gets you to read it!
It's so encouraging to see your gals excitement for the Word. Spread the spark!
Thanks for taking the time to put all those helpful ideas on your blog. Right now I am doing a summer study with friends. Beth Moores 'Esther'. I am loving it (o:
I really liked your statement:Remember while you read, God's word is FOR YOU. yes, it was written to a particular audience in a particular time in history and for a particular reason. But it was also written with YOU in mind, TODAY in mind, and is designed to give you strength and wisdom for the journey.
Oh! How True! How very true!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
What a great post--thanks for sharing. Hope you can stop by for a visit. Happy weekend to you. :)
I always like to read what others do for their quiet time. In fact, you had a similar post some time ago that I copied out into my journal. I loved all of your ideas and they fit in really well with my daily life.
I have been feeling badly for not checking you devotional blog. I've gotten a little system of my own going - reading slowly through the gospels and one proverb each day. I will visit right now though.
Linda,
Don't feel bad about that! You are in the Word, you've got a system, you're being fed! Everyone who commented here seems to be happily feasting on the Word which is AWESOME!
Thank you for this post. I will come back to visit you. I come by way of Wisteria and Roses which also speaks to my soul.
I copied your quote about the Lioness on my blog. It was so good and thought provoking!
Positively Precious Ponderings Prarie Chick!! You go girl. These are all very needed, practical good words for us gals. Gosh you are multi talented.
Many years ago a dear, dear friend opened the eyes of my heart when she pointed me toward the love-letter aspect of the Bible. I have never read it that same way since -- never needed a plan or schedule of legalistic framework . . . I fell in love and you can't keep me away. As an adopted child of the King all references to his love and promise and plan for His children include me -- amazing Love!
I've schooled my children in the same way. We read The Word as The Word. We are in love! No incentives or clubs or rewards or admonishments needed. It works for us. : D
Hey Prairie Chic, just came across your blog, keep up the great posts.
Thank you for highlighting this! There is an alraming trend I see of those who feel that sources other than the Bible are as valid for spiritual growth. Nothing replaces the word...and that includes devotionals someone else wrote!
I am a person who reads the Bible a lot. Currently I am reading a new version of the Bible in the same way I would read a fascinating book...page after page after page, underlining all the good bits! My goal is to read through the whole bible in 6 weeks. Then I will go back and dwell on all the verses that leapt from the page!!
Your tips are great! Thank you again for following His lead and encouraging others to dig in deeply.
Love your hunger, Cynthia! I remember being in depression after our first son was born and I did little else but sit and read the bible for hours on end. I couldn't get enough. And I was reading it like you, pushing through, just pushing forward to the next word of hope, encouragement, promise, assurance. All I can say is that things were very, very black, blacker than I ever thought they could be, but His word brought light and all the other things I needed to carry on.
Be blessed in your immersion, there's no way you won't be.
I don't know how to say it, but THIS LIST ROCKS.
I was especially encouraged by your reminder that it's OK if I miss my time, that I can be in His presence and in His Word even while folding clothes. ... Another good reasons to memorize Scripture, so one can meditate on it when the physical Bible isn't handy.
God bless you for sharing this.
What great reminders that I needed this morning! Sometimes I get so caught up in making it "perfect" that I don't do it at all. I especially appreciated the reminder that I don't have to be completely alone...that if I don't get my quiet time in before the kids get up, I don't have to give it up! I've been trying to remind myself lately that actually it is *good* for them to see Mom stopping and making a priority of studying God's Word even when the schedule is crazy and I didn't get it done "on time". Thanks for your encouragement in this area!
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