Retooling my DevotionalTime

How many of you have those times when you just can't seem to get out of first gear with your daily devotions. I've been that way lately and some mornings I can't even get out of Park!

For the last year-and-a-half I've been using a really cool Bible reading plan (http://eword.gospelcom.net/year/31/cjan01.htm). It is a chronological reading of the Bible. What is so cool about it is that there are so many portions of the Bible that deal with the same time period and same events yet they are books apart in the Bible. This reading plan pulls them together.

That being said, it is time for something different. I don't want to do the 'ol read a short passage and then read a 'relevant' story of today either though. That to me isn't studying the Bible. It is equivalent to listening to a sermon where the pastor reads a short passage then takes off on a story for the rest of the sermon. In these situations, the Bible is only being used as a springboard instead of a textbook on life.

No, I need to come up with something different. What is coming to mind right off and is using my study notes from the weekly message from my church as a focus area. I usually have no less than 20 Bible references and passages included in my notes. Journaling on that may be an interesting option. What do you think?

One other practice that I will continue though is reading a chapter of Psalms and Proverbs each day. This allows me to read Psalms close to 5 times per year and Proverbs 12 times per year.

What kind of plan do you have? If you don't have one, consider the one above. Remember, if you don't aim for a goal, you'll likely miss the mark!

Blessings as we all learn together from the Textbook on Life... God's Word... The Bible.

Dissappointment or Success

The past several days have been ones of mixed emotions. I applied for a promotion with my company when my Director left for another job. I knew that I have the qualifications that my company is looking for and was encouraged by many in my industry to seek the position.

I did my homework and studied the issues. I burnt the midnight oil in making sure that I'm up on all the angles. I created one awesome resume (if I say so myself) and received numerous letters of recommendation. I was ready!

But there is one hiccup and that issue lead to my downfall in a promotion. My superiors wanted the position to be based out of a different city that is three hours away from where I presently live. I came up with what I felt was a reasonable compromise but in the end, I was passed over due to this issue.

I prayed often about making the move but God told me over and over again "no, you are where I want you to be right now". So, I am disappointed that I was not offered the promotion but I feel relief and successful that I am within God's will in this area of my life. I could have chased the increase in pay but in the long run, being outside of God's will is not where I want to be.

The past several days have been filled with mixed emotions.

Is my Spirit in Control of My Body or Vice-Versa?

In reading Paul's first letter to the believers in Corinth, I have come upon some interesting information. 1 Corinthians 9:27 is a little strange in the NIV. It starts out by saying 'No, I beat my body and make it my slave...'. I have to admit that this did not make any sense to me 20 minutes ago.

Reading the same verse in the KJV makes more sense. 'But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection...'. NOW I am starting to see what this means. I keep my body under the control of my spirit. This is directly in opposition to how the world operates. Listen to most any conversation at work or on campus, you will hear the person speak primarily about his body - about his financial concerns and recreational pursuits, his occupational goals and physical needs. (This is from Jon Courson).

Now that I am a Christ Follower though all this is turned upside down. I am to constantly place the wants, needs and pursuits of my body (my flesh) under the control of my spirit that is one with Christ Jesus. This is something that I have really been striving for lately.

One way that I have found that works for me is a change of mindset. I have changed 'I have to...' in my mind to 'I get to...'! An example for me is that starting this past month, I have made it a practice to get up at 5:30 every morning to dive into God's Word and to just spend time with God. I started out with the mindset of having to get up and it was a drudge. Lately though, I have noticed that I jump up out of bed (mind you knowing that my automatic coffee maker already has the first cup ready). I GET to spend the first several hours of my day with the Creator of the universe! What an awesome opportunity! My body (who wants to keep on sleeping) is not in control or 'on top'. I have my spirit in control of this situation. It is not always easy and I have a LONG ways to go but this is a start.

I now see Matthew 6:16 more clearly when thinking about this. Jesus does not say "IF you fast (abstain from food)" but "WHEN you fast". He knows that part of keeping our bodies in cheque and under the control of our spirit requires discipline on our part. Taking time to abstain from eating to instead spend that time praying for others. Getting my tired body out of bed at 5:30 because the King of Kings and and the Lord of Lords wants to commune with me personally.

I will strive TODAY for my spirit (under God's authority) to be in control of my will, my personality, my emotions, my all. Tomorrow morning, I will strive for the same goal.