7 Day Challenge - Philippians 3:12-14

Day 7

Sunday, March 4, 2012

1. Wait on God

Before you work through today’s Daily Quiet Time, take a few moments like you’ve done on previous days to clear your mind and to focus on God.  Be silent and still for just a minute or so, preparing your heart to meet personally with God.

2. Pray Briefly

Just as on previous days, say a brief prayer that affirms God’s presence and that asks for His guidance.

3. Read Philippians 3:12-14

With only three verses to consider, read these words slowly and carefully.  Remember to read them aloud in order to focus your mind better.  Instead of the personal pronoun “I” that appears in each verse, trying reading this passage by inserting  your own name.  For example, verse 12 would read: “Not that John Waters has already attained . . . ‘

4. Consider the meaning and application of the verses

Use the Application Process to help yourself understand what the Apostle Paul was saying to the church in the ancient city of Philippi, as well as what God is teaching your through it.  The three questions to ask are:

1-What did it mean then?

2-What is the timeless truth?

3-How does it apply now?

Others questions to consider and apply to your life might be:

• What does it mean for Christ to have “hold of me” (v. 12)?

• Why is it important to forget “those things which are behind” (v. 13)?

• How do you reach forward to those things which are ahead?

• What is the “upward call of  God” that we’ve received through Jesus Christ (v. 14)?

5. Write down what God shows you

As you ponder these verses and the three-step questions of the Application Process, write down insights and truths that God shows you.  Use the same notebook as before, recording any questions or actions you will take based upon what you have read.  Write down phrases that you do not understand, and record phrases and words that are especially meaningful to you.

6. Have a time of prayer

Finish your Quiet Time today with a time of prayer, asking for God’s help to follow the insights He has given you as you incorporate them into your life.  Pray for the list of names and issues that you have put on your list, noting any ways that God has been answering your prayer.

Congratulations!  You have completed the 7 Day Challenge of spending time with God and have finished a full week of daily Quiet Times with the Lord.  Will you continue this practice?  Will you make this a regular part of your schedule? 

7 Day Challenge - Jeremiah 18:1-6

Day 6

Saturday, March 3, 2012

1. Wait on God

Each day of this 7 Day Challenge has begun with a few moments of clearing your mind and focusing on God.  This is not to be some type of mystical trance to slip into, but just a time to be silent and still in preparation for meeting with God.  He tells us to “be still and know that I am God,” so take just a minute or so to prepare yourself.

2. Pray Briefly

Now that you have cleared your mind of distractions, say a brief prayer acknowledging His presence with you and asking for His guidance during this Daily Quiet Time.

3. Read Jeremiah 18:1-6

This prophecy from Jeremiah occurred many centuries before the birth of Christ, during some difficult times for God’s children.  Read the verses slowly and aloud, paying close attention to the scene being played out in the story.

4. Consider the meaning and application of the verses

Put yourself into the story, and envision what it must have looked like for Jeremiah to travel to the potter’s house.  Was there a lot of noise as the wheel spun around?  Are there tables scattered throughout the workroom, holding pots and jars that have been made?  Is there a window nearby, allowing sunlight into the room as Jeremiah watches the potter forming the vessel of clay?

            Putting yourself into a scene and visualizing the surroundings can help the story come alive.  But what is the central message or timeless truth revealed in this story?  What was God teaching them back then that still has application today? 

•  Do you see the clay becoming marred in the potter’s hand?

• If we are clay in God’s hand, what does that mean?

• How does the image of God as a potter apply to your life?

• Does it make a difference that God works in this way?  Why or why not?

5. Write down what God shows you

In your study notebook, write down the truths that God shows you from these verses.  Record the questions and observations you have, noting lessons and actions you will take from what God has shown you.

6. Have a time of prayer

Finish your Daily Quiet Time by spending time in prayer with God.  Pray through the lessons He showed you from these verses, and pray through the list of people and issues that you have written down from previous days.  Don’t watch the clock—just spend however long seems right to you without trying to meet some preconceived time allotment for prayer.  Just enjoy God’s presence through prayer, whether it takes 3 minutes or 15 minutes.

This now completes Day 6 of the 7 Day Challenge.  Has this daily discipline of spending time with God been beneficial to you?  Are you beginning to see how this daily commitment can have a big impact upon your spiritual growth?

7 Day Challenge - Matthew 6:5-15

Day 5

Friday, March 2, 2012

1. Wait on God

You are about to spend time  with the Lord God Almighty.  Take a few moments to be still in His presence, clearing your mind and preparing your heart for this time together.

2. Pray Briefly

Say a short prayer that acknowledges God’s presence with you and that asks for His guidance during today’s quiet time.

3. Read Matthew 6:5-15

This passage is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and it records what Jesus taught about prayer.  Read the Bible verses slowly and carefully, noting words or phrases that are especially meaningful.

4. Consider the meaning and application of the verses

Don’t forget the Application Process:

1-What did it mean then?

2-What is the timeless truth?

3-How does it apply now?

            Consider how Jesus’ instruction about prayer should affect the way you pray today.  Does it matter how, when, and where you pray?  Why or why not?  What elements or essentials of prayer was Jesus illustrating by giving us the model prayer, called the Lord’s Prayer?

5. Write down what God shows you

In your study notebook, record the insights and truths that God shows you about these Bible verses.  Write down any application or actions you will take based upon this passage.

6. Have a time of prayer

End you quiet time with a time of prayer, sharing your heart, concerns, and questions with God.  Refer to the list of prayer needs you have made in your notebook, and enjoy the dialogue you have with your Heavenly Father.

You have now completed Day 5 of the 7 Day Challenge of spending time with God.  What has God been teaching you through this process?

7 Day Challenge - Isaiah 40:28-31

Day 4

Thursday, March 1, 2012

1. Wait on God

Before you rush into your Daily Quiet Time, make certain you have taken just a few moments to be still and silent before the Lord.  Take your mind off the pressing details of the day, and prepare yourself to be in the presence of the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.  This is no small thing.

2. Pray Briefly

Say a short prayer that enables you to do two things:  (1) acknowledge God’s presence, and (2) ask for God’s guidance.  As you pray, affirm that God is meeting with you, and declare your desire to be taught and instructed by Him.

3. Read Isaiah 40:28-31

The prophet Isaiah talks about the greatness of God and His power in our lives.  Read these four verses several times, allowing each phrase or idea to be formed into your mind.  Read it aloud, emphasizing different aspects and phrases of different verses.  Most will find some of the verses familiar, but try to read beyond your familiarity and notice parts and words that previously were passed over.

4. Consider the meaning and application of the verses

What was the message that Isaiah was telling his people those many centuries ago?  How does he describe God and the difference that faith in God makes each day?  Are there timeless truths about the person of God that apply to your life today?  Some other question to consider are:

• What does it mean to “wait on the Lord” (v. 31)?

• What difference does it make in your life to know that God “neither faints nor is weary” and that “there is no searching of His understanding” (v. 28)?

• How does God renew our strength?  What activities in your life renew your strength for the Lord?

• In what ways should our lives show that we serve an “everlasting God” (v. 28)?

5. Write down what God shows you.

Using the same notebook from previous days, record the insights that God shows you from these Bible verses.  Write down any questions you have or any words and phrases that you don’t understand.  If God shows you how a certain idea or verse applies in your life, write down how that verse can be incorporated into your daily living.  What will you do differently this week because of what these verses say?

6. Have a time of prayer

Take time now to  talk to God in prayer.  If praying aloud seems awkward to you, then try whispering your prayer to God like I often do.  The work of whispering will make you focus your thoughts more clearly and keep your mind from becoming distracted, which is a constant struggle when you engage only in silent prayer.  Refer to the list of prayer issues and people that you have written down in your notebook, and pray through the list.  Spend time with God—not worrying about the clock—and enjoy His presence.

Congratulations—you have just completed Day 4,  and are well on your way to completing the 7 Day Challenge of spending time with God.  Are you beginning to see how beneficial this discipline can be in your spiritual life?

7 Day Challenge - Psalm 139:23-24

Day 3

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

1. Wait on God

As you begin your Quiet Time today, remember the words of the psalmist: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).  Take a few moments to wait on God, clearing your thoughts and preparing your mind to meet with the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.  Wait silently and reverently for the Lord.

2. Pray Briefly

Now that you have a sense of God’s presence, say a short prayer acknowledging His presence and asking for Him to guide you today.  It can be as simple as: “Lord, I know you are here with me today because Your Word promises that to be true.  I ask for You to guide and teach me as I read and consider the Scriptures today. Amen”

3. Read Psalm 139:23-24

King David wrote this psalm as a prayer to God, and his words can become your words too.  Read these two short verses several times, allowing the ancient words of King David to become your own words that you pray to the Lord from your own heart.

4. Consider the meaning and application of the verses.

What do you think King David was trying to achieve by such a prayer?  Do any parts of his prayer resonate with your own heart?  Do you desire for God to look deep within you as King David desired?    Notice the three requests being made of God in these two verses:

(1) Search me—are you ready and willing for God to search your heart?

(2) Try me—what does it mean for God to try/test us?  How does that enable God to “know our anxieties”?

(3) Lead me—are you willing to follow wherever the Lord leads?  Really?  Anywhere and anything?

5. Write down what God shows you.

Just as you recorded your thoughts, questions, and observations from previous day, do so again today in the same notebook.  Did God show you certain places in your life affected by the threefold prayer of “Search me – Try me – Lead me”?  Did it make a difference for you to pray the actual words of the Bible back to God?  Why or why not? Were any of the phrases or requests from these two verses especially meaningful to you?  Consider these ideas and more, and write down what God shows you.

6. Have a time of prayer.

Spend time now praying about people, decisions, activities, and issues that He brings to your mind.  If you have made a list of prayer needs in your notebook, refer to them and pray through the list for each item or person.  Don’t worry about how long you should spend in prayer—just pray from your heart about the things God brings to mind, and let it take the number of minutes required.  Don’t pray with one eye on God and another eye on the clock.

This completes the third day of our 7 Day Challenge of spending time with God.  Aren’t you glad you’ve journeyed this far?

7 Day Challenge - Ephesians 6:10-20

Day 2

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

 

1. Wait on God

Spend a few moments at the start of your Quiet Time today to gather your thoughts and focus on God.  Try counting to ten silently & slowly, clearing your thoughts of any distractions so that you can have a clear and teachable mind today.

2. Pray Briefly

In a short prayer, tell the Lord that you want to be teachable today, and that you believe He will use His Word to speak into your life.

3. Read Ephesians 6:10-20

This passage is the famous “Armor of God” passage written by the Apostle Paul.  Read it slowly, allowing the images he describes to be formed in your mind.  Read the verses a couple of times, noticing parts that seem to be especially meaningful to you.

4. Consider the meaning and application of these verses.

As you review these verses, remember to use the Application Process: (1) What did it mean then? (2) What are the timeless truths? (3) How do they apply now? Some additional questions for you to consider and apply might be:

• Why did Paul use the image of “armor” when talking about the Christian life?

• What did he mean when he told them to “be strong in the Lord” (v. 10)?

• Which pieces of the armor seem most valuable or meaningful to you?

• In what areas of your life does the devil seem to attack you most often?

• What happens when you don’t put on the “Armor of God”?

5. Write down what God shows you.

Using the same notebook as yesterday, write down the answers and observations from the questions above, as well as any other insight God gives to you.  Record the verses or images that seem to be particularly applicable or meaningful to you.  Write down what actions you will take today or this week because of the timeless truths you see in these verses.

6. Have a time of prayer.

Prayer about the insights into His Word that God has given you today.  If He has shown you an action you need to take, pray that you can rely upon His strength to accomplish it.  If you made a list of prayer needs in your notebook, refer to it and pray about those needs as well.  Don’t try to stretch your prayer into some artificial length of time—just pray through these items regardless of how many or how few minutes it takes.

You have now completed Day 2 of the 7 Day Challenge of spending time with God.  Are you beginning to see how important this daily practice can be to your spiritual growth?  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

7 Day Challenge - Ephesians 4:1-6

Day 1

Monday, February 27

1. Wait on God

As you begin your Quiet Time today, take a few moments to be still in God’s presence, clearing your mind of any distractions.  Remember the words of Psalm 46:10 where the Lord says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

2. Pray Briefly

Say a short prayer that: (1) Acknowledges God’s presence with you right now, and (2) Asks for His guidance as you read, consider, and apply His Word to your life.

3. Read Ephesians 4:1-6

Read these six verses carefully and slowly, noticing any phrases that “jump off the page” to you.  Try reading them aloud once or twice, emphasizing different words and phrases from different verses.

4. Consider the meaning and application of the verses.

What was the Apostle Paul communicating to the 1^st century Christians about the Christian life?  What was expected in how they were to view and treat one another? Do any of these timeless truths apply to your life today?  Remember to use the three-step Application Process as you consider these verses:

1-What did it mean then?

2-What is the timeless truth?

3-How does it apply to me today?

5. Write down what God shows you.

Write down any questions or observations about the verses.  If you don’t understand a particular verse or phrase, write down that you are not certain what it means.  If God showed you how part of these verses applies to your life, write out the specific way it applies to you.  If reading these verses makes you think of some action you need to take, write that down.  You can write a few sentences or a few paragraphs, but take time to write down whatever God shows you about these verses.

6. Have a time of prayer.

Now that God has shown you something in these verses about your life, pray about it.  Pray that God will help you implement the truths He has highlighted for you.  Pray for your family and the activities of this day.  Pray that the lessons you learn from Scripture can be lived out each day.  Keep of list of people, decisions, and events you are praying about, and refer to it each day as a reminder and guide.

Congratulations—you have just completed your first day of the 7 Day Challenge of spending time with God.  See you tomorrow!

40 Days in the Word - Day 40

Day 40 – The New Heaven and Earth

Revelation 21-22

Today we come to the close of our 40 Days in the Word emphasis of Bible reading.  We appropriately end this amazing journey in the last book of the Bible with a vision of the new heaven and earth.  The Apostle John pointed believers to the future, reminding them of God’s ultimate victory through Jesus Christ.  Persecution, distress, tribulation, and trials may greet us along the way, but the Bible tells us that God has prepared all eternity for those who love Him and follow Him.  Are you looking forward to heaven?  Does your journey on this earth ever seem so full of heartache and hardships that it makes you long for a better place?  Today’s reading tells us that God has prepared a better place, and it beauty and joy are beyond recognition.

Beyond the descriptions of pearly gates, golden streets, and jasper walls, did you notice how the Bible describes the light in this future place?  It tells us that there will be “no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it” (21:23), because the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb of God is its light.  I cannot fully comprehend what heaven will be like, but descriptions like this one tell me that it will be more glorious than we could ever imagine.

At the end of today’s reading, which is at the end of the entire Bible, there is a simple prayer.  After John shares the vision of the Book of Revelation, he simply prays, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (22:20).  The prayer from each of our hearts ought to be the same.  As Christians, we long and pray for the day of Jesus’ return.  He is the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world, and He is the only begotten Son who came in the likeness of human flesh, willing to suffer death on a cross.  He is currently seated at the right hand of God waiting until the Father sends Him again so that every knee will bow and that every tongue will confess that Jesus is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.  Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

40 Days in the Word - Day 39

Day 39 – Pure Religion

James 1

How valuable is religion and religious people?  Today’s reading tells us that a religious life not backed up with godly living has very little value, if any at all.  James tells us in this book that religion devoid of service, godliness, and obedience is “useless” (1:26).  How valuable is your religion—or better stated: how valuable is your faith in Christ?   Does your faith affect the way you live?  Does it lead you to serve others?  Does it change you?  If not, the Bible says your faith isn’t a pure religion (1:27) and that it probably doesn’t add up to very much.

One of the vivid pictures in today’s reading is when it tells us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (1:22).  Many Christians sit in church Sunday after Sunday and hear the Word of God taught, explained, and expounded over and over again, but they never do what it says.  Are you ever guilty of that?  Have there been times when you’ve been more of a “hearer” than a “doer” when it comes to things in the Bible?  If our faith truly matters to us, then we will find ways to live out the commands and teachings of the Scriptures, even if that means changing how we think, act, or live.

I have a pastor friend is fond of saying, “you don’t believe any more of the Bible than you obey.”  There is great truth in this saying of his, and it taps into what today’s reading emphasizes.  Pure religion and undefiled faith should be seen by others through the lifestyle, servant mindedness, and everyday activities of God’s children.  If the world around you judged your faith by your daily activities, would they declare you to be a doer of the word, or just a hearer only?  The old adage, “your actions speak louder than your words” certainly rings true, so let’s go forth into the world with a desire to demonstrate Christ to those around us.  Let’s show the world that we are God’s children, and that our faith leads us to be doers of the word each and every day.

40 Days in the Word - Day 38

Day 38 – Putting on the New Self

Colossians 3:1-17

To follow Christ in today’s world means that we must turn our hearts away from the things of this world and pursue Jesus above and beyond anything else.  Today’s reading tells us to “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (3:2) as a reminder that the battle of temptation is won or lost in the mind.  As you go about each day, are you focusing your mind on God and His Kingdom, or do the things of this world seems to catch your eye—or more harmfully, catch your heart?   Whenever we keep our mind on earthly things, we are easily pulled into behavior and activities that lead to sin.  Be careful of what thoughts you entertain in your mind.  Guard your thoughts as carefully as a sentry watching over a priceless treasure.  Focus on the grace, goodness, and blessings of Christ, because He alone “is our life” (2:4).

Did you notice also in today’s reading how we are told to put off some things and put on other things?  As we follow Christ, we must put off things such as anger, wrath, malice, filthy language, etc., because they do not represent Christ (3:8-10).  Instead, we are to put on mercy, kindness, love, etc., since these things characterize our life in Christ.  But have you discovered that this putting-off-putting-on scenario must happen every day?  It would be simple if we could just flip a switch that puts off these things of the world once for all, but I’ve discovered that it is something that I must do every day.  Have you chosen today to put off worldly things and to put on godly things?  Are you willing to make that choice each day?

40 Days in the Word - Day 37

Day 37 – Christ’s Example

Philippians 1:18 – 2:18

Today’s reading comes from a book that represents the heart and passion of the Apostle Paul like no other letter he wrote.  When writing this letter to the Philippians, he speaks into their life with words of counsel, encouragement, correction, and love.  I would even guess that many of your personal favorite Bible verses are tucked away in this short letter, which is a treasure trove of verses to know, memorize, and learn.  The heart of this letter is Paul’s description of Jesus’ example of sacrifice and humility as He came to earth in likeness of men.  When thinking about the humility and love of Christ, Paul tells the Philippian Christians (and us) to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (2:5). 

The beautiful narrative of Christ (2:5-11) leaving heaven to come in the form of a servant is commonly believed to be lyrics to an ancient hymn that the Apostle Paul was quoting.  I am prone to quote and sing songs myself while preaching, so I can understand why Paul would have taken this approach too. With brush strokes that painted the very heart of God, Paul demonstrated the humility, servanthood, and eventual exaltation of Christ.  In about seven verses, he tells the story of Jesus.  Could you tell the story of Jesus as succinctly if you needed to?   Does the story of Jesus burst from your heart as the song of your life?  Even though the Apostle Paul was quoting an ancient hymn, shouldn’t the hymn we sing the most be the one displayed throughout our life?

As a part of my personal spiritual growth plan this year, I am reading selected passages from the writings of C.S. Lewis each day.  A few weeks ago, one of the readings talked about the humiliation of God, reminding us that God’s willingness to clothe Himself in human flesh and to suffer the cruel death on the cross was an act of humiliation.  Just think about it—God was willing to suffer humiliation so that we could be exalted as His sons and daughters.  He died so that we could live.  He lowered Himself so that we could be raised up.  He descended into darkness so that we could see the light.  May the song of our lives sing about the wonderful work of God through Christ, until that day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of  God the Father (2:10-11).