Defining Devotion January 15, 2009

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary offers 8 definitions of the word “Devotion”.  Below are the 4 that apply most to what we call “devotions”.

 2. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, in religious duties, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness.

3. External worship; acts of religion; performance of religious duties.

4. Prayer to the Supreme Being. A Christian will be regular in his morning and evening devotions.

6. Ardent love or affection; attachment manifested by constant attention;

I think it helps to see these definitions because it clearly defines for us which “devotion” we are attempting to perform.  For years I viewed this time with the Lord as a “religious duty”, and it’s true it is a duty we’re all called to perform.  However, seeing it only as a duty makes it seem impersonal, even undesirable.

It wasn’t until the Lord arrested my heart and caused me to see my devotions not only as time set apart to read this or journal that, but to see it as time I have with HIM.  The last definition says it well – I want to grow in my love and affection for Christ and His Word.  I do this by attaching myself daily to His Word with constant attention.

Practically, my morning looks something like this:  I make my hot tea, sit at the kitchen table and read my daily verses and/or chapters assigned for that day depending on the road I’m traveling with Route 66.  This month it’s a chapter in Hebrews and one in Leviticus.  I will often follow cross references to better understand something that stands out to me as curious.  Many times the Lord is leading me to another verse that I wouldn’t have normally read that day had I not followed the reference.  Then, I open my journal and write what comes to mind – sometimes it’s a prayer of thanksgiving and sometimes (many times, in fact) it’s confession of my sin.  There have also been times that the Lord leads me to intercede for others.

It is time that I set apart, but time that God uses to help me grow.  Do I have mornings where I hear nothing?  Oh yes!  Do I have mornings when I fail to sit and read?  Absolutely.  But let  me encourage you as to what I have learned through those times; when I’ve fallen behind and feel quite discouraged for my failure to “keep up”, it’s then, that God has me read something that is exactly what I needed to read.  And I was behind!!  Had I been on schedule, I wouldn’t have read that section that day!

This has helped me to relax and realize that all God requires is my desire to be with Him – He’ll use the time as He sees fit, even when I think I’ve failed.  Doing Hard Things in regards to Devotions by God’s grace is no longer hard for me because He has showed me time and time again how much I need Him.  I have faith for others because look at what God has done in my wicked heart?  It is nothing less than a miracle, and I desire to help others benefit as well.  By the way, there’s still time to join Route 66 Club for 2009, simply e-mail me: debiwalter@gmail.com to sign up.

Father, thank You for giving me the desire to even consider spending time with You.  I realize that, left to myself, I would never spend my time on anyone other than myself.  You are changing my selfish and proud ways with a heart that longs to know You more.  You have caused my heart to be still and and know that You are God.  What a miracle!  Help me to continue to pursue You each morning, and may I have ears to hear what You are saying – not just what I want to hear.  I love You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Posted by Debi

Once again… January 14, 2009

So…it is the beginning of a new year…the time when I want to start fresh in my home and in my life.  Yet, I have been a bit discouraged because I feel like I am right back at this same place…once again…realizing my need to prioritize my spiritual life.  Why is it that I have such a hard time being consistent with my daily devotions?  I am always blessed by any time I spend in the Word and yet it is so easy to become busy and let that time slip away without even realizing it.

So, once again, I am asking for grace and help from the Lord to be purposeful with my time – that I would MAKE time for Him, not just fit it in.  As always, He is giving me grace and helping me, but it is a “hard thing” that I have to CHOOSE to do.

I pray that this year is different for me – not just consistency for consistency’s sake, but so that I can grow in knowledge and love for my Savior.  It is an investment worth making.

Can anyone relate? 

Lord, as I begin this new year, I ask that You will empower me with Your Holy Spirit, that You will speak to me through Your Word and that You will draw near to me, as I attempt to draw near to You.  Please help me to do this “hard thing” in my life that I may glorify You!  In Your name I pray, Amen.

Posted by Stephanie.

Not An Option January 13, 2009

It is good to start out with doing hard things in the area of my devotional life at the beginning of the year.  One thing I have learned over the years is that having a devotional life is not an option.  The other thing I have learned, one of the hard things, is that the way that devotional life looks is going to continually change.  For a long time I struggled after having children because I wasn’t able to spend the same amount of time with the Lord as I could before.  My attitude was such that if it couldn’t be for at least “— minutes” than it wasn’t even worth it.  Finally, I did come to see the sinfulness and legalism in my heart and realize it wasn’t the time, but the heart that mattered.

The time and structure of my devotional life continues to change as the seasons of my life change and this continues to be a hard thing for me.  Lately it seems as if I daily face the temptation to skip it because of various circumstances.  Maybe I was up all night with sick children or my children continue to wake up and come out of their room before me, no matter how early I get up, and I am too lazy to spend the time training them to do differently.   The circumstances continue to change, but one thing remains the same….this needs to be my number one priority and it needs to be in the morning (personal preference).

Right now my devotional time looks like this:

• Usually I’ll start out reading a daily devotional book; for the last couple of years I have been reading “Morning Thoughts” by Octavious Winslow.  I have really loved and benefited from this book.
• Next, I will read my Bible.  For the last two years I have participated in Route 66 and this has dictated what I read.  It has been such a blessing in my life and helped me a great deal in being consistent.
• I have also been reading “A Gospel Primer” for quite a while.  I have read through the book many times and try to read the Gospel portion of the book several times a week.  If you have not yet read this book, I cannot recommend it more highly.  It has radically effected my view of the Cross and helped me for the first time in my life to begin to understand and put into practice “preaching the gospel to myself.”
• If I have time, I will read a little in a book that I am going through, such as “The Beautiful Fight” by Gary Thomas or “Because He Loves Me” by Elyse Fitzpatrick.
• Lastly, and to me most important besides reading my Bible is journaling.  I will journal intermittently throughout my time with the Lord.  Typically, it is what God is speaking to me for myself or others, prayers, scriptures or what I am learning in something I have read.  This is usually how God speaks to me, and I am continually amazed that He does.  Somehow, if I write it down it helps me to meditate on and begin to apply His Word.  It also is a treasure to keep and look back to see God’s faithfulness.  All of these things of course depend on the amount of time God gives me that day.  Some days I may barely get my Bible read and others I may have a long period of undistracted time, but regardless God is faithful to meet me in all of those times even when it may seem as if I am just going through the motions.

 Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to me.  I can hardly believe that you, the God of the Universe, take time to meet with me each and every day.  Thank you for each minute that I can spend in time alone with you.  Help me to keep those times the priority they need to be and to order my days in accordance with that.  Amen

Posted by Elyse

Do Hard Things – Devotions January 12, 2009

Today is a “good” day to talk about my devotions.  I’m writing on a Saturday afternoon.  This morning I had a leisurely time reading, praying and worshiping before I started on my cleaning.  I sensed God’s presence and was freshly reminded of His atoning sacrifice for me.  I didn’t want the time to end.

But that was today.  Many days are not like this one.   Sometimes laziness, procrastination or allowing the distraction of the computer or homemaking shortens or omits my devotional time.  Other days I don’t “feel” the Lord’s presence and my reading seems dry and inapplicable.  I rush through, wanting it to end so I can get on to what I really want or need to be doing that day.

In either case, I’m grateful to know that God is pleased by the pursuit of humility that a consistent devotional life demonstrates.  And I often find myself needing to ask His forgiveness for de-valuing my relationship with Him over other people and tasks.

Because we are trying to be very practical this week, here are the specifics.  My priority is reading God’s word.  Nothing is more important to me than experiencing the affects of the sword of His Spirit in my heart — even when I have to exercise faith that my heart is being affected.  It’s been especially helpful to me to have our Metro Route 66 Bible reading club over the past 2 years for encouragement and accountability.

Additionally, I read books devotionally.  I avoid practical books (on marriage, parenting or etc that I read at other times) and stick to books that draw my heart Godward, and especially to His immutable attributes.  I believe I must regularly remind myself of His greatness and my smallness.  I’m currently reading Our God by Octavious Winslow — an amazing book about His love, grace, holiness and other awe-inspiring characteristics.

Aside from reading, I also try to regularly journal about the things the Lord is doing in my heart and family.  Primarily, my journals reflect sin the Lord is exposing and what change should look like; scriptures and quotes that speak to me; prayers for help or to express my gratitude; and truths He illumines as I read His word.  The self-accountability this provides for mortifying my sin and the regular reminders of the wondrous cross have been a rich means of grace to me over the years.  (I also leave little comments, funny remarks and birthday prayers for my children and grandchildren to read after I’m worshiping at His feet; they all say the first thing they’ll do when I die is rush to grab my journals…smile.)

Remember something as you read this.  I’m a “seasoned” mother of mostly grown children.  Neither having small children, juggling a job with homemaking or single motherhood, nor any other circumstances excuse the self-sufficiency of an inconsistent devotional life.  (Which is what I sinfully did in various seasons of my life as a young wife and mother.)  However, consistency for you may be spending 15 minutes a day reading some verses and asking for God’s help and wisdom for your day, and grabbing times for journaling or other devotional practices as you can.

Spiritual disciplines are one of those Do Hard Things responsibilities.  It’s not about what or how much we do.  It’s about the humility that is required to do it…and to keep doing it.

Help us, Lord!

Posted by Sheree

Bible Reading Plan for 2009 December 29, 2008

For those of you who will be joining our “Route 66” club this year, we wanted to provide the plan for our glorious journey:

First, whatever the Lord leads you to do to make God’s word a priority for the year is up to you.  Perhaps you’d like to read through the entire Bible, or read the New Testament and Psalms, or choose some other plan.  (You can find these plans at sites including Heartlight.)

Second, e-mail debiwalter@gmail.com and let her know that you would like to participate in the club and which reading method you sense God leading you to commit to in 2009.  This will sign you up to receive the e-mails throughout the year that will help you stay focused and motivated on your journey through the Bible.  If you finish your goal by the year’s end you will be included in a celebration party held in January of 2010.

Third, some of us will be studying a couple of books of the Bible more intensely this year, starting with the Book of Hebrews.  We will be using the Bible Speaks Today commentary on Hebrews by Raymond Brown.  You can purchase this online through Amazon, Ebay or other sites.  If you are a Metro member, copies of the commentary will be available in our bookstore in January for purchase.  It’s a reader-friendly and not overly academic commentary that will help us to understand this amazing book.

Here is our specific plan:  We will spend the month of January reading the books of Leviticus and Hebrews.  The theme of the book of Leviticus is the holiness of God. In this book spiritual holiness is symbolized by physical perfection, with perfect animals being used for the many sacrifices required for unholy people to be cleansed. This book, though tedious, provides a stunning backdrop to the Book of Hebrews, where the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as the perfect sacrificial lamb who took away the sins of the world is revealed!

“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.  The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those whoa re ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”  (Heb 9:12-14).

We have all read these words, but reading Leviticus prior to our study of Hebrews will help to make these wonderful words have all the more meaning!  I’m getting chills just thinking about it!

Leviticus is 27 chapters and Hebrews is 13 for a total of 40 chapters over 31 days.  Pace yourself and read enough each day to get through both books during the 31 days of January.  Then on Feb 1 we will begin our study of the book of Hebrews, giving you one month to purchase the commentary.

In late January I will provide you with the reading plan for getting through both the Book of Hebrews and the commentary.  What an amazing journey we will share together!  In addition to our study, we will be hearing sermons each week on this book.  I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do in our lives as a result of taking a studious and intentional look at His word together!

So whatever you sense God saying for you to do this year – one thing is clear – God loves for us to get to know Him through His Holy Word.  Won’t you join us?

Posted by Sheree

Baking a cake September 4, 2008

Only 14 days until our first Metro Mom’s meeting of this year! Make sure you read your personal invitation HERE!

I was reading this morning in my devotions from Gary Thomas’ amazing book, The Beautiful Fight, in the chapter titled, “The God-Empowered Life”. He wrote about how God is always working in our children’s lives. We plant a tiny seed, and God makes it blossom. Then He shared this analogy of baking a cake from Henry Drummond:

” When someone puts the ingredients together and pops them in the oven, it is not she who has made the cake; it is nature. She brings related things together; sets causes at work; these causes bring about the result.”

This is such a beautiful example of God’s sovereignty and my responsibility. I need to do certain things in the lives of my children. It is my responsibility to train and instruct them, but God is in charge of the outcome. I plant the seeds, but only He can make them grow. How often I try to take it all upon myself in my self-sufficiency. I act as if I must do it all on my own, and then I wonder why the burden is so heavy. This picture of the cake is such a helpful reminder to me. The Lord has given me all the ingredients I need to bake the cake. I need to add them to the mix and then, watch as He makes it all into a cake.

Posted by Elyse

First Thing.. September 3, 2008

Only 15 days until our first Metro Mom’s meeting of this school year! Make sure you read your personal invitation HERE!

I don’t think I have ever been more grateful that I woke up before my children to have my quiet time than I was today. It wasn’t that hard to get up before them, being as they slept in because of how exhausted they were. But get up I did and what was waiting there this morning for me was Romans 12. If you were at Celebration you may remember Danny reading this chapter at some point as a chapter to see how we are to live. There are so many rich truths and commands in this chapter that are easy to understand that just jumped out at me. Here are just a few:

• Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (vs.1)

• Don’t think of yourself more highly than you should (vs.3)

• Do acts of mercy with cheerfulness (vs.8)

• Love with brotherly affection (vs.10)

• Be constant in prayer (vs. 12)

• Live in harmony with one another (v. 16)

God knew exactly what I would need to apply what I learned at Celebration. He knew that Joseph was going to take off his diaper in the middle of the night, that my two older children would need quite a few discipline sessions, that I would realize that I needed to make up a couple of days in school, that lots of bathroom stuff would get squirted into my make-up drawer, and that lots of things would get thrown into the toilet and someone would use the toilet before they realized it!

I did not respond perfectly, but when my husband called to check on me, following is how our conversation went:

“How are you doing so far today?”

“Good, I am doing pretty good.”(I hear a sigh of relief on the other end)

“Oh, I am so glad the kids are doing well today!”

“They’re not really, but I am.”

This is really an evidence of God’s work in my life. To laugh off so many interruptions in my day and be sane enough to blog about it that day, is really amazing. I tell you this to show you that God is faithful in our time of need. I had no idea when the house was all quiet, and I opened my Bible what a battle that day would hold for me. But I will think twice before I decide whether or not to hit the snooze button tomorrow morning or let my devotion time slip to less of a priority.

As I was washing dishes tonight I looked at the verse on my windowsill in the kitchen a little differently:

2 Corinthians 5:15 “And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live from themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”

But that’s going to have to be another post….

By your mercy O God I come to you this morning for that new mercy. Father I pray that your Holy Spirit would come upon me to help me in the temptation to be angry or impatient, especially with my children. You were persecuted, beaten by the very same people you came to save. When you were reviled you did not revile in return. Father God, my family does not even come close to doing these things. I pray that you would help me respond with patience, compassion, and love. Even when it infringes on my plan for the day ~ for my days and my plans are really not my own. Lord, help me to see that these are not distractions or interruptions, but opportunities to hopefully pour out what has been lavished on me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Posted by Taraleigh

An Encouragement – The Good Part September 2, 2008

 Only 16 days until our first Metro Mom’s meeting of this year!  Make sure you read your personal invitation HERE!
Hurricanes, Celebration Conferences, Presidential elections, School Year beginning, and 24 hour flu bugs — oh my!  Is it any wonder that we often get tired and weary?  If you’re like me you may be feeling this way!  Add to this the demands of raising children for God’s glory, and it can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  God has given us everything we need to endure all the challenges that we face, and not just endure, but actually succeed!  We have His Spirit living in us.

The most important thing to remember is not to neglect “the good part”; Sitting at the Savior’s feet and allowing Him to refresh your soul.  It doesn’t have to be a long encounter, but there must be an encounter.   May I encourage you today to make personal devotions a priority in your daily schedule, making sure that your children are doing the same.  I’ve heard of several moms setting the timer and giving their children “time alone with God”.  Depending on their age have them read from their own Bible or Devotional book or have younger children listen to worship music quietly in their room.

Training up our children in the way they should go happens as they observe those things about which we’re passionate.  Lewis Seifert has said, “Things that are not passionate to us will become optional to our children!”  May today be the beginning of a lifetime of passionately pursuing “the good part”, and helping our children do the same.

Posted by Debi

Good Morning! August 18, 2008

This morning I wanted to share with you a tremendous resource for a short daily devotion; It’s called “Grace Gems“, and you can sign up to have a short reading sent to you via e-mail.   Following is today’s that I pray will greatly encourage as you begin another week of laying your life down for your family.  

Our “thorn”

(J. R. Miller, “The Building of Character” 1894)

“Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” 2 Corinthians 12:7

Paul tells us that his “thorn” was given to him–to keep him humble, and save him from spiritual peril. Without it, he would have been exalted above measure and would have lost his spirituality. We do not know how much of his deep insight into the things of God, and his power in service for his Master–Paul owed to this torturing “thorn”. It seemed to hinder him, and it caused him incessant suffering–but it detained him in the low valley of humility, made him ever conscious of his own weakness and insufficiency, and thus kept him near to Christ whose home is with the humble.

There are few people who have not
some “thorn” rankling in their flesh–
In one it is an infirmity of speech;
in another an infirmity of sight;
in another an infirmity of hearing.
Or it may be lameness;
or a slow but incurable disease;
or constitutional timidity,
or excessive nervousness;
or a disfiguring bodily deformity;
or an infirmity of temper.
Or it may be in one’s home–which
is cold, unloving, and uncongenial;
or it may be some moral failure;
or it may be a bitter personal disappointment
through untrue friendship or unrequited love.

Who has not his “thorn”?

We should never forget that in one sense, our “thorn” is a “messenger of Satan,” who desires by it–to hurt our life, to mar our peace, to spoil the divine beauty in us, and to break our communion with Christ.

On the other hand, however, Christ Himself has a loving design in our “thorn.” He wants it to be a blessing to us. He would have it keep us humble–and save us from becoming vain. Or He means it to soften our hearts–and make us more gentle. He would have the uncongenial things in our environment to discipline us into heavenly-mindedness, give us greater self-control, and help us to keep our hearts loving and sweet–amid harshness and unlovingness. He would have our pain teach us endurance and patience; and our sorrow and loss teach us faith.

Thus, our “thorn” may either be a choice blessing to us–or it may do us irreparable harm. If we allow it to fret us; if we chafe, resist, and complain; if we lose faith and lose heart–it will spoil our life! But if we accept it in the faith that in its ugly burden–it has a blessing for us; if we endure it patiently, submissively, unmurmuringly; if we seek grace to keep our heart gentle and true amid all the trial, temptation, and suffering it causes–it will work good for us, and out of its bitterness–will come sweet

Posted by Debi