So here's the deal. For many years I haven't wanted to talk about this because I fear your judgment. I fear you will think I am trying to brag or think that I think I am superior or better than other people. That's not my heart and I am sorry I have assumed that of you. I really do want what's best for you and that might mean entering into a discussion that seems a bit touchy, so I pray the Lord gives me courage and confidence to speak what's true in grace.
The cost and reward of having daily quality time with the Lord during the years with little kids is huge. When I get to heaven and stand before the Lord and have that I know You deeply moment, I'm not going to regret the sacrifice and discipline it took. But I would regret standing before the Lord realizing I had the opportunity to spend time with God, the Creator, the One who breathed life and spoke the stars into existence, the Comforter, Truth Speaker, Grace Giver, Sustainer, Wisdom and Knowledge Giver, Him! And I would regret wasting the time I could have spent hearing from Him through His Word that only a short generation of people ever had the gift of having. I can't count how many times I've heard godly women say things like, "You don't have to have a quiet time" and "Walking with God and having a quiet time just look different when you have kids." But I've also seen the fruit of those same ladies no longer running passionately after the Lord and living for Him. And I've also seen after fifteen years of full time ministry the people who grow not only the fastest but into the strongest disciples are those who saturate themselves in the Word of God and are greedy with their time with Him. So I'm not willing to succumb to the passivity of giving up my time with the Lord because it's hard, and I hope through the following tips, I hope you wont either. 4 Tips for Spending Daily Quality Time with the Lord When it's Hard to Make Time: 1. Value quality time with the Lord. When we deeply value something it affects our choices, attitudes and actions. When we value spending quality time with the Lord in His Word, we will make sacrifices to make it happen. Like Jesus, "Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." (Mk 1:35) and this was His norm, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Lk 5:16) He didn't have kids, He didn't even have a house he had to take care of, it seems surely He had more available time to spend time with the Father. But really, as important as feeding my kids breakfast is, surely taking the Gospel of Salvation to mankind, proclaiming yourself as the Messiah is far more important. Yet, He didn't let even that push aside His time with the Father. When we love someone it's only natural to make quality time for them. And the crazy thing is that we become like who we spend time with. To think we will become like Jesus without pushing through the hard to spend time with Him is short-sighted. And for my single and married without kids friends, if making time to spend with the Lord doesn't become a habit now, it will be much, much harder later. 1 Peter 2:2 tells us, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." But the Lord also says in John 15 that we can do nothing of eternal significance apart from the Lord. So we can't actually make ourselves value spending quality time with the Lord and become passionate about His Word. But we can submit to Him a willing heart, asking Him to put the value in us, and He is gracious and generous and does! Here's some truths about God's Word that remind me of what's true about how valuable it is: (Each of these come from Scripture) God’s Word gives us freedom, strength, and purity, it leads us to obedience, produces fruit, gives us health, guidance, confidence, comfort, understanding, discernment, insight, and restoration, it makes us wise, enlightens our eyes, warns us, leads us to trust God, motivates us to worship, gives us an eternal perspective, it is the best light for the past, present, and future, it reveals the origin, nature and purpose of man, it sets straight, clarifies right and wrong, directs, encourages, reveals God’s heart and handiwork, shows us what pleases Him, makes us complete, provides spiritual nourishment, teaches us patience, courage, perseverance and joy, it gives us hope, how to forgive and how to be forgiven, how to find relief, how to love and be loved, it reveals God’s goodness and His justice and His mind, without it we are deceived, it keeps us from sin, it sanctifies us, gives us instruction, success, prosperity and provides us with all our needs in the spiritual realm, reveals what is to be learned, taught and obeyed, gives us adequacy and makes us equipped for doing good, it convicts, and convinces, and is the standard by which we will be judged. I can't tell you how many times God has used His Word to comfort me in ways only He can. ("This is my comfort in my affliction that His Word has revived me." Ps. 119:50) Or how many times He has given me a new perspective on things after spending time with Him. ("Until I entered the sanctuary of God, then I perceived their end." Ps. 73:17) You'll know how much you truly value God's Word by the sacrifices you make to spend time reading it. "But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yeilds its fruit in season and it's leaf does not wither..." Psalm 1:2-3 2. Make sacrifices to discipline yourself to get up early. I have heard many times, "My kids get up at 6:30am so I just don't have time." I'm not saying having a quiet time before 6:30am is not early, but if you really value having an intimate relationship with the Lord, it takes spending quality, undistracted time with Him. So that might actually mean letting go of thinking 6:00am or even 5:00am or 5:30am is too early. It just takes adjusting your evening schedule and going to bed earlier. You may think, "But I'm not a morning person." Let me remind you that God is bigger than that. I wasn't a morning person either. I actually had to make myself start drinking coffee (because I didn't like the taste) to wake up. But now after years of it being a habit, the Lord has made me a morning person. Or maybe you think I don't understand your circumstances. And I don't. But I do have five kids eight years old and under with another on the way. What that means is that I am pregnant. The can never quite get comfortable and rolling over in bed is a feat type of pregnant. It means I am awake a couple hours a night from the crazy pregnancy dreams and insomnia. And that is in between little ones waking up in the middle of the night wanting to sleep with us. And if that weren't enough, the oldest two talk/fight until about 10:30pm each night though bedtime is 8:30pm. Believe me, I know it's hard to get to bed early. But I also know God's grace is sufficient. When I am waking up early by faith doing what I believe He wants, He provides everything I need, even energy. Or maybe you think you don't want to just have a quiet time to cross it off a list. And I get that. You want your heart to be right. That's a good thing. But stopping the good activity is not the way to get your heart right. Really it's the exact opposite. Taking your heart to the Lord, by spending time with Him, asking Him to change it is how the bad attitude changes. For instance, I wouldn't let my kids get away with not eating their vegetables because they are doing it just to please me instead of because they want to. They need to eat vegetables because it's healthy no matter their motives and I'm hoping that over time their taste buds will acquire a taste. After all right feelings follow right actions. Or maybe your thinking your time with the Lord doesn't have to be in the morning. That's true. Although we do have some pretty powerful examples of people spending time meditating on God's Word in the morning, like Jesus and David who meditated on God's Word morning and night. I have found that if I go a whole day without that deep, personal interaction with the Lord I can easily forget about the Lord all day while I do my own thing and then when evening comes I'm too exhausted to give Him any of my heart or mind. Or maybe you've tried to get up early and failed. And I get that too. I have! When we fail, when we sleep in past the alarm clock, we need to cling to the righteousness of Jesus and His perfection. Not having a quiet time doesn't make us any less valuable or significant or loved in the Father's eyes. Don't let guilt or shame stop you from pursuing the Lord, "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (Prov.24:16) "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by break alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord." Deut. 8:3 3. Be consistent. Habits form quicker when there is consistency. That means, even on weekends and even during travel. In a way it's sad to think you might not get a day to sleep in. But zooming out a bit, we have all of eternity to rest. But for real, once a habit is made, you can take a day to sleep in an it wont be throwing your whole habit out the window. And perhaps when kids are older, and don't get up as early, you can sleep later. So really its just a season. Making a habit doesn't mean being rigid. For instance, when my two year old sneaks out of his crib in the morning and joins me on the couch, I let him. I just give him a book or my phone to play Starfall or Bible for Kids and continue on. The older kids have a clock in their room and know they can not get out of bed until 7am. "It shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statues." Deut. 17:19 4. Use the 7 P's. It can be hard to feel like you connected with the Lord after reading some Scripture. That is why many years ago I created the 7 P's. It is by far my most favorite tool to use to help me connect with the Lord in a deep and meaningful way. After reading a section of Scripture (I read a chapter a day) you work through the P's: Paraphrase, Process, Pursue understanding, Principles, Praise, Personal Application and Pray. You can download a free printable worksheet here (Print one off for each chapter of the book of the Bible you're reading). I've also created journals for each book of the Bible we are working through on the FREE Missional Women app Reading plan. Join us! Or you can use the journals without the app. They are basically the worksheets all put together in one journal so you don't have to print them and wont have a bunch of papers strewn about. And how incredible would it be to have your own personalize journal with what God spoke to you in every book of the Bible! Get your journals here. Here's the journals so far. What a testimony having read through every book of the Bible chapter by chapter with notes in a personal journal of how the Lord spoke to you!
About Laura
Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has five kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 13 years serving with Master Plan Ministries where she is the Women's Development Coordinator. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, A Devotional Journey through Judges, and Discover God's Calling for Your Life. You can find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site.
If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. This week, I realized that “spiritual funk” was starting to set in. My quiet time was turning into a ritual again. I was reading to check off something on my list, but my heart and spirit were not connecting with the mystery and the glory of the page. God’s Word is not something to be glossed over. I am not reading for information. I am engaging in relationship. My Abba Father has something important to say to me, and I don’t want to miss it because I am not fully present when I come to break bread at His table. I have the Word of God in my hands. He speaks to me. I need to wake up and come before Him with a hungry heart. Lord, give me ears to hear. Have you been there? Do you find yourself in a rut during your quiet time? Maybe you need to shake things up and do things differently. Let go of your “usual” and ask God to do a new thing in your heart when you open up the Word of Life. 5 Ways to Get out of a Rut in Your Quiet Time: 1. Read less: That’s right. Throw away your 3 chapter a day reading plan and read less. Tomorrow, I dare you to just look at 3 to 4 verses. Read them slowly and pray through each word asking God to make that manna come alive in your heart. Insert your name in the verses and personalize the Living Word. 2. Read it differently: I know you love your falling apart NIV Bible, but you may need to say goodbye to it for a season. I dare you to go buy yourself a brand new Bible in a different translation. Read a fresh page with a pen in hand looking for the nuggets found when you look at something with new eyes. 3. Read it out loud: Believe it or not, reading the Bible out loud might just help you notice things you’ve never noticed before. Make sure that you pause briefly at each punctuation mark – don’t rush through. Read slowly. 4. Write it out: Grab an inexpensive notebook at the dollar store and your favorite pen. Don’t worry about your terrible penmanship – just get to work. When you are done, read your passage again and underline the key words that jump off the page. 5. Focus in like a reporter: Imagine you are writing a piece for the New York Times where you need to explain this passage to the masses. Put on your investigative hat, and ask yourself one or two penetrating questions: a. What is the central message of this passage? (Narrow it down to one word, and you have a theme for your day.) b. How does this passage help further define the character of God? What evidences do you see of His goodness and glory? c. How should my thinking change as a result of reading this passage? d. How should this impact my interactions with others moving forward? Ask God to help you develop a fresh spiritual appetite. God’s Word is alive. He will revive our hearts as we purpose to come before Him with a surrendered heart that is ready to receive. Open your mouth wide, and He will fill it. Want to try out a new way to study the Bible? Head on over to our store to check out our Bible studies & journals! About LyliLyli Dunbar loves teaching. For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room. She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on her personal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. I’m a chocoholic. If a bowl of treats are anywhere in the vicinity I have a hard time saying no. However, as much as I would love to, I can not live on Snickers and Heath Bars alone. We each need a varied diet of protein, carbs, healthy fats, as well as essential vitamins and minerals for our body to function as it should. This is also true for our spiritual living. We need a stout intake of God’s Word in our lives. There have been times when I walk around starved for Biblical nutrition, and other times where I’m only eating the crumbs off other people’s table, and still other seasons where I was in the Word, yet kept going to the same passages again and again. I love Philippians. Ephesians is awesome, too . . and the Psalms, Proverbs 31, and let's not forget James. But if I remain in the same passages again and again, I am not going to receive all the Bible holds for me. The Bible is God-breathed, profitable, and brings completeness and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:14-17) It is oh-so-much more than a book on my shelf. It’s my life-support, my guide, my trainer, and God has chosen to bring His work in me to completion in large part through the ingestion and digestion of His holy Word. In turn (just like anything important and investment-worthy) I must choose to fight to make it central to my days. Here are four practices I’ve found fruitful in my own life as I strive to make a steady, well-rounded diet of the Bible a priority in my life. 1. Read through the Bible regularly. There are many great reading plans out there. I’ve enjoyed the insight gathered from the NLT Chronological plan, as well as the She Reads Truth #365daysoftruth plan. If you are in a busy season of life, and are finding it difficult to find regular time sitting in front of God's Word, consider listening to it. There are many great free audio versions available online. 2. Choose a variety of passages to study deeper. It’s really tempting to pick the popular books — those worn-in, comfortable jeans that are easy to get in and out of and feel “just right.” Why not look for a new pair to break in? Doing so will provide varied items for our “Biblical wardrobe” from both the Old and New Testament, type of writing, as well as a variety of authors. Remember that ALL of the Bible has been hand-picked by God's Spirit to be included in the Scriptures. Even Leviticus. 3. Find a church with a pastor who preaches through the Bible. When a pastor primarily preaches topical sermons, he is bound to miss out on important, needed themes. We all have our favorites, and our preferences . . . and our topics we would rather avoid. Over time, this leads to an unbalanced intake of God's Word. Instead, if we’re learning from a pastor with a systematic approach through the Bible, journeying through both the Old and New Testament, without skipping the difficult passages, we place ourselves under the whole counsel of Scripture, instead of merely the topics that seemed appropriate for the time. 4. Listen to solid podcasts for bonus, on-the-go teaching. We are truly blessed to live in this age of technology where there are so many resources at our fingertips and accessible 24/7. Lets take advantage of this! I love to listen to podcasts while I’m working out, doing dishes, or running errands. Any time where my hands are busy but my mind is available for input. My recent favorite is Jen Wilkin. I also have a teaching podcast, geared toward receiving the Word in 15 minute chunks. If your church tends toward the topical, consider supplementing with some good teaching podcasts. Any time spent in the Bible is time well spent. I pray today God opens your eyes to new ways to get in the Word to explore some of the more unfamiliar books and passages. You might be surprised at all He has in store for you! What would you add to this list of how to have a balanced diet of God’s Word? Want to try something new in your Quiet Times? Head on over to the Missional Women Store to take a look at our Bible Studies & Journals! About KatieGrace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Pastor's wife. Mommy of 3. As a Bible study writer, retreat speaker, and local women's ministry leader, Katie is passionate about equipping others to walk intimately with God for a lifetime. Katie currently serves as the Social Media Specialist and Community Manager for Flourish.me, a ministry of the North American Mission Board to ministry wives. Learn more about Katie on her website KatieOrr.me. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 How do we come to know God and be in His presence? The answer is simple, beautiful and life-changing--His Word. How do we come to know God’s Word? We spend time in it. This happens in two primary ways—through study, both individually and with others, and through meditating on His Word. What is meditating on Scripture? Meditation is kind of like a deep breath while focusing on a passage, phrase, word or concept. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Scripture, but this is the best kind. There are no better words or truth to center ourselves on than the Word of God. Here are two resources to learn more about meditating on Scripture:
My own journey as a Mom has been greatly enriched by meditation on Scripture. In the years of little babies, and even now with a toddler, when I have quiet moments, I can’t always get to my Bible. But I can recall a passage I have memorized or even a phrase of one I am meditating on and it nourishes me. The key for me is to keep adding new passages even as I revisit previous ones. My greatest tool for doing this is an app called Scripture Typer that I learned about through Ann Voskamp. I have collections like ‘no fear’, ‘wisdom’, and ‘freedom from anxiety’. The main feature I use is to record myself saying the passages and then I replay them while I walk. (You could replay them cooking dinner, getting ready in the morning, pretty much any time) Meditation on Scripture has become a tree of life. I have been passing through an especially difficult season. All the investment I have made to focus my whole heart on God through years of meditating on God’s Word, has become a vital, stabilizing force of strength for which I am incredibly thankful. And this knowledge, fully alive in me. is ready to be offered to a lost, hurting world. Just like Psalm 1 says, He(She) is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3 About AbbyI am wife to a wonderful man, mama to three precious now-little-but-soon-will-not-be loves. Each born in a different place--two states including 2 states and 2 countries. I am a farm girl who found her heart in the city. I can now claim fluency in 3 languages :: English, Spanish & Hungarian.This combined with the all-too-true 'mommy brain' explains much regarding my mental state most days;) I am a sojourner longing for Home. Yet, in my messy and broken, I embrace the moments given with all I have. I am seeking, praying, and learning again and again that it is for His Glory I live. My prayer is that my little life would make much of Him! I write regularly at Abigail Alleman. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs From Bible studies to simulcasts, our consumption of God’s Word is increasingly characterized by what’s presented to us at the dinner table. We are addicted to video-driven Bible studies! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with video studies. Some of the most popular Bible teachers on video today are kingdom servants who faithfully illuminate the Scriptures for women around the globe. But the longer I serve in women’s ministries, the more I notice this trend: women’s Bible studies are not producing disciples who can feed on the Bible for themselves – and then show others how to prepare a meal from God’s Word. If your church is addicted to video-driven studies, here are four ways to supplement the spiritual health of your women’s ministry. 1) Cut out video studies cold turkey?! No way! If you stop offering video Bible studies cold turkey, I guarantee you’ll have a mutiny on your hands. Many women benefit from these types of studies, but we should encourage women not to limit their spiritual diet to prepared foods. So, start by offering some variety! In your Bible study line-up include an inductive alternative so women can taste test different Bible study formats. 2) Craft a discipleship strategy Too often, churches allow marketing trends to guide their Bible study offerings instead of an intentional discipleship strategy for women. To develop a strategy, team up with your pastoral staff to discern how your women’s ministry ties into your church’s mission. Then, select Bible studies that facilitate your mission. If there are no studies that can adequately equip the women in your church’s discipleship strategy, then consider writing your own. What if no one shows up to your study? Start with one woman and grow from there! Everything big has grown from something small. 3) Cultivate a desire for God’s Word Video studies can help us cultivate a craving for God’s Word, but just as often, they grow our appetites for personalities. If they are the only type of study we’re offering, they can easily turn disciples into lazy feeders of God’s Word – women who don’t know how to read, study, and apply God’s Word on their own. The type and variety of Bible studies you select is key for developing biblical literacy, but cultivating a desire for God’s Word means exposing women to the transformative effects of God’s Word across all areas of life. You can do this by organizing Scripture memory and Bible reading challenges, and by sharing special testimonies during worship services or women’s programs of women impacted by God’s Word. 4) Choose where to cut costs Most women’s ministries have limited budgets. So, when planning your next Bible study lineup, pray about putting your money where your mouth is. Instead of investing in an expensive video series, present a team of women leaders with alternative ways to use your funds. Outline specific costs for Bible studies versus a homegrown study and then cast a vision for local ministry using the remaining budget. Some ideas include hosting a clothes swap to benefit a women’s shelter, conduct a volunteer drive for a crisis pregnancy center, or mobilize team to engage area international students in their own homes. In this way, Bible studies can be tailored to the ministry context of your women’s ministry. How does your church help your women cultivate an appetite for God’s Word? Share your ideas in the comments! About MelissaMelissa’s motto as a Christian journalist and creative writer is to “tell of God’s marvelous works” (Ps. 9:1). And with almost 15 years experience in print and editorial services, God has embedded Melissa with passions gleaned from stories and experiences from the field. But helping women fall in love with the sweetness of God’s Word truly makes her heart sing. Two years ago, she launched HiveResources.com to help women sweeten their walk with Christ through Bible study, missions resources, and more. She recently published a 10-week Bible study, Daughters of the King, to help women find their place in the biblical story. Melissa has a M.Div. in Women’s Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Journalism from Texas A&M University. She and her husband, Jonathan, are currently part of a church plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have five-year-old twin boys, Zacharias and Jonah, who are unwittingly and joyfully shaping them into the image of Christ. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters will never fail.” -Isaiah 58:11 I love gardens. I come from a long line of gardeners: my grandmother and great aunt cultivated beautiful gardens, winning awards. I cherish the memory of planting flowers with my mother, spending time together. Naturally when I left home I was excited about starting my own garden. I skipped to the local nursery and bought an assortment of plants. However after a few short weeks all the plants dried up under the hot Georgia sun. What went wrong? My friend Ida offered to mentor me in gardening. I learned some significant life lessons during this time. FOUNDATION: When observing my neglected garden Ida told me I needed to dig three feet deep (about a meter) and mix that Georgia red clay with nourishing soil. When we dug it up we found all kinds of junk there—old toys, balls, bottles, trash and rocks. No wonder nothing was able to grow! I realized I need God to help me dig up the junk in my life—unhealthy relationships, controlling addictions and bad habits—and replace them with his nourishing soil. These “rocks” are usually tied to a fear (no one else will love me so I’m going to remain in this bad relationship) or a lie (I’m unloveable). This is difficult but foundational work. WEEDS: Ida mentioned the importance of keeping a garden free of weeds. Birds fly overhead and drop seeds among the flowers and weeds take over, seeping nutrition from plants. As the gardener I need to remove them. But I can’t just trim the weeds. The entire root needs to be removed or more weeds will take over. In order to grow in my life, I need God to search my heart and remove the “weeds” (see Psalm 139:23-24). These weeds creep in unnoticed and come back stronger each year unless they are uprooted. Unhealthy patterns you thought you removed can reappear (I’m married now but still believe the lie that I’m unlovable because of insecurity in friendships). This calls me to believe the TRUTH about God and myself: uprooting these weed-lies. It’s uncomfortable and often painful, but the alternative is much worse. These weeds have the potential to choke out life. CULTIVATE: The last crucial step in gardening is to keep plants watered and fertilized. The summer we planted our garden a severe drought came to Georgia. Plants died and grass grew brittle. But my garden was still full of life. Each day I was diligent to water, prune and care for my plants. The result was a thriving garden in the midst of a parched land. As a believer in Christ, circumstances don’t define me. I can thrive in any situation. But I must draw strength from outside myself. I must depend on the source of all life, Jesus. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11b-13 About TaylorTaylor has lived over half her life desiring to know God and make Him known. She is the wife to Josh Irby and the mother to four beautiful children. She lives in Bosnia working with college students and young moms. She loves creating art and music and teaching her children piano. You can read more on her blog: Irby Road. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs When God first started drawing me into a deeper relationship with Him as a teenager, I was super-green to Bible study. I knew all about the Bible, the characters, and their stories, but I hadn’t spent much time reading the actual pages of Scripture on my own. When I did begin to open God’s Word on my own, it came as quite a shock to realize I was unable to simply read the Bible, leave it with an understanding of what I read, and an action point to follow up with. So I reverted to devotionals. The Daily Bread was my first attempts at regular time with God, and He used those little paperback booklets to continue the stirring inside of me for more of Him. Yet after several weeks, I wanted more. I had a deep desire to connect with God without a go-between. No longer was I satisfied by the crumbs of God’s Word that were swept from the table of someone else’s dining experience. I wanted to know how to cut into the steak for myself! You may also want to move past the 5 minute devotional. You’re hungry for God’s Word! You want more, but you’re afraid to try. I’ve been there, and it is a frustrating place to be. Starving, with nothing but crumbs to eat. In the almost 2 decades of discipleship relationships I’ve been in with women, there are several common lies that come to the surface. When women feel unable (or are unwilling) to move past devotional reading, at least one of the following falsehoods are at play. I’ve been the victim of believing all three. Lie #1: I can’t understand the Bible without someone telling me what to think about it. Yes, there is background to consider and an over-arching story to understand, but you and I do not need a seminary degree to hear from God in His Word. Reality: God’s Word is living and active! God’s Spirit lives inside of us! God’s Word is meant to be our every day, every moment nourishment. It’s God’s will for us to dig deeply into the Bible. God is faithful to make a way for us to understand what is says. He always has for me. Resources: There are many incredible (and FREE) online tools for Bible study. I've created an ever-growing list of websites, videos, and other tools at our fingertips on my Bible Study Resources Page. Check it out. Lie #2: I don’t have time for Bible study. Frankly? This is boloney. And I’ve bought into this lie, again and again. Reality: We make time for what we truly want to do. Life is busy, yes. But a lack of time cannot be an excuse. If we can keep up with the latest episode of Downton Abbey (SO good!) and scroll mindlessly through Facebook and Instagram feeds for an hour, we can find time to study our Bible. (Oftentimes, the true culprit is not busyness, but perfectionism.) Resources: Because I feel so strongly about women being in the Word for themselves (without it taking an hour a day), I’ve created many Bible studies with today’s busy woman in mind. Hear me clearly: even if you only have 5 minutes a day, you can study God’s Word in a meaningful way. Lie #3: I don’t need more than a devotional. This may be the most dangerous lie of all. Reality: Devotionals have their time and place. A jar of baby food will bring nourishment and a full belly to a baby; that same jar will not keep up with a teenager’s rate of growth and appetite. The natural result of a healthy Christian is growth. And with growth stems a hunger for more and more of what nourishes it. Only God’s Word brings satisfaction to the ravenous soul. This I know: God uses devotionals. I’ve published many a devotional-based blog post and have contributed to said devotionals. They can be a great way to start us off on our walk with God, or get us through the crazy seasons of life. However, we must not settle there! Ladies, let’s take ownership of our spiritual growth and allow our souls to be nourished with the abundance of God’s Word. Know that I am praying for you as you read these Words, that you will remember there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus! If all you can do is a devotional, enjoy it, and when you are ready for more, be willing to step out in confidence that God will provide all you need to enjoy His Word for yourself.. Questions to consider: Over the past year, how much of my time with God has been spent in a devotional? What keeps me from studying my Bible? Which of these lies am I believing, and what resources will I look into today, to change the course of my spiritual growth? What are your thoughts on these lies? Have you bought in to them? Would you add any other falsehoods women tend to believe? About KatieGrace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Pastor's wife. Mommy of 3. As a Bible study writer, retreat speaker, and local women's ministry leader, Katie is passionate about equipping others to walk intimately with God for a lifetime. Katie currently serves as the Social Media Specialist and Community Manager for Flourish.me, a ministry of the North American Mission Board to ministry wives. Learn more about Katie on her website KatieOrr.me. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right. Sharing this over at these awesome blogs A new year awaits, and I’m glad for a fresh start. After the December crazies, I’m ready to get back into a normal routine. Traveling seems to always derail my long-fought-for habits. Anyone with me? Here are a few tips for re-calibrating our time with God for this new year. 1. Keep it realistic. There is no place in the Bible that says you have to have an hour quiet time, starting at 6am. Choose a Bible plan or Bible study that fits your journey. You know, the one you are actually on, not the one you wish you are on. Don’t allow an all-or-nothing mentality keep you from opening your Bible. If you know that a 45-minute workbook study is not going to happen right now, find a study or reading plan that will. Application: • TO ASK: What do I realistically have time for in this season of life? What are a few study choices that will fit into that window of time? • TO DO: Take some time shopping around for different Bible studies that fit your time. Pray, asking God to guide you to a study that will work for you. 2. Make a plan and share about it. Once you have found a few studies or reading plans that fits your schedule, make a decision. Don’t allow yourself to be paralyzed by finding the “perfect” study. Once you make a choice, let a few people know your plan. There may be others who would like to study alongside of you. Companionship and accountability always spur me on to spend more time in the Word. There are also many great online communities you can join, like HelloMornings, which provide accountability groups for starting your day off right. Application: • TO ASK: Who are a few people I can share my plan with? Which of them will I invite to join me? • TO DO: Share your Bible study plan with at least two friends or family members this week. 3. Find a trigger. I’ve found that if I try to make my time with God at a very specific time each day, I get frustrated when things don’t go as planned. Additionally, it seems that just when I get into a rhythm of a schedule, something changes that throws it all off. So instead of having a set time for my Bible study, I have a trigger. When THIS happens, then THAT happens. Once I wake up, and grab a cup of coffee, I head to my morning space and I study. So, whether I get to sleep in on a Saturday, or rise early on a Wednesday, my trigger is that cup of coffee. Once in hand, I know what comes next. Application: • TO ASK: What are a few potential “quiet-time triggers” for me? After breakfast? The beginning of my lunch break? After I brush my teeth at night? • TO DO: Choose a trigger to try out for a week. Be flexible and willing to try out a few different triggers, but also remember it takes a while to start a new habit. Don’t give up! 4. Think outside of the box. We all have visions of what a perfect quiet time looks like. Remember, the Bible does not give us specifics on the length of time, the order or study, or the type of journal and highlighter we should use. It does, however, explore us to not let His Word depart from us, and to meditate on it day and night. We live in an age of technology with numerous and incredible tools at our fingertips. Be open-minded about how you can spend time meditating on God through His Word. Maybe you can have 15 minutes of Bible study in the morning, and close out your day with a 10 minute reading plan in the evening. Worship through music in the car. Listen to a teaching podcast while you do dishes or work out. Application: • TO ASK: What are a few out-of-the-box ways I can get into the Bible throughout my day? • TO DO: Choose one of these to implement this week, alongside of your traditional Bible study. I’d love to hear what you’ve come up with! Share your brainstorms with us. We might just learn a new way to connect with God, through your ideas! About KatieGrace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Pastor's wife. Mommy of 3. As a Bible study writer, retreat speaker, and local women's ministry leader, Katie is passionate about equipping others to walk intimately with God for a lifetime. Katie currently serves as the Social Media Specialist and Community Manager for Flourish.me, a ministry of the North American Mission Board to ministry wives. Learn more about Katie on her website KatieOrr.me. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs For years, I made the commitment and failed miserably over and over. I can’t tell you how many consecutive Januarys I made the resolution to read my Bible from cover to cover. I was an enthusiastic starter, but a terrible finisher. I had great intentions. I love the Bible, and I love Jesus. But, somewhere in the middle of March, I would get lost in Old Testament genealogies and determine that I was more of a “New Testament Girl.” I changed my ways after a little inspiration. I attended a workshop at a women’s conference where a passionate sister shared her heart on the importance of reading and knowing the whole counsel of God. Her enthusiasm for the subject inspired me to try once again – plus she gave me some practical advice that helped me to do so with greater success. As a “New Testament Girl,” I want to share 5 tips that will help you complete the goal of reading through the entire Bible: * Choose a Bible translation that you find easy to read. The first time I read through the Bible in a year, I read the New Living Translation. * Read a little from both Old and New Testament each day. I used the One Year Bible reading plan, which is now free online and in mobile format. * Record one memorable verse from each day’s reading in a journal. Read purposefully through your daily reading “looking” for your verse to remember. * Use a Bible Commentary or Study Bible to help you with the heavier Old Testament passages. I am a huge fan of this quick reference devotional commentary by Warren Wiersbe that is very affordable and easy to read. I usually read the Old Testament commentary BEFORE I read my Bible each morning. * Decide to “take the plunge” with a friend. I loved discussing the readings with my girlfriend over the phone. Knowing that she was reading each day motivated me to stick with it. It’s good to have a partner. Reading through the Bible from cover to cover is a big commitment. If you fall behind, I would encourage you to just start back up again without worrying about “playing catch up.” It might take you more than a year to complete your goal, so give yourself grace if you need to slow down. If you find that the reading plan is too overwhelming for you, break up your readings into chunks for morning and evening or over two days. A bonus tip is to pray about your commitment to read every verse in God’s Word. Ask God to help you complete this task. He delights to answer the prayers of His daughters who are seeking Him. “I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!” Psalms 119:125, ESV About LyliLyli Dunbar loves teaching. For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room. She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women through Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on her personal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest. Want to read more from this contributor? Put her name in the search box at the top. Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs Read the first post in this series, Quiet Time help: Three Reasons to Read One Book of the Bible at a Time.
Reading God’s Word should change us. It should make us more like whom we’re reading about! But change is more likely to happen in our lives when we’re intentional about what we’re reading. Reading one book of the Bible at a time enables us to better understand, interpret and apply what we’re reading. Want to get started but don’t know how? Here are 3 tips for reading one book a time. |
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