Continue The Conversation (SYNC-Part 3)
CTC is where we take a snippet from Sunday’s message and turn it into a conversation. Most of you know that I would much rather sit down one on one over a cup of coffee and have a discussion than to stand up on stage and just deliver a message. So here’s what I want to talk about:
Yesterday I talked about the importance of Scripture in our lives.
Jesus said in Mathew 12:35, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”
This verse explains a lot. There is a direct correlation between what you take in and what comes out of you (please refrain from potty humor here). If Christ being formed in your life is an actual goal for you, then you need to spend some time evaluating what you’re immersing your heart and mind in.
David Watson once said…
“As I spent time chewing over the endless assurances and promises to be found in the Bible, so my faith in the living God grew stronger and held me safe in his hands. God’s word to us, especially his word spoken by his Spirit through the Bible, is the very ingredient that feeds our faith. If we feed our souls regularly on God’s word, several times each day, we should become robust spiritually just as we feed on ordinary food several times each day, and become robust physically. Nothing is more important than hearing and obeying the word of God.”
So how are you guys doing with this? Is scripture an integral part of your daily life? Why or why not?
36 Comments:
This is something that I struggle with…being a Pastor and growing up in a Pastor’s home, at times I have found myself coasting on the knowledge I have gained throughout the years. I have made a more then conscious effort as of late to make reading the Word “the” priority of my day. It is unreal what God is revealing to me….
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Brian Howe
5:52 am
It has to be for me to stay on track. I know it sounds like an over-simplification but Dwight L. Moody said it best. “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”
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Tommy Sircy
5:53 am
Recently I took 2 days off and went to a B&B and just brought my Bible, journal and me. It was eye opening. Even that, my plan was thrown out the door. When I usually sit down for “quiet time” I have a plan. I usually read (cross reference) cross off my reading plan, journal and pray. But God was like “why are you doing it like that?” He is not one to be in a box. Nothing wrong with having a scheduled meeting time with God…but during those two days I read like 15-20 chapters at a time and prayed about whomever came into my heart at the moment-scripture reminded me of them (not just when I pulled out my prayer journal) and I prayed scripture instead of what I usually pray for them) and I “rested” in the Lord rather then “doing” quiet time. I listened. I was actively resting…waiting for Him to speak. I know that in my daily life I am so freakin busy [working] for Him that I brush off the need to listen and pray and seek and read but I think that it is very practical to memorize and read several chapters and know Him more intimately then the 3 chapters I was used to before I went on my little get-away. Being busy was just an excuse.
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kristiapplesauce
6:33 am
@kristiapplesauce I love “and I ‘rested’ in the Lord rather then ‘doing’ quiet time. I’m trying to get my quiet time out of the homework category. I don’t want to view it as something I just need to check off my list.
I’m hoping to get some time this week to just absorb the Scriptures instead of just reading them!
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Pete Wilson
6:43 am
I read in a book one time that we should pray that God would make His Word a delight to us. I prayed that for a long time. It is a delight to me now. Unless I am reading in one of the parts that I tell Him are boring and/or depressing. But then I always go read something I like afterwards so that we don’t end with me having a bad attitude about His word.
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tawny
6:49 am
god’s words are truly life to me right now. i have always been one to journal (and i still love it) but things are different now. because of my life cirucmstances i need god more than ever before. and because of that it is an ongoing “meeting” we have throughout the day instead of a set “quiet time”. i really want my health and marriage restored but without these cirucmstances i wouldn’t know god the way i do. i NEED to know what HE is saying to me through his word and i love it.
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shermo
6:51 am
GREAT sermon P2, especially after I just bought Karl his “waterproof Bible” for Father’s Day…I’ve only bought him FIVE Bibles, to date, and he even asked me (as he was unwrapping his Bible) “Why did you buy me another Bible?”…. I didn’t know why, but your message told me (AND HIM) why – I LOVE being in the Word and I, too, do not like to put it in the “homework” list, so I begin by reading one of my many other books I have, which inevitably leads me to the Bible (as I look a lot of stuff up) which then takes me on my journey for the day- I love how GOD does that! You can’t make yourself want Him, but He will do it! Just ask….
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OCD-ism/Obsessive Christian Disorder
7:01 am
@Brian Howe says it a lot like I have done it in the past. (Coast of yesterdays knowledge) If it were just knowledge we gained from reading the bible then that might work but it is not. It is part of a conversation with God. We would be missing a part of what God has for us.
I look at quiet time a lot like @pete said, it is in the homework category. I must get this done to be a “good christian”. When the truth is I need this in order to hear completely from my best friend and my God.
I think I will now go to http://www.crosswalk.com and see what He has for me today. (great resource at my desk whenever I need it)
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Harold McKee
7:10 am
I fell in love with scripture as a kid. I had tried many times to read but always started in Genesis or Matthew and thought it as all about who gave birth to whom. My parents gave me a New Testament in the Living Paraphrase – I could understand it!
I couldn’t make it without scripture in my life – it feeds me all day long. No piety…just reality.
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Michelle
7:19 am
@Brian, I can really relate. I have been so blessed by the amazing Bible instruction from my childhood and youth, but I tend to kind of use that as a crutch or an excuse in my mind now to push spending time in the word lower on my to-do list. I’ve lately been asking God to give me the desire to dig in again, and Pete, I was so challenged by your idea of getting God-time out of the homework category. In some ways, I like being able to check it off a list. But I wouldn’t do that about spending time with my husband…Why would I do that about spending time with my creator?
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Ash
7:29 am
Wonder what would happen if we, like as is true in some other countries, never had access again to an actual Bible; or spent time locked away somewhere without access to the Word How much would be hidden in our hearts that we could call to memory when needed or wanted? Once I sat down and wrote down, while on vacation, all of the Scriptures I could call to memory. I could not tell you where they were located, necessarily, but I knew WAY more than I realized; and I knew WAY WAY less than I should know! In the world we live in today, none of us know if we will always have the Word at our disposal! That helps me be determined to not only read it often, but try and memorize what I can. There’s nothing more soothing or healing in times of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual need than to call forth Scripture from my head, believing it, claiming it, and trusting God at His Word! That’s the best medecine there is from the One who created me, knows every detail about me, and truly cares…about every single detail of my life!
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Lisa
7:33 am
not “like as”, Lisa…..either/or…..silly me!
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Lisa
7:34 am
I have never been particularily good in this area of my relationship with Christ. I was talking to Ashley the other day about this because it has never been something that I have felt a conviction to do. Please don’t think that I feel as if it is not important or something I wouldn’t grow from immensly, it’s just that when I go away from my prayer life or fellowship or worship, I feel a tug at my heart to get back there. But I don’t feel this as much about immersing myself in scripture. It almost makes me feel as if I am missing something about being a Christian or that I have not clued in on a fundemental part of having a relationship with God.
I think I have always waited to feel something that spurs me towards the Bible, but either I am ignoring that feeling or it is just not there. I am going to have to make a conscious effort to create that feeling and hopefully as I do I will be drawn towards God’s word. I do fear though that it will feel like homework and I am not quite sure how I am to stay away from that mind set and instead have one of rejuvination
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Cortni
7:42 am
Cortni, I love reading the Bible because I love seeing how God interacted with His people throughout history. I don’t see us, in this generation, having that same kind of relationship. But I can read my Bible and see what is possible with Him. It gives me more to long for and pray about.
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tawny
8:16 am
If I were honest with you, I would tell you that I cannot remember the last time I had a quiet time.
Honestly.
And if I continued to be honest with you, I would tell you that I also have not been to church in like the past month.
Are the two related. Probably.
It isn’t because I don’t like my church. I do. I love it.
And I could sit here and make up excuse after excuse.
But when it all comes down to it, I just haven’t made it a priority in my life and that is something I need to work on. Every time I sit down it feels more and more like homework and less and less like the profound quiet time I hear everyone talk about.
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Steven
8:17 am
I don’t have profound revelation usually when I read the Bible. But I still do it daily. Some days I don’t want to take a shower or get out of bed, but I do it because I need to. Same with the Bible. If I don’t do it I might miss out. I hate to be out of the loop. Even when I don’t get chills or cry or feel all good inside I know that the Lord is dropping wisdom right into my heart. That is why I read the Bible daily. My prayer life is much stronger in my quiet time than my Bible references. But I can tell you the stuff I read gets stuck inside and when I need it it’s there. I usually cannot tell you what book, chapter, or verse. How much does that matter? It’s the wisdom and knowledge that God imparts upon my being that matters. Even if it feels like a chore, my advice is to do it anyway. You don’t have to read a whole chapter. Just pick a psalm or a proverb. Start small and work your way up. You’ll be blessed for your efforts.
Heidi Reed
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candidchatter
8:40 am
Scripture has always been very intimidating to me but I have recently begun to develop an understanding of it and my thirst for it has increased. There are times I do really well with reading daily and periods where I don’t read at all. It is something I definitely want to improve on.
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givemejesus
8:42 am
One of my favorite things to do is to read. After hearing the sermon, one of the convictions brought to life for me was the fact that I have no problem immersing myself in deep theological literature (ie-c.s. lewis, g.k. chesterton, jonathan edwards), but I DO have a problem burrying my face in my Bible. This has helped my “education” on the history of our beliefs, but hasn’t done much to bear fruit. I’ve recently made more of an attempt at doing so and found it easier than I thought. Any one else ever struggle with this?
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Jasen
8:57 am
There’s so many reasons we should read our Bible. The one that is on my heart so much today is another lesson learned from my grandma who was my spiritual mentor. The way I describe my grandma is that she literally MARINATED her mind in the word daily. Imagine the wisdom, the people skills, the humility, the love that a person whose mind and soul are marinated daily in the word. Imagine if we were all like that. It was what kept her so pure.
It was a phenomena to so many that during her last stages of dementia she knew more than anything the Word of God. She didn’t know our names, she couldn’t really talk — but when I read the Bible to her, she KNEW the verses. Many times after hours/days of not talking I’d start a verse – and she would be able to finish it. It was the only thing that stayed with her until she met God. Talk about powerful stuff.
If for no other reason (but there are a milion more reasons) we need to marinate our minds and souls so that when we need it the most – it will be there for us. I have no doubt grandma was comforted and hopeful even in her last days of pain because of the Word that was apart of her.
So for our own selfish good, that’s one reason. God gave it to us for a reason – we need to take advantage of it. It will protect us, guide us and be a way the spirit comforts us when we need it.
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Randi :)
10:19 am
I just listened to the sermon online. Gosh how many times I have polished the outside of my “cup” and left inside a mess. How often do I want to look like the Christian but to be painfully honest on the inside am not even close. Pete the one thing you said about how if we truly read God’s text message how different our lives would be. How true that is. I probably wouldnt have made half the mistakes that I did. My marriage would be in a such a better spot. And it would be so easy to just sit and sulk in my problems..but how great is it the His mercy’s are new every morning. That we can start from this point in our lives and move forward in our walks with Christ.
I am definitely trying to get into the word more. I was journaling every morning like clock work for months and then I just got out of it. I’ve been trying the past 2 weeks to get up again early and just have my alone time. And its amazing what you get out of the word when you make that time to just sit and be silent.
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Adam O
10:52 am
@Steven Bro, I have been there so many times before. Praying for you!
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Pete Wilson
11:55 am
Time in the Word is something I really, really struggle with. I’ll do good for a couple of days, but then I lapse for weeks at a time. I can’t quite pinpoint why I struggle with it so much. For me, I never know where to start. Should I read several chapters, or a small section over and over?? Should I do a topical Bible study? Maybe it doesn’t matter HOW I’m doing it, so long as I’m doing it. I can also relate to others who have said they want it to be about relationship, and not just homework or something on my to-do list.
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Jenny in Nebraska
12:11 pm
Pete – ENJOY YOUR VACATION!! Have fun with your precious family.
Now, back to your blog today…..I woke up with the sunrise this morning and wasn’t particularly happy about it, either…..BUT then realized that I woke up early to be able to read His word without interruption (rare moment). THEN another really cool thing happened. I like to randomly open the bible and then read the first chapter that my eyes see. It was Lamentations 3. Ok, since I’ve probably only read out of that book once, twice at most, I know that the Lord wanted me to get the same message you did last week: “Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope. Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.” AMEN and thank you!
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Lori K
1:45 pm
Hey Pete,
This is a GREAT topic of conversation!
I have only been a Christian for about 7 years and over these past 7 years, I have found that my walk with Christ has been filled with peaks and valleys. If I wasn’t at a peak, I was at a valley. It was never constant. Then I realized something…when I was reading His Word daily, I was peaking and when I wasn’t….down to the valley I would go. Now, I’m at a constant. I am in His Word every day! I have to be.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are still peaks and valleys, but they are not extreme. I am no longer on the roller coaster ride. I have fallen deeper in love with Christ and yearn, daily, to know more of God’s character. I am surprised and amazed every day by what He is showing me. Little nooks and cranny’s that I have never seen before. It’s truly incredible. It’s like the first time you realize you’re in love with someone, but better.
Thanks for always challenging!
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Heather
2:46 pm
Well, if I’m being completely honest, I do not always find, or make the time to sit down with God’s word like I once did. But looking back, I often read God’s word because I thought that’s what I had to do to be in good standing with God. Now, I find I cling to the scriptures that were hidden in my heart long ago. When I’m facing situations, or even watching Yan play, I find that God brings those verses to mind and to life for me. Where it was once a mental goal, to remember the scripture, it is now a heart goal…for God to make them real to me.
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Jennifer Cullimore
7:45 pm
I am doing so much better in this area than I ever have, which makes me feel good, but at the same time I feel ashamed that I didn’t dive into the scriptures sooner in life. It has taken me a long time to get into the habit of studying scripture. One of the walls I faced was forming a habit just to have a habit, now I feel I have a habit formed out of hunger. Growing up in and around ministry and the church almost non-stop (3 different church services every week, Sunday School, Christian school, a pastor for a dad, etc.) I didn’t have a hunger for it because I was over saturated with it and the last thing I wanted to do with the little free time I had away from church was to do “church stuff.”
Now, as I study scripture out of a personal hunger I have learned so much more and grown so much more than when it was just given to me, or when it was forced on me by an adult using guilt tactics trying to shame me into their agenda. Maybe they didn’t have an agenda but that’s the way it felt. There are definitely days I struggle, but I am so much further down the road than I used to be!
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ncarnes
8:04 pm
I love to garden. So often when I am in the garden, God speaks so me. Weeds choking, not enough water….
I have thought many times about my plants: what if I watered them with…..[you fill in the blank.] (bleach, soap, chemicals or whatever)
I would eventally kill it. If a plant does not get water, or enough of it, it first wilts, dries up and then dies. This is so true of us! We NEED the water of His word to THRIVE and GROW.:–)Storie
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therealstorie
8:30 pm
Yeah so I pretty much never have a “spiritual awakening” when I have a quiet time. It’s happened a few times but very rarely. A lot of times when I read the Bible it is just the opposite…mass chaos. Noise, phone, husband, dog. But I have shifted my thinking to make it a priority rather then a to-do check off list. So I try to eliminate the distractions and wait for the Lord to speak. He then (usually) brings to memory something at a later time) whatever it is that I need to learn when the time is right or the scripture I need to know or whatever it is. But I do come at it ready to learn and grow. To build a relationship with God. If I wasn’t in the Word or in Prayer those things wouldn’t be available for Him to use…(I am assuming that’s how it works). By the way I hate that phrase “quite time”. Just so you know.
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kristiapplesauce
8:50 pm
Pete, this post was so perfectly timed for me. As a music minister, I get so wrapped up in the day-to-day grind that I neglect God’s Word. Your post really convicted and challenged me. I have written a post on my blog, mylifeinthesouth.com, that send’s people to this post. Thank you for your continued challenging of your readers.
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Steve
9:33 pm
Too many even professing Christian persons are still parrots, they have not really read the Bible for themselves, they really do not know the Bible or God for that matter still too.. they are repeating what others have told them, and too often often it is distorted truths, lies..
(James 1:19 KJV) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
(James 1:21 KJV) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
(James 1:22 KJV) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
5 percent of Christians only read their Bible daily, 25 percent of church Christians at the most are really born again too, 70 percent of evangelical pastors are unchristian.. 50 percent of all once loudly professing Christians next give up or sell their faith too… reality
and it is not what you know that counts but how much of the Bible that you actually practice in love too now that counts
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thenonconformer
12:21 am
It is. If I’m not in the Word and dedicated time for spending time with the Lord in the morning, my day is awful. Well, I should say I am awful. I’m out of sorts, quick to find fault, easily annoyed, the list goes on. It is amazing to me how totally different I am when I am walking in the Spirit instead of racing along in my flesh. And I am so thankful that those “awful” days are far and few between. Praise Him!
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HisLifeformine
8:20 am
It amazes me how comforting God’s word can be in facing life’s problems. I am facing a financial problem that will, without doubt, affect my life for many years to come. While “trying to figure it all out” yet again this morning, I started reading the Psalms and ran across a scripture that said ” My times are in God’s hands.” The worry melted away immediately! This is not a coincidence for me. God’s word has given me comfort when I needed comfort, strength when I felt weak, courage when I felt defeated, hope when all appeared lost, and joy when hurt turned into tears. God’s word reveals promises that I can count on, and wisdom when all seems confusing. The truth is that I can’t think of a reason not to spend time in God’s word! It is nourishment for my soul!
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John
11:08 am
Unfortunately, the Word is a struggle for me. I grew up in a very religous home where legalism abounded and grace was absent, so the enemy attacks me with the Word. I get anxious about even opening my Bible because even the most innocuous verse can send me spinning for days at a time proving that I am unforgivable. I have a wealth of scriptures memorized from my childhood spent in church and on the quiz team and I know the Bible, but it has been a battle turning the slant from the negative to the positive and moving it from my head to my heart.
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Julie
7:32 pm
>>>It amazes me how comforting God’s word can be in facing life’s problems.
I too was facing for about 18 months a problem that would not go away.. and when I started to read God’s word and pray about the problem I got amazing insight on the cause and depth of the problem , plus the initial and continual solution to the problem, and gradually it next stated to resolve itself as I followed God advice.
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thenonconformer
12:34 am
>>Unfortunately, the Word is a struggle for me.
I have had months where I have faced very similar things..
Firstly we al still have to eat, I still just merely read daily the Bible and have my quiet time, by faith trusting God is working on the oppressions too.
Secondly I admit that I am a slave servant of Jesus Christ and most conflicts firstly tend to be caused by me trying to take my own charge, control of my life, wanting to do my own thing.. and up surrender this to God and continue to follow his will rather.
God generally replies to me and says there will be days when you cannot seem to feel me, see me, just trust me I love you and I am still there holding your hand.
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thenonconformer
12:39 am
>Time in the Word is something I really, really struggle with. I’ll do good for a couple of days, but then I lapse for weeks at a time. I can’t quite pinpoint why I struggle with it so much.
Firstly it is the devil who works hard to break our relationship with God daily, continual , always.. and when you recognize this it is easier to purse our daily need to read God’s word.
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thenonconformer
12:40 am
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