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In pastures green He leadeth me. Join me on the journey.
What's Going on Here?
We are reading our way through the bible one chapter per day. The idea behind my personal reading plan is to read through books chronologically, but not solely one book at a time. Thus on Monday we read from the books of the law, Tuesday the books of kings and judges, Wednesday the books of Jewish History, Thursday Books of Wisdom, Friday the Prophets, Saturday the Gospels and Sunday the Epistles. The next Monday we pick up at the chapter we left off in ancient history. You may think that this would be disjointed and would cause you to "lose your groove" but I have found the contrary to be true, the threads of promise, redemption and grace show up more clearly as I make my way slowly through these books in a parrallel fashion and when I pick up where I left off a week before I am reminded of things that stood out to me from last week's reading. Journaling is a big part of my processing scripture and fixing particular tidbits in my mind for the purpose of life application. I would love to have you join me!
Basic Reading Plan
Mon (Law): Genesis-Joshua
Tues (Rulers): Judges-Chronicles
Wed (History): Ezra-Psalms
Thurs (Wisdom): Prov-Jer
Fri (Prophets): Lam-Malachi
Sat (Gospels): Matthew-Acts
Sun (Epistles) Romans-Revelation.
The theme I have given each section is general. Joshua is not a book of the law and Psalms is not a book of history. The main chunk of reading in each section is, however, suitably classified as the theme it is under. In order to make the sections even out to have the same general number of books/chapters, this was the closest I could come. Otherwise one would be reading through certain sections (like the Law) for instance, much more often than the wisdom books, etc.
Posts
A Place of Fellowship....
(Fellowship is) an expression of both love and humility. [It] springs from a desire to bring benefit to others, coupled with a sense of personal weakness and need. It has a double motive – the wish to help, and to be helped; to edify, and to be edified. It has a double aim – to do, and to receive, good. It is a seeking by Christian people to know God better through sharing with each other what, individually, they have learned of Him already. J.I. Packer.
A few introductory words of encouragement....
Think of your time feeding on God's Word as a vital aspect of your health and wellness. You wouldn't go a week without brushing your teeth, or eating physical food, don't treat the nourishing of your soul by the Word of God with any less care.
Don't cram multiple chapters if you fall behind of plan, but *do* "back-read" if you have the passion and earnest desire to do so. My habit if I miss a chapter is usually to leave it until that book comes up again the next week (based on my own reading plan) and then read two consecutive chapters rather than the one I am scheduled to read.
Don't be legalistic about the when and how. If you don't get a quiet time in the morning, THAT'S OKAY. Find a moment in the afternoon to grab a drink, sit down and put your feet up, and soak up a chapter. And if that doesn't happen, THAT'S OKAY. Take 15-20 minutes at the end of the day to plump some pillows up in your bed and soak it up before you go to sleep. And if that doesn't happen, IT'S OKAY. Tomorrow is a new day. Don't let the enemy discourage you from spending time in the word TODAY because you didn't YESTERDAY. That's just dumb. Did you get that? DUMB.
If you don't have time to read, meditate. Allow God to bring a passage of scripture to mind and allow yourself to listen. Take time to be quiet in your spirit. While you are washing dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming... cleaning bathrooms.
Spruce things up. Get yourself a PRETTY journal and jot down little things that stand out to you. Use your favourite mug or a pretty glass to pour your favourite drink. Sit in your favourite spot (this could change from day to day and depending on the time of day you read. A sunny spot on the porch in the morning, a wing back chair and a blanket if it's chilly, a garden swing in the shade on a hot afternoon, or plumped up in bed with soft lamplight in the evening. Again, don't be legalistic about the location, pick a happy spot that fits the moment/opportunity.) Oh, and DON'T wait for the pretty journal. Plain lined notepaper or even a crumpled scrap paper will work just FINE until you get one....
Remember while you read, God's word is FOR YOU. yes, it was written to a particular audience in a particular time in history and for a particular reason. But it was also written with YOU in mind, TODAY in mind, and is designed to give you strength and wisdom for the journey.
Claim ONE part of the passage and take it to heart. Read through the chapter without too much introspection at first and see what part most stands out to you. Go back and look at that part more specifically and ask yourself what is in there for YOU?
Ask relevant questions. I usually look at a passage with 2 questions in mind. 1. What does this passage tell me about God's character? 2. What does this passage tell me about humanity (ie, ME, in relation to God? a final and very important question to ask is "What does this passage require of me on a practical level?" Write down one attitude, practice or truth you want you live out TODAY in light of what God has just revealed to you. This is how we take ownership of the Word of God and allow it to relate to us and shape us on a personal level.
Build yourself a monument. As I ponder a passages relevance to me I journal the thoughts that arise. Jotting them down somehow cements my convictions in my mind, almost like laying out stones in a monument so I can go back to that place later and be reminded. I also use those notes to come here and share my thoughts later with others.
Keep your actual quiet time concise. This will help make it more likely the habit will continue to happen on a regular basis. Better to spend 15 minutes in the word daily, than 1 hour once a week.
Don't require absolute "alone" and uninterrupted time (without kids around). If they are around, they can learn to not interrupt you for 15 minutes, just like you spend time with other people when they are around, you can spend time with the Lord with them around too.
Think of God’s Word as a love letter to you. When you read stories of God’s wrath in the Old Testament, think about WHAT love paid the price for all that wrath and how a hand that once smote anyone who dared touch the ark of His covenant now beckons YOU to draw near to the throne of grace. Read everything in light of who God is and how much He loves mankind that in spite of our being so deprived, His love story reaches out, encompasses us, washes us clean, and seeks to draw us near.
May you seek Him, may He be found by you, and may you be blessed on the journey.
Don't cram multiple chapters if you fall behind of plan, but *do* "back-read" if you have the passion and earnest desire to do so. My habit if I miss a chapter is usually to leave it until that book comes up again the next week (based on my own reading plan) and then read two consecutive chapters rather than the one I am scheduled to read.
Don't be legalistic about the when and how. If you don't get a quiet time in the morning, THAT'S OKAY. Find a moment in the afternoon to grab a drink, sit down and put your feet up, and soak up a chapter. And if that doesn't happen, THAT'S OKAY. Take 15-20 minutes at the end of the day to plump some pillows up in your bed and soak it up before you go to sleep. And if that doesn't happen, IT'S OKAY. Tomorrow is a new day. Don't let the enemy discourage you from spending time in the word TODAY because you didn't YESTERDAY. That's just dumb. Did you get that? DUMB.
If you don't have time to read, meditate. Allow God to bring a passage of scripture to mind and allow yourself to listen. Take time to be quiet in your spirit. While you are washing dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming... cleaning bathrooms.
Spruce things up. Get yourself a PRETTY journal and jot down little things that stand out to you. Use your favourite mug or a pretty glass to pour your favourite drink. Sit in your favourite spot (this could change from day to day and depending on the time of day you read. A sunny spot on the porch in the morning, a wing back chair and a blanket if it's chilly, a garden swing in the shade on a hot afternoon, or plumped up in bed with soft lamplight in the evening. Again, don't be legalistic about the location, pick a happy spot that fits the moment/opportunity.) Oh, and DON'T wait for the pretty journal. Plain lined notepaper or even a crumpled scrap paper will work just FINE until you get one....
Remember while you read, God's word is FOR YOU. yes, it was written to a particular audience in a particular time in history and for a particular reason. But it was also written with YOU in mind, TODAY in mind, and is designed to give you strength and wisdom for the journey.
Claim ONE part of the passage and take it to heart. Read through the chapter without too much introspection at first and see what part most stands out to you. Go back and look at that part more specifically and ask yourself what is in there for YOU?
Ask relevant questions. I usually look at a passage with 2 questions in mind. 1. What does this passage tell me about God's character? 2. What does this passage tell me about humanity (ie, ME, in relation to God? a final and very important question to ask is "What does this passage require of me on a practical level?" Write down one attitude, practice or truth you want you live out TODAY in light of what God has just revealed to you. This is how we take ownership of the Word of God and allow it to relate to us and shape us on a personal level.
Build yourself a monument. As I ponder a passages relevance to me I journal the thoughts that arise. Jotting them down somehow cements my convictions in my mind, almost like laying out stones in a monument so I can go back to that place later and be reminded. I also use those notes to come here and share my thoughts later with others.
Keep your actual quiet time concise. This will help make it more likely the habit will continue to happen on a regular basis. Better to spend 15 minutes in the word daily, than 1 hour once a week.
Don't require absolute "alone" and uninterrupted time (without kids around). If they are around, they can learn to not interrupt you for 15 minutes, just like you spend time with other people when they are around, you can spend time with the Lord with them around too.
Think of God’s Word as a love letter to you. When you read stories of God’s wrath in the Old Testament, think about WHAT love paid the price for all that wrath and how a hand that once smote anyone who dared touch the ark of His covenant now beckons YOU to draw near to the throne of grace. Read everything in light of who God is and how much He loves mankind that in spite of our being so deprived, His love story reaches out, encompasses us, washes us clean, and seeks to draw us near.
May you seek Him, may He be found by you, and may you be blessed on the journey.
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13 comments:
"With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes" (v.12). I will take this with me today as I go and spend the day with my family. Not that my family are my 'foes' but they are a challenge (emotionally, spiritually)to be with.
The notes of my Bible say, "The closer we get to God, the more our enemies will attack us because we threaten their evil and selfish way of living". I truly feel that through reading through these chapters every day I am coming closer to God. I will tread carefully and *prayerfully* around the selfish way of living that my family engages in. I am going to pray for them today all the way into the city!
"You have raised a banner to gather those who fear you. Now they can stand up against the enemy." v4
I will never again be able to read the word "banner" without thinking back to something I read last year about the "flag bearers" in the heat of battle.
http://theprairieschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2009/02/banner-in-battle.html
Certainly one who stands alone will be immobilized by fear but one who finds themself "under the banner" surrounded by support and at the flank of their general, will take courage to "stand against the enemy" as this verse says.
love you girl. Praying for you as you stand in the thick of it today. Feel that banner over you, feel our support, know that "you're covered." Take up all that spiritual armor and I will cover your back in prayer =)
My translation says; "Help us fight the enemy, human help is useless, but we can win with God's help, HE will defeat our enemies." v12
He will cover you, He will strengthen you, He will empower you, girl. Take heart and rejoice in His banner of love over you.
I loved that thing about the banner.
I'm struggling in Psalms lately, not sure why. I read, but I have nothing to add. Enjoying the comments though, and loving this fellowship. So glad you're here now Denise!
'...You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
O grant us help against the foe, for , for human help is worthless.
With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.'
This popped into my head as I read the end of this Psalm...
The battle is the Lords PRAISE GOD and the victory is ours.
We all know the victory call that comes out of that. The other part to that is to not go out with out the Lord. To not go against or with out his will. Get yourself right with God, humble yourself before the Lord, because human help is useless and we are unable on our own. I appreciate this is a practice of that discipline of getting right with God. A good reminder that the victory requires GOD doing the battle and requires us working WITH our Savior!
Denise, I pray things went well for you. Family can be very hard. I feel a new strength in praying for my unbelieving family as I am working through a intercessory book. I also feel a joy in the Lord that can't be rocked by those people and situations around us. The JOY of the Lord is our strength ladies!
Prairie Chick! Love your words of encouragement. The armor of God ROCKS and so do our warrior sisters who the Lord uses to come to our aid!
Berry Girl, I hear you! I usually struggle with Psalms... I don't know why, I like to think of myself as artistic and creative and yet one of the most artful books of the Bible often leaves me with out a thing to say... I found praying the chapters has gave them more meaning to me. I also feel like it is for sure one book of the Bible that requires us embracing our emotions as we read it! I love to try to feel the heart of the people who wrote and sang it. I often can then identify. I am sure there are times in all of our lives when we could have wrote such Psalms out of similar loses and victories, joys and pains.
>>I'm struggling in Psalms lately, not sure why. I read, but I have nothing to add.<<
well good job anyway? :) Sometimes it just doesn't come together hey? But you can still say that you (read), and that's more than most people can say...
sound familiar? Back atcha! =D
LOLOL - touché my dear :)
>>We all know the victory call that comes out of that. The other part to that is to not go out with out the Lord. To not go against or with out his will. Get yourself right with God, humble yourself before the Lord, because human help is useless and we are unable on our own. I appreciate this is a practice of that discipline of getting right with God. A good reminder that the victory requires GOD doing the battle and requires us working WITH our Savior!<<
There is so much truth here, I am going to be chewing on this today!
THANK YOU all for your prayers and thoughts today! It was honestly one of the best days I have had in a long time with my family! I did not feel like killing someone, or crying, or feeling beaten down emotionally when I left!!! And yes, the JOY of the Lord is our strength! Feel the love!
"...when I feel like a soldier trapped behind enemy lines all I have to do is look up... and I'll see that His Banner over Me is Love. And that's all the hope and promise this girl needs"
LOVE IT!
And Jen - THANKS for showing up!
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