The devil is constantly scheming against us.
He wants to
stir up trouble,
cause dissention,
distract our hearts
and render us ineffective for the cause of Christ.
He wants us to fall prey to his bitterness and run away emotions.
That is me....distracted.
I have been rendered ineffective for the cause of Christ.
I have been in a funk lately and I know I am struggling to get out, but then I see LOTS of time has gone by and I feel like I have done nothing effective for the cause of Christ. I am wasting my life!
Last week I finished a book Confessions of a Prayer Slacker and I got fired up to change my ways (It is 99 cents on the Kindle, go get you one!). I stopped taking mulligans for not having time with God each day. I read the book, which was partially procrastinating against quiet time. I wanted to make sure I was doing it right...all in the name of research, right! So I finished the book, in tears, and then I opened my journal, got a notecard so I was sure to remember the guidelines the author talks about in her book. First, was to begin reading IN THE BIBLE, so I am reading through the Psalms on YouVersion. I love to read how other people are doing it, what other's have to say about Jesus, but that isn't the most important thing. Then I am journaling and praying every morning before I start my day (usually after the kids leave for school at 7:30). I am on Day 6, in a row, HUGE for me people!! Usually this is how I work...I get fired up for a day, then the next day I see something shiny and I am off doing something stupid, and not what should be doing for a good spiritual life. I don't say this to brag, but for a couple of reasons. To put it out there that maybe someone will keep me accountable, "Hey Jodi how are you doing with your quiet time?" and and also that maybe someone else would be inspired. I do read devotionals and a lot of other people's books, but what I was lacking was ACTUALLY reading the bible and having a one-on-one relationship with God each and every day. It is important that we read the Bible for ourselves, so we can get the truths that are in the Bible first hand AND intimacy with God. It was evident to me that God was preparing my heart for this as I was constantly coming across things that were pointing me in that direction. He was gracefully reminding me and convicting me that there was more. Thank you, God, cause you have to hit me over the head quite a few times before I really GET it sometimes. Oh yea, you know that already huh?
In the past week I have come across things like these.....
"When all your favorite preachers are gone, and all their books forgotten, you will have your Bible. Master it. Master it." --- John Piper
and this article
Why Bible Study doesn't Transform Us
and this
Jesus Calling ~ May 15
Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not feel guilty about taking time to be with Me. Remember that Satan is the accuser of believers. He delights in heaping guilt feelings upon you, especially when you are enjoying My Presence. When you feel Satan’s arrows of accusation, you are probably on the right track. Use your shield of faith to protect yourself from him. Talk with Me about what you are experiencing, and ask Me to show you the way forward. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to Me, and I will come near to you.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. “For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”
—Revelation 12:10
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
—Ephesians 6:16
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
—James 4:7–8
and this
and this
The once concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. Samuel Chadwick
Friends, I hope you find inspiration in these words, and you find your way to the best way for you. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them? When do you have your quiet time? How do you structure your time with God each day?
I leave you with these pieces of preciousness! I can't get enough of this little girl!
