Change is in the air here at P4 (and hopefully spring too!). Starting today (March 2) you'll only be seeing my written blogs. You'll still see some video, but only for special messages and occasions.
Now on to my thoughts (or maybe I should say confessions)...
I messed up this weekend. Saturday came, and as I got into my morning, I made the choice to not read my Bible when I normally do, right after breakfast. I had a list of things to get done and rationalized I'd read later. Well, later happened but my Bible reading didn't. Before I knew it, it was after lunch and my husband and I were headed out for the afternoon. I told myself I'd read when I got home. Well, you guessed it, it never happened.
Thankfully, though, God convicted me big time after the fact. I asked myself Why didn't I read my Bible? My answer--I had a self-centered Saturday by making the things in my day a higher priority than God. (Wow, what's up with that?) That realization was embarrassing and I felt ashamed. So I prayed for forgiveness and asked God to help me put Him and His Word at the forefront--as the desire of my heart. Well, it's been two days, and all is good. Thank you, Lord!
So does that mean I'll never mess up again? No. We all struggle and are tempted every day to do our own thing. So if you can relate to my Saturday, hang in there! You can get through it. God knows what you're dealing with, and He'll help and meet you right where you're at. Tami W.
P.S. Keep reading in Luke. We're almost done.
Get up before anyone and do it first. Ok get a cup of coffee first to wake up some maybe.
Sad to say but when you speak of being convicted about not reading Scripture I felt convicted about not feeling convicted. Although I am not necessarily perfect in consistent Bible reading, when I haven't read I cannot say I have felt convicted. Maybe I rationalize it away or perhaps do not consider it as important or vital to my life as I should. After all Jesus the master Himself said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. I pray that I may gain renewed sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and appreciation for God's Word as my sustenance. Thanks for your candid comments.
Hi Tami:
OK, I’ll be the contrarian here. God loves you even if you didn’t read your Bible one day. I know, you know that and I know that. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for spending time in God’s Word – that is the whole point of P4 right?
But we (not you and me per se -- but followers of Jesus in general) are prone to set expectations for ourselves. We feel that we must do certain things in our walk with God to please Him and to be spiritual. Then when we don’t do things exactly the way that we feel that we should we feel guilty. Or worse, we feel that we must do what others dictate that we should to be spiritual. Then we feel guilty if/when we don’t measure up.
Ever have a day when you are running in a million different directions and don’t have the time to spend with a good friend or with your husband? I do. (Except for me it’s my wife, not my husband :) ) Does it mean that you love your husband any less? No. Does it mean that you were busy? Yep.
Anyway, I’ve been the contrarian long enough here.
Thank you for your honesty. I have been trying to make God the first thought I have the moment I awaken each morning. This is a form of exercise. It is something we must train ourselves to do. Also, I make it a point to include God in conversation when I am talking to my self. Jesus is the best friend I have in all the world. He is always there, 24/7. I am so grateful for His Holy Spirit which lives inside me. Without it I would indeed be lost.........To God be the Glory
I have a song in my heart, a witness to my faith to shares as I am led by the Lord, alove in my heart to read in the word daily. I plan ahead to arrive at my job early to read and I add insight to my journal pages. I end my days early to be silent before the Lord. I hope this is a blessing to you.
Hello, I started to Live for Jesus On Nov. 30 1992. walkthewalk92 which to means to me that i want to walk the walk as best as i can.
Not having mush prior backgounud before that time. I was 40 then.
I don't want to get caught up in being too Religious,and allow condemnation, but do want to spend time in the word every day. and have time for meditation in the word. But i have fell short and desire to do better, thats why i like this Powered by 4. It has been helping me and i wanted you to know.
Hey Insurance Guy (or should I say contrarian?),
I follow what you're saying totally and I absolutely know that God loves me even though I didn't read Saturday. But just so you know, my falter on Saturday wasn't about setting expectations and then feeling guilty. It was an attitude thing and I needed convicted--really.
Thanks for your comments and encouragement. It's always good to get us thinking!
Hello Again,
As for your sat,I commend you. I haven't had enough days in my life so far to remember a consistent reading of the word time. It is my desire. In saying that i am sharing with you somthing thats i would like to overcome. knowing that prayer changes things. I recently found your powered by 4 and the blogs have been helping me.
The judgement seat of Christ is somthing i been listening to lately. and i am interested in and enjoy the back to the bible teachings. Woodrow and you have a great way of presenting the Gospel.Thanks again. sincerely Jerry
I am guilty of the same...desiring to spend time with the Lord, then not. Then feeling guilty and wallowing in that, then thankfully, the Lord restores me. I get on track then at sometime do it all again. And over all the years He has always been faithfull to restore me and grow me.
I am so thankful for His grace, mercy and faithfulness.
May He receive all the glory and honor due Him.
Hi Tami,
I'm new to Poweredby4. I like this concept. After being ill for a couple of months and a 2 week hospital stay, my routine of being in God's word got blasted out of the water, so-to-speak. P4 is helping me get back into a daily practice. As I was reading everyone's comments I was reminded of many scriptures about our first fruits. Ps 3:9-10 Pro 3:9 Honor Jehovah with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase, Pro 3:10 and your barns shall be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst with new wine. The morning is the first-fruit of my day. It is difficult for me to wake up talking to God. My mind immeditately turns to my "To-Do List". I must remind myself that I can't even take my next breath without God spearheading it. It is He who gives me strength and life to take the next breath, so why should I consider that I have the strength to delve into my "To-Do List" without "first" giving Him my day and gaining His Truth and strength from His word.
I truly identify with your conviction. I must awake with an attitude of gratitude to start my day off right. In the words of Life are the very answers I need for my day. While it may grieve the Father, (Who sets His Word above His Name, Ps 138:2), that I may forget to study His word and hear His personal word for me on any given morning, I am the one who truly misses out. His bread gives me life and strength for the day and if I am too busy to eat it right away, I am the one that will be weak and become a target for the enemy. I really hate it when I fall into that trap. I want to be empowered by God's word, but I must choose to read it to have that power in my life. Jesus said, I have food to eat that you know nothing about. (John 4:32) He was talking about His time with the Father. To me, reading the Bible is more than a reading or studying time, it is worship. That worship entails a relationship with God and all that God is. When I miss that, I lose.
May He continue to enrich your life in all He is.
Gloria