Someone told me as a small child that in order to be a Christian you had to read your Bible every day. I don't remember who or any of the details, but as a very early reader with a very tender heart for the Lord, I began reading my Bible at age three and diligently read a minimum of a chapter a day for years. I barely missed a day for 2 decades.
About that time another person spoke into my life and began to tell me that my daily habit of spending time reading the Bible and journaling was legalistic and unnecessary. They said I should be able to communicate with God on the go and not be such a bear if I didn't get my devotional time first thing every morning.
Honestly, both of these mentor's were right.
However taking either one of their advice to the extreme causes problems. If I would have been reading my Bible daily for the express purpose of fire insurance thinking to save myself from hell, this would be bad advice. But to believe I could grow in my walk with the Lord, control my temper and walk in the fruit of the Spirit consistently without spending daily time with the Spirit is also flawed thinking. It's pride! It's absolutely true I am not a pleasant person on my own. I need God! I don't just need a religious habit, but in reality my habit was benefiting me according to the Law of Process as John Maxwell calls it.
It's step by step that we climb a mountain. It's bite by bite we eat an elephant. It's daily exercise that enables us to climb a mountain. It's daily time with the Lord that enables us to shine like stars in the universe.
Certainly there are times we absolutely cannot spend that sit down read and meditate time we want. Even Jesus had to sneak away for his prayer time. Even Jesus was interrupted by the crowds... And he had compassion on them. Yet, He continued to sneak away for time with the Father.
Where are my daily habits taking me now? Closer to the supernatural life I want to live or more into my human understanding and prideful selfishness. I will say with the psalmist, ''as the deer pants for water so my soul longs for you.''
About that time another person spoke into my life and began to tell me that my daily habit of spending time reading the Bible and journaling was legalistic and unnecessary. They said I should be able to communicate with God on the go and not be such a bear if I didn't get my devotional time first thing every morning.
Honestly, both of these mentor's were right.
However taking either one of their advice to the extreme causes problems. If I would have been reading my Bible daily for the express purpose of fire insurance thinking to save myself from hell, this would be bad advice. But to believe I could grow in my walk with the Lord, control my temper and walk in the fruit of the Spirit consistently without spending daily time with the Spirit is also flawed thinking. It's pride! It's absolutely true I am not a pleasant person on my own. I need God! I don't just need a religious habit, but in reality my habit was benefiting me according to the Law of Process as John Maxwell calls it.
It's step by step that we climb a mountain. It's bite by bite we eat an elephant. It's daily exercise that enables us to climb a mountain. It's daily time with the Lord that enables us to shine like stars in the universe.
Certainly there are times we absolutely cannot spend that sit down read and meditate time we want. Even Jesus had to sneak away for his prayer time. Even Jesus was interrupted by the crowds... And he had compassion on them. Yet, He continued to sneak away for time with the Father.
Where are my daily habits taking me now? Closer to the supernatural life I want to live or more into my human understanding and prideful selfishness. I will say with the psalmist, ''as the deer pants for water so my soul longs for you.''