A FRESH START
FRESH START
One of the things I love about this time of year is that most of us look at the past year and see things we want to change about our lives and circumstances and set goals to make a change. Often we get more serious about our exercise and diet, doing better with our finances, spending more time with our family. We make these resolutions in our lives because we want to improve our quality of life.
If you were to make a New Year’s Resolution spiritually, what would it be? What intentional commitments would you need to make to move forward in spiritual maturity in 2014. This week we began a series called “Fresh Start” and began looking at some foundational principles and commitments that are necessary to make 2014 a year of greater spiritual maturity and growth. One of the essential ingredients for growth is a daily time with God in His Word.
Let me give you some suggestions if you are just getting started.
One, if you are just beginning this commitment you might begin with some devotional scripture readings for every morning. Something like Samuel Bagster’s “Daily Light For Your Daily Path” which is make up of daily Scripture readings built around a theme. It is something you can use personally or involve your family and it does not take long.
Two, if you want to read through the bible this year there are many different plans on the internet. Or you can access www.lifejournal.cc which is an excellent tool to get into God’s Word on a daily basis. I believe Wayne Cordero and his church is involved in this website and you can learn how to SOAP a verse. It is a good tool if you like to journal. You pick a verse from your daily reading and SOAP it. S stands for Scripture, O is Observation- what does the passage say in its context and then A- Application- how does it apply to my life and then P- is Prayer. Check it out.
Third, the You Version app for your phone, I-pad or Kindle. It is excellent and has all kinds of devotionals, bible reading plans, and different translations. I really like it. Someone asked me, “Pastor, what is your Plan for 2014?” Good question. My plan is to use the Discipleship Journal’s Book at a Time Reading Plan this year (from the You Version app, it even reminds me every day with a text message) every day and SOAP a verse from the reading 3-5 days a week. By God’s grace, that is the plan. If I miss a day, I will get after it the next day.. I must remember the goal is not how much of Bible I get through but how much of the bible I allow the Holy Spirit to work through me. I want to focus on being a doer of the Word.
Let me encourage you to get a plan, find a place, and make the time to meet with God every day. If you miss a day, a week, a month or even longer, start today. Don’t beat yourself up over the past, start today. I am convinced that if you begin this Journey with God through His Word, 2014 will be a great year of Spiritual growth for you. I am pumped to see what God is going to do in our lives and in our church as we walk with Him this year.
Pastor Scott