Too often we look at life from a worldly point of view, mainly because we live in the world and are surrounded by it all the time.  However, what we need to do is live life from a Biblical point of view.  I have created a 28 day devotional that helps give us a Biblical perspective.  Each day has three different passages with the same three themes:

1. Who God is…
2. Who I am…
3. What I am called to do…

I believe that God wants us to look to the Scriptures and understand how these three fit together.  You can print out this one page devotional chart for your own personal use by clicking here.

How can I get the most out of this devotional?  Read and meditate on each passage of Scripture.  Meditation simply means that you take a few minutes to prayerfully think deeply and ponder what is written.  Jot down some notes, in a journal, as you go along .  Each day has a main theme, so as you go through each passage try to draw out the main theme.   Look at the relationships between who God is, who you are and what God is calling you to do.  Who we are and what God has called us to do should mirror who God is.  Finally, apply the truths to your own life.  Ask the question, “How do these passages identify me and cause me to live differently today as I interact with the world around me?”

• Read and prayerfully meditate on the passages.
• Draw out the main theme.
• Apply it to your life today.

It is critically important that we do not read the Scriptures as a book of “do’s and don’ts”.  God desires that we know Him intimately, that we understand Jesus Christ has come to save us from our sins and redeem us back into a loving relationship with God.  May you read, meditate and bathe yourself in the truth of God so that you walk away transformed by His love and grace.

Here is an example of one day:

Who God is…Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one God and this one God who is a Spirit is over all things.  God is sovereign, God is in control.  God watches over me as my Father.

Who I am…1 Corinthians 12:27

I am a member of the body of Christ.  All believers make up the whole body of Christ, but God has also called me to be an individual member, with specific gifts and living out a specific role He has for me.

What I am Called to Do…Ephesians 4:15-16

I am to be a part of a growing body, the church, the body of Christ.  I am to grow individually, but also corporately with everyone else.  I am to speak the truth in love.

The devotional really is that simple.  But I think you see the progression of Biblical thought.  The beauty of this study is that you can take ten minutes to prayerfully meditate on the passages or an hour, whatever you like.

All for Jesus,

Fletch

The Single most important discipline in your life is prayer and Bible study.  Wait, I thought you said the single most important.  I did, they both go together like peanut butter and jelly.  You need to be prayerfully reading the Bible everyday of your life.  Nothing will impact your life more than this one discipline.  Eating healthy, exercising, building material wealth, watching less tv, reading Christian books nor anything else will impact your life the way praying and reading your Bible everyday will impact it.  This one discipline will impact every relationship  you have or want to have, every conversation you are in, every thought that you have, every action that you take.  Reading your Bible and praying will impact your attitude and outlook on life more than anything else.  It’s that powerful.

Even more than all of these, praying and reading your Bible everyday will put you in conversation with the God of the universe.  We were created by God and for God, our lives are to be lived in a moment by moment rhythm of worshiping this Holy God through Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.  Praying and reading your Bible everyday will give you the perspective on life that you were created to have.  A God-centered, Christ-exalting perspective that leaves no room for self.

The discipline is simple but excruciatingly difficult.  I have been in full time Christian ministry for twenty years and I still struggle with this discipline.  I believe it is difficult for three main reasons.  The first is that I am selfish and do not want to give up any of my time to be with God, even though I know it is the most important time spent with the most important person in my life.  Secondly, my faith is weak and does not fully believe that time spent in prayer and Bible study really makes a difference in my life, my work and the world around me.  Thirdly, Satan knows that it is the single most important discipline I need to have and so he tries to thwart it every day.

I suggest that you do whatever it takes to develop this discipline in your life.  All you need is a Bible and a relatively quiet place to be alone with God.  I am not even going to suggest that you read a devotional book to start (even though I have written some).  Just grab your Bible, open up to one of the gospels, and read.  As you read prayerfully ask God to speak to you, and to just be with you.  Think deeply about the words you are reading and ask God to use those words to transform your heart and mind.  You could do it for five minutes or fifty-five minutes.  Just start the process of developing this discipline of praying and reading your Bible every day.  It is the single most important discipline. You have to master this discipline of daily prayer and Bible Study.