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.

I use three main weapons to fight for joy.  The first is God’s Word.  The Bible brings me the true truth about life, God, who I am and how I am supposed to live.  The Bible tells me the unbelievable story of God’s relentless pursuit of me and His unconditional grace He floods my life with everyday through Jesus.  Thanks to my old Young Life leader, Casey Dunn, I memorized Psalm 119:9,11 in high school and I still remember it today.

“How can a young man keep his way pure?…I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” 

Hiding God’s Word in my heart enables me to fight for joy and to believe that the promises of  God are far better than the promises of the world.

The second weapon I use to fight for joy is prayer.  I am terrible at prayer.  I can’t sit still for more than 35 seconds.  Prayer is hard work but it pays great dividends.  I try and pray throughout my day, attempting to constantly keep the Lord on my mind.  Asking the Holy Spirit to fight for me when I am tempted or frustrated or feeling down.  Sometimes I put these two weapons together and pray through a passage of Scripture.

The third weapon I fight for joy with is friendships.  I have a couple of guys that I can share absolutely anything with.  I can call them day or night, ask them for help, advice or prayer. They have always been there for me.  If I am feeling like a complete failure then I know I can call one of them to help me work through it.

So, my challenge to you is simple, grab your Bible, speak directly to God and make sure you have some buddies that will fight this battle with you.  The battle is of utmost importance, it has eternal consequences.

All for Jesus,

Fletch