Monthly Archives: September 2010

Favorite Devotional

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

James 4:8 (English Standard Version)

I have read and interacted with a variety devotionals (and devotional-type materials) over the past several years.  Some have been great and others have left something to be desired, but I’d like to think that at least most of them share a common motivation:

 

To encourage the reader into a deeper relationship with Christ

through a brief challenge from His Word

that results in further study, reflection, and change.

With that purpose in mind, one devotional has so significantly challenged me that I find myself going back to it over and over again:

 

My Utmost for His Highest

By Oswald Chambers

Organized into a 365 day format, the short daily readings (which were compiled by his wife after his death) convey a message of the absolute truth found in God’s Word, passionate conviction, and a sincere love for people.

While I do have (and often refer to) this “updated edition” in “today’s language”…

 

 

I actually very much enjoy the older version as well.  Something about the complexity of sentence structure and depth of words not often used continues to captivate me.

 

What devotionals have been the most meaningful to you?

**09.16.11 Update: If you’re here from Kelly’s Korner Show Us Your Life: Favorite Bible Studies/Devotion Books, welcome! I am constantly involved in and/or leading Bible Studies and could name several that have both challenged my faith and assisted in deepening my walk with the Lord. A couple of other devotional-type books I would highly recommend are Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon and The Valley of Vision, which is a collection of Puritan prayers. 

One of my favorite Bible Studies continues to be Beth Moore’s A Heart Like His based on the life of David. I also reference three of Kay Arthur’s Bible Studies here, here, and here.

Ultimately, though, some of the best, richest, deepest and most challenging Bible Studies I have ever been a part of are the ones where a group of us have gotten together (usually over coffee…) and just studied God’s Word. . .reading Scripture verse-by-verse, asking countless questions, praying for wisdom from the Holy Spirit, seeking answers from trusted commentaries, and committing ourselves to simply seeking after and knowing God.**

Proof of a Fatal Flaw

Okay, so maybe “fatal flaw” is a bit dramatic, but I do have a problem.

 

 

 I like the bed made…every day. 

 

 

Which wouldn’t really be such a problem, except for the fact that I rarely have time to make the bed in the morning (in general, mornings and I don’t really get along).

 

 

 

But I still like the bed made.  So I often make the bed when I get home in the evening…even if it’s already 7:55 pm and I know I will just UNmake the bed again in a few short hours.

 

 

Yep…problem.

What’s one of your “fatal flaws”?

Love More

 

I have sat across the sanctuary and watched as a vital member of the congregation flipped the pages of another member’s Bible to the proper passage and thought…that’s love.

I have heard of a friend encouraging and hugging a young child who was questioning his worth and thought…that’s love.

I have read the blogs of those serving (both short-term and long-term) in the missionfield around the world as they minister to children and families living in poverty situations that I can’t begin to understand and thought…that’s love.

Call it a personality trait, a learned behavior, or a sin (or some wicked combination of all three), but I have a horrible tendency to become judgmental and critical of those around me.  Often, with very little cause or provocation.

[This is the point in the conversation where you try to offer some consolation by assuring me that I am NOT the only one with this struggle.  At least I hope I’m not.] 

But recently, I have yet again (you’d think I could get it the first – or tenth – time…) been made aware (or, dare I say, convicted) of how this tendency is without question UN-loving and UN-Christ-like.

In distinct contrast and opposition to this judgmental tendency is a selfless exhibit of love, which is simultaneously a command, a commitment, and a choice.  When it comes to our interactions with others (both inside and outside of the body of Christ, the Church), rather than standing in judgment, the Biblical imperative is to…

Love deeply.

“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

There is no commandment greater than these.’”

Mark 12:30-31 (New International Version)

 

Love obediently.

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

As you have heard from the beginning,

his command is that you walk in love.”

2 John 6 (NIV)

 

Love sincerely.

“Love must be sincere.

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)

 

Love intentionally.

“Flee the evil desires of youth,

and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

 

Love completely.

“Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)

 

Love MORE.

“Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you,

for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 

And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia.

Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so

more and more.”

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NIV – emphasis added)

Dear Reader…

Dear Faithful Few Blog Readers:
 
Please accept my sincerest apologies for neglecting you for the past 10 days.  I know, I know…10!  I trust that you have spent your time reading far more superior content in my absence (you know, as in meaningful articles, actual books, or…fortune cookie inserts).  Thank you for hanging around and continuing to check-in; your loyalty is MUCH appreciated.
 
Posts on the following will be coming soon and very soon (although not necessarily in this order):
 

1. The Butterfly Bush.

 

2. New Devo Post.  Finally.  All We Need is Love.

 

3. Coconut Macaroons: the easiest/fastest dessert ever, but oh so tasty.

 

4. One of my fatal flaws: seriously, it’s a problem.

 

5. My favorite devotional.  Of. All. Time.

 

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend and are now adjusting to your post-summer routines!
 
Sincerely,
 
Emily