I read this quote last week from “The Names of God” by Andrew Jukes and it pinned me to the wall:
“We would not pass a bag of money, if we might have it, because we could get some pleasure from it; but we can pass by God, morning, noon, and night, for we expect no good or pleasure from Him.”
Bible study and having a quiet time are a frequent practice in my life but sometimes I will go an entire day or two without opening God’s word. As a matter of fact, just last week I realized that I had read the complete Mt. Vernon newspaper but I had not “had time” to read the Bible. Who knows how many television shows I have watched on days when I just couldn’t “get to” my quiet time. Such pathetic excuses! The Holy Spirit used this quote by Andrew Jukes, written in 1882, to convict me deeply. I share it with you as a matter of my own confession but also to ask you to listen to the Holy Spirit on this subject. I bring no condemnation; that is not the way of our El Shaddai (Romans 8:1). It’s not about legalism, either. Think in terms of “quality”, not “quantity”. I simply request that you ask the Lord if He is pleased with the time you spend with Him and His word, and respond to what He shows you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Priorities and Expectations
Posted by Kathryn Maberry at 9:49 AM
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3 comments:
I too am very guilty of passing by His word. I don't doubt that we all truly are busy people, but it's kind of like Billy Hybels' book title "Too Busy Not to Pray". We are a nation full of people that are too busy not to spend time in God's word. We need those moments to re-focus our thoughts and goals before we get too far off track.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to allocate a little more of my day for reading the most important book in the house - The Bible.
Wow - this cuts deep. I won't even try to make excuses. I have a to do list made out on a post-it note and 100% of the time I only get 1/2 to 3/4 done and carry over to the next day the things I don't get done. I'm reminded by you today to PUT IT ON THE LIST because in my self-imposed business I won't consciously make the time. Shame on me!
Today I'm thankful for..... You and your humility!
Thank you for reminding me I need to intentionally spend time in God's Word. I have been watching what I eat in order to improve my physical health, but I often neglect to feed my soul on Holy Food from His Word. I can't have a healthy soul that way. It will dry out and shrivel into a brittle, dusty tumbleweed blown about by strong winds of my own thoughts & emotions based on what I see in the world and not on what God says.
Thank you, too, for confessing a shortcoming and letting us see that you are, like all of us, a work in progress.
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