God First Challenge: Day 14 - Live it!

Day 14 Challenge:  Live it!

Day 14 Scripture: James 1:22

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

We’re almost at the end of our challenge but here’s the thing…If you don’t do today’s challenge then the last two weeks have been in vain and utterly pointless. 

WHAT??  Shouldn’t you have told me this at the beginning?  Maybe so but you’ve came this far so don’t stop now…

LIVE IT!   Let’s not just wake up, study, and even ask God what He wants us to do with our day.  Follow through with what He tells us. 

Live out His Word. 

Make our choices based on what we’ve learned about His word.  Not on what society is telling us, not on what I tell you, not on what your parents have told you and not even on what your church leaders are telling you but on what HE has told you. 

I wanted to share this video from Francis Chan that's really stuck with me.  He makes a great point - one that I can easily relate to as a Mom!  I can only imagine how furious I would be if I told "Miss Priss" to go clean her room and she came back and told me she'd thought about, studied it, and even had some friends over and talked about it but didn't DO IT!!  Is that what we're I'm doing with God's Word? 

Let's apply this morning time to our life and LIVE  boldly for HIM!

It may not always be the EASY way but it’ll always be the BEST way even when we don’t see it at the time.

God First Challenge: Day 13-Prioritize!

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Day 13 Challenge: Prioritize

Day 13 Scripture:  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."  Matthew 6:33

I have some bad news and some good news for you.

Bad News:  If you’ve made it this far you’re probably really starting to get challenged!  Satan is probably starting to throw things at you (besides sleep) that are starting to keep you from getting up and spending those first few minutes of the day with God.    

Good News:  You’ve actually already beat this challenge!  Every morning that you’ve chosen to successfully get up instead of sleeping in you’ve chosen God over sleep.  Every morning that you’ve gotten your Bible and went to your solitary place you’ve chosen God over that cell phone or television. 

As you continue even after these 15 days you’re going to have to choose and prioritize every morning but the good news is you can do ALL things through Christ!

Prioritizing  and Simplifying have become almost synonyms for me.   This blog was actually a result of me really questioning my priorities and how I was spending my time.   This is further explained here.

Now when I hear someone say, “I just don’t have time for that.” Or “Sorry, I meant to _______ but I just didn’t have time.”  What I really hear is “It wasn’t a priority for me.” 

And sometimes that’s ok.  Sometimes I even smile to myself and think “I’m glad they have their priorities in order.”  Of course there are other times I think, “Get your priorities in order!”  May sound a little harsh to you but everyone that lives through today is going to have 24 hours.  The difference is what we CHOOSE to do with that time.  And (as I said in my first blog) whether you realize it or not how you spend your time is a direct reflection of your priorities.

So you may be getting to (or maybe already reached) the point where things are getting chaotic.  Where you really need to get some other things done in the morning or you really just need your sleep back. 

I challenge you to prioritize.  Realize what your priorities are then make sure your time is spent according to them.  If God really is your number one priority then it shouldn’t be such a problem to give him the first few minutes of your day.  Only then will you truly find happiness and peace.

God First Challenge: Day 12 - Put on Your Armour!

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Day 12 Challenge: Put on the Armour of God

Day 12 Scripture:  Ephesians 6:10-18, Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 119:11

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Why are we studying and meditating each morning?  So that we are prepared for the battle and whatever the devil may throw our way.  Don’t leave what you’ve read, studied and meditated on in your solitary place but take it with you throughout your day! (And it’s a lot easier to take it with you it you’ve memorized it, right?)

I love reading about when Jesus was tempted by Satan.  Did you ever notice what his response was each time? 

It was the Word of God.  Each time Satan tempted him he started with “It is written…” followed by the scripture.  The Bible is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.”  You really want to give Satan a good blow – then really know your Bible. 

One thing I’ve realized as I’ve gotten deeper into His word is how much easier it is to make a decision when you know what the Bible says about it.  God’s not the author of confusion.  His Word is plain and clear, black and white. 

You’ll be able to offer encouragement since you’ve already been encouraged.

You’ll be able to control your temper a little more.

You’ll have more peace about a situation.

You’ll have more patience when you are reminded each morning how much patience God’s had with you.

It’s amazing how the first 15 minutes of your day, if spent with the right person, can change the remainder of the day.  So I challenge you today - don’t leave your house or even begin your day without your sword…

God First Challenge: Day 11 - Memorize Scripture

Day 11 Challenge: Memorize Scripture/Post it Around the House

Day 11 Scripture:  Proverbs 6:20-22  “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:  Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.  When thou goes it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”

This is my weakest link. I try to memorize scripture. I mean really start out with good intentions but the older I get the harder it seems to really retain it! 

My main inspiration for memorizing scripture is my great-grandad. He lived to be 105 and was still preaching. He truly believed that retirement was up to God. God would call him home when He was ready for him to retire. When he first started preaching he couldn't read and my great-grandmother read Him the scriptures and he would memorize them. He later learned to read but then once his eyesight started to fail it didn't really matter because he had it all I'm his heart.  Even at 100 years old he could still quote chapters at a time.

There's so many reasons for memorizing scripture-to use in our defense against temptation, to encourage others.  Or you never know when we may no longer have a Bible or our own eyesight becomes to weak to read it.

I also love this verse for today's challenge.  Bind them continually on your heart, tie them about your neck - wherever you go have scripture with you.  On your heart, on your mind, even written down on index cards or placed somewhere you will see it often.  For me that's the best way to memorize it!

So I challenge you today find a scripture and memorize it! 

Maybe it's one that's become dear to you during this study. 

Maybe it's one that you need to know and recall often for this period of your life.

Maybe it's one that you need to know to encourage someone else. 

Whatever the reason find it and bind it!

God First Challenge: Day 10 - Meditate on Scripture

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Day 10 Challenge:  Meditate on Scripture

Day 10 Scripture: Joshua 1:8  “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make the way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”  1 Timothy 4:15

Now you’ve dug a little deeper and read what God has to say about the issue – now dwell on it awhile! That’s one reason I love the SOAP method.  I like just taking a couple verses at a time and really letting them sink in-not just my head but my heart -letting God use His word to speak to me.  That’s just another one of the benefits of getting in God’s word first thing in the morning you have all day to meditate on it.

When talking about prayer earlier I mentioned taking some time to listen not just letting it all be about you talking.  It’s the same way with studying God’s word.  Don’t just read, read, and read some more but stop and listen to what God’s telling you through his Word.  If we're talking about God's Word being nourishment for our souls then let it be a delicious dessert and savour every last bite!

Our church presents each high school graduate with a new Bible.  When I received my Bible our pastor at the time told me that all I needed to study God’s word was a KJV Bible, a Webster’s dictionary and most importantly the Holy Spirit.  I can look back now and see just how right he was! 

Not sure what a verse means?  Ask the author-He’s there with you. 

Not sure how it applies to your life? Continue to seek His will and way through his word and prayer. 

I challenge you today to spend some time truly meditating and allow God’s word to come to life!

God First Challenge: Day 9-Study

 

Day 9 Challenge:  Study

Day 9 Scripture:  2 Timothy 2:15  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

There are two reasons this challenge is so important and life changing for me: (1) I need spiritual nourishment. (2) I need to study God’s Word and KNOW what it says.

I think that’s one of the main problems with our country today. We’ve all taken others’ at their word and their interpretations and trusted on that instead of truly studying God’s Word and knowing for ourselves what it says. Our morals and our standards are more influenced by society than God’s Word. If we truly want to see things change then change must start within us, within our family and our home, then to our community and so forth. And the way for things to truly change within us is to truly get in God’s Word and study. Don’t be ignorant concerning God’s Word!

One thing that has really helped me in my studying is the SOAP method. SOAP stands for –Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. I was introduced to this method through GMG. I like it because it’s easy yet thorough and effective! 

Scripture - you actually write down the scripture you read.  I like that I actually write down the scripture. There’s just something about writing it down that helps it to sink in a little more. 

Observation- To me the observation part is just the“digging a little deeper”. It usually includes what stuck out to me on a verse and other verse references. 

Application - Then the application part is how I can apply it to my life. It still amazes me how the Bible was written so many years ago yet is still so relevant today. 

Prayer -Then the last one is prayer. I usually start and end my bible studies in prayer. Praying over what I’ve read and asking God to help me truly apply it to my life and live it!

Here's an example of my SOAP sheet from James:

 

To read more about this method or to create your own SOAP journal online click here.

So I challenge you to really dig a little deeper in His Word today.  Maybe use a page of your journal and try out the SOAP method or maybe you have another method you like to use.  If so, then please share!

God First Challenge: Day 8-Keep a Journal or Notebook

My journal at the top- then my GMG notebooks

Day 8 Challenge: Keep a journal/notebook

Day 8 Scripture:  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Psalm 119:18

My son, forget not my law; but let  thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.   Proverbs 3:1-2

 

 

Congrats you've made it half way through the challenge! Hope you're still hanging in there with me-if so I have a little giveaway at the end of this blog post!!!

So...

Getting up early - check

Motivational Scripture - check

Someone holding you accountable - check

Comfy, cozy quiet place - check

Now let's look at why/how we study.  Today's challenge is something I started the first day I begin getting up early. I wrote down the scripture I'd read and any notes/ideas God showed me.  I was doing it completely on my own at that time and studying the book of Nehemiah.  (great study and SO relevant to today). 

Within about 6 weeks of using my journal I discovered GMG and the SOAP method and I've been using it every since.  (I'll discuss the SOAP method in more detail tomorrow.)  With each study I've printed out the GMG study guides and made a binder. 

I now have the entire books of James, 1 John, and Ephesians along with Proverbs 31 completely written out with notes and how it can be applied to my life!  If you're looking for a study to do after finishing this challenge then I highly recommend GMG. They study begins September 17 and they already have the free study guide and a bookmark ready to download-just click the pic below:

 

 

 

Just in a year and a half I've been doing this I've already pulled back out some of the binders to look back over something.  It's a  wonderful resource to have so I encourage you to do the same!  Another great way to use your journal/notebook is for keeping a page of things you're praying for and a page for prayers answered. I'm a little slack on this one!

So in celebration of making half way through the challenge with me I'm giving away a journal!!!  Just leave me a comment here on the blog telling me how the challenge is going for you (it's ok-be honest!) and you'll be entered to win!  I'll choose someone using random.org and announce the winner on Tuesday, September 11th.

Good luck!