Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:23-25)
Our 40 Days of Discipline Journey is focused on God-directed transformation. By improving our practice of the Disciplines our aim is to strengthen our relationship with our loving Father. We have emphasized though, that we want to do this as an act of love.
To stimulate our desired outcome, we will dedicate Saturdays to reviewing the topics discussed in the past week. So, today your task is simple but the impact could be profound if you diligently listen to God’s leading. Prayerfully consider our conversations on Bible Study and Creation over the past week. This blog site makes it quite easy to review thoughts and comments from the past week if you need a refresh. I encourage you to check out the comments if you haven’t been doing so because the contributions are excellent. Please answer the following questions:
Today’s Questions for comments:
- What are the top three “big ideas” you picked up during the past week?
- What practical steps can you take to make the Disciplines of Bible Study and Creation more of a habit?
I am looking forward to what God has in store for us next week as we consider the Disciplines of Prayer and Fasting.
February 28, 2015 at 3:10 am
For me the top 3 “big ideas” I picked up from the study this past week are:
1. Love and Disciplines go hand in hand
2. You cannot love God if you don’t have a knowledge of him as well as relationship with him.
3. God’s commandments are not burdensome. If you have right relationship with God you will find His Word encouraging and healing to the soul.
Discipline of Bible study and creation more of a habit:
*If you take it as an important part of your daily life.
*If you consider it a necessity for your survival and for understanding the purpose of your existence on earth.
*If you appreciate God’s creation, it will help you keep the ‘joy’ that comes from renewing your relationship with the Lord everyday as you journey in life.
Have a blessed weekend everyone! I’m enjoying the study.
February 28, 2015 at 8:36 am
Many questions seem simple, but requires soul searching.
The 3 big ideas for me is: It’s absolutely necessary to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, a transformation of our heart. This can only be done through a daily walk with God, which includes daily reading and contemplating on his Word. Have a passion for the Word of God, for Loving God.
2. Quoting Romans 5:8 ‘ While we were sinners Christ died for us’. Following on from there: 1 John 3:14 ‘Anyone who does not love remains in death’.
Our Love for God, will be reflected in our love for others;. The glory is always God’s and not our own.
3. I need God, to live as He wants us to live.; to not stray from the path of being fully committed to Him, in thought, words and actions.
February 28, 2015 at 9:24 am
I had one BIG AHA MOMENT
It dawned on me, and culminating during the Creation exercise, and consolidated by a quote I read from Basil King that any unmet needs I have is my own fault not GOD’s … in that I have failed to grasp his FULL provision that HE has poured out on us so liberally.
Absolute confidence in God’s overflowing liberality of every sort is essential to conquering lack of any kind.
February 28, 2015 at 11:57 am
1. I cannot love as God commands me to love, without Him.
2. I was again challenged with the truth that the true assessment of the quality of my love for God is the quality of my love for others.
3. God has set the example of love and loving that I must follow. I must seek to learn as much as I can about Him by spending time in His word and listening to His Holy Spirit, and by His grace obediently put what I learn into practice. Today’s verse again highlighted for me that gap that often exist between what I may know and what I practice. Jesus encourages me to keep both my hearing and my doing at the same level. (John 14:15, “If you love me keep my commandments.) It’s quite a challenge but one that I must pursue, because it’s not a choice.
Practical steps:
Don’t stop reading God’s word. Read with the desire to know and with a heart to obey. No matter how many times you stumble, get back up dust yourself off and start again. Read a little at a time; meditate on a little at a time. Even when you are not seeing results keep doing it. Be like the farmer and anticipate the harvest even when you haven’t seen anything breaking the soil.
He is a merciful and patient God who wants more than anything for His child to do well.
As far as making the creation discipline a habit, I am learning not to take so many of the things I have see over the years for granted. I am willing to be amazed by the birds who are out singing, jumping from branch to branch, doing their thing, while trying to think what is it that God may be telling me about Himself.
These first few days of this 40 day journey has been a blessing thus far. Have a great weekend everyone.
March 3, 2015 at 2:28 am
“But whoever looks intently (studies) into the perfect law (the Word) that gives freedom, and continues in it (persists)—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it (sincerely) —they will be blessed in what they do.”
Not answering the questions really but the verse above struck me in a new way as I read it. Paraphrased… “Whoever studies the Word and persists in it, sincerely, will be blessed in what they do.” Who doesn’t want that promise to be active in their life?
May the knowledge of this truth spur me on to new levels of commitment to studying your Word oh Lord.