40 Days of Discipline

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40 Days of Discipline: Day 31 – Creation

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. (Psalm 19:1-4)

 

The answers you sent on Libby’s behalf yesterday were certainly comprehensive and helpful. We have some people who have clearly thought long and hard about Stewardship. Thanks for sharing!

Today we address the Discipline of experiencing God through His creation. This is one of the least common Disciplines in the literature on Spiritual Disciplines, and this lack of familiarity may be a cause for questions. Vincent certainly has some questions for Libby and I hope you will have the time to help him out.

As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing. Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself.  Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Vincent’s challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I have always admired people who seem to be able to find the time to “smell the roses” and see God’s powerful hand in various aspects of creation.  I barely find the time to smell my coffee.  If I am honest, when I first heard about this Discipline of Creation, I shied away from it because it had a “new age” feel to it and I was afraid of being more caught up with the created than the Creator.  As I understood more and got over that hurdle though, I encountered another problem, priority.  This Discipline just does not feature in my day.  How do you make experiencing God through His creation come alive in your life?  What are some of the practical things you do on a day to day basis?

 

Ready for more,

Vincent

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Vincent?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 30 – Stewardship

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

 

The comments yesterday related to the Discipline of Service were again superlative.   Thanks to all who commented!  Please be reminded that this week we will be focusing on a different Discipline each day.  Today Libby will address the Discipline of Stewardship.   As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing.  Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself.  Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Heather’s challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I struggle with the Discipline of Stewardship.  First, I tend to associate this Discipline with money, which I know is too narrow a definition.  Second, I hesitate to give my hard-earned money to religious institutions because of all the scandals.  Third, it is very easy to say everything I have is a gift from God, but translating that into the way I live is another matter.  You can probably tell that this is not one of my strong areas.  How do you put this Discipline into practice?  As always your practical advice and the biblical basis for the advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yours expectantly,

Heather

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Heather?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 29 – Service

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40)

 

This week will be a hectic one for Libby because we will consider a difference Discipline each day.  Believe it or not, this is the final week before Holy week and we have 5 more Disciplines to consider.  Today we will focus on the Discipline of Service and we have a question from Ayesha.   As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing.  Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself. Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Ayesha’s challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I heard a Bible teacher once say that most Christians say they will be committed to acts of service, until they meet the people they must serve.  I think the teacher was talking about me.  People can be mean, deceitful, ungrateful and sometimes even dangerous.  It seems as if all the mushy Hallmark moments never come my way.  So, I have become wary of service unless the circumstances are very risk free and totally within my comfort zone.  Sometimes, deep inside I ask myself, “Why take chances?”

 On the other hand, sometimes when I take the time to reflect, I don’t feel good about my reticence, cynicism and fear.  I see that there is so much need.  I want to grow stronger in this area. What would you suggest?

 

Anxious to serve,

Ayesha

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Ayesha?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 28 – Review

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Colossians 3:16)

 

Today is dedicated to reviewing what you have learned about Worship and Fellowship.  If you have missed any of the days, you can catch up.  Also, if you have missed any of the great comments you can go back and review them.  Most importantly, think about how you can apply what you have learned.

 

Today’s Question:

Are there any changes you would like to make based on our study this week?  Please consider sharing what you would like to change so we can pray with you.


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 27 – Worship & Fellowship

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

 

We had two great comments yesterday that provided excellent examples of how we benefit from Fellowship.  They are certainly worth checking out.

As we have done in prior weeks, we will take a break from Dear Libby today and focus on encouraging each other.  I believe we all benefit when we share favorite passages from the Bible that reinforce our practise of Disciplines.  At a minimum, the verses remind us that the 40-day journey we are on is Biblically based.

Today is all about Bible passages.

 

Today’s Request:

Please share your favourite Bible passages on Worship and Fellowship.


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 26 – Fellowship

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

 

Thanks for sharing your practical ways to improve Christian fellowship yesterday.  We continue our focus on the Discipline of Fellowship.

Today Libby has a letter from Devon.  As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing.  Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself.  Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Felicia challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I am convinced that God doesn’t want me to be a lone wolf Christian, so I need to interact with other Christians.  However,  I don’t want to settle for shallow relationships as a substitute for real fellowship.  I want to know what real Biblical fellowship feels like.

I learn a lot from the positive experiences of others.  Can you share any of your experiences where Christian fellowship had a material impact on your life?

 

Wanting the real deal,

Devon

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Devon?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 25 – Fellowship

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

 

We have enjoyed two enlightening days focussing on the Discipline of Worship. What a blessing to see the passion for worship exhibited by those who posted comments.  We now switch to the Discipline of Fellowship.

Today Libby has a letter from Felicia.  As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing.  Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself.  Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Felicia challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I am just going to come out and say it, “I’ve been faking fellowship.”  I attend church on Sundays, arrive just before the service starts (or a little late), and leave as soon as soon as church ends.  For years I passed this off as fellowship.  I participated in the 40 Days of Discipline journey last year and learned a lot more about fellowship but  I haven’t made much progress over the last year.

How do I improve in this area?  Do you have some practical suggestions based on your experience?

 

Coming clean,

Felicia

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Felicia?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 24 – Worship

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

 

We had great comments again yesterday.  If you missed them I encourage you to check them out.

Today Libby has a letter about worship from Bronwyn.  As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing.  Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself.  Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Bronwyn’s challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I know that worship is about more than what occurs in church.  However, group worship is important to me and I get confused by the debates about forms of group worship.  There are so many variations: traditional, modern, liturgical, etc. 

I am naturally a very reserved person.  I know I shouldn’t do this but sometimes I compare myself to how other people worship and I feel spiritually “inferior”.    

My question is very straightforward.  Where corporate worship is concerned, how much does form matter?  

 

Seeking clarification,

Bronwyn

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Bronwyn?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 23 – Worship

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)

 

Today we resume our letters to Libby but we will switch our focus to the Discipline of Worship.   As a reminder, you will play the part of Libby and share your thoughts on the challenges people are facing.  Libby is not expected to be an expert.  Rather, Libby simply shares from personal and practical experiences.   So, please feel free to chime in even if you have questions yourself.  Also, even if you don’t have the time to share, think about how you have addressed the challenge in your life or how you would address it in the life of a loved one.

Please review the Bible passage above and Marlon’s challenge below.

 

Dear Libby,

I am very interested in your thoughts on how I can grow beyond a limited view of worship in both theory and application.  Although I have heard quotes such as “Worship is a lifestyle.”, I still associate worship with entertainment.  Further, as a matter of application, I treat worship by and large as a spectator sport.  I love to hear great worship songs and see good worship leaders in action, but my involvement feels “empty”.

I know there must be more to worship and long for something deeper.

Feeling for more,

Marlon

 

Today’s Question:

What thoughts would you like to share with Marlon?


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40 Days of Discipline: Day 22 – Review

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16(b))

 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

 

I am always amazed how much we can learn from each other under the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  Based on the excellent comments, this past week certainly didn’t disappoint.

Today is dedicated to reviewing what you have learned about Prayer and Fasting.  If you have missed any of the days, you can catch up.  Also, if you have missed any of the great comments you can go back and review them.  Most importantly, think about how you can apply what you have learned.

 

Today’s Question:

Are there any changes you would like to make based on our study this week?  Please consider sharing what you would like to change so we can pray with you.