I want to dive deeper, but I'm lazy..
So this is my dilemma...
I'm not growing spiritually as quick as I would like to, and I know its my fault.
Recently I have gotten rid of a problem in my life. Music. I understood that the music I was listening to was not flattering to God, so gradually I have been replacing my not-so-nice music with Christian based.
Awesome.
I have also become a lot closer with my church and the youth. I attend church at the very least twice a week, I am very close friends with my Pastor and his wife, most of my friends are Christians, I am bringing friends to church with me, I pray every night, I even work at a Christian Elementary School founded by my church. So, why don't I feel closer?
I think I've realized it.
I don't read the Bible.
Thats it! Thats my problem!
I need to read the Bible! I can feel it!
But here is where I start to get stubborn.
I'm lazy, I wanna watch TV, I want to play on the computer, I wanna do everything else, I even have the time to take a nap! Why don't I have the time to read the Bible?
I am not very self-disciplined and, just like homework, I put things off till the last minute. I don't want to put God off till the last minute. I need help.
I hate to say it, but I suppose I don't find reading the Bible very fun. I've never really liked reading at all and I never seem to finish what I start.
So I need some help here from anyone I can!
Is there a daily devotional that is really interesting? Is there a way I can manage my time? How long should I read the Bible a day? And can I still have time to do things I enjoy? I feel guilty if I know I should read and end up doing something else.
Anyway, thank you so much for reading and if you have any information or help you can give me, I would be very greatful!
God Bless =]
-Laura
I'm not growing spiritually as quick as I would like to, and I know its my fault.
Recently I have gotten rid of a problem in my life. Music. I understood that the music I was listening to was not flattering to God, so gradually I have been replacing my not-so-nice music with Christian based.
Awesome.
I have also become a lot closer with my church and the youth. I attend church at the very least twice a week, I am very close friends with my Pastor and his wife, most of my friends are Christians, I am bringing friends to church with me, I pray every night, I even work at a Christian Elementary School founded by my church. So, why don't I feel closer?
I think I've realized it.
I don't read the Bible.
Thats it! Thats my problem!
I need to read the Bible! I can feel it!
But here is where I start to get stubborn.
I'm lazy, I wanna watch TV, I want to play on the computer, I wanna do everything else, I even have the time to take a nap! Why don't I have the time to read the Bible?
I am not very self-disciplined and, just like homework, I put things off till the last minute. I don't want to put God off till the last minute. I need help.
I hate to say it, but I suppose I don't find reading the Bible very fun. I've never really liked reading at all and I never seem to finish what I start.
So I need some help here from anyone I can!
Is there a daily devotional that is really interesting? Is there a way I can manage my time? How long should I read the Bible a day? And can I still have time to do things I enjoy? I feel guilty if I know I should read and end up doing something else.
Anyway, thank you so much for reading and if you have any information or help you can give me, I would be very greatful!
God Bless =]
-Laura
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Roland Taylor (Warrior Servant) on -
Hi Laura. Do you use Ubuntu?
If yes, try installing Gnomesword. It's a fun way to study (or at least I think so).
I'll say more if you reply... cause right now I have to fix something with my system's boot.ini, so I'm a little pressed for time...
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Permalink Reply by Laura Frank on -
Uuhm haha I don't use Ubuntu, in fact.. I'm not even sure what it is?
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Permalink Reply by Roland Taylor (Warrior Servant) on
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Hi Laura, sorry for the delays. Ubuntu is an OS, like windows...
you could use the sword project for windows and get some of the same features as windows. Both allow you to get daily devotionals, like the pilgrim's progress every time you start them up.
The also help cause the can use a built in concordance when you're studying.
hope that helps...
of course this is all computer stuff...
in any case, remember, your relationship with God the father is very personal. So, don't rate your relationship off that of someone else. Let it flow naturally. If you try to "do" your way better, you may get no where at all!
let it be a process, like any friendship :-)
-Warrior Servant...
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Permalink Reply by Laura Frank on
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Thank you! You are very helpful =]
I'll read up on that sword program.
And thank you again!
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Permalink Reply by Chantele on -
I used to have this problem when I was younger. I used to think that in order to grow spiritually I had to do the duty of a Christian. Instead of thinking of your spiritual disciplines as getting closer to God think of them as essential elements in your walk. I read the bible in the message version and that has helped to understand the lingo of the bible. The purpose driven life has helped me a lot as well and the devotional that I just cannot keep my hands off of is Oswald Chambers My Utmost to His Highest. Set aside time where you are going to spend with God. for example when I set the time apart for God I turn off my computer my cell phone and my home phone is on silence. Then I read a chapter from the bible then I write down what I learned which is a good spiritual practice.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Frank on
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Thank you =] I really appreciate your help! I will definitely work on this!
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Permalink Reply by Chad DeVillier on -
I know how you feel, I sometimes have this problem too. For me, though, Oswald Chamber's My Utmost For His Highest. Daily devotions for every day of the year, very short (usually less than one page), but surprising applicable and interesting. Somehow, every day it feels like it was written just for me. It looks like someone else already mentioned this book, too. Hope this maybe helps...
Because He lives,
The Chad
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Permalink Reply by Laura Frank on
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Thanks! It sounds like a popular book! I will definitely look into it. I'm hoping a good daily devotional will help me get set on a positive habbit!
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Permalink Reply by d(heavenbound) on -
hey laura,
what a great post! i think it kinda puts us all in check regarding our "habits" or lack thereof;)
it is discipline, as is anything...but the more ya get into it, and the closer ya get in yer walk, the Holy spirit will almost put a yearning in yer heart to go pick it up...
you've had some other suggestions already, and i wanted to give ya one that i use every day, and have since i gave my life back to the Lord last july... its a daily devotional by Dr Charles Stanley(awesome pastor), and each day he gives a scripture verse in reference to the day's thought, and each day there are a couple of chapters to read...right now, we're in I Chronicles (almost done)...
what i like about it is that it gives me that guidance each day to get in and read something that i thought i knew all about, but that i haven't picked up since sunday school days...it has been very cool going back over and reading these stories i've known somewhat throughout my life...but its a very different perspective i have on all of it now...
its so easy to get caught up doing other things, and i'm just as guilty..but i know i don't go too deep into the day without spending time in prayer and bible study, and having this devotional every day really helps....
two different forms of the same devotional are available, either online(they'll email it to you every day) or they'll mail you a booklet(at no charge) each month...either way, it has made a major difference in my daily time i spend with the Lord...hope it helps
God bless you much,
d
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