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| Daily Devotions for Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2010
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 | MONDAY, AUGUST 30
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Fall is a time of transition for many people. Schools are
starting up again, children are going off to college, new initiatives are
ramping up. This can be an exciting time for everyone. However, for many people
this can also be disorienting. What am I doing? Where am I going? Am I still in
this same old job? Are we still going through the same marital or family
issues? What has changed in the last 12 months?
As we move into the fall a challenge for us all will be to
think more specifically about the kind of people we want to be. Whether we have
our perfect life figured out yet or not, who will we be in the meantime?
How do we do this? Two simple activities; easy to define but
just as easy to ignore. Daily Bible reading and daily prayer. Why these two?
Because if we truly want to be the people of God we need to know who He is and
what He wants from us. We learn about God through the Bible and we learn to
relate with God through prayer.
So this week, instead of clever commentary or inspiring
thoughts, we'll focus on these two core disciplines.
For today, spend the next 10 minutes in prayer. If your mind
gets distracted, quickly jot down those distractions on a pad of paper and then
go back and keep praying. Don't be afraid of being silent for a time before the
Lord, creating space for His Holy Spirit to guide, convict, and lead you today.
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| TUESDAY, AUGUST 31
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Take about five minutes today to pray. Ask God specifically
to help you discern what it looks like to be a follower of Christ. "Lord, who
do you want me to be?"
Then, read Colossians 1.
Close in a brief prayer, asking God to guide you through
whatever twisty roads and detours life presents to you today.
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| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
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Again, take about five minutes right now to pray. This is a
time for you to connect with God - there are no other tasks to accomplish right
now. As you did yesterday, shape your prayer around the question, "Lord, who do
you want me to be?"
Then, read Colossians 2.
Close in a brief prayer, seeking God's help as you elevate
the name of the Lord Jesus in your school, house, or office today.
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| THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
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Habits are formed as we repeat the same things over and over
again. So start this devotional time in prayer, continuing to seek God's
guidance on this issue of identity. "What kind of person do you want me to be?"
Then, read Colossians 3.
Close in a brief prayer, led by what you read in Colossians
3.
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| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
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As we end this week, maybe you prayed and read the Bible
every day, and maybe you didn't. Perhaps you felt some kind of leading or
direction from God regarding your identity in Christ, and perhaps you didn't.
Do not be discouraged and do not give up. Turn to God in prayer today. Ask Him
again right now.
Then, read Colossians 4, or re-read the entire book (it is
really quite short).
Close in prayer, and specifically ask God to give you
strength to persevere as you attempt to engage with Him on a more regular
basis. Consider inviting others to join you as you try to be more consistent
and intentional with these two central disciplines of prayer and Bible reading.
"May the LORD
bless you and keep you; may the LORD make his face shine upon you and be
gracious to you; may the LORD turn his face toward you and give you
peace." (Num. 6:24-26)
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Jonathan Ziman
Community Life Pastor
Wheaton Bible Church
27W500 North Avenue
West Chicago, IL 60185
630.260.1600
www.wheatonbible.org |
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